[DreamSword]

Dino Thunder

Pre-Show Preamble

Somewhat similar to Dino Charge, Dino Thunder is another season that I feel I never really "got."

Again, many fans put it near the top, if not at THE top of the list for best Power Ranger seasons, some even calling it "the Time Force of the Disney Era" among many other high compliments. Heck, even many "Sentai Only" fans seem to like it from what I've seen!

And again I just... I dunno, it doesn't really do that much for me? The pacing in the early episodes is atrocious for one. Conner is a douche who takes too long to fully come around, certain aspects of the plot require you to think of Trent as Anton's' biological son despite him being adopted(such as the lock on the White Dino Gem), and it also has one of my most hated episodes in the entire series("Bully for Ethan").

But I still like the season overall! Yeah, don't get me wrong, there IS alot to like here. First off, the goal was clear from the start: Create a(n at the time) modern update to Mighty Morphin', and I'd say they succeeded for the most part. Tommy being the mentor, while it didn't have the best execution, was a great idea and lead to some great moments. And of course, the overall coolness factor of the White Ranger, although for the first time my favorite character wasn't a Ranger; it was Devin, who makes up half the comedy duo with Cassidy.

Oh, and this season, while not the first to have the "Civilian Powers"(that would be In Space) was what made it an overall staple of the Disney Era. Some liked it, others didn't. I'll let you guess what side I'm on.

I think the biggest takeaway I got from the season though, was how much respect it not only showed for itself, but for the Toku medium as a whole. And that is no better exemplified than in this episode. One that any fan of Dino Thunder will not at all be surprised to see listed.

Episode 19: Lost & Found in Translation

The set up is simple: It's late, and not much is going on other than homework. Ethan, being the nerd he is, decides to take advantage of Hayley's' new satellite dish to watch foreign TV. Kira is down to end the night on a high note, but Conner is disinterested, that is until it's revealed what exactly begins to play on the TV...

It's Abaranger, complete with the theme song and everything! Of course, in the context of the PR universe, Super Sentai is a Japanese show based on the Rangers, but yeah, this episode is literally the show runners doing their best to shake hands with the Japanese staff.

The personalities of Conner, Kira, and Ethan are all written perfectly here too. Ethan is hooked instantly, Kira is a bit cautious but willing to give the show a chance, and Conner does his best to try and find everything and anything to complain about.

The purpose is thus made clear; To try and give a stance as to why exactly people to this day not only like Power Rangers, but Toku shows in general. Every time Conner complains something is weird, or unrealistic, or stupid, Ethan and Kira are there to remind him not to rain on their parade and explain why they're personally having fun with what they're watching.

I especially love that the makers of DT knew exactly what episode of Abaranger to choose for this one too, where the evil plot is to give everyone a bad hair day. It's the type of plot straight out of MMPR! The Tommy of the show is even absent for most of it due to a dumb reason! Conner of course is dismissive, but again, Kira and Ethan are like "Bro chill, just try to have fun with it."

In the end, it's not just the action scenes, but the heart and soul of what the episode is saying that wins Conner over, to the point he even uses it for his social studies project. And so the episode ends, but this line from Kira really brings it home, I feel:

"We're not so different, we're just a slightly different interpretation."

After-Show Bonus

Did you know the show runners originally wanted Devin to be a US original Sixth Ranger until it was discovered they didn't have the budget? I could never find a concrete answer to what exact Ranger he would be, but answers/theories range from making Red's' Triassic Mode its own Ranger to a Green Ranger who'd pilot the Parasaur Zord. But me personally? I would've loved if he'd been the series first Purple Ranger, and pilot to the Stego Zord. What do you all think?