Season 24, Episode 1: Return of the Prism

"Return of the Prism"

Episode 1

Air Date: January 21st, 2017

Here we go again! New series, new team, new adventures! The last two seasons were a return to dinosaurs, now we're back to NINJAS! :P  As a premiere, "Return of the Prism" does A LOT right in terms of set up and story, even if it feels a bit rushed and incomplete since this is more the first half of the premiere than anything.  But already Judd Lynn is showing  his creatively hasn't suffered between seasons even if Dino Supercharge's ending was complete catastrophe of a wrap up! O_O  I like the idea of the Galaxy Warriors reality show, already something NOT done in the Sentai counterpart, by giving the show it's own flavor or rather brand of American style entertainment to it. :)  Tho I have to say, even if the beginning of the story has this very inviting quality to it that draws you in, the fact that Brody's dad took so long to come out and save him is.....so unrealistic and hilarious.  You're son is in trouble, no time for touching broad statements to your other son! Jesus, talk about lack of urgency for the sake of story and forced emotional bits. O_o So apparently, an alien warlord named Galvanax is after the Ninja Nexus Prism that landed in Brody's dad's backyard as it contains the Ninja Nexus Star within.  Another item of tremendous power a superpowerful baddie is after!? Great!!! :P  Apparently, the Prism is coated with Ninja Steel, something Brody's dad chipped away all of right before Galvanax arrived and gives it to his other son Aidan to protect in his absence by going off to hide....somewhere. O_o

Apparently, these are a family ninjas as Brody's dad is a master, meaning he immediately confronts Galanax as well as his henchmen, Madame Odius and Ripcon.  I have to say the villain designs make it seem like these villains would be more Earth based but what do I know!?? This is Power Rangers where you can have a Vacation themed monster from prehistoric times and a Christmas themed monster from 65 million years ago before Christ!!! :P Anyway, with his son in danger, Brody's dad uses the Ninja Nexus star to protect him from a powerful blast from Galvanx and turns into a nice looking Red Ranger.  Can't say much about the suits as a whole yet but the red one is very spiffy!!! :) As morphed Ninja master fights, Ripcon grabs Brody which leaves him open for an attack and forces him to demorph, with the Ninja Nexus Star now free.  I would talk about the theme song but it's still playing after the episode just ended a few minutes ago! O_O Back to Ninjavile, Brody's dad decides to destroy the Nexus Star before Galvanax can drain all of its power but after an enormous explosion because of it, the Nexus Star has split into 6 multi-colored power stars that are now trapped within prism for safety.  Since Galvanax has no way of getting his hands on (Obviously, needing to be worthy to pull one out and what not as usual! :P) he orders his forces to take the prism back to his ship as well as little Brody.  Oh and Brody's dad is kinda dead or at least missing.....flashforward 10 years later and Brody is now a teenaged slave working on Galvanax's ship.  Jesus, do they not have child labor laws in space??? O_o

We're also introduced to his friendly robot, Red Bot as well as the ship mechanic.....Mick Kanic.....WOW, how'd they come up with that one!? :P  Tho it's great to see Kelson Henderson back to the franchise, previously performing as various characters from specific seasons like Boom in S.P.D.  While Brody is desperately wanting to go home and track down his brother, Aidan (Who's probably still hiding! :P), Galvanax is busy trying to find the galaxy's greatest warrior who will be able to get one of the Nexus stars. But unfortunately after a battle between one of Venjix's bodies and a Fearcat, the victorious Fearcat is unable to get one.  This leads a furious Galvanax even more impatient after 10 years of trying to get the stars out of the prism.  When Madame Odius suggest they go to Earth to get the Ninja Steel that was coded onto the prism, Brody decides to go on a mission back home to stop them from getting the Ninja Steel.  Back on Earth, we're in Summer Cover where we meet more of our future rangers.  Preston, a young magician who's a bit bubbling and desperately needs better tricks, Haley and Calvin who is working on his girlfriend's car and Sarah....the hottest female ranger since Syd....I mean an athlete with clearly a scientific expertise as she rides on a hover board that she created to her first day of school.  Ummmm so chick can just build hover boards??? O_o  Well, considering we're back in the main universe where Billy created a flying car over 20 years ago why not a hover board right.  We are also introduced to......sigh....Victor, the star athlete/head jock of the school and Monty, some dork that hangs around him apparently to be bullied.  I don't know what's worse, how annoying these characters already are or the fact their over the top comic relief gets beyond old...FAST! -_-

While Sarah and Preston meet for the first time, Galvanax's ship arrives at Earth's orbit as Brody, Redbot and Mick plan their escape.  Too bad the foot soldiers this season catch on to team and alter Ripcon as they try to escape.  With the Ninja Nexus Prism they....escape through the garbage hatch of the ship before Ripcon can apprehend them...... I mean I know Mick is an alien and Redbot....a robot but last time I check, Brody is still human! Oh right, you can breath in space in this universe! :P  While Redbot saves Brody, Galvanax sends the Fearcat, apparently named Krovaka, to Earth to get the Nexus Prism back as well as Brody.  Back at the high school, both Sarah and Preston witness the falling debris and decide to excitable head there despite Preston's initial reservations.  I love how it's been ten years since Brody's been on Earth.  The last time his own father may have died and he's just so casual about it. LOL As Brody tells Redbot to check for Mick's whereabouts, he heads to the Nexus Prism near by when he's suddenly attacked by Korvaka.  While apparently a ninja, Brody is still no match for him and gets blasted pretty bad, even if his connection the ship can't help him figure out how to defeat the monster.  Luckily, Sarah and Preston run into Korvaka and leave him disoriented while Brody recovers. While the three quickly get to know each other, the Ninja power stars begin glowing as Brody goes over to pick one up followed by Sarah and Preston who obviously grab the Blue and Pink stars.

As Korvaka gets back on his feet, Brody remembers his dad turning into a Power Ranger long ago and prepares the other two for a fight by following his lead.  Awwww, last season the rangers had gun morphers, this season they have...star holders??? Star spinners??? O_o  Anyway, Korvaka tries to destroy them with a powerful blasts but like Brody's dad before them, transform into Power Rangers because of the stars protecting them.  NIEAT! :)  A good first fight with all original footage and the fearcat goes down when they combine their Ninja blasters to destroy him.  While trying to hide the Nexus Prism for safety, it activates and goes off as it must be sentient! O_o  As Brody makes plans to go back to his home to find the Ninja Steel, Preston and Sarah gladly join him on his mission since they are Power Rangers now.  So far, not bad, but still leaves a lot more as a premiere but like I said, great story set up, just some weak acting from Brody's actor that leaves so much to be desire but we've seen far worse. :)

Final Morph: B-