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Today on Power Rangers: Trini tries her hardest to create an individual martial art that she can call her own...it's too bad that Bulk and Skull are way more original and way less racist in doing the same exact thing; and when a Parents Day meet-up goes horribly wrong with all the parents abducted and the Power Rangers stuck with an inconceivable choice, they have no choice but to call for back-up...let's just hope that green guy's ego has been reduced and he has a bit more humility than the first run he had as a hero.
OK, Tommy, you can come back now...
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Plague of the Mantis: aka: Honor Among Mantises (and maybe roaches)
Oh great, generic kung fu master and outfits. It's a Trini episode that has to do with ethnicity and not the environment: you've been warned.
Seriously, the yellow headband really takes away from how serious this is supposed to be.
There, put your hands like this and the other teenagers will laugh at you for days.
It's sort of sad that it has taken nearly 50 episodes before they FINALLY give Trini a martial art to call her own...and this is how it's introduced.
Honorable tradition of kung fu? Have a bearded master like you?
Fair fight...funny, that's not how ninja work...
The praying mantis style...maybe we can see if we can find someone to revive a true master...no wait, Jarrod's still good, let's hold off a few years.
Serve the mantis, Trini. Find a guy you can rip his head off and eat it when you're done being impregnated!
Oh and the mantis...he was just a prop. Maybe we can give it to that friend of yours who dresses in black.
If that glass wasn't plastic, I could swear that Ernie was giving Skull booze...with whipped cream.
Bug-fu...let's hope Bulk and Skull don't remain on Earth in time for the Pai Zhua rebellion.
Hoo boy, Bulk's got an idea...and it involves bugs...I actually like where this is going.
OK it was just a strawberry milkshake. But there could still be alcohol in there.
So bugs...maybe they can go back to the science lab from "Itsy Bitsy Spider".
Hey, Trini wants to do something that isn't generic martial arts...yep, definitely need a monster for this one.
Mantis? There are other animal kung fu style. What about the crane; the snake; the monkey; the tiger...or the all-dreaded panda?
Hey, Trini's finally doing something martial arts related! Isn't this cool?
Um Jason, you don't need praying mantis style...unless you want to copy it like you copied Tommy's spin kick.
Seriously master, I just use random punches and kicks. Why do I need style for a true discipline?
OK, I like seeing Zack still uncomfortable around the mantis. That at least remembers some continuity.
And Billy loves it. Figures.
OK if it weren't for the obvious stereotypes, I do like Trini's little idea of fair play regarding her choice in style.
Oh great, it's Adam Ant and Atom Ant.
COCKROACH...KUNG...FU...(must have a lot of scurrying tactics)
This is going to be a loooooong episode for Zack.
Hey, want to be my Pheromosa, babe?
Seriously, Trini, cockroach-fu is basically the same as Scientology: it doesn't exist...until it does...
And...there go the scurrying Rangers.
Meanwhile, Alpha's being paranoid again.
Oh course, Trini's near where the evil Mantis is going to land. This will end well.
Wait, it's Alpha that detected it? I thought you were the one who had all the spy stuff, Zordon.
Well...it does look like a mantis.
"I Better Morph"...yeah, I think Trini's catchphrase for transformation is the most paranoid...and practical.
Trini, why are you just punching air and flipping? Is this one of your "I think I'm Boi" moments again?
At least Rita got the gender for the Mantis right...
And thus Trini's training just leads to...dodging...and more dodging...
It's less kung fu and more just swinging some sickles around.
No honor? This is a monster created by Finnster for Rita Repulsa; what does it know about honor?
Well at least Rita's one-on-one strategy sort of works; especially considering the whole situation.
Hummana hummana hummana hummana
For a show that emphasizes teamwork, this "face it alone" element really does throw a bone into the plot.
He...um Alpha, did you hear that mantis out there when it fought Trini? (or...anything I was saying about female mantises being fiercer than males?)
Seriously, Trini does kung fu for one episode and now she's an expert?
More practice. You just started at this; maybe just blend typical Trini-style martial arts with some kung fu and you'll be fine.
I'm with Rita: Trini really is just falling into the pit of Asian stereotypes with this episode alone.
Well those were cheerful customers...must have ordered Ernie's uppers.
Hey, did anyone see that note magically appear? Ernie...random juice bar customer...Zordon?
Trini; I have too many things to deal with...stuff...so take this note off me.
Hey Ernie, read the note, maybe it's...oh I don't know...the breakthrough Angel Grove needs regarding the Power Rangers?
I think we're getting more education on cockroach-fu than mantis-fu at this rate.
Hey, Skull discovered the "RAID Maneuver". (RAIIIIIID!?!?!?)
She thought her master sent it? What did it say: Trini, I'm definitely your master, come to the typical quarry, signed, Man...er, Master?
Fair play and Rita...it really is a difficult decision regarding the scenario.
Honor against a rubber suit...if it were another season it could exist...but really, it's Rita!
And Ernie still didn't look at the note. Seriously, if she just left it there without realizing it, it may have something important you may want to know.
From how Kim sounds, going to "the Sentai quarry of death" really is too suspicious for any normal person to arrange a meeting.
Ernie: Don't mind me, got to clean the blood stains left on the letter.
Again with the honor; it's not a bad concept but not if you keep throwing it in our faces.
OK so Trini's fighting and here come the other Rangers...let's hope this "honor" is kept to the end.
And Rita sends the Putties to the others to keep it Trini vs. the Mantis...maybe she is letting fair play rule for once.
Zack's mostly angry cause it's another bug episode and he wants out.
Now this is more like Boi's style and not "praying mantis kung fu".
And here come the Putties...so much for honor; told you so.
And now the Mantis FINALLY admits she has no honor...bout time.
Whose the coward who brings an army to a battle of one-on-one?
Really, this is sabre-tiger-kung fu, not mantis.
Billy's reverting again...or not.
And now Alpha realizes Trini's outnumbered? Why not when she just threw the Putties before the break?
