[DreamSword]

I'm of two minds on this episode.

I always felt that, new weapon upgrade aside, the basic plot of this episode should've probably been the first Trip focused episode we got, rather than the second.

Not helping is that, the basic idea of one of the Rangers trying to find their role is moreso one that immediately fits Wes rather than Trip, and given how certain scenes flow, I wouldn't be surprised if that was the original idea.

And as many other viewers have pointed out over the years, not having Trip be the one who defeats the monster in the end kinda-sorta gives off the implication that he's not someone who's worthy of having the spotlight, even when it involves his very own invention.

But on the other hand, the emotional core of this episode really does work. Trip being the outcast already fits in with how he's the only alien on the team, let alone empath. And having the episode being focused on the gadgeteer does help to highlight how beating up bad guys isn't the only thing that makes a Ranger worthwhile, let alone anyone else.

Plus, that ending, where Trip is the one who saves the kids? That's such a bigger victory than freezing a mutant could ever be, and that whole sequence, plus the celebration of Trip himself at the end, really does tug at my heart strings every time that I see it. It just goes to show that people tend to the shine the brightest when they're being true to themselves, rather than trying to chase the highs set by someone else.

Could it be better in a few ways? Yeah, but I still have a big soft spot for this episode.