Season 26, Episode 9: Silver Sacrifice

 

"Silver Sacrifice"

Episode 9

Air Date: September 14th, 2019

Hmmmm, not where I was expecting the next episode to tackle the new dynamic between Steel and Nate but I actually found it quite heartwarming with both Abraham Rodrigez and the voice of Steel, Jamie Linehan gives some seriously solid performances throughout.  I like, even LOVE the characterization of Steel, someone who knows who he is and is extremely confident about it even if social cues and interactions with other humans can be pretty amusing.  I love the relationship that is being established between Nate and Steel as it is for sure the most unique sibling dynamic we've had on the show since...well....the last Gold and Silver Rangers duo in Gem and Gemma.  It's pretty hilarious watching Nate trying desperately to make Steel fit in but Steel surprisingly just accepting his bizarre origins as well as structure. It's also interesting how they use this dynamic to emphasize the nature of family within Grid Battleforce...in this case with Ben and Betty.  Even tho the two prove to be complete morons day in and day out, their father, General Burke, clearly has a quirky, soft spot for his children that bring out the more compassionate, lighthearted side of him when he isn't shouting orders at the rangers.  The dilemma of the episode is a bit extreme with Burke wanting to immediately shut down Steel and store him away at Grid Battleforce when they could find a way to not let Evox get his body.

I'm glad the ranger immediately thought of a plan in going after the Cybergate and destroying it once and for all instead of just listening to the General's orders.  It leads an unforeseen and actual legit ultimatum with Ben and Betty's lives are at stake with the avatars wanting Steel in exchange for their lives.  Like I said, it is a genuinely emotionally touching moment that is well acted all around; making Steel look like a true hero while also providing some nice pathos for Nate and even General Burke himself.  It was definitely a close call with Evox almost being released but thanks to Nate's DNA being apart of Steel's physiology, he is unable to inhabit his body thankfully.  But I'm just glad that the rangers kept fighting and even Steel's blind faith in sacrificing himself by knowing the rangers would defeat Evox despite him possessing his body was such a sweet, noble moment from the character. :)

As with new rangers comes new zords, this time in the form of a Wrecker and Jet Zords which each have their own individual animal forms as well as the other zords. :)  Yes, a construction truck zord that can turn into a Praying Mantis while a flying jet that has a scarab form....because Go-Busters/Sentai silliness is the only place you would find such insanity as usual. :P  All and All, thankfully "Silver Sacrifice" is very solid overall despite not exactly going in the direction you thought the writers would go with these new rangers/characters.  I admire the rangers' forward thinking as well as resistance to abandoning their new team despite being a robot/human hybrid.  I'm sure Mack and Mr. Hartford would have enjoyed that little development of nobility as well as loyalty amongst the team. :)  

Final Morph: B+