From dc7eb86ce693e8bd11f32eb04aefc3a583944e53 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Timo <6156589+Shik3i@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 2026 07:08:39 +0200
Subject: [PATCH] fix(sync): harden episode transition compatibility

---
 docs/CHANGELOG.md                             |  13 +
 docs/PROTOCOL.md                              |  73 ++-
 extension/background.js                       | 270 ++++++++-
 extension/content.js                          | 533 ++++++++++++++++--
 extension/episode-sync-v2.test.mjs            | 113 +++-
 extension/episode-utils.js                    |  74 ++-
 extension/episode-utils.test.mjs              |  93 ++-
 scripts/build-extension.cjs                   |   1 +
 scripts/test-server-ws.mjs                    | 243 ++++++--
 server/index.js                               | 171 ++++--
 shared/README.md                              |   6 +-
 shared/constants.js                           |   4 +
 .../episode-transition-quarantine.spec.mjs    | 159 ++++++
 tests/e2e/extension.spec.mjs                  |  92 +++
 14 files changed, 1625 insertions(+), 220 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 tests/e2e/episode-transition-quarantine.spec.mjs

diff --git a/docs/CHANGELOG.md b/docs/CHANGELOG.md
index c54438c..fd12ffd 100644
--- a/docs/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/docs/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -5,6 +5,19 @@ All notable changes to the KoalaSync browser extension and relay server.
 
 ---
 
+## [v3.2.0] — 2026-09-01
+
+This release makes episode transitions relay-authoritative and safe across mixed
+extension and relay versions.
+
+### Changed
+- **Reliable next-episode sync** — Quarantines automatic source-swap playback noise, waits up to 120 seconds for every participant to load, and commits playback only after every prepared player confirms execution.
+- **Rolling compatibility** — Preserves the released legacy lobby contract for older extensions and relays while keeping new transactions correlated, bounded, and reconnect-safe.
+
+### Fixed
+- **Episode transition races** — Handles title/load event reordering, long metadata titles, clock skew, disconnects, execute failures, and deliberate user controls without freezing or prematurely pausing peers.
+- **Room-exit target cleanup** — Clears stale selected tabs after manual leaves, inactivity removal, and room closure so reinjection works on the next selection.
+
 ## [v3.1.5] — 2026-08-25
 
 This patch fixes room-exit cleanup and excessive popup width.
diff --git a/docs/PROTOCOL.md b/docs/PROTOCOL.md
index 69dbc60..b78f105 100644
--- a/docs/PROTOCOL.md
+++ b/docs/PROTOCOL.md
@@ -364,6 +364,9 @@ Otherwise, even a delayed execute is relayed to release paused receivers.
 
 Episode lobby coordination is implemented primarily in the extension. The relay
 tracks enough state to include `activeLobby` in `room_data` for later joiners.
+For compatibility with released extensions, ordinary legacy `play`, `pause`, and
+`seek` events do not cancel an active lobby. Only the existing lobby/Force Sync
+choreography or an explicit `episode_lobby_cancel` ends it.
 
 ### `episode_lobby`
 
@@ -535,36 +538,58 @@ Clients should treat a missing or unknown capabilities list as unsupported.
 ## Episode Sync v2
 
 Relays advertise `"episode-sync-v2"`. Updated clients use the additive
-`episode_sync_v2` event without changing `PROTOCOL_VERSION`; automatic episode
-sync is skipped safely when the relay omits the capability or any current room
-peer did not announce it. Manual Force Sync remains on the legacy event family.
+`episode_sync_v2` event without changing `PROTOCOL_VERSION`. When the relay
+omits the capability, or rejects START because a current peer is legacy, updated
+clients fall back to the released legacy lobby wire. Manual Force Sync remains
+on the legacy event family.
 
 The relay creates the transaction ID, freezes non-desynced participants, owns
 deadlines, and is the only component that advances:
 
 ```text
-start -> lobby/loading -> prepare -> execute
-                         \-> cancel
+start -> lobby/loading -> prepare -> execute/executing -> complete
+          |                  |              |
+          +------------------+--------------+-> cancel
 ```
 
-Client phases are `start`, `loaded`, `prepared`, `failed`, and `cancel`. Relay
-phases are `lobby`, `prepare`, `execute`, and `cancel`. Every post-start frame is
-correlated by `transactionId`; duplicate or stale frames are idempotently
-ignored. No participant is pre-marked loaded. `execute` is emitted exactly once
-only after every frozen participant reports `loaded`, then pauses, seeks to
-0:00, reaches `readyState >= 3`, and remains on the same player/title in paused,
-non-seeking state for `EPISODE_SYNC_V2_STABILITY_MS`.
+`start` carries bounded `expectedTitle` and may carry a sanitized
+`expectedEpisodeId` (`S01E06` or `EP006`). Relay state includes `remainingMs`,
+not an absolute relay wall-clock deadline. Client phases are `start`, `loaded`,
+`prepared`, `executed`, `failed`, `failed_execute`, and `cancel`. Relay phases
+are `lobby`, `prepare`, `execute`, `complete`, and `cancel`. Every post-start
+frame is correlated by `transactionId`; duplicate or stale frames are
+idempotently ignored.
 
-Any timeout, failed player action, participant departure, manual media command,
-room/target change, or explicit cancellation produces `cancel`; v2 never
-executes after a timeout. Peers resume only when that transaction paused a
-previously playing player and no newer local or room action superseded it. A
-superseding room command defines the next state without racing a restoration.
-Peers joining after `start` are excluded from the frozen barrier and receive no
-v2 frames for that transaction. Clients revalidate the complete prepared state
-again immediately before applying `execute`.
+No participant is pre-marked loaded. `execute` is emitted exactly once only
+after every frozen participant reports `loaded`, then pauses, seeks to 0:00,
+reaches `readyState >= 3`, and remains on the same player/episode in paused,
+non-seeking state for `EPISODE_SYNC_V2_STABILITY_MS`. The transaction remains
+in the relay's internal `executing` phase until every participant reports
+`executed`. Only then does the relay commit canonical `playing` at 0:00 and emit
+terminal `complete`.
 
-Legacy episode events remain accepted. A new relay binds their PREPARE, EXECUTE,
-and CANCEL to the accepted lobby initiator, limiting duplicate old-client wire
-actions; an unmodified old non-initiator can still run its own local timeout, so
-full v2 guarantees require capable extensions on every peer.
+Raw `play`, `pause`, and `seek` churn is tolerated during `lobby/loading`, where
+players commonly replace sources. A current client can classify a fresh local
+gesture as `episodeSyncIntent: "manual"`; that command supersedes loading before
+the sanitized media command is relayed. During `prepare`, every such media
+command supersedes the barrier and releases prepared peers. Explicit
+`failed`/`cancel`, Force Sync,
+participant desync/departure, any successful join or reconnect, and every phase
+timeout cancel the transaction. A join always cancels rather than extending the
+frozen participant set or reusing ACKs from an earlier socket. v2 never advances
+to a later phase after a timeout.
+
+If `failed_execute` or the execute-ACK deadline ends `executing`, the relay emits
+`cancel` with `settlePlaybackState: "paused"` and `targetTime: 0`, and commits
+canonical paused state. Clients retain transaction state until `complete` or
+`cancel`, allowing that terminal settlement to reach peers that already started
+playback.
+
+The independent deadlines are 120 seconds for v2 loading, 15 seconds for
+prepare, and 10 seconds for execute acknowledgements. The released legacy lobby
+keeps its 60-second client-side deadline for old/new compatibility.
+
+Legacy episode events remain accepted with their released origin/main wire
+semantics. The relay does not globally bind legacy PREPARE, EXECUTE, or CANCEL
+to one lobby owner because old clients provide no field that distinguishes an
+automatic duplicate from an intentional manual Force Sync.
diff --git a/extension/background.js b/extension/background.js
index 7f3b075..22e33db 100644
--- a/extension/background.js
+++ b/extension/background.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-import { EVENTS, ERROR_CODES, CONTROL_MODES, CAPABILITIES, PROTOCOL_VERSION, OFFICIAL_SERVER_URL, OFFICIAL_SERVER_TOKEN, EPISODE_LOBBY_TIMEOUT, FORCE_SYNC_TIMEOUT, HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL } from './shared/constants.js';
+import { EVENTS, ERROR_CODES, CONTROL_MODES, CAPABILITIES, PROTOCOL_VERSION, OFFICIAL_SERVER_URL, OFFICIAL_SERVER_TOKEN, EPISODE_LOBBY_TIMEOUT, EPISODE_SYNC_V2_LOAD_TIMEOUT, EPISODE_SYNC_V2_PREPARE_TIMEOUT, EPISODE_SYNC_V2_EXECUTE_TIMEOUT, FORCE_SYNC_TIMEOUT, HEARTBEAT_INTERVAL } from './shared/constants.js';
 import { generateUsername } from './shared/names.js';
 import { loadLocale, getMessage, getSystemLanguage } from './i18n.js';
-import { sameEpisode, sameEpisodeStrict, extractEpisodeId } from './episode-utils.js';
+import { createEpisodeWireIdentity, createLocalEpisodeDeadline, extractEpisodeId, isEpisodeSyncV2StartContextCurrent, matchesEpisodeSyncV2StartRejection, sameEpisode, sameEpisodeIdentity, toEpisodeWireTitle } from './episode-utils.js';
 import { applyTitlePrivacyToPayload, sanitizeSharedTitle, sanitizeTabTitle, normalizeSendTabTitle, normalizeTitlePrivacyMode } from './title-privacy.js';
 import { initTabManager } from './modules/tab-manager.js';
 import { clearChatKeyCache, decryptChatMessage, encryptChatMessage, generateChatSecret, validateChatSecret } from './chat-crypto.js';
@@ -677,6 +677,8 @@ let forceSyncTimeout = null;
 let episodeLobby = null; // { expectedTitle, initiatorPeerId, readyPeers: [], createdAt }
 let episodeLobbyTimeout = null;
 let episodeSyncV2 = null;
+let episodeSyncV2PendingStart = null;
+let episodeSyncV2PendingStartId = 0;
 
 // --- Storage Utils ---
 
@@ -818,7 +820,9 @@ function emitEpisodeLobbyForCurrentPrivacy() {
         if (episodeLobby !== lobby
             || currentRoom?.roomId !== roomId
             || settings.roomId !== roomId) return;
-        const expectedTitle = sanitizeSharedTitle(lobby.expectedTitle, settings.mediaTitlePrivacyMode);
+        const expectedTitle = toEpisodeWireTitle(
+            sanitizeSharedTitle(lobby.expectedTitle, settings.mediaTitlePrivacyMode)
+        );
         if (expectedTitle) {
             emit(EVENTS.EPISODE_LOBBY, { peerId, expectedTitle });
         }
@@ -1217,10 +1221,13 @@ function normalizeEpisodeSyncV2(value, allowedPeerIds = null) {
     const transactionId = typeof value.transactionId === 'string'
         ? value.transactionId.substring(0, 64)
         : '';
-    const phase = value.phase === 'lobby' || value.phase === 'prepare' ? value.phase : '';
-    const expectedTitle = typeof value.expectedTitle === 'string'
-        ? value.expectedTitle.substring(0, 100)
-        : '';
+    const phase = value.phase === 'lobby' || value.phase === 'prepare'
+        ? value.phase
+        : (value.phase === 'execute' || value.phase === 'executing' ? 'execute' : '');
+    const expectedTitle = toEpisodeWireTitle(value.expectedTitle) || '';
+    const expectedEpisodeId = typeof value.expectedEpisodeId === 'string'
+        ? value.expectedEpisodeId.substring(0, 16)
+        : extractEpisodeId(expectedTitle);
     const initiatorPeerId = typeof value.initiatorPeerId === 'string'
         ? value.initiatorPeerId.substring(0, 16)
         : '';
@@ -1238,20 +1245,117 @@ function normalizeEpisodeSyncV2(value, allowedPeerIds = null) {
     if (participants.length < 2
         || !participantSet.has(initiatorPeerId)
         || (allowedPeerIds && participants.some(candidate => !allowedPeerIds.has(candidate)))) return null;
+    const phaseTimeout = phase === 'lobby'
+        ? EPISODE_SYNC_V2_LOAD_TIMEOUT
+        : (phase === 'prepare' ? EPISODE_SYNC_V2_PREPARE_TIMEOUT : EPISODE_SYNC_V2_EXECUTE_TIMEOUT);
+    // The relay's wall clock is not comparable to the browser's. Convert its
+    // bounded remaining duration into a local deadline. Older v2 relays omit
+    // remainingMs; a full local phase timeout is safer than trusting clock skew.
+    const localDeadline = createLocalEpisodeDeadline(value.remainingMs, phaseTimeout);
     return {
         transactionId,
         phase,
         expectedTitle,
+        expectedEpisodeId,
         initiatorPeerId,
         participants,
         loadedPeers,
         preparedPeers,
         createdAt: Number.isFinite(value.createdAt) ? value.createdAt : Date.now(),
-        deadlineAt: Number.isFinite(value.deadlineAt) ? value.deadlineAt : null,
-        revision: Number.isSafeInteger(value.revision) && value.revision > 0 ? value.revision : 1
+        deadlineAt: localDeadline.deadlineAt,
+        remainingMs: localDeadline.remainingMs,
+        revision: Number.isSafeInteger(value.revision) && value.revision > 0 ? value.revision : 1,
+        executionReportStatus: value.executionReportStatus === 'executed'
+            || value.executionReportStatus === 'failed_execute'
+            ? value.executionReportStatus
+            : null,
+        executionReportInFlight: false
     };
 }
 
+function createPendingEpisodeSyncV2Start(identity, sender = null) {
+    return {
+        requestId: ++episodeSyncV2PendingStartId,
+        roomId: currentRoom?.roomId || null,
+        connectionGeneration,
+        targetGeneration: targetActivationGeneration,
+        tabId: normalizeTabId(sender?.tab?.id ?? currentTabId),
+        frameId: normalizeFrameId(sender?.frameId ?? currentTargetFrameId),
+        documentId: sender?.documentId || currentTargetDocumentId || null,
+        expectedTitle: identity.expectedTitle,
+        expectedEpisodeId: identity.expectedEpisodeId,
+        requestedAt: Date.now()
+    };
+}
+
+function isCurrentEpisodeSyncV2Start(pending) {
+    return episodeSyncV2PendingStart === pending
+        && isEpisodeSyncV2StartContextCurrent(pending, {
+            roomId: currentRoom?.roomId || null,
+            connectionGeneration,
+            targetGeneration: targetActivationGeneration,
+            tabId: normalizeTabId(currentTabId)
+        });
+}
+
+function startLegacyEpisodeLobbyForTransition(identity, pending = null) {
+    if (!identity?.expectedTitle || !identity.expectedEpisodeId) return 'invalid_identity';
+    if (pending && !isCurrentEpisodeSyncV2Start(pending)) return 'stale_session';
+    // Legacy has no separate expectedEpisodeId field. If the 100-code-unit
+    // title clamp removed the episode marker, use the canonical ID itself so
+    // old content scripts can still match the local full title.
+    const lobbyTitle = extractEpisodeId(identity.expectedTitle)
+        ? identity.expectedTitle
+        : identity.expectedEpisodeId;
+
+    if (episodeLobby && sameEpisode(episodeLobby.expectedTitle, lobbyTitle)) {
+        if (!episodeLobby.readyPeers.includes(peerId)) {
+            if (!emitLive(EVENTS.EPISODE_READY, {
+                peerId,
+                title: lobbyTitle,
+                expectedTitle: episodeLobby.expectedTitle
+            })) return 'offline';
+            episodeLobby.readyPeers.push(peerId);
+            persistEpisodeLobby();
+            broadcastLobbyUpdate();
+            checkEpisodeLobbyCompletion();
+        }
+        return 'ready_sent';
+    }
+
+    if (episodeLobby) clearEpisodeLobbyState();
+    if (!emitLive(EVENTS.EPISODE_LOBBY, { peerId, expectedTitle: lobbyTitle })) return 'offline';
+
+    supersedeCanonicalMediaRecovery('local episode_lobby', EVENTS.PAUSE);
+    episodeLobby = {
+        expectedTitle: lobbyTitle,
+        initiatorPeerId: peerId,
+        readyPeers: [peerId],
+        createdAt: Date.now()
+    };
+    persistEpisodeLobby();
+    broadcastLobbyUpdate();
+    addLog(`Episode lobby created via compatibility fallback: "${lobbyTitle}"`, 'info');
+
+    const targetTabId = pending?.tabId ?? normalizeTabId(currentTabId);
+    if (targetTabId !== null) {
+        sendMessageToFrame(
+            targetTabId,
+            pending?.frameId ?? currentTargetFrameId,
+            { type: 'PAUSE_FOR_LOBBY', expectedTitle: lobbyTitle },
+            null,
+            pending?.documentId ?? currentTargetDocumentId
+        ).catch(() => {});
+    }
+
+    episodeLobbyTimeout = setTimeout(
+        () => cancelEpisodeLobby('Timeout — not all peers loaded the episode'),
+        EPISODE_LOBBY_TIMEOUT
+    );
+    checkEpisodeLobbyCompletion();
+    return 'lobby_created';
+}
+
 function clearTargetTabForIdle(expectedTabId = null, expectedGeneration = null) {
     return clearTargetSelectionForLifecycle({
         expectedTabId,
@@ -1266,6 +1370,7 @@ async function performRoomSessionTeardown({ notifyServer = false, reason = 'Left
     reconnectFailed = false;
     reconnectAttempts = 0;
     reconnectStartTime = null;
+    episodeSyncV2PendingStart = null;
     completeForceSyncBeforeTargetChange(null);
     if (notifyServer) emit(EVENTS.LEAVE_ROOM, { peerId });
 
