> My speculation is that Mihoshi will get removed as a matter of course so that her
brother can attempt whatever his plan against Tenchi is.

At the moment, that plan involves getting Tenchi and Mihoshi up to the Chobimaru,
then getting Ryoko to chase her attack up there where the ship will be destroyed,
killing Ryoko and Tenchi.  Mihoshi-tachi will, of course, be survivors of the terrible

event. 

> Meanwhile, Ryoko will finally get to engage in another brawl (its been a while for
the poor girl), and will be
> overcome, but only after she trashes most of the GP team.

I think she'll trash her opponent, but certainly Seto-sama, Washu, and Noike can take
down their opponent with ease.  Indeed, Seto and Washu are totally unconcerned by
this turn of events.  Seto-sama was expecting it (as referenced in episode 16).
Noike seems to know of it (maybe a 3rd reason for her being on Earth) and it would
seem Washu was aware of it as well.

Aeka and Ryo-ohki could easily trash their opponent.  Assuming Aeka still has access
to Ryu-oh's power and Ryo-ohki can transform into ship mode, well... >:-}

Sasami-chan is the interesting question.  As Tsunami, she'd have no problem dealing
with Mashisu.  The question is, will Mashisu actually attack Sasami-chan?

> (Though the fact that her gem was glowing red concerns me somewhat - I've never
seen it look like that before.)

That could easily be Ryoko just accessing more power from the gem for the upcoming
battle.  Ryoko had just taken some damage to the face, so she may be regenerating
and getting ready to go on the offensive.  I suppose it is also possible that choushin

Washu may be reacting to something.  The gems have reacted to different situations
in the past.

> (as Sasami and Washu are both confined, I'm not entirely certain what the other
two goddesses will be doing)

I just don't see Washu staying confined this time, not with 1 GP special op guy. 
She's got Seto-sama and Noike.

> Z will step in while Tenchi is facing off against Mihoshi's brother, and either
casually knock the GP team to one side (if they're done with Ryoko) or ignore the
brother as he takes off with Tenchi.

If Z shows up in the next episode (and I'm wondering about that, but we'll see), it
will be because his plan has failed (IMO).  Something is going to happen to change
Misao's outlook on life.  At the same time, the Chobimaru is going to get a graffiti

job (as seen in GXP).  I'm told this is from Aeka.  Z's whole plan is to get others
to do his dirty work.  This way, he is obeying Tokimi-sama's order to not touch Tenchi
since he's not the one doing the touching.  However, if the plan fails, Z may
feel he has no choice but to attack Tenchi himself.