1.29 - Island of Illusion Part II

Episode 29, Season 1

“Island of Illusion Part II”

Writer: Stewart St. John, Chris Schoon and Shuki Levy

Director: Terence H. Winkless

Episode Summary:

BACK TO ACTION!

Zack is still disappearing from the last episode, so if you watched this first run in 1993, Zack was disappearing overnight.  Ever the observant one, Kimberly shouts “Zack, you’re disappearing” to explain to us what is happening.  Trini remembers Quagmire (the little man who rhymes story exposition) and calls on him to help Zack.  He says something about thinking positive thoughts (the moral of the story, folks) to regain your confidence.  Zack is disappearing because he doesn’t believe in himself.

Zack remembers battling the Knight on his birthday when he was by himself and reappears!  Then it’s Kimberly’s turn to see an ILLUSION!  She envisions Bulk and Skull dressed as angels helping a lost turtle find his way.  If Rita can make them nice, she can do anything!  Kimberly starts disappearing before she remembers all the times she saved the Rangers asses by using her bow because she’s awesome.  KIMBERLY REAPPEARS!

Tommy, the lone Ranger (pun intended), envisions the Rangers have abandoned him and they’re all putties.  He starts to fight them before he remembers that time he fought the putties all by himself.  Tommy reappears FTW!  Next we see Trini afraid that Rita may come after her next and envisions Billy standing on a really high mountain (a la High Five).  She remembers overcoming her fear of heights to save Billy and reappears – but not in time for Billy to start doubting his scientific abilities!  Clearly he should have calculated a way for them to get off the island already.  He then remembers his battle with Madam Woe and all is well again.

Then we have Jason.  After seeing his teammates disappear he realizes he’s a bad leader.  Then Quagmire makes him remember the time he took on the Sphinx and Jason’s better again!  Now that the Rangers have beaten the illusions, they magically get their stuff back.  Apparently these are the rules.  They teleport back to Earth, MegaDragonzord forms to take down Mutitis, Lokar escapes at the last minute – and Zack wins the dance competition.

The end.

Facts:
-First on-screen – Zack
-First line - "Zack, you’re disappearing!” - Kim
-Focus - All
-Last line - "Let’s boogie!” - Zack
-MegaDragonzord kills one monster (Mutitis) but lets Lokar escape

Observations:

A couple of things bothered me about this episode, but mostly why was Kimberly’s illusion so lame?  Every other illusion fit the character’s personality.  Zack hates creepy crawlies, Trini is afraid of heights, Jason’s all about being a leader, Tommy’s always fighting alone, and Billy only has his smarts going for him.  So many things could have been done with Kimberly but the writers blew it just to make sure they honored Bulk and Skull’s “you must appear in every episode” contracts.

The other thing that bothers me is that Trini and Billy are at the end of this episode.  Trini is the only Ranger who remembers Quagmire’s name to save the day – and they let her be dumb enough to fall for these illusions?  Billy I can understand doubting himself, he’s smart but has no common sense.  Trini has common sense because she is proficient in every unique quality the other Rangers have (she does martial arts a la Tommy and Jason, she’s smart a la Billy, she does gymnastics a la Kimberly, she has legitimate cuddle time with Zack to learn his dance moves and hip-hop-kido through osmosis).

All that said, I still like the attention paid to character in this episode and appreciated the chance to see the American actors do their thing. 

1.24 The Spit Flower

Season 1, Episode 24
"The Spit Flower"
Writer: Peggy Nicoll
Director: David Blyth

Episode Summary:

We open with Kimberly working on a scale model of her float representing world peace for a parade.  I think it's supposed to be akin to the Rose Bowl parade since she's using a lot of flowers and tells Tommy that after the parade they're going to recycle the flowers by turning them into potpourri.  Rita sees this through her telescope and is driven mad by the idea of world peace, which luckily for her hasn't happened yet.  She sends putties down to trash Kimberly's float leaving her devastated and Jason (arriving too late) declares Rita's a "real witch" but you and I, dear viewer, know he meant another word that rhymes with witch.

