GETTING IN GEAR: “RANGER BLUE” AND RPM THUS FAR

Can I just say how honestly and truly I did not expect “Power Rangers RPM” to be even half of what it has been so far? The latest Ranger series has so far cut a path for itself that surpasses almost anything we’ve seen in the last several years from what has felt like an elderly friend on life support for a good while now. The most recent episode, “Ranger Blue” is a perfect example of all the ways in which this show is getting the job done right, and doing so with style, fun, and a visible desire to impress…

The episode begins with what is probably my favorite scene this week. A Q&A session between the emotional, inquisitive Rangers and the near-emotionless, socially inept Dr. K, who barely tolerates their line of questioning. The fun part is they’re asking questions that we as viewers would ask. Why do the zords have gigantic, cartoony eyes on them? They’re visual sensors. Why is there an enormous explosion whenever the Rangers morph or do a pose? It’s residual energy.

The scene plays out in a comical manner, and is genuinely hilarious. But for a fan who has a real desire to have certain things explained, in-between the jokes is an actual reason as to why things are happening. Several episodes include moments such as these, which not only entertain, but give it that added bit of authenticity. As silly as it is for spandex-clad heroes to flip around blowing things up by striking a pose, it’s fun to imagine that there’s some sense of heightened logic to it all.

Meanwhile, we return to what many have dubbed the “Lost” flashbacks. To be honest, it’s almost EXACTLY what “Lost” did in its first season, constantly taking us back to a single point in time and slowly peeling back the onion of the storyline as we go along. But seriously, I would much rather have this than a random collection of episodes arbitrarily thrown together with no real sense of direction or focus. Plus, the experiences of the lead characters are completely different from what one might have seen on that other ABC show…

Speaking of experiences, it’s Flynn’s week to play flashback, and it is another example of the strength in RPM’s storytelling. As we push through our current dilemma, we explore Flynn’s past and how he got to where he is today. The story of his willingness to risk his own neck to save others, against all odds, was heartwarming. His relationship with his father, played by a particularly good actor I might add, was nice to see. At least someone on this team gets along with their family, eh?

These are the kinds of things that many people were dying to see in recent seasons. Not just once or twice per season, but many times. Exploring the backstories of our heroes, finding out what makes them tick, giving us a reason to care about them and who they are today. I’ll never understand the desire to take characters we barely know and drop them into random situations that we know are going to be perfectly resolved within twenty minutes. Which is why I’m so glad that the weekly Ranger missions usually have an added layer of real substance that many episodes in recent years lacked.

It really is the best of both worlds, in terms of cheesy fun and dramatic storytelling. I’m sorry, but when Tenaya played the outsider, running down the list of Ranger stereotypes, and Flynn shouted out “I’m Scottish” I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Because it’s something anyone who is human would immediately think. He’s the Scottish guy, and there’s no way to not see it and take note. I love when a show can undercut its own potential pompousness, while still maintaining a sense of believable drama. It’s a very Buffy-esque kind of juggling act.

I’m also happy to see that the tired old formula for this show isn’t being paid so much attention to these days. It used to be that you could almost set your watch to the time of the giant monster being blown up. Not so this year. In episode two, the monster died in Act 2, and the rest of the episode was devoted to the characters. This week, Flynn and his teammates didn’t manage to defeat the monster until the final act- the time normally reserved for all the hollow, “let’s all have a good, wholesome laugh about how good life is” epilogue scene. Those moments are over. And in their place are usually endings where characters deliver one last well-timed one-liner, or a heartfelt moment sends us soaring, as is the case with “Ranger Blue.”

It’s hard to find fault in most of the RPM episodes we’ve been treated to thus far. Though I will say there are brief moments where the comedy doesn’t work, or the action feels off (the baby stroller incident a few weeks back, for instance). The Braveheart moment this week felt off. But these criticisms are fairly minimal in a season which thus far has gained my sincere respect as having started off extremely well. Let’s hope they keep up this momentum through to the end.

“Ranger Blue” gets an A.

-Dr. Tristan