Well, where to begin with this episode. Had it not been for the last 8 minutes of the episode this would have gone down as the most boring and uninteresting episode of the entire season so far. The episode itself focused far too much on this camping trip, Brody being guilty until proven innocent, more screen time for Victor and Monty than necessary as usual and then a completely uninteresting and weak monster. However, as I said the episode was barely saved from this by the events of the final 8 minutes, but before they came to fruition I was saying to myself, “I can’t believe this episode is the episode before a 5-month hiatus.”
Let’s take a look back at what made this episode what it was.
Brody’s Integrity: The most boring part of the episode focused on the Rangers going on a camping trip. Principal Hastings introduced her grandmother’s compass and when it went missing it somehow ended up in Brody’s bag. Obviously, that’s some damning evidence against Brody, however he totally denied the allegations from the beginning and even refused to concede to confessing when it would allow him access to the trip. I did love the fact that Brody stuck to his guns the entire episode and refused to confess to something he didn’t do.
Later in the episode we find out that it was due to Victor and Monty’s net gun that caused Hastings’ compass to fly into Brody’s backpack thanks to Monty’s video coverage of the incident. Hastings forgave Brody and let him go on the trip with the others and then for some reason gave him the compass, an incredibly old family antique….The fuuuu?
Yeah, this entire story arc (besides a monster fight here and there) took up nearly 4/5 of the episode. I was bored out of my mind the entire time.
Rygore: Rygore was another incredibly boring part of the episode. These Galactic Ninjas (as we see later) are clearly nothing more than pawns in Odius’ grand plan (that I love) but it does seem like a waste. They came into the season as if they were super powerful and would give the Rangers a run for their money, because they too were Ninjas. This is not the case.
Ryogore did have an interesting way of attacking, I guess. He used a large rubber dice to roll and determine his attacks which ranged from a large teapot with scolding steam to jacks that explode. Either way, the attacks weren’t that powerful and it seemed as if Rygore was simply keeping the Rangers busy until he could be destroyed and Madame Odius’ plan could be put into motion. It just seemed as if these Galactic Ninjas were only here to jerk us off until we get to Madame Odius’ grand plan! While that is just fine and I love what happens when we get to Odius’ plan, I find this Villain faction a total waste that could’ve been used as plot devices earlier in the season instead of just a 3-4 episode convenience. So much filler and no much pay off that could’ve been. With Wolvermean and Venoma still alive, let’s hope something more will come from them.
Madame Odius’ Scheme: After the defeat of Rygore, Madame Odius wasted no time and had Badonna threaten Venoma into giving up her Medallion so that her grand scheme could go into motion a little sooner than planned!
Using the four Medallions, dark magic and FoxBots nearby Madame Odius created her very own Zord to take on the Rangers! Finally, a real plan to destroy the Power Rangers and a good one at that!
I was also happy to see that at this point, there are 3 Female Villains with the most power on this season!
Foxitron: As Madame Odius’ Zord, Foxitron, took shape Badonna headed back to the Warrior Dome and pressed the button to Gigantify it! As the Zord grew the Rangers were shocked, especially Sarah who claimed that Monsters don’t have Zords. Sure Jan, someone needs a Power Rangers history lesson. Who writes lines like that?!
Madame Odius flew up and merged herself with the Zord and took her place inside the cockpit arming it with the four Medallions! Now, what took place was one of the best Zord battles in both of these seasons! Foxitron completely ruled over the Ninja Ultrazord and was even to destabilize it and cause it to break apart when she used her Fox Drones!
The Rangers in their Megazords tried their hardest to land attacks as well, but Foxitron was able to use Ninja methods to block out all attempts. She was even able to knock out all the Rangers out of their cockpits and out of their powers!
Not even the Lion Fire Fortress Zord was able to stop the Zord alone! Show’s over, Ninjas Lose!
Burned Zord Stars: As the Rangers were knocked out of the cockpit and their powers decimated as well for the time being; their Zord Stars were also burned and unable to call the Zords. Looks like it’s time for plot convenience to add New Zords to the show. This was a smart move on the part of the writers that we actually have a reason for new Zords and it was the perfect place to add it.
You’re too Loud, Honey: After Madame Odius defeated the Rangers and knocked their Zords out of commission, for some reason Foxitron went all Serpentera on her and decided to run out of energy. Completely angry, she comes down to the surface and blames Venoma for it. OUTLOUD and in PLAIN SIGHT, Venoma, Badonna and Odius discuss the fact that Foxitron is out of energy and will take a full day to recharge. Oh come on! Why would you discuss that out loud when your enemies could be anywhere? Now, the Rangers know of Foxitron’s weakness and will most likely exploit it. Way to go Ladies.
Victor and Monty: Insufferable with way too much screen time as usual. But, I will give them that it was funny when they tried to capture Rygore with the net and instead he captured them and flung them across the forest towards the campsite.
If only his throw was stronger.
Clearly, without the last 8 minutes of this episode which as Brody would say were “Epic!” this episode would’ve been completely and utterly horrible. The Rangers going on a camping trip was barely used in the episode and put to the wayside. The moral of the story was a good one but was poorly executed because why on Earth would a good stand up student like Brody want to steal a Principal’s compass in clear sight of everyone? It just doesn’t make sense, people! The episode focused too much on boring “plot” that wasn’t even plot. The main plot of this episode should’ve focused on Madame Odius OR how about the Monster or relate to him somehow? The only way the plot related to the monster was that he happened to be in the forest and he looked like a Rhino that Victor and Monty wanted to catch. Yeah, a Rhino in a forest.
However, the last 8 minutes were powerful and a good way to send us off into the hiatus. It was a good cliffhanger and definitely makes me want to find out what happens next, even if these writing and plot flaws continue.
Until after the Hiatus friends!