@@ -2272,7 +2377,13 @@ async function handleServerEvent(event, data, expectedConnectionGeneration = con
                 currentRoom.episodeSyncV2 = authoritativeEpisodeSyncV2;
                 persistEpisodeSyncV2();
                 broadcastLobbyUpdate();
-                if (shouldNotifyContent) sendEpisodeSyncV2ToContent().catch(() => {});
+                if (shouldNotifyContent) {
+                    if (authoritativeEpisodeSyncV2.phase === 'execute') {
+                        executeEpisodeSyncV2FromRelay(authoritativeEpisodeSyncV2).catch(() => {});
+                    } else {
+                        sendEpisodeSyncV2ToContent().catch(() => {});
+                    }
+                }
             } else if (episodeSyncV2) {
                 clearEpisodeSyncV2State({ reason: 'relay_state_ended' });
             } else {
@@ -2701,6 +2812,28 @@ async function handleServerEvent(event, data, expectedConnectionGeneration = con
             }
             const phase = data.phase;
             if (phase === 'cancel' && !data.transactionId) {
+                const pending = episodeSyncV2PendingStart;
+                const matchesPending = episodeSyncV2PendingStart === pending
+                    && matchesEpisodeSyncV2StartRejection(pending, {
+                        roomId: currentRoom?.roomId || null,
+                        connectionGeneration,
+                        targetGeneration: targetActivationGeneration,
+                        tabId: normalizeTabId(currentTabId)
+                    }, data);
+                if (!matchesPending) {
+                    addLog(`Ignored stale Episode Sync v2 rejection: ${data.reason || 'rejected'}`, 'info');
+                    break;
+                }
+                if (data.reason === 'capability_mismatch') {
+                    const fallbackStatus = startLegacyEpisodeLobbyForTransition({
+                        expectedTitle: pending.expectedTitle,
+                        expectedEpisodeId: pending.expectedEpisodeId
+                    }, pending);
+                    episodeSyncV2PendingStart = null;
+                    addLog(`Episode Sync v2 unavailable; compatibility fallback: ${fallbackStatus}`, 'warn');
+                    break;
+                }
+                episodeSyncV2PendingStart = null;
                 addLog(`Episode Sync v2 unavailable: ${data.reason || 'rejected'}`, 'warn');
                 break;
             }
@@ -2728,6 +2861,11 @@ async function handleServerEvent(event, data, expectedConnectionGeneration = con
                     clearEpisodeSyncV2State({ reason: 'transaction_replaced' });
                 }
                 if (episodeLobby) clearEpisodeLobbyState();
+                if (episodeSyncV2PendingStart
+                    && incoming.expectedTitle === episodeSyncV2PendingStart.expectedTitle
+                    && incoming.expectedEpisodeId === episodeSyncV2PendingStart.expectedEpisodeId) {
+                    episodeSyncV2PendingStart = null;
+                }
                 episodeSyncV2 = incoming;
                 if (currentRoom) currentRoom.episodeSyncV2 = incoming;
                 persistEpisodeSyncV2();
@@ -2736,14 +2874,16 @@ async function handleServerEvent(event, data, expectedConnectionGeneration = con
                 addLog(`Episode Sync v2 ${incoming.phase}: "${incoming.expectedTitle}" (${incoming.transactionId.substring(0, 8)})`, 'info');
                 break;
             }
-            if ((phase === 'execute' || phase === 'cancel')
+            if ((phase === 'execute' || phase === 'complete' || phase === 'cancel')
                 && episodeSyncV2
                 && data.transactionId === episodeSyncV2.transactionId) {
                 const completed = episodeSyncV2;
                 if (phase === 'execute') {
+                    await executeEpisodeSyncV2FromRelay(data);
+                } else if (phase === 'complete') {
                     sendMessageToCurrentContent({
                         type: 'EPISODE_SYNC_V2',
-                        transaction: { ...completed, phase: 'execute', targetTime: 0 }
+                        transaction: { ...completed, phase: 'complete', targetTime: 0 }
                     }).catch(() => {});
                     if (currentRoom && Array.isArray(currentRoom.peers)) {
                         currentRoom.peers.forEach(candidate => {
@@ -2758,7 +2898,10 @@ async function handleServerEvent(event, data, expectedConnectionGeneration = con
                     clearEpisodeSyncV2State({ notifyContent: false, reason: 'executed' });
                     addLog(`Episode Sync v2 executed for "${completed.expectedTitle}"`, 'success');
                 } else {
-                    clearEpisodeSyncV2State({ reason: data.reason || 'cancelled' });
+                    clearEpisodeSyncV2State({
+                        reason: data.reason || 'cancelled',
+                        relayState: data
+                    });
                     addLog(`Episode Sync v2 cancelled: ${data.reason || 'cancelled'}`, 'warn');
                 }
             }
@@ -2928,6 +3071,7 @@ function completeForceSyncBeforeTargetChange(nextTabId) {
     const normalizedNextTabId = normalizeTabId(nextTabId);
     if (selectedTabId !== null && selectedTabId === normalizedNextTabId) return;
 
+    episodeSyncV2PendingStart = null;
     if (episodeSyncV2) cancelEpisodeSyncV2('target_changed');
     if (!isForceSyncInitiator) return;
 
@@ -2945,7 +3089,7 @@ function episodeLobbyForUi() {
     return {
         expectedTitle: episodeSyncV2.expectedTitle,
         initiatorPeerId: episodeSyncV2.initiatorPeerId,
-        readyPeers: episodeSyncV2.phase === 'prepare'
+        readyPeers: episodeSyncV2.phase === 'prepare' || episodeSyncV2.phase === 'execute'
             ? [...episodeSyncV2.preparedPeers]
             : [...episodeSyncV2.loadedPeers],
         createdAt: episodeSyncV2.createdAt,
@@ -2972,7 +3116,60 @@ function sendEpisodeSyncV2ToContent(transaction = episodeSyncV2) {
     });
 }
 
-function clearEpisodeSyncV2State({ notifyContent = true, reason = 'cancelled' } = {}) {
+async function executeEpisodeSyncV2FromRelay(relayState) {
+    const transaction = episodeSyncV2;
+    if (!transaction
+        || !relayState
+        || relayState.transactionId !== transaction.transactionId
+        || transaction.executionReportInFlight
+        || transaction.executionReportStatus) return false;
+
+    transaction.phase = 'execute';
+    const remainingMs = Number.isFinite(relayState.remainingMs)
+        ? Math.max(0, Math.min(EPISODE_SYNC_V2_EXECUTE_TIMEOUT, relayState.remainingMs))
+        : EPISODE_SYNC_V2_EXECUTE_TIMEOUT;
+    transaction.remainingMs = remainingMs;
+    transaction.deadlineAt = Date.now() + remainingMs;
+    transaction.executionReportInFlight = true;
+    persistEpisodeSyncV2();
+    broadcastLobbyUpdate();
+
+    let response = null;
+    try {
+        response = await sendMessageToCurrentContent({
+            type: 'EPISODE_SYNC_V2',
+            transaction: {
+                ...transaction,
+                phase: 'execute',
+                targetTime: 0
+            }
+        });
+    } catch (error) {
+        addLog(`Episode Sync v2 execute content error: ${error.message}`, 'warn');
+    }
+
+    if (episodeSyncV2 !== transaction) return false;
+    const reportStatus = response?.status === 'executed' ? 'executed' : 'failed_execute';
+    transaction.executionReportInFlight = false;
+    const sent = emitLive(EVENTS.EPISODE_SYNC_V2, {
+        phase: reportStatus,
+        transactionId: transaction.transactionId,
+        reason: reportStatus === 'failed_execute'
+            ? (typeof response?.reason === 'string' ? response.reason.substring(0, 32) : 'content_execute_failed')
+            : undefined
+    });
+    transaction.executionReportStatus = sent ? reportStatus : null;
+    persistEpisodeSyncV2();
+    addLog(
+        sent
+            ? `Episode Sync v2 execute result sent: ${reportStatus}`
+            : `Episode Sync v2 execute result could not be sent: ${reportStatus}`,
+        reportStatus === 'executed' && sent ? 'info' : 'warn'
+    );
+    return sent;
+}
+
+function clearEpisodeSyncV2State({ notifyContent = true, reason = 'cancelled', relayState = null } = {}) {
     const previous = episodeSyncV2;
     episodeSyncV2 = null;
     if (currentRoom) currentRoom.episodeSyncV2 = null;
@@ -2983,6 +3180,7 @@ function clearEpisodeSyncV2State({ notifyContent = true, reason = 'cancelled' }
             type: 'EPISODE_SYNC_V2',
             transaction: {
                 ...previous,
+                ...(relayState && typeof relayState === 'object' ? relayState : {}),
                 phase: 'cancel',
                 reason
             }
@@ -5623,7 +5821,7 @@ async function handleAsyncMessage(message, sender, sendResponse) {
 
         const newTitle = message.payload && message.payload.newTitle;
         if (newTitle && extractEpisodeId(newTitle) === null) {
-            addLog(`Episode change detected ("${newTitle}") but no episode ID was found; ignoring.`, 'info');
+            addLog(`Episode change detected ("${toEpisodeWireTitle(newTitle) || 'unknown'}") but no episode ID was found; ignoring.`, 'info');
             sendResponse({ status: 'not_an_episode' });
             return;
         }
@@ -5637,12 +5835,14 @@ async function handleAsyncMessage(message, sender, sendResponse) {
             sendResponse({ status: 'ignored_stale_session' });
             return;
         }
-        const lobbyTitle = sanitizeSharedTitle(newTitle, settings.mediaTitlePrivacyMode);
-        if (!lobbyTitle) {
+        const sharedLobbyTitle = sanitizeSharedTitle(newTitle, settings.mediaTitlePrivacyMode);
+        const episodeIdentity = createEpisodeWireIdentity(sharedLobbyTitle);
+        if (!episodeIdentity) {
             addLog(`Episode change detected but media title sharing is ${settings.mediaTitlePrivacyMode}; not creating a lobby.`, 'info');
             sendResponse({ status: 'title_privacy_no_lobby' });
             return;
         }
+        const lobbyTitle = episodeIdentity.expectedTitle;
 
         // Check setting
         const epSettings = await chrome.storage.local.get(['autoSyncNextEpisode']);
@@ -5680,21 +5880,29 @@ async function handleAsyncMessage(message, sender, sendResponse) {
             return;
         }
 
-        // Automatic episode sync v2 is relay-owned. Never self-pause or fall
-        // back to the legacy client-owned lobby: on an old/mixed relay that path
-        // can create multiple Force Sync initiators. Manual Force Sync remains
-        // available and unchanged.
+        // Prefer the relay-owned barrier. Old relays and mixed rooms retain the
+        // established legacy lobby, but only from this exact room/target/start
+        // context so a delayed rejection cannot resurrect stale automation.
         if (!serverSupports(CAPABILITIES.EPISODE_SYNC_V2)) {
-            addLog(`Episode change ("${lobbyTitle}") — relay lacks Episode Sync v2; automatic sync skipped safely.`, 'warn');
-            sendResponse({ status: 'episode_sync_v2_unsupported' });
+            const pending = createPendingEpisodeSyncV2Start(episodeIdentity, sender);
+            episodeSyncV2PendingStart = pending;
+            const fallbackStatus = startLegacyEpisodeLobbyForTransition(episodeIdentity, pending);
+            episodeSyncV2PendingStart = null;
+            addLog(`Episode change ("${lobbyTitle}") — legacy relay fallback: ${fallbackStatus}.`, 'warn');
+            sendResponse({ status: fallbackStatus });
             return;
         }
-        if (episodeSyncV2 && sameEpisode(episodeSyncV2.expectedTitle, lobbyTitle)) {
+        if (episodeSyncV2
+            && episodeSyncV2.expectedTitle === episodeIdentity.expectedTitle
+            && episodeSyncV2.expectedEpisodeId === episodeIdentity.expectedEpisodeId) {
             sendResponse({ status: 'transaction_active', transactionId: episodeSyncV2.transactionId });
             return;
         }
         if (episodeSyncV2) cancelEpisodeSyncV2('new_episode');
-        if (!emitLive(EVENTS.EPISODE_SYNC_V2, { phase: 'start', expectedTitle: lobbyTitle })) {
+        const pending = createPendingEpisodeSyncV2Start(episodeIdentity, sender);
+        episodeSyncV2PendingStart = pending;
+        if (!emitLive(EVENTS.EPISODE_SYNC_V2, { phase: 'start', ...episodeIdentity })) {
+            if (episodeSyncV2PendingStart === pending) episodeSyncV2PendingStart = null;
             addLog(`Episode change ("${lobbyTitle}") — not connected; automatic sync was not queued.`, 'warn');
             sendResponse({ status: 'episode_sync_v2_offline' });
             return;
@@ -5725,7 +5933,9 @@ async function handleAsyncMessage(message, sender, sendResponse) {
                     sendResponse({ status: 'ok' });
                     return;
                 }
-                const readyTitle = sanitizeSharedTitle(message.payload.title, settings.mediaTitlePrivacyMode);
+                const readyTitle = toEpisodeWireTitle(
+                    sanitizeSharedTitle(message.payload.title, settings.mediaTitlePrivacyMode)
+                );
                 lobby.readyPeers.push(peerId);
                 persistEpisodeLobby();
                 broadcastLobbyUpdate();
@@ -5758,7 +5968,11 @@ async function handleAsyncMessage(message, sender, sendResponse) {
         }
         const localTitle = message.payload?.title;
         if (localPhase !== 'failed'
-            && (typeof localTitle !== 'string' || !sameEpisodeStrict(localTitle, transaction.expectedTitle))) {
+            && (typeof localTitle !== 'string' || !sameEpisodeIdentity(
+                localTitle,
+                transaction.expectedTitle,
+                transaction.expectedEpisodeId
+            ))) {
             sendResponse({ status: 'ignored_episode_mismatch' });
             return;
         }
diff --git a/extension/content.js b/extension/content.js
index 9acff60..547a518 100644
--- a/extension/content.js
+++ b/extension/content.js
@@ -331,8 +331,17 @@
     let pendingPlayPauseVideo = null;   // source element for rejecting a stale trailing flush
 
     // --- Episode Auto-Sync State ---
+    const EPISODE_TRANSITION_QUARANTINE_MS = 2000;
+    const EPISODE_TRANSITION_CANDIDATE_MS = 30000;
+    const EPISODE_TRANSITION_POLL_MS = 250;
+    const EPISODE_TRANSITION_END_WINDOW_SECONDS = 30;
     let lastKnownMediaTitle = null;
     let episodeTransitionDebounce = null;
+    let episodeTransitionCandidate = null;
+    let episodeTransitionPollTimer = null;
+    let episodeTransitionQuarantine = null;
+    let episodeTransitionNoiseVideo = null;
+    let episodeTransitionNoiseUntil = 0;
     let _pendingLobbyTitle = null; // Title we're waiting to match (from remote lobby)
     let lobbyPollTimer = null;
     let episodeSyncV2State = null;
@@ -354,6 +363,10 @@
         if (destroyed) return;
         if (area === 'local' && changes.autoSyncNextEpisode) {
             _autoSyncEnabled = changes.autoSyncNextEpisode.newValue !== false;
+            if (!_autoSyncEnabled) {
+                clearEpisodeTransitionCandidate({ commitCurrentTitle: true });
+                flushEpisodeTransitionQuarantine();
+            }
         }
         if (area === 'local' && changes.audioSettings) {
             _audioSettings = mergeAudioSettings(changes.audioSettings.newValue);
@@ -1090,6 +1103,13 @@
     // Returns null if no episode pattern found.
     // --- SHARED_EPISODE_UTILS_INJECT_START ---
     // This block is automatically replaced by /scripts/build-extension.cjs
+    const EPISODE_WIRE_TITLE_LENGTH = 100;
+
+    function toEpisodeWireTitle(title) {
+        if (typeof title !== 'string' || title.length === 0) return null;
+        return title.substring(0, EPISODE_WIRE_TITLE_LENGTH);
+    }
+
     function extractEpisodeId(title) {
         if (!title || typeof title !== 'string') return null;
         const se = title.match(/S(?:eason\s*)?(\d+)[^a-zA-Z0-9]*E(?:pisode\s*)?(\d+)/i);
@@ -1125,10 +1145,24 @@
     // it to agree so two unrelated S01E06 videos cannot cross-sync. Privacy-reduced
     // S/E-only titles still fall back to the canonical episode ID.
     function sameEpisodeStrict(titleA, titleB) {
-        if (!sameEpisode(titleA, titleB)) return false;
-        const contextA = episodeContext(titleA);
-        const contextB = episodeContext(titleB);
-        return !contextA || !contextB || contextA === contextB;
+        const wireTitleA = toEpisodeWireTitle(titleA);
+        const wireTitleB = toEpisodeWireTitle(titleB);
+        if (!sameEpisode(wireTitleA, wireTitleB)) return false;
+        const contextA = episodeContext(wireTitleA);
+        const contextB = episodeContext(wireTitleB);
+        if (!contextA || !contextB || contextA === contextB) return true;
+        const [shorter, longer] = contextA.length <= contextB.length
+            ? [contextA, contextB]
+            : [contextB, contextA];
+        return shorter.length >= 4 && ` ${longer} `.includes(` ${shorter} `);
+    }
+
+    function sameEpisodeIdentity(localTitle, expectedTitle, expectedEpisodeId = null) {
+        const normalizedExpectedId = typeof expectedEpisodeId === 'string'
+            ? expectedEpisodeId.trim().toUpperCase().substring(0, 16)
+            : null;
+        if (normalizedExpectedId && extractEpisodeId(localTitle) !== normalizedExpectedId) return false;
+        return sameEpisodeStrict(localTitle, expectedTitle);
     }
     // --- SHARED_EPISODE_UTILS_INJECT_END ---
 
