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hk6909
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
651 Posts |
 Posted - 07/11/2009 : 10:33:00 AM
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Episode 19-Power Upgrade, part 1: One Shall Stand-One Shall Fall
Summary: Benedict’s Brigade is back and they’re burning for revenge! While Kurolectronn keeps his buddies busy, Nick finds himself in an honest-to-goodness deathmatch with Kurograppler!
Monster: None, really.
URL: http://www.geocities.com/tetsuokurata/epi19.html
Rating: J
Rants-
-This episode begins the cycle of the Scanrangers getting another power-up. Geez, they only beat Benedict’s Brigade and had their sixth member join what, three episodes ago?
-Establishing text: Central NJ University-where the students, undergraduate and graduates alike prepare for their finals, term papers, and the like. Our heroes are no exception, even Professor Alex has her hands full preparing her students for the finals in her film/cinema classes.
*Yeah, probably. Unlike the rangers Alex presumably still has responsibilities from her other job during the months-long lapses between MAYHEM attacks. Is there anybody there if a monster isn’t burning the city down?
-Alex: "So, are you ready?"
Takeshi: "For what?"
Alex: "You mean that you've forgotten about your trip to London? The one where you and a few college deans from the East Coast go to a special Asian Studies Conference?"
Takeshi: "And to make things so bad, I didn't even send in for my hotel room..How absent-minded can I get?"
*No wonder Alex is busy if she has to be the rangers’ secretary on top of everything else. It can be cool for heroes to have a good mentor, but generally it’s nice if the heroes can tie their shoes without her help.
-Narrartion: Kunio was on the second floor library doing some hard research.
Kunio: "All right.." Mikey said to himself. "Where's that text book on Impressionist Paintings? I need that for extra credit..”
*So more like he was still in the preparation stages of doing some hard research.
-Kunio: “Plus, if I don't pass, it'll mean a temporary suspension off the team until I take the class again next fall..”
*That’s an interesting policy. This probably makes me sound like a jerk, but since when is saving the world an extracurricular activity? Yeah straight-laced heroes like the Scanrangers should try to keep their grades up, but as a matter of fact yes, making sure we continue to live in a world where people are free to flunk art classes strikes this reviewer as a slightly bigger priority. When the superhero genre is played straight, you accept that your own concerns are going on the back burner once you put on the tights, and the Scanrangers so aren’t fighting evil for their own reasons. It doesn’t help that Kunio’s about to prove himself even dumber than the policymakers at Project Paramount.
-Narration/Kunio: Mikey finds the book on the top shelf, but it was so tightly wedged in that it couldn't move. "There it is! Now...I can..drat..It's really stuck!" Pulling with all his might on the stool, he gets the book out, but not before at least three heavy books hit a student below as she walked by.
*At least three? Why, Vince? Why do you insist on being vague about the little things? The fact that it’s the little things is really what makes it so annoying.
-Kunio/Narration: “Carmen?" Mikey recognized her as one of his classmates in the Illustrator II course. She was a very attractive Hispanic lady, but had a very selfish personality, unlike Mikey, yet opens up when she talked about her favorite thing..cartoons.
*She had a selfish personality unlike Mikey, who has no personality to speak of at all. Seriously, even for a Scanranger, I’m not sure what to make of the guy.
-Carmen/Narration: “I'm just ticked cause I'm trying to find the last copy on Impressionist Paintings...and everyone has grabbed a copy already.." Except for the one Mikey happened to have in his hand.
*Maybe it’s because the one I went to was so small, but I don’t remember the campus library having copy upon copy of reference books so everyone in a particular class could check one out.
-Narration/Kunio: Mikey with great reluctance, decided to give Carmen the book. "You mean this one?" he said, handing it to her.
*Look, I don’t have anything wrong with Kunio being a nice guy, but could somebody please think of the big picture? I’m sure the relatives of the people who get killed by a Cybercreature because there wasn’t an extra Scanranger there to save them will take heart from the unselfish reason why Kunio got suspended from the team. Or is it so unselfish?
-Carmen: “Yes! Yes! That's it! That's the one!"
Narration/Kunio: Carmen was so excited that she ran to the circulation desk and ran out to get started on her term paper. Meanwhile, Mikey felt as if he was left holding the bag. "Uhhh, You're welcome, Carmen..." The poor guy didn't even get a 'thank you' for the unselfish act.
*Well what did he expect? It said she had a selfish personality. Very selfish. And as we’ll seen soon this isn’t nearly the first time he met her.
-Kunio: “Oh well, I can always go to North Orange University's library to get the book..."
*Yeah, if the students there aren’t running around like headless chickens snatching up reference books.
-Narration: Meanwhile, on the dark side of the moon(no pun intended, Pink Floyd fans), Benedict's Brigade prepare for departure.
*See what I did there?!
-Benedict: “My fellow Brigade teammates...Today shall be a glorious day! A day where victory shall be claimed to us! A day where we shall see Lord Blackorg's plan for conquering Earth to reach fruition!”
*Just a quick reminder, but he’s not named after Benedict Arnold for nothing. Bear his exultation of Blackorg in mind for later, if you would please.
-Benedict: “Now, Mr. KuroGrappler...Prepare for departure! Begin Phase One of 'Operation: Splice'!
*Operation…Slice? Are you kidding?
-Narration: Back at Nebultopia, Vixen gets a telepathic call(which she had never possessed before)and gasps.
Vixen: "What? They're still alive!!"
Key: "Who's still alive?"
Vixen: "Benedict and his brigade..They've sent one of their members down to Earth! To what purpose, I don't know..."
Key: "Time out! You've never possessed that kind of power before...You've somehow gained the power of telepathy."
Blackorg: "You are correct, Key.." Blackorg enters. "And with your new powers awakened, my lovely Vixen..in addition to the film energies that you partially stole from the Brigade via the Scanrangers..."
Vixen: "How did you know, my Lord? Then again, I shouldn't question that, for you know everything..."
Blackorg: "The day where Benedict tried to steal the Scanrangers' powers for their own, I knew that their plans would go awry..Thus, I planted a thought within Anark Key's mind to intercept that power(see Episode 14)..I can arrange to make those heroes powers and make it your own..."
*The lesser villains find out they have vestiges of film energy of their very own. I have to ask, since when is clairvoyance (not telepathy) something bestowed by film energy? And if they’ve had latent film energy for the last five episodes, why didn’t Blackorg tell them and bring it to the fore before now? Is that fantasy of mine true, that the reason MAYHEM’s run so haphazardly is Blackorg’s having too much to let the fighting end? And what’s that “in addition to the film energies” thing mid-dialogue? Does Vixen’s omniscience have to do with something other than her film energy? Because after this scene it’s pretty much gone, and the only new powers the MAYHEM officers get are all seemingly cinema-related.
**By the way, here’s why I wanted you to remember Arno Benedict dedicating his coming victory to Blackorg. He’s fighting the Scanrangers to carry out his agenda of conquest, and there was a strong indicator of this last time he showed up. He didn’t have to come right out and say, “First the Scanrangers, then MAYHEM!” but it clashes if you think about it at all.
-Kunio: “I mean, I had the chance to get the last art history textbook, but I kept on putting it off and putting it off..Now, I've got a week until the paper's due..”
Nick: “You know what that means, do you, Mikey? A temporary suspension from the team and you also have to take the class during the summer..Professor Alex wouldn't appreciate that.."
*Nick talks like Kunio’s already bombed the class and all that remains is to tell Alex. In the immortal words of Bill S. Preston, Esquire, “That’s only if we fail, dude.”
-Kunio: “I know..I know..But I've no choice but to get started on this thing.." Mikey grabs his bookbag and leaves. "I'll catch up with you guys later.."
Nick: "What's up with the anime maniac? He's acting very weird.."
Toni: "It's a girl.. This classmate of his has been seemingly distracting him..I'm concerned about him..Mikey likes her.."
B.C.: "Are we talking unrequited love here?"
Toni (I guess): "Absolutely..."
*Again with the seeming. Anyway, he’s not acting that weird for a guy who has to add seven pages to a term paper and just lost the last research material he needed. In fact he’s not really acting like anything.
**And let’s get real here. Liking someone and unrequited love are on opposite ends of the affection spectrum. This also makes you wonder how pure his motives really were in giving Carmen that book. I should let it go, though. There’ll be plenty of chances to complain about Kunio and Carmen coming down the pike.
-Narration/Kurograppler: Meanwhile, KuroGrappler lands outside the Leewood Park area. "All I need is a distraction in order to bring the Scanrangers here... What shall I do?
*A DISTRACTION to lure out the Scanrangers? As for what to do, how about exploding the nearest dorm?
-Narration: He then thought about the last time he fought GreenScanner. Beaten by his own tactics, it brought out an all-cosuming anger..
*Overpowering someone through brute force is tactics?
-Narration/Kurograppler: He then disguises himself as a biker. The other students look up and stare at him. "WHAT'RE YOU ALL LOOKING AT?" he shouted. "You haven't seen a motorcycle person before? I remember his face..About my height, with brownish hair.."
*Way to keep that low profile, cyborg invader dude. You might also want to include “wears a lot of green.”
-Narration/Kurograppler: He sees a guy with light brown hair from a distance. "There he is! I'll take that blasted ranger before he can even transform into his battle gear! You're mine, GreenScanner!" He grabs the man, but it wasn't Nick!
*No duh. According to that “meanwhile” this is happening at the same time as the rangers are meeting at the cafeteria.
-Nick: “So, how's the finals coming along, Toni?"
Toni: "It's all right..Aside from the recital that I have to get ready for Thursday, I've finished with that Bio class..I thought I'd never get that out of the way..That instructor is even more dramatic than Professor Alex when she gets hyper..”
*Have we ever seen Alex get hyper?
-Kurograppler: “Looking for your girlie-girl, GreenScanner?" replied KuroGrappler, with Toni's neck locked in a choke hold. "She can't hear you now, she's unavailable at the moment. Heh heh heh.."
Nick: "Let her go! It's me you want!"
*Yeah, there’s supposed to be something of a rivalry between this monster and Nick, but it’s established pretty flimsily. I have to ask, is Operation: Slice letting Kurograppler get even with Nick? I admit if I were to set out to get rid of the Scanrangers I’d also probably start by singling out Nick (because in brief he’s really the most capable member), but with how “off” everything else is about Scanranger, I’m hesitant to think Vince and I are on the same wavelength. It’s not as if he bothers to explain Benedict’s motivation for making Nick’s elimination his first priority.
-Kurograppler: “I know that, Scanranger..but to make sure she doesn't cry out to her fellow teammates.."
Narration: He reaches for Toni's FilmBrace, but she grabs KuroGrappler by his jacket and throws him over. She had feigned unconsciousness for a few moments.
Toni: "Typical no-brain robot....thinking that this female is helpless..Welcome to the twenty-first century, you moron!"
*Not that I’m against women being competent, but if Vince wants to show that to be the case with Toni, could that maybe be its own episode? One where Danger Woman DOESN’T show up and do a lot of the work, I mean? And despite Vince apparently trying hard to show he's not sexist, it's hard not to notice Toni was the only girl out of six team members for thirty episodes.
-Narration: The Brigade member throws an explosive device at Pink, blinding her briefly. She looks and saw KuroGrappler and GreenScanner both gone. The other rangers, Red, Yellow, and Blue join up with Toni.
*Oh, THOSE other rangers.
-Vin: “Are you all right? Where's Nick?"
Toni: "I-I don't know..but KuroGrappler attacked us, and then the two of them disappeared!"
Vin: Red was stunned. "It's true, then! Benedict's Brigade are back!"
*He says this like they’ve been suspecting it for a while (for the record, the opposite is true. Last episode Vin was sure the Brigade went down with their robot). And they only know one guy survived, so that means the whole Brigade’s back?
-B.C.: “Sarita! This is an emergency! Can you detect Nick's whereabouts?"
Narration/Sarita: Sarita replies by getting a crew of 'Second Unit' techs. "Everybody! I need you all to search for GreenScanner immediately!" The techs do so, yet nothing was showing up on their radar, or via their special satellites all over the world. Sarita responds back to Blue. "Negative, BlueScanner..I can't locate him even within the 500 mile radius of this area... I'll keep on scanning away.."
*Their surveillance network covers the entire world, but the search is considered a failure if he’s not within 500 miles?
-Narration: While the HV's combine into Thunder Dolby THX to battle the giant KuroLectronn, in the meantime, Green and KuroGrappler land in what looked like another dimension.
*To keep the Scanrangers from searching the entire world, the depths of uncharted space, and countless alternate dimensions for their missing teammate, Benedict sends one of his other henchmen to occupy them. Sure. I bet. And what would another dimension look like, Vince?
-Narration: Nick notices that the two were in a wrestling ring, with barbed wire at the top ropes. During the warp, Nick was back in his civilian form.
*You know, I thought that was why it referred to him as “Nick” rather than “GreenScanner.” Yeah, yeah, it’s nice he explained it but couldn’t he have done that as a brief insert when they first arrived? “KuroGrappler and GreenScanner, reverted to his normal self by the warp, land in a place with purple soil and a yellow sky…”
-Narration: He tried desperately to battle the cyborg wrestler, and takes him to the ground.
