Season 26, Episode 1: Beasts Unleashed

 

"Beasts Unleashed"

Episode 1

Air Date: March 2nd, 2019

Ummmm....whoa!!!! O_O I have no words! There is absolutely no doubt in my mind now that the true enemy(ies) during the Neo Saban Era were the network itself and/or Saban himself! Hasbro taking over as owners of Power Rangers was honestly the best thing that could have happened to the show! :) This is Judd Lynn's finest work since Dino Charge as it is clear the show is being given some breathing room to be greater, smarter and better like it use to be. Hasbro definitely shook up the style and production of the show; wanting a more sci-fi edge to Power Rangers with a bold new story that delves deep into the mythology of the show's vast mythos.  It's not surprising that something like a massive fighting organization called Grid Battleforce (Ummmm hell yes! :) would tape into the Morphin' Grid and use to sustain limitless clean energy.  Coral Harbor, the home of our soon to be new rangers, is directed with lots of cinematic depth and a bit of suspense by future showrunner Simon Bennett ;) and my god, the MUSIC!??? WOW! Having an ominous techno beat that builds intensity and perfectly sets the mood that certain scenes actually need?!!  No more "rangers together, something forever!" No more horribly placed redux of Samurai, Megaforce and Dino Charge's themes!??? Wooooooooo! I know the sh!t is about to hit the fan down the road for this season as usual like I've heard but let me just enjoy Power Rangers in its short run of being better than EVER!??? :)

Of course there are some set backs that smell of Nickelodeon's mandates like....sigh....once again debuting yet another comedic duo in Ben and Betty, two people apparently competent enough to be security at Grid Battleforce, a highly scientific headquarters for battle training, energy producing for the city and turning teens into Power Rangers! Yes! They immediately contradict this by not knowing who the Mayor of the city LOOKS like and running into a trash can during an evacuation!??? -_-  Moving on....everything else from the supporting characters to the three new rangers are all set up so well and fleshed out with a purpose and story arc for moving forward.  Devon, the reckless, fighting and game obsessed son of the city's Mayor is already a cocky but charming young man whose father sees so much in him but he rather spend his time doing what he loves despite his father's wishes.  He's smart kid who manages to sneak into Grid Battleforce easy (Thank Ben and Betty! -_-) and shows in tough, intense situations that he is ultimately reliable. But there is definitely A LOT of room for improvement in being more responsible and focused, not to mention a clear uneasy relationship with his father that is sure to have some serious potential. :) Then you have Zoey, our future Yellow Ranger, an aspiring cadet at Grid Battleforce who clearly has the heart to be the ranger but hasn't been given enough of a chance to redeem herself from failing to be chosen to be a ranger.  And she's also the laundry girl of facility! lol  What I love about these two is that when the threat and action begins, they immediately spring into action despite not being rangers and showing their selfless ability to defend those in need without knowing what's to come in becoming the new Red and Yellow Rangers.

Then there's Ravi, one of the actual chosen cadets to become a ranger having clear relationship issues with Roxy, the chosen Yellow Ranger as their duties as rangers now mean they can't be together. Damn! And not only is his last words to her are dismissing her romantic advances for good, but having to witness her becoming one of the new villains while her body lies in sleep; never knowing if he's ever get to be with her again and the guilt of letting her go before all hell breaks loose!  Jesus, characters in comas on Power Rangers no.  Even someone like Blaze who was destined to be the Red Ranger also becomes one of the new villains, which is remarkably refreshing as future rangers turning into unforeseen villains is something never seen before on this show.  I love the presentation of Evox, a menacing computer virus (Venjix, eat your heart out! :P) and his plan to tap into the Morphing Grid for ultimate power. Not to mention, actually giving use more info on the grid itself by the introduction of Morph X, a powerful solution of sustainable energy from the Grid by their leading scientist and child prodigy, Nate Silva (Doctor K got competition! :P)  He creates not only the rangers' morphers and weapons but Commander Shaw, Ravi's mother no less, tells Mayor Phillips that they will be making 3 new Power Rangers to protect the Morph X from reaching the wrong hands.

Seriously this is all so wonderfully written and laid out; with everyone giving a more than solid performance.  Commander Shaw is undoubtedly the new mentor of this ranger team and leader of Grid Battleforce who may have issues with her son the Blue Ranger moving forward with Grid Battleforce now having to face Evox.  Mayor Daniels has such a great actor behind and I love how Daniels is written as so apprehensive of the Morph X, knowing full well the danger of it falling into the wrong hands by even name dropping past villains like Rita herself and Sledge.  Tho Galvanax wasn't much to worry bout so.....at all! The hell Mayor! :P  Also, the fight choreography has been taken to a new level with some impressive wirework and intricate moves not seen on this show in a while.  The villains are set up so well as the evil Avatars of the two soon to be rangers makes things so much more complex moving down the road.  How will Ravi be able to fight, let alone destroy even the evil version of the woman he loves??? Will Devon and Blaze's avatar have am ongoing rivalry thanks to how things started between them during that thoroughly entertaining opening training fight between them??? Once again, a new season full of possibilities but clearly with creativity thriving throughout the production of the show more than ever.  Whether things gets worse from here or not, "Beasts Unleashed" is a triumphant statement of Hasbro taking over and wanting the show to be at its best despite its mandates. Yes!!! :)

Final Morph: A+