Eh, the ep took longer than the manga ...prolonging what was gonna happen with all those flashbacks and like repetition of things...i thought i saw Lee describing Sasuke's change the same way about 3 times! Now we have to wait two weeks for the next ep

Sasuke was cooler than usual, more determined instead of hesitant while facing Orochimaru + he seems to be more cockier and I hate to see Naruto be jealous of him But Naruto may be underestimating himself after all he does have super powers

I wonder who is faster Naruto or Sasuke after Naruto got the chakra boost from Kyuubi

But the ep showed just as much action as one ep could take up so

"Sasuke interrupted Gaara's evolving, He couldn't continue evolve due the damage of the chidori that sasuke gave him."
-Go!! Pokemon Gaara! Desert Coffin attack!

About the snakes comment...since snakes were summoned in the previews Orochimaru must be closer to tourneys than anyone expects...he could be one of those bidders disguised!