Season 11, Episode 14: Boxing Bopp-a-Roo

"Boxing Bopp-A-Boo"
Episode 14
Air Date: May 10th, 2003

You know, a part of me feared I wouldn't like this episode given the immediate forced animosity between Shane and Hunter.  Suddenly, they can't even train together without biting each other off and want so badly to beat each other in the Blue Bay Harbor annual extreme sports marathon aka Total Trek Marathon.  At this point, it just seemed like pointless conflict just for the sack of a subplot for the episode.  But it wasn't until Hunter and Shane found some time to relax from their bro competitiveness to finally talk about what's bothering both of them.  It never really occurred to me that both these guys were the respective leaders of their own set of teams; making especially hard for Hunter to get with the program with his new teammates.  He and Blake have been on their own their whole lives, especially since they became rangers and it's just really hard for him to take order or work with new rangers.  I like how Shane doesn't use this are an opportunity to force his leadership on to Hunter but merely tells him that the Wind Rangers have his and his brother's back as well as to not to worry about it since they have a new family.  Awwwww...it just felt natural moment of genuine dialogue and both actors really sold the scene as well as the storyline to this episode that just didn't feel like it was going anywhere until then.  So kudos on the writers and the actors for pulling the episode together here.

Meanwhile, in....villain news, Lothor has his utterly dimwitted nieces Marah and Kapri come up with a plan against the rangers in the form of....Boxing Bopp-A-Roo....sigh...a monster who speaks in the most ridiculous ways by making up words that rhythm......-_-  I mean it's the plan of those irritating twins so why am I NOT surprised??! -_-  Anyway, with Shane and Hunter at odds, he conveniently attacks them and proceeds to kick their asses because they can't work together.  One wonders why they didn't just go to Ninja Ops and report back to their Sensei, but ok, at least their senseless macho routine had a point like I said so moving on.  Once Hunter and Shane realize they need help a second time, Cam sends the rest of the rangers out to help them.  As the 5 unite and try to battle..uhhh...Boxing Bopp (Jesus, You know a monster name is bad when I miss last season's horrible Org one off names! O_O)  but even the whole team can't top him collectively.  He even creates a powerful shield that reflexes both blasts from the Storm Striker and Thunder Blaster; knocking them back hard.  Soon Lothor sends down Zurgane and...sigh again!...his nieces but at least they put up a decent fight against Hunter and Blake; proving they are very competent fighters when they AREN'T talking....:) Anyway, Shane and Hunter, learning from their time at odds, get an idea to use Hunter's thunder power from his staff to give to Shane to defeat the monster.  Cam quickly does so as Shane uses the lightning from Hunter's staff against Boxing for an impressive defensive attack as well as strike.  Once the villain regroup, Kapri summons as a new shield; leading the 5 rangers to combine all their weapons for the first time to create the Thunderstorm Cannon!!! Awesome!!!

As Zurgane and the nieces retreat, the rangers fire and destroy Boxing Bopp-A-Roo (Sigh -_-).  Kapri soon summons the Scroll of Empowerment which makes the monster grow....of course!!! lol As Cam sends the rangers their zords, each set of rangers forms their respective megazords.  They both even get to use the Snake/Serpent Sword thingy! O_o  But Boxing is too powerful even two megazords; forcing them to call mini-zord to form the Thunderstorm Megazord.  Aka the monster is now seriously screwed as Shane calls on the Lion Cannon on the megazord that fires all weapons; destroying him for good this time.  As the episode concludes, Shane and Hunter manage to tie and win the marathon together...but not before the other rangers witnessing them still not being about to want to compete against each other.  Yeah....O_o  All and All, this was a pretty good episode showing the still uneasy friction between both sides of rangers but showing them able to still cooperate enough to save the day.  Some nice character development too, so not bad at all! :)

Final Morph: B-