Season 8, Episode 8: Up to the Challenge

"Up to the Challenge"
Episode 8
Air Date: April 1st, 2000

Well, this episode is Chad centered and kinda Kelsey centered as we have to deal with his annoying fighting calls throughout a whole episode. It doesn't really develop either of them but it does showcase the close relationship that begins to develop between Kelsey and Chad.  I liked seeing them training and just goofing off together.  But we don't get any defining characteristics from the two.  I mean we know things about Chad and Kelsey as well as bits of character traits but we've so far been told of this traits and not shown! O_O Anyway, there's this jock type guy named Brian who wants to challenge Chad to a fight because he's a ranger.  The guy is clearly out of his league as Chad makes quick work of him and embarrasses him in a fight to his girlfriend's disappointment.

Meanwhile, the demons are figuring out their next plan against the rangers and Vipra comes up with an idea to use her own monster that Jinxer summons to destroy the rangers.  Meanwhile, the rangers are doing their thing by saving the city as a building is on fire and the monster reveals him.  After a brief battle, Chad and Kelsey chase after the monster to a power planet but in a moment of impulse, Kelsey gets hurt in an explosion caused by the monster as both get knocked out and demorph.  Meanwhile, Brian follows the monster to where Vipra and some Batlings are secretly plotting and is discovered.  He tells her he wants to defeat the Blue Ranger in battle and become her apprentice to which Vipra puts him under a spell.  As Kelsey is admitted to the hospital, Chad begins blaming himself for the whole thing!  As the rangers try to tell him is wasn't his fault, they are called back into action.  As they leave the hospital, Chad is signaled by a Batling to follow him. Carter thinks it's a trap but Chad tells him to go on and he'll meet up with the others later.  The Batling soon lures him away and gives him a note sent by Brian.  Chad meets up where Brian is preparing to fight him but Chad wants to try to save him to which Vipra orders him to fight him.  As the two fight, the 3 other rangers deal with the monster and some Batlings.  Kelsey....apparently, escaped her hospital room and made it to the Aqua Base (Seriously, why wasn't anyone watching her?!-_-) as Ms. Fairweather catches her trying to join the others.  Realizing she can't stop her (even though she can!!!),  Mr. Fairweather gives her Lightspeed Cycle with a speeder connected to it.  She morphs and heads out with it.

Meanwhile, Chad and Brian are continuing to fight until the annoying sound of Chad's battle cries are too much for Brian to bare as he loses.  As Chad gives him his hand, the Batlings grab Chad as Vipra orders him to destroy him.  But Brian decides to help Chad; breaking the spell and fighting off the Batlings.  As Vipra just....walks off and leaves them alone....sigh....Chad heads back to help out the rangers right after Kelsey has arrived to save them with the Lightspeed Cycle with the Speeder.  Chad and Carter combine forces and destroy the monster for good.  The episode ends with Brian turning over a new leaf and Kelsey coming up with the idea to teach Kelsey how to talk to girls.....sigh....this episode was kind of a waste.  It was kind of boring and the plot wasn't great by any means.  I don't understand the point of the episode outside seeing Chad fight some random rival and Kelsey getting hurt but not learning anything from it.  Anywy...I'll pass!!!

Final Morph: D