Don't worry. Ever since Kakuranger, I've learned that at least 2 rangers get the shaft in terms of character and plot. While I understand why, it's still kind of disappointing.

Also, it's calming to know that at least there is one point that everyone seems to agree on. That the child of the week plots are bad. I'm so excited :I
I do hope Burai's plotline is more than "Stuff happens" though.

It really depends on what you mean by stuff happens. Because in toku shows, it is always only stuff happens.

BTW, these are the episodes that make up the plot for Zyu: 1-10, 17-22, 28-32, 33, 37, 40-42, 47-50. That is 30 episodes, which is more than half of the series. That is a little more than the majority of the Sentai series out there. Granted, it isn't as story driven as Dairanger, but far more plot based episodes than anything I have seen from the 80s.

Oh yeah, speaking of the 80s, I do want to say that like what XW said, Liveman is a great show. The problem is, Liveman is ruined by its 50 episode requirement because the show starts to drag in the late 20s and the two additional rangers feel forced in just to do something new with the characters. Thankfully, the villains do make up for what it lacks.

"Stuff happens" as in events just occur with no rhyme or reason. Even if it is connected to the plot, like the giant monster in the first episode, he just...Appears.

Zyuranger 3.
They realize the weapons at base are old and weak, just breaking from training, so they make the decision to get the Legendary Weapons from the land of despair. However, the feeling of helplessness and misery will turn anyone there to stone. Also, if you're there for more than 24 hours, you also get turned to stone. Charming.
In the meantime, Bandora sends a boy and his mother to the same place, upping the difficulty.

And that's all.
Zyuranger has a lot of fighting.
Most episodes of Kuuga had me going like this at episode's end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qnQpFZKaFE

But here? My favorite Sentai is martial arts based, and it doesn't have as much fighting as Zyu o-o

Just started Shinkenger, and I'm at episode 12. I'm impressed so far with the show overall. However, I'm not drawn as much to the characters as I have been in other Sentai. I don't like the villians, and I feel like I'm having to endure the interludes where they're plotting and talking in the underworld or on that river they're on.

The mecha are a little bit strange and confusing, but after attempting to watch Ninninger, it's a breath of fresh air.

Back to the characters, I find everyone is a bit too stuck in their character development and it seems like the only one that isn't overdoing it is Kotoha. Her bravery is clear and she plays it the right way. However, Ryu's constant apologizing is getting on my nerves, Chiaki is a jerk most of the time, and Mako just feels almost invisible.

Takeru just feels like a downer all of the time. I understand he's the lord and everything, but my goodness....he's yet to really crack a smile. I figured he would be over this whole act in the first few episodes sort of like how Utsusemimaru was standoffish for a while until he was comfortable showing his true caring self. I'm sure this is all leading up to something, but it is hard trying to get into the characters and enjoy them if I don't LIKE them.

I had just finished Go-Onger before this and I find the serious nature is so thick with Shinkenger. I probably should have watched something else in-between...this has been a real shift in tone for sure.

Also, does anyone know how many people work for the Shiba clan? I'm talking about the folks that run around with the maps and the white banners. There must be a lot of folks that make that operation run!!

Overalll, I'm liking it, but I'm hoping for something more to deepen my emotional connection.

Just hang in there, man! The last 10 episodes of Shinkenger are some of the best Sentai has to offer. You do have to wade through a lot of boring stuff before getting there, but it's so worth it!

LOL, I made it to episode 17 yesterday and realized that yes, they were all a bit stoic. and Yes, Genta is the most relief I've felt in a Sentai so far. They really needed his dynamic. I'm excited about the series going forward now. I feel with him on board, there is more balance and it's a bit more exciting.

Needing break from the all out insanity that is Carranger, and being a bit excited for the revealing of the next Sentai being animal themed, I thought I'd finally get around to trying Gaoranger. I have to say in the same amount of episodes of Gao that I have seen of Car, I'm a lot more invested in Gao.

Whereas Carranger is a bit more episodic and random, Gao immediately setsup the story, backstory, the characters and their personalities, and to a degree the villains. It also slowly begins to develop those characters, Red slowly becoming a bit more serious and a stern leader, Yellow learning to accept Red and relax, and Black learning to never give up. I'll admit that the cast of Carranger is a lot more interesting to watch, but from a story and development standpoint, Gao is better. To put it simply, I feel as if I want to invest in Gaoranger and marathon it compared to Carranger which hasn't really introduced any big story points and is akin to a variety show that works great in small doses.

I'll say though, Gao is pretty damn brutal. Episode 2 probably had some of the most horrific attack on civilians I've seen, and the way the grunt Orgs just get taken out are, well, brutal. Same goes to the MOTW with how much they scream and sort of bleed when they're defeated, only leaving behind a pile of waste. Nasty man.

So yeah, while I am entertained by Carranger I think I'd rather just invest my time in Gao for the time being since it keeps me attention and has me wanting to see where the story goes next, whereas Carranger assault you with so much humor in an episode with so little story that you almost need a nap or a downer afterwards.

Curious though, where are you up to on Car?

Gao is a good show as it was my first Sentai series.

Have gotten through some more of Gao and with more episodes under the belt I can discuss it a bit more. But it isn't all that interesting or exicting of a discussion.

Gao's story is nice and the episodes devoted to it advancing are pretty good. Heck even the episodes which are almost more fillerly but still plot related work out nicely. Unfortunately I've come to the first real break of plot to where I'm in filler land for a while. Sure there was some before this, but only two ever struck me as outright filler. Here though I'm just trudging through it before the next Power Animal and Roki pops up. So for the story I've seen so far it isn't bad, not the most exciting, but not bad.

The characters are a little nice too. I enjoy watching them and they can be fun to watch. But to be honest I don't find myself really caring for them. They just sort of exist and I can't really grab onto one of them as a favorite or a least favorite. They're just meh. Maybe part of it is because they haven't truly developed yet, heck the last real development was with the first Black/Blue centric episode. So hopefully they'll start to grow more and I can grab onto one then, and hey, Silver's coming up soon. But like the story they just seem very meh and average. The villains fall into the same category, maybe lower though since we only ever spend time with TsueTsue and Zabaiba and they kinda get formulaic really fast.

I paused watching Carranger due to needing a break before the acid trip it is drove me mad as well as feeling as if I wasn't truly getting anywhere with it. Gaoranger has corrected some of that, but it's doing so in a way that isn't really slow but not really fast paced. Average is the best way to describe everything so far aside from the mecha and music. You could say the show is on idle right now, so I hope it kicks into gear soon, and it should from my memory of the Zenaku saga in Wild Force. But who knows.

I got up to seven before I made the decision to take a break.