@@ -1142,26 +1176,177 @@
         if (!idA || !idB) return false; // At least one unparseable → allow
         return idA !== idB;             // Both parseable → only block if different
     }
-    function checkEpisodeTransition() {
+    function getEpisodeSource(video) {
+        return video ? (video.currentSrc || video.src || null) : null;
+    }
 
+    function isNearEpisodeBoundary(video, current = getSyncCurrentTime(video)) {
+        if (!video || current === null) return false;
+        if (video.ended) return true;
+        const duration = getSyncDuration(video);
+        const boundaryWindow = Math.min(
+            EPISODE_TRANSITION_END_WINDOW_SECONDS,
+            Math.max(3, duration * 0.05)
+        );
+        return duration > 0 && current >= Math.max(0, duration - boundaryWindow);
+    }
+
+    function isAutomaticTerminalEvent(video, current = getSyncCurrentTime(video)) {
+        if (!video || current === null) return false;
+        if (video.ended) return true;
+        const duration = getSyncDuration(video);
+        return duration > 0
+            && duration - current <= 1.5
+            && hcmClassifyIntent() !== 'deliberate';
+    }
+
+    function clearEpisodeTransitionPoll() {
+        if (!episodeTransitionPollTimer) return;
+        clearTimeout(episodeTransitionPollTimer);
+        episodeTransitionPollTimer = null;
+    }
+
+    function clearEpisodeTransitionCandidate({ commitCurrentTitle = false } = {}) {
+        clearEpisodeTransitionPoll();
+        episodeTransitionCandidate = null;
+        if (commitCurrentTitle) {
+            const title = getMediaTitle();
+            if (title) lastKnownMediaTitle = title;
+        }
+    }
+
+    function scheduleEpisodeTransitionPoll() {
+        if (destroyed || pageSuspended || episodeTransitionPollTimer || !episodeTransitionCandidate) return;
+        episodeTransitionPollTimer = setTimeout(() => {
+            episodeTransitionPollTimer = null;
+            if (destroyed || pageSuspended || !episodeTransitionCandidate) return;
+            if (Date.now() >= episodeTransitionCandidate.deadlineAt) {
+                clearEpisodeTransitionCandidate({ commitCurrentTitle: true });
+                flushEpisodeTransitionQuarantine();
+                return;
+            }
+            checkEpisodeTransition('poll');
+            scheduleEpisodeTransitionPoll();
+        }, EPISODE_TRANSITION_POLL_MS);
+    }
+
+    function ensureEpisodeTransitionCandidate(video, reason, {
+        baselineSource = lastVideoSrc,
+        nearBoundary = false,
+        transitionLike = false,
+        quarantineEvents = false
+    } = {}) {
+        if (!_autoSyncEnabled || !video || !lastKnownMediaTitle) return null;
+        const source = getEpisodeSource(video);
+        if (!episodeTransitionCandidate || episodeTransitionCandidate.video !== video) {
+            clearEpisodeTransitionCandidate();
+            episodeTransitionCandidate = {
+                video,
+                baselineTitle: lastKnownMediaTitle,
+                baselineSource: baselineSource === undefined ? source : baselineSource,
+                startedAt: Date.now(),
+                deadlineAt: Date.now() + EPISODE_TRANSITION_CANDIDATE_MS,
+                nearBoundary: nearBoundary === true,
+                transitionLike: transitionLike === true,
+                quarantineEvents: quarantineEvents === true || transitionLike === true,
+                reason
+            };
+        } else {
+            episodeTransitionCandidate.nearBoundary ||= nearBoundary === true;
+            episodeTransitionCandidate.transitionLike ||= transitionLike === true;
+            episodeTransitionCandidate.quarantineEvents ||= quarantineEvents === true || transitionLike === true;
+            episodeTransitionCandidate.reason = reason || episodeTransitionCandidate.reason;
+        }
+        scheduleEpisodeTransitionPoll();
+        return episodeTransitionCandidate;
+    }
+
+    function discardEpisodeTransitionQuarantine() {
+        const quarantine = episodeTransitionQuarantine;
+        episodeTransitionQuarantine = null;
+        if (quarantine?.timer) clearTimeout(quarantine.timer);
+    }
+
+    function checkEpisodeTransition(reason = 'signal') {
         const currentTitle = getMediaTitle();
-
         const video = findVideo();
+        if (!video) return false;
 
-        const current = video ? getSyncCurrentTime(video) : null;
-        // Only trigger if: we had a previous title, the title changed,
-        // a video exists, and we're near the start of new content.
-        if (lastKnownMediaTitle && currentTitle
-            && !sameEpisode(currentTitle, lastKnownMediaTitle)
-            && extractEpisodeId(currentTitle) !== null
-            && video
-            && current !== null && current < 5
-            && video.readyState >= 1) {
-            onEpisodeTransition(currentTitle);
+        const current = getSyncCurrentTime(video);
+        const source = getEpisodeSource(video);
+        if (!lastKnownMediaTitle) {
+            if (currentTitle) lastKnownMediaTitle = currentTitle;
+            return false;
         }
 
-        // Always track the latest known title
-        if (currentTitle) lastKnownMediaTitle = currentTitle;
+        const candidate = episodeTransitionCandidate;
+        const baselineTitle = candidate?.video === video
+            ? candidate.baselineTitle
+            : lastKnownMediaTitle;
+        const baselineSource = candidate?.video === video
+            ? candidate.baselineSource
+            : lastVideoSrc;
+        const titleChanged = !!currentTitle && !sameEpisode(currentTitle, baselineTitle);
+        const sourceChanged = baselineSource !== undefined
+            && !!baselineSource
+            && !!source
+            && source !== baselineSource;
+        const nearBoundary = isNearEpisodeBoundary(video, current);
+        const nearNewStart = current !== null && current < 5;
+        const transitionSignal = titleChanged
+            || sourceChanged
+            || reason === 'source_changed'
+            || reason === 'loadstart'
+            || reason === 'emptied'
+            || reason === 'loadeddata'
+            || reason === 'player_changed'
+            || candidate?.nearBoundary;
+
+        if (transitionSignal) {
+            const nextCandidate = ensureEpisodeTransitionCandidate(video, reason, {
+                baselineSource,
+                nearBoundary,
+                transitionLike: titleChanged
+                    || (sourceChanged && (nearNewStart || candidate?.nearBoundary === true)),
+                quarantineEvents: titleChanged
+                    || sourceChanged
+                    || reason === 'player_changed'
+                    || candidate?.nearBoundary === true
+            });
+            if (nextCandidate && nearNewStart
+                && (sourceChanged || reason === 'loadeddata')
+                && nextCandidate.nearBoundary) {
+                nextCandidate.transitionLike = true;
+            }
+        }
+
+        // Commit the title baseline only after the replacement is actually usable.
+        // This keeps both title-before-loadeddata and loadeddata-before-title alive
+        // as pending candidates instead of consuming the only transition signal.
+        if (titleChanged
+            && extractEpisodeId(currentTitle) !== null
+            && current !== null && current < 5
+            && video.readyState >= 1) {
+            lastKnownMediaTitle = currentTitle;
+            clearEpisodeTransitionCandidate();
+            discardEpisodeTransitionQuarantine();
+            episodeTransitionNoiseVideo = video;
+            episodeTransitionNoiseUntil = Date.now() + EPISODE_TRANSITION_QUARANTINE_MS;
+            cancelPlayPauseCoalesce();
+            if (seekDebounceTimer) {
+                clearTimeout(seekDebounceTimer);
+                seekDebounceTimer = null;
+            }
+            onEpisodeTransition(currentTitle);
+            return true;
+        }
+
+        // Harmless metadata reformatting for the same canonical episode may update
+        // the baseline. A genuinely different episode stays pending until ready.
+        if (currentTitle && sameEpisode(currentTitle, baselineTitle)) {
+            lastKnownMediaTitle = currentTitle;
+        }
+        return false;
     }
 
     function onEpisodeTransition(newTitle) {
@@ -1304,7 +1489,7 @@
             && video
             && video === findVideo()
             && video.isConnected !== false
-            && sameEpisodeStrict(getMediaTitle(), state.expectedTitle)
+            && sameEpisodeIdentity(getMediaTitle(), state.expectedTitle, state.expectedEpisodeId)
             && video.paused;
         if (mayResume) {
             const resumed = await tryMediaAction(EVENTS.PLAY);
@@ -1318,8 +1503,8 @@
         const title = getMediaTitle();
         const matches = video
             && title
-            && sameEpisodeStrict(title, state.expectedTitle)
-            && video.readyState >= 1
+            && sameEpisodeIdentity(title, state.expectedTitle, state.expectedEpisodeId)
+            && video.readyState >= 3
             && getSyncCurrentTime(video) !== null;
         if (!matches) {
             state.loadCandidateVideo = null;
@@ -1339,8 +1524,19 @@
 
     function startEpisodeSyncV2Lobby(transaction) {
         if (!transaction?.transactionId || !transaction.expectedTitle) return;
+        // Any held source-swap media events predate the relay-owned transaction.
+        // They are transition noise, not a newer intent that may cancel the lobby.
+        discardEpisodeTransitionQuarantine();
+        cancelPlayPauseCoalesce();
+        if (seekDebounceTimer) {
+            clearTimeout(seekDebounceTimer);
+            seekDebounceTimer = null;
+        }
         if (episodeSyncV2State?.transactionId === transaction.transactionId) {
             episodeSyncV2State.phase = 'lobby';
+            episodeSyncV2State.expectedEpisodeId = typeof transaction.expectedEpisodeId === 'string'
+                ? transaction.expectedEpisodeId
+                : episodeSyncV2State.expectedEpisodeId;
             episodeSyncV2State.deadlineAt = Number.isFinite(transaction.deadlineAt)
                 ? transaction.deadlineAt
                 : episodeSyncV2State.deadlineAt;
@@ -1351,6 +1547,9 @@
         episodeSyncV2State = {
             transactionId: transaction.transactionId,
             expectedTitle: transaction.expectedTitle,
+            expectedEpisodeId: typeof transaction.expectedEpisodeId === 'string'
+                ? transaction.expectedEpisodeId
+                : null,
             phase: 'lobby',
             generation: episodeSyncV2Generation,
             loadedReported: false,
@@ -1365,7 +1564,9 @@
             pausedByTransaction: false,
             manualAction: false,
             programmaticPausePending: false,
-            prepareStarted: false
+            prepareStarted: false,
+            executePromise: null,
+            executeResult: null
         };
         stopEpisodeSyncV2Poll();
         checkEpisodeSyncV2Loaded(episodeSyncV2State);
@@ -1384,7 +1585,7 @@
                     && state.phase === 'prepare'
                     && video === findVideo()
                     && video.isConnected !== false
-                    && sameEpisodeStrict(getMediaTitle(), state.expectedTitle)
+                    && sameEpisodeIdentity(getMediaTitle(), state.expectedTitle, state.expectedEpisodeId)
                     && video.paused
                     && !video.seeking
                     && video.readyState >= 3
@@ -1417,6 +1618,9 @@
         }
         const state = episodeSyncV2State;
         if (!state || state.transactionId !== transaction.transactionId) return;
+        if (typeof transaction.expectedEpisodeId === 'string') {
+            state.expectedEpisodeId = transaction.expectedEpisodeId;
+        }
         state.deadlineAt = Number.isFinite(transaction.deadlineAt) ? transaction.deadlineAt : state.deadlineAt;
         if (state.prepareStarted) return;
         stopEpisodeSyncV2Poll();
@@ -1424,7 +1628,8 @@
         state.prepareStarted = true;
         const video = findVideo();
         const currentTitle = getMediaTitle();
-        if (!video || !currentTitle || !sameEpisodeStrict(currentTitle, state.expectedTitle)) {
+        if (!video || !currentTitle
+            || !sameEpisodeIdentity(currentTitle, state.expectedTitle, state.expectedEpisodeId)) {
             if (!await reportEpisodeSyncV2Local(state, 'failed', 'episode_mismatch')) {
                 retryEpisodeSyncV2Report(state, 'failed', 'episode_mismatch');
             }
@@ -1479,6 +1684,56 @@
         clearEpisodeSyncV2Content({ manualAction: true }).catch(() => {});
     }
 
+    function executeEpisodeSyncV2(transaction) {
+        const state = episodeSyncV2State;
+        if (!state || state.transactionId !== transaction.transactionId) {
+            return Promise.resolve({ status: 'failed_execute', reason: 'stale_transaction' });
+        }
+        if (state.executeResult) return Promise.resolve(state.executeResult);
+        if (state.executePromise) return state.executePromise;
+
+        const video = state.video || findVideo();
+        const current = video ? getSyncCurrentTime(video) : null;
+        const canExecute = video
+            && state.phase === 'prepare'
+            && video === findVideo()
+            && video.isConnected !== false
+            && sameEpisodeIdentity(getMediaTitle(), state.expectedTitle, state.expectedEpisodeId)
+            && video.paused
+            && !video.seeking
+            && video.readyState >= 3
+            && current !== null
+            && Math.abs(current) < 1;
+        if (!canExecute) {
+            state.executeResult = { status: 'failed_execute', reason: 'prepared_state_changed' };
+            return Promise.resolve(state.executeResult);
+        }
+
+        state.executePromise = Promise.resolve(tryMediaAction(EVENTS.PLAY)).then(applied => {
+            if (!isEpisodeSyncV2Current(state)) {
+                return { status: 'failed_execute', reason: 'stale_transaction' };
+            }
+            if (!applied) {
+                reportLog('Episode Sync v2 execute could not start playback', 'warn');
+                state.executeResult = { status: 'failed_execute', reason: 'play_failed' };
+                return state.executeResult;
+            }
+            scheduleProactiveHeartbeat();
+            state.executeResult = { status: 'executed' };
+            return state.executeResult;
+        }).catch(error => {
+            reportLog(`Episode Sync v2 execute failed: ${error.message}`, 'warn');
+            if (isEpisodeSyncV2Current(state)) {
+                state.executeResult = { status: 'failed_execute', reason: 'play_failed' };
+                return state.executeResult;
+            }
+            return { status: 'failed_execute', reason: 'stale_transaction' };
+        }).finally(() => {
+            if (isEpisodeSyncV2Current(state)) state.executePromise = null;
+        });
+        return state.executePromise;
+    }
+
     function getPlayerActionFixes() {
         return [
             {
@@ -1980,36 +2235,51 @@
                     reportLog(`Episode Sync v2 prepare failed: ${error.message}`, 'warn');
                 });
             } else if (transaction.phase === 'execute') {
+                const state = episodeSyncV2State;
+                const video = state?.video || findVideo();
+                const current = video ? getSyncCurrentTime(video) : null;
+                const canExecute = state
+                    && state.transactionId === transaction.transactionId
+                    && state.phase === 'prepare'
+                    && video === findVideo()
+                    && video.isConnected !== false
+                    && sameEpisodeIdentity(getMediaTitle(), state.expectedTitle, state.expectedEpisodeId)
+                    && video.paused
+                    && !video.seeking
+                    && video.readyState >= 3
+                    && current !== null
+                    && Math.abs(current) < 1;
+                if (!canExecute) {
+                    sendResponse({ status: 'failed_execute', reason: 'prepared_state_changed' });
+                    return true;
+                }
+                executeEpisodeSyncV2(transaction).then(sendResponse).catch(() => {
+                    sendResponse({ status: 'failed_execute', reason: 'unexpected_error' });
+                });
+                return true;
+            } else if (transaction.phase === 'complete') {
                 if (episodeSyncV2State?.transactionId === transaction.transactionId) {
-                    const state = episodeSyncV2State;
-                    const video = state.video || findVideo();
-                    const current = video ? getSyncCurrentTime(video) : null;
-                    const canExecute = video
-                        && state.phase === 'prepare'
-                        && video === findVideo()
-                        && video.isConnected !== false
-                        && sameEpisodeStrict(getMediaTitle(), state.expectedTitle)
-                        && video.paused
-                        && !video.seeking
-                        && video.readyState >= 3
-                        && current !== null
-                        && Math.abs(current) < 1;
                     clearEpisodeSyncV2Content({ resume: false }).catch(() => {});
-                    if (canExecute) {
-                        Promise.resolve(tryMediaAction(EVENTS.PLAY)).then(applied => {
-                            if (applied) scheduleProactiveHeartbeat();
-                            else reportLog('Episode Sync v2 execute could not start playback', 'warn');
-                        }).catch(() => {});
-                    } else {
-                        reportLog('Episode Sync v2 execute ignored: prepared player state changed', 'warn');
-                    }
                 }
             } else if (transaction.phase === 'cancel') {
                 if (episodeSyncV2State?.transactionId === transaction.transactionId) {
+                    const settlePaused = transaction.settlePlaybackState === 'paused';
                     // A superseding room command follows this cancellation on
                     // the same ordered socket. Do not race it with restoration
                     // of the pre-transaction play state.
-                    clearEpisodeSyncV2Content({ resume: transaction.reason !== 'superseded' }).catch(() => {});
+                    clearEpisodeSyncV2Content({
+                        resume: !settlePaused && transaction.reason !== 'superseded'
+                    }).then(async () => {
+                        if (!settlePaused) return;
+                        const video = findVideo();
+                        if (!video || video.isConnected === false) return;
+                        const paused = video.paused || await tryMediaAction(EVENTS.PAUSE);
+                        const targetTime = Number.isFinite(transaction.targetTime)
+                            ? transaction.targetTime
+                            : 0;
+                        if (paused) await tryMediaAction(EVENTS.SEEK, { targetTime });
+                        scheduleProactiveHeartbeat();
+                    }).catch(() => {});
                 }
             }
             sendResponse({ status: 'ok' });
@@ -2215,6 +2485,10 @@
 
         const mediaTitle = (navigator.mediaSession && navigator.mediaSession.metadata) ? navigator.mediaSession.metadata.title : null;
 