*Nick attacks Kurograppler as his regular old self. Why? Wouldn’t you rather be in your super-powered form to take on a cyborg wrestler? After all, despite their dubious success rate I’m sure Vince would still have us think of the Brigade as some of the Scanrangers’ fiercest opponents (which they are).
-KuroGrappler: “I figured you would try to transform and then call up your pathetic Holo-clones!"
Nick: "WHAT?! How did you know?"
*Because it’s the only power you’ve ever used more than once?
**Once again, Nick shouldn’t be able to use his Holo-clones at all, and the reason is they were stolen BY THE GUY HE’S FIGHTING RIGHT NOW. So saying, Kurograppler whips up copies of himself and goes to town on Nick.
-Narration: Dolby pulls out the Great Editor Sword, but KuroLectronn blasts the robot full power! Thunder Dolby races to finish off the giant. The only difference was instead of the usual spinning attack, the robot stood on one leg, which was the leg of TP Seahorse, for the fact that electricity can't affect rubber while in motion, and using the sword as a lighting rod, charging the sword with extra energy! "FINAL CUT!" shouted the rangers, slicing the Brigade villain in two.
*Kurolectronn’s attacks give Thunder Dolby’s sword extra energy? Vince, are you telling me the electric monster can be hurt by electricity?
-Narration: Suddenly, out of an unknown portal came a flying body falling from the sky. Toni looks, and finds..Nick; bloodied and defeated. She screams, attracting the attention of the others.
*With the Scanrangers having exterminated of the Brigade member sent to keep them busy, the villains return the favor by giving them back the comatose Nick. Can I just ask what the hell an “unknown portal” is?
-Narration: B.C. and Mikey approach him slowly, in shock and in all-consuming anger.Back at Cape Paramount, Professor Alex, Dr.Markby, and Rosewood stare silently in shock at the screen, also in disgust and sorrow.
*There’s “all-consuming anger” for the second time in one episode. Incidentally, what’s so disgusting? All I can think of is how anyone could stoop so low as Kurograppler, but then you have to wonder how they’d know what happened, and why they’d be surprised after all this time.
-Narration: Vin embraced the unconscious and possibly dead Scanranger tightly in his arms. A lone tear fell from his eye.
*You’ve got to be kidding. Vin doesn’t even check for life signs? Or even better, rush him to a hospital just in case a few seconds of hesitation makes the difference between possibly dead and completely dead? Yeah, I know, we need to milk the pathos of Nick’s fate, but Vince could’ve left it at “banged up real bad” and kept his heroes from looking grief-stricken AND rock stupid.
Now we know what the south's gonna do again, get eaten by a huge fish. |
Edited by - hk6909 on 10/23/2009 7:18:33 PM
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hk6909
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
651 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2009 : 10:33:43 AM
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Episode 20-Power Upgrade, part 2: Chaos Will Be! The Destruction of Thunder Dolby THX?!
Summary: Benedict calls the Scanrangers out, but they meet their better when they pit their mecha against his super deluxe ChaosDemolisher. Thunder Dolby and WideScreener are obliterated and Takeshi is lost in the chaos.
Monster: ChaosDemolisher
URL: http://www.geocities.com/tetsuokurata/epi20.html
Rating: J
Rants-
-Chaos will be…what?
-Recap: Previously, Benedict's Brigade, whom was presumed dead after the battle with the Scanrangers,...
*Even though they were shown to be alive and plotting revenge back in “Hit the Beach”…Not to mention shown alive and plotting revenge in the episode where they were defeated…
-Recap: The mercenaries for hire immediately ambushed the team by distracting them,…
*That’s sort of what being a mercenary involves, doesn’t it?
-Recap: Like the typical pro wrestling villains ambushing the hero, Green was overwhelmed, beaten and left for dead.
*Vince, did pro wrestlers hang you from a flagpole by your underwear when you were a kid or something?
-Narration: B.C. was completely furious. Although Nick had always teased him, he was totally concerned for his life. He tried to make the most out of a serious matter by joking about him to stay sane, but it was no good.
*What’s this? Vince is actually sparing us B.C.’s anti-humor? Or does he mean B.C. tries to crack jokes but nothing comes to mind?
-B.C.: “Curse that stupid bastion!!" B.C. said, refering to KuroGrappler.
*As opposed to who? The Reptiles that go Whee?
-Vin: Vin tried to console B.C. "B.C., We're all upset about this..I actually believe that Nick will pull himself out of this...Please..get a hold of yourself.."
B.C.: "Why are you so calm about this?! Besides, Vin, this is not the time! I want to kill that son of a butthead!!"
*Not the time for what?
-Alex: “Right now we can check Nick's status day by day, but later on, we must find a way to counterattack Benedict's Brigade without GreenScanner's SPFX skills.."
*Later on? They’re lucky the Brigade hasn’t attacked again already with the Scanrangers shorthanded.
-Narration: Alex pauses and examines her folder, which vaguely read 'Blockbuster'.
*It’s not vague if you can tell what it says. I’m going to ruin the story and tell you “Blockbuster” is the name of the new super-deluxe robot that’s going to save the day when all seems lost. Why did she bring the plans with her to see Nick in the hospital?
-Takeshi: “I took the next flight out of London as soon as I could, Professor!”
*Says the man with a teleporter and a personal spaceship. What’s wrong with him? Avoiding suspicion, I suppose, but what was his excuse to leave the conference in such a hurry, and does nobody wonder why two teachers would take such an interest in Nick?
-Alex: “It'll only take a miracle for him to pull out of this…”
*Ah, that’s a relief. Seriously, read that line again. What she means is “only a miracle can save him now,” of course. Thing is, doesn’t “It’ll only take…” make it sound as if Nick’s condition can be resolved simply and quickly?
-Narration: And back on the moon, where Benedict's Brigade had succeeded in taking out one of the rangers, plans their next move.
*I hadn’t gotten that at all that the Brigade had taken out one of the rangers. Thanks for stressing that, Vince.
-Benedict: “With one of the Scanrangers out of the way, we can continue to terrorize them piece by piece..”
*Except they don’t. Operation: Slice might well have been to pick the Scanrangers off one at a time, but with one ranger down they go after all the rest at once.
-Benedict: “You did do a great job.." Benedict goes to the Brigade leader, then punches him square in the jaw! "...but you didn't kill him! Even as we speak, those Scanrangers are probably arranging a counter move to avenge their friend!”
*The Scanrangers came out ahead last episode. One of the Brigadiers is DEAD, and the Scanranger casualty of that episode is NOT dead. Off to a bad start to this arc meant to represent the Scanrangers moving up to the next level seeing, as they’re supposed to be facing their toughest battles yet.
-Benedict: “They forget that we're avenging our loss of Mr.KuroBuzzer(Episode 15)..
Kurofrost: "What about KuroLectronn, Lord Benedict?"
Benedict: "Don't be too concerned about Mr. Kurolectronn..He's already served his purpose! Now, I insist that you search GreenScanner's whereabouts and make certain that he stays in another dimension! See to it, KuroGrappler!"
*Benedict wants to avenge one member of his team but couldn’t care less about the one who died so they could get Nick out of the way without his friends interfering. Notice how quickly Benedict changes the subject without really giving an answer. Even he knows how idiotic this is.
-Narration/Alex: The next night, the hospital was quiet, and Alex stood by Nick's bedside. "Forgive me, Nick..I had not anticipated this to happen to you..I know that I said there will be risks and dangers being a Scanranger.." She reflects back on how her late husband Roger perished during the production phase of Project:Paramount. “I swore that after he was gone, I'd made certain that no harm would come to any of you..ever.."
*She’d make certain no harm would come to any of them…ever? Alex, this isn’t the A-Team. At least they were ex-commandoes, not movie enthusiasts. I’m sorry, but despite how humane Vince was trying to make Alex with this line, she’s an idiot if she thought nobody under her command would ever get hurt, and hurt badly. And I’m not just saying that about filling out her team from her film class.
-Narration/Alex: Alex, with deep concern, puts her hand on his. "Please, Nick..fight this..Dear God..bring him back..I beg of you.." For the first time since the beginning of Project:Paramount, the no-nonsense lieutenant commander sheds a tear.
*She didn’t cry when her husband died? Because that was after Project Paramount was founded. Someone could read into Alex crying over a kid in her film class but not the man she married. A kid who isn’t even dead yet. And forgive me for doubting your wisdom, Vince, but what’s the thinking of bringing God into it when B.C. wasn’t even allowed to curse earlier in the episode?
-Narration: Nick, still in a coma, breathed through an oxygen mask.
*I’d kind of hope Nick’s still in coma, since the entire episode up to this point has been about nothing but.
-Narration: Moments later, the head nurse watches overnight at her desk. She was awake, yet couldn't keep her eyes open. The nurse was knocked out by a mist full of sleeping gas, which also knocked out the CPB guard watching Nick.
*The head nurses watches overnight at her desk? A mist full of sleeping gas?
-Narration: KuroGrappler opened the door and removes the gas mask,…
*Removes his mask or Nick’s?
-Mysterious Visitor: “"STOP!" shouted a voice.
Narration/Kurograppler: KuroGrappler turns and was astounded. "WHO..WHO ARE YOU?" replied KuroGrappler, blinded by the intense light.
Mysterious Visitor/Narration: "Who I am is of no concern to you..Begone!" The stranger sends KuroGrappler out of the hospital out of harm's way
*Am I crazy or does the narration make it sound like Kurograppler was the one being endangered back there? I’m pretty sure that was supposed to be Nick who was in harm’s way.
-Mysterious Visitor: “Don't fear..I won't hurt you..I've come afar to help you..
Nick: "Help me? How? You're kidding, right? I'm nearly dead and you're saying that you'll help me?"
*All the more reason to accept help, you’d think…
-Mysterious Visitor: “No...but you do need to know this..Your body is still in serious condition now although to the human eye it may be critical, but in order to save your body and your mind, I insist you come with me..”
*Um, thanks. You want to try saying that again NOT filtering it through three languages first?
-Narration: Nick grabs the being's hand and they both disappear in a flash.
*Never mind that after teleporting Kurograppler away, the alien presence teleported itself and Nick away too (“The light fades out, and Nick and the stranger was gone as well.”). Why not just go where it wanted to go in the first place? Which turns out not to be anywhere specific anyway.
-Narration: Back at Cape Paramount Base, the remaining Scanrangers attempt to unwind after a long day. Mikey and Takeshi watch TV, while Toni catches up on some reading. Vin was still trying to bring B.C. out of his doldrums.
*They go to their secret base…just to hang out?
-Vin: “You know what, B.C.? Aside from the battles we had against the bad guys, this is the first time that I've personally seen you in this mood.."
B.C.: "Why should you be surprised? Okay, I'm a total looney tune when it come to being in battle, but very few people take me seriously..even dare I say..you.."
*I take you seriously B.C. A serious threat to all I hold dear.
**What does he expect, though, if he doesn’t give anyone reason to take him seriously? He’s a one-note class clown who makes bad jokes all the time. If he wants people to take him seriously, he should make a point to show them despite his joking tendencies, he can be serious too. That’s like going to Alaska and complaining about the cold.
-Vin: “What do you mean?"
B.C.: "I mean, Mikey has seen me in one of those rare moods..but as far as the rest, hey..I need to balance my life to let people know that I'm not one dimensional, just a typical funny guy.."
*When did Kunio see this? And don’t worry B.C., you’re not any kind of funny guy, typical or otherwise.
-Vin: “That's not true, B.C., and you know it! There's been many times that you've proven your worth in this group!”
*That’s not what B.C. said, even if it were true. He wants people to know he’s not just a joker, he’s not worried about his worth to the team.
-Vin: “I know seeing Nick hurt has affected you, and I'm upset too! However this is the time where Nick needs us most! You can't afford to be emotional, especially in this crazy battle!"
*That, really, is what keeps B.C. from being a likable character: he gives into his emotions way too easily. This leads to him doing or trying to do extremely stupid/selfish/childish things when he does. And as you might be thinking, such an extremely stupid/selfish/childish act is in B.C.’s near future. Between that crap and the awful “jokes,” no wonder B.C. can’t get anyone to take him seriously.
-Narration/Benedict: “They watch the screen and witness Benedict and the Brigade make an announcement. "Hear me, people of Earth! You are commanded to follow these specific instructions! You will surrender all that you hold dear on this sector called America! Already your military has fallen at the hands of our mightiest weapon!”
*Our military? All of it? And this is the first the Scanrangers are hearing about any of this?
-Benedict: “Even your so-called nuclear arsenal cannot faze our lumbering robot!"
*Yeah right. I’ve never seen a menace in tokusatsu I could believe was immune to nuclear bombs but not the artillery on Sentai robots. The Demolisher, even new and improved, is not the exception.
