Episode 293- Countdown to Destruction Part 2

Today on Power Rangers, things are BLEAK. And then they are totally awesome.

So everybody has been captured and people are being led away and others are just kind of gathering together. Astronema comes down and informs them the rest of the universe has surrendered. She now rules EVERYTHING. She is seriously the BEST EVER at everything. The rangers aren't coming, they failed, and the rangers are hiding among them. She wants them by the following morning. Her ultimatum? It's the rangers or the whole planet is destroyed.

People actually argue this. Nobody knows who they are, but nobody knows why they aren't helping either. Then Bulk is AMAZING. He stands up and gives everybody hope... because the rangers have never let them down before. They'll be there. Bulk, how are you so awesome?

The rangers have gathered around a small file. They don't know what to do when Zhane comes stumbling up. He just barely escaped and he confirms the rest of the universe really did cave. They need a plan. Andros wants to go talk to Karone. The others try to talk him out of it, so he tries to sneak away instead. It's the only way to save everybody, even if it means losing himself and his own life. Ashley catches him, but decides to let him go. There is a tearful goodbye.

The following morning, Astronema accuses the rangers of sacrificing the whole planet because they didn't show up. She asks for the rangers one last time, but nobody will give them up. She's about to destroy everything when BULK STEPS UP AND SAYS HE'S THE BLUE RANGER! AND THEN SKULL IS THE BLACK RANGER! AND WE GET A PINK RANGER AND A SILVER RANGER AND YELLOW RANGER AND RED RANGER AND THEN EVERYBODY IS A RANGER AND OMG IT IS SO AMAZING AND WONDERFUL AND AWESOME AND I LOVE THIS EPISODE! Citizens of Angel Grove, you win everything. Astronema is going to destroy them all, but the rangers stop her. Carlos, Cassie, Zhane, Ashley, and TJ stand on a wall, out themselves, and then morph in front of everyone. They will go down fighting before they let the Earth be destroyed. OH SHOW.

Bulk and Skull lead the charge of average humans into the fight, because they won't give up. It is the stuff of legend. Seriously.

Andros screws up some stuff on Astronema's ship in order to lock Ecliptor in a room and then goes to look for her, not knowing she's not there. He finds Zordon and they have a heart to heart. Evil has taken over everywhere. There is no way to stop it. Unless Andros shatters Zordon's tube, killing him in the process, but sending a wave of goodness across the universe and destroying all evil. Andros starts to, but can't bring himself to do it. It's a big sacrifice.

Astronema shows back up on her ship and confronts Andros. There is an epic fight. She is determined to kill him and he's determined to save his sister. She won't listen, though, or doesn't want to. The fight is seriously amazing. Andros has to deflect a blast back to her or die instead. She falls to the ground, unconscious, and he fears he's killed her. Ecliptor is PISSED. That's his little girl. Daddy won't stand by and let his little girl get hurt, so his anger fuels the fight. Ecliptor, you're such a good Daddy.

Zordon finally convinces Andros to destroy the tube. It's the only way. Zordon pulls the duty card and Andros finally does it. He shatters the tube. Zordon dies as a wave of goodness sweeps across the entire universe. The evil, including Ecliptor, turn to dust. Those with goodness in them turn human, including Rita and Zedd. Zedd asks Rita to dance, because they are still in love. Divatox turns human, back into Dimitria's sister. Unfortunately, the rangers powers leave them. They won the fight, Earth is saved, but the powers are gone.

They are sure Andros died up there, until Astronema's ship comes down to Earth. They think she's won, that they really did lose after all, until Andros comes walking out of the hatch. He's carrying his sister. Ashley is happy but dude, this is NOT the time for a joyous reunion. He killed Zordon. He thinks his sister is dead and he did it. ALL THE FEELINGS, SHOW!

He puts her down. He cries the fakest tears of magical healing ever and she wakes up as Karone, healed and happy and healthy and not the slightest bit evil. They won! They really won. Mind, Zordon is still dead, and it's really him that won it for everyone. But wow. Just... wow!

They head to KO-35 to help clean up a bit, restock the ship, take some supplies back to Earth. They are invited to stay, but they're homesick. They just want to be back on Earth. Andros decides to stay, however. It IS his home, after all, and it's not fair to ask him to give that up right after he gets it back (Ashley, I'm looking at you Little Ms. Guilt Trip).

