Episode 168- Mean Screen

Before we start, I wanted to link everybody to some of the best fics in the fandom! Alpha's Magical Fic Exchange recently came to a close and all the fics were posted yesterday. And they are AWESOME. (can also be found on the prfication community on dreamwidth)

Now, to the episode. I don't like this episode. I didn't like this episode when it aired the first time and I haven't watched it since. Why? Because the WHOLE EPISODE is a science fail. Or rather, a computer fail of epic proportions.

Basically, the Rangers discover the internet! Which is always referred to as The Internet, making it sound as if it's capitalized and stuff. So Token Jewish Friend, aka Raymond, is showing Adam the ropes. He knows All About Computers and so he gets to tell everybody else what to do. I really like Raymond. I wish he had been a ranger.

Anyway, Tanya clicks a "Read Me" link with a cute smiley (facepalm) and a virus pops up saying they have 45 seconds to stop it before it infects everything. Uh... that's... not how it works (I'm going to be saying that a lot). Raymond tries to fix it from Tanya's computer, but can't, so he goes to use his laptop and fix it. Adam and Tanya are flipping out and giving the countdown and Raymond saves the day. Which is not how viruses work. But anyway. Adam finds a chatroom. He's very excited.

Mondo creates a computer monster to go to the Computer Center and hack into the the computers of Angel Grove. He absorbs the information through a cord he wrapped around the monitor, not the tower, and COMPUTERS REALLY REALLY REALLY DON'T WORK LIKE THAT. He gets all the ranger information because apparently Zordon wasn't smart enough to put up a firewall or leave those plans on computers with no attachment to the internet or a network. This monster inserts a virus that affects everything from desktops to ATM machines to store automatic doors to the blockade on a street. It's apparently highly contagious. AND COMPUTER VIRUSES DON'T WORK LIKE THAT.

The rangers try to fight Mean Screen, but his virus has gotten into their weapons, despite science NOT WORKING like that. In order to save the day, Adam teleports to the school and asks Raymond for the anti-virus he created. Raymond has an obvious crush on the green ranger. He hands over his untested virus (on a floppy, oh dear g-d we are so OLD) and then mutters that nobody on the internet is going to believe this. OH RAYMOND HOW I LOVE YOU. You are the best part of this episode.

So they use MAJOR COMPUTERS DON'T WORK LIKE THAT fail and beat the monster. And things start working again. Because Raymond created an awesome anti-virus software.

Meanwhile, Billy contacts them. He's coming home! Everybody missed him. Rocky is VERY excited to see Billy! Daw.

Mondo plans to foil Billy's attempts at coming home. But that's for next time.

This episode? This was 5 fish. This was 5 fish before we were even 8 minutes into the show. Record? Maybe not, but it sure is close. And stinky.

And did I mention that SCIENCE DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT????