1.40 Doomsday Part 2

Episode 40, Season 1

Doomsday Part 2

Writer: Stewart St. John

Director: Terence H. Winkless

Episode Summary:

We pick up where we left off with our teens discussing their options at the Command Center.  Jason has this bright idea to take the Zords at half power to battle Cyclopsis and Lokar despite the fact that everyone in the room says “Jason that idea sucks” or “Jason, nobody’s ever done that before” or “Jason, everything in the entire morphing grid could disappear.”  So naturally we morph and head right to Megazord.

It’s dark out and Megazord seemingly has some upgrades in that it can function at night now (despite learning that it runs on solar energy in the Green with Evil mini-series).  Cyclopsis cuts off Dragonzord’s tail and Megazord’s arm and then beats him with it as all the Zords disappear and the Rangers de-morph and land (in daylight) on the stage at the Power Ranger Day festival.  Don’t worry, Billy informs us that along with the solar power issue, Zordon apparently upgraded the Zords to go to their hiding place and not die in the event that they were defeated in battle.  Thanks for letting us know that when Zordon was threatening Jason with the whole disappearing-in-the-morphing-grid business.

With Rita’s Palace on Earth, Alpha is able to hack her computer and get into her spells and learn what weaknesses Cyclopsis has they can exploit – turns out he can’t adjust quickly to changing battle modes.  The Rangers and Goldar visit Billy’s garage for some chill time before jumping back into their respective Zords and battling it out til the end.  For the record: Ultrazord 1, Cyclopsis 0.

Power Ranger Day is officially introduced by Mayor Kerrington as the Rangers shake everyone’s hands and pat Tommy on the back pitying him and his non-Rangerness.  The Rangers are given a choice at the Command Center – do you want to keep fighting evil or are you guys cool with all the work you already did?

Group high-five shouting “POWER RANGERS!” is their response – so I guess we’re getting a second half to season 1 after all!

Facts:

-First on-screen – Jason

-First line – Zordon – “Cyclopsis is one of Rita’s most terrifying creations.”

-Focus – All

-Last Line – All – “POWER RANGERS!”

-Rita and Zordon both store their pertinent information on computers

Observations:

The most interesting thing that popped out at me in this episode is the fact that Rita’s secrets and spells and everything is on her computer.  This almost passed me by when I remembered this is 1993.  Along with having a female mayor in Angel Grove, Power Rangers was pretty ahead of its time in converting all of Rita’s files to her computer.  However, we’re teaching the kiddies a bad lesson about hacking in this episode.  Still, this is part of what made Power Rangers so exciting at the time, we weren’t just dealing with crime fighters in spandex suits, we were dealing with technology and issues unique to this period in time.  A great combination of ancient magic and mythology with the computer age. 

This was supposed to be the end of the series – at this point Saban has burned out all the original footage from Zyuranger and didn’t know what to do with this runaway hit.  What we’ll see in the episodes that aired approximately 3-4 months after this episode is specially made footage dubbed “Zyu 2.”  This will be the only part of the Power Rangers series that does not follow Japanese aired footage.

That said, at the halfway-ish point of Season 1, we’ve seen the teens tackle pollution, friends with disabilities, responsibility, female empowerment, computer hacking, nuclear waste . . . very much issues of the time.  This is what newer seasons like Samurai have been missing.  The cutting edge of what’s happening now as opposed to sticking with formulaic topics.

1.39 Doomsday Part 1

Episode 39, Season 1

Doomsday Part 1

Writer: Stewart St. John

Director: Terence H. Winkless

Episode Summary:

Kimberly reads in the local paper that the Mayor wants to honor Angel Grove’s heroes via Power Rangers Day and hopes they turn up at the park for the festival.  Wink wink nod nod our teens say they think the heroes can make it.  All the while Bulk and Skull reveal a tinge of jealousy in Angel Grove’s respect for the Power Rangers and want to steal their thunder just a bit by creating alter-egos the Incredible Bulkster and Super Skull.

