Season 22, Episode 11: Breakout

"Breakout"

Episode 11

Air Date: August 30th, 2015

WOW! I have to say, this is definitely my favorite 6th ranger introduction episode since...well...hell, I really have to think about it!  Eric as the Quantum Ranger in Time Force was pretty bada$$ and Ryan's Titanium Ranger arc was definitely the strongest run of episodes in terms of story for Lightspeed Rescue. But my favorites so far would have to be the Gold Ranger in Zeo and Zhane in In Space.  I think why I love this introduction so much is not just because of the usual 6th ranger's arrival fight being bada$$ and all, but because of Sir Ivan of Zandar himself as the 6th ranger.  Ivan really is a extremely unique character to the show at this point, a lot like Koda.  A man out of time but instead of being a caveman, he's an 800 year old knight who turns out to have been the one trapped in Fury all along instead of potentially being Tyler's that.  But before we get to the noble knight's shocking debut as the newest ranger on the Dino Charge team, the rangers themselves have to deal with the unexpected arrival of the REAL Prince of Zandar when he and his bodyguards arrive to acquire all of the treasures of Zandar, including the gold energem.  The Prince himself, Phillip III is a major a-hole to Kendal and the team, especially Koda who is so innocent and sweet yet Phillip can't help but point out his obvious flaws for being so out of touch with modern day society.  Also, the bit where he chastises Tyler and Shelby about impersonating royalty like himself is just hilarious if not once again harsh.

Unfortunately, the Prince and his guards are soon ambushed by Fury, Poisandra and the rest of Sledge's forces when trying to get away with the energem.  While Phillip's bodyguards struggle to protect him from the Vivix, Fury is about to get the energem from the prince when Koda arrives out of nowhere to stop Fury.  As the other rangers arrive in bad$$ness to hell during the fight, Koda and Phillip are unfortunately knocked away when Koda tries to protect them from one of Fury's blasts.  While trying to get the prince to safety, we get a heartwarming moment of Phillip apologizing to Koda for dismissing him so harshly earlier while Koda reaffirms him that there is good insider everyone....even a mean prince like him.  God I love Koda! Yoshi is so natural and genuine in this role, it's adorable! :_(  Too bad Fury has caught up to them and gets his hands on the gold energem.  As the other rangers, they must form a plan to get the energem back as Kendall soon calls them to use the Dino Stretch Charger as a way to temporarily defeat the Ptera Zord so Fury can't control it.  Kendall have been very good with upping the rangers' arsenal each episode.  I forgot to mention the Dino Drive mood from last episode, which is a team upgrade within the megazord they can use to give it more fire power.

All I'm saying is, that these new weapons are being given to these rangers as natural progress in their fight against Sledge instead of some Tiki Head on a wall have a closet full of weapons, zords and upgrades that throws at the rangers because he has a spare!!! -_-  Anyway, after Tyler subdues the Ptera zord with his T-Rex zord, he joins the other rangers in their fight against Fury which ends unexpectedly when the being from inside him bonds with the energem and releases himself in a massive blast.  I love how Tyler quickly runs over to meet up with his dad to only reveal that it's just Sir Ivan! And like I said, Sir Ivan makes a phenomenal first impression.  I don't know where they got Davi Santos but he's so perfectly casted in the role.  I love everything from his Arthurian speech and way of fighting as well as commanding his first fight in such a way only an experienced knight like himself can.  Also, that Ptera Saber is awesome as hell!!! :)  With the gold energem now in his hand, Ivan assumes full control of the Ptera zord but it's unfortunate the megazord form doesn't keep its cape. Whomp! But still, "Monster Vanquished!" is definitely a hilarious alternative to "Monster Extinct!"  The episode ends with Ivan officially introducing himself as well as Prince Phillip giving him the gold energem since he is now a ranger.  But the best writing of the show happens when Sir Ivan just wonders off to explore the world he hasn't seen in 800 years and the rangers wisely letting him go to bask in his freedom.  Bravo! What a truly excellent introduction as well as story progressive episode.  Definitely one of my favorites from this season.  Dino Charge really is the saving grace of this era of the show. :)

Final Morph: A+