Seriously, Trini's fighting Putties; we're fighting Putties...can't we find a way to merge the two Putty groups together?
Yeah it's fair...but what happened to that first Putty group?
It's not fair when it's 5 on 1...at least let the Putties in to make it more balanced.
Never mind, it's giant now; so five becoming one makes it one-on-one again.
Kim stereo choice of the episode: "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas; she wanted "Killer Queen" but Zack hacked in from Mastodon and prevented it.
Not more: it's one-on-one like I said. That's how mecha in the franchise works.
Seriously, GekiTohja or even Senpuujin Hurrier would work better in dealing with footwork compared to...DaiZyuJin's clunkiness.
At least the bulkiness gives DaiZyuJin a means to survive a killer attack.
Jason, your Power Sword delivery's gotten...too forceful.
Really it's still just a bug fighting a deadly blade. No contest.
Um...this is all on you Rita. You're just getting bored and like hitting them for fun.
Now Zordon's talking honor...the same head that just hacked into Rita's castle to stop Cyclopsis...
Nah it's not practice. It's just Trini being Trini.
Zack: At least I don't have to go through that again....I seriously hope...
And meanwhile, the newscaster's back to report the same dull Power Rangers victory report.
Hey Trini, if you want to learn real martial arts, I hear there's an old master within the subways of Tokyo; have you checked your birth certificates and found any connection to a group known as the Dai?
Thank you stereotypical Asian kung fu master; I learned all I can to be as stereotypically but non-descriptly Asian as I possibly can.
50 dollars an hour...why not start with 10 dollars a month, maybe a free uniform or a snazzy helmet?
I think we can get free sparring partner living in the walls of Angel Grove.
Not sure if roaches have hard heads but that's what the helmets are for.
And there goes Ernie's health code certificates...again...how much of that nutty woman's money do you have left?
Thoughts: OK, I do like the concept presented here about Trini wanting to fight with fair play against an opponent, but this isn't how you go about giving us the lesson. Suddenly introducing a very racist martial arts element and giving her a style nearly 50 episodes in (that never is brought up again) just feels like something to try and say "see, she has something...and since she's Asian, we can get away with more Asian stereotypes despite Trini basically being the culmination of Asian stereotypes!" (not made better with the Zyu2 footage still giving her Boi's battle style) At least we have the entertaining value of "Cockroach-Fu" to keep us busy.
Return of an Old Friend Pt. 1: aka: The Big Green Cliffhanger
Parents Day? Wait, the Power Rangers have parents and not just random Scooby Doo relatives?
Um Jason, your dad looks a lot like Tommy...outside the red shirt but still...
Starring Jason Frank as Tommy...seriously, there goes that surprise.
I think after the whole absurdity of last episode, seeing Trini's dad with that philosophy...makes sense...and is admittedly less racist than Master Li.
And Billy's dad is...Bill Gates...wait is that who Billy is named after?
And Zack's dad is an older Urkle...I guess the Black Power thing is a way for Zack to rebel against conformity.
Considering the cakes we've seen...that looks rather plain.
Hey, Skull's parents are...D-Day from "Animal House" and...um...a biker chick?
I think Bulk's so embarrassed by his parents he just wanted nothing to do witht his one.
IT'S ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE...and surprisingly it has nothing to do with the Bulkmeyers...then again the cake hitting them all does.
Seriously, Bulk's parents are almost normal compared to...well, everyone else.
Kim's...eh, I guess that explains how "Valley" she was with how rich they were (then again in "Valley Girl", the heroines parents were actually former hippies who ran a juice ba...never mind)
Oh wait...her parents are divorced...awkward.
Yeah, Trini's got a lot to talk to Kim about.
I wouldn't mind meeting Rita's mom...her dad...well, he has other things to worry about running a galaxy and whatnot.
Scorpina: Hey Goldar, maybe we can be parents too? (that would be awkward with how much of a busybody Goldar is compared to Grifforzer)
Hey, let's use a monster with smelly armpits!
OK the Power Rangers will surrender and then destroy the world...got it...except wouldn't the Power Rangers try to save the world if you try to destroy it?
Oh great the soil's shaking up and there's burbling...hope someone in Angel Grove heard that.
Um Kim...didn't you just see the ground move?
You still think it's your fault? When did your parents divorce, KIm?
OK so they're both there...just have them avoid one another and everything will be fine and dandy.
Um Rita, if you want to be inconspicuous, DON'T SEND DOWN THE PUTTIES!
And thus Trini returns to generic martial arts...told you she wouldn't keep it up.
Alert the other Rangers...despite Jason and Zack being in a crowded room...with their parents...
Hey, the hallway. No one will ever go right there!
What is Billy doing that is keeping him away from the parents day meetup?
I'd say it again but there could be ears out here that may know something.
The Dark Dimension...that place barely fits two people, maybe three...sure that will work?
I'd be surprised if Mr. Bulkmeyer just has a really good metabolism considering his wife and son.
And thus another problem with the Juice Bar: the floor is so loose it just buckles from one creep being under it.
And thus everyone in the place is obvious and dumb...or in Skull's case, just too obsessed with the video camera to care what's really going on.
Bulk: I WANT MY MOMMY!? (so does Skull, Bulk, so does Skull.)
OK, Diversion over, just dump the Putties and let Zordon fill them in.
Oh hey Billy. Say you should have been here a few seconds ago when everyone turned to skeletons and vanished...oh and there are more Putties outside you need to fight with your friends.
Really, brainwashing Billy...again...
Why do you need the Dragon Dagger? Tommy's gone and it's useless to you.
Oh great, the bathroom's steam pipe burst; Ernie what did you spend that money on!?
Hey, the lightning's new...you'd think that would be Zordon, not Rita.
Yes, now we're getting an Evil Blue Ranger saga! Let's see what happens when the nerd turns on the heroes.
Is it just me or did Dramole just didn't make that many tunnels?
Oh that teleportation didn't look suspicious at all...or Alpha's just as oblivious as anyone.