Zack gets turned down yet again by Angela for a date because he’s not a Power Ranger – pfft, gold digger.  Kimberly wonders why Tommy isn’t at the festival – it’s suggested perhaps he feels left out – but seriously, what kind of best friend/boyfriend/etc doesn’t show up for his girlfriend’s holiday?  Rita decides to steal the Rangers thunder, but is far more successful thank Bulk and Skull – she makes the whole crowd disappear and resurrects her ages old Zord – CYCLOPSIS!  Through the help of Lokar the giant head they defeat the Power Rangers Megazord and send our teens crying to Zordon.

In the Command Center we learn the citizens of Angel Grove are trapped in Rita’s dimensional vortex, and once someone gets stuck in Rita’s vortex – they don’t come out.  Unless, you know, you defeat Lokar/Cyclopsis/etc.   Jason realizes they’re the only hope those people have.  Too bad they don’t have a history of saving people on record or those people might have reason to be afraid.

Facts:

-First on-screen – Kim

-First line – Kim - “And because of their contribution . . . “

-Focus – All

-Last Line – Zordon - “They will all be trapped in Rita’s vortex forever.”

-Angel Grove is progressive and has a female mayor – Mayor Kerrington

-Cyclopsis hasn’t been seen in 10,000 years

-Bulk and Skull create super hero alter-egos

Observations:

There’s very little Ranger combat in this episode as most of it’s done in the Zords – which makes sense, this is supposed to be the Rangers biggest and deadliest battle.  The stakes are high.  All in all, the episode does a good job getting the excitement level pretty high pretty early on.  Which, again, makes sense since this and Doomsday Pt 2 are essentially the mid-season finale.

It hit me how cool it was that Mayor Kerrington is a woman – this is 1993 and that’s pretty damn progressive for a kids show.  I like the message it sends – women can be more than teachers (sorry Mrs Applebee) – they really can do anything they put their minds to.  Saved by the Bell eat your heart out.

We also see a continuation of the Zack/Angela storyline which is sweet.  I can’t tell if she’s just busting his chops or if she really doesn’t like him and he’s just not getting the hint.  Either way, way to keep your chin up, bro.

Lastly, continuity error much?  Megazord battles in the dark when we learned in the Green with Evil story line that it runs on solar energy.  Maybe Zordon made some adjustments to their power source when we weren’t looking?  Also - maybe try some editing to make it look not so obvious that Rita's Palace says "Bandora's Palace" from the Zyuranger footage without telling us that she beat up someone named Bandora first.

1.35 Green Candle Part 2

Episode 35, Season 1

Green Candle Part 2

Writer: Gary Glasber & Stewart St John

Director: Robert Hughes

Episode Summary:

We pick up in the Command Center – the Rangers pondering if there’s a way to rescue Tommy’s powers.  Billy and Alpha chat a little bit and voila – a plan is born.  Billy is going to use these things that resemble giant crutches to build a portal to Rita’s dimension so Jason can go in, fight Goldar, and snatch up Tommy’s Green Candle so we can call it a day.  Jason’s the only Ranger who’s ever SEEN the dimension and he has the most visible biceps so it only makes sense to send him and only him.

The Cyclops monster is engaging in a bit of cosplay and dressing up like the Dragon Megazord and causing general chaos on the newly rebuilt downtown Angel Grove.  Tommy can’t stand to sit idly by and morphs into action.  He’s a bit weak losing his powers and all so he jumps in the Dragonzord cockpit and starts . . . losing the battle.  Zack decides to jump through Billy’s portal and ask Jason to come back and finish the battle with them – he points out that while Tommy may lose his powers, it’s not nearly as bad as him losing his life.

The Rangers morph, call on Megazord, Titanus and the gang to form Ultrazord and take down the monster.  Except uh-oh, the candle officially burned out.  At the Command Center Tommy gives his power coin to Jason so Rita can’t have the Dragonzord or his powers and we watch as Tommy slowly turns into a civilian again.  We cut to Tommy practicing a kata by the lake – Kimberly approaches him and informs him that the Rangers (and more specifically her) miss him.  Tommy *gasp* reaches for Kim’s hand and kisses her before asking her to the dance.  Kim turns away and makes Tommy’s little teenage heart panic before saying “k.” 

