Season 12, Episode 6: Diva In Distress

"Diva In Distress"
Episode 6
Air Date: March 13th, 2004

Well, after a story heavy/plot driven adrenaline ride that the first five episodes have been, "Diva In Distress" is the filler-ish type episode and I say filler-ish as while this is more or less your typical monster of the week episode with an episodic dilemma that is resolved by the end of the episode, there are still some plot elements laid out in this episode that are very intriguing and leave a lot of potential for the remainder of the season.  One plot development in particular that stood out was the return of Anton Mercer and the discovery that he is Trent's adoptive father (though we don't know that yet! :P)  I love the scene where Tommy reunites with his thought to be dead former partner before their experiments let loose and destroyed the island but Anton is surprisingly subdue and nonchalant about the whole thing.  Hmmmmm...??? Also, it doesn't help that Latham Gaines is giving a very creepy performance as Anton Mercer and I really enjoyed the following scene where Trent is asking him more about his past with Dr. Oliver but his father just dismissing it so coldly.  Jesus! Yikes!  There is just something really off about him and I like how the writers subtly hinting that Anton is definitely hidden something by making his miraculous recovery a mystery covered in possible sinister backstory....hmmmm! :)

Another development that we get that comes out of no where tho, is Zeltrax suddenly having beef with Tommy over something he did in the past??? O_o  It literally comes out of nowhere and Tommy even says while fighting him "I don't know what you're talking about".  Clearly there is something about Zeltrax that also had to do with the experiments that he and Anton were doing but Tommy can't remember...hmmmm??? Once again, it leaves some serious intrigue for things to come and anticipation of more of the tragic backstory at the creation of Mesagog and his forces. Nice! Oh and if I must delve into the plot of the week in this episode, Kira's former bandmate/friend, Kyle Styles is in town and is some big celebrity now since she was discover by an agent who spawn her massive singing career.  While Conner is starstruck and smitten by her, Kira is just disappointed and disgusted by the self adsorbed diva (hence the name of the episode, get it! :P) that she has become.  Of course, this is all a plot point with a message about what really matters and friendship, blah, blah, blah, God now I sound like Linkara! O_O But it's your typical Power Rangers plot that has been done before that ends with a cheesy pop duet between Kira and Kyle now that they are friends again and Kyle realizes what's truly important....Yayyyyyy....Zzzzzzzzz.....

As for the monster of the week, Donkeyvac, I actually thought it was cool seeing a monster that could steal youth from people.  Yes, A Donkey themed monster that sucks the youth out of people....only on Power Rangers I tell you! Also, I don't like having Cassidy and Devin forced into the story by literally trying to get a quote from the monster while the rangers are fighting him. -_-  I just find these characters, mostly Cassidy in particular so grating and the whole "using their new found golden years to get discounts on things" just got old really fast! Tho watching them get chased out by a crowd of actual old people make we chuckle and smile from their utter terror and embarrassment! Ha! Besides that, "Diva In Distress" was a pretty good episode but ultimately a disposable one with only a handful of developments that keep your interest because they are setting up more exciting plot driven developments in the future.  I'm all for friendship and change but just not a story that's really convincing after seeing it on this show sooooo many times at this point.

Final Morph: C+