Season 7, Episode 44: Journey's End, Part 2

"Journey's End, Part 2"
Episode 44
Air Date: December 17th, 1999

Well, this could be one of, if not, the most devastating finales of the franchise and we haven't even gotten to Part 3 yet! O_O  What's so crazy, is the initial final assault by Trakeena as her Sting Wingers swarm Terra Venture and essentially as destroy everything in sight as suicide bombers!!! As it already has been said, that kind of action and storytelling in a post-9/11 world will NEVER happen again!!! I'm surprised the show got away with that as the FCC could have easily banned this episode from airing as kids could have found that kind of imagery too graphic but in the 90s, TV sensors were definitely a lot more lenient with what could be shown on television, especially kids television and the finale is all the better for it! I can't imagine a more frightening position for the rangers as they struggle to fight what seems to be a limitless army of self sacrificing foot soldiers that don't care what happens to them as long as there is chaos around them.  The action crew must also be commended for the fight scenes; especially with all the chaos going on! From the GSA soldiers leading the people of Terra Venture to safety (including a scared Bulk and Phenomenous) to multiple explosions happening all around, especially from the rangers taking some devastating hits from the exploding Sting Wingers to just the plain awesome choreography of the fighting itself.

What's even more impressive yet horrifying is the destruction of the Stratoforce and Centaurus Megazord as the Sting Wingers attached themselves to every part of them to finally blow them up.  I mean JESUS!!! I know we've seen megazords destroy a good number of times on this show before but these megazords were once living breathing creatures, which makes it very tragic! God! :(  Anyway, during all of this destruction, Villamax is in the city dome as well and is finding all this pointless as Trakeena sacrifices her whole army.  He runs into a little girl and saves her from a destroy building that partially collapses around them.  The little girl thanks him for saving her as her mom arrives to save her as she fears for her daughter's safety.  She even gives him some flowers as a touching response to his kindness which makes Villamax start to reconsider his place in all of this.  I just love the little moments of character depth and emotion we get during this episode to add some needed levity like when Kai lets a woman board one of the space shuttles with a picture of her mom and dad as well as Mike talking to Commander Stanton who looks over the remains of Terra Venture; disappointed that it didn't make it to the new world.  Kai even aks if Leo regrets sneaking on to Terra Venture; a decision Leo eagerly doesn't regret as we see just how far he has come over the season! Wonderful development there! :)

Meanwhile, Trakeena is overjoyed after destroying the rangers' megazords and plans to shot each of the space shuttles out of the sky to the horror of the passengers.  As Trakeena orders Villamax to fire, he once again remembers the kind words of the little girl he saved and won't do it.  Trakeena is, of course, pissed he is disobeying him but Villamax defends his choice by saying the Red Ranger destroyed his father and the people of Terra Venture are innocent; filled with children. Trakeena, of course, says she will do it herself but when Villamax tries to stop her, she beats the crap out of him.  Villamax, of course, won't fight her back because his undying loyalty to her; leading to his untimely death as Trakeena delivers the final blow.  It's truly a heartbreaking moment as Villamax was such a noble villain and even in the end, he couldn't find himself to fight his former pupil out of his devotion to her. Wow!!! O_O

As Trakeena prepares to destroy the shuttles, the rangers arrive with the Astro Megaship, finally firing it's mega lasers!!! As the rangers prepare to fire again, Trakeena makes the Scorpion Stinger begin to crush the Megaship.  As the Megaship quickly takes damage, the rangers realize they are losing the Megaship as Leo orders for them to self destruct the ship.  It's hard hearing this since we...you know....seen the Megaship these past 2 seasons and now DECA is gonna be destroyed too??? Sheesh finale, give me a break!!! O_O But Damon finally sets it on self destruct as the rangers make it to the hanger bay to leave on their Jammers.  When Alpha is missing, Leo goes back for him while the other rangers clear the hanger bay doors.  As the rangers take off on their Jet Jammers, the Megaship finally explodes as Alpha flies off into space and the rangers take the impact from the explosion.  Leo crash lands on the moon, while the others surprisingly make it to the new world.  As Leo recovers on the moon (and can breath in space!!! -_-), he tries to contact the others as they search for him on the new world after getting Alpha out of a bush.  On the Scorpion Stinger, Trakeena, who is clearly hurt makes her way to the cocoon...ending the episode!!! Intense, dark and devastating stakes as well as action mixed with heartwarming humanity and compassion!? Another amazing part as we lead into the final half hour of the season finale! :)

Final Morph: A+