Season 17, Episode 10: Ranger Blue

"Ranger Blue"

Episode 10

Air Date: May 2nd, 2009

One thing that is so thoroughly enjoyable about this season and continues to highlight the superior writing here compared to some seasons is the writers openly making fun of the franchise with the series.  Sure we've had the self aware humor and tongue in cheek gimmicks during this era of the show, especially Dino Thunder for instance.  But never has it been executed near flawlessly as during that opening Q&A again but this time Dr. K is letting the rangers ask about the mysterious questions about their suits, zords and bio-tech hardware.  I just love this scene so much from Scott pointing out the eyes on the zords which Ziggy refers as large googly anime eyes, Ziggy pointing out the over the top explosions behind him after he morphs to Flynn asking why they have a morph call to begin with, especially having to shout it out so loud.  What makes this season even better is Olivia Tennet's excellently serious performance during it that really sells the comedy.  It's things I'm sure fans had been asking for years before this season and the writers have too much fun here at the expense of the franchise without laughing at it too hard.  But honestly, as wonderful as that sequence was, this is yet another Ranger Series centered episode as lastly get to our charming Scottish boy, Flynn.  Not surprised he use to be a comic book geek as a kid who got picked on....not that that's a bad thing.  You definitely sense a nobility in Flynn, especially when in terms of his character, he can be mistaken as being too cocky and self involved, but considering he's a Blue Ranger, the comic book geek persona has already been explored for that color before and just makes sense. Tho Tenaya hilariously taunts Flynn for his role as Blue Ranger since everyone on the team has a stereotypical identity but him....to which he responds...."I'M SCOTTISH!!" Awwwww....seriously, what with the Scottish emphasis on his character??? O_o  Not seeing too much of the humor in it.

Anyway, when it comes to Flynn's backstory, it certainly the most straight forward and comedic of the team, not being motivated by tragedy, abandonment or running from the mob! lol What drives Flynn is his sense of heroism; wanting to be a superhero as a child and desperately trying to be one in his adult life.  Of course, he becomes way too overzealous and continuous fired from his job by getting carried away with being a hero instead of just abiding by the rules.  Not to mention, leading a tribe of indigenous people like he was freakin' Mel Gibson in "Braveheart"...you know...cause "I"m SCOTTISH!!!" O_O Sigh....we learn that his father was continuously disappointed by his son and his embarrassing antics; wanting more from him after graduating school until Venjix, of course, started taking over the world.  They headed to Corinth like the rest of the world that survived the attack but hears the cries of a nearby woman whose daughter is still out there.  Flynn tries to ignore but he can't help it since it's "Just who he is" despite his father's cries for him not to.  He takes that school bus we saw in the premiere and heads out during the battle of Corinth to help a group of refugees, including the mother's young daughter, onto the bus away from oncoming Grinders.  Once again, bringing up full circle on how we first met Flynn. Once again, nothing too complex but definitely a heartwarming backstory capped off by Flynn's father finally being proud of him and even keeping up with his heroics as a ranger since he was looking at a superhero all the time he was raising him....awwwwww. :_)

In terms of the main plot outside the backstory bits, Venjix's three generals lead an attack on Cornith as his latest Attackbot is planning on digging into multiple areas in the city to cause an enormous eruption of lava underneath to destroy the city.  During the battle, Flynn's suit malfunctions, apparently because there being an issue with a bunch of technological/time and space hoodoo that Dr. K explains to Flynn soon after. He can't morph, meaning he can't help the rangers while they try to stop the Attackbot, but through his flashbacks, he continues to remember who he is and just goes to help the rangers; figuring out how to fix the suit is too....morph as an massive explosion happens behind him.  Hahahahaha....he even uses it to knock Tenaya and the Grinders down!!! This show is just....priceless!!! :) With Flynn back in action, the rangers summon both megazords to finish off the Attackbot and save the city. Yay! :)  Overall, "Ranger Blue" is a fabulous combination of the show's satirical writing and bold backstory sequences. :)

Final Morph: A