Season 3, Episode 12: Stop The Hate Master, Part 1

"Stop The Hate Master, Part 1"
Episode 12
Air Date: September 25th, 1995

I don't know what is about these next 2 episodes that I like so much but it presents a story that actual kids can relate too and learn a natural lesson from. Yes, the same pair of episodes where the rangers face a rapping hate monster equals to episodes that isn't all that bad at all. First, I enjoy the dilemma with the whole Angel Grove Girls Club. Turns out Aisha didn't make it and while Kimberly did, she tries to cheer her up as well as find out from the club leader, Veronica, why Aisha didn't make it. We learn that it's because of Aisha's parents not making enough money while all the other girls have rich families. Kimberly made it because he mom was once a member when she was in school. Of course Kimberly is disgusted and outraged, so she quits the club. When she tells Aisha, she is of course upset by the news but understands being apart of something like that is so cruel. Kimberly once again shows that she has Aisha's back and that the club is beneath them cause they judge other people based on money. I like the building friendship between Kim and Aisha. Where last season their whole "best friend" declaration felt forced, it feels much more natural here and you really do believe they are close friends now. I especially liked the scene at the Youth Center before when Kim kisses Aisha on the cheek after giving her pep talk.

I also have to say I love the scene between Aisha and her grandmother who comes to town to visit her. Usually, guest stars on Power Rangers suck something fierce, but Loretta Jean as Aisha's grandmother is just so cute and heartwarming; giving her granddaughter words of wisdom about her feelings being hurt by that damn club. I especially love the gift that she gives her which is so beautiful; symbolizing her love for Aisha. It's just too cute and sweet! :) Usually scenes like this come off so cheesy and forced on this show but it was naturally genuine and heartfelt.  Meanwhile, like I said, Lord Zedd and Rita come up with an idea to force the rangers to hate each other to the point that they will destroy each other by summoning a monster that Finster took evil seeds from old monsters to make. After Lord Zedd throws the seeds onto Earth, Rita and he say an incantation that creates the Hate Master....who proceeds to rap so terribly bad it's giving flashes to Pumpkin Rapper...EHWWW!!! o_O

I like the ninja fight with the Tengas as usual, which of course comes with that hilarious theme song to it "Tenga Bye Bye". I like seeing Billy and Adam disappear into the floor and surprise the Tengas from underneath. Though Kimberly and Tommy's ninja laser attack was just typical cheese for this show. Once the Tengas disappear and Squatt collects enough dust for Hate Master, he begins to put the rangers under a spell that makes them hate each other. I love seeing the hate filled rangers with Kimberly and Billy just insulting each other and Adam and Rocky ready to fight. Why is it when these actors are playing being under a spell, evil or what not, their acting improves...immensely??? O_o

When Zordon and Alpha receive word that the rangers are under a spell, they contact Aisha to break them under the spell. She teleports to the park and literally talks them out of it and just in time as Zedd and Rita make Hate Master grow. The rangers morph and summon their zords....but when Hate Master puts an even stronger hate spell on the rangers, they all except Aisha leave their zords and eject. Aisha tries to talk some sense into them again but this time it doesn't work. What follows is a hilarious scene where all the rangers except Aisha tell Zordon they quite and aren't the Power Rangers anymore. When they teleport out, Aisha wonders why she wasn't effected which leads Alpha to prepare to run a scan on her. Zordon worries because now with the Power Rangers out of commission, this means Lord Zedd will soon have control of the world. DUN, DUN, DUN!!! Part 1 was a fun and heartwarming episode that does a fine job of putting Aisha in the spotlight as well as having decent guest stars. Just shut up Hate Master!!! -_-

Final Morph: B+