Episode 48 - Plague Of The Mantis

Trini is learning Mantis Kung Fu from a random master. She is not very good at it. The most honorable tradition is a fair fight - go in equal numbers. The random master gives her an actual preying mantis to observe.

Bulk and Skull are watching, and they start calling what Trini is doing "Bug Fu." Then they decide to go find a bug of their own to imitate, so that they can charge people to learn from them. Then Bulk gets covered in a milkshake.

Rita decides to send down a mantis monster because of what Trini is learning.

The other Rangers are watching, and Jason says they might all have to learn to keep up with her, but Trini is really struggling with it. Zack is scared of the bug. We're amazed that they remembered. They ask why Trini wanted to learn, and she says because it emphasizes fairness. Apparently it is a REAL challenge not to cheat.

Bulk and Skull show up claiming to be masters of the mystical cockroach kung fu. Zack is freaked out, and Kimberly is disgusted. Skull asks Kimberly out, and she says she doesn't date bugs. Bulk and Skull demonstrate their "skills" and then the Rangers run off to go to the library.

Trini is in the park practicing, when Zordon calls her and says that there's something suspicious in the park. She goes to look, and sees the Mantis monster. It actually looks like one! We're impressed. She tells Zordon to call for backup, and then morphs.

Trini is getting beaten up, and then the other Rangers show up. The monster says that Trini has no honor, because they attacked it with unequal numbers.

Back at the Command Center, Trini feels awful because it's like they cheated. But as Zack points out, it is a MONSTER BUG. So, I don't even know. Trini goes to the Youth Center to practice, where a note mysteriously appears for her. She reads it and leaves, but doesn't take the note. The note turns out to be from the monster, who offers Trini the chance to redeem her honor by fighting individually.

The other Rangers read the note, and decide to investigate. They run over to the quarry, even though they have teleporation abilities. On the way, they get attacked by Putties while Trini is fighting the Mantis. Trini starts to win, so the Mantis brings in a bunch more putties. Trini asks the monster about its honor, and it points out that it HAS no honor, it is one of Rita's monsters.

Zordon finally decides that he should tell the others that Trini is in trouble, so even though they haven't finished with the putties yet, they morph and go join in. I wonder what happened to the putties. When Trini sees them she lets the Mantis know that now it's a fair fight.

Rita makes the monster grow, and we get a long Zord summoning sequence. Trini tells them to watch the Mantis' footwork, and also that it will concentrate all of its energy on a quick single blow. Even with watching its feet, they get hit pretty quickly, and then summon the power sword. They actually fight with the sword for a minute, instead of just using the finishing move. But then Jason decides he's had enough, and the bug gets squished.

Back on the moon, Rita is beating her minions with her wand. At the Command Center, Zordon congratulates Trini, and Billy can't keep his hands off Trini.

At the Youth Center, most of the Rangers are watching Random Reporter guy talk about how awesome they are, while Trini is practicing with Master Li. She's much better this time. Bulk and Skull are trying to charge $50 an hour for lessons, and then they manage to break the jar with cockroaches, and Bulk gets covered in roaches, while the Rangers point and laugh. Eww.

Fish: 2. They remembered that Zack is scared of bugs!

Covered in: Bulk gets covered with cockroaches. EWW. Also, a milkshake.

Billy speak: None! *sadface*