He falls for it, though, and he and Zhane board the ship at the last minute to go to Earth with them. Earth is going to be a little crazy with the celebrity hero worship thing, guys. You might have should have stayed on KO-35 for awhile.

Guys, THIS is how you do a finale. BEST FINALE EVER. No series has managed to live up to it since.

1 fish. BEST EPISODE EVER IN EXISTENCE.

Episode 253 - Save Our Ship

Sorry about the hiatus, you guys. Real life sucks. A lot. But we are back now, and hopefully on a schedule.

I maintain that the title of the episode is referring to the Ashley/Carlos ship, which the show decided to take from me. *SOB*

So we open on a holodeck simudeck, where Ashley and TJ are doing some training against some really ugly mooks, the Craterites. Alpha calls the Rangers and tells them they're arriving at Earth, and Ashley asks Andros if he's ever been to Earth before. Her alien fetish is REALLY SHOWING, AND HI, ASHLEY, WHAT ABOUT CARLOS???

Back on Earth, Bulk and Skull are stargazing, looking for a new comet. Instead they spot Astronema's base. They are pretty good at finding the bad guys! This is why they are seriously big damn heroes.

Astronema notices that they're taking the shuttle to Earth, and then Elgar shows up. WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY? Astronema tells the quantrons to throw Elgar off the Dark Fortress, but Elgar claims that Dark Spectre sent him.

The Rangers discover that the Surf Spot has replaced the Juice Bar, and while Adelle is pretty great, I miss the Juice Bar. :( Andros looks very confused, and then he sees a surf board on the wall. Adelle asks him what planet he's from after he asks her what a surfboard is, and he tells her KO-35, and she laughs. Okay, that's actually kind of adorable.

Adelle brings the Rangers some fries even though they haven't ordered them. Because she TOTALLY KNOWS that they are Rangers. Ernie and/or Lt Stone totally let her know to be nice to them. (We are shipping Adelle/Ernie right now, because we can)

Andros uses his telekinis to put hot sauce in Bulk's drink. Yeah, Bulk was being a jerk to Skull, but that was a total dick move. (QR disagrees with me, but she also likes Andros and I don't.)

Skull starts loudly talking to Bulk about the space ship they saw and whether the professor will believe them, and then they run off. Because of this, the Rangers realize that Astronema has followed them back to Earth.

Bulk and Skull make it to Professor Phenomenous' place, and his awesome mailbox has a speaker attached, where they tell him they've seen aliens. Why is this a big deal? People have been invading Earth for 5 seasons now! Why is aliens suddenly not believable? I mean, last season there were monster tours.

Andros notices that they're being followed, and the Rangers turn around to see Quantrons, and we get some unmorphed fighting. And also TJ and Carlos have gone shopping for clothes in their new colors at some point. Alpha calls them and everyone morphs.

The Professor + Bulk and Skull are driving in the van of awesomeness, when it breaks down in front of NASADA. The Professor insists that the NASADA sign is actually an alien, and Bulk asks him for ID. Of course, at that exact point the Quantrons teleport in.

Meanwhile, the Rangers are attacked by Ecliptor. HE IS SO AWESOME. SO AWESOME. He and Andros fight one on one, while Astronema and her awesome hair decide to destroy the shuttle. Ecliptor heads out, and it looks like the shuttle might be destroyed and we get some GIGANTIC EXPLOSIONS and... then they just go into the shuttle and take off? Okay then. I am not really going to argue.

Astronema is the best, and I love her. Ecliptor grows, the Megazord is formed, and you know how this all works. Seriously, we are running out of ways to describe Megazord fights. It is cool for the spaced based part and the re-entry onto Earth, and Ecliptor is pretty awesome, especially when he makes seven of himself, but... yeah. We have seen this all before. Ashley uses her helmet mode and figures out that the real Ecliptor is the one in the center. Really? That would have been my guess as well. It looks like Ecliptor gets blown up by the Megazord, but he is far too awesome for that.

Ashley challenges Andros to a game of pool, and he uses his telekinisis again. Ashley thinks its incredibly hot. They offer a trade of pool lessons for telekinisis lessons. I... don't think telekinisis works that way, but I'll totally take it.

Astronema has changed her hair again, and she is fabulous. Except then we get the lead into the Turtles.

