I prayed and wished for this to start well and it did. I guess the keyword here must be nostalgia. I tried to decipher if this episode can be seen without seeing the first Stein;Gate, but no, it is impossible and it makes sense storywise from the previous season. I like that we were introduced back (or further?) to the characters; it is a good and welcoming refresher with all that is good and bad. Mayuri is like always the smiling shining sun, but it is visible it ain't her the same as before. Makise is not in this timeline alive and she (Mayuri) is older. Daru has the same deep, mumbly voice and we can't miss the fanservicy duo of Farys and Luko. The main character and the spotlight is on Okabe..
This will probably be depressing and dark to watch, at least from the start. Those memories of him knifing Makise will be returning and we are fully aware how desperately he was jumping through timeline to save Mayuri before. All those dead Makises. I am a little bothered of too much scoping to his face and making him too shocked to remember, but..his reactions are only natural, I guess. However he is the main reason why the show will be moody and sad, it will always follow his emotions and feelings. We will be seeing Makise semi-alive and I am curious where that will lead us.
I am fine with the slow pace, that is so typical for Steins;Gate. It has to make sure it gets all what it needs set up so it can't be questioned (not that there were too many facts here). Production qualities are good, no bad CGI for Zed here (finally).