The group takes Kimberly to lunch to make her feel better while Tommy has "stuff to take care of" since he can never be in the same place with the other Rangers at the same time.  Rita creates a monster called the Spit Flower monster that turns every plant in its path into a human-eating monster.  After a short fight, Rita makes her monster grow.  Zordon calls Tommy to join the fight so they can form MegaDragonzord - but oh no, that's not enough!  They regroup and Zordon holds Tommy behind in case the Rangers fail.  Kimberly shoots an arrow in the Spit Flower's mouth (apparently his weak spot) and the Rangers form their Power Blaster with their weapons and the good guys win.  Tommy then asks for Alpha's help in a project in his garage (I bet it's Kimberly's float!).


We end at Ernie's with the teens watching the parade on television.  Apparently Kimberly did not want to see the parade due to her grieving the loss of her float but they convince her to anyway.  Tommy forces her to stare at the screen and we see HER FLOAT!  She gives Tommy a hug and the romance continues.  Zack does a magic trick and Bulk and Skull run away.


Facts:


-First line: Kim - "Thanks a million, Ernie."
-Focus: Kimberly
-Last line: Zack - "The hand is quicker than the eye."
-Zack's shows us his first magic trick


Observations:


All things considered, this episode really isn't that bad.  There's nothing amazingly special about it, but we get to see Kimberly's acting chops and some light-hearted comedy with the team trying to pick up Kimberly's spirits.  We also see the high school boy in Tommy as he tries to find ways to get Kimberly's affection as he carries a book in front of him (jk).  All in all, it's really sweet.  Also, we see (again) that the teens really are good role models for the kids watching at home.  Kimberly created a world peace float and her friends helped her put it back together when the putties destroyed it.  Quite the heart-warming display of teamwork.

A lot of episodes get caught up in one character or the action (sometimes glossing over the semblance of a plot at all) and especially in later seasons we forget why Zordon picked these teens.  Their friendship makes them a strong group and given that they're all so "different" from each other, episodes like this show us that they do care about each other and that they are in fact friends.  I appreciate the character development episodes, they're a lot easier to watch than the bland (read: stupid) plot episodes.

I can see my obvious bias in that any episode about Kimberly will automatically be an awesome one for me and that might not be the case for others.  I can see that unless you're a Tommy or Kimberly fan, these last few episodes have really left you feeling slighted.  Zack's getting some more screen-time and we see his other interests (i.e. magic and his catch-phrase "the hand is quicker than the eye") which is quite different from my observations from the pre-Tommy world.  We're seeing a lot less of Billy and Trini (after watching the Zyuranger counterpart episode, Trini really got screwed with the Shellshock episode) and I'm not entirely sure this trend will change anytime soon.

1.17 Green with Evil Part I: Out of Control

Season 1, Episode 17

"Green with Evil Part I: Out of Control"

Writer: Gary Glasberg & Stewart St. John

Director: Robert Hughes

Episode Summary:
We open with a Martial Arts Expo at Ernie's Gym and Juice Bar (which seem to happen quite often in Angel Grove) and Jason is nervous about his upcoming fight with new transfer student (overused plot device much?) and resident cutie (according to Kim) - Tommy Oliver.  His outfit is almost identical to Jason's except that he's wearing a GREEN tank top instead of a RED one (foreshadowing!).  They both kick each other and it turns out they're evenly matched.  Who knew?

Kimberly thinks Tommy is, like, so cute and asks him to hang out with the gang after school tomorrow.  Bulk and Skull pick on Kim in the hallway the next day and Tommy does some karate moves that frankly would get him expelled in any public high school in the United States.  Or at least made fun of.  They share a cute moment and as he's walking to the gym after school - oh no! - Rita Repulsa descends upon him as she's chosen him as her own evil Green Ranger.  Unbeknownst to us but knownst to Zordon for the first 16 episodes - there's a sixth coin that Rita's just been keeping around for a rainy day.  After her attack on Uncle Steve in the last episode failed - it can't get much rainier.

She tests Tommy with some Putties to determine his worthiness of the coin - but to be honest even I could defeat the Putties so is this really much of a test?  Rita thinks so and uses some of the Japanese Sentai footage to show "Tommy" going through the transformation process to evil.  Once the transition is complete, Tommy takes his power coin and breaks into the Command Center (remember - only someone who has a power coin may enter) and he totally wrecks the place, gives Alpha 5 a virus, and sends Zordon to another dimension.  In five minutes, Tommy has single-handedly done more to devastate the Rangers than Rita has in 17 episodes. 