HOW THE HELL DO YOU SCREW UP A POWER RANGERS/TURTLES CROSSOVER. HOW?

Ugh, I may have to go marathon the Turtles movies. EVEN TMNT3 IS BETTER THAN THIS SHIT.

Fish: 2. Mostly for you know, the ending. How does Astronema know about the Turtles anyway?

Fic we want: Um, there have to be some creative uses for the Simudeck, right?

episode 248 - Parts and Parcel

FINALLY WATCHING ON NETFLIX.

So Bulk and Skull have jobs as delivery guys. TJ is really proud of them for always working, even though Cassie points out that it's never the same job twice. They deliver a blender to Lt. Stone, but when they open the box it's open. They're freaking out, because the daytime thief keeps stealing from the packages they're supposed to deliver, and their boss has threatened to have them arrested for stealing if they don't figure out where the stuff is.

TJ is all "Yeah, Bulk and Skull are NOT THIEVES" and volunteers to help them. BECAUSE HE IS THE BEST.

It's like this episode is apologizing for the last one.

So TJ, Bulk and Skull put on a lot of black clothing and go hide in a warehouse to stake it out. Bulk and Skull say they're hungry, so TJ leaves to go find some food.

Divatox is yelling at Porto about some remote control that will allow them to attack with all the toys.

TJ is about to head back to Bulk and Skull when he gets word of an attack. Bulk and Skull hear something but they panic and hide, missing the daytime thief.

Carlos, Ashley and TJ (and everyone is really hot in this episode, holy crap) fight some Pirahnatrons unmorphed, but the mooks make off with a phone. TJ arrives back at the warehouse to find it completely trashed, and Bulk and Skull panicking. TJ is really frustrated with them for not seeing the thieves, but he's also really sympathetic and frustrated.

Ashley and Cassie dress Skull up in drag and do his makeup, while TJ has now recruited all the other Rangers to help. HE IS THE BEST. This is not a bad plan, really. Skull calls Bulk cutie! SHIPS THEM SHIPS THEM SHIPS THEM.

TJ is really good at plans and strategy.

And then we find out who the thieves are. Pirahnatrons. What does Divatox want with the stuff? What? Poor Skull is terrified, but Bulk runs to his rescue. THEY ARE THE BEST. TJ goes off with Bulk and Skull while the other Rangers handle the Pirahnatrons.

I LOVE THIS EPISODE. The Rangers are NOT BULLIES. THEY ARE GOOD PEOPLE AND GOOD FRIENDS. And also, ALL THE UNMORPHED FIGHTING.

Bulk and Skull are freaking out because their boss is not going to believe them, so they're going to jail. UM BOYS, YOU LIVE IN ANGEL GROVE. TJ tells them to meet in the youth center in 2 hours, and they're like "WE WILL BE IN JAIL" so TJ tells them to hide. He will clear their names. BECAUSE HE IS THE BEST.

The Rangers figure out that while the stuff stolen isn't valuable, that Divatox is probably trying to build something. And with that, Divatox unleashes her toys. The Rangers morph, and it's time for a fight scene. The Blue Senturian is there with his toy, but is getting beaten up, so the Rangers summon their toys. Rygog is using a ton of power and sparking, so the Rangers do something that lets them get back up after being knocked down, blah blah blah. They win.

Bulk and Skull are wearing horrible disguises when their boss shows up with police to have them arrested, when the POWER RANGERS teleport in to prevent it. TJ instead thanks them for their service in helping stop Divatox.

Bulk and Skull tell Cassie and Ashley how great TJ is, and they tell him that TJ said the same about him. Bulk looks so HONORED and gives TJ a giant hug and my heart explodes with JOY. JOY. AMAZING.

You guys, Bulk and Skull are big damn heroes. TJ treats them with respect.

Bulk and Skull get the best character development and I love them.

Fish: 1.5 This was AMAZING.

Episode 197- King for a Day Part 2

THIS is the episode where I think Kat's character was handled the BEST. Seriously, she should have been like this ALL the time. Plus, Bulk and Skull are BIG DAMN HEROES!!!!!!!!!!!!

So last time on Power Rangers, Tommy had induced amnesia and thought he was king of the Machine Empire. He was in an arena. Fighting Jason. And a billion shippy fics were born.