Yes, tear Alpha apart, Billy! Make him so destroyed you can't turn him back when you're good later!
Whose worse conceited, Billy or Zordon?
And thus he magically puts the Dragon Dagger in his hand? Rita's that good or Zordon's security has gone lax.
Yeah, this is the first time we get reference to the Dragon powers being Rita's...would be neat to get a backstory as to how.
Hey, everyone's gone...either they're doing something or Rita's at it as usual.
Eh, Trini, you do realize the entire park was abducted some time ago. That was worse. Not as personal, but worse.
They forgot her mom's scarf? How did it get loose during the teleportation?
I wish this was more personal to them...except this is the first time we have seen ANY of their parents so we can't really connect it to them other than what we saw at the start.
And Zordon knows where they are already...he seems to just know everything.
Billy isn't under the Dramole, that's a spell. Zordon, you should know Rita's modus by now.
Now Trini's on Alpha duty? Really, I say he should remain off for a while.
Zordon, stop bullcrapping the team; we know it was Rita that brainwashed Billy so don't try to make it like it was Dramole alone!
So that's a Dramole...looks dumb to me but hey, it took our parents.
Eh, doesn't have to be the Dragonzord. Heck, maybe Rita knows a way of making a new Green Ranger and not telling you.
Now Billy's in the Dark Dimension? Doesn't Rita have any other meet-up points considering that's where the parents are too?
And thus they enter the Dark Dimension...no special gate or anything...heck not even the special coordinates needed during the first Tommy crisis.
YES, IT'S THE (Rita voice) EVIL BLUE RAAAANGERRRR!
Oh and Putties...because Putties.
At least they're getting a lot of mileage out of the Dark DImension set.
Let's all trade places in fighitng Goldar, maybe we can take him down that way.
Thank you, Billy.
And thus Billy returns to normal once the dagger's out of his hand. That was short.
At least they realize it was a spell and not Dramole compared to Zordon's innane comment.
So it's all a ploy: give us the Power Coins and your parents will be saved...and maybe the Dragon Dagger...could work, let's see.
An hourglass? Nothing classy like, say, a candle?
What about Billy? Um, what are you going to do while the hourglass runs?
It's not as cool as when Tommy or even Jason plays it. He's just wiggling his fingers.
STOCK-FOOTAGE DINOZORD POWER!
Pterodactyl stereo for the episode: Sky Pilot by Eric Burden and the Animals
Was that leg merge sequence new?
Actually it's all new.
And there goes another paper machie building...hope that wasn't where one of the parents worked.
Well that was quick. How much time did you give them, Goldar?
YIPES!
The decision affects your parents? At least prove it's them in there.
From Dragon Dagger to...Dragon Box?
Hoo boy...here we go.
Goldar just has to taunt them one by one huh.
It's not your fault, Billy. Just bad timing...
Damn, Jason's pissed with that "give our parents back" line.
Ah, so the "did you think I would play fair" bit. Seriously, this is the lesson Trini learned last time; didn't they learn anything from the Mantis incident?
They finally won. And all they had to do was claim to follow the rules and not do so...just like many tyrannical world leaders out there. (won't name names, you know who they are)
This wasn't Goldar's plan, he just carried out orders.
And thus everyone...is just meandering around...the Dark Dimension...where they came from...so is there multiple Dark Dimensions or something?
Strange...maybe they're zombies and don't know it?
Yeah...as I said, my guess is Rita just remembered last episode and decided Mantis' "fair play but not" strategy just worked perfectly.
You made the correct choice...despite you know, you're without your powers, your parents are in another dimension and the world is screwed.
Oh yeah, Jason still has...that one...say, why haven't you even used the shield lately?
Cut to outside the juice bar...and a green jacket...hoo boy...and Dramole's being an idiot still.
Feet. I like the build up but considering the credit earlier and the jacket and the coin...we know who it is.
Really, Tommy, where have you been....no wonder they kept you out of the big celebration during Doomsday.
Wait, HE WAS WEARING A JACKET OUTSIDE!? WHERE'S THE JACKET!?!?!?!
GO, GREEN RANGER, GO GO!!!
Thoughts: Welcome back, Tommy...despite it being about 9 episodes since we last saw you. Anyway, the plan here was actually pretty good despite how weird it all was once you think about it. I do like the idea of Rita taking the loved ones of the Power Rangers hostage in order to get the Power Coins, but it sort of doesn't quite have the impact you'd think because we hardly know them outside what they said about them being their parents. It works but I sort of wish we had more real character building to maybe see them as parents instead of just a bunch of random cliches gathered in Ernie's juice bar to basically be victims. Regardless it was a good sacrifice and basically the big set-up for Tommy's return...whether we wanted it or not.
Return of an Old Friend Pt. 2: aka: Go, Green Lightning!
That coin could defeat Rita...well maybe if they used it before sacrificing the other five. (yeesh, didn't Zyu2 remember how Zyu ended with that thing?)
We found your parents...again...Alpha must be bored to pull this...again.
Seriously if we don't try this, then they're going to get so thin walking around that dimension non-stop.
Wait why do we need Tommy? What about "you can't use your powers ever again? Isn't there another way without that guy?
Hey, maybe if I can get some punch before I get brought back into this madness...
And forcefully abducted again. Seriously, Zordon knows no other way but to ruin teenagers lives.
I'm with Rita: did anyone invite Tommy to Parents' Day in the first place?
Brilliant! Brilliant!
Oh hey Tommy. Sorry we called you in on such short notice but we're boned currently so...
And there's Tommy looking blankly at everyone like "um...what?"
Look I can help...except you know, we had an entire two-parter that said I can't be a Ranger anymore. So...
Using one arrogant overbearing jerk to power another arrogant overbearing jerk. I think Baboo just said it best: BRILLIANT! BRILLIANT!
Seriously, the show sucks without me, so I want these powers back if only to ride this gravy train a while longer.
Where was the Dragonzord while everyone was missing a while ago? It didn't go back into the ocean or anything.