**And what’s with the “so-called nuclear arsenal” stuff? Whether something’s nuclear or not isn’t a matter of opinion.
-Benedict: “You have only till midnight tomorrow to answer my request! Otherwise, my weapon of destruction shall level every major city in this country, starting with Newark! Do decide wisely!”
B.C.: “Sama! How dare you!! You're gonna pay for this! Do you hear me??"
Alex (I think): "B.C., Calm down! We've already prepared to counterattack! I've made arrangements with the government and the overseer of the project! They know that we will take on Benedict's threat!”
*Already? Didn’t Benedict just make his announcement?
-Alex (I think): “By 2330 tonight, you will all roll out for the battle!"
Kunio: "2330?" asked a confused Mikey.
Takeshi: "You forgot already, Mikey? 11:30 pm!"
*Uh, why did this need to be included? It disrupts the “Bring Benedict on! We’re not scared of him!” thing I’m sure Vince was trying to build.
-Narration: It was 11:59pm, and the Brigade as poised to attack in the hills miles away from Newark. Their weapon was hidden in the darkness.
Benedict: "Can you explain what had happened to you at the hospital, Mr.KuroGrappler? Why didn't you finish GreenScanner off?"
*He’s only asking a day and a half after sending Kurograppler to finish the job?
-Kurograppler: “It was exactly as I explained, Lord Benedict..As I was to deliver the fatal blow, someone..or something blinded me for a milli-second, and he was gone..You must believe me..”
Benedict: “Right now, we shouldn't be concerned..”
*No…the thing that saved Nick sent Kurograppler away before disappearing with Nick.
**And why shouldn’t they be concerned? They weren’t able to kill off Nick because some strange being is protecting him. I can only speak for myself but finding out what it was and what its interest was in Nick would be pretty high on my to-do list were I trying to exterminate Scanranger.
-Benedict: “I haven't heard any response back from those Scanrangers! Why aren't they in defense of their precious planet?"
Narration: The response came via a force blast from the sky,hitting the Brigade, courtesy of Thunder Dolby THX's beam. The robot lands in the countryside. It was exactly midnight.
*Why did they wait until the literal last minute to confront Benedict? Usually when the heroes wait until the last minute to meet a villain about a deadline it’s come up with a brilliant secret plan. Scanranger’s only plan is to tackle the Brigade head-on in their robot, with Silver on standby in case things get ugly.
-Narration: ChaosDemolisher was an updated version of the Brigade's original Demolisher, only it was now a blood-red color and slightly bigger. Without a break, the villainous robot attacks, and the two grapple. ChaosDemolisher strikes a punch in Dolby's chest, pushing it back.
Toni: "Whoa, this is the most powerful yet.."
*You already described Chaosdemolisher Vince, but thanks anyway. Incidentally, it’s the most powerful thing they’ve fought because of one hit?
-Narration: ChaosDemolisher blasts an intense plasma beam at Dolby, hitting on impact!
*No, really?
-Narration/Alex: Back at the base, Alex shouts an urgent call to Takeshi. "WIDESCREENER! Give Dolby a hand!"
*Why, exactly, is Silver hanging back during a battle with Benedict’s Brigade? Who they barely beat last time WITH his help?
-Benedict: “The harder you struggle, the more your energy will be lost! Soon your robot's might will be ChaosDemolisher's, and it plans to use that strength against yours!!"
*Once it steals Thunder Dolby’s strength, won’t Thunder Dolby not have strength anymore?
-Narration/Takeshi: As the Brigade robot continues to drain Dolby, WideScreener tried to attack from behind with a kick! "Hang on, rangers! Here comes the calvary!" said Silver. ChaosDemolisher's head turned 180 degrees, and blasts WideScreener with the same Chaos Inferno beam!
Kurograppler: “Not very sporty to attack behind our backs, SilverScanner!"
Takeshi: "You should talk!”
*I think you mean “sporting,” dearie.
**And yes they should talk, Scan-boy. The last time your teams threw down, it was your side who couldn’t shut up about how MAYHEM wouldn’t fight fair. As if you morons honestly expected anything less.
-Rangers/Narration: “DOLBY SCREENER CYCLONE!" the rangers shouted. But, before they made contact, the evil robot sheathed a hidden claw from its hand, ducked under the attack, and separated Dolby and WideScreener, slicing Silver's robot down the middle! Takeshi wasn't able to control the robot, which flew into the mountains, exploding on impact!
*This is the third time Widescreener’s seen combat. So yeah, this upgrade arc was way too soon after the last upgrade arc.
-Alex: “SCANRANGERS! GET OUT! PULL BACK! GET OUT OF THUNDER DOLBY RIGHT NOW!"
Toni: "Dolby's about to buy the farm, Vin! We've got no choice! We've gotta get out of here!"
Vin/Narration: "BLAST! LET'S GO, RANGERS!" Red replied, hitting his fist on the console. The three rush out of the cockpit. BlueScanner stood in his seat. "What in blazes are you doing, B.C.? We've got to escape!" Blue stood there motionless in his chair.
B.C.: "LEAVE ME! We can still hold them off!"
*With their best efforts thwarted and their mecha on the verge of destruction, the Scanrangers make to retreat. Love how Vince thought the leader of his heroes needed to have two distinct people tell him to get out of Thunder Dolby before it’s too late. There’s weak leadership and then there’s Vin Harlock.
**And despite Chaosdemolisher completely decimating them, B.C. wants to stay behind because “we can still hold them off.” And here I thought you guys wanted to WIN. You maybe asking yourself, is this another of B.C.’s extremely stupid/selfish/childish acts? Well, it’s a big part of one.
-Vin/Narration: “I'm sorry about this, laughing boy.." Red knocks out Blue with a chop in the neck, rendering him unconscious. They all teleport out of Dolby.
*Not that I mind seeing B.C. pounded by his own side, but have you run through the pros and cons of what you’re doing, Vin?
-Narration/Benedict: ChaosDemolisher was about to deliver the finishing blow. Completing his sentence to the Scanrangers, Benedict said, "..And this battle was..TO THE DEATH! DIE, THUNDER DOLBY!" With those words, ChaosDemolisher's claw sliced down Dolby's cockpit! Thunder Dolby dismembered body falls, and explodes!
*And Scanranger is now mecha-less. No Sentai has ever had all their robots completely obliterated to prompt a mid-show upgrade, but I’ll get into that later. For now, what sentence is Benedict completing? I went over and over this part his last line, “I would allow the opportunity for you to surrender...but in this case, surrender is not an option!" was like three paragraphs ago. How is that the first part of “And this battle was..TO THE DEATH!”?
-Narration: Alex, Dr. Markby, Rosewood, and Sarita all watch the screen in disbelief also. They all bowed their heads, consoling each other, and paying their respects to the fallen robot.
*The loss of their mecha could make for some good pathos, but isn’t the possibility the Scanrangers are fighting something they can’t beat a little undercut by the titles all starting with “Power Upgrade”?
Now we know what the south's gonna do again, get eaten by a huge fish. |
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hk6909
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
651 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2009 : 10:34:39 AM
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Episode 21-Power Upgrade, part 3: Benedict Triumphant!
Summary: The loss to Benedict coupled with Nick’s coma is more than B.C. can take and he quits Scanranger. Nick meets Alex in astral form, and they come up with a plan to strike back with a new robot and upgraded movie powers furnished by a friendly alien. For some reason their plans require getting B.C. to come back. Meanwhile, the Brigade overthrows the leaders of MAYHEM and heads to Earth intent on finishing the Scanrangers once and for all.
Monster: None
URL: http://www.geocities.com/tetsuokurata/epi21.html
Rating: J
Rants-
-Narration: The next morning, after the tragic battle, Vin, Toni, Mikey, and a search party of CPB guards seek out the missing SilverScanner. "TAKESHI! TAKESHI!" the three rangers shout out. Two hours later, they postpone the search. "We've done all we can, sir.." said the CPB search captain. We've found only the remains of the WideScreener, but no Takeshi."
Vin/Narration: "Thank you.. We'll continue the search tomorrow.." He puts his hands on his hips, feeling doubtful about his role as a leader of the team.
*It’s gotten to the point where I have to ask, does Vince have any idea what a Sentai leader might do? He doesn’t give orders or enforce discipline or supervise training or support his friends when they’re on the ropes. No more than anyone else, anyway. If anybody does that stuff it’s Alex. Show that he does something before you show him doubting his ability to do it.
-Toni: “Whatever it was, Vin, it's not your fault.. You did everything in your power to save Dolby..”
*Yeah, just like when they had to deal with that protest group. Unless this is supposed to be a sugar-coated way of saying “there’s nothing any of us could’ve done.” To be fair, there wasn’t anything anyone could do. It’s not like Dolby’s weapons would’ve been more powerful if they’d only spent more time in training.
-Kunio: “Don't be hard on yourself, dude..I doubt that Takeshi's dead..I would know..I would have felt it.."
*Yeah, be hard on B.C. As for Kunio “feeling” Takeshi’s death, I assume he’s referring to the mind-link between himself and Takeshi, and considering how flabbergasted he was to find out it even existed, he seems awfully sure he knows how it works. If Vince had showed them exploring the link and testing it between then and now, that would be fine, but all the mind-link was ever used for was to let Kunio call Takeshi for help, and he hasn’t done that since the last time they fought the Brigade. In fact this could be the last time the mind-link is ever brought up, period.
-Vin: “The question remains, guys..How do we stop the Brigade, without Dolby? There must be an answer..I just don't know what it is now.."
*Well yeah, there is an answer, and I know what is, and Alex does too, and there’s no reason at all why the rangers shouldn’t as well. The Scanrangers have a habit of not communicating things they really ought but now, when a third of the team is out of action and their most powerful weapons have been destroyed, it really takes the cake.
-Alex: “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, B.C.? WHY DID YOU TRY TO PULL A BONEHEADED STUNT LIKE THAT? TRYING TO SACRIFICE YOURSELF?"
B.C.: B.C. responds calmly, "I did what I had to do, professor.. to fight to the end..I wanted to put things right! Am I right? Am I right?"
Alex: “B.C., listen..You're getting emotional right now..Is it because Nick is out of the battle? You're letting your feelings cloud your judgment! This is not about revenge!"
*Yes it is, that’s exactly the problem. He wants to avenge what the Brigade did to Nick to the extent of being even more criminally stupid than normal.
-B.C.: “WHAT?! You told her, Vin? How could you?"
Alex: "I found out eventually, B.C..." Alex continued. "It's obvious seen all over your face..Vin never told me a thing..”
*Coming back unconscious and draped over Vin’s shoulder probably didn’t help it stay a secret either.
-Alex: “Let me explain to you, just in case you've forgotten..The Scanrangers are a team..in body as well as in spirit..Even with Nick and Takeshi out, they're still with us in spirit..No one, as a cast/crew member work by themselves! The movie task force, like the real life movie industry, work together, from the star of the movie to the director!”
*TVTropes.org has a term known as “Narm,” which refers to something meant to be serious and dramatic, but which ends up being merely laughable. And if that applies to anything in Scanranger, it’s this analogy. If Alex is so set on everyone knowing their part and working in concert with everyone else to play it, one has to wonder what Takeshi’s is supposed to be. He’s clearly part of the rangers, yet a lot of the time he acts like a separate entity for no good reason. Care to explain that, Professor?
-Alex: “I won't tolerate any more kamikaze wanna-be's here on this team!”
*Alex, sweetie, I might be on your side here if you hadn’t hand-picked every one of these numbnuts. If your creator had thought to set it up so that your team was filled out quickly thanks to desperate circumstances or they were the only ones your guys could find with that rare X-factor necessary to use the equipment, things would be different. But you picked him, and he’s ruled by his emotions more than anyone else who isn’t a villain. You’ve got no one to blame but yourself.
-Alex: “Nor I will allow anyone on this team to fight out of revenge, myself included! I've been there, done that! What did revenge get me? Emptiness! Outright loneliness!”
*She has? Thing is, I remember Vin asking if she was in this for revenge back when she told him how Blackorg came to be, and she replied in the negative. What’s the story, then? That Alex did go through a period where she wanted revenge on Blackorg for her husband, but eventually pulled herself together? Or that she’s talking about something we haven’t heard?
-Alex: “For the time being, B.C., while we salvage whatever we can in this fight, I suggest you calm down, stay behind and concentrate on your studies for a few days.."
*Yeah, it’s not like the Brigade’s got even more incentive than before to come after them.
-Narration/B.C.: B.C. didn't want to listen. He cried, "I AM CALM! I just want to recover and attack! We can do this! I'm all right!"
Narration/Vin: Vin goes over to him. "B.C., you're losing control..Take the professor's advice..All you have to do-"
*This is immediately following the quote above, and once again shows why Vin’s such a stalwart leader since Alex’s telling B.C. to chill out obviously worked so well.
-Narration: B.C. lands a punch in Vin's face!
*Clean out your locker, Fearless Leader. You just got pwned by the idiot comic relief.
