Season 10, Episode 12: Predazord, Awaken

"Predazord, Awaken"
Episode 12
Air Date: April 20th, 2002

Wow, this season is actually starting to shape up nicely! :)  Zen-Aku's presence alone is forcing the rangers into scenarios where they can't be conveniently saved and the other villains to step their own game up in their battle against the rangers.  What's so wonderful is seeing the team separated and forced to work on their own against their specific opponent or opponents this episode but doing it surprisingly effective.  Max and Alyssa are busy saving a bus full of innocent people which turns out to be a trap set by Toxica and Jindrax who are after the rangers' animal crystals. As Max uses his Giraffe crystal to lure them away, he and Alyssa get the people of the bus to safety.  I like that Max was willing to put his animal crystal in danger to help innocent people as being a ranger is also about making tough decisions to save lives. Unfortunately, the bus itself turns out to be a new Org that Max and Alyssa must battle themselves as Cole handles Zen-Aku himself before telling Danny and Taylor to go after Toxica who has the crystal.

The fight scenes between Cole and Zen-Aku are nothing short of spectacular in this episode filled with incredible stunt work, stunning effects and tremendous fight choreography courtesy of the excellent Gaoranger footage.  I really like how despite how overwhelmingly powerful Zen-Aku is, Cole never lets up and manages to save his own @ss at the end of the battle instead of some new weapon, zord, etc coming in to save the day! Awesome! Meanwhile, Danny and Taylor track down Toxica and Jindrax to the beach where they fight off a squad of Putrids to get to the Giraffe crystal.  While Taylor fight them off and Jindrax, Danny goes after the animal crystal into the ocean.  Of course, "Never Give Up!" must be mentioned! Sheesh! -_-  Anyway, Danny manages to get the Giraffe crystal back just in time for all the rangers to reunite so Max can use it to defeat the Bus Org.  Yeah apparently, the specific animal crystals gives each ranger's crystal saber other abilities they can use in a fight? Nice! :)

Anyway, after destroying the Bus Org, Toxica, of course, makes it grow and the rangers summon their Wild Zords to form the Wild Force Megazord.  After easily defeating it, Zen-Aku soon appears to reveal his Dark Wildzords can form his own megazord, the Predazord and.....AWESOME much??? O_O The Predazord has got to be one of the most badass megazord I've seen with SOOOO much personality!  It even has its own cool cockpit for Zen-Aku to control it with his flute.....OMG!!! YESSS!!! :)  Anyway, the Predazord, of course, makes quick work of the Wild Force Megazord, even able to dodge it's Spear Mode...DAMMNNN! After seriously damaging the rangers' megazord, it disassembles and the rangers fall to the ground as they demorph.  As the Giraffe crystal falls to the ground as well, Zen-Aku grabs it before Max can as he freezes another animal crystal and the Giraffe disappears.  I LOVE how Zen-Aku kicks Max to the ground when he tries to get it back and tells the rangers he's be back for the others....before proceeding to blast Max again when he tries to attack him  God, I can watch Zen-Aku OWN the rangers all day! :) As Max and Danny share of moment of encouragement with that damn catchphrase, the episode ends with Master Org and Zen-Aku confronting each other as Master Org hints at their past together as well as them having "much in common".   Hmmmmm...more fantastic foreshadowing there! :)  Such a superb episode and the best so far this season as the story picks up, the action intensifies and Zen-Aku continues to solidify his iconic villainy!

Final Morph: A-