See, electricity is a Zordon thing. Billy being brainwashed shouldn't have had those bolts.
You worry too much...well, you're the mentor despite how jerkish you were.
It didn't seem to work until the phasing in started. And...wait, he got his shield back already?
Wait...where did Goldar get that pillar for taunting Tommy in this fight?
See, we have a green box for you; so basically we just want to taunt you, Green Ranger!
I'm so confused how the dagger turned into the box and now the box is back...magic is weird.
You and me and a bunch of Putties...just like old times.
Oh and here's Squatt and Baboo...because.
If Zordon dies for Tommy...then really Zordon's probably a bit too trusting in his old age.
Jason I get you trust Tommy but are you really willing to risk Zordon for him?
I...HAVE...THE POWER....
So is Tommy's crappy abilities due to the suddenness of getting his powers back...or just being crappy?
Well that's...shocking...
He's got the Dragon Dagger...now we panic.
Don't fire them; you still have the coins you know.
GOO....GREEEN...RAAAANGER....GO! (despite the Tommy problems, the song is still classic)
Bring, Tommy...back...book...
He's not that weak, it's just been a while and the stocck footage is from a fight that was rather weird and sudden with how it's being used.
And oh yeah, the Power Coins...
You know you should have gotten them with the dagger...but better late than never.
Well we just screwed with our former ally...but we got our powers back so...yay?
Tommy...fainted on the ground...we've been here before.
Just bring the futon back from before. That would really help him than flat on the floor.
The fate of the world is in Alpha's hands? They're more boned than they thought.
All this transferrance of energy. Its like the Morphing Grid's one huge pool and they're just tiny pieces of it that sort of work together...
So if we use our coins to bring Zordon back...what's to stop him from pulling this Tommy stunt again?
This actually reminds me of what they used to help Billy in "Peace, Love and Woe"...so I guess that's how they came up with it.
Let Alpha rust, it's for the better of all of us.
Let him get away? Um, those two ran off you know.
Dramole's emerged? Seriously, all they needed is a good hammer to whack him down before and they could have had it handled sooner.
Wait, saving the parents is based on stopping Dramole? Well...that's easier said than done.
Billy, stop thinking it brainwashed you. Are you really that gullible?
About time Dramole appears...but then again they only had it scheduled for one episode and they made this a two-parter...
ARMPIT GAS ATTACK!
Dang, it even summons static electricity.
Wait why did it avoid Kimberly?
Oh great, now Tommy's levitating...it's either the power of love...or just Zordon's power getting rather bizarre with his innards.
Hey they did find the futon after all. Good they kept that thing around.
Zombie Power Rangers...now all we need is for them to yell out 'BRAIIIIIIIIINS!!!!!!!'
Electrically charged...you mean they used the "New Gorenger Suits Activation Method" on him?
So Tommy's powers was restored by...Rita. Yeah, she probably knows more than she's letting on about the Dragon Powers.
I need to do something...hey Alpha why do you have my coin? Sorry, we're not turning you into a Power Ranger no matter how certain fan girls want it.
I'm Morphin' Out of Here...considering Tommy, that fits him.
BRIGHT LIGHT! BRIGHT LIGHT!
Seriously, Tommy can clear up headaches? Must be his elecro-shock.
Sort of wonder if the light was the Zyu2 idea of how Burai returned...
Well at least Dragonzord decided to stay in the mountains instead of going back under the water.
No "Log On" scene but I say Kim probably has "Welcome Back" by John Sebastian on in the Megazord.
Annoying little Hobbits.
Reboot? They never had that problem before.
At least Dragonzord didn't skip a beat after all this time.
That's not MegaDragonzord, that's...Dragonzord Fighting Mode
And that's...um, Ultrazord...
Seriously, Dragonzord Fighting Mode Ultrazord formation could be cool.
And...WWE taunt by Goldar, fade out.
Rangers, we're not going to show them returning to the Juice Bar...but trust me, your parents are there. And Tommy...no yours aren't because...I can't really say but that would spoil later seasons.
No, Tommy's powers returning is third-best news. Second best: BULK'S PARENTS ARE MORE NORMAL THAN ANY OF YOURS!
We need to study you Tommy. Can't trust your powers fully being back because we do have some weird things ahead.
Oh yeah, we have parents. I almost forgot!
I hope you three didn't try too kill each other in the Dark Dimension and all that...
We'll be here for you...but I still think your dad's a jerk (and mom's a skank who ran off with beardo over there...)
And Tommy has...no one...awkward.
And back with the two students who aren't Power Rangers...
You really want to ruin the party...with your parents around...
Whipped creme pie...I see where this is going...
And right onto Jason's dad. Good aim.
Well that's going to permanently ruin Scott/Bulkmeyer relations.
Whose the old lady that hit Mr. Bulkmeyer? And where the heck did Ms. Applebee come from?
She deserved some of that.
I think Caplain and Applebee deserve each other with their whipped creme.
I'd say they'd be clean..but I see some crap on Jason and Billy at least.
And thus as the Youth Center descends into madness, we depart Angel Grove for another day...
Thoughts: I think despite it being American footage and not even Zyu2 footage, the fight between Tommy and Goldar here has to be his first true fight that didn't evolve Putties since...well, Green with Evil. With that said, I find it weird how they did set up the return of the Green Ranger, but I think it sort of did make sense in the end, with Zordon trying and failing, yet somehow the forcefield Rita and Goldar setting up being the real means to save the powers. It sort of leads some creedence amazingly into the idea that Rita really is the source of the power of the Green Ranger (since she created the coin, the candle and even based a mecha on a fantasy beast like a dragon instead of an ancient one like a dinosaur) and works in it's own way. Obviously there are problems with Tommy being back but pt. 2 of the story actually does work to get him back on the show in a strong way...even if the Dramole plot was rather just "there" to work in the footage Zyu2 had to bring Green Ranger back their own way.
OK, Tommy, you can come back now...
