Instead of finding the resolve to try again (the "Steins Gate" route), he resigns himself to a world where World War III is inevitable. He decides to live out his days in this "hell," abandoning his identity as Hououin Kyouma. The episode ends on a grim note, setting the stage for the tragedy and eventual redemption found in the sequel series, Steins;Gate 0 .
Thus, Missing Link is the connective tissue—the unseen tragedy—that the original series skipped to reach the happy ending. Steins-Gate- Kyoukaimenjou no Missing Link - Di...
In the original episode, Mayuri slaps Okabe to snap him out of his despair. In Episode 23β, Mayuri stops Suzuha from slapping him, instead comforting him and allowing him to give up. The Video Mail: Thus, Missing Link is the connective tissue—the unseen
While the first half follows the original episode 23, the timeline diverges significantly in the latter half: The Video Mail: 4
Released in 2015 as a special promotional episode during a rebroadcast of the original anime, it serves as a prologue that explains why the "Steins Gate" world line—a future without World War III or the death of Kurisu Makise—did not happen immediately. The Point of Divergence: Why Episode 23β Matters
If you’re looking to post this on a platform like Reddit, MyAnimeList, or a dedicated fan forum, here is a deep dive into the weight of Missing Link .