Season 16, Episode 10: Blind Leading the Blind

 

"Blind Leading the Blind"

Episode 10

Air Episode: April 22nd, 2008 (Jetix)/April 27th, 2008 (TV)

Like I said, what I remember loving about this season is there's this constant overarching theme of improving as warriors and getting stronger on both sides of the fight.  Once again, the episode starts off with Carnisoar and Dai Shi training as the main baddie is looking to gain more power to achieve his ultimate goal of defeating the rangers and claiming the Earth for his takeover.  While Dai Shi has improved, Carnisoar is still too much for him as he brutally defeats him but Carnisoar does mention he is becoming more evil.  Tho, I love how we see Camille rush to Dai Shi's side when it looks like Carnisoar is about to destroy him.  I love when the villains of this show reveal their layers by being so loyal and compassionate toward each other.  It's clear that Camille has feeling for Dai Shi and it's not just her undying devotion to her leader....hmmmmm....:)  But with Dai Shi still training and unfit to continue his reign as leader, he summons so of his strongest subjects aka Carden, a crane monster and Bai Lai, a crow monster.  He orders them to open a vortex over the city so it can be sucked into oblivion.  Not a bad plan all things considered but of course, this isn't just Dai Shi's episode to continue to learn as Theo is having some trouble focusing on one task at hand...which is messing things up not only at work but when the rangers are off trying to save the city from the two new monsters.  I like how at first it's played for laughs but seriously puts the rangers at jeopardy during their fight to save the day; doesn't help that even the Elephant power formation of the megazord is no match for the two as well.  Also, there seems to be some Matrix reject guy with a fan watching as the rangers fight and get defeat who just just flies away at the end.

Turns out the guy is yet another badass Pai Zhuq master named Master Swoop, who has the spirit of the Bat.  He has arrived because Carden and Bai Lai are too dangerous, but Theo is too much of a liability for the team with his inability to focus one one thing at one time instead of everything at once.  So while Lily and Casey deal with the terrible twosome of bird monsters, Master Swoop takes Theo on a lesson to learn the way of the Bat but of course it goes as well as you'd expect at first with Theo thinking he can handle everything once which stops him from levitating with ease like Master Swoop.  Once again, I really love the dialogue and character development here with Theo revealing his trouble with wanting to focus on everything to appease his family, friends, professors, etc.  Of course, Master Swoop gives Theo some incredibly mature and wise words (even for this show! Wow! O_0) which feels very real by eventually helping him to freely levitate and able to master the fan.  Yes, now the rangers have a fan as a weapon in their arsenal. Hey it worked for Princess Kitana right!!! Jesus, I couldn't help but think Theo was about to perform a fatality on Bai Lai and Carden when he wipes out two fans and proceeds to continue to outfight them. :P  But seriously, the kung fu fight sequences are really impressive here and have been this season.  I honestly don't get how the stunt team get those bulky monster suits in the air so smoothly but the flow of the fight scenes look so seamless despite that so wonderful job to the production crew in New Zealand.

Of course, with Theo's new badass abilities, he is able to defeat the two but they soon grow and have to call on their zords to form the Jungle Pride....which actually take it's time to come together this time, thank god!  The funniest part about the zords is always watching them come together and I always hate how they speed through it cause it's CGI zords, ehw! Anyway, with the new weapon and master, Theo is able to hear Master Swoop and summon the spirit of the Bat alongside Casey and Lily to form the Jungle Pride with Bat power! Pretty much giving the megazord fan like weapon attachments and the ability to fly.  After destroying the vortex, the rangers manage to destroy Bai Lai once and for all....but Carden manages to survive; swearing vengeance for his fallen comrade.  Overall, "Blind Leading the Blind" is an excellent continuation of showcase both sides rising up to mastering their skills and growing more powerful.  It really raises the stakes on both ends and help even give Dai Shi some depth without looking pathetic and being just another "crush, kill, destroy" villain! Nice! :)

Final Morph: A