[Locke]

Gokaiger 09.

So far, the pacing of the tributes I think has been the most hampering. This one is technically a two parter, sort of, but the fact they found the island in the cold open and they have to actually tell us they've travelled around the world takes some of the impact away from what is happening. Thus the rewards are greater for the characters, than the audience.

That isn't mentioning the baffling continuity problems, every Ranger Power Set comes with an instruction to 'defend the planet', but there had never been much continuity between seasons beyond throw away cross over films so I never really bothered to try and comprehend how it fit together as a bigger picture because as far as things were concerned, there didn't appear to be a bigger picture.

But now Gokaiger is smashing EVERYTHING into the same universe it gets really confusing, how can so many polar opposite forces all be functioning in the same reality? And what have things, like say the Power Animals, been doing all this time if they've still been around the whole time? You could say I am overthinking it, and maybe, but we don't let this shit fly for Super Megaforce so I refuse to let it fly for Gokaiger, even if it is the better show overall.

At least we got a good villain again, Bowser looked all manner of derpy, but he knew how to kick some ass. And for once it wasn't at the sacrifice of some memorable changes. Those Turboranger suits are gorgeous, and although this show didn't feature as many flashy changes as in the last episode, they really captured the Gokaiger's personality, even as they swapped powers, really well. Ironically as ever, some of the best fights were in the Gokaiger suits though. I just love how clearly defined the role of each player is on this team, and how well they gel as one.

The only downside about these bits are the suit actors, what is with that thing where Joe holds his head? Have you ever seen him do that when he's not transformed? It just seems odd to give a Ranger an identifiable pose that seems almost entirely unique to the suit actor. Similar things happened with Red Buster and the crossed fist pat thing. Or the way Gosei Black would hold his weapons, and move his body. I'm sure there are others. None of those things translated to the actual character, despite being so identifiable. It's weird.