[DreamSword]

Episode 29: Katastrophe

This is another of my personal favorite episodes.

But before we get into the primary meat of it, I wanna point out just how many wonderful subtleties there are throughout this episode.

It's mostly in the language of alot of the cast, both verbal and physical. This episode is written by Jackie Marchland(who also wrote "Wired") and directed by Britta Johnstone, and I feel like these two put alot of work into these aspects.

The biggest highlight for me being Sam, wherein this episode has a scene showing that he does hang out with the rest of B-Squad during his downtime, and there's a specific line from Cruger that I feel explains his role in the story rather well. That being that Sam is the first Sixth Ranger in the franchise that is primarily a supporter, rather than a frontliner like most are.

All the other scenes are no slouch either. Not only is the trend of how SPD very skillfully intermingles with the Dekaranger stock footage still preserved, but the inner logic of the cast is portrayed very clear cut without feeling as though it's being just pure exposition. The way that the cast treats Kat's' situation in this episode feels rather natural, understandable, and in character for all involved.

So what's the situation? Well, remember when Supreme Commander Birdy noted that Kat deserves a promotion? He's back to make good on that statement. Kat is conflicted about whether or not to take the job at Supreme Headquarters, and while the Rangers aren't 1000% comfortable with the idea, they understand that it's probably what's best for Kat in the long run, and thus do all they can do nudge her into going. It goes a long way in showing just how close nit the main cast has become, and I dig it.

Notably though, when things go awry without Kat around, her decision to return is treated with just as much respect. It's the sort of thing that on a base level, kids can dig because it means a likable character gets to stay around, but adults can appreciate due to the relation it has to the working world. Some people genuinely don't care to move up the corporate ladder for one reason or another, and that this episode portrays such a mentality as equally valid as those who do strive to be at the top is very much appreciated. Episodes like this really stand against the idea some have that the franchise totally leaves its older fanbase out of mind.

But regardless of your age range, the one thing that nearly everyone remembers most about this episode is the Kat Ranger, and over the years, the primary reason for that has shifted quite a bit. In the early days, it was simply cool to see a side character that many liked become a Power Ranger, even if only temporarily. Then as time passed and knowledge of Super Sentai grew, the more vocally critical sections of the fandom complained about the suit being called Kat Ranger when the suit is "obviously" swam based(because it's known as DekaSwan in Japan). And... I dunno, maybe I'm just biased due to having seen SPD first, but the suit really looks more catlike to me?

The big ol' cat ears are the biggest signifier here, but even besides that, the suit actor notably fights via clawing her opponents. Really, the only thing that kinda-sorta says "swan" to me is the feathers on the shoulders, but even then it's not like this is the only instance of wings being used as a motif on these suits(see: Omega Ranger). Regardless, SPD knows how to make every new Ranger give a grand entrance, and Kat Ranger here is no exception. I absolutely love her fighting style, with the swirls, twirls, and clawing curls that make for a very fun action climax to the episode. It being immediately followed by a fun emotional resolution, with Kat, Boom, and the rest of B-Squad really only helps make the whole thing even better in the end.

While that basically sums it all up for the episode itself, there is one other aspect that I wanna bring up, because it's another reason that people remember the Kat Ranger nowadays; And that is the debate over what color she is. Some say she's White, others say she's Orange, and her suit being very half and half on both those colors don't help matters. Now, officially, she's classified as a White Ranger, but what doesn't help is that other media has referred to her as an Orange Ranger before(such as Battle for the Grid), and fuel was only added to the fire when Hasbro advertised Cosmic Fury as having the very first Orange Ranger in the Power Rangers franchise. Many would argue that Kat deserves that title instead. Me personally, I side with White primarily due to it being one of the two colors Kat tends to wear, as well as it being the color of her Morpher.

Either way one sees it though, I really just dig Kat Ranger as a whole, and I've always been rather sad that she was temporary. Probably a relief on the part of the show runner's' budget, though.