-Narration/B.C.: B.C. realizes what he had done. He was about to apologize, but gives in to his emotions again. "Y-you know..You're right..I need to stay behind..I will..permanently!! I'M OUTTA HERE!" B.C. takes off his FilmBrace and communicator and runs out of the room, and off the base.
Toni: "B.C., NO!"
Alex: "Let him go, Toni.." said Alex. "He needs to think things through..Trying to comfort his pain now will make things even worse..Eventually, he has to come to his senses..
*Alex isn’t having any kind of second thoughts that maybe she made a mistake with this guy? I’m all for heroes having faults and arguing with each other, really, but that’s only if they have a little something people like to call “redeeming qualities,” or for the story to at least know they’re assholes. And while I enjoy Scanranger in a so-bad-it’s-good way, I would shed no tears if B.C. were removed from the story.
**Seriously, they’re on the brink of defeat. This is the perfect time to prove that B.C. is in fact the glue that holds the team together by raising their spirits with his jocularity. At least then I’d only be complaining about the bad jokes, not what this asshole’s doing being trusted with super powers and mecha.
-Narration: Meanwhile, up in Nebultopia, Blackorg, Vixen, Ug, and Key watch the screen of the ongoing struggle. They gloat at the possible Scanranger breakup.
*They can see inside the Scanrangers’ secret base? Then shouldn’t they know where it is? I mean, for real? (You’ll see)
-Narration: The dark MAYHEM leader laughs, summoning up a wine glass,and holds it a toast while the rest of MAYHEM do the same to the others aboard the ship.
*To the others aboard the ship?
-Blackorg: “I commend you, Arno Benedict on a spectacular job..The Scanrangers are finished! There is no way they can call up even more reinforcements to protect their planet!"
*When did the rangers call up reinforcements the first time? Ironically the Scanrangers have several super-powered allies but said allies only show up when it’s convenient for them. There’s not so much as an “I tried to call Danger Woman but she’s leading a rebellion against the Warlord of Neptune.”
-Narration: Key, Vixen, and Ug look at each other, envious of the Brigade defeating the movie task force.
*Maybe if they didn’t work for a twit who told them to back off when they were winning a fight for a change…
-Benedict: “"Indeed, my lord..I can even arrange for your other lackeys to take on the other three,and there will be no one to stand in your way! But first, I have to complete one other task in order to achieve this victory..." said Benedict confidently. Vixen was about to sense an attack, but it was unclear. "...DESTROYING YOU, BLACKORG!!" Benedict blasts the dark lord with his sword.
*What was unclear about the incoming attack? The officers were the ones who heard Benedict when he let it slip out for a second that his dreams of conquest only included himself. They should’ve been expecting this from the minute the Brigade stepped onto their ship.
-Blackorg: “HOW DARE YOU?!" cried Blackorg. "You dare to attack my person, even after the assistance we've given to you?"
*Which come to think of it has been pretty minimal…
-Benedict: “I DARE! You have reached the end of your reign! Now, it is time for the next generation, the next generation to take over this motley crew of morons!"
*Wow, that takes the threat index down a few notches when even the characters in the story know it…
-Narration: KuroFrost attacks, but Vixen stops him in his tracks with a copy of a KumoMech woman. Easily distracted by the woman's wiles, Vixen then lands a kick in KuroFrost's face.
*What’s a “copy of a KumoMech” woman supposed to be? And if I’m imagining this right, this is basically the same thing as that gag where someone’s about to clobber Bugs Bunny but he pulls out a picture of a pin-up girl, completely distracting them. Vince, what do you think you’re doing?
-Bendict: “Nice try, Blackorg....but remember, we're the one who stopped the Scanrangers..It's only a matter of time when we figure out how to deal with you on the grounds of high treason..."
*Thanks to the regular villains’ intense sucking, the Brigade captures them. I love that last line like he needs a reason to dispose of the guy he’s usurping. Guess I’m just surprised at the need for theatrics from a group of villains who’ve shown they can actually do a semi-decent job of, well, being villains.
-Narration: Meanwhile, in what possibly could be another dimension,(this is what happens when one watches too much Dragonball Z), Nick's spirit and the strange being begin their next phase.
*Forget about how Vince keeps saying “another dimension” like it’s some kind of joke, why is he so wishy-washy about details? It’s not as if the Dragonball Z crack is funny in any way, shape or form. Just say what Nick sees, or if he doesn’t see anything.
-Alien: “Years ago, MAYHEM sent Benedict's Brigade to subjugate my home planet..Those who stayed behind were made his slaves, the others who rebelled against him were slain, even women and children.."
Alex: "How dare he!"
*Why did anyone stay behind’s what I want to know. You have to think everybody was leaving because they knew what a menace Benedict was. And if this happened “years ago,” once again it begs the question of when exactly the Brigade came to be with the members originating as the robot horsemen from the fifth episode.
**And it’s not a big point, but Nick being so appalled to hear about Benedict’s misdeeds is weird. You’d think he’d sort of be getting used to it, especially with how he ended up in a coma. It’s not like he expected Benedict to show mercy toward his enemies, is it? As I’ve said, during the last arc where the Brigade appeared the Scanrangers blasted them several times for fighting dirty.
-Nick: “However, what's this got to do with me?"
*Uh, I dunno, Nick. Maybe you and your friends are the only ones who’ve had any success fighting Benedict’s Brigade?
-Alien: “My race, the Futurais, are well known throughout the galaxy for our high technology..I happen to one of the last of that given race..My mission, is to supply that technology to one who can be trusted to keep the spirit of our world strong..I choose you, Nick Simonds to carry on that fighting spirit..This will require, however, a power upgrade in order to help your friends.."
*The aliens are known for their technology, but what he seems to end up doing is give Nick extra energy that will increase the potency of his movie powers. This sounds like an invocation of Arthur C. Clarke’s famous saying. Frankly if the Futurais were so advanced, how was Benedict able to annihilate their civilization? After all, the Scanrangers beat him before receiving the alien’s gift of technology, which is what gives them the edge they need now. Something doesn’t add up.
-Narration: The Futurai being touches Nick's forehead, which in a few seconds, movie images flash swiftly before his eyes, even to the point where he could sense the destruction of Thunder Dolby..
Nick: "My gosh..Dolby's been smashed to pieces, and WideScreener with it.."
*There’s a movie where Thunder Dolby and WideScreener get destroyed?
-Alien: “The time shall come when your body will heal, and you can transfer the knowledge to the other Scanrangers..”
*Knowledge? That’s what he gave Nick? Because, as I said, what Nick gives the other rangers appears to be a simple boost to their film energy, and it’s hard to see how that equates to “knowledge.” As well, Nick passes along the gift by appearing to them in astral form, so why does his body need to heal so he can do that?
-Nick: “Man, what a dream! H-How long have I've been out? Gotta call the professor.."
*If he thinks it was just a dream, why does he feel compelled to act on it? He can’t even look over at his bedside table, see some kind of alien knicknack that wasn’t there before, and realize it really happened?
-Narration/Alex: Professor Alex gets the call. "Takeshi? Is that you?"
*Can I just ask how she got the call? Was it on her office phone, her cell, her secret Project Paramount communicator? The last one seems the most sensible since she at first thinks it’s Takeshi calling in, but does that mean they left Nick’s bracelets with him while he was in a coma? Just, why would they do that? It’s not like they’re expecting him to be able to use them.
-Nick: “Whatever you do, when you go to sleep tonight, I need for you to meet me at these coordinates.."
*When you go to sleep, meet me at these coordinates?!
-Alex: “Nick..Oh, thank God..You're alive..I'll-"
Nick: "Don't tell the rest of the team..not yet..”
*Why not? I’ll talk more about Nick’s request for secrecy later.
-Narration: Later that night, as Alex was resting in her office, Nick appeared to her in a 'dreamtime' state.
Alex: "Nick? Are you sure that's you?"
*So by “meet me at these coordinates” he meant “meet me in your office.” Dork.
**And yeah Alex, I’m sure if this was a MAYHEM trick he’d come out and tell you. Seriously, if she wants confirmation (which she obviously doesn’t. Nice security, Prof), why not ask him for the latest codeword or something? They had that in f***ing Johnny Sokko.
-Narration: Alex hands over the folder she had earlier at the hospital.
Alex: "This is it, Nick..'Operation:Blockbuster'..In the case that Thunder Dolby was in grave danger, this project will help as a backup to Dolby, but.."
*…we’re idiots and have been sitting on the plans for months for no good reason. Really, why? Could they not get the funding? The events of next episode make you doubt that could be it.
-Narration: He touches one of the blueprints, and a tiny prototype of one of the mecha appeared in front of them..It resembled a Veritech fighter in Battloid mode. Alex was amazed.
Alex: "How..how did you do that?"
*What’s so amazing about that? I know why Alex is supposed to be so impressed; Nick got his film energy upgraded by the alien, but that’s in no way conveyed by what he just did. Nick makes holograms, that’s his power, and Alex is the one who gave it to him. A hologram of a Macross robot doesn’t hold a candle to the one of 12,000 individual people he whipped up back in the third episode for crying out loud. Even if the Veritech were full-sized, which I’m doubting since they’re in Alex’s office.
-Nick: “Believe it or not..an alien..Somehow he upgraded my power of Special FX, and made it to an even solid form..It's like something out of 'The Matrix'..”
*What’s like something out of The Matrix? Making solid holograms? Um, not really. The Matrix is basically the biggest online roleplaying game over, one you jack into directly from your brain. It’s all in your head. Literally.
-Nick: “B.C. will flip once he finds out.."
Alex: "Unfortunately, B.C. has flipped, indeed..He quit the team.."
Nick: "What?!"
Alex: "After seeing you out of commission, he cracked and went crazy..swearing revenge against Benedict's Brigade.."
*No he didn’t! He went crazy, but he quit the team!
-Narration: Later, back at CJU, B.C. was watching TV, and since it was very late, he left the TV on, falling asleep in the process. He was smacked in the back of his neck, the usual way how Nick hits him after one of B.C.'s bad jokes, and wakes up.
*So even Vince knows how abusive B.C.’s humor is?
-Nick: “What do you mean my quitting the team, you knucklehead? If I knew that you were so concerned about me, why didn't you say so? What..you like me picking on you all the time?”
*…?!
-B.C.: “Right..Prove to me you're really Nick Simonds.."
Nick: "Don't change the subject..”
*This is probably meant to show the underlying friendship between the two, but that’s not much of a way to inspire confidence. Nick’s acting like he appears to his friends via astral projection all the time.
-Nick: “It's enough that you almost made a boneheaded move by staying back in Japan in the past, but not this!”
*Yeah, nearly destroying the space time continuum is nothing compared to having a temper tantrum!
-Nick: “Whomever you hurt by quitting the Scanrangers, you need to apologize..on one condition!"
B.C.: "What's that?"
Nick: "You don't tell the rest of the team that I'm fully recovered..yet..I don't want MAYHEM to think that I'm back…”
*Doesn’t Nick trust his friends to keep their mouths shut? Nice team spirit there. Besides, MAYHEM should know something’s up what with the alien interfering in Kurograppler’s assassination attempt.
-B.C.: “What do you think I should do?"
Nick: “Do what you must…”
*Look, even if B.C. doesn’t need to be committed, you’ve got to admit the guy needs guidance.
-Nick: “and you know I pick on you just for fun..It's just my way of expressing myself..I guess after the battle, it showed me that I have a lot to fight for and not being so focused on me.”
*Gee, it would’ve been nice to see Nick focusing on himself before this, then…
-Nick: “We were chose to help protect the earth..We are indeed the chosen ones, B.C…”
*Yeah, because of your mad movie geek skillz. Give me a break.
-Nick: “Now get your butt ready and help the gang or else!"
B.C.: "Or else what?" B.C. said jokingly.
Nick/Narration: "Or else this!" Nick using his upgraded film energy to create a copy of Moe Howard, who hits him on the head with a monkeywrench. "Now get back with those Scanrangers before I moider you, you lamebrain!" the Moe copy said. Nick fades out as B.C. awakens.
*How the hell is Nick whipping up a Moe Howard simulacrum? Isn’t that inside B.C.’s area?
**By the way, B.C. woke up already when Nick first appeared. Let’s assume this is the time he really woke up, because that way Vince had two people have a dream sequence and take it as gospel the same episode.
-B.C.: “Okay, B.C.-san, time to redeem yourself, Scanranger style!"
*Hmmm, Scanranger style seems a lot like normal person style.
-Narration: The next day, Vin, Toni, and Mikey go over the plans to prepare Nick's mecha plans. As Alex watches, B.C. walks in. The three rangers briefly ignore him and continue with their work, while Alex watches.
*He punched Vin out last time they saw him and now they’re ignoring him. Right.
-B.C.: “Vin, listen to me..you were right, I was wrong..I let this whole thing go out of proportion..It's been stressful of late, winding up classes, not balancing my schedule in order to study..I let it affect me, because I didn't seek help..But now I've got all of this off my chest..And for the record, Vin, I apologize for blowing up like that.”