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Plague of the Mantis: aka: Honor Among Mantises (and maybe roaches)
Oh great, generic kung fu master and outfits. It's a Trini episode that has to do with ethnicity and not the environment: you've been warned.
Seriously, the yellow headband really takes away from how serious this is supposed to be.
There, put your hands like this and the other teenagers will laugh at you for days.
It's sort of sad that it has taken nearly 50 episodes before they FINALLY give Trini a martial art to call her own...and this is how it's introduced.
Honorable tradition of kung fu? Have a bearded master like you?
Fair fight...funny, that's not how ninja work...
The praying mantis style...maybe we can see if we can find someone to revive a true master...no wait, Jarrod's still good, let's hold off a few years.
Serve the mantis, Trini. Find a guy you can rip his head off and eat it when you're done being impregnated!
Oh and the mantis...he was just a prop. Maybe we can give it to that friend of yours who dresses in black.
If that glass wasn't plastic, I could swear that Ernie was giving Skull booze...with whipped cream.
Bug-fu...let's hope Bulk and Skull don't remain on Earth in time for the Pai Zhua rebellion.
Hoo boy, Bulk's got an idea...and it involves bugs...I actually like where this is going.
OK it was just a strawberry milkshake. But there could still be alcohol in there.
So bugs...maybe they can go back to the science lab from "Itsy Bitsy Spider".
Hey, Trini wants to do something that isn't generic martial arts...yep, definitely need a monster for this one.
Mantis? There are other animal kung fu style. What about the crane; the snake; the monkey; the tiger...or the all-dreaded panda?
Hey, Trini's finally doing something martial arts related! Isn't this cool?
Um Jason, you don't need praying mantis style...unless you want to copy it like you copied Tommy's spin kick.
Seriously master, I just use random punches and kicks. Why do I need style for a true discipline?
OK, I like seeing Zack still uncomfortable around the mantis. That at least remembers some continuity.
And Billy loves it. Figures.
OK if it weren't for the obvious stereotypes, I do like Trini's little idea of fair play regarding her choice in style.
Oh great, it's Adam Ant and Atom Ant.
COCKROACH...KUNG...FU...(must have a lot of scurrying tactics)
This is going to be a loooooong episode for Zack.
Hey, want to be my Pheromosa, babe?
Seriously, Trini, cockroach-fu is basically the same as Scientology: it doesn't exist...until it does...
And...there go the scurrying Rangers.
Meanwhile, Alpha's being paranoid again.
Oh course, Trini's near where the evil Mantis is going to land. This will end well.
Wait, it's Alpha that detected it? I thought you were the one who had all the spy stuff, Zordon.
Well...it does look like a mantis.
"I Better Morph"...yeah, I think Trini's catchphrase for transformation is the most paranoid...and practical.
Trini, why are you just punching air and flipping? Is this one of your "I think I'm Boi" moments again?
At least Rita got the gender for the Mantis right...
And thus Trini's training just leads to...dodging...and more dodging...
It's less kung fu and more just swinging some sickles around.
No honor? This is a monster created by Finnster for Rita Repulsa; what does it know about honor?
Well at least Rita's one-on-one strategy sort of works; especially considering the whole situation.
Hummana hummana hummana hummana
For a show that emphasizes teamwork, this "face it alone" element really does throw a bone into the plot.
He...um Alpha, did you hear that mantis out there when it fought Trini? (or...anything I was saying about female mantises being fiercer than males?)
Seriously, Trini does kung fu for one episode and now she's an expert?
More practice. You just started at this; maybe just blend typical Trini-style martial arts with some kung fu and you'll be fine.
I'm with Rita: Trini really is just falling into the pit of Asian stereotypes with this episode alone.
Well those were cheerful customers...must have ordered Ernie's uppers.
Hey, did anyone see that note magically appear? Ernie...random juice bar customer...Zordon?
Trini; I have too many things to deal with...stuff...so take this note off me.
Hey Ernie, read the note, maybe it's...oh I don't know...the breakthrough Angel Grove needs regarding the Power Rangers?
I think we're getting more education on cockroach-fu than mantis-fu at this rate.
Hey, Skull discovered the "RAID Maneuver". (RAIIIIIID!?!?!?)
She thought her master sent it? What did it say: Trini, I'm definitely your master, come to the typical quarry, signed, Man...er, Master?
Fair play and Rita...it really is a difficult decision regarding the scenario.
Honor against a rubber suit...if it were another season it could exist...but really, it's Rita!
And Ernie still didn't look at the note. Seriously, if she just left it there without realizing it, it may have something important you may want to know.
From how Kim sounds, going to "the Sentai quarry of death" really is too suspicious for any normal person to arrange a meeting.
Ernie: Don't mind me, got to clean the blood stains left on the letter.
Again with the honor; it's not a bad concept but not if you keep throwing it in our faces.
OK so Trini's fighting and here come the other Rangers...let's hope this "honor" is kept to the end.
And Rita sends the Putties to the others to keep it Trini vs. the Mantis...maybe she is letting fair play rule for once.
Zack's mostly angry cause it's another bug episode and he wants out.
Now this is more like Boi's style and not "praying mantis kung fu".
And here come the Putties...so much for honor; told you so.
And now the Mantis FINALLY admits she has no honor...bout time.
Whose the coward who brings an army to a battle of one-on-one?
Really, this is sabre-tiger-kung fu, not mantis.
Billy's reverting again...or not.
And now Alpha realizes Trini's outnumbered? Why not when she just threw the Putties before the break?
Seriously, Trini's fighting Putties; we're fighting Putties...can't we find a way to merge the two Putty groups together?
Yeah it's fair...but what happened to that first Putty group?
It's not fair when it's 5 on 1...at least let the Putties in to make it more balanced.
Never mind, it's giant now; so five becoming one makes it one-on-one again.
Kim stereo choice of the episode: "Kung Fu Fighting" by Carl Douglas; she wanted "Killer Queen" but Zack hacked in from Mastodon and prevented it.