Facts:

-First on-screen – Tommy

-First line – “I don’t believe this.” - Tommy

-Focus – Tommy 

-Last Line – “YES! - Tommy

-Jason officially owns the Dragon Coin

-Kimberly and Tommy become the first Power Rangers couple

Observations:

Tommy’s gone and we get a pretty decent story out of it.  The great thing about the Green Ranger entering the scene is that we get more of a story arc that carries through the season rather than singular 30 minute episodes that don’t have a continuous story.  The Green Ranger loses his power and adds quite a bit of drama.  Kimberly and Tommy finally admit their feelings to each other and give us some adorable acting – it’s believable that they’re both nervous teenagers who are friends who like each other.

Again, I understand with the constraints of the Zyuranger footage why they needed to take away Tommy’s powers – it just seems like they could have set up the story of how Tommy came to touch this wax a little sooner.  Or perhaps given us a good reason why Jason is the only Ranger who could go and fight Goldar in Rita’s dimension – it seems to me that if Zack went with him the first time they could have double-teamed Goldar, gotten the candle, and been home in time for supper.

 

In terms of MMPR season 1 story-telling, this is as good as it gets.  The story moves the season along and sets the stage for more drama with Tommy.  The reason he was so popular at the time – and still amongst hardcore MMPR fans – is this curse he has to bear.  He’s allowed to show more character through his suffering.  He’s dark and mysterious and it makes his character so alluring – just like Burai in Zyuranger.  Without the appeal Burai brought to the table, the sixth Ranger would not be commonplace in Sentai/Power Rangers today. 

1.34 Green Candle Part 1

Episode 34, Season 1

Green Candle Part 1

Writer: Mark McKain & Stewart St. John

Director: Robert Hughes

Episode Summary:

Everything is normal as per usual in Ranger world - Zack and Tommy are sparring at the Angel Grove Youth Center and talking about *blush* the dance.  We learn that Tommy has been sweet on Pink Ranger Kimberly and can't bring himself to ask her to the dance.  Zack realizes how ridiculous this is and gives him sass.

Tommy decides to man up and ask Kim during a walk through the park except, sigh, Goldar has to go and ruin the moment.  The Putties wreak some havoc and end up bringing Tommy back to his second home - Rita's layer.  It is here that we learn the dastardly scheme Rita has worked up this week - STEALING TOMMY'S POWERS!

Apparently while evil, he touched some of Rita's green paraffin wax and she made a candle out of it and BOOM his powers will be hers. Whatever will the Rangers do?  At the same time she also releases a Cyclops monster who can shape-shift.  Tommy decides that instead of saving his powers he'd rather help his friends and save the world.  But oh no . . . the candle is still burning

TO BE CONTINUED!

Facts:

-First on-screen – Tommy and Zack

-First line – “You okay, man?" - Tommy

-Focus – Tommy 

-Last Line – “The Green Ranger's . . . finished." - Tommy

-Tommy touched Rita's wax

Observations:

Well, Rita finally came up with a scheme that's actually not bad.  Given, the writers had to find a way to write in Burai's death on Zyuranger without actually killing Tommy.  The kiddies would have the sads.  So it's a good way to end the *SPOILER* first Green Ranger era without completely crushing the dreams and hopes and delusions of American children.  Apparently Japanese children can take it.  But - this wax business is out of nowhere.  Could we maybe have set up this plot point sooner?  It's not like they didn't know Burai dies.

We also see Tommy getting dating advice from Zack - which is a big ouch to Jason whom I thought was his best friend.  But clearly Zack's got some moves, as we see when Angela rejects him (again).  But seriously, who are you going to get girl advice from?  Jason the jock, Billy the closeted gay guy, or Zack the guy who invented his own form of martial arts based on his hot dance moves.  I think the answer is clear.  Plus, as I've pointed out several times - definitely something going on with Trini and him so I think he knows what he's talking about.

We're left on the edge of our seats to ponder:

1) will Tommy lose his powers?????

2) will Kim go to the dance with Tommy?????

3) can Tommy actually dance?

1.31 Calamity Kimberly

Episode 31, Season 1

Calamity Kimberly

Writer: Tom Wyner and Julianne Klemm

Director: Terence H. Winkless

Episode Summary:

We open in Kimberly’s bedroom with her moaning that it’s morning already and literally getting out of bed on the wrong side.  We the viewers see Squatt spying on her as an earthquake breaks her mirror.  Her dry cleaning is burned through and a beautiful day suddenly thunderstorms.  Today is just not looking good for our dear Kimberly.

