1.15 Dark Warrior

Season 1, Episode 15
"Dark Warrior"
Writer: Ronnie Sperling, Jeff Deckman, Mark Hoffmeier
Director: Terence H. Winkless

Episode Summary:
We open on Jason teaching a karate class and Billy once again whining about how lame he is.  Trini's Uncle Howard is coming to visit and we find out that not only is he a scientist, but he's also a martial arts legend!  A karate scientist!  Billy decides he's tired of being picked on and decides to re-enroll in Jason's class.  Uncle Howard invents an invisibility formula and then humorously loses it at Ernie's!  Rita sends her Scarf Dark Warrior to create a plan to steal the forumula.

By this time Uncle Howard has taken Billy under his wing and is teaching him a little about science, a little about karate, and a lot about life.  While practicing martial arts with Billy, Uncle Howard is kidnapped by Putties and taken to a cave where he's tied to an explosive and threatened with his and Trini's life if he doesn't fork over the invisibility formula.  Dark Warrior sends a nastygram ransom note to Trini which prompts the Rangers to take action and find Uncle Howard.

Billy diffuses the bomb using his martial arts training he learned from Howard and we morph to kick some Dark Warrior behind.  Throw in a little Megazord and we've got ourselves a victory!  We end at the Youth Center where Billy earns his Yellow Belt in karate and Bulk and Skull still pick on him (cos only nerds do karate) and invisible Uncle Howard teaches them a lesson by beating them up.  Ha ha.

Facts:
-First line - Jason "1, 2, punch 3, punch 4"
-First on-screen Ranger - Jason
-Last line - Trini "Uncle Howard!"
-Focus character: Billy AND Trini
-Billy earns his Yellow Belt

Observations:
This episode is mostly about building Billy's confidence and proving my previous assertions wrong that he doesn't belong on the team.  He does have dedication (despite the fact that he initially quit Jason's class, pfft) and finally does have some martial arts know-how.  He just needed to learn it from a scientist and not a jock.

I dislike the ending of this because, yet again, it's awfully unfair to Bulk and Skull and very un-martial-arts like to beat someone up without them knowing it.  Especially since Skull is doing this cute little A Clockwork Orange thing with his hat.

Additionally, I misheard Rita call Dark Warrior the Scarf Warrior several times, understandably so since he wears a scarf.  It then dawned on me that he's probably the name-sake of the episode.  It struck me as odd that Rita let one of her minions take charge of something - but I guess she respects the Dark Warrior in some capacity.

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.

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.