Season 16, Episode 4: A Taste of Poison

"A Taste of Poison"

Episode 4

Air Episode: March 3rd, 2008

This episode starts with Camille roaming Dai Shi's chamber looking for the deadliest of warriors to serve him as Camille narrates over scenes of each warrior displaying their over top skills as she tells them each of their names: Rantipede, Stingerella, Gakko, Naja and Toady.  Each of course based on a specific animal that can be poisonous; hence the names.  After reintroducing them Dai Shi quickly, we got to Jungle Pride Pizza where Lily and Casey are bonding; but it's not soon until they get too much fun bonding and start a food fight that Theo comes in on and becomes their dad about it.  Luckily, duty calls and Fran has to stay and clean up after them.  Jesus, poor Fran, I'm already feeling like she doesn't get appreciated enough and literally has to vouch for the rangers constantly when she shouldn't. Sigh.  Oh and I forgot that the rangers method of "going into action" is swinging off vines in their base into a large hole in the wall....cause jungle theme!!??? O_o  Anyway, as the rangers arrive to confront the Five Fingers, they quickly learn that these monsters are not to be played with as they make quick work of the three; able to outfight without any difficulty to the point where all three are forced to demorph.  As the rangers run off and regroup, they end up at a quarry for some reason instead of immediately going back to base for plot convenience??? O_o There the 5 Fingers stop their continued escape as well as Da Shi makes his appearance as of course, the three are shocked that Jarrod and Da Shi share the same body.  Soon Jarrod/Da Shi challenges Casey to a solo fight since he humiliated him at the Pai Zhuq academy.  After Da Shi morphs into his very aesthetically pleasing Lion Warrior armor, Casey morphs and the two enter a serious battle as both forces watch.  I got to admit, I really enjoy the incredibly less frequent Kalishplosions this season so far.  They aren't even distracting enough to take away from the really awesome kung fu choreography of the action. Nice! :)

Unfortunately, Da Shi is way too powerful for Casey as even his Tiger animal Spirit is viciously beaten by Jarrod/Da Shi's Lion spirit.  But instead of just finishing off the rangers there, he sends one of the 5 Fingers to temporarily poison Casey.....why??? Why not make it fatal or at least poison the others???! Oh Da Shi, this isn't a good look for you only 4 episodes in man. -_- Anyway, back at RJ's loft, while he and other two rangers are nursing Casey, RJ reveals that he's been working on a new weapon that he needs to perfect to use against Da Shi.  After some funny banter between the three teens, we suddenly see Casey morphed and preparing to fight Da Shi but is easily defeated before Lily wakes up; revealing it was all a nightmare.  Back at Da Shi's palace, Rentipede grows impatient; especially since one of the rangers is poisoned (seriously!) and decides to go off his own to challenge Casey. When Lily sees the message for Casey on the TVs to meet him on the beach, Lily nobly goes after him herself and takes Casey's place.  While Rentipede is mad at first, he agrees to face her since she's ranger. An intense battle begins between them as Theo and Casey realize Lily hasn't gotten ready for work.  As they see on the TVs the two fighting, they quickly head out to meet her while Lily gains the upperhand on Rantipede with her boa staff.  As the two other rangers arrive, Rentipede summons an army of Rin Shi while Casey orders them to take him on while he deals with the foot soldiers.  

Casey decides this is the perfect time to use RJ's new weapon and uses his animal spirit to summon the Strike Rider, which is kind like a mini battlizer as Casey gets a nice shield while riding on the super cycle.  In badass, over the top fashion, Casey uses the cycle to make the foot soldiers look pathetic while a pissed of Dai Shi tells Camille to go after Rentipede who has gone to face the rangers without his permission.  Poor Camille. :( Back at the beach, Rentipede decides to show off his hideous face covered with centipedes, and I..... excuse me (*throws ups*)......  Anyway, Camille arrives to face Casey and stop Rentipede but she gets quickly defeated by his new weapon.  Rentipede soon grows and becomes a huge monster; which leads to the rangers summoning the  Jungle Pride Megazord.  Of course, our irritating frequent fly commentator does his thing as the rangers struggle but ultimately destroy the first of the Five Fingers as Camille must go back to Dai Shi and report.  After threatening her ever so kindly (sheesh), we head back to Jungle Karma Pizza where Lily and Casey have some more great banter that establishes them as a brother/sister relationship.  Of course, they can't but start another playful fight; this time playing with the water and soap by throwing it at each other.  Theo notices once again and you can definitely tell this new bonding between them is making him feel left out or maybe even...jealous!!?? Done, done, done! O_o Overall, a pretty decent episode, not great bay any means and I'm just not keen on Dai Shi not being a bit more aggressive when he had to ranges beat here but overall, nothing too stupid and harmful to the plot. :)

Final Morph: B-