Season 4, Episode 2: A Zeo Beginning, Part 2

"A Zeo Beginning, Part 2"
Episode 2
Air Date: April 23rd, 1996

You know what I love about this episode is the wonderful world building it does by giving us an extended look at the Machine Empire, our new villains as well as mentioning something called "The United Alliance of Evil"....hmmmm, very interesting. So after some lame attempt at a cliffhanger with Zordon's life being in question, turns out the old bastard is fine in the newly named Power Chamber that he and Alpha have been working on in case of an attack on the Command Center. Which I don't mind at all, the Power Chamber looks so much better in technology and is much more spacious than the crapped looking Command Center at times. So while the rangers are happy to see their mentor ok, Zordon immediately tells them that they don't have time as the darkest threat they have ever faced moves closer to Earth. When Tanya questions if it's Rita and Lord Zedd, he quickly tells them it's more than just that simple and introduces the rangers to the Machine Empire.

Of we know of the vicious King Mondo and Queen Machina. But there's their son, Prince Sprocket, heir to the throne as well as Clank and Orbis, loyal footmen of the throne. Apparently, the Machine Empire are set out to conquer the whole universe after separating themselves from the "Alliance". With this new and most powerful evil yet for the rangers, the Zeo Crystal will be used to bestow on them powers beyond their imagination. But before Zordon continues, Billy tells everyone he has something to say. Apparently his work with the Alien Rangers helped him to see he is a better asset to the team at the Power Chamber than out on field as a Power Ranger. While Tanya says they're all veterans and Billy can handle the power while she can't, Billy humbly gives "HIS" crystal to her. *Car screech*....Ummm, last time I checked that was Aisha's Sub crystal she gave to Tanya as her successor so since when has it ever been Billy's crystal???!! -_- I mean I get what the writers for going for with that moment but huh??? O_o

Anyway, Rita and Zedd continue to flee as they enter Serpentara. As they depart, Lord Zedd vows that they haven't seen the last of him. Also, Rito and Goldar bump into Bulk and Skull and beg them to take them in. It leads to an annoyance sequence of them being afraid but coming to the conclusion that Rito and Goldar will be their slaves until they are done with them. I get this is suppose to be funny but my goodness, it just makes Bulk and Skull look more like idiots to me now. They are proving to be selfish and self involved again, turning now helpless creatures into their own servants. I not gonna be able to stand this non-sense with them already!!! -_-

Anyway, with the Zeo Crystal as their power source, the rangers will now use the new Zeonizers instead of their morphers and power coins. In an epic ceremony, Zordon bestows each Sub Crystal power to the rangers. Kat, of course, is pink becoming known as Zeo Ranger 1 Pink and Tanya is becoming Zeo Ranger II Yellow but the rest are issued new colors with Rocky becoming Zeo Ranger III Blue, Adam becoming Zeo Ranger IV Green and lastly, Tommy is Zeo Ranger V Red. The Zeo Power bestowing ceremony is one of my favorite moments in the series; especially when the Zeo theme instrumental comes on and Zordon tells them this is a new beginning with the Power Rangers of Old being gone forever. Now they've become a new  advanced fighting force called the Power Rangers Zeo, the next level in the fight against evil! Awesome!!! As King Mondo's forces advance, the rangers are summoned by the alarms of the Power Chamber and morph for the first time....even though they're already morphed??? O_O Anyway, they morph and the Zeo morph sequence is just stunning; one of my favorite morph sequences outside the original. :)

The rangers meet up with the Cogs, the new foot soldiers of the season and they are pretty tough and impressive. Apparently, they need to be "completely dismantled" to beat them but in the first fight, the rangers just kick their asses until they run away and teleport off.....ok??? O_o I liked the first fight as it's just cool seeing the new suits in action. I LOVE the Zeo suits with the geometric shapes on the helmets and the Egyptian golden design around their collar and chest. For the first suit switch over, I'm glad they went with Ohranger first!!! :) So now that things are all better now, King Mondo vows to conquer the galaxy as he now has some formidable foes to defeat. Overall, this was an amazing two part premiere. MUCH, MUCH, better than "A Friend In Need" last season. I already like seeing the new status quo with the new villains, new rangers, etc. So Tanya will be living with Kat?? NICE! :)

Final Morph: A-