Rita and Finster are discussing their latest idea for a monster, Samurai Fanman, but are clearly looking at a mini-version of Bones.  Me thinks I’ve seen this footage before.  Very clever, MMPR.

Kimberly is drenched when she arrives at school, her pep rally plans are muddy, her umbrella broke, TOMMY SEES HER WITH HORRIBLE HAIR!  Kimberly then treats us to the staple 90s phrase of disbelief – NOT!  Tommy fends off Bulk and Skull tormenting her as he finds Kimberly’s bad luck adorable and asks if he can walk her home after school (aww).

Tommy does some sweeping romantic grab when Kimberly falls, and then Samurai Fanman knocks Tommy out and steals Kimberly.  Tommy’s down for the count and naps on a chaise lounge at the Command Center for the remainder of the episode.  Trini teaches Billy Tai Chi and then we see our bad guys eating dinner at the Putty Bowl restaurant (seriously, how did we miss this restaurant in Angel Grove before?).  The big battle begins when the Rangers arrive on their underused bikes.  They fight, nothing happens, Tommy wakes up and calls on Dragonzord and then the monster dies.  Finally.

Kimberly ends the episode by wearing a jaw-dropping dress (well, only Tommy’s jaw drops, she walked by Billy first but since he’s gay he probably didn’t even notice, sigh) and burning out Billy’s tv when news of their fight comes on.  Oh Kimberly.

Facts:-First on-screen – Kimberly
-First line - "Morning already?” - Kim
-Focus - Kimberly
-Last line - "Yeah!” – Trini
-Trini knows Tai Chi and tried to teach to Billy
-Tommy has his first injury that benches him for most of the episode

Observations:

We see more of the Tommy/Kimberly romance which I’m always good for.  We also get to see Kimberly the character stretch a little more.  Obviously Kimberly is supposed to be the popular pretty girl – but we get to see that the popular pretty girl still gets picked on (by Bulk and Skull) and that she is insecure about her looks just like everyone else in high school.  Her dislike of her wet hair and Tommy seeing it comes across as shallow in the episode, but borrowing from my own experience as a teenage girl, it’s not too far off.

I also like that in case we forgot Trini exists, we still get to see that she knows so much more than everyone else on this show as she teaches Billy Tai Chi.  Why wouldn’t Trini know Tai Chi?  Seriously.

There’s also a few continuity problems with the source footage and the English dubbing.  We see Rita looking at Bones (from way back in episode 2) but they’re talking about Samurai Fanman.  We also do not see Samurai Fanman coming out of Finster’s machine.  Why is that?  Because it didn’t happen on Zyuranger.  Simple as that.  We also see the issue of getting Tommy out of the way because the Green Ranger was not in the source footage (because he’s busy, you know, dying).

1.28 Island of Illusion, Part I

Episode 28, Season 1

“Island of Illusion Part I”

Writer: Chris Schoon and Shuki Levy

Director: Terence H. Winkless

Episode Summary:

We begin with hip-hop music playing in the background, which can only mean one thing: we’re about to have a Zack scene.  He’s training for a dance competition in Angel Grove because in a city such as Angel Grove there is obviously a competition for any possible thing one could compete in.  Bulk manages to shake Zack’s confidence by challenging him to an impromptu dance-off – somewhere in there a barrel roll goes wrong and Zack realizes he doesn’t have what it takes to win.

Rita sends not one but TWO monsters to Angel Grove –b y far her most evil plan yet.  Mutitis and Lokar take on the Rangers (Mutitis has a phlegm problem and looks like Warren from Buffy when his skin is ripped off and spits on everyone while destroying the city whereas Loka is a giant head that floats in the air).  In an unprecedented move, Tommy stays behind with his students from his karate class while the other Rangers morph and take care of business.  Mutitis shoots the Zords with his toxic foam thereby rendering them useless – despite the late addition of Tommy’s Dragonzord.  Lokar sends the debilitated Rangers to the ISLAND OF ILLUSION!