+        const episodeSyncIntent = episodeSyncV2State?.phase === 'lobby'
+            && hcmClassifyIntent() === 'deliberate'
+            ? 'manual'
+            : undefined;
         runtimeMessage({
             type: 'CONTENT_EVENT',
             action,
@@ -2222,7 +2496,8 @@
                 currentTime: current,
                 targetTime: current,
                 mediaTitle: mediaTitle,
-                timestamp: Date.now()
+                timestamp: Date.now(),
+                episodeSyncIntent
             }
         }).catch(() => {});
 
@@ -2230,6 +2505,114 @@
         scheduleProactiveHeartbeat();
     }
 
+    function cancelPlayPauseCoalesce() {
+        if (playPauseCoalesceTimer) clearTimeout(playPauseCoalesceTimer);
+        playPauseCoalesceTimer = null;
+        pendingPlayPauseAction = null;
+        pendingPlayPauseVideo = null;
+    }
+
+    function v2LoadingEventIsChurn(video) {
+        const state = episodeSyncV2State;
+        if (!state || state.phase !== 'lobby') return false;
+        if (hcmClassifyIntent() === 'deliberate') return false;
+        // Before this player has stably reported the expected episode, native
+        // media events are part of loading by definition. Once loaded, require a
+        // fresh real input gesture before allowing a command to supersede v2.
+        if (!state.loadedReported) return true;
+        if (video !== findVideo() || video.readyState < 3 || video.seeking) return true;
+        return hcmClassifyIntent() !== 'deliberate';
+    }
+
+    function queueEpisodeTransitionEvent(action, video) {
+        let quarantine = episodeTransitionQuarantine;
+        if (!quarantine || quarantine.video !== video) {
+            discardEpisodeTransitionQuarantine();
+            quarantine = {
+                video,
+                sawPlayback: false,
+                seekPending: false,
+                timer: null
+            };
+            episodeTransitionQuarantine = quarantine;
+            quarantine.timer = setTimeout(flushEpisodeTransitionQuarantine, EPISODE_TRANSITION_QUARANTINE_MS);
+        }
+        if (action === EVENTS.PLAY || action === EVENTS.PAUSE) quarantine.sawPlayback = true;
+        if (action === EVENTS.SEEK) quarantine.seekPending = true;
+    }
+
+    function flushEpisodeTransitionQuarantine() {
+        const quarantine = episodeTransitionQuarantine;
+        if (!quarantine) return;
+        episodeTransitionQuarantine = null;
+        if (quarantine.timer) clearTimeout(quarantine.timer);
+
+        const video = quarantine.video;
+        if (destroyed || pageSuspended || !video || video !== activeVideo || video !== findVideo()
+            || video.isConnected === false) return;
+
+        // Give a late MediaSession update one final synchronous chance to turn
+        // this candidate into a confirmed episode transition.
+        if (checkEpisodeTransition('quarantine_timeout')) return;
+        if (v2LoadingEventIsChurn(video)) return;
+        if (episodeTransitionNoiseVideo === video && Date.now() < episodeTransitionNoiseUntil) return;
+        if (episodeTransitionCandidate?.video === video
+            && episodeTransitionCandidate.transitionLike) return;
+        if (episodeTransitionCandidate?.video === video) {
+            clearEpisodeTransitionCandidate({ commitCurrentTitle: true });
+        }
+
+        // No transition materialized within the bounded window: preserve the
+        // user's final settled intent with fresh time/title rather than replaying
+        // the stale first edge that opened the quarantine.
+        if (quarantine.seekPending) sendContentEvent(EVENTS.SEEK, video);
+        if (quarantine.sawPlayback) {
+            sendContentEvent(video.paused ? EVENTS.PAUSE : EVENTS.PLAY, video);
+        }
+    }
+
+    function shouldQuarantineEpisodeEvent(action, video, current) {
+        if (!_autoSyncEnabled) return 'relay';
+        if (v2LoadingEventIsChurn(video)) return 'quarantine';
+        // A fresh pointer/keyboard gesture is explicit user intent, including
+        // near an episode boundary. Never add transition latency to it.
+        if (hcmClassifyIntent() === 'deliberate') return 'relay';
+        if (episodeTransitionNoiseVideo === video && Date.now() < episodeTransitionNoiseUntil) {
+            return 'quarantine';
+        }
+
+        const title = getMediaTitle();
+        const source = getEpisodeSource(video);
+        const candidate = episodeTransitionCandidate?.video === video
+            ? episodeTransitionCandidate
+            : null;
+        const baselineTitle = candidate?.baselineTitle || lastKnownMediaTitle;
+        const baselineSource = candidate?.baselineSource !== undefined
+            ? candidate.baselineSource
+            : lastVideoSrc;
+        const titleChanged = !!baselineTitle && !!title && !sameEpisode(title, baselineTitle);
+        const sourceChanged = baselineSource !== undefined
+            && !!baselineSource
+            && !!source
+            && source !== baselineSource;
+        const nearBoundary = isNearEpisodeBoundary(video, current);
+        const automaticTerminal = isAutomaticTerminalEvent(video, current);
+
+        if (!candidate?.quarantineEvents && !titleChanged && !sourceChanged && !nearBoundary) return 'relay';
+        const pending = ensureEpisodeTransitionCandidate(video, `media_${action}`, {
+            baselineSource,
+            nearBoundary,
+            transitionLike: automaticTerminal
+                || titleChanged
+                || (sourceChanged && (current < 5 || candidate?.nearBoundary === true)),
+            quarantineEvents: true
+        });
+        if (pending && sourceChanged && current < 5 && pending.nearBoundary) {
+            pending.transitionLike = true;
+        }
+        return checkEpisodeTransition(`media_${action}`) ? 'discard' : 'quarantine';
+    }
+
     // Trailing-edge flush of a coalesced play/pause burst: emit the final settled
     // state. No-ops only when no burst followed the leading edge. We do NOT skip
     // when the state matches the leading send — a remote command may have changed
@@ -2298,6 +2681,13 @@
         // Play/Pause pass through — user may want to immediately pause after tabbing back.
         if (Date.now() < visibilityGraceUntil && action === EVENTS.SEEK) return;
 
+        const transitionDisposition = shouldQuarantineEpisodeEvent(action, video, current);
+        if (transitionDisposition === 'discard') return;
+        if (transitionDisposition === 'quarantine') {
+            queueEpisodeTransitionEvent(action, video);
+            return;
+        }
+
         // Coalesce play/pause bursts (source swaps, ABR, ads, teardown). The
         // synchronous gates above have already run; only the network emit is
         // governed here. Leading edge sends the first event instantly; further
@@ -2493,9 +2883,31 @@
 
     let lastVideoSrc = undefined;
 
-    // Episode detection handler for loadeddata event
+    // Episode detection signals deliberately keep polling after either side of
+    // the common metadata race. Some players update MediaSession before media is
+    // ready; others fire loadeddata before updating the title.
     const handleLoadedData = event => {
-        if (isCurrentVideoEvent(event)) checkEpisodeTransition();
+        if (isCurrentVideoEvent(event)) checkEpisodeTransition('loadeddata');
+    };
+    const handleLoadStart = event => {
+        if (!isCurrentVideoEvent(event)) return;
+        cancelPlayPauseCoalesce();
+        checkEpisodeTransition('loadstart');
+    };
+    const handleEmptied = event => {
+        if (!isCurrentVideoEvent(event)) return;
+        cancelPlayPauseCoalesce();
+        checkEpisodeTransition('emptied');
+    };
+    const handleEnded = event => {
+        if (!isCurrentVideoEvent(event) || !_autoSyncEnabled) return;
+        const video = event.currentTarget;
+        ensureEpisodeTransitionCandidate(video, 'ended', {
+            baselineSource: getEpisodeSource(video),
+            nearBoundary: true,
+            transitionLike: true,
+            quarantineEvents: true
+        });
     };
 
     function detachVideoListeners(video) {
@@ -2507,6 +2919,9 @@
             if (handlers.seeking) video.removeEventListener('seeking', handlers.seeking);
             video.removeEventListener('seeked', handlers.seeked);
             video.removeEventListener('loadeddata', handlers.loadeddata);
+            if (handlers.loadstart) video.removeEventListener('loadstart', handlers.loadstart);
+            if (handlers.emptied) video.removeEventListener('emptied', handlers.emptied);
+            if (handlers.ended) video.removeEventListener('ended', handlers.ended);
             if (handlers.waiting) video.removeEventListener('waiting', handlers.waiting);
             delete video._koalaHandlers;
         }
@@ -2517,14 +2932,18 @@
 
     function cancelPendingVideoEvents() {
         if (seekDebounceTimer) { clearTimeout(seekDebounceTimer); seekDebounceTimer = null; }
-        if (playPauseCoalesceTimer) { clearTimeout(playPauseCoalesceTimer); playPauseCoalesceTimer = null; }
-        pendingPlayPauseAction = null;
-        pendingPlayPauseVideo = null;
+        cancelPlayPauseCoalesce();
+        discardEpisodeTransitionQuarantine();
+        clearEpisodeTransitionCandidate();
+        episodeTransitionNoiseVideo = null;
+        episodeTransitionNoiseUntil = 0;
     }
 
     function setupListeners() {
         if (destroyed) return;
         const video = findVideo();
+        const previousVideo = activeVideo;
+        const playerChanged = !!previousVideo && previousVideo !== video;
         if (activeVideo !== video) cancelPendingVideoEvents();
         for (const attached of [...attachedVideos]) {
             if (attached !== video) detachVideoListeners(attached);
@@ -2543,6 +2962,9 @@
                 seeking: handleSeeking,
                 seeked: handleSeeked,
                 loadeddata: handleLoadedData,
+                loadstart: handleLoadStart,
+                emptied: handleEmptied,
+                ended: handleEnded,
                 waiting: handleWaiting
             };
             video.addEventListener('play', handlePlay);
@@ -2550,9 +2972,13 @@
             video.addEventListener('seeking', handleSeeking);
             video.addEventListener('seeked', handleSeeked);
             video.addEventListener('loadeddata', handleLoadedData);
+            video.addEventListener('loadstart', handleLoadStart);
+            video.addEventListener('emptied', handleEmptied);
+            video.addEventListener('ended', handleEnded);
             video.addEventListener('waiting', handleWaiting);
             attachedVideos.add(video);
             video.dataset.koalaAttached = 'true';
+            if (playerChanged) checkEpisodeTransition('player_changed');
             lastVideoSrc = video.currentSrc || video.src || null;
 
             if (!lastKnownMediaTitle) {
@@ -2594,7 +3020,8 @@
 
         if (!video.dataset.koalaAttached || (lastVideoSrc !== undefined && currentSrc && lastVideoSrc !== currentSrc)) {
             if (lastVideoSrc !== undefined && currentSrc && lastVideoSrc !== currentSrc) {
-                checkEpisodeTransition();
+                cancelPlayPauseCoalesce();
+                checkEpisodeTransition('source_changed');
             }
             setupListeners();
         }
diff --git a/extension/episode-sync-v2.test.mjs b/extension/episode-sync-v2.test.mjs
index f0d7537..a7485c9 100644
--- a/extension/episode-sync-v2.test.mjs
+++ b/extension/episode-sync-v2.test.mjs
@@ -2,7 +2,15 @@ import fs from 'node:fs';
 import path from 'node:path';
 import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url';
 import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
-import { CAPABILITIES, EVENTS, EPISODE_SYNC_V2_STABILITY_MS } from '../shared/constants.js';
+import {
+    CAPABILITIES,
+    EPISODE_LOBBY_TIMEOUT,
+    EPISODE_SYNC_V2_LOAD_TIMEOUT,
+    EPISODE_SYNC_V2_PREPARE_TIMEOUT,
+    EPISODE_SYNC_V2_EXECUTE_TIMEOUT,
+    EPISODE_SYNC_V2_STABILITY_MS,
+    EVENTS
+} from '../shared/constants.js';
 
 const extensionDir = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
 const backgroundSource = fs.readFileSync(path.join(extensionDir, 'background.js'), 'utf8');
@@ -26,7 +34,7 @@ describe('Episode Sync v2 extension contract', () => {
         expect(backgroundSource).toContain('EVENTS.EPISODE_SYNC_V2');
     });
 
-    it('never queues v2 coordination or auto-falls back to a client-owned legacy lobby', () => {
+    it('keeps v2 live-only and provides a session-correlated legacy fallback', () => {
         expect(offlineSource).toContain('EVENTS.EPISODE_SYNC_V2');
         const episodeChanged = between(
             backgroundSource,
@@ -34,9 +42,28 @@ describe('Episode Sync v2 extension contract', () => {
             "message.type === 'EPISODE_READY_LOCAL'"
         );
         expect(episodeChanged).toContain('serverSupports(CAPABILITIES.EPISODE_SYNC_V2)');
-        expect(episodeChanged).toContain("emitLive(EVENTS.EPISODE_SYNC_V2, { phase: 'start'");
-        expect(episodeChanged).not.toContain('PAUSE_FOR_LOBBY');
-        expect(episodeChanged).not.toContain('emit(EVENTS.EPISODE_LOBBY');
+        expect(episodeChanged).toContain("emitLive(EVENTS.EPISODE_SYNC_V2, { phase: 'start', ...episodeIdentity })");
+        expect(episodeChanged).toContain('createPendingEpisodeSyncV2Start(episodeIdentity, sender)');
+        expect(episodeChanged).toContain('startLegacyEpisodeLobbyForTransition(episodeIdentity, pending)');
+        expect(backgroundSource).toContain("data.reason === 'capability_mismatch'");
+        expect(backgroundSource).toContain('isEpisodeSyncV2StartContextCurrent(pending');
+        expect(backgroundSource).toContain("emitLive(EVENTS.EPISODE_LOBBY, { peerId, expectedTitle: lobbyTitle })");
+
+        const fallback = between(
+            backgroundSource,
+            'function startLegacyEpisodeLobbyForTransition(',
+            'function clearTargetTabForIdle('
+        );
+        expect(fallback.indexOf('if (episodeLobby && sameEpisode('))
+            .toBeLessThan(fallback.indexOf('emitLive(EVENTS.EPISODE_LOBBY'));
+        const rejectionFallback = between(
+            backgroundSource,
+            "if (phase === 'cancel' && !data.transactionId)",
+            "if (phase === 'lobby' || phase === 'prepare')"
+        );
+        expect(rejectionFallback.indexOf('if (!matchesPending)'))
+            .toBeLessThan(rejectionFallback.indexOf('episodeSyncV2PendingStart = null'));
+        expect(rejectionFallback).toContain('episodeSyncV2PendingStart = null');
     });
 
     it('correlates content reports to the current transaction, phase, target and episode', () => {
@@ -48,10 +75,26 @@ describe('Episode Sync v2 extension contract', () => {
         expect(handler).toContain('message.transactionId !== transaction.transactionId');
         expect(handler).toContain('transaction.phase !== expectedLocalPhase');
         expect(handler).toContain("!isCurrentContentSender(sender)");
-        expect(handler).toContain('!sameEpisodeStrict(localTitle, transaction.expectedTitle)');
+        expect(handler).toContain('!sameEpisodeIdentity(');
         expect(handler).toContain('emitLive(EVENTS.EPISODE_SYNC_V2');
     });
 
+    it('separates legacy and v2 loading timeouts and converts remaining duration locally', () => {
+        expect(EPISODE_LOBBY_TIMEOUT).toBe(60_000);
+        expect(EPISODE_SYNC_V2_LOAD_TIMEOUT).toBe(120_000);
+        expect(EPISODE_SYNC_V2_PREPARE_TIMEOUT).toBe(15_000);
+        expect(EPISODE_SYNC_V2_EXECUTE_TIMEOUT).toBe(10_000);
+        const normalize = between(
+            backgroundSource,
+            'function normalizeEpisodeSyncV2(',
+            'function createPendingEpisodeSyncV2Start('
+        );
+        expect(normalize).toContain('createLocalEpisodeDeadline(value.remainingMs, phaseTimeout)');
+        expect(normalize).toContain('deadlineAt: localDeadline.deadlineAt');
+        expect(normalize).not.toContain('value.deadlineAt');
+        expect(normalize).toContain("phase === 'prepare' ? EPISODE_SYNC_V2_PREPARE_TIMEOUT : EPISODE_SYNC_V2_EXECUTE_TIMEOUT");
+    });
+
     it('requires the same player and episode to remain paused, seeked, buffered and stable', () => {
         const stable = between(
             contentSource,
@@ -59,7 +102,7 @@ describe('Episode Sync v2 extension contract', () => {
             'async function prepareEpisodeSyncV2('
         );
         expect(stable).toContain('video === findVideo()');
-        expect(stable).toContain('sameEpisodeStrict(getMediaTitle(), state.expectedTitle)');
+        expect(stable).toContain('sameEpisodeIdentity(getMediaTitle(), state.expectedTitle, state.expectedEpisodeId)');
         expect(stable).toContain('video.paused');
         expect(stable).toContain('!video.seeking');
         expect(stable).toContain('video.readyState >= 3');
@@ -94,7 +137,7 @@ describe('Episode Sync v2 extension contract', () => {
         expect(clear).toContain('state.wasPlayingBeforePrepare');
         expect(clear).toContain('!state.manualAction');
         expect(clear).toContain('video === findVideo()');
-        expect(clear).toContain('sameEpisodeStrict(getMediaTitle(), state.expectedTitle)');
+        expect(clear).toContain('sameEpisodeIdentity(getMediaTitle(), state.expectedTitle, state.expectedEpisodeId)');
         expect(contentSource).toContain('failEpisodeSyncV2ForManualAction(action)');
     });
 
