[Sh Ranger]

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Originally Posted by DreamSword

Episode 23: Zapped

It also doesn't help that the point of view ping-pongs all over the place on this one. It starts with Sam, then shifts to B-Squad as a whole, then it becomes a Syd+Bridge episode? It's odd in how it's handled.

Well, what's a magic show-themed episode without a little misdirection, right?

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Originally Posted by DreamSword

For example, the implication that one of the reasons Sam is so gung-ho is because he's used to working solo.

Yeah, I figured. Without SPD in the bad future, Sam wouldn't have much training in synchronized tactics. I guess he's kind of like Aiyon in that way, with how he tries to aggressively carry the fight so his comrades don't have to risk their lives, not realizing that his life is also important and Rangers should protect each other.

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Originally Posted by DreamSword

It's an odd choice for sure, but hey, atleast we get a cool mech out of it.

It adds extra play value to the toy, but in action, it's kind of disappointing compared to the awesome bike action we got in Episode 22. Maybe it's a credit to the Omegamax Cycle that it actually does more than I need it to do.

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Originally Posted by DreamSword

Episodes 24+25: Reflection

If one were to sum up part 1 in its most simple of aspects, well, it's our Battlizer episode! And man, the SPD Battlizer, while not my favorite in the franchise, IS really cool, just like how most of them are. In terms of pure aesthetic, I love how it has two modes it can swap between, the finisher is one of the coolest in Power Rangers, and it's the biggest function of our boy RIC!

It ties into the overall story rather nicely as well; showcasing just how far that Jack has come with his swordsmanship, and while it's never directly stated, I like to believe the technology for it came about thanks to Sam, given how the suit also utilizes a recolor of the Omega Morpher. The mere existence of the suit itself and how it's exclusive to the Red Ranger is also what triggers some painful memories to come to the forefront for Sky.

I appreciate how Jack's swordsmanship training actually paid off, as this retroactively shows that Episode 18 was a lot more important to his arc than it may have originally seemed, even more than the episode it was adapted from. Like Doggie taught him, the sword is only as strong as its user and Jack totally makes this Battlizer look cool!

More functionality for RIC further proves that he's still far from being obsolete as well. These two guys are both underdogs in their own ways, so it's fitting that they emphasize each other's hidden strengths and this concept of two becoming one must have been popular, as the next 2 shows repeated it.

The repaint of the Omega Morpher is good symbolism to remind the viewer that this power only exists thanks to the intervention of Omega Ranger that saved SPD. Could even be a case of reverse causality, if this inspired the Omega Morpher in the future. Even if it didn't physically exist, there might've been a blueprint or something.

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Originally Posted by DreamSword

And then there's Sky. Chris Violette does a great job at showing the emotional turmoil Sky goes through in alot of his focus episodes, and most especially these two. His lashing out at Jack and Cruger is totally understandable, and it's absolutely believable how much Sky loved his father. The climax of the episode, where Sky gets to be the Red Ranger and equip the Battlizer is one of the most iconic scenes in the entire show for many a good reason. It's not even a fight; Mirloc stands no chance from the start, and it is oh so satisfying to see.

Sky earned that Red Ranger moment for sure. He's come a long way from being that self-entitled a**hole at the start to becoming a reliable teammate and close friend. Him conceding the Morpher back to Jack after the fight is a good moment of acknowledgement that he knows he still has more to learn as the Blue Ranger before he can feel worthy of a permanent color change. The old Sky would never have done that so unreluctantly.

This being mostly a Sky focus episode though, I think it would've been better if he had a more active role in foiling Mirloc's scheme, instead of Sam having to bail him out along with the others. As mentioned, the episode this was adapted from was focused on Sam's counterpart, so him getting to be the hero made more sense there. Of course, I'm not going to deduct points for meta stuff, but with Sam being such a big part of this episode, I believe this is another case where the lack of emotional connection to him, as well as between him and Mirloc, is a detriment to the narrative.