Jason wants to save Tommy with the power of friendship. He says "Tommy" a lot and this seems to trigger something, and I keep screaming at Tommy to just look at how he's dressed because HELLO! POWER RANGER! Tommy, unfortunately, is not very smart.

In a cell, Bulk and Skull are discussing The Way Things Are with Fish Hat guy. He is a master warrior from his planet. Gasket is collecting warriors from every planet for his arena and he just assumes Bulk and Skull are warriors as well. They do not correct him. Best part of this exchange?
Fish Hat Guy: "What planet are you from?"
Bulk and Skull: "We're from Earth."
Fish Hat Guy: "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."
BWAAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA. HE KNOWS.

On the moon, Rita and Zedd are watching. Rita makes a comment about as soon as the rangers destroy each other, they'll rule the Earth. Except they WON'T. And the moment they realize that is SAD. They are so distraught! Zedd realizes there is only one way to win, and that's take out the Machine Empire. And the only way to do that is to HELP THE RANGERS. It physically pained him to say this, and Rita fainted, but he's RIGHT.

Tommy and Jason are fighting and Billy is trying desperately to get the other rangers there to help. He gets them as far as the lake where Tommy first was kidnapped and that's it. He loses the signal. They can't go anywhere. So they stand around near the lake helpless, hoping Billy will do his usual and pull a miracle out of thin air to get them there. He doesn't. Instead, FINSTER DOES IT FOR HIM. Finster has been working on his own teleportation device and convinced Zedd that five rangers are more annoying than one, and he should teleport the other rangers to help win back Tommy. Zedd takes credit, of course, and Finster blows out his machine doing it. BUT HE DID IT. FINSTER TELEPORTED THE RANGERS TO JASON AND TOMMY. BECAUSE HE IS AWESOME. (and now we feel Billy and Finster should bond. Best friendship ever y/y/mfy?)

Meanwhile, Bulk, Skull, and Fish Hat Guy defeat a cog and escape. The plan is to travel to the control room and destroy the mind wipe device, thus restoring Tommy's memories. Then they're going to destroy the force field device and allow EVERYBODY to escape and go home. Good plan, guys! Except there are lots of cogs near the control room. Fish Hat Guy locks himself in to destroy everything, leaving Bulk and Skull outside to fight the cogs. AND THEY DO. AND IT IS AMAZING. They handle more cogs unmorphed and without the benefit of any special power flowing through them than the rangers EVER do MORPHED. BECAUSE BULK AND SKULL ARE AWESOME AND I LOVE THEM AND THIS IS THE BEST FIGHT OF THE WHOLE SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So the five rangers attempt to restrain Tommy and convince him he's on their side. It's not working too well. Until Kat pulls the MOST AWESOME MOVE EVER. She DEMORPHS. Right there. Mid fight. She refuses to fight any longer and just demorphs, trying to convince Tommy that she is his friend, not his enemy. She stand there while he attempts to attack her, but he can't do it, because part of him KNOWS. She hugs him tight and talks to him, willing him with the sheer power of friendship, that he is GOOD and they are GOOD and it's OKAY. AND I LOVE HER FOR IT. IT WORKS. Tommy starts to remember. Jason demorphs to help Kat. Tommy remembers more. The others join in. Tommy is struggling with this, and almost attacks again. Instead he fully realizes himself, demorphs, and stands with his friends! Yay for the power of friendship! Seriously, this is one of my favourite tropes.

So the rangers can't morph and they can't teleport out and Gasket comes down to start monologuing them. Except Bulk and Skull and Fish Hat Guy WON. They destroyed everything, in a big explosion, and the force field vanishes. The rangers bid their farewells and teleport the hell out of there. Bulk and Skull aren't sure Fish Hat Guy made it out, but he comes striding out of the fire and it is awesome. They're so happy to see him! He congratulates them, they do the grunt, and they congratulate him. Except they have no way home, so he honours them by taking them home himself. AWWWWWW.

Back on Earth, Bulk and Skull regale Emily with their tales of heroics. She doesn't believe them and even taunts them about it. It makes me sad. So they go tell Jason, Kat, and Tommy. Who DO believe them! And talk about how the rangers would surely thank them. Except Tommy and Kat, in attempting that whole Secret Identity thing, come across sarcastic. Bulk and Skull stomp off, upset that nobody believes them, even though the trio call after them that they do believe them and please don't go. They were actually trying to be nice this time which is a very welcome change from similar interactions in MMPR!

