[DreamSword]

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Mystic Force

Pre-Show Preamble

To make a comparison to the Toku franchise my friend loves most, Mystic Force is very much the Faiz of the Power Rangers franchise to me.

What I mean by that is, with Faiz, I really dug the first two acts, but then the third act hit and, well, let's just say I wasn't much of a fan. With Mystic Force it's the same way. I really like the first two thirds of the show, but then good ol' Disney higher-ups came in and cut the episode count down from it's originally planned 40 to 32 at the last minute, resulting in some very rushed pacing among other issues the last act has. "The Light" is the episode where things start to roll downhill, unfortunately.

Despite that though, I always look at Mystic Force fondly. The effects, for the time, were pretty good and creative; Something sort of required in a magic-focused season. The sets and costumes, while not as out and out amazing as the ones in SPD, were still dynamic and nice to look at. And, my issues with how some characters turn out aside, the dynamic and interactions between said characters were all done rather well!

And in today's episode that's what we'll be primarily focusing on. Character relations and interactions, mainly between what I consider the two of the Best Trio that Mystic Force has to offer: Chip and Vida. (If you're curious, the third of the Best Trio is Koragg.)

The friendship between Chip and Vida is one that I appreciated for alot of reasons. First off, they remain completely platonic throughout the entirety of the show's' run, something not often seen in media, which typically force relationships between men and women because hey, they can't just simply be friends! Second, both characters in and of themselves are extremely likeable. Chip with his goofy but good-hearted personality, which plays off perfectly against Vida's' more rebellious but still caring level-headed demeanor.

Heck, Vida actually was my favorite Pink Ranger until Ranger Slayer happened, and Chip is easily my second favorite Yellow Ranger. And that's why whenever I think of Mystic Force, the following episode is always the one that pops into my head:

Episodes 8+9: Stranger Within

Okay yeah, I am technically cheating with this one since it's a two parter, so if you think it shouldn't count, then go watch the third episode, "Code Busters" instead, since it lays down alot of groundwork for this two-parter and is the episode that got me hooked into the show.

Also quick and fun side bit before we get into the plot, Mystic Force's' theme song has always been controversial, so as we were loading up the first episode, the following conversation happened between my bud and I:

Me: Oh man I can't wait for you to hear this theme song.

Him: Well SPD's' was really good so yeah man this should be a blast.

*the first few notes of the song play*

Him: Oh yeah this is pretty goo-

Song: HERE COME THE POWER RANGERS!

Him: *sits in stunned silence for the remainder of the song.*

Hahahaha, love it. Me personally? I like the theme song! Is it out of place in a Harry Potter inspired show? Yeah, but the song itself is catchy, and I still find myself humming it every now and then to this day.

What's the set-up? Leelee invites Nick, Xander, and Vida to see a new talent in town, DJ Fly, whos's apparently the hottest new thing. Nick, being an abrasive douche like always, tells Leelee to buzz off, and that they're busy. But Vida, being a DJ herself, is interested, and opts to go anyway, despite her obligations as a Power Ranger.

The next day, Vida is notably more abrasive and aggressive than usual, showing off a new pose, and even going so far as to take on a group of Hidiacs herself. Everyone is impressed except for Chip, who notices that something is really wrong with this entire situation.

Koragg then shows up, and one thing that's always great about Koragg, other than just being a really cool character in general, is that the fight scenes involving him are always the best in the show with cool spells, great choreography, and I mean really, who doesn't love a good Anti-Paladin?

The fight is cut short though when the light of the sun causes Vi to collapse. Thankfully, the Rangers are able to put two and two together enough to realize something must've happened at the party.

Remember how I criticized Overdrive for having Dax be the first one to have suspicions about Mack's' photo? Well in this situation, having Chip be the first one to notice something is off makes sense, because it falls perfectly in line with his quirks rather than despite them. He's the one who puts together that Vi has been turned into a vampire thanks to him being part of a vampire hunting club, because really why wouldn't the dude who runs around playing superhero with glee be a part of one? And him being the first to notice how different Vi is helps to further highlight the close bond that the two actually have.