@@ -104,14 +147,40 @@ describe('Episode Sync v2 extension contract', () => {
             "message.type === 'EPISODE_SYNC_V2'",
             '// Episode Auto-Sync: Legacy lobby notification from background'
         );
-        expect(handler).toContain("resume: transaction.reason !== 'superseded'");
+        expect(handler).toContain("transaction.reason !== 'superseded'");
+    });
+
+    it('distinguishes deliberate loading intent and settles execute failures paused', () => {
+        const eventSender = between(
+            contentSource,
+            'function sendContentEvent(',
+            'function cancelPlayPauseCoalesce('
+        );
+        expect(eventSender).toContain("episodeSyncIntent = episodeSyncV2State?.phase === 'lobby'");
+        expect(eventSender).toContain("? 'manual'");
+
+        const loadingClassifier = between(
+            contentSource,
+            'function v2LoadingEventIsChurn(',
+            'function queueEpisodeTransitionEvent('
+        );
+        expect(loadingClassifier).toContain("hcmClassifyIntent() === 'deliberate'");
+
+        const handler = between(
+            contentSource,
+            "message.type === 'EPISODE_SYNC_V2'",
+            '// Episode Auto-Sync: Legacy lobby notification from background'
+        );
+        expect(handler).toContain("transaction.settlePlaybackState === 'paused'");
+        expect(handler).toContain('await tryMediaAction(EVENTS.PAUSE)');
+        expect(handler).toContain('await tryMediaAction(EVENTS.SEEK, { targetTime })');
     });
 
     it('revalidates the complete prepared state immediately before execute', () => {
         const handler = between(
             contentSource,
-            "transaction.phase === 'execute'",
-            "transaction.phase === 'cancel'"
+            'function executeEpisodeSyncV2(',
+            'function getPlayerActionFixes('
         );
         expect(handler).toContain("state.phase === 'prepare'");
         expect(handler).toContain('video === findVideo()');
@@ -122,8 +191,30 @@ describe('Episode Sync v2 extension contract', () => {
         expect(handler).toContain('Math.abs(current) < 1');
     });
 
+    it('reports content execute outcome and retains state until relay completion', () => {
+        const execute = between(
+            backgroundSource,
+            'async function executeEpisodeSyncV2FromRelay(',
+            'function clearEpisodeSyncV2State('
+        );
+        expect(execute).toContain("response?.status === 'executed' ? 'executed' : 'failed_execute'");
+        expect(execute).toContain('phase: reportStatus');
+        expect(execute).not.toContain('clearEpisodeSyncV2State(');
+
+        const handler = between(
+            backgroundSource,
+            'case EVENTS.EPISODE_SYNC_V2:',
+            'case EVENTS.EPISODE_LOBBY:'
+        );
+        expect(handler).toContain("phase === 'execute' || phase === 'complete' || phase === 'cancel'");
+        expect(handler).toContain('await executeEpisodeSyncV2FromRelay(data)');
+        expect(handler).toContain("phase: 'complete'");
+        expect(handler).toContain("clearEpisodeSyncV2State({ notifyContent: false, reason: 'executed' })");
+    });
+
     it('injects the shared stability window into packaged content scripts', () => {
         expect(buildSource).toContain('EPISODE_SYNC_V2_STABILITY_MS');
         expect(buildSource).toContain('episodeSyncStabilityVal');
+        expect(buildSource).toContain(".replace(/export const /g, 'const ')");
     });
 });
diff --git a/extension/episode-utils.js b/extension/episode-utils.js
index 5a9ca99..df58924 100644
--- a/extension/episode-utils.js
+++ b/extension/episode-utils.js
@@ -4,6 +4,16 @@
  * Keep in sync with the injection block in content.js!
  */
 
+// The relay clamps episode titles to 100 UTF-16 code units. Clamp before the
+// wire and before strict comparison as well; otherwise a valid long local title
+// can never match the relay's authoritative value.
+export const EPISODE_WIRE_TITLE_LENGTH = 100;
+
+export function toEpisodeWireTitle(title) {
+    if (typeof title !== 'string' || title.length === 0) return null;
+    return title.substring(0, EPISODE_WIRE_TITLE_LENGTH);
+}
+
 export function extractEpisodeId(title) {
     if (!title || typeof title !== 'string') return null;
     const se = title.match(/S(?:eason\s*)?(\d+)[^a-zA-Z0-9]*E(?:pisode\s*)?(\d+)/i);
@@ -39,8 +49,64 @@ function episodeContext(title) {
 // it to agree so two unrelated S01E06 videos cannot cross-sync. Privacy-reduced
 // S/E-only titles still fall back to the canonical episode ID.
 export function sameEpisodeStrict(titleA, titleB) {
-    if (!sameEpisode(titleA, titleB)) return false;
-    const contextA = episodeContext(titleA);
-    const contextB = episodeContext(titleB);
-    return !contextA || !contextB || contextA === contextB;
+    const wireTitleA = toEpisodeWireTitle(titleA);
+    const wireTitleB = toEpisodeWireTitle(titleB);
+    if (!sameEpisode(wireTitleA, wireTitleB)) return false;
+    const contextA = episodeContext(wireTitleA);
+    const contextB = episodeContext(wireTitleB);
+    if (!contextA || !contextB || contextA === contextB) return true;
+    // Players disagree about whether MediaSession.title contains the series,
+    // episode title, or both. Accept a complete token-boundary subset while
+    // still rejecting unrelated contextual titles for the same S/E number.
+    const [shorter, longer] = contextA.length <= contextB.length
+        ? [contextA, contextB]
+        : [contextB, contextA];
+    return shorter.length >= 4 && ` ${longer} `.includes(` ${shorter} `);
+}
+
+export function createEpisodeWireIdentity(title) {
+    const expectedEpisodeId = extractEpisodeId(title);
+    const expectedTitle = toEpisodeWireTitle(title);
+    if (!expectedTitle || !expectedEpisodeId) return null;
+    return { expectedTitle, expectedEpisodeId };
+}
+
+export function sameEpisodeIdentity(localTitle, expectedTitle, expectedEpisodeId = null) {
+    const normalizedExpectedId = typeof expectedEpisodeId === 'string'
+        ? expectedEpisodeId.trim().toUpperCase().substring(0, 16)
+        : null;
+    if (normalizedExpectedId && extractEpisodeId(localTitle) !== normalizedExpectedId) return false;
+    return sameEpisodeStrict(localTitle, expectedTitle);
+}
+
+export function createLocalEpisodeDeadline(remainingMs, fallbackMs, now = Date.now()) {
+    const safeFallback = Number.isFinite(fallbackMs) && fallbackMs > 0 ? fallbackMs : 0;
+    const safeRemaining = Number.isFinite(remainingMs)
+        ? Math.max(0, Math.min(safeFallback, remainingMs))
+        : safeFallback;
+    return {
+        remainingMs: safeRemaining,
+        deadlineAt: now + safeRemaining
+    };
+}
+
+export function isEpisodeSyncV2StartContextCurrent(pending, current, now = Date.now()) {
+    return !!pending
+        && !!current
+        && now - pending.requestedAt >= 0
+        && now - pending.requestedAt <= 15000
+        && pending.roomId === current.roomId
+        && pending.connectionGeneration === current.connectionGeneration
+        && pending.targetGeneration === current.targetGeneration
+        && pending.tabId === current.tabId;
+}
+
+export function matchesEpisodeSyncV2StartRejection(pending, current, rejection, now = Date.now()) {
+    if (!isEpisodeSyncV2StartContextCurrent(pending, current, now)) return false;
+    const rejectionTitle = toEpisodeWireTitle(rejection?.expectedTitle);
+    const rejectionEpisodeId = typeof rejection?.expectedEpisodeId === 'string'
+        ? rejection.expectedEpisodeId.trim().toUpperCase().substring(0, 16)
+        : extractEpisodeId(rejectionTitle);
+    return rejectionTitle === pending.expectedTitle
+        && (!rejectionEpisodeId || rejectionEpisodeId === pending.expectedEpisodeId);
 }
diff --git a/extension/episode-utils.test.mjs b/extension/episode-utils.test.mjs
index d56db18..77631aa 100644
--- a/extension/episode-utils.test.mjs
+++ b/extension/episode-utils.test.mjs
@@ -1,5 +1,16 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
-import { extractEpisodeId, sameEpisode, sameEpisodeStrict } from './episode-utils.js';
+import {
+    EPISODE_WIRE_TITLE_LENGTH,
+    createLocalEpisodeDeadline,
+    createEpisodeWireIdentity,
+    extractEpisodeId,
+    sameEpisode,
+    sameEpisodeIdentity,
+    sameEpisodeStrict,
+    isEpisodeSyncV2StartContextCurrent,
+    matchesEpisodeSyncV2StartRejection,
+    toEpisodeWireTitle
+} from './episode-utils.js';
 
 describe('episode title matching', () => {
     it.each([
@@ -58,5 +69,85 @@ describe('episode title matching', () => {
         expect(sameEpisodeStrict('S1:E6 - Visiting Ours', 'S01E06 - Visiting Ours')).toBe(true);
         expect(sameEpisodeStrict('S1:E6 - Visiting Ours', 'S1:E6 - Another Show')).toBe(false);
         expect(sameEpisodeStrict('S1:E6', 'S01E06 - Visiting Ours')).toBe(true);
+        expect(sameEpisodeStrict(
+            'Arrested Development - S1:E6 - Visiting Ours',
+            'S01E06 - Visiting Ours'
+        )).toBe(true);
+        expect(sameEpisodeStrict(
+            'Arrested Development - S1:E6 - Visiting Ours',
+            'Different Series - S01E06 - Visiting Ours'
+        )).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it('mirrors the relay title clamp before strict comparison', () => {
+        const title = `S01E06 - ${'Very Long Episode Context '.repeat(8)}`;
+        const wireTitle = toEpisodeWireTitle(title);
+
+        expect(EPISODE_WIRE_TITLE_LENGTH).toBe(100);
+        expect(wireTitle).toHaveLength(100);
+        expect(sameEpisodeStrict(title, wireTitle)).toBe(true);
+    });
+
+    it('keeps the full-title episode id in a bounded wire identity', () => {
+        const title = `${'Long Series Context '.repeat(8)} S01E06`;
+        const identity = createEpisodeWireIdentity(title);
+
+        expect(identity).toEqual({
+            expectedTitle: title.substring(0, 100),
+            expectedEpisodeId: 'S01E06'
+        });
+        expect(sameEpisodeIdentity(title, identity.expectedTitle, identity.expectedEpisodeId)).toBe(true);
+        expect(sameEpisodeIdentity(title.replace('S01E06', 'S01E07'), identity.expectedTitle, identity.expectedEpisodeId)).toBe(false);
+    });
+
+    it('bounds oversized and UTF-16 titles exactly like relay substring sanitization', () => {
+        const title = `${'x'.repeat(99)}😀S01E06${'y'.repeat(5000)}`;
+        expect(toEpisodeWireTitle(title)).toBe(title.substring(0, 100));
+        expect(toEpisodeWireTitle(title).length).toBe(100);
+        expect(toEpisodeWireTitle(null)).toBeNull();
+    });
+
+    it('converts relay remaining duration to a bounded local deadline without wall-clock trust', () => {
+        expect(createLocalEpisodeDeadline(30_000, 120_000, 1_000)).toEqual({
+            remainingMs: 30_000,
+            deadlineAt: 31_000
+        });
+        expect(createLocalEpisodeDeadline(undefined, 120_000, 1_000)).toEqual({
+            remainingMs: 120_000,
+            deadlineAt: 121_000
+        });
+        expect(createLocalEpisodeDeadline(999_999, 120_000, 1_000).remainingMs).toBe(120_000);
+        expect(createLocalEpisodeDeadline(-1, 120_000, 1_000).remainingMs).toBe(0);
+    });
+
+    it('rejects stale or mismatched capability fallback responses', () => {
+        const pending = {
+            roomId: 'ROOM-A',
+            connectionGeneration: 4,
+            targetGeneration: 7,
+            tabId: 12,
+            expectedTitle: 'S01E06 - Visiting Ours',
+            expectedEpisodeId: 'S01E06',
+            requestedAt: 10_000
+        };
+        const current = {
+            roomId: 'ROOM-A',
+            connectionGeneration: 4,
+            targetGeneration: 7,
+            tabId: 12
+        };
+        const rejection = {
+            expectedTitle: 'S01E06 - Visiting Ours',
+            expectedEpisodeId: 's01e06'
+        };
+
+        expect(isEpisodeSyncV2StartContextCurrent(pending, current, 20_000)).toBe(true);
+        expect(matchesEpisodeSyncV2StartRejection(pending, current, rejection, 20_000)).toBe(true);
+        expect(matchesEpisodeSyncV2StartRejection(pending, { ...current, targetGeneration: 8 }, rejection, 20_000)).toBe(false);
+        expect(matchesEpisodeSyncV2StartRejection(pending, current, rejection, 25_001)).toBe(false);
+        expect(matchesEpisodeSyncV2StartRejection(pending, current, {
+            ...rejection,
+            expectedTitle: 'S01E07 - Different'
+        }, 20_000)).toBe(false);
     });
 });
diff --git a/scripts/build-extension.cjs b/scripts/build-extension.cjs
index e21e241..529afd1 100644
--- a/scripts/build-extension.cjs
+++ b/scripts/build-extension.cjs
@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ function copyExtensionFiles(targetDir, browserName) {
         const stripped = euContent
           .replace(/^\/\*\*[\s\S]*?\*\/\s*/m, '')
           .replace(/export function /g, 'function ')
+          .replace(/export const /g, 'const ')
           .trim();
         const euRep = `${euStart}\n    // This block is automatically updated by /scripts/build-extension.cjs\n${stripped.split('\n').map(l => '    ' + l).join('\n')}\n    ${euEnd}`;
         content = replaceRequiredBlock(content, euPattern, euRep, 'Episode utils injection');
diff --git a/scripts/test-server-ws.mjs b/scripts/test-server-ws.mjs
index c137c22..2ed4d3b 100644
--- a/scripts/test-server-ws.mjs
+++ b/scripts/test-server-ws.mjs
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import {
     materializeMediaIntent,
     reserveLatestMediaIntentSequence
 } from '../extension/offline-media-intent.js';
-import { FORCE_SYNC_TARGET_DELAY_WARNING, FORCE_SYNC_TIMEOUT } from '../shared/constants.js';
+import { EPISODE_SYNC_V2_LOAD_TIMEOUT, FORCE_SYNC_TARGET_DELAY_WARNING, FORCE_SYNC_TIMEOUT } from '../shared/constants.js';
 
 const __dirname = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
 const require = createRequire(path.join(__dirname, '..', 'server', 'package.json'));
@@ -35,6 +35,23 @@ async function j(ws, rid, pid, pw=null, clientCapabilities=undefined) {
     assert.equal(event,'room_data');
     return data;
 }
+async function advanceEpisodeSyncToExecute(peerA, peerB, expectedTitle, expectedEpisodeId = undefined) {
+    s(peerA, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'start', expectedTitle, expectedEpisodeId });
+    const lobby = await w(peerA, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    await w(peerB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    s(peerA, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'loaded', transactionId: lobby.transactionId });
+    await w(peerA, 'episode_sync_v2'); await w(peerB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    s(peerB, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'loaded', transactionId: lobby.transactionId });
+    await w(peerA, 'episode_sync_v2'); await w(peerB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    s(peerA, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'prepared', transactionId: lobby.transactionId });
+    await w(peerA, 'episode_sync_v2'); await w(peerB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    s(peerB, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'prepared', transactionId: lobby.transactionId });
+    const executeA = await w(peerA, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    const executeB = await w(peerB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    assert.equal(executeA.phase, 'execute');
+    assert.equal(executeB.phase, 'execute');
+    return { lobby, executeA, executeB };
+}
 const delay = ms => new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, ms));
 function close() { clients.forEach(w=>{try{w.close()}catch{/* ignore */}}); clients.length=0; }
 // Test suite opens >10 connections/min — clear the IP connection counter so the
@@ -208,13 +225,22 @@ try {
     await j(episodeB, episodeRid, 'episode-b', null, episodeCaps);
     episodeA._m.length = episodeB._m.length = 0;
 