2 fish. Anything fishy is completely overshadowed by the awesome that is Kat AND Bulk and Skull!

(I really need a good Bulk and Skull icon)

Episode 179- Bulk Fiction

OMG YOU GUYS! THIS EPISODE YOU GUYS! I want to give it milk and cookies and snuggle it close forever and ever.

Bulk is in LOVE, guys! He and Skull are chasing a remote controlled car, because it's speeding you see, when Lt. Stone introduces the newest cadet. Her name is Connie and she is the Captain's daughter. Skull thinks she's a little weird. But Bulk? Bulk has a HUGE crush already. It's adorable!

They chase the car back to the Youth Center, where they give Billy a ticket for driving it over the speed limit. He says he was just testing it out before donating it to the kids toy charity. There is a dance that night and the admission is a donated toy. Good idea, actually!

Meanwhile, Sprocket throws a temper tantrum because he wants a new toy too. So Mondo makes a new toy and he gets to take it down and mess with the rangers.

So Bulk wants to woo this new girl. Skull suggests he go to a love expert and the first person he thinks of is Tanya. Aw, Bulk asking Tanya for love advice! She tells him to be himself but poor Bulk just doesn't have the confidence. So he asks Tanya what she likes in a guy and she says sophistication. Bulk thinks he can do that! He attempts to be English with an intentionally not-so-good accent, old slang, and a pot of tea. Aw, Bulk, you'd totally win me over with that one! The Captain intervenes, however, and says there will be no fraternizing, particularly with his daughter. Poor Bulk.

So Billy is almost finished with the Zeo Cannon, but he has to get a part from his garage lab. Instead of teleporting there and back, as he's done many times before, he walks home and back. I suppose he wanted the exercise and sunshine? Anyway, he's running the remote controlled car again when Cogs attack. He, of course, outwits them using the car and his device, because he's Billy and he's AWESOME and this TOTALLY counts as an unmorphed fight. Because he defeats 6 cogs, the monster, AND SPROCKET all on his own without being a ranger, using only his brains. Smart is SO SEXY, you guys. He hightails it back to the Power Chamber (though he asks Alpha to teleport him to the Command Center, heeeee) where he finishes his Zeo Cannon.

Meanwhile, Rocky mocks Tommy. It is awesome. He wouldn't be all mushy and write poetry! Of course not! (and now I totally want fic where he runs home and writes a million sappy poems to Adam, even though he knows Adam is dating Tanya now, because Rocky loves him and can't move on... I have a thing... sorry)

This gives Bulk and idea and he writes a poem for Connie. He and Skull show up AS BEATNIKS to woo her. BEATNIKS! I love this show so much. He wrote her the most awesome poem ever and if he hadn't had me at the fake English, he'd totally have me with the offbeat poetry. SHE IS THE MISSING SOCK IN HIS LAUNDRY PILE YOU GUYS! SUNNY SKIES AND WINDY WIND! *hearts explode everywhere* I'm totally doing the big googly anime eyes, too.

Unfortunately the Captain doesn't like this so much. He fires Lt. Stone and Bulk and Skull leave the force with him because they totally love their fake!Daddy.

Then there is a fight with the rangers and the monster and the Zeo Cannon which gets handed straight to Tommy even though they all have to use it. Either Billy really likes Tommy or he keeps hoping one of his devices will backfire and explode, taking Tommy out in the process and leaving his morpher free for Billy to assume the role of leader. Me? I lean towards the latter. Far far FAR towards the latter. Anyway, they monster grows and they're all SHOCKED! Shocked, I tell you. I still don't know why. Anyway, they beat the monster with the sword, as if we didn't see that coming.

At the dance, they're all dressed as their favourite decade. Billy is way, way into the future. Tanya is a flapper. Kat picked the 50s. Adam is the 60s. Rocky is the 70s. Tommy comes strutting in with an epic entrance and totally shows up Rocky. Rocky is NOT HAPPY. Lt. Stone is Sherlock Holmes while Bulk and Skull are policemen. It's adorable. They agree to open up a detective business with Lt. Stone.