When Chip and Vi go to investigate DJ Fly, I like how Chip is able to resist the hypnotic song by pointing out he thinks Vi's' music is better, and I also like how without out and out saying it, the show, well, shows us that it's not the song that turns people into vampires, but rather hypnotizes them, thus leaving them open for Necrolai or Flytrap to bite and turn. Also Flytrap(the monster) sucks blood from the victims. Gross, but in the best way. Chip tries, but ultimately fails in rescuing the people at the party.

Afterward, we get one of my favorite scenes in the season, which goes into Vi and Chip's' backstory a bit, and Vida telling Chip that, if it comes between her and everyone else, Chip should choose everyone else. Chip isn't down with that idea, and proclaims he'll fight for his friends until his last breath. It's really touching, and is probably the scene that cemented these two as part of my favorite Trio from the season. (Koragg had been decided beforehand.)

When it comes to the rest of the team, I like how Madison's' interest in film-making and video recording comes in great use here, as Vi not showing up on video gets the team to believe Chip about Vi being a vampire. And it's another point to how I never understood why fans claim Madison never gets to do anything. Does she have less focus than the others? Yes, but that's not to say she has none. She has alot of standout moments through the show, and I feel that this is one of them.

The fight at the end is really cool, and can I take this time to mention just how cool the Titan Megazord is? Because man it's an awesome design, and all the cool stuff that it gets to do really helps to sell it too. In this fight alone we have the spell that shoots out a flurry of blades at Flytrap.

In the end of Part 1, it's revealed that Vi isn't cured, due to her not being able to cross a circle made of Vampire Chalk. I love the subtle foreshadowing with Leelee done here, with her backing off the second Chip whips the chalk out.

Part 2 starts off really strong. As soon as the team figures out that Nick is able to contact Koragg the same way Koragg has been calling to him, who's the first to rush off? Chip. And I love the funny little turnaround of Claire actually being the one to keep Vida contained, and it's high-and-mighty Xander who falls for Vi's' trick to get out of the chalk circle.

Udonna had great foresight as a mentor, gathering up the ingredients for the Dawn Crystal upon realizing Necrolai had turned Vi. And another great Madison moment here; Even though she's doing her best to hold it together, you can tell this whole situation is really getting to her, considering Vi is her sister and all. She even tears up. Props to Melanie Vallejo for being able to pull that off! Chip opts to stay behind and forge the crystal while everyone else hunts for Vi and Necrolai. And you can tell while he's mixing that he loves this stuff, haha.

When Vida arrives the next day without a scratch, yet again, who's the first to recognize something is off? Chip. Without being blatant about it, Chip shows visible confusion about Vi very clearly not recognizing the pose he does. Man I love that posing is a legitimate plot point in a Toku show!

Also acid apples. That's surprisingly hardcore.

When Necrolai appears and the fight breaks out, Chip goes after Necrolai himself while the rest of the team tries their best to detain a possessed Vida. I love the change-up in Vida's' usual fighting style here, with her using her staff more like an axe, rather than throwing around tornado spells like how she normally does.

Once the Dawn Crystal is prepped, Necrolai opts to use Vida as a shield, presenting Chip with a cruel choice: Either fire, taking down Necrolai, but also likely killing his best friend in the process, or hold off, leaving Necrolai and Vi to wreck havoc. I've made it known that I'm a huge sucker for Power of Friendship moments, especially when they're out and out earned, and Mystic Force most certainly earns its moment here. Chip's' belief in Vida manages to break her free of Necrolai's' hypnosis long enough for the team to put Necrolai down, and even unlock an awesome new finisher for the Titan Megazord!

The episode ends with a great hook for future episodes, that being the connection between Leelee and Necrolai.

Overall, many fans point to Dark Wish as being the best multi-parter in the show, but for me? Stranger Within has it all. Great action, good acting, an engaging plot, and wonderful character dynamics. It's a perfect example of almost everything the season has to offer, and I love it.

After-Show Bonus

If you're not really a fan of Mystic Force's' theme song, Ron Wasserman actually made a song for the show himself which is alot better, but got rejected due to Disney really wanting a rap song because hey, the kids, they listen to the rap music. Check it out.