Season 5, Episode 39: The Curve Ball

"The Curve Ball"
Episode 39
Air Date: November 12th, 1997

God, I love T.J.!!! He is just such a strong character and I'm so glad we finally got an episode focused on him!!! :) So we are introduced to a new character named Heath, a character who proves to be a challenge for T.J. when is comes to baseball.  T.J. has sort of been a legend among his fellow baseball players; being about to hit any ball that's thrown at him.  But here comes Heath who throws an infamous curve ball everytime that strikes him out.  Instead of giving up and admitting defeat, T.J. starts studying up on various batting techniques to see if hit the curve ball.  Ehhhh, T.J. is so determined! Another great character trait from him.  I love how when he is always faced with a challenge he is willing to better himself and learn to become a better baseball player. Nice!

Heath, of course comes off like your typical jock.  He is a master of the curve ball; always leading his team to victory and being so cocky about.  When He sees T.J. riding his bike, he even chases after him to try to beat him in a race! WOW! *Owen Wilson voice*  But when Heath's life is at stake when he falls off his bike and hangs off a cliff, T.J. puts his pride aside to save him.  Even after saving him, T.J. says he doesn't owe him anything!!! God, did I say I LOVE T.J.???  It's because of T.J. not only saving Heath, but so him so much respect and selflessness that he decides to help T.J. by finally showing him the curve ball.  But it doesn't end there as he teaches the rest of T.J.'s team how to hit it as well thanks to T.J.'s overwhelming kindness.  My goodness, this season has improved so much that even guest characters are even getting character development again???  Haven't had that since "Cars Attacks"!!! O_O

I love how the monster of the week storyline is even inner connected with T.J. having to learn to hit a curve ball when Divatox's latest monster, Strikeout, is able to defeat the rangers each time with his deadly curve ball.  When Heath teaches T.J. how to hit a curve ball, T.J. is able to skillfully and confidently hit Strikeout's ball so well that he sends it into space!!!  Next of course comes a zord battle after Strikeout is made to grow as the rangers call the now severely underused Turbo Megazord.  Don't get me wrong I prefer the Rescue Megazord by far but man, is the Turbo Megazord needs some love to right.  Even if it looks dumb! What!? :P  Anyway, Strikeout tries to strike out the megazord but the Spin Out finisher is too much for him and he's destroyed with it.  Overall, this was another strong episode with an even stronger character getting the main focus and some needed character development. :)  God, I LOOOVVEEE....ok I'm done! lol

Final Morph: A-