Season 12, Episode 20: It's A Mad Mad Mackerel

"It's A Mad Mad Mackerel"
Episode 20
Air Episode: June 19th, 2004

Well, like I said, they can't all be winners.  Even though last episode saw a very unique and bold creative story for the show incorporating the Sentai footage into a fun way to explore and poke fun at both the show and Sentai to an extent, "It's A Mad Mad Mackerel" goes back to a standard type of meandering filler for the show and boy, is this one kind of a chore to watch! O_o  I guess there are some enjoyable aspects to it like the whimsical cruelty we see during Kira's short sting as intern for a TV Station but meh, it's all so cliche and rather laughable in the grand scheme of things.  Of course, the plot is about Kira having to deal with the Funky Fisherman...or more his actor rather and the utter absurdity of Marty the Mackerel who is in a hilarious looking overgrown fish costume but hey, it's a kids show.  I'm just saying the guy gets a little too into character is all I'm saying.  So with Funky Fisherman being a complete tool, it's up to Kira and even the other rangers to teach him a quick lesson in humility, especially after Elsa accidentally traps him in a TV and the rangers have to figure out a way to get him out...well, actually it's Hayley once again who miraculous figures it out as the team's tech expert but one wonders if Tommy is paying this woman for her services.  I know they are saving the world and that shouldn't matter but I am kinda feeling like Hayley is being a little under-appreciated at this point. At least Tommy says thank you after using her genius device to free Funky Fisherman.

But one thing that really bothered me about this episode besides the throwaway main plot was Elsa thinking that kidnapping and turning Marty the Mackerel into a monster was such a great idea!!! Since when do guys in animal costumes have animal DNA??? -_-  That's quite the BIG stretch there Els! Maybe being trapped all day with Zeltrax and Trent has finally made you snap??? O_o  Speaking of those two, at least we got some plot movement with there now being a rivalry between Zeltrax and the White Ranger, which of course is for being Mesagog's second in command.  Now THIS rivalry makes more sense as Zeltrax hating Trent over favoritism because he is Anton Mercer's son is waaayyy more interesting than randomly fighting Tommy all the time out of consequences that have nothing to do with him and was all your fault??!! -_- But whatever! The fight sequence between Trent/the White Ranger and Zeltrax is actually really fun and action packed.  Of course, the White Ranger is too powerful for Zeltrax despite Trent not having much control over the gem as it makes him more evil but I really miss the initial voice of the White Ranger, all deep and foreboding as Trent's voice is now being used more when he's in suit.

Oh and there's a sub-plot with Cassidy and Devin as usual as Devin is also made an intern at the TV station despite Cassidy's best efforts to expand on her reporting career.  Honestly, I just don't get these two as this season's comic relief.  I mean, I would get it more if both Devin and Cassidy were dumb or if both of them were bumbling like Bulk and Skull but they're such an odd pairing; only put together because of the obvious attraction between them that's only be touched on so slightly.  I actually feel bad for Devin but Cassidy still remains vapid and shrill. O_o  There seems like there was some progress to be made in their friendship before they got hooked by the Mad Mackerel (Yes, of course! -_-) But it's all just leads to another fumbling mishap where Devin once again has proof of one of the ranger's identities but accidentally drops it in a bowl full of lemonade.  Nice! lol  All and All, "It's A Mad Mad Mackerel" is a disposable episode overall with not much plot movement and more filler than one can handle at times. o_O

Final Morph: C-