Connie comes in and Bulk starts to apologize for the way he acted. She shushes him and tells him there is no need. Her father is overprotective and she quit the force, which she only joined to please her dad, so she can be with Bulk. She asks him to dance and he says he'd like that and they go dance and I EXPLODE FROM TEH CUTE! Seriously, most adorable thing EVER on Power Rangers.

1.5 fish. It was low fish! Mostly because Billy was so damn sexy while he was being so damn smart. And Bulk being in love with somebody who appreciates him as well is ALWAYS 100% AWESOME!

Fic we want: TSB demands a Watchmen AU where Billy is Ozymandias.
I just want Rocky writing sappy and Emo-rific love poetry for Adam. He totally should have gone as the 80s. He'd make a really hot Robert Smith... Okay, somebody needs to write that for me. I need this fic like I've never needed any other.

(I should totally mention that it was hard to decide if I should go with John Travolta Walk of Epicness or BeeGees Stayin Alive video of Epic Hair and Tight Pants for Tommy... so I went with both. And if the comments turned into a Cure video linking lovefest... well... it just might make my week)

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.

Episode 150- Attack of the 60' Bulk

It's the 150th episode! Guys! Guys, we made it to the 150th episode! How awesome! Thanks for sticking by us this long, and here's to another 550+ more.

Today's episode starts with the kids going to a water park with Mr. Wilton, the mean teacher that traded places with Rocky. Semi-continuity for the win! We assume he must have taught elementary school at one point since he's chaperoning this apparently school-sponsored trip. He's grateful for the help from Tommy's Uncle William.

While I love having Adult!Billy and the pretty he brings, I do kind of miss Baby!Billy. He was one of the better child actors. Anyway, they decide to sneak off and contact Zordon to see how the Aquitians are doing. Billy begins to lecture them on using the communicators for frivolous purposes, but he eventually caves to the demands of Tiny Children. The Aquitians are doing well and thank the rangers. We kind of love Delphine's hand motions. Zordon then reminds Billy that the Baby!Rangers may have their memories, but they are in physically young bodies and need the physical release. It sounds wrong, so we spent a lot of time telling ourselves he just meant for them to have fun at the water park and burn off some energy.

Zedd and Rita have a plan. They have an ancient scroll (that is not very ancient nor very scroll-like) that can lead them through the long forgotten tunnels beneath the Command Center. They're going to send Rito and Goldar through the tunnels to destroy the Command Center. It's a pretty good plan, minus the whole sending Rito and Goldar part! Rita and Zedd are adorably in love.

In order to distract the rangers, they're going to turn a bully into a monster. They observe the children at the water park and Zedd decides Earth children are so mindless they can't even be mean. I'm forced to wonder what planet he's watching because it sure as heck ISN'T the one I grew up on. Earth children can be plenty mean.

They stumble upon Bulk and Skull playing Pooh Sticks. They apparently had been laughed at (for reasons unknown to us) by Baby!Aisha and Baby!Rocky. In retaliation, they threw some inflatable tubes off a bridge at the baby!rangers and then ran to the other side of the bridge to see which made it first. Baby!Aisha is adorable and indignant because they aren't following the rules. Billy decides to teach them a lesson and goes to lecture them. Mid-lecture, Bulk gets zapped by Zedd and Rita and turns into a giant brain monster called Brat Boy. His suit is made of video game controllers. I'm going to choose to ignore that fact and hopefully not be offended.

Instead of using his watch communicator to contact Zordon, Billy uses a round purple disc that I think is supposed to be the mini-viewing globe the Aquitians used. It's wet, however, and they have to wait for it to dry, so the baby!rangers take a stand. Billy finally gets through and the Aquitians come all the way from Aquitar to save the day! But then Brat Boy grows and dumps polluted water on them and the water park. Somehow he makes it to the city and the Aquitians call Captain Planet their zords. They are losing, however.

At the water park, Skull is running around trying to find Bulk. Billy and the baby!rangers try to convince him they haven't seen him, but Skull is sure they did because Skull was there when Billy watched Bulk get turned into a monster. Baby!Kat lies (in a bad accent) and tells him Bulk went in a random direction. Don't lie to him! That's rude.

So Billy and the baby!rangers go to the scene of battle and try to talk to Bulk inside Brat Boy. Baby!Aisha wants to help, but they keep telling Bulk they're his friends and... really? They're not. They never have been. They never will be. They certainly weren't friends when they were ten years old, as Bulk and Skull didn't know any of them except Billy. If they needed a friend to get through to Bulk, they should have gotten Skull. Skull would have been far more effective.