-    s(episodeA, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'start', expectedTitle: 'S01E06 - Visiting Ours' });
+    s(episodeA, 'episode_sync_v2', {
+        phase: 'start',
+        expectedTitle: 'S01E06 - Visiting Ours',
+        expectedEpisodeId: 's01e06'
+    });
     const episodeLobbyA = await w(episodeA, 'episode_sync_v2');
     const episodeLobbyB = await w(episodeB, 'episode_sync_v2');
     assert.equal(episodeLobbyA.phase, 'lobby');
     assert.equal(episodeLobbyA.transactionId, episodeLobbyB.transactionId);
     assert.deepEqual(episodeLobbyA.participants, ['episode-a', 'episode-b']);
     assert.deepEqual(episodeLobbyA.loadedPeers, [], 'initiator is not pre-marked loaded');
+    assert.equal(episodeLobbyA.expectedEpisodeId, 'S01E06');
+    assert.ok(episodeLobbyA.remainingMs > 0 && episodeLobbyA.remainingMs <= EPISODE_SYNC_V2_LOAD_TIMEOUT);
+    assert.ok(episodeLobbyA.remainingMs > 119_000,
+        'v2 loading advertises the independent 120s deadline, not the 60s legacy deadline');
+    assert.equal(episodeLobbyA.deadlineAt, undefined, 'relay wall clock is not exposed to clients');
     const episodeTxId = episodeLobbyA.transactionId;
 
     s(episodeB, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'start', expectedTitle: 'S99E99' });
@@ -262,12 +288,47 @@ try {
     const executeB = await w(episodeB, 'episode_sync_v2');
     assert.equal(executeA.phase, 'execute');
     assert.equal(executeB.phase, 'execute');
-    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(episodeRid).episodeSyncV2, null);
-    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(episodeRid).mediaState.playbackState, 'playing');
-    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(episodeRid).mediaState.currentTime, 0);
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(episodeRid).episodeSyncV2.phase, 'executing');
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(episodeRid).mediaState, null,
+        'canonical playing is not committed before every execute ACK');
     let duplicateExecute = false;
     try { await w(episodeB, 'episode_sync_v2', 300); duplicateExecute = true; } catch { /* expected */ }
     assert.equal(duplicateExecute, false, 'execute is emitted exactly once');
+
+    s(episodeA, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'executed', transactionId: episodeTxId });
+    await delay(50);
+    assert.deepEqual(mod.rooms.get(episodeRid).episodeSyncV2.executedPeers, ['episode-a']);
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(episodeRid).mediaState, null,
+        'one execute ACK cannot complete the room');
+    s(episodeA, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'executed', transactionId: episodeTxId });
+    await delay(50);
+    assert.deepEqual(mod.rooms.get(episodeRid).episodeSyncV2.executedPeers, ['episode-a'],
+        'duplicate execute ACK is idempotent');
+    s(episodeB, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'executed', transactionId: episodeTxId });
+    const completeA = await w(episodeA, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    const completeB = await w(episodeB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    assert.equal(completeA.phase, 'complete');
+    assert.equal(completeB.phase, 'complete');
+    assert.deepEqual(completeA.executedPeers, ['episode-a', 'episode-b']);
+    assert.equal(completeA.remainingMs, 0);
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(episodeRid).episodeSyncV2, null);
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(episodeRid).mediaState.playbackState, 'playing');
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(episodeRid).mediaState.currentTime, 0);
+
+    s(episodeA, 'episode_sync_v2', {
+        phase: 'start',
+        expectedTitle: 'S01E07',
+        expectedEpisodeId: '<script>S01E07'
+    });
+    const sanitizedEpisodeLobby = await w(episodeA, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    await w(episodeB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    assert.equal(sanitizedEpisodeLobby.expectedEpisodeId, null,
+        'invalid episode identity is removed instead of reflected');
+    s(episodeA, 'episode_sync_v2', {
+        phase: 'cancel',
+        transactionId: sanitizedEpisodeLobby.transactionId
+    });
+    await w(episodeA, 'episode_sync_v2'); await w(episodeB, 'episode_sync_v2');
     close();
     resetConnectionRate();
 
@@ -311,25 +372,81 @@ try {
     s(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'start', expectedTitle: 'S02E02' });
     await w(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2'); await w(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2');
     s(episodeAbortA, 'play', { currentTime: 2, seq: 1 });
-    const manualCancelA = await w(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2');
-    const manualCancelB = await w(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2');
-    const manualPlayB = await w(episodeAbortB, 'play');
-    assert.equal(manualCancelA.reason, 'superseded');
-    assert.equal(manualCancelB.reason, 'superseded');
-    assert.equal(manualPlayB.currentTime, 2);
+    const loadingPlayB = await w(episodeAbortB, 'play');
+    assert.equal(loadingPlayB.currentTime, 2);
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(episodeAbortRid).episodeSyncV2.phase, 'loading',
+        'raw source-swap playback does not cancel the loading barrier');
+    s(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2', {
+        phase: 'cancel',
+        transactionId: mod.rooms.get(episodeAbortRid).episodeSyncV2.transactionId
+    });
+    const explicitCancelA = await w(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    const explicitCancelB = await w(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    assert.equal(explicitCancelA.reason, 'peer_cancelled');
+    assert.equal(explicitCancelB.reason, 'peer_cancelled');
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(episodeAbortRid).episodeSyncV2, null);
+
+    s(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'start', expectedTitle: 'S02E02-MANUAL' });
+    await w(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2'); await w(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    s(episodeAbortA, 'pause', { currentTime: 3, seq: 2, episodeSyncIntent: 'manual' });
+    const loadingManualCancelA = await w(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    const loadingManualCancelB = await w(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    const loadingManualPauseB = await w(episodeAbortB, 'pause');
+    assert.equal(loadingManualCancelA.reason, 'superseded');
+    assert.equal(loadingManualCancelB.reason, 'superseded');
+    assert.equal(loadingManualPauseB.currentTime, 3);
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(episodeAbortRid).episodeSyncV2, null,
+        'an explicitly classified manual action supersedes loading');
+
+    s(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'start', expectedTitle: 'S02E03' });
+    const prepareLobby = await w(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    await w(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    s(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'loaded', transactionId: prepareLobby.transactionId });
+    await w(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2'); await w(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    s(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'loaded', transactionId: prepareLobby.transactionId });
+    await w(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2'); await w(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    s(episodeAbortA, 'pause', { currentTime: 0, seq: 3 });
+    const prepareCancelA = await w(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    const prepareCancelB = await w(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    const preparePauseB = await w(episodeAbortB, 'pause');
+    assert.equal(prepareCancelA.reason, 'superseded');
+    assert.equal(prepareCancelB.reason, 'superseded');
+    assert.equal(preparePauseB.currentTime, 0);
+
+    s(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'start', expectedTitle: 'S02E04' });
+    await w(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2'); await w(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    s(episodeAbortA, 'force_sync_prepare', { targetTime: 44, seq: 4 });
+    const forceCancelA = await w(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    const forceCancelB = await w(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    const forcePrepareB = await w(episodeAbortB, 'force_sync_prepare');
+    assert.equal(forceCancelA.reason, 'superseded');
+    assert.equal(forceCancelB.reason, 'superseded');
+    assert.equal(forcePrepareB.targetTime, 44);
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(episodeAbortRid).episodeSyncV2, null);
+    s(episodeAbortA, 'force_sync_execute', { seq: 5 });
+    await w(episodeAbortB, 'force_sync_execute');
+
+    s(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'start', expectedTitle: 'S02E05' });
+    await w(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2'); await w(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    s(episodeAbortB, 'peer_status', { status: 'heartbeat', desynced: true });
+    const desyncCancelA = await w(episodeAbortA, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    const desyncCancelB = await w(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    assert.equal(desyncCancelA.reason, 'participant_desynced');
+    assert.equal(desyncCancelB.failedPeerId, 'abort-b');
     assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(episodeAbortRid).episodeSyncV2, null);
 
     const abortRoom = mod.rooms.get(episodeAbortRid);
     abortRoom.controlMode = 'host-only';
     abortRoom.controllers = new Set(['abort-a']);
-    s(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'start', expectedTitle: 'S02E03' });
+    s(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'start', expectedTitle: 'S02E06' });
     const guestStartCancel = await w(episodeAbortB, 'episode_sync_v2');
     assert.equal(guestStartCancel.reason, 'not_controller');
     assert.equal(abortRoom.episodeSyncV2, null);
     close();
     resetConnectionRate();
 
-    // Frozen participants: a late legacy joiner is excluded and does not block completion.
+    // Membership is frozen: every successful late join or reconnect cancels
+    // instead of reusing ACKs from a stale participant/socket snapshot.
     const frozenRid = 'episode-frozen-'+Date.now();
     const frozenA = await c(), frozenB = await c();
     await j(frozenA, frozenRid, 'frozen-a', null, episodeCaps);
@@ -342,20 +459,26 @@ try {
     const frozenLateRoom = await j(frozenLate, frozenRid, 'frozen-late');
     assert.equal(frozenLateRoom.episodeSyncV2, null);
     assert.deepEqual(frozenLobbyA.participants, ['frozen-a', 'frozen-b']);
-    frozenLate._m.length = 0;
-    for (const peer of [frozenA, frozenB]) {
-        s(peer, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'loaded', transactionId: frozenLobbyA.transactionId });
-        if (peer === frozenA) { await w(frozenA, 'episode_sync_v2'); await w(frozenB, 'episode_sync_v2'); }
-    }
-    await w(frozenA, 'episode_sync_v2'); await w(frozenB, 'episode_sync_v2');
-    for (const peer of [frozenA, frozenB]) {
-        s(peer, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'prepared', transactionId: frozenLobbyA.transactionId });
-        if (peer === frozenA) { await w(frozenA, 'episode_sync_v2'); await w(frozenB, 'episode_sync_v2'); }
-    }
-    await w(frozenA, 'episode_sync_v2'); await w(frozenB, 'episode_sync_v2');
-    let lateReceivedV2 = false;
-    try { await w(frozenLate, 'episode_sync_v2', 300); lateReceivedV2 = true; } catch { /* expected */ }
-    assert.equal(lateReceivedV2, false);
+    const lateCancelA = await w(frozenA, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    const lateCancelB = await w(frozenB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    assert.equal(lateCancelA.reason, 'membership_changed');
+    assert.equal(lateCancelB.reason, 'membership_changed');
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(frozenRid).episodeSyncV2, null);
+
+    s(frozenLate, 'leave_room', {});
+    await w(frozenA, 'peer_status');
+    await w(frozenB, 'peer_status');
+    frozenA._m.length = frozenB._m.length = 0;
+    s(frozenA, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'start', expectedTitle: 'S01E08' });
+    await w(frozenA, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    await w(frozenB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    const frozenBRejoin = await c();
+    const rejoinRoom = await j(frozenBRejoin, frozenRid, 'frozen-b', null, episodeCaps);
+    assert.equal(rejoinRoom.episodeSyncV2, null);
+    const rejoinCancelA = await w(frozenA, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    assert.equal(rejoinCancelA.reason, 'membership_changed');
+    assert.equal(rejoinCancelA.failedPeerId, 'frozen-b');
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(frozenRid).episodeSyncV2, null);
     close();
     resetConnectionRate();
 
@@ -377,7 +500,32 @@ try {
     assert.equal(timeoutCancelB.phase, 'cancel');
     assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(cancelRid).episodeSyncV2, null);
 
-    s(cancelA, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'start', expectedTitle: 'S01E10' });
+    const failedExecute = await advanceEpisodeSyncToExecute(cancelA, cancelB, 'S01E10', 'S01E10');
+    s(cancelB, 'episode_sync_v2', {
+        phase: 'failed_execute',
+        transactionId: failedExecute.lobby.transactionId
+    });
+    const failedExecuteCancelA = await w(cancelA, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    const failedExecuteCancelB = await w(cancelB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    assert.equal(failedExecuteCancelA.reason, 'execute_failed');
+    assert.equal(failedExecuteCancelB.failedPeerId, 'cancel-b');
+    assert.equal(failedExecuteCancelA.settlePlaybackState, 'paused');
+    assert.equal(failedExecuteCancelA.targetTime, 0);
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(cancelRid).mediaState.playbackState, 'paused');
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(cancelRid).mediaState.currentTime, 0);
+
+    const executeTimeout = await advanceEpisodeSyncToExecute(cancelA, cancelB, 'S01E11', 'S01E11');
+    mod.rooms.get(cancelRid).episodeSyncV2.deadlineAt = 1;
+    mod.expireEpisodeSyncV2Transactions(Date.now());
+    const executeTimeoutCancelA = await w(cancelA, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    const executeTimeoutCancelB = await w(cancelB, 'episode_sync_v2');
+    assert.equal(executeTimeoutCancelA.reason, 'execute_timeout');
+    assert.equal(executeTimeoutCancelB.settlePlaybackState, 'paused');
+    assert.equal(executeTimeoutCancelA.transactionId, executeTimeout.lobby.transactionId);
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(cancelRid).episodeSyncV2, null);
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(cancelRid).mediaState.playbackState, 'paused');
+
+    s(cancelA, 'episode_sync_v2', { phase: 'start', expectedTitle: 'S01E12' });
     const departureLobby = await w(cancelA, 'episode_sync_v2'); await w(cancelB, 'episode_sync_v2');
     assert.notEqual(cancelLobby.transactionId, departureLobby.transactionId, 'new transaction receives a fresh identity');
     s(cancelB, 'leave_room', {});
@@ -389,27 +537,22 @@ try {
     close();
     resetConnectionRate();
 
-    // New relay hardening for old extensions: only the accepted lobby owner may
-    // relay legacy PREPARE/EXECUTE/CANCEL.
-    const legacyEpisodeRid = 'episode-legacy-owner-'+Date.now();
+    // Origin/main compatibility: legacy clients did not distinguish automatic
+    // and manual Force Sync. A non-lobby-owner command must therefore keep its
+    // historical relay semantics instead of being silently discarded.
+    const legacyEpisodeRid = 'episode-legacy-compat-'+Date.now();
     const legacyEpisodeA = await c(), legacyEpisodeB = await c();
     await j(legacyEpisodeA, legacyEpisodeRid, 'legacy-a');
     await j(legacyEpisodeB, legacyEpisodeRid, 'legacy-b');
     legacyEpisodeA._m.length = legacyEpisodeB._m.length = 0;
     s(legacyEpisodeA, 'episode_lobby', { expectedTitle: 'S01E11' });
     await w(legacyEpisodeB, 'episode_lobby');
-    s(legacyEpisodeB, 'force_sync_prepare', { targetTime: 0 });
-    let nonOwnerPrepareRelayed = false;
-    try { await w(legacyEpisodeA, 'force_sync_prepare', 300); nonOwnerPrepareRelayed = true; } catch { /* expected */ }
-    assert.equal(nonOwnerPrepareRelayed, false);
-    s(legacyEpisodeA, 'force_sync_prepare', { targetTime: 0 });
-    await w(legacyEpisodeB, 'force_sync_prepare');
+    s(legacyEpisodeB, 'force_sync_prepare', { targetTime: 17 });
+    const nonOwnerPrepare = await w(legacyEpisodeA, 'force_sync_prepare');
+    assert.equal(nonOwnerPrepare.targetTime, 17);
     s(legacyEpisodeB, 'force_sync_execute', {});
-    let nonOwnerExecuteRelayed = false;
-    try { await w(legacyEpisodeA, 'force_sync_execute', 300); nonOwnerExecuteRelayed = true; } catch { /* expected */ }
-    assert.equal(nonOwnerExecuteRelayed, false);
-    s(legacyEpisodeA, 'force_sync_execute', {});
-    await w(legacyEpisodeB, 'force_sync_execute');
+    await w(legacyEpisodeA, 'force_sync_execute');
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(legacyEpisodeRid).mediaState.currentTime, 17);
     close();
     resetConnectionRate();
 
@@ -1238,12 +1381,18 @@ try {
     mxo._m.length = mxn._m.length = 0;
     s(mxn,'force_sync_execute',{}); await w(mxo,'force_sync_execute');
     s(mxo,'episode_lobby',{expectedTitle:'S1E1'}); await w(mxn,'episode_lobby');
-    s(mxn,'pause',{currentTime:2}); await w(mxo,'episode_lobby_cancel'); await w(mxo,'pause');
+    s(mxn,'pause',{currentTime:2}); await w(mxo,'pause');
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(mxrid).activeLobby.expectedTitle, 'S1E1',
+        'legacy lobby survives ordinary PAUSE from an old/new peer');
+    let transitionPauseCancelledLobby = false;
+    try { await w(mxo,'episode_lobby_cancel',300); transitionPauseCancelledLobby = true; } catch { /* expected */ }
+    assert.equal(transitionPauseCancelledLobby, false);
     s(mxn,'seek',{currentTime:50}); await w(mxo,'seek');
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(mxrid).activeLobby.expectedTitle, 'S1E1',
+        'legacy lobby survives source-swap SEEK');
     s(mxn,'episode_lobby_cancel',{});
-    let staleMixedCancelDropped = false;
-    try { await w(mxo,'episode_lobby_cancel',300); } catch { staleMixedCancelDropped = true; }
-    assert.ok(staleMixedCancelDropped, 'stale legacy lobby cancel is dropped after manual playback supersedes it');
+    await w(mxo,'episode_lobby_cancel');
+    assert.equal(mod.rooms.get(mxrid).activeLobby, null);
     close();
     resetConnectionRate();
 
