1.11 No Clowning Around

Season 1 Episode 11
"No Clowning Around"
Writer: Mark Hoffmeier
Director: Adrian Carr

Episode Summary:
We open at a fair in Angel Grove and "Zack-man" riding some stilts while he dances to (you guessed it) hip-hop music.  He accidentally trips and falls into Jason's arms where he proceeds to flirt with him a bit.  Trini arrives with her cousin, Sylvia, for a day of fun.  In a bit of exposition from Pineapple the Clown, we find out that the fair-clowns are actually putties in disguise and that this isn't a city fair - but rather one created by Rita Repulsa!  Oh no!

Pineapple the Pervert Clown steals Sylvia away from Trini so they can "play" despite Trini's warnings not to take off by herself.  Trini threatens Pineapple with violence and to "Clown, back off" when he won't give Sylvia back.  Things turn sour when he turns Sylvia into a cardboard cut-out.  Everyone evacuates the fair and Trini and Alpha 5 meet up at Billy's garage to revive Sylvia (she just needs some water to turn back to normal - a lesson to the kiddies in rehydration).  Pineapple turns into Pinoctopus and Zack calls him a "fruitcake" several times (I take offense).  Megazord defeats giant Pinoctopus and we're all home in time for supper.  But let's make sure we end on a humorous note with Billy's latest "invention" - coffee can stilts!  He hilariously falls and Zack makes an episode-ending pun.

Facts:
-First line - Zack - "All right everybody, witness the Zackman on stilts."
-First on-screen Ranger - Zack
-Focus Character - Trini
-Last line - Zack - "Well, Billster, I guess inventing really has its ups and downs."
-Morphed fight-scene is blow-by-blow reuse of fight scene from "A Pressing Engagement" with the Sphinx
-We do not see the Command Center at all in this episode

Observations:
This episode was originally released on VHS with a box that suggested it was Kimberly-centric.  Clearly it is not and I would like for MMPR to reimburse my parents for their purchase and my dissatisfied childhood.  I never understood why Pinoctopus was part pineapple part octopus - but I don't think we're supposed to since he's just a "fruitcake".  To be completely honest, this is one of my least favorite episodes despite the fact that it clearly has a bigger budget (due to the fair-scenes) than previous episodes.

Fox - I demand a refund

Also - this episode just makes Billy look stupid.  He chases Pineapple the clown around and doesn't fight putties and is easily bullied much like he is in every episode.  Seriously, how was this guy chosen to be a Power Ranger?  Also, Billy's kind of a jerk as we learn in this episode.  Pineapple the Clown offered Sylvia a chance at juggling some eggs and Billy just butts right in and says he'll have his hand at it.  Trini should have told him to step off.

My biggest gripe is why didn't anyone bother to see if this was a legitimate fair?  Doesn't Angel Grove have to give permits for these things - it is an incorporated city you know.  Or did Rita actually acquire a permit legally and the Rangers basically just ruined her fun?

Lastly, it annoys me that Sylvia constantly refers to Trini as "Cousin Trini".  I know we have "Uncle Steve" and "Uncle Howard" later - but most people call their Aunt and Uncle that.  I have never referred to my cousins as Cousin Obvious.  Trini > Cousin Sylvia.