Bulk manages to break through and turns back into himself. He's confused and wants his Mommy, and Rita says she's right there. We now want AU fic where she is Bulk's mother. Bulk then gets turned BACK into Brat Boy, and fights it to get BACK to Bulk. It's... poor Bulk. It can't be fun. Rita decides she doesn't want any kids (oh Rita, if only you knew *cough*Thrax*cough*).

The Aquitians are grateful for the help, showing mind and heart can be more powerful than the fist. They go home. Zordon teleports the baby!rangers and unconscious Bulk to the water park, where he wakes up and they manage to convince him that no, they are not Power Rangers, and he just hit his head really hard. Poor Bulk, once again thwarted.

The baby!rangers and Billy teleport to the Command Center where Zordon tells them he has found the shards of the Zeo crystal and they must go on individual quests, through their roots, to get the shards. Billy is determined to go since he's the only one who's an adult again, but Zordon tells him the Zeo crystal will not work for him because he's no longer affected by the spell. The kids have to go, and they have to go by themselves. Confirmation that Billy will no longer be a ranger AND we are heading into the Most Stereotypical Things Ever (expect many rage-inducing episodes to follow).

And so it begins.

3 fish... relatively low for this storyline!

Fic we want: Rita as Bulk's mother. Y/y/mfy?

133 - Follow That Cab!

Today, on Power Rangers - we celebrate Shark Week by getting shark cycles. Or, you know, Shark Week happens to fall on the same week that we get to the shark cycles. Whichever.

The episode opens at the Juice Bar, where we discover that Kimberly seems to think that taking cats to restaurants is totally acceptable behavior. Frankly, she is wrong about this. Tommy shows up, just as Kim lets out a shriek, and Tommy comments that he's glad to know that he has that effect on her.

Tommy is glad he can make Kim scream. Kid's show. Riiiiiiight.

It turns out that he has nothing to do with it - famous gymnastics coach Gunther Schmidt is coming into town to look for talented gymnasts to participate in his Pan Globals team. Hmm. I wonder how this will end? Tommy encourages Kim to go meet the coach since she idolizes him. (He is clearly supposed to be Bela Karolyi, just saying.) She decides to go, and asks Ernie to watch the cat.

... WORST PET OWNER EVER. However, she has enough sense not to ask Tommy to watch the cat. Of course, as PC is secretly Kat, she quickly runs off to report what Kim is up to to Rita. Rita and Zedd are planning to trap a Ranger inside a monster so that the other Rangers won't want to destroy it. This is actually a fairly cunning plan! Probably because Rito thought of it. His plans are usually good. The only other thing of importance in this scene is that when Rita calls Kat an evil girl, Kat flashes back to how awesome and good she was and manages to temporarily break the spell. She is pretty awesome.

Anyway, since there is apparently sometimes crime in Angel Grove, Bulk and Skull fail to recognize the most obvious car thief ever and actually help him steal Kim's car. Kim then demands they go after the guy, so they commandeer a cab, which is promptly turned into a monster.

Alpha summons the Rangers, after commenting that he hopes they aren't off scuba diving, and I nearly fall off my chair laughing. Oh, show. At least you remember these ridiculous things!

The Rangers need to chase after the cab, and they get shark cycles. Because they... need to sell more toys? The slowest chase scene ever happens, and then Zords are summoned. The show attempted to provide some drama by claiming that the process of removing Kimberly, Bulk and Skull from the monster could result in Kimberbulk, but we know that wouldn't happen - the show clearly doesn't have the budget for it. So they get rescued, the monster is destroyed, and this is really boring.

What I didn't mention in the preceding paragraph is that the monster is the Crabby Cabby, and he speaks in one of the worst fake Brooklyn accents I've ever heard. And I'm from New York. We are just going to pretend that it never happened.

Back at the Youth Center, Bulk and Skull have managed to locate Kimberly's car, and she hugs Bulk but not Skull. Poor Skull. :( Kimberly then decides she will try to meet her idol at the tryouts. The episode ends with her saying how much easier it would be to be a cat. I don't even know what to say about that.

Fish: 3. It was just... really mediocre.