[DreamSword]

Episode 18

I feel like even if I hadn't been told that there was a writer change, that I would've gotten the feeling of there being one once this episode hit.

It has alot of the usual telltale signs of such: The quick shooing out of old characters for new ones, the overall air and pacing being much different from the pre-established style, and a hard left turn in terms of plot focus.

Now, granted, BIMA's' already existing elements do lend itself to these things a bit more than most other Toku shows, what with the importance of the Power Stones already having been established and how there's only so many episodes of the show left, but even so, it's all there.

That being said... I did overall like this episode for what it was!

Don't get me wrong, the soap opera elements getting extremely downplayed for the sake of standard Toku high energy is a shame for me, as I rather liked BIMA's' signature style up to now. But, accepting the situation for what it is, I do still like the more standard Tokusatsu energy, and I really liked what they brought to the climax of the episode.

I think it helps that when it comes to Shadow Crisis, they started off with the Zacros Monster, wielder of the Purple Power Stone and my favorite design of the four. Not only does him being an illusionist make for some really cool imagery and a unique fighting style, but the guy just has some great charisma in not only how he presents himself, but also in how, while he does have a job to do in getting the Stones back, he also gets his jollies in messing with Ray's head.

Would I have preferred the change to have not happened? Yeah, most likely. Especially given the new style means less overall character focus. But if the rest of the show is as fun as the last third of this episode was? I think I'll still be in for a good time.