Season 14, Episode 18: Dark Wish, Part 1

"Dark Wish, Part 1"
Episode 18
Air Episode: July 10th, 2006

here we have what could be the epicenter of the season in terms of plot, character development and overall thematic execution of the season.  Well, I'm glad the writers made the rangers' usual selfishness and self absorbed idiocy into a major plot point.  Seems they have become reliant on their magic (You think!!!? O_O) I still can't believe these supposed heroes of the city are just casually using their magic to do the most minimal tasks...at work...where anyone like customers, especially their boss can see them.  I just don't understand how we once again are suppose to root for this team as our current group of rangers when common sense is always a problem for them.  Tobey's planning a one year anniversary since the opening of his record store, so the rangers decide to casually use magic to do all the work for them...sigh.  Not to mention, even at Root Core, they can't help but use magic for their own personal gain.  Now I wish Udonna instead of getting pissed about it, told them there is a dangerous price for using their magic selfishly instead of fighting evil but whatever....can't expect the writing to be perfect, especially during this season. -_-

Anyway, Imperious puts his next plan into motion by summoning the Barbarian Beasts from a place called the Oblivion and Koragg can't help himself AGAIN taking about how dishonorable they are and WOW Koragg, really??? if everyone is soooo dishonorable than why the hell are you evil then!!! You make absolutely no sense and every scene with him is starting to make by eyes hurt from rolling them so much when he's onscreen. O_O  So the rangers and Daggeron begin facing off against each Barbarian Beast as they prove to be extremely powerful opponents as Kalashplosions become more numerous again! -_-  But with each battle, the rangers can't help but want Daggeron to summon Jenji so they can wish their enemies away.  Now, I've been saying the rangers should use Jenji to wish their enemies away but my goodness, the fact they are now using it because now they're tired of fighting and want things to be so much easier for THEM, instead of selfless wishing for the world to be saved....WOW!!! I completely understand Daggeron and Udonna's concern over how reckless that have been with their magic lately.  But instead of disciplining them or I don't, teaching them a lesson about it, they just let them keep fighting as they keep calling Daggeron to use Jenji to save them...ehhhh! -_-

Meanwhile, there truly is more to Imperious' plan as he uses the last two Barbarian Beast to betray Koragg and destroy him.  We get another really awesome big budget stunt fight that results in Koragg's defeat as he is seemingly left dead as Phineas pays him some last words before Koragg stops him from taking his sword.  Awww Koragg needs help...don't do it Phineas!!!  He'll tell you there's no honor in leaving a defenseless Knight alone to die!!! :P *Eye roll*  Anyway, while the rangers must leave Tobey's party to tend to another Barbarian Beasts, the Solaris Knight joins them to fight the last two who are too powerful for the two of them.  Apparently, Imperious knew the rangers would grow more exhausted fight each one of them and the rangers just give him what he ultimately wants at Daggeron finally gives into his demands to use Jenji.....WHAT!!? -_- Dude, you could have told them to believe in themselves and the power in within you to defeat them mumbo jumbo we usually get from this show or pull a Dooggie (WOOF!) Cruger and leave them to fight the battle on their own to win the day but nope!!! You had a bad feeling about this and STILL used Jenji out of peer pressure??!! You're their mentor!!! Why are listening to the irresponsible teenagers who are taking their magic for granted and taking the easy way out??? Jenji gets captured by the two and return to the underworld to have Imperious wish the Mystic Force ranger NEVER existed!! In terms of plan, this is ingenious as they use the rangers' greatest weapon against them to solve their problems instead of the rangers doing something with Jenji in the first place.  Nope, we just got an episode about Jenji getting jealous over a baby dragon and Clare eating large pepperoni slices off her face in this one. -_- Ewwwww!!! I love the lack of urgency from the rangers, Udonna and Daggeron since you know what kind of wish they are about to make but let's wait and see what happens.....My WORD! Oh the surface in plunged into darkness and color no longer exists?? Daggeron disappears as dark magic takes over Root Core while Clare and Udonna hold each other in complete fear??? ....Naw, it couldn't be a wish granted by Jenji...???!!! *Head Desk*  Now don't let my usual bashing of this season get in the way that I really did love this episode....in theory anyway.  The writers are truly trying to tell an epic story here as they push the rangers to their most unbearable limits to further their character development in a big way but sometimes the nonsensical  character choices just get in the way of such a potential awesome storyline.  Good, NOT Great! On to Part 2!!!

Final Morph: B