Season 6, Episode 25: Always a Chance

"Always a Chance"
Episode 25
Air Date: October 17th, 1998

Ummm, what is with Carlos always getting the best character development episodes when it came to these set of rangers.  Sure T.J., Cassie and Ashley got their far share of character growth this season....maybe not so much Ashley, thank to the likes of "Grandma Matchmaker"!!! -_-  But when the spotlight is on Carlos for some reason, we get some of the best characterization from the franchise as once again he is faced with the obstacle of overcoming his own guilt and insecurities.  Unlike last season's "The Accident", it isn't Carlos's position as a soccer player that's in question but his duties as a Power Ranger when the latest monster, Liz-Wizard, switches places with Cassie and Carlos accidentally hurts her during a fight.  It's a devastating moment for not only Cassie but especially Carlos who begins to seriously reevaluate his place on the team as he feels he can't be trusted on the field and of course, get someone hurt again.  It's a really strong little arc that Carlos goes on throughout this episode and the quiet moments like when he's with Cassie trying to console her but fearing what he's done are so well done. Judd Lynn really understands the subtle moments like this are really effective when telling a story like this.

Of course, when Liz-Wizard is up to no good again and attacks Bulk, Skull and Phenomus, he must struggle to morph; fearing he might once again putting lives in danger and making mistake instead of helping them and saving the day.  But Carlos does so....but gets his ass handed to him because he is continuing to doubt himself.  When Liz-Wizard is about to finish him off, a mysterious person comes in to save him.  Turns out this person is....ADAM??? o_O  Well, it's about time you did something interesting boy!!! :)  Okay, Okay, I know how some of you adore Adam so I'll be nice!!! I mean, the guy seriously shows why he is a veteran ranger when he kicks the crap out of Liz-Wizard so I'll give him credit for that ok!!! :P  Anyway, after old Liz-Wizard retreats, Carlos gets all vulnerable and lets Adam know what going on.  After hearing the whole story, Adam decides to train Carlos and help him to focus again.

I really like these training montages between Carlos and Adam as Adam taking on the mentor role to Carlos makes sense given he is the one who succeeded Adam.  Adam really is used well here, not only helping Carlos but challenging him as a ranger to use his other sense as well as his own intuition to make less mistakes.  But Carlos just can't seem to get it; especially when they try blind fighting.  Carlos just runs off and tells him he's not a Power Ranger.  After that little temper tantrum, Adam talks to Alpha about wishing to be a ranger again and takes out an old morpher with a power coin!!!?? Holy Crap!!! Of course, Alpha flips out as the power coins were destroyed and morphing could destroy him. But it makes sense since these are the original mighty morphin' powers which were damage to the point where they lost power but were never really destroyed.  Great continuity and explanation there.  Anyway, Carlos decides to quit the Space Rangers and go off on his own.  After he tells Adam he quits too, Liz-Wizard attacks him with some Quantrons. While Adam fights off the Quantrons, he realizes Carlos needs help and makes a decision to use the old morpher to everyone's very overdramatic scream to stop!!! O_o But he does so and we get a cool original morph sequence as Adam becomes the Mighty Morphin' Black Ranger again.  I mean he could have just used the Zeo powers and not risk this since you know.....THEY WERE NEVER DESTROYED AND JUST STOPPED BEING USED -_-....but I digress....it's just cool seeing that old suit in action again!

As Adam fights Liz Wizard and tells Carlos to run off, in the middle of running away, Carlos finally finds the courage within him to fight again.  As the rest of the Space Rangers arrive, Cassie gives Carlos his morpher back as he morphs into the Black Space Ranger.  When he sees Adam in trouble, he tries to save him as Liz-Wizard does the whole switch-a-ru again.  But our boy Adam overcomes his fear by missing Adam and defeating Liz-Wizard in a cool move.  AWESOME!!! :) As the Mighty Morphin' powers fade from Adam, Carlos rejoins the other Space Rangers to call the Astro Megazord and destroy him in battle.  As the rangers congratulate him, I can't help be love this little journey of this episode seeing our boy Carlos grow up and realize how much he is needed as a ranger.  No more words need to be said. Superb and stellar all around! :)

Final Morph: A+