Season 12, Episode 14: Truth and Consequences

"Truth and Consequences"
Episode 14
Air Date: May 8, 2004

Wow! A part of me wishes this was "White Thunder, Part 4" instead of it's own episode separate from the 3 parter...but then, "Truth and Consequences" feels like such a refreshing epilogue to the White Thunder saga that I actually love it either way.  What I'm really loving about this about this storyline is we seeing an evil ranger isn't working for or being controlled by either sides but working on his own as powerful rogue warrior that both sides fear since he can outmatched them in every battle as this episode continues to show exponentially.  The episode begins with the other rangers and Hayley shockingly discovering Tommy encased in ember as they realize he is trapped there for the moment while Hayley has to find some way to figure out to free him.  Meanwhile, a continued and very disorienting Trent finally discovers that he is possessed by the White Ranger and has been the one attacking the rangers the whole time.  At Hayley's Cyberspace, during a busy rush, Trent runs in to tell Hayley he is unable to work there anymore and can't explain, to the others' shock.  When Kira quickly confronts him before he leaves, Trent is adamant about Kira not understanding but Kira reassuring him she will if she tells him what's been going on with him.  But...before he can confess about being the White Ranger, Cassidy takes center stage...literally...at the cafe to... make a damn fool of herself once again!!! Shocking!!! Apparently, Devin has that footage of the White Ranger and his true identity, to Trent and the other rangers' shock as well as Hayley....but of course, he arrives to deliver the bad news that his sister borrowed his camera and is using it....WOW!!! -_-  You know Devin, I was having your back the whole time with being set up with Cassidy as this season's unusually embarrassing comedic duo as you seemed so smart and competent...but nope....I take it back...ALL BACK!  After that, Trent makes a quick exit as Kira realizes he's gone.

But soon the White Ranger rises again from Trent as Mesagog watches from his throne in his castle.  He soon orders Elsa and Zeltrax to go and capture him...but as usual, it's easier said then done as the White Ranger easily outfights them both until the Dino Rangers arrive.  Of course, both sides aren't in the mood to fight each other with the White Ranger being the most pressing issue, so Elsa hilarious teleports herself and Zeltrax away for the rangers to handle to White Ranger on their own.  Honestly, this is just really awesome to me having two factions: one good and one evil after a rogue baddie who is too strong for both but each side having their own agenda for stopping him.  Once again, a newly devised twist of the usual evil ranger saga for this show! :) Anyway, the White Ranger soon gets to work owning our heroes ...again!!! He's just too fast and strong, Jesus! Kira suddenly unlocks her own Super Dino Mode and is able to fight back adequately enough to give the White Ranger some difficulty for once.  Gotta admit, as stupid and as random as the Super Dino Mode is...not to mention, LOOKS (Seriosuly! o_o), it's also exciting seeing the rangers being able to unleash new aspects of their ranger powers; especially with such a powerful enemy on their hands.  But the White Ranger soon gets the upperhand again and forces Kira to demorphs while knocking Connor and Ethan aside so he can finish her off. "I never did like the color Yellow". Gulp, much! O_O But before the White Ranger can strike the final blow, Trent soon takes over and remembers Kira as well as hanging out with her.  As he yells out in pain and confusion, Connor and Ethan proceed to unlock their Super Dino Modes and take the opportunity to take him down.  After taking a quick beating, the White Ranger retreats while Connor and Ethan go to Kira...who seems to be shocked on why the White Ranger spared her???

But she won't have to guess for long as when she arrives at Trent's house to find out why he left in a hurry, Trent soon reveals in his drawing the White Ranger.  While Kira is shocked and wonders why Trent would be drawing pictures of the bad guy, Trent finally shows her his dino bracelet! Gasp! He's the White Ranger! O_O  Kira is, of course, upset and immediately antagonistic toward him but Trent reassures her he won't hurt her and can't control the White Ranger when he takes over.  Seeing that he desperately needs help, Kira tells him about Hayley and the other rangers as they can help but he needs to stay put until she gets back.  Unfortunately, it's easier said then done as Elsa has been tracking down the White Ranger as she comes up with a plan to capture him in his human form as he is too powerful in his ranger form, which...is a surprisingly great plan all things considered. O_o  Makes sense, especially as he or she would be more vulnerable and easy to apprehend, so kudos again for the villains thinking up alternate way of attacking their rogue enemy.  Soon the Tyrannodrones capture Trent after Elsa tracks him down as well get a truly chilling and badass confrontation between Trent and Mesagog.  I like how we get some more foreshadowing here, like Mesagog knowing Anton Mercer...almost personally and using Trent as leverage to gain access to the power of the white dino gem...NICE! :) Trent, of course, relents but Mesagog knows the gem's power over him is only getting stronger and he'll become completely evil eventually and join his side to rule a prehistoric Earth.  Seriously, that is one awesome and creepy master plan! O_O  Too bad, the White Ranger decides to free himself and take over Trent; as he escapes to Mesagog's scary hissing! Jesus! Tooo many close-ups of this guy! Yikes! :( As the other rangers and Hayley find out from Kira Trent is the White Ranger, they are rightfully upset and don't trust him; especially considering he literally just fossilized Tommy but Kira is adamant that Trent is innocent in all this and needs their help.  After discovering he left his home, they head back to the Dino Lab to see on one of the monitors that the White Ranger has returned.

Before heading out into battle, gotta love Connor making sure Kira puts her feelings aside for Trent as White Ranger must be stopped at all cost.  Really sets up the seriousness of their upcoming fight with one of their toughest enemies so far as well as showing Connor starting to take charge as the leader of the team.  After morphing, soon the Dino Rangers call on their zords as the White Ranger has once again formed the Dino Stegazord.  As the battle intensifies, Hayley sends the rangers yet another new Bio Zord (Jesus, what is this, Wild Force again??? O_o) aka the Ankylozord, which the rangers use as a sword and shield attachment to the Thundersaurus Megazord.  But before the rangers can finish him off, he teleports away in his zord to retreat....for the moment.  Meanwhile, the episode ends with Kira confronting Trent and begging him for them to help him.  But Trent feels it's best if he leaves Reefside in fear of harming the rangers and other people again.  It's a pretty sad ending as Trent takes off while Kira stares as his drawing of the White Ranger flooding in the water.  Overall, "Truth and Consequences" continues to up the stakes with this White Ranger saga with emotional revelations, tense action and awesome villain interactions.  One of the best this season thus far! :)

Final Morph: A+