*As fun as it is to see B.C. admitting to his faults, the stuff about letting classes get to him just makes him look even more irresponsible. Sure it pales in comparison to nearly ending the universe on purpose, but we never saw signs of this. Worse it muddies the waters in regards to B.C. being able to admit he was wrong thanks to his devotion to the one person who sees beyond his clownish façade.
-Vin: "Let me ask you one question!"
B.C.: "What's that?"
Vin/Narration: "Are you gonna treat us to the Leewood Park Multiplex next week?" Vin said jokingly. B.C. held out his hand. Vin then shakes his. Alex nods with her approval, while Toni and Mikey smile.
*Humor, thy name is not Vin Harlock.
-Narration: Meanwhile, back on Nebultopia, the Brigade has taken over the flying fortress.
*Yeah, pretty sure we were there to see that.
-Benedict: “To complete the final goal to annilhilate those heroes..we shall deliver the coup de grace..I've located their headquarters at last! With our all powerful ChaosDemolisher, we shall deliver the final blow..Once and for all, we shall destroy Cape Paramount Base!!!"
*Where did that intelligence come from? I mean, there’s probably a reason Benedict was probably able to find it while MAYHEM hasn’t, and we’ll find out what it is soon, but Vince might give us some inkling.
-Preview: In our next Scanranger adventure, the movie task force finally strikes back! What is Nick's secret weapon against the Brigade? How will our heroes battle the mighty ChaosDemolisher without Thunder Dolby THX and WideScreener? All shall be revealed in the incredible conclusion to the 'Power Upgrade' saga!
*Seems that once again we’re begging dramatic questions that were already answered. They’ll use BlockBuster, the new robot. That would’ve been revealed even if I hadn’t spoiled it, even if you’d been ignoring the info guide on the main page and just reading the stories. As for what Nick’s secret weapon is, not only should Vince probably not be giving that way, it turns out to be even more idiotic than asking how the rangers will cope without Thunder Dolby and Widescreener.
Now we know what the south's gonna do again, get eaten by a huge fish. |
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hk6909
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
651 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2009 : 10:35:20 AM
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Episode 22-Power Upgrade, part 4: Payback! The Spectactular Blockbuster Debut!
Summary: With new powers and a new robot, the Scanrangers finally settle the score with Benedict’s Brigade. For pages and pages. If Takeshi were around I swear this would’ve been called “The Endless Counterattack.”
Monster: ChaosDemolisher again
URL: http://www.geocities.com/tetsuokurata/epi22.html
Rating: JJJ
Rants-
-Recap: Nick gets extra power from the mysterious Futurai, and is miraculously healed. He warns each member in spirit form to prepare for a counterattack, including B.C., whom Nick persuades him to rejoin the team.In the process, Nick gives the team extra powers.
*No he didn’t give them extra powers. In this episode he will, but wtf?
-Narration: The Cape Paramount Base techs were hard at work preparing for a possible assault from MAYHEM.
*What, like Bendict’s gonna decide it’s not worth it and go home?
-Dr. Markby: “You have already found ChaosDemolisher a powerful foe..We can't afford any mistakes as you can see here.”
*Huh? What’s he showing them that indicates they can’t afford any mistakes?
-Dr. Markby: “These "Box Office Smashers" are used as an extension of your special skills, as you have shown in using Thunder Dolby THX...I shall introduce to you..." "ShogunScanner-piloted by Vin.. ClownScanner-piloted by B.C., of course.. JetScanner-piloted by Kunio....and DivaScanner-piloted by Toni.."
B.C.: "Doc.." asked B.C. "What about the fifth mecha over there?"
*Look, I know B.C.’s the comic relief and probably the least sharp of the bunch, but did he already forget there’s normally a fifth guy on the team? After that fifth guy appeared to him in astral form and talked him into rejoining?
**Also love the “ClownScanner-piloted by B.C., of course..” Wasn’t he complaining earlier in the arc about not being taken seriously, even by his friends?
-Alex: “Right now, we shall only use the mecha in a dire emergency.."
Vin: "But, Professor! This is a dire emergency! What happens if MAYHEM decides to attack soon?”
*Way to keep your head in a crisis, leader-man.
-Kunio: “And what about Thunder Dolby?" said Mikey. Don't you think we'll be on even ground if we could recreate him to battle that monster robot?"
Alex: "As I told you earlier during the briefing, for all intents and purposes, Thunder Dolby THX is dead!"(The rangers were unaware that Alex had another surprise for them, with the help of Nick, but she did not want to divulge the secret)
*No, I don’t think they’ll be on even ground if they tried to pit Dolby against Chaosdemolisher, and neither should they. Honestly, why does Kunio think Dolby would stand a chance when ChaosDemolisher literally tore it limb from limb before? And that was with Silver helping.
**Sadly, the reason is probably so Vince could include the comment in parenthesis. And I’ll spoil it for you and say the secret is Thunder Dolby has been rebuilt, better than ever. I’ll talk about the problems with that when we actually see Dolby again, but for now, what could compel someone to keep that a secret from the Scanrangers? From the reader I can understand, but why from the people who’d be using the robot, when the reason they’d be using it is to save the world? When they’re facing their darkest hour? That’s not the kind of information you withhold because you want to surprise your friends. And what if Blockbuster loses too?
Vin: “Professor Alex, the new robot’s not strong enough either! We’re out of power and it just cut Blockbuster’s legs off!”
Alex: “Um…I was saving this for a surprise, but let’s call out the brand new Thunder Dolby!”
Vin: “Whaat?!” (actually knowing these guys he’d probably say something like “You’re a lifesaver, professor!”)
-Alex: “Besides, all of you have the power of Hollywood in your hands..”
*Am I supposed to take that line seriously? Even in a genre as fundamentally unrealistic as Super Sentai, the power of Hollywood is what makes it so we can sleep soundly at night? Pardon me while I laugh.
-Alex: “You can't expect Dr. Markby, Sarita, or myself to think about these plans all the time...Vin, you're the leader of this campus crew..Go lead!"
*Excuse me, but weren’t her last orders “Right now, Vin..you worry about how to handle the new machines! We'll worry about MAYHEM!" Which is it, get the hang of the new robots or come up with a plan of attack?
-Narration: Alex excuses herself to her office, sits in her chair, and it automatically motors down a secret passageway not far from the base. She reports to Nick, still in 'spiritual' form.
Alex; "Dr.Markby's helping them to test the new mecha. The others are none the wiser.." Nick: "As planned.."
*And…end scene. Couldn’t Alex just lock her door and turn on a white noise machine?
-Kurofrost: “Lord Benedict! We've found it! These are the following coordinates of the Scanranger base!”
*They’ve discovered the location of Scanranger’s secret base! Again!
-Narration: As the other rangers rest up, Vin was half asleep, but he awakens again, and sees..
Vin: “Nick?" Vin was puzzled. "Is that you? Are you still alive?!?"
Nick: "In the spirit only, Vin Man.. I need your help..You have the power to motivate others..to help them to keep fighting against the odds..”
*And you should really use it sometime.
-Nick: “…which should apply to your schoolwork, too…”
*Because I should be distracting you with thoughts of school when we’re about to fight an all-or-nothing battle for the fate of the world.
-Nick: “Now, keep this under wraps..We can detect Benedict's Brigade approaching even as we speak..When you go into battle, I'll be standing by with specific instructions for the entire team.."
Narration: As Nick shares the plans with Vin, he does the same to Toni and Mikey momets later; releasing untold power to them, and giving them directions.
*Okay, why in the holy hell did Nick keep his recovery secret if he was just going to appear to his friends and augment their powers? And why wait until right before Benedict comes back to finish ‘em off? They could’ve had time to get used to their new powers, prepare a little. Not that it matters; they instantly master a new slew of attacks and a set of mecha they’ve only laid eyes on once.
-Narration: Benedict's Brigade were piloting ChaosDemolisher from their cockpit as they ascended down to the base.
*Don’t try to kid me, Vince, the Brigade were so not piloting ChaosDemolisher from their cockpit. And you can’t “ascend” down.
-Benedict: “The Scanrangers' base is here in North America..”
*What a completely unexpected discovery, what with their battles taking place in North America!
-Narration: The Brigade's robot attacks Cape Paramount Base, and it uses its cannons to blast away at the mountain range, then rips through the ground, setting the forest on fire, ChaosDemolisher goes underground in case there were any underground hideouts. An hour later, the base lain in embers and smoke. The Brigade then abandon ChaosDemolisher, going into what was left of the Scanranger base of operations.
*It took them an hour to destroy the base? Some all powerful robot.
-Benedict: “There is no way anyone human could have survived that assault! Anyone working for their team that's still breathing are to be given a straight choice..to join us or die! If there are any wounded Scanrangers to be found, what happens, Mr. KuroGrappler?"
Kurograppler: "Right! They don't get the first option!"
*There’s no way anyone could’ve survived, so they’re…formulating policy for survivors they find.
-Narration: The Brigade leader then finds what may look like an official letter left behind.
*After “the base lain in embers and smoke.” Yeah right.
-Benedict: “Terms of surrender? These children are thinking ahead..I like that, but it still won't save them!" Benedict opens the letter as it reads, 'When are terrorists like a bag of lollipops?' He divined the answer with a shocked look on his face. "When they are suckers!"
*Oooooh, burn! Trashing their reputation right up to the final battle royale, nice one Vince.
-Narration: The burning base disappears, which turned to be a three-dimensional illusion. "Gotcha!" said Nick, back in his hospital room. Using his SPFX Film Energy, he made an illusion of Cape Paramount, which was actually 10 miles from the attack site.
*He can create a hologram of the entire base, from a hospital bed ten miles away. Oh come on Vince. Even if his powers are stronger now, don’t you think that’s pushing it big time?
-Narration: He still gave orders through Alex to get to the other Scanrangers.
*Nick gives orders to Alex to give to the Scanrangers? Isn’t there at least one unnecessary step in this procedure?
-Benedict: “BLAST IT! BRIGADE! WE'VE BEEN TRICKED! IT WAS A SETUP! THE BASE WASN'T PLACED IN THIS ARE-"
*So how did they find out in the first place? The project probably “accidentally” let slip the false info, but how did the Brigade get it? Is knowing what the hell’s going on too much to ask?
-Kurofire/Narration: “There!" cried KuroFire. He shot at anything that moved. Suddenly, out of the gray smoke, similiar to a scene from a John Woo movie, came four angry, determined, and confident Scanrangers, walking slowly to confront the Brigade.
Kurofrost: "THE SCANRANGERS!"
Vin: "Who did you expect, the Power Rangers?
*Oh give it a rest Vince. Even when you’re going for a big dramatic moment you can’t resist slamming the Power Rangers?
-Toni: “Last chance, last dance, Benedict!"
*What? Oh, because, yeah, she’s the musical one so her taunt would have to be about dancing. Good one.
-B.C.: “And finally, Blue replies in a defiant fashion, "ON BEHALF OF HOLLYWOOD, WE WILL PUNISH YOU!!!"
*You know Vince, that sounded a bit less goofy coming from Sailor Moon because a) that show was aimed at young girls, b) the moon is a celestial body with semi-mystical significance, and c) she didn’t claim to be empowered by a place full of some of the most deluded, drugged-out, self-absorbed people in the galaxy.
-Benedict: “Four Scanrangers, one Scanranger..It doesn't matter.." said Benedict. "If you recall, we have your Film Energy..Thus, anything you throw at us, it will avail you nothing!”
*Pride cometh before a fall, eh? I’d so be savoring this if the Scanrangers were the ones who should actually win.
-Nick: “On my signal, guys, you know what to do!"
*Although it turns out to be something that shouldn’t require a signal.
-Benedict: “ATTACK!"
Narration: He and the three Brigade members charge at the Scanrangers. They stood only a hundred yards from each other. Vin via Nick directs the orders as they were like on a battlefield
*They’re not on a battlefield?
-Nick: “NOW!"
Narration: As the three were about to dash through our heroes, the rangers disappear!
Benedict: "Where did they go? What happened?"
Narration/Vin: The answer came via a flying roundhouse kick in Benedict's face, and does the same with KuroGrappler. "THIS!" replied Red. The strike enabled the others to do the same, catching the Brigade unawares.
*Nick gives the signal. Wouldn’t seeing the holograms of the rangers disappearing be a good enough signal for them to spring their sneak attack?
-Narration: B.C. and Toni threw a double kick at KuroFire, while Kunio utilizes a judo throw at KuroFrost.
B.C.: "How stuff, baby! Hot stuff!"
Toni: “Glad to have you back, Blue..”
*Can you imagine if you were the kind of person who enjoyed humor like that?
-B.C.: “Fire! Water! Water puts out fire! Duhh!" said Blue, quoting an old 80's toy commercial.
*He says after Toni uses her tidal wave attack on Kurofire. Props for drawing attention to something as obscure as Battle Beasts, but isn’t this the big dramatic showdown to an arc where the heroes are brought to the brink of defeat? Could we maybe hold off on the flow-breaking wisecracks a bit?
-Toni: “Go, BlueScanner! He's recovering!"
B.C.: "Right! But what should I choose?"