We leave with devastated Rangers who lost the big fight when Tommy breaks into Megazord to physically throw them out , and a bummed Kimberly (Tommy totally missed their date which is way more sad than losing Zordon or your Zords), and Tommy's equivalent of a fist-pump as he declares his intentions to end the Rangers and we fade on our first ever . . . TO BE CONTINUED.

Facts:

-First line - Zack - "All right there, Jas, remember think positive and concentrate on your moves."

-First on-screen Ranger - Billy - technically

-Last line - Tommy - "To the end of the Power Rangers, I'll destroy you one and all."
-Focus Character: Tommy
-The Rangers are defeated for the first time ever
-First breach of the Command Center

-Introduction of the first 6th Ranger - Tommy the Green Ranger

Observations:

I know Zack opens the show and I know that Trini and Billy probably had lines, but aside from Jason's pseudo-karate-rivalry with Tommy and Kimberly's hat teen-girl obsession with how cute Tommy is - was anyone actually in this episode?  Naturally since this episode introduces us to the concept of a sixth Ranger - Tommy should be the focus.  However, we're beginning to see the team dynamics change to what they will most likely become: the Tommy-Jason-Kimberly show.  Or as I like to call it "Kimberly Acts and Tommy Kicks".

That aside - the show takes on a much darker tone in this episode.  For the first time we're left with the impression that the Rangers are human and capable of failure (an important lesson for the kiddies at home). 

Also, the show begins to show some structure.  Every episode thus far has been Monster of the Week and then a live-action storyline about a Ranger that ends in them fighting a Monster of the Week.  We've seen some character traits, but no over-arching plot development - which changes here.  We see an imperfect Ranger who doesn't always go with the crowd (kids always love the loner) and the beginning of a romantic spark between two characters that will be in more than one episode together (cough, Billy and what's her face from the Madam Woe episode).  It's that kind of story arc that will keep people tuning in for the storyline as opposed to just the 30 minute toy commercial.

Plus, how awesome is it that we see the girl (Kim) pursue the guy (Tommy)?  Not only is the show displaying an arc for two characters, it's also breaking societal molds.  Kelly would never ask Zack out, I'm just saying.

1.16 Switching Places

Season 1, Episode 16

"Switching Places"

Writer: Shuky Levy and Steve Kramer

Director: Jeff Reiner

Episode Summary:
We open with Billy showing Kimberly his newest invention - a mind-reading device!  Yet unbeknownst to Billy, Squatt (that little devil!) tinkered with his toy and the invention accidentally switches Kimberly and Billy's bodies.  Bulk and Skull sneak in and the same thing happens to them!  Hilarious!

The next day we see Kimberly and Billy trying to function as each other to hilarious results.  Billy-in-Kimberly can't put on makeup and wears frumpy clothes and explodes a cheese souffle.  Kimberly-in-Billy blows up a computer during a tutor-session and dresses him in a stylish slim-fitting vest.  Billy-in-Kimberly walks around with his hands in her pants (that sounds bad) and Kimberly-in-Billy stands with his hip cocked and flips his hair around. 

Rita sends her Genie monster after Squatt rubs him out (of the lamp) and the Rangers morph, fight, call on the zords, and are about to lose when Alpha 5 figures out a way to trap the Genie back in his lamp.  Victory!  Billy then figures out how to fix his machine and everyone is back to normal.  Skull makes a joke about borrowing Billy's brain for a math test on Monday.  Silly Skull.

Facts:

-First line - Kim "So like, what is this new project?"

-First on-screen Ranger - Billy and Kimberly

-Last line - Billy "Some people will never learn."
-Focus Character: Billy and Kimberly
-Rangers do NOT defeat the bad guy - Alpha 5 does
-Last episode before *spoiler alert* Green Ranger

Observations:
Since this is the last episode before the Green Ranger saga, it's nice to have a light-hearted comedic episode.  Unlike other light-hearted comedic episodes, this one is actually funny.  The story-line is character based rather than action based and the result is a much more enjoyable show.  The comedy isn't forced even though it's slap-stick and the acting is actually somewhat decent.  If you're looking for why Kimberly is a fan-favorite - this episode is the epitome of why.

