Season 7, Episode 25: Blue to the Test

"Blue To The Test"
Episode 25
Air Date: October 28th, 1999

...Then you have Kai, another strong character with very well defined character traits: serious, head strong, focused on doing what is not only right but what rules to follow.  He is always been a "by the books" kind of guy which was something so new and refreshing for the show since we've never had a character like that.  We seen moments of Kai bending the rules like in "Quasar Quest, Part 2" when he goes after his friends with the Astro Megaship but for the most part, Kai would not do something without following the right procedures first.  It's something he learned from Commander Stanton, who has always been leader who Kai definitely is trying to emulate and be more like since he does his job so well.  It was Stanton's words that made him go after his friends to Mirinoi in the premiere and it's his words once again that inspire Kai to not just follow the rules and regulations all the time but rather, use you natural instincts and intuition to be a great leader.  It's the perfect lesson for Kai to learn and it done exemplary in this episode.

As Terra Venture drifts close to a star, Commander Stanton gives Kai an order but pretty much tells him to also think for himself for once, as that's what makes a difference when it comes to doing a great job.  Meanwhile, Kelger informs Trakeena of Terra Venture's approximation near the red star and Villamax says, if they get any closer, they will be sucked right into and burn up.  This prompts Trakeena to send a monster named Icy Angel....yup.....moving on to attack Commander Stanton and put him under a spell that will make him direct the colony closer to the star.  After the rangers nearly save the day, the Commander begins making strange orders to Kai when Kai knows thee orders will put the colony at risk of drifting right into the star.  At first, Kai compels as usual but complains to other rangers about the Commander's wrong calculations.  Of course they don't believe him as they have faith in the Commander considering his stature and how far he's gotten the colony.  But once again when Commander Stanton makes suspicious demands that will in danger the colony, Kai finally stands up for himself and tells him he won't do what he ask.  It's a great moment for the character as he finally realizes following orders just to follow orders isn't always the right thing to do  Of course, it gets him suspended but Kai continues to use his instincts that the Commander talked about by following him and seeing he's being taken under control by Trakeena.

While the other rangers come in to battle Icy Angel, Kai goes to stop the Commander from dooming the colony into oblivion.  We get an intense unmorphed fight between Kai and the Commander that ends with Kai resourcefully locking him up for the moment. As Kai rejoins the rangers and Magna Defender, they use the Lights of Orion to finish off Icy Angel.  But of course, she grows and they have to call on their zords for help.  The Defender Torozord goes for the finishing move while the Galaxy Megazord powers up and destroys her with it's saber.  When Kai and Mike go after the Commander, they realize the spell has been broken as they tell him Terra Venture is about to enter the star's atmosphere.  They all head to command and narrowly miss entering the star to everyone's relief.  The episode ends with the Commander taking the day off and putting Kai in charge running the colony for a day.  I love how when he enters, everyone gives him a round of applause before he starts giving them orders.  It's  tiny reward for a job well done and an excellent moment for his character.  I really enjoyed this one simply for seeing Kai develop immensely and being true to himself more. :)

Final Morph: A