Not more: it's one-on-one like I said. That's how mecha in the franchise works.
Seriously, GekiTohja or even Senpuujin Hurrier would work better in dealing with footwork compared to...DaiZyuJin's clunkiness.
At least the bulkiness gives DaiZyuJin a means to survive a killer attack.
Jason, your Power Sword delivery's gotten...too forceful.
Really it's still just a bug fighting a deadly blade. No contest.
Um...this is all on you Rita. You're just getting bored and like hitting them for fun.
Now Zordon's talking honor...the same head that just hacked into Rita's castle to stop Cyclopsis...
Nah it's not practice. It's just Trini being Trini.
Zack: At least I don't have to go through that again....I seriously hope...
And meanwhile, the newscaster's back to report the same dull Power Rangers victory report.
Hey Trini, if you want to learn real martial arts, I hear there's an old master within the subways of Tokyo; have you checked your birth certificates and found any connection to a group known as the Dai?
Thank you stereotypical Asian kung fu master; I learned all I can to be as stereotypically but non-descriptly Asian as I possibly can.
50 dollars an hour...why not start with 10 dollars a month, maybe a free uniform or a snazzy helmet?
I think we can get free sparring partner living in the walls of Angel Grove.
Not sure if roaches have hard heads but that's what the helmets are for.
And there goes Ernie's health code certificates...again...how much of that nutty woman's money do you have left?
Thoughts: OK, I do like the concept presented here about Trini wanting to fight with fair play against an opponent, but this isn't how you go about giving us the lesson. Suddenly introducing a very racist martial arts element and giving her a style nearly 50 episodes in (that never is brought up again) just feels like something to try and say "see, she has something...and since she's Asian, we can get away with more Asian stereotypes despite Trini basically being the culmination of Asian stereotypes!" (not made better with the Zyu2 footage still giving her Boi's battle style) At least we have the entertaining value of "Cockroach-Fu" to keep us busy.
Return of an Old Friend Pt. 1: aka: The Big Green Cliffhanger
Parents Day? Wait, the Power Rangers have parents and not just random Scooby Doo relatives?
Um Jason, your dad looks a lot like Tommy...outside the red shirt but still...
Starring Jason Frank as Tommy...seriously, there goes that surprise.
I think after the whole absurdity of last episode, seeing Trini's dad with that philosophy...makes sense...and is admittedly less racist than Master Li.
And Billy's dad is...Bill Gates...wait is that who Billy is named after?
And Zack's dad is an older Urkle...I guess the Black Power thing is a way for Zack to rebel against conformity.
Considering the cakes we've seen...that looks rather plain.
Hey, Skull's parents are...D-Day from "Animal House" and...um...a biker chick?
I think Bulk's so embarrassed by his parents he just wanted nothing to do witht his one.
IT'S ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE...and surprisingly it has nothing to do with the Bulkmeyers...then again the cake hitting them all does.
Seriously, Bulk's parents are almost normal compared to...well, everyone else.
Kim's...eh, I guess that explains how "Valley" she was with how rich they were (then again in "Valley Girl", the heroines parents were actually former hippies who ran a juice ba...never mind)
Oh wait...her parents are divorced...awkward.
Yeah, Trini's got a lot to talk to Kim about.
I wouldn't mind meeting Rita's mom...her dad...well, he has other things to worry about running a galaxy and whatnot.
Scorpina: Hey Goldar, maybe we can be parents too? (that would be awkward with how much of a busybody Goldar is compared to Grifforzer)
Hey, let's use a monster with smelly armpits!
OK the Power Rangers will surrender and then destroy the world...got it...except wouldn't the Power Rangers try to save the world if you try to destroy it?
Oh great the soil's shaking up and there's burbling...hope someone in Angel Grove heard that.
Um Kim...didn't you just see the ground move?
You still think it's your fault? When did your parents divorce, KIm?
OK so they're both there...just have them avoid one another and everything will be fine and dandy.
Um Rita, if you want to be inconspicuous, DON'T SEND DOWN THE PUTTIES!
And thus Trini returns to generic martial arts...told you she wouldn't keep it up.
Alert the other Rangers...despite Jason and Zack being in a crowded room...with their parents...
Hey, the hallway. No one will ever go right there!
What is Billy doing that is keeping him away from the parents day meetup?
I'd say it again but there could be ears out here that may know something.
The Dark Dimension...that place barely fits two people, maybe three...sure that will work?
I'd be surprised if Mr. Bulkmeyer just has a really good metabolism considering his wife and son.
And thus another problem with the Juice Bar: the floor is so loose it just buckles from one creep being under it.
And thus everyone in the place is obvious and dumb...or in Skull's case, just too obsessed with the video camera to care what's really going on.
Bulk: I WANT MY MOMMY!? (so does Skull, Bulk, so does Skull.)
OK, Diversion over, just dump the Putties and let Zordon fill them in.
Oh hey Billy. Say you should have been here a few seconds ago when everyone turned to skeletons and vanished...oh and there are more Putties outside you need to fight with your friends.
Really, brainwashing Billy...again...
Why do you need the Dragon Dagger? Tommy's gone and it's useless to you.
Oh great, the bathroom's steam pipe burst; Ernie what did you spend that money on!?
Hey, the lightning's new...you'd think that would be Zordon, not Rita.
Yes, now we're getting an Evil Blue Ranger saga! Let's see what happens when the nerd turns on the heroes.
Is it just me or did Dramole just didn't make that many tunnels?
Oh that teleportation didn't look suspicious at all...or Alpha's just as oblivious as anyone.
Yes, tear Alpha apart, Billy! Make him so destroyed you can't turn him back when you're good later!
Whose worse conceited, Billy or Zordon?
And thus he magically puts the Dragon Dagger in his hand? Rita's that good or Zordon's security has gone lax.
Yeah, this is the first time we get reference to the Dragon powers being Rita's...would be neat to get a backstory as to how.
