Season 9, Episode 19: Trip Takes A Stand

"Trip Takes A Stand"
Episode 19
Air Date: June 9th, 2001

I LOVE moral ambiguity!!!  It's these types of storylines that make this show more than just a kids show by exploring adult themes that will make the youngsters think instead of just entertained.  I have ALWAYS loved this episode because it explores the same concept that was brought up in In Space's "A Wasp With A Heart" but this time, the message is given more weight with a touch of racism used as a metaphor.  This time, we are introduced to a mutant named Notacon (Get it??) who is released from the cryo-prison who doesn't  want to be.  He says he's not a dangerous mutant and won't fight, to Ransik's frustration as he almost kills him. But Frax saves him and tells him he can make him do what he wants with some device but when he starts to use the device, Notacon fights off some Cyclobots and escapes. As the mutant tries to go to some humans for help, they all run in fear with a few getting into accidents because of it in a hilarious scene.  One of them calls the Silver Guardians as Eric directs them to find and destroy the mutant on sight.  Luckily nearby, Trip is finishing off the lastest odd jobs assignment when he notices Notacon crying out in pain and running from Frax, Nadira and some Cyclobots.

I LOVE this as, of course, Trip would come to his aid as Frax is ordered to destroy him by Nadira.  As Trip morphs and protects him, the Silver Guardians arrive with Eric as the Quantum Ranger directing them to fire.  As Nadira and Frax take fire, Trip escapes with Notacon to Eric's confusion and irritation.  As Trip leads them to hide, he asks Notacon what's the deal and he tells him he just wants to be frozen again and not hurt anyone as he was arrested for petty thief like he told Ransik and Frax earlier.  Trip contacts the other rangers to check his story and when it turns out to be legit, the other rangers go looking for them before Eric can find them.  Meanwhile, Frax alters the remote for the device and begins to use it to track them down as well as control him at a farther distance.  As Trip tries to help him, the other rangers are searching for them and run into Eric who threatens to find them and destroy the mutant. The rangers are, of course, against it and say they only capture mutants not to mention, this one is harmless.  We see the clear racism metaphor here as Eric just sees mutants as ALL threatening and needing to be destroy regardless.  Meawhile, Trip and Notacon run into Frax who tries to go after them again but they are interrupted by Eric who is there to destroy Notacon but thankful the other rangers arrive in time to defend them.  While the head away, Eric tries to go after them but the rangers literally stand in his way to stop him.  After literally punching Wes in the stomach, Eric continues after them.

As Trip tells Notacon not to give up, Eric arrives to blast him.  When the rangers arrive, he tries to stop them and here is when Trip just becomes the awesome character we know and love.  He defends Notacon and puts Eric in place about his blatant racism by telling him if he wants to destroy him, he'll have to destroy him too, since he is also different by revealing he isn't exactly human either. Eric soon misfires and says his Quantum Defender must be broken but clearly Trip got to Eric.  Unfortunately, Frax is back and gains full control of Notacon who forces the rangers into a fight with him.  After morphing to join the other rangers,  Trip comes up with a plan to save Notacon after he grows.  As the rangers use the Shadow Force Megazord Mode Red, Trip uses the Electro Booster to try to destroy the device on Notacon; with Eric even coming in to surprisingly help with the Q-Rex.  After the rangers successfully refreeze Notacon, Eric comes back to gives the other rangers a warning to Lucas' continued shock of how mean Eric is.  Turns out, as Trip reads his mind, he's not, he just acts that way cause he's very lonely.  As the other rangers mock Lucas for doing the same thing by trying to be cool, Wes thinks about that literally revelation as Eric drives away.  Overall, one of the finest episodes of not only the season but of the franchise.  Exploring some adult ideals while staying child friendly and positive.  Trip is just at his all time best here and the moral conflict at hand isn't heavy handed at all.  Very impressive! :)

Final Morph: A+