Season 1, Episode 48: Plague of The Mantis

"Plague of the Mantis"
Episode 48
Air Date: February 17, 1994

I got to say I LOVE the episodes that focus on Trini! I love the contrast between her and Kimberly in particular. Trini, like I said, always seemed liked the most mature member of the original 5 and while she would go on to get the least development, she really didn't need much to begin with. Here we she is frustrated yet determined to learn a new Kung Fu style of the Praying Mantis that even her Master believes she is more than capable of getting it right. He even gives her an actual Praying Manis as a pet to study.  Don't know how that helps but still it's interesting to say the least. Meanwhile, Bulk and Skull are watching and get the idea to find their bug and charge people to see them do their own original Kung Fu style.  They eventually decide to do coach roach Kung Fu to which I say, ehhhhh and whhhyy???" o_O Hey it's Twindle Dee and Twindle Dumber!! ;)

Meanwhile, Rita watching Trini continue to practice gets the idea to create a Mantis monster to challenge Trini on her own. ....Well, it' better than Rita's last plan by far! So Zordon and Alpha soon detect a disturbance in the park where Trini is continuing to practice her moves. They contact her about it and she investigates; soon finding the Mantic teleporting there. She contacts Zordon and Alpha to alert the others while she morphs. She does some....painfully unnecessary flips and kicks (what is this Xena?! lol) and faces off against the Mantis. She has trouble fighting her until the other rangers arrive to help. The Mantis then retreats, saying it's unfair to be out numbered and Trini has no honor. Back at the Command Center, Trini is all hard on herself about it while the others reassure her she has nothing to feel bad about considering it's one of Rita's monsters. Zordon asks Alpha to check the data on the Mantis and they find it is an expert on the Praying Mantis Kung Fu style that Trini is learning.  Which means only Trini has the skills to defeat her as the other rangers don't stand a chance.

Meanwhile, Rita gets the idea of separating Trini from the other rangers by having the Mantis challenge her on her lonesome again. Soon Ernia finds a letter on his counter for Trini from Master Lee, wanting to train in the quarry. Trini reads it and heads there; only to find it was a trap by Rita....GASP!!! O_O Meanwhile, the other rangers get a hold of the letter and go after Trini feeling like something is up. They head to quarry and Trini fights the Mantis. Not wanting the rangers to arrive and help her, she sends down a squad of Putties to stop them. The 4 teens fight as Trini finally gets the upper hand of the Mantis. But then it summons a squad of Putties; telling her it has no honor to Trini's shock! You think!? As the Putties attack Trini, she focuses on her training and finally defeats the Mantis. Zordon contacts the other rangers during their fight to help Trini.  All 5 rangers reunite and fight the Mantis when Rita decides to make it grow.  The Mantis grows, rangers call their zords, you know the drill! The megazord has a tough time fighting the Mantis even when Trini tells them to watch for it's feet. They call on the Power Sword which makes them gain the advantage and they finish off the Mantis once and for all. Back at the Command Center, Zordon congratulates the rangers on a job well done; especially Trini for being so honorable. :)

Back at the Youth Center, Trini masters the art of the Mantis style and her master congratulates her as well. Bulk and Skull make fools of themselves with their cockroach style demonstration and they just crawl all over Bulk in the end to the 5 teens amusement. Overall, I really liked this episode. Like I said I like the episodes focused on Trini and Thuy Trang does a nice job with the material given to her. :)

Final Morph: C+