Hey, everyone's gone...either they're doing something or Rita's at it as usual.
Eh, Trini, you do realize the entire park was abducted some time ago. That was worse. Not as personal, but worse.
They forgot her mom's scarf? How did it get loose during the teleportation?
I wish this was more personal to them...except this is the first time we have seen ANY of their parents so we can't really connect it to them other than what we saw at the start.
And Zordon knows where they are already...he seems to just know everything.
Billy isn't under the Dramole, that's a spell. Zordon, you should know Rita's modus by now.
Now Trini's on Alpha duty? Really, I say he should remain off for a while.
Zordon, stop bullcrapping the team; we know it was Rita that brainwashed Billy so don't try to make it like it was Dramole alone!
So that's a Dramole...looks dumb to me but hey, it took our parents.
Eh, doesn't have to be the Dragonzord. Heck, maybe Rita knows a way of making a new Green Ranger and not telling you.
Now Billy's in the Dark Dimension? Doesn't Rita have any other meet-up points considering that's where the parents are too?
And thus they enter the Dark Dimension...no special gate or anything...heck not even the special coordinates needed during the first Tommy crisis.
YES, IT'S THE (Rita voice) EVIL BLUE RAAAANGERRRR!
Oh and Putties...because Putties.
At least they're getting a lot of mileage out of the Dark DImension set.
Let's all trade places in fighitng Goldar, maybe we can take him down that way.
Thank you, Billy.
And thus Billy returns to normal once the dagger's out of his hand. That was short.
At least they realize it was a spell and not Dramole compared to Zordon's innane comment.
So it's all a ploy: give us the Power Coins and your parents will be saved...and maybe the Dragon Dagger...could work, let's see.
An hourglass? Nothing classy like, say, a candle?
What about Billy? Um, what are you going to do while the hourglass runs?
It's not as cool as when Tommy or even Jason plays it. He's just wiggling his fingers.
STOCK-FOOTAGE DINOZORD POWER!
Pterodactyl stereo for the episode: Sky Pilot by Eric Burden and the Animals
Was that leg merge sequence new?
Actually it's all new.
And there goes another paper machie building...hope that wasn't where one of the parents worked.
Well that was quick. How much time did you give them, Goldar?
YIPES!
The decision affects your parents? At least prove it's them in there.
From Dragon Dagger to...Dragon Box?
Hoo boy...here we go.
Goldar just has to taunt them one by one huh.
It's not your fault, Billy. Just bad timing...
Damn, Jason's pissed with that "give our parents back" line.
Ah, so the "did you think I would play fair" bit. Seriously, this is the lesson Trini learned last time; didn't they learn anything from the Mantis incident?
They finally won. And all they had to do was claim to follow the rules and not do so...just like many tyrannical world leaders out there. (won't name names, you know who they are)
This wasn't Goldar's plan, he just carried out orders.
And thus everyone...is just meandering around...the Dark Dimension...where they came from...so is there multiple Dark Dimensions or something?
Strange...maybe they're zombies and don't know it?
Yeah...as I said, my guess is Rita just remembered last episode and decided Mantis' "fair play but not" strategy just worked perfectly.
You made the correct choice...despite you know, you're without your powers, your parents are in another dimension and the world is screwed.
Oh yeah, Jason still has...that one...say, why haven't you even used the shield lately?
Cut to outside the juice bar...and a green jacket...hoo boy...and Dramole's being an idiot still.
Feet. I like the build up but considering the credit earlier and the jacket and the coin...we know who it is.
Really, Tommy, where have you been....no wonder they kept you out of the big celebration during Doomsday.
Wait, HE WAS WEARING A JACKET OUTSIDE!? WHERE'S THE JACKET!?!?!?!
GO, GREEN RANGER, GO GO!!!
Thoughts: Welcome back, Tommy...despite it being about 9 episodes since we last saw you. Anyway, the plan here was actually pretty good despite how weird it all was once you think about it. I do like the idea of Rita taking the loved ones of the Power Rangers hostage in order to get the Power Coins, but it sort of doesn't quite have the impact you'd think because we hardly know them outside what they said about them being their parents. It works but I sort of wish we had more real character building to maybe see them as parents instead of just a bunch of random cliches gathered in Ernie's juice bar to basically be victims. Regardless it was a good sacrifice and basically the big set-up for Tommy's return...whether we wanted it or not.
Return of an Old Friend Pt. 2: aka: Go, Green Lightning!
That coin could defeat Rita...well maybe if they used it before sacrificing the other five. (yeesh, didn't Zyu2 remember how Zyu ended with that thing?)
We found your parents...again...Alpha must be bored to pull this...again.
Seriously if we don't try this, then they're going to get so thin walking around that dimension non-stop.
Wait why do we need Tommy? What about "you can't use your powers ever again? Isn't there another way without that guy?
Hey, maybe if I can get some punch before I get brought back into this madness...
And forcefully abducted again. Seriously, Zordon knows no other way but to ruin teenagers lives.
I'm with Rita: did anyone invite Tommy to Parents' Day in the first place?
Brilliant! Brilliant!
Oh hey Tommy. Sorry we called you in on such short notice but we're boned currently so...
And there's Tommy looking blankly at everyone like "um...what?"
Look I can help...except you know, we had an entire two-parter that said I can't be a Ranger anymore. So...
Using one arrogant overbearing jerk to power another arrogant overbearing jerk. I think Baboo just said it best: BRILLIANT! BRILLIANT!
Seriously, the show sucks without me, so I want these powers back if only to ride this gravy train a while longer.
Where was the Dragonzord while everyone was missing a while ago? It didn't go back into the ocean or anything.
See, electricity is a Zordon thing. Billy being brainwashed shouldn't have had those bolts.
You worry too much...well, you're the mentor despite how jerkish you were.
It didn't seem to work until the phasing in started. And...wait, he got his shield back already?
Wait...where did Goldar get that pillar for taunting Tommy in this fight?
See, we have a green box for you; so basically we just want to taunt you, Green Ranger!
