Season 18, Episode 10: Forest of the Trees

 

"Forest of the Trees"

Episode 10

Air Date: March 27th, 2011

Ewwww! Mediocrity at its finest!!! I don't like forced moral lessons when the writers haven't even established anything that would remotely make sense in this episode.  Sure, we know Mike is the rebellious, trouble maker, but it's never really been shown, more just told through his random "funny moments" or his personality.  But suddenly, Mike is feeling overshadowed when not trusted with one of the spin discs they have acquired which team plan to use it to form a new weapon for them to use: The Samurai Battle Wing! If anything this episode proves that Mike isn't ready wot wield such power since during a fight with a monster, he takes the disc from Mia, he isn't able to use it in time and lets a monster get away.  There isn't a lesson that really needs to be learned here, as Mike soon after comes off even more immature and unfit to use the disc; even using his symbol power to make Mentor Ji look stupid.  Ewwwwwwww!!! Also, why is everyone feeling bad for Mike all of a sudden. Sure, he's been a solid ranger so far, but there hasn't been an indication that he has been improving.  Even in "The Team Unites", he still didn't have the strength and skill to defeat the Nighlok without Jayden.  Wasn't that something he admitted by the end of the episode??? O_o

Once again, there is no real story here that was even hinted at prior to this episode and now suddenly Ji wants to come to Mike aid because of Jayden vouching for him.  I'm sorry, I just don't get how these stories are structured this season...not to mention, Mentor Ji doesn't really teach him anything this episode besides what exactly?? Trying to ease up on him and trying to understand him more considering his personality??? But yet....after that scene, Mike is suddenly ready to take on the monster of the week with his impeccable symbol power now.  So what, people just have to have faith in Mike and suddenly he's able to be a master of his element??? Why haven't we even seen him improve in previous episodes??? O_o  The writers just seem content with telling us about these characters and what's been happening that we haven't seen than gradually showing us these characters grow and develop.

Anyway, after defeating the monster, Desperaino, he grows and the rangers call on their zords.  But even with the Samurai Megazord, they are unable to battle him in the sky. Now is the time to unleash all 3 zords to create the Samurai Battle Wing, which Mia just gives Mike the beetle disc because he is so ready to handle it with his unbelievable symbol power.  WOW! So they bring the Battle Wing together and they are able to defeat Desperaino once and for all.  I just don't know what to say...even the resolution feels so unearned and forced.  Ewwwwww. This is just yet another indication of the horrible process of this show when it comes to its characters as well as telling a coherent story centered around said characters.  It's just poor and head scratching honestly. Also, the way Hector runs......HAHAHAHAHAH! Sorry.....:P

Final Morph: D+