Season 16, Episode 3: Sigh of the Tiger

"Sigh of the Tiger"

Episode 3

Air Episode: February, 25th, 2005

You know what I really remember enjoying about this season?? There was always this theme of underdogs and constantly master their craft on each side.  At the beginning of the episode we see Dai Shi actually training and taking out his Rin Shi purposefully to improve his skills as the rangers are now his nemesis.  One could say he's just practicing to get use to his new body...a body Camille seems found of but Dai Shi quickly gives her the cold shoulder when complimenting her master....hmmmmm..... But on the hero side of things, you have Casey, a red ranger no less, who happens to be the least experience of our team this time, eagerly wanting to step up and learn more to catch up to his fellow rangers.  I really like Casey for this reason, he just seems so relatable and reminds me so much of Leo from Lost Galaxy...without the impulse decisions and need to get in trouble to always prove himself.  Casey was literally thrown into all this...yet nobly took on the role of a ranger to do the right thing without hesitation.  Sure, he had doubts like when he told Master Mao he's just a rookie as well as not being sure he could help Theo and Lily.  So it makes sense that the writers would make a story arc about his character wanting to grow profoundly as not only a ranger, but a Kung Fu fighter (Everybody wants to kung fu fighting!!! O_O HUH!) who is working alongside far superior students who've had the time to grow and master their skills.  So when Casey realizes this, he asks RJ to train him so he can start catching up to his fellow rangers.  I mean Jesus, Camille kicks his ass in a fight and makes a comment about pretty much him being pathetic considering he's the red ranger....DAMN GURL!!! Leave my boy Case alone! O_o

Of course, at first it seems like RJ is just making Casey slave over the base by forcing him to clean the floors, wash his very smelly yoga mat and even fix his apparently broken chair.  He even tells the other rangers to handle the monster of the week and be destroyed if Casey doesn't learn in time.  Casey being fed up with the bullsh!t tells RJ he's showed him nothing and is about to run off to help the others when RJ quickly shows him that he has been teaching him as he is able to counter and outmaneuver RJ with apparently all the work he's been doing in the base.  Who knew doing such everyday tasks could improve or even give you some solid kung fu moves!? LOL O_O  But seriously, I really enjoy this plot point and how it makes RJ look as a mentor.  At first, I was getting just as frustrated with Casey about RJ forcing him to do random stuff but clearly RJ is wise and is willing to show that Casey has it within him to be not only a fast learner but a impressive fighter in his own right.  Tho, not telling him up front did seem pretty Captain Mitchell but I take it as Casey wouldn't have believed him if he did...at all...so I get it this time anyway! :) 

As for our monster of the week plot, Camille, after defeating the rangers, was able to steal a shaman pouch from the museum with the Rin Shi to unleash a Bull's spirit to form into another totem to create yet another monster.  This time, a foot soldier becomes "Bulllord"........what?  You should be use to this by now!? O_o lol Who happens to be one super strong monster about to toss the rangers like ragdolls...until Casey arrives to but that ultimate whoop ass on him. :) Unfortunately, as the rangers congratulate him for defeating him, he manages to grow; forcing them to summon their zords and form the Jungle Pride Megazord.  Flint...makes yet another appearance to make commentary during the fith and I'm already tired of it no matter how cute and harmless he is.  Jar Jar Binks much??!! O_O Anyway, while the rangers have trouble first, they manage to destroy Bulllord with a new finisher that has the lower have of the megazord turning into a tornado and drill him to death.  Oh how nice.  I also love how RJ forces Theo and Lily to clean the entire shop on their own while the rest of them go get ice cream!  It's do to those two leaving Fran to face a chaotic, restless team of children by herself when they open and them being punished for it.  You mean there are consequences for the rangers' being selfish this season....NO.  WAY. All and all, "Sigh of the Tiger" is pretty awesome episode with a decent monster plot with an even better A plot surrounding Casey's already impressive character development.  Nice! :)

Final Morph: A-