Season 3, Episode 1: A Friend In Need, Part 1

"A Friend In Need, Part 1"
Episode 1
Air Date: September 2, 1995

Thus, another new season begins and this time, it's because the creator of the show, Haim Saban, want to promote a spin-off series fro Power Rangers called Masked Rider! Anyone remember that show as a kid??? I sure most of you don't as I barely do. What you need to know is that these next few episodes, while a season premiere, don't really mean much in the long run. Hell, even in Masked Rider, Dex never mentions his little adventures with his multicolored new friends he makes during these episodes. Anyway, the planet Edenoi is being attacked by a ruthless space warlord named Count Dregon (That pronounced DRA-GUN) who is after the Edenites and King Lexion, the ruler of the planet and father to Dex, the Masked Rider. Back on Earth, Alpha receives this distress signal from Edenoi which worries him since her was built there by Lexion himself, but Zordon tells him not to worry until the learn any further information from the planet.

Meanwhile, the rangers are hanging out at the Youth Center while Kimberly is sick how with the fever. When Billy arrives to tell them about the new upgrade for the communicators, he informs them that Alpha sounded sad when talking to him. The rangers worried about their bumbling robotic companion, go to the Command Center to help Alpha find more information on what's going on with Edenoi. When they learn that the planet might be under attack, the rangers volunteer to go check things out on the planet to see if everything is alright. Another space adventure??? Count me in!!! :) While Zordon and Alpha are worried about the rangers' safety, especially when Zordon tells them their powers might not be at full strength so far away in another galaxy, he ultimately gives him their blessings before Alpha tells them to be careful and sends them the coordinates to the planet.

Meanwhile, near the surface of Edenoi, we get out first look of Count Dregon and his forces on his ship and MAN, does this footage look old as hell!! O_O I'm talking about MUCH older than the Sentai footage from the first season of Power Rangers. Anyway, Lord Zedd is watching from his palace what's going on with Edenoi and we find out that he and Count Dregon have history; apparently old rivals. Lord Zedd is all bummed because Count Dregon is succeeding in taking over Edenoi while he still can't seem to take over Earth thanks to the rangers' efforts in stopping him and Rita. Rita tries to cheer him up by having Finster make a special monster to attack Angel Grove while all the rangers are away on Edenoi except for Kimberly.

On Edenoi, the rangers finally teleport there and examine their surroundings but immediately get attacked by Count Dregon's ship. When the fire stops, they run for cover and notice some of the Edenites digging as Billy concludes it's because of some special gas on the planet's surface. Suddenly, the rangers are attacked by Dex and more Edenites. Thinking they are apart of Count Dregon's forces, Dex immediately tells them to leave or he'll stop them as the rangers try to explain why they are on Edenoi in the first place. Dex transforms....or morphs....not really sure in this case into the Masked Rider and he and his fellow Edenites begin to fight the rangers. While the fight is going on, Count Dregon and his forces watch; Count Dregon deciding to destroy them all as he doesn't want Edenoi to have any new allies. As Count Dregon ships fire at them, Dex and Edenites finally realize the rangers are actually allies and run for cover inside a cave to get away from the fire. Overall, Part 1 was a decent start. I like the introduction to Edenoi and learning more about Alpha's past. Besides, it's just cool seeing the rangers on another dangerous quest on another planet, On to Part 2!!! :)

Final Morph: C+