Season 7, Episode 21: Heir to The Throne

"Heir to the Throne"
Episode 21
Air Date: October 23rd, 1999

Trakeena has been such a interesting villain this season! Even though she couldn't fight and had little to no power, she tried her best to win her father's favor when it came to previous generals like the mediocre Furio and the intriguing but ultimately wasted Treacheron.  Here, the writers do something original for the first time as we bare witness to the evolution of a primary villain by introducing us to a new villain who will mold her into the proper main villain this season has needed! :)  I'm so glad the writers not only explored the endless possibilities of Trakeena progressing a villain but the fact they bring her to Onyx to do so.  Onyx is such a character in and of itself, a wild west world run by villains across the universe.  I can see no other place where Trakeena would learn how to improve her villainy...but not before she gets owned by a couple of alien thugs after she drinks one of their drinks and accidentally spits on the other. Uhhh ohhh....she gets thrown out as the thugs prepare to beat the crap her until a mysterious card player from inside the bar decides to help her out.  His name is Villamax, a mysterious warrior who has his own faithful sidekick named Kegler.  Kegler is just sooooo cute by the way in how he moves around and reacts to everything.  After Villamax aids Trakeena, he finds her pretty pathetic considering she's the daughter of Scorpius.  Trakeena tries to play tough and say she is but clearly she is too weak to be taken seriously as a threat.  Villamax soon offers to train her and Trakeena soon agrees, to Kegler's dismay.

I like the whole training montage with Trakeena training with Villamax from pulling boulders with a chain, practicing her posture, running, sword fighting etc.  She seems to not be getting it until Villamax pushes her over and she snaps; using the chains she was pulling to pull him to the ground.  After that impressive move, we see Trakeena beginning to absorb all that Villamax has taught her as she is able to match him move for move and eventually beat him in a sword fight.  This is such excellent development for Trakeena as get to see her not only improve as a fighter but improve in her confidence as a formidable foe for the rangers.  Speaking of the rangers, as he said during the end of last episode, Deviot puts his plan into motion by luring the rangers into a trap as well as convincing Scorpius that the rangers captured Trakeena and are hold her hostage.  As the rangers arrive at the warehouse, they run into Deviot and the Sting Wingers as well as Scorpius, who finally decide to get off his...uhh...tentacles and destroy the rangers himself.

It's not a bad fight by any means as Scorpius shows he is able to handle the rangers even if he isn't that mobile.  But once the rangers summon the Lights of Orion, Scorpius is screwed as the rangers hold him down so Leo can deliver the finishing blow.  Scorpius is destroyed (Jesus, he was sooo lame) to Deviot's happiness as he is now free to enter the cocoon.  While the rangers celebrate their victory, back on Onyx, Trakeena uses her new found skills to teach those same alien thugs a lesson.  After she beats them up good, Kegler arrives with news of Scorpius' condition as Villamax and Kegler will escort her back to the Scorpion Stinger to see him.  As Scorpius lies there about to die, he gives Deviot his blessing to use the cocoon to carry on his legacy. But before he can enter it, Trakeena arrives with Kegler and Villamax to say one final goodbye to her father.  It's a pretty devastating moment as well as saddening as you can tell they both really did love each other.  As Scorpius fades away, his left over tentacle that Trakeena was holding becomes her new staff.  Deviot tells her that the Red Ranger killed her father as she plans her revenge against him as well as the rest of the rangers.

As the rangers continue to celebrate their victory in destroying Scorpius, Maya begins acting weird by saying Scorpis maybe gone but someone more evil has taken his place!!! Uhhh ohhh??? O_o  Overall, "Heir To The Throne" is a superbly done episode that continues Trakeena's impressive arc as a villain as well as introducing two new great ones and seeing Deviot manipulate Scorpius like that was just awesome! :)

Final Morph: A