Season 5, Episode 19: Passing The Torch, Part 2

"Passing The Torch, Part 2"
Episode 19
Air Date: September 11th, 1997

You know, the only thing I wished about the switch over part of this season was that we got some more build up to it.  Sure, we had Ashley and Carlos introduce a couple of episodes ago and T.J. and Cassie here, but the choosing of their successors literally comes out of no where and is rushed unfortunately.  In Season 2, while the introduction of Rocky, Adam and Aisha was poor, the build up to them taking over their respective ranger spots was done well with a run of episodes dealing with them becoming allies of the rangers.  Here, Tanya has barely said one word to Ashley and yet she chooses her to be the new Yellow Turbo Ranger??? Excuse me, huh??? Either way, the power transfer ceremony was wonderful; with even Zordon and Alpha 5 returning for such an occasion.  I just wish the writing could have been a little better.  I mean we know the 4 veteran rangers were potentially moving on because of graduating and Dimitria's speech sort of eludes to that being the reason why they need to transfer their powers to new rangers.  But it's still wasn't really made clear.  Also the whole hour glass portion of the episode made no sense.  I guess the rangers were given a time limit because of Zordon and Alpha 5's return but it is just kind of weird and not mention when there was so much urgency for Dimitria for the Turbo rangers to complete their mission.

Meanwhile, T.J. and Cassie continue to impress me as characters.  I like their chemistry and dynamic between each other. T.J. is just so heroic, constantly going after people in need of help while Cassie can't help but care about T.J. and help him because of it. I also loved her concern for Kat after the other rangers got there to take over the situation. These two characters already feel greatly defined and their instant friendship is fun to watch even if their dialogue is sometimes head scratching.  Like T.J. saying he wanted to be a ranger since he was a kid, so that would make him 17 right??? O_O  Then Cassie saying all she wanted to be as a kid was Tina Turner.....ok??? O_o  Also, I forgot to mention Cassie's line about her ancestors inventing martial arts! Stop with the racism writers!!! :P  Anyway, T.J. and Cassi follow the trail to find Tommy in the cave, hanging over "The Vortex of Despair and Eternal Sorrow"......like the first half of this season!!! :) Anyway, T.J. and Cassie save him; fighting off more Piranathron and catching the rope before Tommy falls in.

Speaking of that, why didn't Divatox just throw Tommy in??? -_-  Giving him plenty of time to get away.  God, no wonder her mom gave her a hard time and even mentioned said not getting rid of him right away.  Sigh....at least there was no detonator this episode!!! :) WOOOOOOOO!!! Anyway, the 4 rangers deal with Flamite who is attacking the city and a squad of Piranathron as Tommy arrives to help.  They call on their Turbo Zords to form the Turbo Megazord and defeat Flamite just in time for the aforementioned power transfer ceremony.  Of, T.J. becomes the leader of the team aka the Red Turbo Ranger, Cassie becomes the Pink Turbo Ranger, Ashley the Yellow Turbo Ranger and lastly, Carlos becomes the Green Turbo Ranger with each ranger giving the reason why they chose them as their successor.  Justin will stick around as Blue Turbo of course cause he's still a kid!  Overall, these two episodes were above average transitions to the new half of the season with the new cast.  Of course, there are glaring flaws (suddenly their military in Angel Grove? O_o  Tanya and Adam randomly showing themselves, to Ashley and Carlos at the Youth Center???)  I mean I get the evacuation scene confirmed to them why the two should become rangers but that was soooo random; seeming like they were stalking the next generation of rangers.  Now from here, the season, from what I remember, begins to improve....we can only hope!

Final Morph: C+