Amy Jo yet again shows off her acting talent by showing her comedic chops and does a really good impersonation of David Yost's Billy - down to his nerdy lingo and word pronunciation and mannerisms.  I say this without irony, she actually does a really good job with this role.  David Yost actually shows that he has an inkling of acting ability as well as he incorporates a lot of Kimberly-mannerisms in his hair flipping and the way he pronounces certain, like, words.  However, he makes Kimberly out to be really uninterested in anything but herself and highly inconvenienced by everything - and that's not the Kimberly we know and love.  Bad Billy.

Continuing with what we saw in "Power Ranger Punks", Billy shows some promise of maybe one day not being the poorly dressed nerd who over-enunciates and sucks-the-fun-out-of-everything.  Season 2 spoiler perhaps?  So - props to the costuming department on this episode, you win.  Props to Bulk and Skull, you actually can act as well.  And props to Kim and Billy on a job well done.

1.14 Foul Play in the Sky

Season 1, Episode 14
"Foul Play in the Sky"
Writer: Shuki Levy
Director: Shuki Levy

Episode Summary:
In a rare show of having-a-budget, the episode opens at an airfield where Kimberly is about to go on a flight with her pilot-uncle, Uncle Steve.  Bulk and Skull invite themselves along and five-o-clock-shadow Uncle Steve shows us around Angel Grove and the surrounding mountain range.  Unbeknownst to Uncle Steve but knownst to us, Squatt placed a potion in his generic-brand Cola that causes him to pass out in the plane leaving Kimberly, Bulk, and Skull helpless.  Amy Jo (aka the only actor on this show who actually acts) shows off her talents as she shows us the following: worry, panic, resolve, and keeping it cool.

Alpha 5 suggests Kim teleport out of the plane but she refuses due to the fact that she must make sure the other passengers are safe (she's compassionate and thinks of others, you see).  Rita distracts the other Rangers with Snizard and they find they really need Kim's archery skills to defeat him.  Alpha 5 instructs Kimberly how to land the plane and she makes a quick exit while Uncle Steve comes to and runs off to a safe space and declares, for the first time ever and by herself, IT'S MORPHIN TIME!

Kimberly shows up with her Power Bo and kills her second monster by herself because Kim > everyone else except maybe Trini.  We end with Kim being worshipped by some teenage guy who tells her how brave she is and Jason and Zack make fun of Kim having game.  Haters.

Facts:
-First line - Kim "Let me talk to Trini again."
-First on-screen Ranger - Kim
-Last line - Zack "Tell me more you big strong hunk of a man, you."
-Focus character - Kim
-Kim says "it's morphin time" for first time by herself - first time someone other than Jason can do so
-Trini fights (and assumingly defeats) a Yellow Belt
-Introduction of Angela

Observation:
This was the bonafide first episode of the show I ever saw and I can see now why it drew me in to the series.  It's a little more serious and dramatic than the earlier stupid/comedic episodes.  This gives us a chance to see Kimberly expanding her interests (much like Trini) and also to show off that MMPR actually CAN film on location as opposed to just at the Gym and Juice Bar.  While I see now that Kim's acting is a bit overboard, I think she deserves points for the fact that in 19 seasons of Power Rangers, she's still the only one who actually ACTED on the show.  But again, I'm biased.

We meet Zack's love interest, Angela, in this episode and learn that despite the fact that he makes fun of Kim and Billy for their macking skills - he has no game of his own.  However, I do like the fact that for once we're getting to see a friendship develop between a Ranger and a non-Ranger that will *spoiler alert* last for more than one episode.  It gives Zack something to do other than say "yo man" and "I'm bummin" which is what he needs.  Walter Jones is not a one-dimensional actor but Zack (so far) is a one-dimensional character.  Give him something to do besides dance to hip-hop music!


Early Hypothesis:
Kimberly is taking over Trini's role as most-focused character with most character development.  This could be why Kimberly became such a fan favorite.  Either she's just so talented and people recognized that (comapred to the rest of the case) or it's because she was shoved down our throats for so many episodes.  We're also beginning to see Kim's importance to the rest of the team as she defeats, for the second time, a monster on her own.