Season 22, Episode 12: Knight After Knights

"Knight After Knights"

Episode 12

Air Date: September 19th, 2015

Idk what was going on in the writers' room this season Chip and his crew certainly found a new appreciation for exploring and exploiting the more outlandish, silly side of the franchise by making some very hilarious comedy throughout so far this season.  But I'd have to say "Knight After Knights" plays off the superhero genre well by poking fun at Ivan's personal quest to form a group of his own knights when the other rangers prove to be unworthy due to a monster stealing their bravery.  I'm sorry but not only are the recruits that Ivan chooses beyond hilarious, but that now iconic sequence of him marching with his knights to fight Bones alongside Poisandra and Curio is too priceless for words.  Instead of the last few seasons felling like a borderline parody of the franchise, this episode feels more in line with the satirical humor of RPM's deconstruction of the franchise's absurd, over the top elements. Seriously, the sight of the old lady on the handicap motorbike backing away in horror while Ivan faces off against the Vivix is just.......apparently you CAN write this stuff but this time in a GOOD way! :)

Tho I do like the hilarious irony of Ivan wanting to be on a team of courageous warriors.....just when Sledge's latest monster, Bones, literally steals the back bones of the guys on the team, rendering them pitiful, easily frightened fools! It's also beyond funny seeing most of the cast act this way and it gives Shelby some time in the spotlight by trying to convince Ivan to join them while also going off on her own to help Ivan when he eventually becomes captured by Bones himself.  Also, the way Keeper mentors the rangers to get their backbones back and yes, he literally gives them very Zordon worthy advice that breaks the spell and returns their courage.  I just love how this show can be so awesome yet so overly sentimental in its messages to kids.  LOL  Tho it did remind me of "Crystal of Nightmares" from Season 1! Now we're at Season 22! :_)  The show has come so far, yet still knows how to make an impression with its what bravery means statements.

As the other rangers arrive to help Shelby and Ivan, we finally get to see the sequence of all 6 of them morphing.  Hmmmmm, I guess Ivan is too bada$$ to "HA!" alongside his time like Tommy back in Dino Thunder! :P  After defeating Bones, Sledge of course makes him grow; leading to our first megazord team up of the Dino Charge Megazord and the Ptera Charge Megazord.  Ivan even gets his own Dino Drive mode. Neat!  So the episode ends with Ivan telling the rangers the rest of the story about what happened when Fury attacked him and the prince, which shows the gold energem bonded with him before Fury trapped him inside his body.  But I'm more interested in Koda and Ivan bonding over burgers and fries! LOL A stellar episode in genuine hilarity and great action with a nice lesson for the kids.  Typical but pretty exceptionally fun Power Rangers. :)

Final Morph: A