*B.C.’s only got one attack, the anvil one. Which is the one he ends up using. That was a tough one, wasn’t it?
-Narration: Yellow takes on KuroFrost. The icy android blasts a cold beam at Kunio, but he blocks it with a force field. Kunio calls up a new attack with his Sci-fi Film Energy. Becoming one with a Dragonball Z movie, he imitates one of Son Goku's famed energy attacks. YellowScanner concentrates all of his energy into both of his hands, putting them together. Glowing like a 'Super Saiyan', he decided to give it a new name. Instead of 'Kaioken', Kunio calls it.. "EIGAOKENNNN!"(Movie King Fist)
*His Sci-fi energy. To copy an attack from an anime. Which is his usual schtick anyway. Right. Incidentally, I used to be something of a DBZ fan boy, and from what I remember Kaioken was a technique that temporarily multiplied your strength, not one of the show’s eight zillion identical energy attacks.
-Narration: RedScanner took on Benedict and KuroGrappler.
Benedict: "I've already stolen your skills, child, and it will avail you naught!"
*Can’t the story ever say what it means? The Brigade stole the Scanrangers’ old special attacks, and I’m pretty sure Vin’s skills (whatever ones he means) didn’t come with them. He and the others have been coping pretty well since their last fight with the Brigade.
-Vin: “Three seconds was all I need..”
*And that’s the amount of time it took to say that. Good job.
-Vin: “And now, for something completely different!”
*Different from what? They were fighting before he said that, and they’re still fighting after. Vin says this before he unleashes his brand new special move, but it’s a powered-up sword attack, just like his old ones.
-Narration: With RedScanner's recharged Action Film Energy,…
*His recharged film energy…? Recharged?
-Narration: Red's sword in hand, and in his rapier mode, he calls up the movie 'The Mask of Zorro'. Becoming one with the Tyrone Power and Antonio Banderas versions, the sword charges up with thunder and lighting. In the same signature swordstokes of the caped hero, Red slashes in the shape of a Z, and blasts the Z beam at Benedict.
*Why does Vin have to be so specific about which Zorro movie he’s tapping to create his new move? Zorro slashes Z’s. Whether it’s the Antonio Banderas and Tyrone Power Zorro, the Douglas Fairbanks Zorro or even Kaiketsu Zorro. That’s what makes him Zorro and not just a regular freak in a cape and mask. And to make this especially stupid I get to rant in the next episode how Vince proves the specifics weren’t necessary.
-Narration: Vin does the move once again. KuroGrappler helps Benedict up. Blasting the beam, Vin shouts, "ZORRO ZLASH!" It makes impact on Benedict and KuroGrappler, knocking them on the ground, with their clothes singed. The Brigade was almost out for the count, struggling to stand on their own feet. The Scanrangers walk to them to finish the battle.
*Vin was supposedly fighting both Benedict and Kurograppler, but all Kurograppler does in the whole fight before getting taken out is help Benedict up so they can be blown away together. Wow, you da man, Vin.
-Nick: “That takes care of the opening act! Now for the coming attractions!"
*The coming attractions come after the opening act?? Anyhow, time for the big-size fight.
-Vin: “Show that Gundam wanna-be what you've got!"
*Good one. Your enemy’s a giant robot, so it’s a “Gundam wanna-be”. Obviously.
-Narration: The robot sheathes its sword and slashes ChaosDemolisher in the back of its leg.
*I’m not calling you stupid, but “sheathes” means the opposite of what Vince Jones seems to think it does.
-Narration: Next comes Blue. As Red distracted the Brigade robot, B.C. shouts, "How about a nice Hawaiian punch?" ClownScanner, pulls out his staff, similar to Blue's Speed-Bo Staff, which changes into a mallet. He pounds ChaosDemolisher in the face, then swiftly flies off.
*I honestly don’t know why this comedic crap even stands out anymore. I can’t think of what I’d replace comedy with in the team dynamic, but, seriously…slapstick attacks on what are supposed to be menacing villains…
-This is pretty much how it goes for the rest of the episode. For pages upon pages the Scanrangers mercilessly crush the Brigade who keep screaming it’s impossible for them to lose. It’s one of the most tiresome things in the story, which isn’t something you should be saying about the climax of a dramatic story arc. In case it gets boring, feel free to do a word search for “three weeks later.”
-Narration: With Pink piloting DivaScanner, the machine spins towards its target. She spun so fast that it began to split into six DivaScanners. It was an illusion to also distract the robot…The robot shoots at DivaScanner, but misses the fake targets also.
*It doesn’t even hit the fake Divascanners? It’d be one thing if it hit them but didn’t do anything because they weren’t real, but it can’t even hit them?
-Narration/Alex: Finally, CosmoScanner makes its appearance, with Alex at the cockpit. "Great job, everyone, but we're not finished yet!" She shoots another glob of paste at ChaosDemolisher. The Brigade struggle to get the paste off.
Vin: "Professor! You've got skills, lady!"
*Yeah, that was the most awesome, um, paste-flinging I ever saw!
-Nick: “All right, guys! The feature presentation is coming up now! We've got one shot at this!”
*They’ve had enough fun separately, time to combine. Why just one shot?
Nick: “Take the mini-video which is located on your right, and load it in the TV slot in the middle! To activate the video, Vin, shout out, 'BOX OFFICE FORMATION, BLOCKBUSTER!' You know what to do from there!"
*The TV slot? And if they know what to do from there, why does he have to tell them how to set it up?
-Narration: Finally, JetScanner's wings pop off, and it transforms into a head(think HeadMasters, TF fans)
*Because it’s so hard to imagine a robot becoming a robot head.
-B.C.: “I like it! I like it!" said B.C., doing an impression of Jerry Lewis.
*No wonder he’s not funny, look at who he emulates.
-Nick: “For the first time, the world premiere of..BLOCKBUSTER!”
*I’m pretty sure “premiere” and “first” go hand in hand.
-Narration: The new Scanranger robot stood proud and tall, slightly taller than ChaosDemolisher.
*Of course it was taller. Vince, must you indulge your heroes so?
-Narration: The Brigade was in awe of the combined Box Office Smashers.
*Of course they were! Yeah, it’s something that would be no big deal in any other Sentai, but in one that exists mainly to entertain the author…
-Vin: “Activate Cine Vortex!"
Narration: With the press of a button, the two opponents travel into another dimension. It was similar to a giant monster movie set filled with buildings and tall towers. This new power was to protect other citizens from harm.
*If that’s a realistic concern, they spent an awful lot of time pounding on Chaosdemolisher with their separate robots.
-Kurofrost/Narration: “CHAOS INFERNO!" The fire beam was shot, but BlockBuster's force field was able to block the attack.
*Lame.
-Vin: “Out turn now!" said Vin. He presses another button. "BLOCKBUSTER V BEAMM!
*Well said.
-Narration: As our heroes approach the Brigade, ChaosDemolisher rises again. Using its claws like the last battle, it tried to slash BlockBuster, but surprisingly, the claws break!
*Super lame! This is the second and last time Chaosdemolisher gets to land a blow, and it’s not only ineffective, the weapon breaks in the process! I know Blockbuster’s this awesome, currently unbeatable new weapon, but when a Sentai gets a super new robot, the super enemy that prompted its introduction usually at least gets to put up a decent fight. But why stop making a mockery of the invincible Benedict’s Brigade now?
-Alex; “Pull the left lever, Vin, and press the button on top!"
Vin: "Right! BLOCKBUSTER BARRAGE!"
*How does Vin know what that button does, if Alex needs to give him such specific instructions to activate it?
-Narration: The double barreled guns were almost similar to Thunder Dolby's Gatling Reel Gunner. The only difference was that the cannons were mounted on each of BlockBuster's wrists.
*So they are similar, they’re just located somewhere else.
-Kurofire: “NO! NO! We're losing power! We can't hold them much longer!"
Benedict: "No! No! We shall recover and attack! Our robot is invincible! We'll destroy them just yet!
*No no?
-Narration: As the dimensional fiend charges the robot with more power, it then suddenly runs out! Their cockpit was darkened because of the brief blackout.
Somebody: "WHAT?!? No more power? That's impossible!"
*SO not content having rendered all its weapons ineffective, Vince has Chaosdemolisher suddenly run out of power for no reason too. I don’t know why I bother.
-Scanrangers/Narration: “PSI-TEK WAVE!" The new attack enabled BlockBuster to levitate the monster robot in the air, using telekinesis! With BlockBuster's hand glowing, Benedict notices something under the robot's hand.
Benedict: "What's this? No! It's not possible! The symbol of the Futurais! I-I thought we'd destroyed them all!
*What is the symbol of the Futurais, one wonders? Why did they bother to include such a detail when the team needed Blockbuster ready toot sweet? Is it really necessary for Benedict to know who enabled his downfall?
-Scanrangers: “BLOCKBUSTER ENERGIZE!"
Narration: The Scanranger robo charged up with pure plasma energy, glowing like the sun. With ChaosDemolisher still held in place, BlockBuster blasted off into the sky towards its target like a comet! Benedict, KuroFire, KuroFrost, and KuroGrappler all saw the robot about to hit them. Benedict curses the rangers in a stoic manner.
Benedict: "Blast..you..Scanrangers..
Scanrangers: "NOW! BLOCKBUSTER BOMB!
Narration: As BlockBuster approached ChaosDemolisher, it releases the comet, and the energy blast all but surrounds the evil robot. The attack was similar to the Getta Robo/Starvengers final attack, Getta Spark/Star Fire. The BlockBuster Bomb hits the Brigade robot with the Brigade screaming in the exploding cockpit! Finally, ChaosDemolisher falls once and for all with a bang, exploding on the ground, totally destroyed!
*It all but surrounds the evil robot? Hmmm, kind of unimpressive for the strongest weapon of the team’s new super-duper robot.
**And what happens after the Blockbuster Bomb hits ? It’s not too clear.
-Narration: And back on Nebultopia, where Blackorg and the three MAYHEM henchmen was held captive, easily escaped their prison and witnessed the end of Benedict's Brigade and ChaosDemolisher. Blackorg snickers, which rose to a hearty laugh.
*I can see a vengeful guy like Blackorg being happy a turncoat like Benedict is getting his, but isn’t Blackie’s jubilation dimmed at all by the fact that Scanranger, the greater annoyance by far, is now bound to be an even bigger threat to his plans?
**And call me crazy but shouldn’t it be a surpise that they’ve escaped?
-Alex: “It's over..I think that's definitely the last we'll see of Benedict's Brigade.”
*Then why do you chase them all the way to the moon to finish the job?
-Narration: Or was it? Back on their moon base, the Brigade actually returned from seeming death! They teleported at the last possible minute. Each and every member was injured or critically wounded.
*Injured OR critically wounded? Big difference, thanks for clearing that up.
-Nick: “.AND WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING, BENEDICT?" shouted a voice.
Narration/Kurograppler: The Brigade turned around. KuroGrappler couldn't believe his mechanical eyes. "IT CAN'T BE! THAT VOICE!" They see Nick, fully recovered, fully healed, and fully furious! “N-NO! I KILLED YOU! HOW?"
*Nick’s all better, huh? So why did he sit out the whole battle? It’s not a surprise attack or something; Kurograppler didn’t kill Nick, and he knows it. Not to mention he knows something with unearthly powers was protecting Nick, so his reappearance shouldn’t have been a matter of “if” but “when.” And the Brigade’s so banged up from the fight the Scanrangers wouldn’t have any trouble with them now no matter what.
**And Nick doesn’t act “fully furious.” He just keeps saying “No…” over and over, to the point of making you wish you could smack him and scream at him to shut up.
-Narration: With his new power, he reflects it back to KuroFire. His gas tank explodes, leaving the robotic rider half burned, with gasoline dripping from his internal tank. Using his energy, Nick flips a match at the helpless KuroFire, blowing him to android smithereens!
*And the slaughter’s still not over! Vince thinks we hate the Brigade so much we want the same one-sided little fight -> big fight cycle against the same guys twice in one episode!
**Plus, Nick uses his powers to FLICK A MATCH at Kurofire. Overkill and underkill at the same time.
-KuroFrost: “I-I'M M-MELT-MELTINGGG!"
*Notice to all sentient life: Unless you’re Mel Brooks or making a sequel, never, intentionally or otherwise, make references to famous lines or scenes from the following movies ever again: The Wizard of Oz, the original Star Wars trilogy, James Bond, Casablanca, Dirty Harry, Psycho, Jaws, Monty Python, Planet of the Apes, The Matrix, American Express commercials and anything starring Marlon Brando. It’s been done to death, and it’s not going to be witty when you do it.
-Narration: Nick had no qualms of destroying the Brigade member, for he was an android and not human, keeping up with his code of ethics.
*The Scanrangers never killed anyone who wasn’t a robot or android or whatever except MAYBE Kurodragon and Kurogangsta, but nobody said anything about morality then. Of course, both of those guys had been mean to a Scanranger or one of their friends in some way, so they had it coming (sigh). Anyway, it’s nice Nick has a code of ethics…too bad Vince forgot to extend it to kicking people while they’re down.