@@ -1305,7 +1454,7 @@ try {
 
     console.log('All WebSocket integration tests passed (incl. host control mode)');
 } catch(e) {
-    console.error('FAILED:', e.message);
+    console.error('FAILED:', e.stack || e.message);
     process.exitCode=1;
 } finally {
     close();
diff --git a/server/index.js b/server/index.js
index 7872ed8..f74c515 100644
--- a/server/index.js
+++ b/server/index.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import { fileURLToPath } from 'url';
 import { Server } from 'socket.io';
 import crypto from 'crypto';
 import dotenv from 'dotenv';
-import { EVENTS, ERROR_CODES, OFFICIAL_SERVER_TOKEN, PROTOCOL_VERSION, CONTROL_MODES, CAPABILITIES, FORCE_SYNC_TARGET_DELAY_WARNING, MAX_MEDIA_TIME, EPISODE_LOBBY_TIMEOUT, EPISODE_SYNC_V2_PREPARE_TIMEOUT } from '../shared/constants.js';
+import { EVENTS, ERROR_CODES, OFFICIAL_SERVER_TOKEN, PROTOCOL_VERSION, CONTROL_MODES, CAPABILITIES, FORCE_SYNC_TARGET_DELAY_WARNING, MAX_MEDIA_TIME, EPISODE_SYNC_V2_LOAD_TIMEOUT, EPISODE_SYNC_V2_PREPARE_TIMEOUT, EPISODE_SYNC_V2_EXECUTE_TIMEOUT } from '../shared/constants.js';
 import { createChatEnvelope } from './chat.js';
 import {
     commitForceSyncMediaState,
@@ -189,15 +189,18 @@ const SEQUENCED_ROOM_EVENTS = new Set([
     EVENTS.FORCE_SYNC_EXECUTE
 ]);
 
-const EPISODE_SYNC_V2_SUPERSEDING_EVENTS = new Set([
-    EVENTS.PLAY,
-    EVENTS.PAUSE,
-    EVENTS.SEEK,
+const EPISODE_SYNC_V2_HARD_SUPERSEDING_EVENTS = new Set([
     EVENTS.FORCE_SYNC_PREPARE,
     EVENTS.FORCE_SYNC_EXECUTE,
     EVENTS.EPISODE_LOBBY
 ]);
 
+const EPISODE_SYNC_V2_PREPARE_SUPERSEDING_EVENTS = new Set([
+    EVENTS.PLAY,
+    EVENTS.PAUSE,
+    EVENTS.SEEK
+]);
+
 // Features this relay supports, advertised to clients in ROOM_DATA so they can
 // enable matching UI/behavior only when the server actually backs it. Append a
 // flag here when a new server-gated feature ships (e.g. co-host promotion).
@@ -236,19 +239,33 @@ function clientSupportsEpisodeSyncV2(socket) {
         && socket.data.clientCapabilities.includes(CAPABILITIES.EPISODE_SYNC_V2);
 }
 
+function normalizeExpectedEpisodeId(value) {
+    if (typeof value !== 'string') return null;
+    const normalized = value.trim().toUpperCase().substring(0, 16);
+    return /^(?:S\d{1,4}E\d{1,4}|EP\d{1,6})$/.test(normalized)
+        ? normalized
+        : null;
+}
+
 function publicEpisodeSyncV2(transaction, phase = null) {
     if (!transaction) return null;
-    const publicPhase = phase || (transaction.phase === 'loading' ? 'lobby' : 'prepare');
+    const publicPhase = phase || (transaction.phase === 'loading'
+        ? 'lobby'
+        : (transaction.phase === 'preparing' ? 'prepare' : 'execute'));
     return {
         transactionId: transaction.transactionId,
         phase: publicPhase,
         expectedTitle: transaction.expectedTitle,
+        expectedEpisodeId: transaction.expectedEpisodeId || null,
         initiatorPeerId: transaction.initiatorPeerId,
         participants: [...transaction.participants],
         loadedPeers: [...transaction.loadedPeers],
         preparedPeers: [...transaction.preparedPeers],
+        executedPeers: [...(transaction.executedPeers || [])],
         createdAt: transaction.createdAt,
-        deadlineAt: transaction.deadlineAt,
+        remainingMs: Number.isFinite(transaction.deadlineAt)
+            ? Math.max(0, transaction.deadlineAt - Date.now())
+            : 0,
         revision: transaction.revision
     };
 }
@@ -269,17 +286,30 @@ function clearEpisodeSyncV2Timer(transaction) {
     transaction.timeout = null;
 }
 
-function cancelEpisodeSyncV2(roomId, room, reason, failedPeerId = null) {
+function cancelEpisodeSyncV2(roomId, room, reason, failedPeerId = null, { settlePaused = false } = {}) {
     const transaction = room?.episodeSyncV2;
     if (!transaction) return false;
     clearEpisodeSyncV2Timer(transaction);
+    const shouldSettlePaused = settlePaused || transaction.phase === 'executing';
+    if (shouldSettlePaused) {
+        updateMediaStateFromControl(
+            room,
+            EVENTS.PAUSE,
+            { currentTime: 0, mediaTitle: transaction.expectedTitle },
+            transaction.initiatorPeerId,
+            { now: Date.now(), senderPlaybackState: 'paused', senderMediaTitle: transaction.expectedTitle }
+        );
+    }
     room.episodeSyncV2 = null;
     room.lastEpisodeSyncV2Id = transaction.transactionId;
     emitEpisodeSyncV2ToParticipants(roomId, room, transaction, {
         ...publicEpisodeSyncV2(transaction, 'cancel'),
         senderId: transaction.initiatorPeerId,
         reason: typeof reason === 'string' ? reason.substring(0, 32) : 'cancelled',
-        failedPeerId: typeof failedPeerId === 'string' ? failedPeerId.substring(0, 16) : undefined
+        failedPeerId: typeof failedPeerId === 'string' ? failedPeerId.substring(0, 16) : undefined,
+        settlePlaybackState: shouldSettlePaused ? 'paused' : undefined,
+        targetTime: shouldSettlePaused ? 0 : undefined,
+        remainingMs: 0
     });
     return true;
 }
@@ -289,7 +319,12 @@ function scheduleEpisodeSyncV2Deadline(roomId, room, transaction, timeoutMs) {
     transaction.deadlineAt = Date.now() + timeoutMs;
     transaction.timeout = setTimeout(() => {
         if (room.episodeSyncV2 !== transaction) return;
-        cancelEpisodeSyncV2(roomId, room, transaction.phase === 'loading' ? 'load_timeout' : 'prepare_timeout');
+        const timeoutReason = transaction.phase === 'loading'
+            ? 'load_timeout'
+            : (transaction.phase === 'preparing' ? 'prepare_timeout' : 'execute_timeout');
+        cancelEpisodeSyncV2(roomId, room, timeoutReason, null, {
+            settlePaused: transaction.phase === 'executing'
+        });
     }, timeoutMs);
     transaction.timeout.unref?.();
 }
@@ -306,7 +341,12 @@ export function expireEpisodeSyncV2Transactions(now = Date.now()) {
     for (const [roomId, room] of rooms) {
         const transaction = room.episodeSyncV2;
         if (transaction && Number.isFinite(transaction.deadlineAt) && transaction.deadlineAt <= now) {
-            cancelEpisodeSyncV2(roomId, room, transaction.phase === 'loading' ? 'load_timeout' : 'prepare_timeout');
+            const timeoutReason = transaction.phase === 'loading'
+                ? 'load_timeout'
+                : (transaction.phase === 'preparing' ? 'prepare_timeout' : 'execute_timeout');
+            cancelEpisodeSyncV2(roomId, room, timeoutReason, null, {
+                settlePaused: transaction.phase === 'executing'
+            });
         }
     }
 }
@@ -357,7 +397,7 @@ function removePeerFromRoom(socketId, roomId, reason, { notifyRemainingPeers = t
     // V2 freezes its participant set. Losing any participant invalidates the
     // barrier; continuing with a smaller set could execute before a reconnecting
     // player has actually prepared.
-    if (room.episodeSyncV2?.participants.includes(peerId) && !peerJoinLocks.has(peerId)) {
+    if (room.episodeSyncV2?.participants.includes(peerId)) {
         cancelEpisodeSyncV2(roomId, room, 'participant_left', peerId);
     }
 
@@ -385,10 +425,8 @@ function removePeerFromRoom(socketId, roomId, reason, { notifyRemainingPeers = t
         room.activeLobby.readyPeers = room.activeLobby.readyPeers.filter(id => id !== peerId);
         if (room.peers.size <= 1 || room.activeLobby.initiatorPeerId === peerId) {
             room.activeLobby = null; // Dissolve lobby
-            room.legacyEpisodeSyncOwner = null;
         }
     }
-    if (room.legacyEpisodeSyncOwner === peerId) room.legacyEpisodeSyncOwner = null;
 
     // 3.6. Host Control Mode: if the host left (and isn't still connected via another
     //      socket), fall back to 'everyone' so the room never gets stuck locked, and
@@ -530,6 +568,9 @@ io.on('connection', (socket) => {
             // Cleanup old room if re-joining
             const oldMapping = socketToRoom.get(socket.id);
             if (oldMapping && oldMapping.roomId === roomId && oldMapping.peerId === peerId) {
+                if (rooms.get(roomId)?.episodeSyncV2) {
+                    cancelEpisodeSyncV2(roomId, rooms.get(roomId), 'membership_changed', peerId);
+                }
                 socket.data.clientCapabilities = clientCapabilities;
                 return; // Already in this room with same peerId, ignore to prevent spam
             }
@@ -597,7 +638,6 @@ io.on('connection', (socket) => {
                             // transaction explicitly replaced by newer room playback.
                             forceSyncSuperseded: false,
                             activeLobby: null,
-                            legacyEpisodeSyncOwner: null,
                             episodeSyncV2: null,
                             lastEpisodeSyncV2Id: null
                         };
@@ -646,6 +686,14 @@ io.on('connection', (socket) => {
                     return;
                 }
 
+                // A v2 barrier freezes the exact socket membership at START.
+                // Any successful late join or reconnect invalidates that
+                // snapshot; cancel before dedupe/add so no prepared/executed ACK
+                // from the previous membership can complete the transaction.
+                if (room.episodeSyncV2) {
+                    cancelEpisodeSyncV2(roomId, room, 'membership_changed', peerId);
+                }
+
                 // Peer Deduplication: Remove existing socket for the same peerId
                 const dedupeSids = [];
                 for (const [sid, data] of room.peerData.entries()) {
@@ -865,23 +913,20 @@ io.on('connection', (socket) => {
                         return;
                     }
 
-                    // A user/manual legacy command wins over automation. Cancel
-                    // the v2 barrier first so prepared peers can restore safely,
-                    // then relay the newer command normally.
-                    if (room.episodeSyncV2 && EPISODE_SYNC_V2_SUPERSEDING_EVENTS.has(eventName)) {
-                        cancelEpisodeSyncV2(mapping.roomId, room, 'superseded', mapping.peerId);
-                    }
-
-                    // Legacy clients all used to self-promote after lobby ready.
-                    // Preserve their wire contract, but bind the room-wide PREPARE,
-                    // EXECUTE and CANCEL to the accepted lobby owner.
-                    if (room.legacyEpisodeSyncOwner
-                        && (eventName === EVENTS.FORCE_SYNC_PREPARE
-                            || eventName === EVENTS.FORCE_SYNC_EXECUTE
-                            || eventName === EVENTS.EPISODE_LOBBY_CANCEL)
-                        && mapping.peerId !== room.legacyEpisodeSyncOwner) {
-                        log('ROOM', `Dropped legacy episode ${eventName} from non-owner ${mapping.peerId}`);
-                        return;
+                    // Loading deliberately tolerates raw player PLAY/PAUSE/SEEK
+                    // churn from source swaps. During PREPARE those commands are
+                    // newer room intent and release already-paused peers. Force
+                    // Sync and an explicit legacy lobby supersede every phase.
+                    if (room.episodeSyncV2) {
+                        const hardSupersede = EPISODE_SYNC_V2_HARD_SUPERSEDING_EVENTS.has(eventName);
+                        const deliberateLoadingSupersede = room.episodeSyncV2.phase === 'loading'
+                            && data?.episodeSyncIntent === 'manual'
+                            && EPISODE_SYNC_V2_PREPARE_SUPERSEDING_EVENTS.has(eventName);
+                        const prepareSupersede = room.episodeSyncV2.phase === 'preparing'
+                            && EPISODE_SYNC_V2_PREPARE_SUPERSEDING_EVENTS.has(eventName);
+                        if (hardSupersede || deliberateLoadingSupersede || prepareSupersede) {
+                            cancelEpisodeSyncV2(mapping.roomId, room, 'superseded', mapping.peerId);
+                        }
                     }
 
                     const mediaStateNow = Date.now();
@@ -911,16 +956,6 @@ io.on('connection', (socket) => {
                         room.forceSyncSuperseded = true;
                         room.forceSyncInitiator = null;
                         room.forceSyncTarget = null;
-                        if (canonicalStateUpdated) room.legacyEpisodeSyncOwner = null;
-                    }
-                    if (canonicalStateUpdated && room.activeLobby) {
-                        room.activeLobby = null;
-                        room.legacyEpisodeSyncOwner = null;
-                        io.to(mapping.roomId).emit(EVENTS.EPISODE_LOBBY_CANCEL, {
-                            senderId: mapping.peerId,
-                            peerId: mapping.peerId,
-                            reason: 'superseded'
-                        });
                     }
                     if (eventName === EVENTS.FORCE_SYNC_PREPARE) {
                         // A malformed PREPARE must neither pause peers nor grant
@@ -971,7 +1006,6 @@ io.on('connection', (socket) => {
                         room.forceSyncInitiator = null;
                         room.forceSyncTarget = null;
                         room.forceSyncSuperseded = false;
-                        room.legacyEpisodeSyncOwner = null;
                     }
 
                     socket.to(mapping.roomId).emit(eventName, relayPayload);
@@ -983,14 +1017,12 @@ io.on('connection', (socket) => {
                             initiatorPeerId: mapping.peerId,
                             readyPeers: [mapping.peerId]
                         };
-                        room.legacyEpisodeSyncOwner = mapping.peerId;
                     } else if (eventName === EVENTS.EPISODE_READY && room.activeLobby) {
                         if (!room.activeLobby.readyPeers.includes(mapping.peerId)) {
                             room.activeLobby.readyPeers.push(mapping.peerId);
                         }
                     } else if ((eventName === EVENTS.FORCE_SYNC_PREPARE || eventName === EVENTS.FORCE_SYNC_EXECUTE || eventName === EVENTS.EPISODE_LOBBY_CANCEL) && room.activeLobby) {
                         room.activeLobby = null;
-                        if (eventName === EVENTS.EPISODE_LOBBY_CANCEL) room.legacyEpisodeSyncOwner = null;
                     }
                     }
                 }
@@ -1022,6 +1054,7 @@ io.on('connection', (socket) => {
                 const expectedTitle = typeof data.expectedTitle === 'string'
                     ? data.expectedTitle.substring(0, 100)
                     : '';
+                const expectedEpisodeId = normalizeExpectedEpisodeId(data.expectedEpisodeId);
                 const isController = room.controlMode !== CONTROL_MODES.HOST_ONLY
                     || (room.controllers && room.controllers.has(mapping.peerId));
                 const senderData = room.peerData.get(socket.id);
@@ -1030,6 +1063,7 @@ io.on('connection', (socket) => {
                     transactionId: null,
                     senderId: mapping.peerId,
                     expectedTitle,
+                    expectedEpisodeId,
                     reason
                 });
                 if (!expectedTitle) return rejectStart('invalid_title');
@@ -1062,17 +1096,19 @@ io.on('connection', (socket) => {
                     transactionId: crypto.randomUUID(),
                     phase: 'loading',
                     expectedTitle,
+                    expectedEpisodeId,
                     initiatorPeerId: mapping.peerId,
                     participants,
                     loadedPeers: [],
                     preparedPeers: [],
+                    executedPeers: [],
                     createdAt: now,
-                    deadlineAt: now + EPISODE_LOBBY_TIMEOUT,
+                    deadlineAt: now + EPISODE_SYNC_V2_LOAD_TIMEOUT,
                     revision: 1,
                     timeout: null
                 };
                 room.episodeSyncV2 = transaction;
-                scheduleEpisodeSyncV2Deadline(mapping.roomId, room, transaction, EPISODE_LOBBY_TIMEOUT);
+                scheduleEpisodeSyncV2Deadline(mapping.roomId, room, transaction, EPISODE_SYNC_V2_LOAD_TIMEOUT);
                 emitEpisodeSyncV2ToParticipants(mapping.roomId, room, transaction, {
                     ...publicEpisodeSyncV2(transaction, 'lobby'),
                     senderId: transaction.initiatorPeerId
@@ -1089,7 +1125,19 @@ io.on('connection', (socket) => {
             }
 
             if (phase === 'cancel' || phase === 'failed') {
-                cancelEpisodeSyncV2(mapping.roomId, room, phase === 'failed' ? 'peer_failed' : 'peer_cancelled', mapping.peerId);
+                cancelEpisodeSyncV2(
+                    mapping.roomId,
+                    room,
+                    phase === 'failed' ? 'peer_failed' : 'peer_cancelled',
+                    mapping.peerId
+                );
+                return;
+            }
+
+            if (phase === 'failed_execute' && transaction.phase === 'executing') {
+                cancelEpisodeSyncV2(mapping.roomId, room, 'execute_failed', mapping.peerId, {
+                    settlePaused: true
+                });
                 return;
             }
 
@@ -1129,6 +1177,28 @@ io.on('connection', (socket) => {
                     return;
                 }
 
+                transaction.phase = 'executing';
+                transaction.revision++;
+                scheduleEpisodeSyncV2Deadline(
+                    mapping.roomId,
+                    room,
+                    transaction,
+                    EPISODE_SYNC_V2_EXECUTE_TIMEOUT
+                );
+                emitEpisodeSyncV2ToParticipants(mapping.roomId, room, transaction, {
+                    ...publicEpisodeSyncV2(transaction, 'execute'),
+                    senderId: transaction.initiatorPeerId,
+                    targetTime: 0
+                });
+                return;
+            }
+
+            if (phase === 'executed' && transaction.phase === 'executing') {
+                if (transaction.executedPeers.includes(mapping.peerId)) return;
+                transaction.executedPeers.push(mapping.peerId);
+                transaction.revision++;
+                if (transaction.executedPeers.length < transaction.participants.length) return;
+
                 clearEpisodeSyncV2Timer(transaction);
                 room.episodeSyncV2 = null;
                 room.lastEpisodeSyncV2Id = transaction.transactionId;
@@ -1143,9 +1213,10 @@ io.on('connection', (socket) => {
                     transaction.expectedTitle
                 );
                 emitEpisodeSyncV2ToParticipants(mapping.roomId, room, transaction, {
-                    ...publicEpisodeSyncV2(transaction, 'execute'),
+                    ...publicEpisodeSyncV2(transaction, 'complete'),
                     senderId: transaction.initiatorPeerId,
-                    targetTime: 0
+                    targetTime: 0,
+                    remainingMs: 0
                 });
             }
         } catch (err) {
diff --git a/shared/README.md b/shared/README.md
index dc6eb72..6c30b80 100644
--- a/shared/README.md
+++ b/shared/README.md
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ Browser extensions cannot import files outside their own root directory, so the
 - `CAPABILITIES.HOST_CONTROL`: relay supports host-only room authority.
 - `CAPABILITIES.CO_HOST`: relay supports promoted controller peers.
 - `CAPABILITIES.MEDIA_STATE_V1`: relay exposes canonical room playback recovery snapshots.
-- `CAPABILITIES.EPISODE_SYNC_V2`: relay owns an ID-correlated load/prepare/execute episode barrier.
+- `CAPABILITIES.EPISODE_SYNC_V2`: relay owns an ID-correlated load/prepare/execute/complete episode barrier.
 
