Season 9, Episode 30: Destiny Defeated

"Destiny Defeated"
Episode 30
Air Date: September 8th, 2001

Sigh....these past three episodes man! :_( Such an emotional roller coaster of emotions that I just can't express.  Mind you, this isn't even the season finale, yet it almost feels like the culmination of the season's themes and arcs; both personal and plot based.  Eric's decision to leave has always baffled me but I think it was just a case of him realizing how fruitless it was working for an company more concern about money and power over compassion and what's right. Mind you, Eric has ALWAYS wanted to be in a position like this, of wealth and power.  Being respected by his peers and professionals, but we've seen even where he is now as in command of the Silver Guardians and earning Mr. Collins' trust and respect, he is still...like Trip foreshadowed episodes ago, still lonely.  Now I know why he decide to pack up his things and leave town, even sharing another touching moment with the little girl he met in "Quantum Secrets" to give her his pet birds! Awwwww...but it's seeing the rangers continuing the fight in his absence that quickly reminded him what's important and where he is needed! Nice! :)

Back to Alex...being a complete and utter dick to the other rangers, bad mouthing their equipment and even Circuit...NOT COOL DUDE! -_-  Anyway, luckily, they don't have time to waste as Dragotron returns and they must head back out.  Meanwhile, Wes is continuing to watch over his father as morning dawns and knowing his father is about to die! :_(  Anyway, so it turns out Frax has come up with another plan against the rangers this time in the form of a power receptor that will drain both the rangers' powers and their zords.  It does so as both the Time Shadow and Time Force Megazord are rendered immobile by the machine its power. As Alex grows more aggressive and the rangers more impatient, they still battle on and try to stop Frax and an oncoming group of Cyclobots.  Meanwhile, Wes' limo driver passes by the Clock tower and he reminisces about his time with the rangers.  He tells him to pull over and heads there while Frax uses his machine to drain the rest of the rangers' powers.  Circuit heads over to check on the rangers but gets shot down.  He does manage to head back to the Clock tower where he sees Wes and tells him what happens before he shuts down.  Wes takes the time to remember the words of Dr. Zaskins as well as others before making the decision to take his destiny into his own.  As the other rangers continue to fight, Alex gets all in their face again and Lucas finally has enough. I wish he actually punched him BUT Lucas just tells him off; giving the rest of the team encourage to join in and tell him why Wes is a better fit for the job.  Before Frax can take advantage of the team's vulnerability, Wes comes in to save the team and tell them he's here to help them.  Wes then goes for the machine and destroys it; giving the rangers the ability to morph again.  After Jen begs Alex to give Wes back his morpher, he finally gives it to her and she gives it to him.

After Frax leaves for Dragotron to finish them off, the 5 rangers morph and take him on in their zords that have their power restored to them.  As Eric leaves Silver Hills, he sees the fight and joins them with the Q-Rex.  Meanwhile, Mr. Collins is finally dying (I didn't mean it like that!) while a nurse tries to get help.  A mysterious figure soon enters his room after his death and brings him back to life with some magical glowing ball.  So it turns out to clearly be Alex but it makes it out before the hospital staff can make it back into Mr. Collins' room and see he is in exquisite health.  Meanwhile, Wes uses the Time Force Megazord to...ride the Q-Rex and does a maneuver that helps them defeat Dragotron! But didn't they have to hit his sensitive spot in a specific way??? Oh well, anyway...what follows is Wes' desperation to see his dad soon after.  Luckily, Eric is there to give him a ride...but one wonders how he got back into his Silver Guardian uniform and got his car so quick but whateves!  Anyway, Wes returns to the hospital to find his father missing but he's safe and sound thanks to Alex.  Ehhhhh, the acting here is so beautiful from both actors and Wes getting a chance to hear those words from his father....awwwwww!!! So heartwearming! :_)  The episode ends with a wonderful conclusion as Alex kind of apologizes ("I'm sorry for being a little harsh"....WTF??? -_-) but Wes getting a chance to thank him for saving his father.  Makes sense...since, they are related and that'd be messed up of Alex.  But I also love as Jen says goodbye to Alex there is a change in how she sees him and is almost saying goodbye to him for good in Erin Cahill's delivery.  All and All, a straight 10/10 for these exceptional three episodes that truly embody why this season is so loved and adored. Masterful writing, character development and plot progression! Wow! :)

Final Morph: A+