Season 6, Episode 5: Never Stop Searching

"Never Stop Searching"
Episode 5
Air Date: March 6th, 1998

As you know, finding Zordon isn't the only primary storyline this season as this episode introduces Andros' own personal story arc of finding his long lost sister who was kidnapped when they were playing as kids.  Of course, Carlos watches and overhears Andros watching the footage of what happened as our Red Ranger is nearly brought to tears.  As Carlos can't sleep because of finding out this news, D.E.C.A. finds a life form on KO-35 that makes him think that his sister could have returned home.  He orders D.E.C.A. to set a cross for his home planet while the other rangers sleep.  Meanwhile, Ecliptor watches as Andros heads to KO-35 as Astronema and the rest of her forces sleep as he plans to lead him into a trap.  Once the Astro Megaship arrives, he heads down onto the planet and literally falls from no where.  Out of context from Megaranger, this is the first of many Sentai footage scenes that don't make sense in the context of this episode.  So as Andros explores the deserted planet, Ecliptor watches and waits until he finally makes his presence known.  The two begin to fight as Andros get his ass owned.

Meanwhile, Carlos wakes up from his night sleep and meets the other rangers for breakfast; questioning where Andros might be.  He tells them about Andros' sister and Cassie awkwardly repeats him.  They asks D.E.C.A. where he is and she tells them he is on KO-35.  Carlos decides to go after him while he tells the others to stay behind as he doesn't want to crowd him too much.  As Andros and Ecliptor continue to fight, Carlos tracks Andros down until he breaks through reality or something to stop Ecliptor.  Another WTF moment from the episode where the Sentai footage doesn't make sense on this adaption of Megaranger. Anyway, as Carlos tries to protect Andros from Ecliptor; he gets injured bad; leaving Andros to take him and retreat on his Galaxy Glider.  Why Ecliptor just lets them go ALWAYS baffles me but whatever! O_o

At the Megaship, the rangers watch over Carlos as he is now bandaged up and sleeping. Andros is feeling very guilty about Carlos getting hurt because of him but the other rangers try to convince him it wasn't his fault.  When they also try to explain to them their unity as a team, Andros stubbornly storms off with only T.J. understanding why he walked away.  Andros goes back to KO-35 to face Ecliptor and tells D.E.C.A. not to tell the others.  Not a good plan since Ecliptor is now the size of building as he fights Andros.  The other rangers question Andros' whereabouts soon; even asking D.E.C.A. where he went but she is suspiciously silent of course.  They figure he went back to his home planet and follow suit. As Andros struggles to fight Ecliptor, the 3 rangers arrive to save him and take him away; only to realize Carlos is there as well.  He's still hurt but wants to desperately help his friends.  They combine forces using their blasters and the Astro Megaship's blasters as well to defeat Ecliptor....who seemingly just disappears off screen. WTF is with this episode's weird use of Sentai footage.  As Andros laments not finding his sister, the next day, Carlos tries to cheer him up; telling him the others will help him find his sister to Andros' hesitation at first but ultimately opening himself up to the idea.  Overall, "Never Stop Searching" is alright but not the best introduction to the Andros/Search for Karone storyline.  The episode has a bad and bizarre flow to it but has some good character bits from the rangers.

Final Morph: C