Once on the island we discover that Billy forgot his sunblock and the Rangers morphers and communicators are missing.  A small man named Quagmire lives on the island and narrates the journey for them in rhyme.  First thing they all see is an army of monsters they thought they’d destroyed (of note we see Sphinx and Eye-Guy from the early episodes).  With Quagmire’s help they realize these monsters aren’t real but are shaken by the notion that Rita can do anything.  Zack turns a corner and runs into a “snake” on a branch (shhh! There’s really nothing there) and starts physically disappearing – it is then that we learn that when you doubt yourself you start to become invisible and disappear.

TO BE CONTINUED!

Facts:
-First on-screen – Zack
-First line - "Great moves, Zack.” -Kim
-Focus - Zack
-Last line - "I’m trying!” – Zack
-Rangers do NOT kill the monster
-Introduction of Lokar

Observations:

During the original run of the show, this was one of my favorite episodes (coupled with Part II) due to the fact that most of the action is out of the suits (I loved when they showed real acting and real martial arts and real story).  That said, we still see a lot of the same techniques used in earlier episodes – for one we see Tommy staying behind with his karate students during the “earthquake” (when Rita’s monsters attacked) in order to keep the Green Ranger out of the scene because he was not in the Japanese footage. 

While I find the Japanese footage marriage to the American footage interesting as an adult, it makes watching these old fight scenes very difficult to enjoy because I don’t see them as they once were.  That said, this episode borrowed Lokar who was a Zyuranger villain known as “Great Satan” who was the ultimate villain of that series.  Lokar is merely a plot aide on MMPR, which I kind of appreciate.  I like the American footage, what can I say?

Nothing else statistically significant really happens in these episodes – but we do get an introduction to Lokar whom we will meet again.  Just you wait and see.

1.27 Wheel of Misfortune

Season 1, Episode 27
"Wheel of Misfortune"
Writer: Mark Ryan & Cheryl Saban
Director: Terence H. Winkless

Episode Summary:
We open with the rehearsal of Angel Grove High School's production of Rumpelstiltskin directed by Principal Caplan.  Our tragic heroine ordered to spin straw into gold is played by the only Ranger who can act so well that we can see her acting as her character "acting" - KIMBERLY!  We also see Jason break out of the jock-stereotype as another lead in the production.  Oddly enough, we also see Bulk and Skull taking part in their school's production.  The spinning wheel (trustingly donated by Kimberly's grandmother) is then broken when Bulk spins it too hard (that's what she said? reaching too much?)

Kimberly is extremely upset at the loss of her grandmother's prized spinning wheel that only Tommy can comfort her as he offers to fix the wheel for her.  Unknownst to our teens but knownst to us - Rita has stolen the wheel to turn it into her latest monster: The Wheel of Misfortune!  We learn the wheel will destroy anything it touches - watch out, Rangers!  Tommy is kidnapped by putties and tied to a tree while the other Rangers battle Scorpina and Goldar.  Rita asks us to watch her monsters grow and the Rangers must battle the villains AND the wheel WITHOUT DRAGONZORD!

Luckily Tommy is smart and fakes being sick to trick the putties and gets himself loose in time to morph and call on Dragonzord to bring all the Zords together to form ULTRAZORD (with Titanus)!  After their victory, the wheel is returned better than its original state as it's no longer broken.  The show goes on and someone tells Kimberly to "break a leg" - Tommy winks (swoon) and tells Kimberly "Don't you dare."  Bulk comically splits his pants and Kimberly closes the show.  Applause.

Facts:
-First on-screen - Billy
-First line - "And places everyone" - Billy
-Focus - Kimberly
-Last line - "The end." - Kimberly
-First time the Rangers use Ultrazord

Observations:
We see more of the flirtation between Kimberly and Tommy which is good for showing a developing a season-long story arc.  So that's a good, but we also see some writing that's just sloppy.  Bulk is starring in a school play directed by the Principal.  I get that we only have two faculty members in all of Angel Grove (Ms Applebee the English teacher and the Principal) but wouldn't Applebee have been the better choice?  Was she unavailable for this episode?  And let's say Bulk is in the show because of detention or something - why is he the lead?  Was there really no other student who could pull the role off?    And the school play takes place in Ernie's Gym and Juice Bar?  Does the school just not have an auditorium?  Has public school funding for the arts deteriorated that much?  However, I like that Jason's in the play, to me that says he's building up his extracurriculars to make his college application more marketable.  You go, Jason.

