Season 7, Episode 33: Facing the Past

"Facing The Past"
Episode 33
Air Date: November 9th, 1999

Another great episode in row but kinda spoiled by the writers need to fill out some contractual obligation to have the Red Ranger get a battlizer and once again, the damn thing looks absolutely ridiculous.  I guess I wouldn't have much of a problem with it if it wasn't for the damn metal boots with the damn thing but it just looks so stupid.  The episode before was doing so well without the need for this continued gimmick of the franchise as we were getting an episode not only focused on Karone but her past as Astronema.  I love how the episode begins with her lamenting her childhood being lost thanks to Darkonda kidnapping her and her need to kind of make up for that as an adult.  It shows once again the humanity of Karone and how different she is from her Astronema persona.  I just love Karone in this episode just taking charge of the team once Leo's powers were out of commission; leading the rangers away to retreat and especially coming up with the idea to retrieve the warrior's keys to bring back Leo's powers. It shows her experience as Astronema is very helpful and essential to the team as it brings something new to table....or to the team rather! lol And I absolutely adore it!  It make Karone's place on the team valuable as she brings something different to the team than Kendrix.

Once on the warrior's planet, Leo is soon captured and forced to remain in place by a very creepy skeleton that puts Karone under a test.  Suddenly, we get a quick but great fight between her and her Astronema persona which ends in her making the ultimate sacrifice! Once again, the season's theme of self sacrifice is ever so present and wonderful to watch as we see Karone progress and show how good she has truly become!  Once inside, it turns out the warrior is still in stone but the keys are missing.  As Leo and Karone leave, Karone takes a moment to apologize to the warrior for what she did to him as well as for all the crimes she committed in her past.  She cries on him and it suddenly brings him back to life! Ignoring that contrived plot point, the warrior forgives her and gives Leo his keys; saying they will not only restore his powers but give him far more power beyond comprehension as his damaged morpher is magically repaired.

Meanwhile, the other rangers and Mike are defending Terra Venture from Magnatox, the creature that stole Leo's powers in the first place and man is he one scary ass monster of the week.  He takes hits from Damon's trans blaster like it's nothing and is able to absorb the rest of their powers as well thanks to his magnet staff.  The moment Damon charges at him and he takes a shot to the back is just brutal! Jesus! Poor Damon!!! Anyway, with all their powers gone, Magnatox prepares to finish them off but Karone arrives on her Jet Jammer to save them.  Leo soon appears morphed to shock of everyone as Magnatox prepares to take his powers again.  Leo summon his battlizer and like I said, the thing looks dumb as hell but it gets the job done in ultimately destroying him and returning the other rangers' powers.  The episode concludes with Karone finally feel free of her dark past and finally able to move forward as her and Maya play a prank on the guys.  Overall, don't get me wrong, this was a wonderful episode, it's just the way the writers shoehorned the introduction of the battlizer was not needed.  This was a great episode on its own with dealing with Karone and her past as Melody Perkins did a excellent job throughout.  It just sucks at the end of the day it's Leo who rewarded, NOT her that's all.  Over wise, this is the fourth episode in a row that has really turned this season around in a big way and reminded me how great it is at times! :)

Final Morph: A-