[DreamSword]

We're in my top 6 now! Can't wait for you all to tell me how crazy I am for having this list in the order that I do!

Zeo

Pre-Show Preamble

If you were to ask a given fan when Power Rangers truly started to evolve, most would reply with In Space, and I can't blame them. PRIS is what introduced alot of themes and ideas into the franchise that still continue onto this day. I am in no way denying its spot in Ranger history.

However, if you were to ask me that question, Zeo is the response I'd give. Even if it only came about due to running out of budget for original suit footage, PRZ was the season where everything changed.

New suits, a new character in Tanya, a new theme song, a new set of villains unrelated to Rita, and, most importantly, a new focus on furthering character development for the cast.

See, not many people give the season credit for this, but Zeo put alot of emphasis on balancing teen drama with the typical superhero action that the show had become known for. It was here that many characters who were originally left in the dust would get their due. Heck, it's the reason why I will always see Rocky and Adam as Zeo Blue and Green, respectively.

It was the point where the writers, directors, heck, the staff of the show at Saban in general seemed to collectively decide "You know, let's step this up a notch." They knew they'd have to put in the extra effort to win people over once the Mighty Morphin' name and aesthetic had been dropped, and I'd say they certainly succeeded! I remember back when I was first getting into the internet as a whole, MMPR fans and PRZ fans would go at it all the time over which was better. Zeo has a big fanbase!

And while the increased character development is what I mainly wanna highlight with this episode, it doesn't have to do with Rocky or Adam(well, sorta). Instead, it's about who else other than two of my favorite characters ever?

Episode 12: Instrument of Destruction

stronger than before...

GOOO, ZE-O!!

*ahem* Sorry, dunno what came over me there.

Anyway, the set-up this time is that it's Queen Machina's birthday, and because she likes classical music, King Mondo decides that the best course of action is to kidnap a mysterious piano player at Angel Grove High.

Adam is technically the protagonist this time around, as it's him we follow throughout a majority of the episode. He's the first to notice the Cogs sneaking around school grounds, and I just love that they actively dance while searching for the source of the piano playing. Never gets old.

Both parties reach the source at the same time, only for the mysteriously cloaked pianist to escape at the last moment. So now it's Cogs vs Adam, so what do the Cogs do?

They go "yeah-no screw this" and leave immediately. That still makes me laugh even today.

Afterward, Ms. Rodriguez reassigns both Adam and Skull to the same classical music class. Tommy and Kat are supportive of Adam and cheer him on, whereas Bulk makes the assertion that anyone who actually likes classical music is a total dweeb and not a cool guy, like him and Skull.

During the class, Skull actually compliments Adam on his piano playing skills. A rather subtle hint, I'd say.

Later, the cogs try to kidnap the Phantom Pianist again, but the Rangers who aren't Rocky and Tanya are there to stop them, and I feel like this whole scene really does go to show how much Adam's' character got expanded. He does some stuff that made me legit laugh like dancing with a Cog while beating other ones up, and then using another one as a surfboard.

Pictured: Adam on his way to secure his newfound personality.

The hunt doesn't stop there though, because Mondo later opts to just turn the school piano into the next Monster of the Week, Fortissimodo, which prompts the rest of the Rangers into action.

Ahh, this brand new Morphing Sequence. I wanna take a sec here to note for the longest time that I never got why they assigned themselves numbers like they did. I always figured "Well since Tommy is the leader, shouldn't he be Zeo Ranger 1?" It was only relatively recently that it hit me: Their number corresponds to the number of angles, points, or sides that their shape has. So the reason Tommy is Zero Ranger 5 is because his shape is the star: Five points.

The fight scene is fun like always, but the biggest takeaway in the episode is the final couple of scenes afterward. Adam discovers that Skull is the Phantom Pianist, and Skull fully admits that he's always had a fondness for classical music despite his punk rocker persona. Adam tells Skull he should be proud of his talent, but Skull thinks everyone will make fun of him for it, especially Bulk. Adam reassures Skull that if Bulk is truly his friend, then Bulk will support Skull all the way regardless.

The final sequence is just really well done in general. When Skull gets on stage, everyone on the ground floor is snickering, groaning, not expecting anything good, and then Skull plays and everyone is absolutely floored. The look on Rocky's' face especially never fails to get a laugh out of me. Bulk arrives soon enough, and when Skull begins to stammer...

Bulk admits that he was wrong to put the art down, and that he's proud of Skull for being able to create such wonderful music. It's a truly heart-warming moment that shows that yes, they might be trouble makers, but Bulk and Skull really are best friends to the end. True friends won't shun you for your interests and hobbies, and will instead embrace them with you.

Overall this episode offers a great life lesson on top of wonderful character moments. Bulk, Skull, and yes, even Adam, all get to shine here, and it's the episode that always comes to my mind first and foremost whenever I think of Zeo as a season.

After-Show Bonus