Season 5, Episode 45: Chase Into Space, Part 2

"Chase Into Space,  Part 2"
Episode 45
Air Date: November 24th, 1997

....Boy, is this episode ALWAYS hard to watch!!! Jesus!!! We've seen the rangers lose before plenty of times.  The Dino zords in Season 2, their powers and Thunderzords in Season 3, the Command Center blowing up at the end of the Alien Rangers mini-series etc.  But never has there been a most devastating loss for a ranger team than in this episode. Man, to say the final battle for the Turbo Rangers was hopeless would be an understatement.  Even when everything is all said and done, 4 of the remaining Turbos head into space with Alpha with no hope or sense of optimism. It's the rangers literally taking a HUGE risk with their lives to chance after Divatox to save Zordon.  If you didn't think the 4 newest recruits to the team were Power Rangers, after this episode, you will now!!!  The moment T.J., Cassie, Carlos and Ashley make a stand without their powers for the first time is what Power Rangers is all about and it was an epic moment in an episodes full of heartbreaking goodbyes, devastating battles and the most serious the show has EVER been thus far.

Judd Lynn completely outdid himself with this two parter as Part 2 is one of the most depressing and despairing half hours of the show.  The opening battle with the Turbo Rangers fighting Divatox's army was masterful as well as when Lightning Cruiser and Storm Blaster come to try to help the rangers.  It's a shame that Lightning Cruiser didn't try to fly or both cars try to blast the Piranathron from far away but man, either way, it was hard watching those two get captured. As the rangers continue to lose the fight and head back into the Power Chamber, Divatox's army falls back....for the moment! Next comes a touching scene in the middle of such an action packed and intense episode as Carlos takes the time to talk to Justin about his dad.  I love everything about this scene from both of them talking how scared they are to Carlos giving Justin some advice that will help him make the ultimate choice to stay on Earth with his dad.

Then BAM! The action continues as Divatox's army returns with battling rams to begin barging through the Power Chamber doors.  Some Piranathron climb up to the top to break into the Power Chamber from there. What follows from there is a shocking yet stunning fight sequence as the Piranathron storm the Power Chamber to fight the 5 rangers; destroying everything in sight. My God, this is more disheartening than watching the Command Center as here, we have to watch the rangers fail at trying to protect it and the Piranathron destroy everything piece by piece.  It's just such an awesome yet sad moment watching the home of various teams of rangers for the past 5 years be destroy right in front of our eyes like this. WOW!!! O_O  Elgar even comes in during the attack and destroying the Plasma Tube that once held Zordon and Dimitria so there's NO way for them to return. Sheesh!!! O_o  As the rangers continue to fight, Elgar plants detonators all over the Power Chamber as Divatox gleefully pulls the trigger to blow it up.

As Divatox and her army search through the ruins of the Power Chamber to find the rangers' bodies, the rangers hid but are not discovered thanks to a messenger from the Simarian planet who tells Divatox that Zordon has been captured and she must report to said planet at once! Divatox, of course, says no as she has just won and is about to take over the Earth...until the messenger mentions someone named "Dark Specter, the Grand Monarch of Evil".  HOLY CRAP!!! No wonder Divatox took off with her army in a hurry. Dude sounds legit!!! O_O As the rangers come out of the rumble, gotta love the moment Carlos angrily throws one of Divatox's victory flags.  It's just little moments like that make this episode so outstanding. :) The rangers suddenly lose their powers due to Eltar being conquered.  With Alpha 6 barely holding on, a mysterious black box and the megazords as well as the Power Chamber destroyed, Justin gets an idea to head to the NASADA Shuttle to speak with their Commander of Mission Control.  After Justin is unable to enter, he sneaks in and is barely able to see the Commander.  He delivers the message from the Power Rangers and he mysteriously allows them to board the Shuttle. As the other 4 rangers and Alpha board the Shuttle, an almost tearful Justin says goodbye to his friends as he decides to stay behind with his father.  It's a bittersweet farewell to Justin and I'm seriously going to miss the little brat! :(  And that's it...the rangers head off to space; into the unknown with nothing but a black box and Alpha. Man, what a powerful ending for a kid's show!!! Not to mention what an electrifying ending for a season that started out so awful!!! WOW!!! O_O Bravo writers, especially Judd Lynn!!! :) On to In Space! But before that, my overview!! :)

Final Morph: A+