I'm so confused how the dagger turned into the box and now the box is back...magic is weird.
You and me and a bunch of Putties...just like old times.
Oh and here's Squatt and Baboo...because.
If Zordon dies for Tommy...then really Zordon's probably a bit too trusting in his old age.
Jason I get you trust Tommy but are you really willing to risk Zordon for him?
I...HAVE...THE POWER....
So is Tommy's crappy abilities due to the suddenness of getting his powers back...or just being crappy?
Well that's...shocking...
He's got the Dragon Dagger...now we panic.
Don't fire them; you still have the coins you know.
GOO....GREEEN...RAAAANGER....GO! (despite the Tommy problems, the song is still classic)
Bring, Tommy...back...book...
He's not that weak, it's just been a while and the stocck footage is from a fight that was rather weird and sudden with how it's being used.
And oh yeah, the Power Coins...
You know you should have gotten them with the dagger...but better late than never.
Well we just screwed with our former ally...but we got our powers back so...yay?
Tommy...fainted on the ground...we've been here before.
Just bring the futon back from before. That would really help him than flat on the floor.
The fate of the world is in Alpha's hands? They're more boned than they thought.
All this transferrance of energy. Its like the Morphing Grid's one huge pool and they're just tiny pieces of it that sort of work together...
So if we use our coins to bring Zordon back...what's to stop him from pulling this Tommy stunt again?
This actually reminds me of what they used to help Billy in "Peace, Love and Woe"...so I guess that's how they came up with it.
Let Alpha rust, it's for the better of all of us.
Let him get away? Um, those two ran off you know.
Dramole's emerged? Seriously, all they needed is a good hammer to whack him down before and they could have had it handled sooner.
Wait, saving the parents is based on stopping Dramole? Well...that's easier said than done.
Billy, stop thinking it brainwashed you. Are you really that gullible?
About time Dramole appears...but then again they only had it scheduled for one episode and they made this a two-parter...
ARMPIT GAS ATTACK!
Dang, it even summons static electricity.
Wait why did it avoid Kimberly?
Oh great, now Tommy's levitating...it's either the power of love...or just Zordon's power getting rather bizarre with his innards.
Hey they did find the futon after all. Good they kept that thing around.
Zombie Power Rangers...now all we need is for them to yell out 'BRAIIIIIIIIINS!!!!!!!'
Electrically charged...you mean they used the "New Gorenger Suits Activation Method" on him?
So Tommy's powers was restored by...Rita. Yeah, she probably knows more than she's letting on about the Dragon Powers.
I need to do something...hey Alpha why do you have my coin? Sorry, we're not turning you into a Power Ranger no matter how certain fan girls want it.
I'm Morphin' Out of Here...considering Tommy, that fits him.
BRIGHT LIGHT! BRIGHT LIGHT!
Seriously, Tommy can clear up headaches? Must be his elecro-shock.
Sort of wonder if the light was the Zyu2 idea of how Burai returned...
Well at least Dragonzord decided to stay in the mountains instead of going back under the water.
No "Log On" scene but I say Kim probably has "Welcome Back" by John Sebastian on in the Megazord.
Annoying little Hobbits.
Reboot? They never had that problem before.
At least Dragonzord didn't skip a beat after all this time.
That's not MegaDragonzord, that's...Dragonzord Fighting Mode
And that's...um, Ultrazord...
Seriously, Dragonzord Fighting Mode Ultrazord formation could be cool.
And...WWE taunt by Goldar, fade out.
Rangers, we're not going to show them returning to the Juice Bar...but trust me, your parents are there. And Tommy...no yours aren't because...I can't really say but that would spoil later seasons.
No, Tommy's powers returning is third-best news. Second best: BULK'S PARENTS ARE MORE NORMAL THAN ANY OF YOURS!
We need to study you Tommy. Can't trust your powers fully being back because we do have some weird things ahead.
Oh yeah, we have parents. I almost forgot!
I hope you three didn't try too kill each other in the Dark Dimension and all that...
We'll be here for you...but I still think your dad's a jerk (and mom's a skank who ran off with beardo over there...)
And Tommy has...no one...awkward.
And back with the two students who aren't Power Rangers...
You really want to ruin the party...with your parents around...
Whipped creme pie...I see where this is going...
And right onto Jason's dad. Good aim.
Well that's going to permanently ruin Scott/Bulkmeyer relations.
Whose the old lady that hit Mr. Bulkmeyer? And where the heck did Ms. Applebee come from?
She deserved some of that.
I think Caplain and Applebee deserve each other with their whipped creme.
I'd say they'd be clean..but I see some crap on Jason and Billy at least.
And thus as the Youth Center descends into madness, we depart Angel Grove for another day...
Thoughts: I think despite it being American footage and not even Zyu2 footage, the fight between Tommy and Goldar here has to be his first true fight that didn't evolve Putties since...well, Green with Evil. With that said, I find it weird how they did set up the return of the Green Ranger, but I think it sort of did make sense in the end, with Zordon trying and failing, yet somehow the forcefield Rita and Goldar setting up being the real means to save the powers. It sort of leads some creedence amazingly into the idea that Rita really is the source of the power of the Green Ranger (since she created the coin, the candle and even based a mecha on a fantasy beast like a dragon instead of an ancient one like a dinosaur) and works in it's own way. Obviously there are problems with Tommy being back but pt. 2 of the story actually does work to get him back on the show in a strong way...even if the Dramole plot was rather just "there" to work in the footage Zyu2 had to bring Green Ranger back their own way.
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A review of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers season 1 episodes 48-50: Plague of the Mantis & Return of an Old Friend (Pt. 1 & 2)
© 2017 - 2024 Strangerataru
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I always called it the Disney Quarry of Crossovers. Also and I know this is totally irrelevant but after Pokémon I've been thinking of how your girls would react to becoming the homestay hosts of Kimihito's harem. I can somehow picture Quinn trading barbs woth Rachnera and becoming best friends with Lala personally