I started replaying (rereading) Umineko no Naku Koro ni the other day. I had before played and read the first two episodes, and got through the 1st night in episode 3. However, I stopped at that point due to other obligations. I decided to pick Umineko back up and started back at the 1st episode and recently finished the 1st one again. It still holds up on a second playthrough, especially since I recently finished Higurashi and the music and visuals got a nice upgrade. The atmosphere and the themes of the story are still fantastic and it hasn't lost its creepy atmosphere, even though I know what was going to happen.
Some spoilerly thoughts for Episode 1:
Natsuhi can be mean at times, but I find her kind of endearing. She's picked on by Eva and gets no respect from Krauss or Jessica. I just felt sorry for her. And she looks pretty awesome with a gun. The first time I saw that I had to laugh because it was sooooo unexpected.
And the first appearance of Beatrice is still amazing, and I don't mean the portrait.
In terms of theories, since I haven't gotten to the answer arcs yet, I don't know what really happens, but I do have a few thoughts:
I believe Kinzo is the killer and may have one or two accomplices. If he does, one of them is definitely Maria. I totes believe she's the one who put the letter in the study near the end of the episode. I mean, the only evidence that he's dead was a very burnt body that bore an extra toe. Honestly, what's to say that the body did not belong to Krauss? They did mention the trait was hereditary.
Taking a break to do some homework, but I can't wait to get started and reread Episode 2, which, if I recall correctly, has an amazing climax.