Part 2-http://www.geocities.com/tetsuokurata/epi22b.html
-Narration: The last standing Brigade member calls up his last bit of stolen film energy and sends his Grappler Gang clones to attack Nick. Without even flinching, Nick raises his hand, summoning up a scene from 'The Matrix'. Becoming one with the character Morpheus, he leaps away from the clones and up on top of the rocks. He bounces of the rocks and screams, radiating a pure white light. Nick proceeds to singlehandedly decapitate the robot clones one by one, using Morpheus' karate moves like the movie, although Nick himself was a wrestler.
*Wait, Nick can learn martial arts whenever he wants by tapping The Matrix? Without even being Greenscanner? Sure, it’s easy to see how fight scenes from The Matrix tie into a special effects-powered superhero, but isn’t that mega-mega cheesy?
-Narration: He finally pulls out his mini-video, and transforms into his GreenScanner battle suit. The Brigade android attempted to punch Nick. He grabs his fist, and slowly crushes it, putting KuroGrappler in agonizing pain. Nick then grabs KuroGrappler's shoulder and head butts him, cracking the monster's skull. He follows with a knee into the chest, crushing it, and delivers a drop kick into his face.
*Sheesh, for a guy on a team that doesn’t believe in vengeance, Nick’s in no hurry to just kill the guy and be done with it.
-Narration: Finally, Nick, using his bounding skills, jumps high into the air, with KuroGrappler semiconscious about to do a serious piledriver, about 500 feet into the air. They both descend upon the moon's surface. An explosion was a result, spreading for miles like a mushroom cloud. Moments later, out of the smoke came GreenScanner, none the worse for wear.
*Oh come on! He does a piledriver that results in an explosion that spreads for miles?! Vince, you’re writing Sentai, not Superman. If they have that kind punch, why do they need mecha?
-Narration/Kurograppler: It wasn't finished yet, however! KuroGrappler grew into a giant! "WE'RE NOT FINISHED YET, HERO! I'LL SMASH YOUR PUNY BODY!"
Narration: Nick shook his head and sighed. With a wave of his hand, something materialized on the moon. As Nick escapes, KuroGrappler was stunned! He saw..
Kurograppler: "THUNDER DOLBY THX! IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! YOU WERE DESTROYED!"
*You annoy me slightly by forcing me to use a fraction of my powers to teleport a multi-story robot to the moon.
-Narration: The mighty Scanranger robot returned, much more streamlined than its predecessor.
*Thunder Dolby’s back?! Already??? And new and improved, even??!? Wow, when he said “power upgrade,” he wasn’t kidding.
**Let’s think about what this means, though. Not only did Project Paramount build a whole new set of robots for Scanranger, they were able to rebuild their original set better than ever without the Scanrangers knowing until the project felt like telling them. All in the space of what couldn’t possibly be more than a couple days, even with how messed up the passage of time is in this story. This is what short circuits the pathos of Thunder Dolby’s demise, they magically conjure an even better one out of thin air. Are you kidding me, Vince? You got us all worked up when you were just going to pull this on us? All the drama and tension (what there was) evaporates when we see the story willing to include such a cop-out. On top of that, how are we supposed to worry the Scanrangers might lose other mecha after this, if it can be replaced so quickly? Good to know a new chapter’s opening in the Scanranger saga by doing longterm damage to the audience’s suspension of disbelief.
-Vin: Quoting a phrase from an old Steven Seagal movie, he says "How does it feel knowing you're about to die?"
*Are you sure the Scanrangers aren’t allowed to fight for revenge, Vince? They sure seem to be savoring this.
-Vin/Narration: “ACTIVATE PEGASUS WING!" Materializing from inner space, TS Pegasus wings clamp on to Dolby's back.
*It came out of Martin Short?
-Scanrangers: “HEAVY EDITOR SWORD!" The saber was an upgraded version of the Great Editor Sword.
*It’s a saber? Isn’t a saber kind of a light weapon? Doesn’t jibe with the “heavy” thing, then.
-Scanrangers: “DOUBLE FEATURE FINAL CUT!"
Narration: Dolby slices KuroGrappler down the middle, in addition to the side slash.
Kurograppler: "I-I can't believe it.." said the fallen Brigade android. "How can they beat us like this? HOWWARRGHHH!"
Narration: KuroGrappler falls for the final time!
*Never mind they’ve been slaughtering you guys all day.
**And that’s it. They went to all the trouble of going to the moon to make sure they never had to deal with Benedict’s Brigade again, it’s apparently not worth the effort to attack MAYHEM’s satellite stronghold as long as they’re up here and end the madness once and for all. Maybe Alex wants to make sure they get their money’s worth out of the new robots first.
-Narration: Meanwhile, back at Nebultopia, the critically wounded Benedict lands in front of Blackorg. One of the Kink soldiers grabbed him in the midst of battle, teleporting him back to the MAYHEM base.
Benedict: "What? B-Blackorg?"
Blackorg: "Did you truly believe that you could conquer my base of operations so easily, Benedict?" said the dark lord. "We only made you think you've defeated us!"
*The MAYHEM leaders were never really imprisoned, eh? The rangers’ victory is getting less impressive all the time.
-Key/Narration: “Did you also forget that we too possess a fraction of the Scanrangers' energy also?" said Key. Using his 'dark energy', Key chains Benedict to the wall.
*Even the three officers didn’t know they’d channeled some film energy until Blackorg told them, how would Benedict?
-Blackorg: “You are such a fool, Benedict.. First by underestimating these earthlings...and second, underestimating the might of the MAYHEM corps!"
*Whatever, Mr. “We can destroy those accursed Scanrangers at our leisure.” How’s that working out for you, by the by?
-Narration: He proceeds to crush Benedict's shoulder as he screams in pain.
Benedict: "AAGGHHH! B-BLACKORGGG!"
Blackorg: “I beg your pardon? What did you call me?"
Narration: The overlord then crushes Benedict's other shoulder! The pain felt like white hot knives going through his body.
*Well, the story believes in painful vengeance even if the heroes supposedly don’t. What Blackorg’s doing to Benedict doesn’t sound much more cruel than what Nick did to Kurograppler. Sad thing is I can tell how Vince is making sure his heroes stay on the moral high ground: Kurograppler’s just a monster so he doesn’t count, while Benedict that actual person is being tortured by the people you’re supposed to hate.
-Anyway I’m sure you’re sick of me bitching about how Vince insists on destroying all sense of menace within his story so I’ll just skip to the end of this scene and tell you Benedict’s torture continues until he’s killed by Mexican firing squad. You’re welcome.
-Narration: Three weeks later... The hospital nurse gave Nick his release papers. Now that he was completely well again(although two weeks before he was already healed), He walks out the main entrance and met Alex and the rest of the team, with Toni creating a musical band made out of her film energy.
*It’s been three weeks since the last battle, and Nick’s only now being released from the hospital. I presume he stayed in to keep from blowing his cover, although Toni’s not helping much by whipping a band out of thin air. If he was fully recovered two weeks previous, though (personally I’m inclined to say he was all better three weeks before what with how he mopped up the Brigade without even transforming), how did he keep his recovery a secret from the staff? He use his holograms to fake broken bones? And as one of the heroes doesn’t he have some kind of moral duty not to take up space in a hospital if he doesn’t need to?
-Vin: “I never thought I'd say this, but welcome back to the world of the living..even though we knew you were still kicking..”
*You didn’t think your friend would get better? Nice optimism and team spirit there, Fearless Leader.
-Toni: "I'm just glad you're safe and sound..no more words, okay?”
*Ever again. And see if you can get B.C. to join you with it.
-Narration: Nick already began to have deeper feelings about Toni. However, after the experience that the movie task force had went through, he concluded that he should treat her as her little sister, which in a way, the other male rangers had already treated her as such.
*What? Oh yeah, Nick was sort of implied a little to be interested in Toni, but decides it’s better to keep things platonic. I’m not opposed to Nick growing up a little, realizing how serious things are from his near-death experience, I’d just like to know what he thinks might happen that makes him give up his pursuit of Toni. It doesn’t seem like he’s cutting himself off from his loved ones for fear of losing them.
-Narration: Nick turns to B.C.. He had his hands folded, and stared at the green ranger.
Nick: "Hey! Is that a way to treat a sick man after being released? You're gonna diss me like that?" Nick joked.
B.C./Narration: "Even this laughing boy gotta be concerned about you..Who else can I get permission to smack me otherwise?" In response, Vin smacks B.C. in the back of his head! "Wait, if you didn't, then.."
*Didn’t we already have the heartwarming reconciliation between Nick and B.C.? Do we need them to do it over for some reason?
-Nick: “It's not over yet, guys.. As you know, we still have to find Takeshi..I know that you're concerned about him..especially you, Mikey..but we need to resume the search as soon as possible! The reason is because he's the last person to complete the upgrade..If we don't find him soon, he himself will perish.."
*Let me see if I got this right: it’s been three weeks since they took down Benedict’s Brigade once and for all, and they haven’t done anything to find their missing teammate in the interim. Why would they wait for Nick to be discharged so they could start looking?! Takeshi saved their lives on multiple occasions, I’d feel some obligation to get out there and try to return the favor. And if he and Kunio are such great friends, why doesn’t it seem like the Animemaniac is at all discomfited they took this long to get off their asses and look for him?
-Preview: In our next Scanranger adventure, the team comb the countryside for the missing SilverScanner and WideScreener.
*Or Takeshi, at least (“We've found only the remains of the WideScreener, but no Takeshi”).
-Preview: Takeshi has lost his confidence and will to fight, but an outside source inspires him to return to action, only if he can find his Eigachanger.
*If that’s what you call being willing to take on a cyborg bear with no powers and a bum arm…
Now we know what the south's gonna do again, get eaten by a huge fish. |
Edited by - hk6909 on 07/20/2009 10:29:17 AM |
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hk6909
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
651 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2009 : 10:35:57 AM
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Episode 23-(Man In the Wilderness..)Takeshi Hayata-M.I.A.
Summary: The Scanrangers finally get around to looking for Takeshi, but MAYHEM is looking for plunder from Widescreener in the same woods…
Monster: KuroGrizzly
URL: http://www.geocities.com/tetsuokurata/epi23.html
Rating: J
Rants-
-Narration: In the deep woods, pieces of WideScreener had been scattered throughout the forest. Nearby on a hill, there was absolute silence..until a hand unexpectedly rises from the ground. A seven year old boy witnesses the hand, and runs to his father. The hand started to rise, and with all his strength, the body rises as if it rose back from the dead. "K-K-Kunio-s-san?!" It was Takeshi, detransformed and crawls a few feet, then passes out from dehydration.
*Vince is aware three weeks passed between the final battle with the Brigade and the epilogue where Nick rejoins the team, right? Because unless Takeshi’s powers somehow sustained him all that time, and nothing at all is done to imply that, he should be dead like three different ways from being buried that long.
**And what’s with the “nearby on a hill” business? Nearby what? Widescreener’s pieces fell all over the forest, right?
-Narration: Later, some CPB members and Vin search the countryside for the sixth Scanranger. Using metal detectors, Vin found a piece of WideScreener.
*Is that supposed to help them find Takeshi? What about their satellite network that can search the entire planet for a single person? Or can they only use that when it won’t work?
-Vin: “So far, so good..Now we've just have to find his warm body..”
*Huh? They found a piece of Widescreener, how does that indicate they won’t find Takeshi in pieces too?
**And I may have mentioned this before, but what the hell is up with all the double periods in this story?
-Narration: Not far away, the MAYHEM captains, General Ug and Anark Key had teleported from their base. They themselves were on a mission.
Key: "We've still have to find more metal to reenergize the satelitte's controls, Ug.. We can use what's left of that meddling SilverScanner's scrapped robot for an energy source.”
*MAYHEM’s unholy agenda is to strip Earth of its natural resources, and judging from this episode and Scanranger vs. Jetman, this is how they go about it when they finally go about it: wandering around in the woods hoping to find something they can use. At least this time they know what they’re looking for.
-Key: “You go pick up that generator up on top of the hill! You're strong enough!"
Ug: "Why don't you do it? I'm the one who does all the heavy work!"
Key: "Well, I've got an idea..I'll go pick up the generator after you!"
Narration/Ug: Ug, again, dimwitted as he was, agrees. "All right, then, that's reasonable!"
*Vince, to quote Ken Begg, you don’t prove how smart someone is by having them outwit a moron.
-Narration: Up on top of the hill, where the generator lied, Takeshi woke up, and saw an old man gathering up some water. The little boy who saw him looked at him.
*Yeah, seeing someone and looking at them do kind of go hand in hand now that you mention it, don’t they?
-Narration: Takeshi grunted and was unaware that his arm was injured, probably during the battle.
Takeshi: "My arm.."
*He’s not? Does Takeshi randomly mention his arms a lot, then?
-Old Man: “..has been dislocated.. I insist that you rest..It was only a miracle that my boy found you..after that fire weeks ago..”