 Clients should enable capability-gated UI only when the relay advertises the matching flag in `room_data.capabilities`.
 
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ For the complete event list, read the `EVENTS` object in [`constants.js`](consta
 | `EPISODE_LOBBY` | Bidirectional relay | Episode transition lobby started |
 | `EPISODE_READY` | Bidirectional relay | Peer has loaded the episode and is ready |
 | `EPISODE_LOBBY_CANCEL` | Bidirectional relay | Active episode lobby cancelled |
-| `EPISODE_SYNC_V2` | Bidirectional, capability-gated | Relay-authoritative episode transaction (`start/lobby/loaded/prepare/prepared/execute/cancel`) |
+| `EPISODE_SYNC_V2` | Bidirectional, capability-gated | Relay-authoritative episode transaction (`start/lobby/loaded/prepare/prepared/execute/executed/complete/cancel`) |
 | `GET_ROOMS` / `ROOM_LIST` | Client <-> Server | Room discovery with server-side cooldown |
 | `PING` / `PONG` | Client <-> Server/Peer | Server RTT and peer latency checks |
 
@@ -68,7 +68,9 @@ For the complete event list, read the `EVENTS` object in [`constants.js`](consta
 - `FORCE_SYNC_TIMEOUT`: max wait for force-sync ACKs.
 - `FORCE_SYNC_TARGET_DELAY_WARNING`: threshold for logging delayed Force Sync execution; an unsuperseded prepared target remains executable for receiver liveness.
 - `EPISODE_LOBBY_TIMEOUT`: max wait for episode-lobby readiness.
+- `EPISODE_SYNC_V2_LOAD_TIMEOUT`: relay-owned loading window for the v2 barrier.
 - `EPISODE_SYNC_V2_PREPARE_TIMEOUT`: max wait for every frozen participant to pause, seek, buffer, and verify stable state.
+- `EPISODE_SYNC_V2_EXECUTE_TIMEOUT`: max wait for every participant to acknowledge playback execution.
 - `EPISODE_SYNC_V2_STABILITY_MS`: continuous ready-state window required before `prepared`.
 - `MAX_MEDIA_TIME`: shared relay/extension upper bound, in seconds, for synchronized media positions.
 
diff --git a/shared/constants.js b/shared/constants.js
index 14d7ca9..1091cfb 100644
--- a/shared/constants.js
+++ b/shared/constants.js
@@ -105,5 +105,9 @@ export const FORCE_SYNC_TIMEOUT = 8500; // 8.5s timeout for force sync ACKs (mus
 // transport grace. The target remains valid until newer room playback replaces it.
 export const FORCE_SYNC_TARGET_DELAY_WARNING = FORCE_SYNC_TIMEOUT + 2000;
 export const EPISODE_LOBBY_TIMEOUT = 60000; // 60s timeout for episode lobby
+// V2 has a relay-owned loading phase. Keep this separate from the bundled
+// legacy timer so rolling old/new rooms retain the legacy 60s wire contract.
+export const EPISODE_SYNC_V2_LOAD_TIMEOUT = 120000;
 export const EPISODE_SYNC_V2_PREPARE_TIMEOUT = 15000; // pause, seek, buffer and 1s stable verification
+export const EPISODE_SYNC_V2_EXECUTE_TIMEOUT = 10000; // apply playback and acknowledge before commit
 export const EPISODE_SYNC_V2_STABILITY_MS = 1000;
diff --git a/tests/e2e/episode-transition-quarantine.spec.mjs b/tests/e2e/episode-transition-quarantine.spec.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..de0672d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/e2e/episode-transition-quarantine.spec.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
+import { test, expect } from './helpers/extension-fixture.mjs';
+
+async function withExtensionPage(context, extensionId, fn) {
+    const page = await context.newPage();
+    await page.goto(`chrome-extension://${extensionId}/audio-options.html`);
+    try {
+        return await fn(page);
+    } finally {
+        await page.close();
+    }
+}
+
+async function selectTargetTab(context, extensionId, pageUrl) {
+    return withExtensionPage(context, extensionId, page => page.evaluate(async url => {
+        const [tab] = await chrome.tabs.query({ url });
+        if (!tab) throw new Error(`no tab matched ${url}`);
+        await chrome.runtime.sendMessage({ type: 'SET_TARGET_TAB', tabId: tab.id });
+        return tab.id;
+    }, pageUrl));
+}
+
+async function extensionMessage(context, extensionId, message) {
+    return withExtensionPage(context, extensionId, page => page.evaluate(
+        payload => chrome.runtime.sendMessage(payload),
+        message
+    ));
+}
+
+async function prepareEpisodePage(page, title, currentTime) {
+    await page.waitForFunction(() => window.__fixtureReady === true);
+    await page.evaluate(async ({ title, currentTime }) => {
+        navigator.mediaSession.metadata = new window.MediaMetadata({ title });
+        const video = document.querySelector('#player');
+        video.muted = true;
+        video.playbackRate = 0.1;
+        video.currentTime = currentTime;
+        await video.play();
+    }, { title, currentTime });
+}
+
+async function contentLogs(context, extensionId) {
+    const logs = await extensionMessage(context, extensionId, { type: 'GET_LOGS' });
+    return logs.filter(entry => entry.message.includes('[Content]')).map(entry => entry.message);
+}
+
+test('keeps ordinary play/pause outside an episode boundary on the immediate path @episode-transition', async ({ context, extensionId, baseURL }) => {
+    const url = `${baseURL}/pages/simple-player.html`;
+    const page = await context.newPage();
+    await page.goto(url);
+    await prepareEpisodePage(page, 'Series S01E05', 3);
+    await selectTargetTab(context, extensionId, url);
+    await expect.poll(() => page.locator('#player').getAttribute('data-koala-attached')).toBe('true');
+
+    const before = await extensionMessage(context, extensionId, { type: 'GET_HISTORY' });
+    await page.locator('#player').evaluate(video => video.pause());
+    await expect.poll(async () => {
+        const history = await extensionMessage(context, extensionId, { type: 'GET_HISTORY' });
+        return history.length;
+    }, { timeout: 750 }).toBe(before.length + 1);
+});
+
+test('quarantines a suspicious boundary pause, then relays the final intent when no episode changes @episode-transition', async ({ context, extensionId, baseURL }) => {
+    const url = `${baseURL}/pages/simple-player.html`;
+    const page = await context.newPage();
+    await page.goto(url);
+    await prepareEpisodePage(page, 'Series S01E05', 9.25);
+    await selectTargetTab(context, extensionId, url);
+    await expect.poll(() => page.locator('#player').getAttribute('data-koala-attached')).toBe('true');
+
+    const before = await extensionMessage(context, extensionId, { type: 'GET_HISTORY' });
+    await page.locator('#player').evaluate(video => video.pause());
+
+    await page.waitForTimeout(500);
+    expect(await extensionMessage(context, extensionId, { type: 'GET_HISTORY' })).toEqual(before);
+    await expect.poll(async () => {
+        const history = await extensionMessage(context, extensionId, { type: 'GET_HISTORY' });
+        return history.length;
+    }, { timeout: 4000 }).toBe(before.length + 1);
+    const after = await extensionMessage(context, extensionId, { type: 'GET_HISTORY' });
+    expect(after[0]).toMatchObject({ action: 'pause' });
+});
+
+test('relays a deliberate boundary pause immediately @episode-transition', async ({ context, extensionId, baseURL }) => {
+    const url = `${baseURL}/pages/simple-player.html`;
+    const page = await context.newPage();
+    await page.goto(url);
+    await prepareEpisodePage(page, 'Series S01E05', 9.25);
+    await selectTargetTab(context, extensionId, url);
+    await expect.poll(() => page.locator('#player').getAttribute('data-koala-attached')).toBe('true');
+
+    const before = await extensionMessage(context, extensionId, { type: 'GET_HISTORY' });
+    await page.locator('#player').dispatchEvent('pointerdown');
+    await page.locator('#player').evaluate(video => video.pause());
+    await expect.poll(async () => {
+        const history = await extensionMessage(context, extensionId, { type: 'GET_HISTORY' });
+        return history.length;
+    }, { timeout: 750 }).toBe(before.length + 1);
+});
+
+test('does not consume title-before-loadeddata or loadeddata-before-title transitions @episode-transition', async ({ context, extensionId, baseURL }) => {
+    const runOrdering = async ordering => {
+        const url = `${baseURL}/pages/simple-player.html?ordering=${ordering}-${Date.now()}`;
+        const page = await context.newPage();
+        await page.goto(url);
+        await prepareEpisodePage(page, 'Series S01E05', 1);
+        await selectTargetTab(context, extensionId, url);
+        await expect.poll(() => page.locator('#player').getAttribute('data-koala-attached')).toBe('true');
+
+        if (ordering === 'title-first') {
+            await page.evaluate(() => {
+                navigator.mediaSession.metadata = new window.MediaMetadata({ title: 'Series S01E06' });
+                document.querySelector('#player').dispatchEvent(new window.Event('loadeddata'));
+            });
+        } else {
+            await page.evaluate(() => document.querySelector('#player').dispatchEvent(new window.Event('loadeddata')));
+            await page.waitForTimeout(150);
+            await page.evaluate(() => {
+                navigator.mediaSession.metadata = new window.MediaMetadata({ title: 'Series S01E06' });
+            });
+        }
+
+        await expect.poll(async () => {
+            const logs = await contentLogs(context, extensionId);
+            return logs.some(line => line.includes('Episode transition detected: "Series S01E06"'));
+        }, { timeout: 3000 }).toBe(true);
+        await page.close();
+        await extensionMessage(context, extensionId, { type: 'CLEAR_LOGS' });
+    };
+
+    await runOrdering('title-first');
+    await runOrdering('loadeddata-first');
+});
+
+test('discards source-swap pause/play churn after the episode is confirmed @episode-transition', async ({ context, extensionId, baseURL }) => {
+    const url = `${baseURL}/pages/simple-player.html`;
+    const page = await context.newPage();
+    await page.goto(url);
+    await prepareEpisodePage(page, 'Series S01E05', 11);
+    await selectTargetTab(context, extensionId, url);
+    await expect.poll(() => page.locator('#player').getAttribute('data-koala-attached')).toBe('true');
+    const before = await extensionMessage(context, extensionId, { type: 'GET_HISTORY' });
+
+    await page.evaluate(async () => {
+        const video = document.querySelector('#player');
+        video.pause();
+        navigator.mediaSession.metadata = new window.MediaMetadata({ title: 'Series S01E06' });
+        video.src = '../media/player-1080p-30s.mp4';
+        video.load();
+        await new Promise(resolve => video.addEventListener('loadeddata', resolve, { once: true }));
+        await video.play();
+    });
+
+    await expect.poll(async () => {
+        const logs = await contentLogs(context, extensionId);
+        return logs.some(line => line.includes('Episode transition detected: "Series S01E06"'));
+    }).toBe(true);
+    await page.waitForTimeout(2300);
+    expect(await extensionMessage(context, extensionId, { type: 'GET_HISTORY' })).toEqual(before);
+});
diff --git a/tests/e2e/extension.spec.mjs b/tests/e2e/extension.spec.mjs
index 77affe3..8ed695e 100644
--- a/tests/e2e/extension.spec.mjs
+++ b/tests/e2e/extension.spec.mjs
@@ -1598,10 +1598,102 @@ test('completes Episode Sync v2 only after the packed player is stably prepared'
             lobby.transactionId
         );
         expect(execute).toMatchObject({ phase: 'execute', transactionId: lobby.transactionId, targetTime: 0 });
+        await expect.poll(() => relay.rooms.get(roomId)?.episodeSyncV2?.executedPeers || [])
+            .toContain(extensionPeerId);
+        expect(relay.rooms.get(roomId)?.mediaState).toBeNull();
+        sendLegacyRelayEvent(coordinator, 'episode_sync_v2', {
+            phase: 'executed',
+            transactionId: lobby.transactionId
+        });
+        const complete = await waitForLegacyRelayPhase(
+            coordinator,
+            'episode_sync_v2',
+            'complete',
+            lobby.transactionId
+        );
+        expect(complete.executedPeers).toEqual(expect.arrayContaining([coordinatorPeerId, extensionPeerId]));
         await expect.poll(() => relay.rooms.get(roomId)?.episodeSyncV2).toBeNull();
         await expect.poll(() => page.locator('#player').evaluate(video => video.paused)).toBe(false);
         await expect.poll(() => page.locator('#player').evaluate(video => video.currentTime)).toBeLessThan(3);
 
+        // A peer can fail after this packed player has already started. The
+        // terminal cancel must actively settle it back to paused at 0:00.
+        coordinator.messages.length = 0;
+        sendLegacyRelayEvent(coordinator, 'episode_sync_v2', {
+            phase: 'start',
+            expectedTitle: 'S1:E6 - Visiting Ours',
+            expectedEpisodeId: 'S01E06'
+        });
+        const rollbackLobby = await waitForLegacyRelayEvent(coordinator, 'episode_sync_v2');
+        expect(rollbackLobby.phase).toBe('lobby');
+        sendLegacyRelayEvent(coordinator, 'episode_sync_v2', {
+            phase: 'loaded',
+            transactionId: rollbackLobby.transactionId
+        });
+        const rollbackPrepare = await waitForLegacyRelayPhase(
+            coordinator,
+            'episode_sync_v2',
+            'prepare',
+            rollbackLobby.transactionId
+        );
+        expect(rollbackPrepare.loadedPeers).toEqual(expect.arrayContaining([coordinatorPeerId, extensionPeerId]));
+        try {
+            await expect.poll(() => relay.rooms.get(roomId)?.episodeSyncV2?.preparedPeers || [])
+                .toContain(extensionPeerId);
+        } catch (error) {
+            const [logs, playerState] = await Promise.all([
+                getExtensionState(context, extensionId, { type: 'GET_LOGS' }).catch(() => []),
+                page.locator('#player').evaluate(video => ({
+                    paused: video.paused,
+                    currentTime: video.currentTime,
+                    readyState: video.readyState,
+                    seeking: video.seeking
+                }))
+            ]);
+            const transaction = relay.rooms.get(roomId)?.episodeSyncV2;
+            console.error(`Episode v2 rollback prepare diagnostics: ${JSON.stringify({
+                transaction: transaction ? {
+                    transactionId: transaction.transactionId,
+                    phase: transaction.phase,
+                    loadedPeers: transaction.loadedPeers,
+                    preparedPeers: transaction.preparedPeers,
+                    deadlineAt: transaction.deadlineAt
+                } : null,
+                playerState,
+                logs: logs.slice(-20)
+            })}`);
+            throw error;
+        }
+        sendLegacyRelayEvent(coordinator, 'episode_sync_v2', {
+            phase: 'prepared',
+            transactionId: rollbackLobby.transactionId
+        });
+        await waitForLegacyRelayPhase(
+            coordinator,
+            'episode_sync_v2',
+            'execute',
+            rollbackLobby.transactionId
+        );
+        await expect.poll(() => page.locator('#player').evaluate(video => video.paused)).toBe(false);
+        sendLegacyRelayEvent(coordinator, 'episode_sync_v2', {
+            phase: 'failed_execute',
+            transactionId: rollbackLobby.transactionId,
+            reason: 'fixture_failure'
+        });
+        const rollbackCancel = await waitForLegacyRelayPhase(
+            coordinator,
+            'episode_sync_v2',
+            'cancel',
+            rollbackLobby.transactionId
+        );
+        expect(rollbackCancel).toMatchObject({
+            reason: 'execute_failed',
+            settlePlaybackState: 'paused',
+            targetTime: 0
+        });
+        await expect.poll(() => page.locator('#player').evaluate(video => video.paused)).toBe(true);
+        await expect.poll(() => page.locator('#player').evaluate(video => video.currentTime)).toBeLessThan(1);
+
         const legacyForceFrames = coordinator.messages.filter(message => message.startsWith('42') && (() => {
             try { return JSON.parse(message.substring(2))[0].startsWith('force_sync_'); } catch { return false; }
         })());