I enjoy any episode about Kimberly, naturally.  And naturally at this point in the show anything about Kimberly will also be about Tommy since they're meant to be - but his capture by the putties is just stupid.  I get why they had to get Tommy out of the picture - the Sentai footage doesn't allow for the Green Ranger to appear as frequently as the other Rangers due to his Green Candle dilemma (his candle in Sentai-world is counting down the hours he has left to live - so you understand why he's reluctant to fight in every battle).  I still think the putties tying him to a tree is stupid, and I think his plan to trick them by faking sick is even more stupid.  Why didn't the putties trap him to a different dimension or use something other than shoddy rope to tie him to the tree?  Sigh.  Henchmen.

Nothing else in the episode is really that statistically significant for the study - we see the introduction of Ultrazord since it's a new toy Zord for the show but as for characterization, nothing else is really all too different or significant. And Trini . . . Trini, you're slowly disappearing from statistical significance in my study!  Come back!

1.26 Gung Ho!

Season 1, Episode 26
"Gung Ho!"
Director: Robert Hughes
Writer: Mark Hoffmeier

Episode Summary:

Tommy and Jason are training for the Team Ninja competition and having trouble cooperating.  Despite the fact that Zack is coaching and Billy designed a computer program to get them into shape, their constant bickering about who is right and who is wrong is getting in the way of progress.  Because obviously this conflict has been building up since . . . ?  Trini tells the boys they need to learn to GUNG HO!  Kimberly and Trini are walking to the park discussing the conflict between Jason and dreamy Tommy when Rita sends a band of putties to attack the girls.  But wait, these aren't just ordinary putties - they're Super Putties made from the Super Putty from the last episode (CONTINUITY!)!

The other Rangers try to help the girls fight off the Super Putties and then regroup at the Command Center since they've never before had that much trouble with henchmen.  Zack (who leads with "it's morphin time" as the de facto second in command) leads Kimberly, Billy, and Trini into battle against the Super Putties while Zordon comes up with this *amazing* plan to get Tommy and Jason to cooperate - he sends them to gather the only weapons they can use to defeat the Super Putties.  What's the catch?  He gives them a map . . . split in two . . . and gives them each half.  Fool-proof. 

Tommy and Jason still won't gung-ho and even though they find the landmarks they should be, each takes credit for something without helping the other.  Sigh.  They finally spot the weapons and are attacked by a giant mecha-beast.  They morph and Jason comes up with a plan that finally incorporates teamwork - Tommy you're better with a sword (I don't know what this assumption is based on) and I can get up the hill faster to get the weapons, so you take my sword, and I'll take your shield since I'll be defenseless.  They do so and Jason discovers . . . some other team of Rangers weapons!

He steals the other Rangers weapons and brings them to his friends who use them to shoot down the Super Putties.  We then find out the mecha-beast?  Really our good friend Titanus whom Zordon's never mentioned before and can apparently turn Megazord into the ultimate weapon.  Thanks.

Shirtless Tommy and Jason battle fully cloaked ninjas in the Team Ninja Finals and apply their team-working skills from earlier to win the competition.  Yay.

Facts:

-First line - Jason "I could've had you man."
-Last line - Jason "Yeah, we make a great team."
-First on-screen - Tommy and Jason
-Focus - Tommy and Jason
-Introduction of the Super Putties
-Introduction of Titanus the Carrier Zord
-Tommy's shield is transferable

Observations:

I like the plot of this episode - I really do.  It makes sense to have a rivalry between the leader of a team that's been in place and a newcomer that has a lot more power (and a much bigger Zord, if you know what I'm sayin').  But since Tommy became a good guy, he and Jason have been friends and Jason's welcomed the addition to the team, so this conflict seems to come out of nowhere.  But again, I think the conflict makes more sense than the previous episodes of no conflict.  It gives an interesting kick to my study of the power struggle on the team.

Let's talk about the guns.  They very explicitly say "Zyuranger" on them.  I get that we use the Japanese source footage a lot - but is there really no way we could have re-filmed this scene?  Also, when do the Rangers actually use these guns to battle Super Putties again?  They made it sound dire that they get these weapons, yet the Rangers seem to battle the Super Putties with ease later in the series.

