Season 16, Episode 21: Race to the Nexus

 

"Race to the Nexus"

Episode 21

Air Date: July 21st, 2008

Now I really enjoy episodes like this because there's always sense of intense urgency and the plot moving at a quick space without feeling rushed but more like a thrill ride!  With Dai Shi after the Rhino Nexus with Camille, it's a race against time as the Overloads and the rangers both catch up to get the dagger for themselves.  Of course, it doesn't help there are apparently Sand snakes guarding the Nexus (Yeah, how did Dai Shi get passed those before and why are we learning about them now??? O_0)  Anyway, when Camille is almost taken by one of the burrowing through the ground, Dai Shi saves her, as the dagger repels it from continuing its attack.  Meanwhile, as the rangers use their Jungle Master Megazord to get to the Nexus, the Overloads fly pass them after learning of Dai Shi's escape.  They immediately land and begin their attack, but even with the control dagger, the Overloads are too powerful for them as Grizzaka grows and almost crushes them if not for the rangers arriving to fight him with the Jungle Master.  While Dai Shi and Camille take the opportunity to head for the Nexus, the rangers battle Grizzaka but even the Jungle Master is no match for the Overload and they demorph; falling to the ground.  As the three Overloads prepare to destroy them, the sand snakes return and grab the three Overloads; viciously pulling them underground. As the rangers take the chance to go after the dagger, Carnisoar recovers and confronts the rangers; hitting them with a powerful blast that knocks four of them back.  While RJ signals Dominic to go after Dai Shi, the four morph and begin their fight with Carnisoar.  Unfortunately, Jellica has also made it out and stops Dominic while Dai Shi uses the dagger to open the barrier over the Nexus.  After briefly getting blasted by some fire, the two enter the Nexus while Jellica beats the hell of the Rhino Ranger. 

Meanwhile, the four rangers are having serious trouble fighting Carnisoar with even their Jungle Master Mode not being strong enough to match his power.  He soon begins toying with them by taking them to a world of illusion and forcing them to fight each other by fooling them into thinking he is among them but it's all an illusion makes them harm each other by mistake.  As Carnisoar arrives to continue to beat on the four, Dominic is being brutally defeated by Jellica.  Remembering his destiny is at stake, Dominic summons his Rhino morpher blade and begins going to town on Jellica; managing to won her up and continue to go after the dagger while she is injured on the ground.  As Dai Shi and Camille make their way to the Rhino power, they discover that it's in the form of a gigantic rhino statue.  As Dai Shi is about to open it, Dominic makes it in time to catch them.  But before Dai Shi can unlock the Rhino power, the power from the key whole and dagger knock him back.  As Dominic takes his chance to unlock the Rhino power, Dai Shi realizes his Zocato powers are growing.  Uhhh oohhhh.....!!! O_O  Soon the Rhino statue reveals itself to be a zord, the Rhino Steel Zord which Dominic morphs and uses it to ride toward the rangers.

Back in Carnisoar's illusion, Casey manages to defeat him and bring all of them back to the real world but Carnisoar just makes himself grow.  The rangers try summoning both their megazords but even the combined power of the Wolf Pride and Jungle Master megazords aren't enough to stop him and the four revert back to their unmorphed forms when the megazords can't take anymore.  When Carnisoar is about to destroy them, Dominic soon arrives riding the Rhino Steel; transforming it into the Rhino Pride Megazord...which is honestly stunning!!! WOW!!! One of the most gorgeous/badass looking megazords in a while and I really like how the Rhino horn become the megazord's saber as well as having a shield; looking like very majestic overgrown knight! Neat! :) Anyway, with the Rhino Pride Megazord, Dominic is able to destroy Carnisoar once and for all but that leaves two more and Dai Shi's growing power unfortunately.  Uhhh ohhhh...again!!! O_o Like I said, this episode was an entertaining action packed rush.  Tho, how Grizzaka just shows up at the end when Jellica and especially Carnisoar made it out so quick....-_-??? "Race to the Nexus" succeeds overall tho in plot movement and advancement in the rangers' arsenal. :)

Final Morph: A+