Episode 167 - Instrument of Destruction

Double recap tonight! To try and make up for being so behind.

There are not enough words to express how much I love this episode. It has so many things I love! Adam is a writer! Bulk and Skull have character development! The cogs are completely hilarious! Basically, the only way it would have been better for me would be if Adam made out with either Tanya or Rocky. (Or both.)

So! The episode begins with skipping Cogs, who are doing their best to replace the Zputties in my heart. They are skipping to the beat of mysterious piano music. Apparently the only other person in the school is Adam, who chases them through the school, trying to figure out a) what they're up to and b) what's with the music. It turns out that they've been sent by Sprocket, since it's Queen Machina's birthday, and he and King Mondo need a present. Clearly, some people appreciate good music. The Mysterious Cloaked Piano Player runs away, and then the Cogs run away from Adam.

Later, the Worst Guidance Counselor Ever (Ms. Rodriquez) confronts Adam in the hallway, and says she wants to make some changes to his schedule. It seems that he's already taken creative writing twice (and he points out that he got an A in it both times) and she wants him to be more well rounded, so she's changed his schedule so he's taken classical music. Adam does not look too pleased, and Bulk starts mocking him, and Skull joins in at Bulk's urging, CLEARLY overcompensating for something. Tommy and Kat defend Adam (who really looks annoyed - I would be too!) and say it's good that he's branching out. Except it wasn't his choice.

I'm not really sure why Worst Guidance Counselor Ever is changing his schedule in the middle of the semester, or why she gets to do it without consulting him, but that is why she's the Worst Ever.

By the way, this episode is entirely responsible for my fanon that Adam's real career is scifi/fantasy writer, and that he just runs a dojo in his spare time because he can.

Anyway, it turns out that Skull's schedule is also changed, so he shows up in the classical music class, and gets to play the drums, while Adam plays the piano. I find it necessary to point out that Jason Narvy is ridiculously hot in this episode. We get to meet ANOTHER new teacher named Mr. Hams, but he keeps managing to mix up his word order, so I'm just going to call him Mr. Music. He says that there will be a recital that they can go to for extra credit after school that day, and then tells them to play around with their instruments. Adam plays chopsticks. For some reason, everyone is really impressed.

Later, Adam turns down a chance to go to the youth center with Tommy and Kat because he has to go practice the piano. Except then he hears the same music and the Cogs show up, so they all morph in the middle of the hallway, and a hilarious fight scene occurs. Adam dances with a cog! Then he surfs on one! It's amazing. But The Mysterious Cloaked Piano Player gets away again.

I'm not sure why they morphed in the middle of the hallway though. I mean, there have to be a ton of people around. And doesn't Angel Grove have security cameras, or did Billy set up a program to delete the evidence? Who knows.

Adam goes to play the piano, playing something way too advanced for a beginner, and then finds a note in the keys that says piano lessons at the symphony at 4:30, so he assumes it's The Mysterious Cloaked Piano Player, and goes chasing after him. Jackpot! The Mysterious Cloaked Piano Player is there, but he's surrounded by Cogs. So, as The Mysterious Cloaked Piano Player faces him, Adam morphs. He is so bad at this secret identity thing. He defeats the cogs, and goes back to the school, where he unmasks The Mysterious Cloaked Piano Player. It's Skull.

There is some seriously amazing acting on the behalf of Dr. Jason Narvy here. (Speaking of him having a doctorate, I so want the AU where he's the mentor for the DT team, but more of that waaaaaaaay in the future.) Skull didn't tell anyone because he doesn't want anyone to laugh at him! He's afraid that Bulk won't love him anymore! Skull needs ALL THE HUGS. ALL OF THEM. Adam encourages him, and it's completely adorable, and they should totally go make out a lot.

Anyway, Skull goes to his piano lessons, and Mondo turns a piano into a monster, and there are some awful music related puns, and there's a fight where Adam gets captured and Tommy has to rescue him, and then they call the Zords. And the Defender Wheel. And their jet cycles. I guess they were really trying to plug all the toys this week. Monster is defeated, so we're going back to the important part, which is how Bulk and Skull are freaking awesome.

That evening, all of the Rangers are attending the recital, even though Adam is the only one who is getting extra credit. Mr. Music announces that there's a late addition to the program, and then can't believe that Skull's name is on the list. Everyone in the audience is completely horrible, except for Adam, who starts clapping. Skull comes out, and he's all dressed like Liberace, making him my favorite forever. Everyone is shocked at how awesome he is, and they keep talking during the concert. FAIL.

Then Bulk comes in, asking who the dork is, until he sees it's Skull. He's practically moved to tears. When Skull finishes playing, he let's out his trademark laugh, and then gets a standing ovation, which he totally deserves.

Bulk comes up to Skull, and Skull looks terrified. Bulk asks why Skull didn't tell him, and Skull says that Bulk said that music was for dweebs. Bulk tells him that if he said that, he was wrong, and oh my god, so much character development. Bulk grew as a person! Because he loves Skull!

Seriously, this episode is amazing, and they need ALL THE HUGS. ALL OF THEM.

Fish 2: Worst Guidance Counselor Ever. Also, that was some major secret identity fail.