Takeshi: “Fire?”
*Does he have amnesia again? Otherwise shouldn’t the last thing he remembers be holding the wheel of a rapidly disintegrating robot just before it plowed into the ground at nine hundred miles an hour?
-Old Man: “It was intense..Some meteor or something came creshing down in this area..After the fire was put out, some firefighters put out the flames, but left this giant heater, which kept my son and I warm for these past weeks…”
*They put out the flames, but nobody tried to claim the salvage?
-Old Man: “Say no more..While your bones knit..you're welcome to stay with us..”
*Um, this guy’s been out here exposed to the elements with no nourishment for weeks, and he has a dislocated arm. Maybe they should get him to this crazy new place meant to take care of injured people called a “hospital” instead of a dirty lean-to?
-Nick: “We're going to need that spare part there..To help upgrade Takeshi..if we can find him..”
Vin: “What's the big deal about a damaged engine, Nick?”
Nick: “Anything that's workable can be salvaged, Vin..I have a plan..The same way we resurrected Thunder Dolby THX, we can do the same with WideScreener.”
*Why does Vin not know why they’re supposed to look for salvage from Takeshi’s spaceship? He’s the leader, he’s the first one who should be up-to-date on their objectives. Nick tells him, so it’s not need-to-know only, and why would it?
**On the other hand it’s nice the Scanrangers are looking for salvage to rebuild Widescreener instead of being able to pull whatever they need out of their asses like building Blockbuster and an all-new Thunder Dolby at the same time.
-Narration: Back at the site, the old man continues to take care of Takeshi.
Old Man: "You need some more rest, son..You're still weak..”
*I shouldn’t get so worked up over such an innocuous statement, but it’s just innocuous enough to be annoying. Takeshi’s spent the better part of a month buried alive with no food or water after his robot crashed, no he’s not in any shape to be up and about. And it hasn’t said anything about him trying to be on his way whether to keep from being a burden on his hosts or to let his teammates know he’s still alive.
-Narration: As the bear was about to attack, it took a swing at the man,…
*So you’re saying that as the bear was about to attack, it attacked…?
-Ug: “KuroGrizzly! Release him! I could have let him destroy you, human, but you may be useful later..”
*And killing him might require the writer to give us a reason to care about him.
-Narration: Vin pauses for a second, and sees pawprints.
*So what? They’re searching the wilderness. I admit I don’t know much about nature treks in Jersey, but unless no animals live there, paw prints are kind of to be expected. How about indicating something suspicious like, “Since when do animals with claws this big live around here?” or “Hey Nick, doesn’t that look sort of like the MAYHEM symbol in this paw print over here?”
-Narration/Vin: Vin holds up a belt strap. "You think..?"
*…Takeshi’s pants fell down? That if he managed to lose his belt in the process of his robot crashing he’d realistically be shredded beyond any further usefulness to the plot?
-Narration/Takeshi: Takeshi was about to make his move, even without his transformation tools. "I can possibly take on that monster..finishing him would be another story.." He was then gagged and taken by unawares. Before he could throw a punch, he saw. "Vin! Nick!"
*Why did they gag him? Wouldn’t covering his mouth be enough? And call me a maverick, but when heroes who’ve been apart for a while reunite under desperate circumstances, could they ever NOT sneak up on each other from behind? Vin and Nick could’ve come up the other way and Takeshi could have seen them first. What would be wrong with that?
-Takeshi/Narration: “Big problem, guys.." Takeshi points to his waist and arm.
Nick: "Your Eigachanger's missing! Where is it?"
*Takeshi probably didn’t explain the situation verbally so MAYHEM wouldn’t hear them and carpet bomb their hiding place, one might think. Too bad the smart guy has to exclaim what’s wrong.
-Takeshi: “That mountain man's son has it..
Someone Else: "We need to get it back somehow..."
*Brilliant.
-Narration/Little Boy: The little boy gets angry and tries to hit KuroGrizzly with Takeshi's belt. "Leave my dad alone! The monster knocks the belt away, right aside Takeshi.
Takeshi: "A lucky break!"
*It’s better to be lucky than smart, indeed. I dunno, I guess a downer like me enjoys stupid things like the heroes WORKING for their victories.
-Nick: “First things first..Vin, I need a favor! The upgrade is going to take awhile, so I need you to stall that cybercreature while I heal up Takeshi.”
*A favor? Hey, leader of the task force assembled to battle MAYHEM, would you mind battling that monster sent by MAYHEM? Thanks man, you’re a prince.
-Narration: As Vin was about to go out onto the battlefield, he heard a voice. "Wait!" Mikey, Toni, and B.C. join the others.
B.C.: "Come on, leader man.. Surely you wasn't planning on taking on MAYHEM all by your lonesome?"
Vin: "The thought never crossed my mind..I was just waiting for you guys.." Vin joked. "What kept you?"
Toni: "Traffic, of course.."
*Are they acknowledging how lame their worst recurring joke is? Normally a little of my venom goes away when the target at least knows what they’re doing is dumb, but…“We got caught in traffic” was so f--- ing pathetic the first time it only gets worse every time Vince brings it out again.
-Narration: Vin, Toni, B.C. and Mikey all transform. "LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION! SCANRANGER!" They rush to battle Key, Ug, and KuroGrizzly. Nick finishes the power upgrade to Takeshi as he puts on his belt and the Eigachanger
*I thought he said that was gonna take a while. Did “a while” pass while they were making un-funny banter? Why were they making un-funny banter in the first place when there were people around who needed saving while they were making it?
-Key: “KuroGrizzly! Finish those Scumrangers off! The plans to get that energy are ruined! Slice them into little pieces!"
Takeshi: He was interrupted by a stray shot by SilverScanner.
*Because if there’s one thing Takeshi wasn’t trying to do, it’s shoot the villain leading the operation.
-Key: “WHAT?! You're still alive?! I thought Benedict finished you!"
*Could we give it a rest with the villains’ disbelief at someone’s survival already?
-Narration: Using a South Park-type character, Key utilizes a controversial character The putrid stench from one of the characters distracted Takeshi.
*Ah, it’s only a South Park-type character. In case Stone and Parker somehow read this and did more than laugh themselves silly, Vince could talk his way out of getting sued.
-Narration: Calling up his Anime Film Energy, he becomes one with Kenshiro, the title hero of 'Hokuto no Ken(Fist of the North Star), and battled the bratty foul-mouthed copy. Yellow uses Ken's martial art battle cry, punching the character non-stop. "AHHHTATATATATATATATATHH!" The next few seconds, the foul-mouthed energy form exploded!
*So who exactly is the target audience of this story, again? South Park and Fist of the North Star are hardly family friendly entertainment, yet Vince won’t even allow his characters to swear.
-Kunio: “Still have a lot to learn, Key.."
*About what? How gore-splattered anime trumps foul-mouthed paper cutouts?
-Narration: The other rangers were finally able to weaken KuroGrizzly by wearing the monster down. Yellow joined the other four.
*Wait, Kunio was taking care of Key, and Takeshi’s there, so there were FIVE other rangers fighting the monster.
-Narration: Charging himself up with his Tokusatsu Film Energy, Takeshi became one with the 'Space Sheriff Metal Heroes(Gavan, Sharivan and Shaider),he transfers his power into the now fully charged MagnumSabre! He somersaulted towards the wounded KuroGrizzly, and with one slash, shouts..
Takeshi: “SILVER MAGNUM SLASH!”
*Remember in the last dissection when I got up in arms asking why Vince felt the need to be extremely specific on which version of Zorro Vin’s new attack came from? Here I was surprised to see how drastically he could go the other direction, with Takeshi making up a new attack based on the Space Sheriff series in general. Zorro’s basically the same in every iteration, right? On the other hand, there was a different Space Sheriff in each show, as Vince himself helpfully points out.
-Narration: KuroGrizzly enlarges into a giant!
Scanrangers: “ROLL OUT! BOX OFFICE SMASHERS!"
Nick: "Guys! Stall that giant for a little bit!"
*I don’t think they were calling the robots to play two-on-two hoops, Nick…
-Nick: “Silver and I have some unfinished business here!"
Vin: "Hurry back, guys!"
*Going or staying, guys?
-Narration/Alex: Meanwhile, Green and Silver return to base. "This is it, Takeshi!" Alex is also there to greet him.
Takeshi: "Yatsu ta! All right! WideScreener's back on line! Red's gonna need some help! What do I do?"
Alex: "I am aware of your power loss which shrinks you back to regular size after five minutes.. Nick and I have made arrangements to compensate for that lost energy.."
Nick: "What you need to do now is to get back to battle a.s.a.p, and go 'J Mode'. We'll send the WideScreener in case of any trouble.."
*They brought him all the way back to base just to tell him to go J Mode?
-Nick: “Go, Takeshi! Fly up and get into formation!”
*Get into formation?! Is Takeshi supposed to know what that means? He’s been gone for three weeks, he has no idea what they’ve been doing in his absence.
-Narration: Takeshi does so, and flies beneath WideScreener. The mecha transforms into robot mode,then separates into different pieces. They split apart and now became armor, latching onto Takeshi. The center part of WideScreener becomes a chest plate, two pieces become a shoulder protector, while the rest covered his arms and legs!
Nick: "Now, your power has been increased tenfold, and the energy will automatically give you unlimited power! Your new mode is now called..SuperScreener!"
*This is the fourth time Widescreener’s seen battle and already it’s being pumped up to another level. Okay then. But since when does the sixth guy get upgrades with the rest of the team?
-Narration: Nick joins the others, who seem to have a tough time with KuroGrizzly. The cybercreature does a helicopter spin, tossing BlockBuster to the ground.
*Already, huh? Let me explain. When a Sentai gets a new robot or team member or what have you, it usually takes at least an episode or two before the new thing stops being more or less invincible. Of course, that’s so we don’t go “huh, their awesome new robot/team member/whatever really isn’t that awesome” (I know, Vince can’t win. First I say Blockbuster’s too good, then I say it’s not good enough). I realize it’s happening like this so Takeshi can save the day, but it’s still…not right.
-Narration: As the monster moves in, it was blocked by a blast from SuperScreener!
B.C.: "SilverScanner! You've made it back!”
*We were kind of expecting you to quit when you found out how long it took us to start looking for you!
-Narration/Blackorg: Back at Nebultopia, Blackorg on his throne watches another failure. "KEY! UG! YOU FOOLS!"
*Oh, how I’ve missed Blackorg yelling at the top of his lungs at his incompetent henchmen. This sentence-long scene was a breath of fresh air.
-Key and Ug never got anything to recharge their machines. So are they getting weaker while the Scanrangers get stronger?
-Narration/Vin: “Later, the rangers help out the old man and his son. "I have friends who can accomodate with a place to live." said Vin. "There's no need to be living out in the wilderness like this..It's not much, but you can still get a great view of the countryside..
*Why were they living out in the middle of nowhere in the first place? Are there a lot of mountain men in modern New Jersey? You see this kind of family every so often in Sentai, but as you may have noticed, Scanranger doesn’t take place in, what’s the word, oh yeah, Japan.
-A Scanranger: “Don't mention it..Actually, you really helped our Scanranger buddies by rescuing you before things got worse..I assure you..they'll make sure you and your son will be safe and sound from here on.."
*Fortunately, the Scanrangers live in an idiot world where neither the mountain man or his son will connect the six people here and six superheroes who saved them from a cyborg bear earlier in the day. Six people claiming to be “buddies” of those superheroes, yet.
-Takeshi: “I've got a present for you..uhh.."
Little Boy: "Ully..My name is Ully.."
*That’s an odd name. I almost want to say it’s some kind of in-joke. With less than five paragraphs left in the episode, though, it’s a little late to try to develop two characters we’ll never see again.
-Narration: The six intrepid heroes wave farewell to their mountain men.
*Who apparently don’t need any help finding the new digs the Scanrangers are offering.
-Preview: In our next Scanranger adventure, Vin helps out his former high school coach who accidentally runs afoul of MAYHEM. The evil warriors are patiently awaiting a new techinque to finish the rangers, now that they possess the same film energy-like powers they do!
*Gasp! What will become of the Scanrangers now that their enemies have the same similar powers as they do?…Wait, what?
Now we know what the south's gonna do again, get eaten by a huge fish. |
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Greenhornet
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
1791 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2009 : 10:11:30 AM
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Even though I copied these to my files, I still read them here. Maybe I just hate myself.
"The Queen is testing poisons." CLEOPATRA, 1935 |
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hk6909
Holy Cardinal and Five Star General of the Righteous Knighthood of Jabootu
651 Posts |
Posted - 07/20/2009 : 10:30:52 AM
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If anyone hates themselves, it's the guy who reads these gawdawful stories over and over to review them.
Speaking of, I've got 24 and I'm halfway done with 25. Once those are done I'll put 24-26 (which was done a while ago) up all at once.
Now we know what the south's gonna do again, get eaten by a huge fish. |
Edited by - hk6909 on 07/20/2009 10:54:22 AM |
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Movie Task Force Scanranger last time, Power Upgra
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