I've tried to analyze toku on an episode-by-episode basis a number of times, but I always run into the same wall. There's just not enough content, so most in-depth analyses force you to nitpick, otherwise you wouldn't have anything to talk about. So now I only discuss a show when I consider an episode exceptional (good or bad) or when I finish the whole thing.

But even then, I find myself being (mostly) lenient. I watch these shows to give my hyperactive inner critic a break. For some reason, when I watch Super Sentai and Kamen Rider, that overclocked inner critic shuts up, and I consume the story with a sense of childlike wonder. (Maybe it's because the shows' flaws are so overt that criticizing them makes one look like an idiot, cause duh, everyone noticed that they were just in a factory, then a rock quarry, then on a beach in 3 consecutive shots, get the fuck over it.) When I scrutinize the shows, it robs me of that feeling of wonder. I'm trying not to do that anymore.

I don't think it's really nitpicking. I like to watch a show, then sit down and think about what I watched. It's not because I can't turn my brain off and enjoy flashy fights, but it's because I enjoy thinking and discussing what I just saw. It's fun to me.

I don't feel as if I'm losing a sense of wonder. I know these people are being hoisted by wires, when miniatures are being used, and when CG is thrown in, but I'm still enjoying the fights like I'm a kid with my face glued to the TV because they're still fun.

I'm not overtly critical because I feel some inner need to ruin everyone's fun (Unless it's Decade), but choosing not to voice a criticism or pointing out a failed effect or scene because I can't "Get the fuck over it" seems nihilistic and childish.

Shit editing is shit editing, I don't see why Sentai or Rider gets a free pass because it...ruins the sense of wonder....eh? I also don't see how genuine issues with the production are...nitpicks...eh?

You don't have to understand why I give it a "free pass." You kinda just have to accept that--barring something egregiously awful--I do.

You're free to engage with the show however you want. Shit editing is shit editing, and it would be nice if it went away. So on that level, I'm glad someone's out there calling it out. I just find that currently I don't have any interest in engaging with this particular material in a highly critical way. By holding it to a lower standard, shit editing, for example, doesn't frustrate me like it would usually. That avoidance of frustration preserves the wonder for me.

At the end of the day, my approach allows me to enjoy these shows more than I would if I were in constant pursuit of flaws. I'm certainly not prescribing this approach for anyone else. This is simply my philosophy.

You do you, brother.

Jetman 13 and 14, what a pair of episodes...

So, Raita reveals to Ako his crush on Kaori, making this a love diamond, however, it's nowhere near as prevalent as the classic love triangle between Ryu, Gai, and Kaori. I must say, while it's nothing new or original (X likes Y, Z likes X, and Y doesn't know what to do), I do enjoy that Kaori isn't pulling a Bella. She's not goading on Gai as if she's romantically interested in him, making his affections more one sided. She's not making the relationship more complicated than it needs to be, so watching it doesn't feel like a high school drama where the internal conflict comes from a "Who will she choose!?" style of scenario. It keeps it tense as the characters are vying for one another, but the central character isn't looking to one character saying "I love you!" then turning to another and saying "But I also love you!"

And while this episode also expanded on the relationship of the Jetmen, it also made the Vyram marginally more interesting. It gave Grey something more to do, and now he's willing to risk his life to protect (What's her name) because he enjoys her piano playing. It's endearing, considering Vyram's entire game is to one up each other to determine who'll rule, but he's doing what he can to help another. I must say, Grey is easily my favorite Vyram so far. He's mysterious, but there is something to him. He's defined by his mystery, but that's not all there is to him as it stands, making him interesting. I'm curious about him, which is more than what I can say about Power Glove or the Smurf.

The ending was also rather strong, too. I enjoyed it, seeing Gai ride away in a storm of emotions before crashing.

Gokaiger 42.

I don't want to take Damaras' being a badass away from him, as it was VERY enjoyable but did we really have to wait forty two episodes for this? He's literally done nothing for forty one episodes and I get that slow build reaps greater payoff but this is taking the piss a little. Especially as the introduction to his badassery was to undermine Basco who's been the only good villain in the show up to this point.

At least it looks like the show is finally picking up a bit, I did initially like how the Gokaiger were badass and not just a bunch of hapless rookies but when you mirror that against such a pathetic, ineffective and useless villain group it got pretty dull pretty fast. We know the villains aren't ever going to win, but it'd be nice if they at least put up a fight. But minus Basco, I think they put up a fight maybe three times before Damaras came in like a steam train?

This has been a hard show to pin down, as it's a pretty damn great series and it has no truly gamebreaking flaws but when I try and think over what I love about the series I find it hard to get excited for as there are just so many little annoying niggles.

I need to input Jetman into my life. I've seen abit here and there, and it seems badass. Not sure about Gai's death though. I felt like it should've been manlier but it seemed real, ya know?

I really, really liked the way they did it. I felt it showed that even a hero's life is fragile and can be taken away by a common tragedy.

From what I watched a long time ago before I was really into Sentai shows, I don't remember if the members of Jetman had, I guess, superhuman qualities? Like, I remember the members of Dekaranger we're basically human, except Jasmine was an esper, so I've always wondered if Gai was just a regular guy or if he has something special that would've made his assault meaningless I guess. I know at times shows utilize plot intended stupidity or PIS to get things going a certain way, but I was never sure and it's bugged me.

I'm still not all that crazy about it, honestly. I feel it detracts from the show as it just feels off.

Hmmmmmm, let me go to a wedding and die there, putting a horrible memory into my friends' greatest day as opposed to just going to the hospital for treatment.