Lastly, in Zyuranger, the Zords are guardian beasts that are alive - Titanus seems to exhibit this quality as well.  I don't know how else they would have addressed Zordon hiding this weapon that could have really helped during the Green Ranger saga except to say that Titanus is different from the other Zords.  He really does have freedom of choice and now he's choosing to help the Rangers.

1.21 Green with Evil Part V: Breaking the Spell

Season 1, Episode 21

"Green with Evil Part V: Breaking the Spell"
Writer: Gary Glasberg and Stewart St. John

Director: Robert Hughes

Episode Summary:

The Rangers are still in disbelief that Tommy could be the Green Ranger (the DNA match courtesy of Alpha).  Now that Jason's back in charge he directs the other Rangers to split up and try to find Tommy and appeal to him on a personal level. There's no way anybody can be evil because they want to be - it has to be a spell!  Predictably, Kimberly finds him at Ernie's and whispers to him that she knows he's the Green Ranger and that they can help him overcome Rita.  His eyes glow green and he greets her as "Pink Ranger" (HE KNOWS!) and declares once again that Rita is his queen so back off.  We close-up on Kimberly's face and discover that she really needs to clean her eyebrows.  Seriously.





Rita gives Tommy his very own zord - DRAGONZORD! which he summons with his Dragon Dagger (a dagger that has a flute built in to it - very manly).  Dragonzord goes on a rampage through the Warehouse District in Angel Grove and the Rangers morph into action.  Alpha revives Zordon who then revives the Rangers Zords by making their morphers glow.  Jason's T-Rex then battles Dragonzord and wins (you'd think Dragonzord would have the size advantage, but no).  Jason jumps to the ground and decides to have hand-to-hand combat with Tommy and Zordon informs Jason that he needs to destroy Tommy's Sword of Darkness to break Rita's spell over him.  He knocks said sword loose and destroys it with his Power Blaster freeing Tommy.

Jason asks Tommy to join the Rangers and fight on the side of good, which he bashfully declines since he's so ashamed of his actions.  The other Rangers convince him and then we morph as a six-member team and pose for the camera and say various threats to Rita about how awesome being good is.  Zordon then displays a toy commercial, I mean, new battle-mode for Dragonzord that combines the Mastodon, Triceratops, and Sabre-Tooth Tiger (I totally had this toy - and it was awesome).  Tommy takes the same pledge the other five Rangers took in episode 1 and we end on a high-five, er, six shouting "POWER RANGERS!"  The epic Green Ranger mini-series concludes.

Facts:

-First Line - Kim "I can't believe that Tommy's the Green Ranger."
-Last Line - All "POWER RANGERS!"
-Focus - Tommy
-Jason says "morphinominal" for the first time
-Rita introduces us to Dragonzord and the Dragon Dagger and the summoning song
-Zordon introduces Dragonzord Fighting Mode
-Tommy joins the Rangers, our first sixth Ranger

Observations:

Alpha really drove most of the action in this mini-series.  He kept morale from hitting rock-bottom by giving his rousing speeches, he discovered the identity of the Green Ranger, he protected the Command Center from further damage, and he revived Zordon - TWICE.  Forget Jason and Zack's leadership ability in this mini-series, for the first time ever I'm on Team Alpha.  Ai yi yi yi yi indeed.

This episode really shows the limitation of using the Sentai footage as in Zyuranger the Green Ranger is driven to tears (in his un-morphed form) to dissolve the Sword of Darkness because he cannot bring himself to kill his brother (the Red Ranger).  Additionally, Dragonzord is battled by Goldar and Megazord in Zyuranger since the Green Ranger attempts to assassinate Bandora (Rita).  Furthermore, since the Zords are "guardian beasts" in Zyuranger, they automatically come together to show the Rangers the new battle mode instead of having Zordon introduce it.  Obviously MMPR could not use all of this footage in their storyline and had to splice the Dragonzord footage, cut out the assassination attempt completely, and film an entirely new scene with Jason shooting the Sword of Darkness.  If you go through the final fight with Jason and Tommy slowly, you can definitely pin-point when we switch from the Japanese to the American footage because a) Tommy's shield suddenly becomes some cheap material instead of metal and b) US Jason is a much bigger guy than Japanese Geki.

So now the Morphinominal Project takes a new turn - looking at the composition of a six-member team.