Power Rangers Samurai 'Test Of The Leader'

What happened

During a Mooger attack, the Rangers hear a sinister voice calling for Red Ranger. They learn that Master Xandred has returned. After the battle, Master Ji explains that there is a special Symbol Power that can re-seal Xandred.
When the other Rangers find out that only a Red Ranger from the Shiba family line can seal Xandred, they agree that protecting Jayden is top priority. Jayden insists that nothing has changed and everyone can take care of themselves.
The alarm sounds and the Rangers encounter Xandred's latest monster. The Rangers are all but beaten until Deker shows up and sends the monster away. Deker challenges Jayden to a duel, and takes Jayden down with ease. Deker leaves the Rangers beaten, promising to return when Jayden is at full strength.
The episode ends later that night with Jayden leaving the other Rangers to handle things 'his own way.' To be continued.

Finally, a character I can relate to

What worked

-The action sequences were really well integrated into the US footage. The Mexican Standoff between Jayden, Deker and the Nighlok was probably the best fight we've seen so far.

-I found myself really enjoying the Bulk and Spike moments in this episode. In a different season, I think the talents of these two would be put to much better use. Thankfully, we're finally starting to see more interaction between them and the Rangers. It really helps meld the show into a cohesive whole.

-Deker is a walking cliche, but he's a cliche that works. His debut has really benefited the show, which up until this point has lacked any kind of menacing major villain. He's mysterious, threatening, and I like that he doesn't work for Xandred. Throwing in a second villain with his own agenda changes the dynamic and makes for a much more entertaining show.

-The cliffhanger was executed well and leaves me eager to see the story continue. I wish this was done on a more regular basis.

Those hanging non sequiturs really bring the room together

What Went Wrong

-What was up with the random infestation of hanging sunflower monster head things? A callback from the premiere that has yet to air? A foreshadowing of next weeks Nighlok? Or footage they used simply because it was convenient? I'll let you decide.

-So Jayden's last name is Shiba. That's... interesting. Without going on a racebending rant, it's becoming more and more obvious that casting an asian Red Ranger could have really lent some credibility to this season. This series is almost 20 years old yet we can't have an asian actor as the lead, even when the story calls for the character to have Japanese ancestry. What is this, 3 Ninjas?

-The second act really dropped the overall score for the episode in my book. The writing was awful. Poorly translated subtitles bad. I would criticize the actors for their performances, but when you have to make something like 'We must protect you, at all cost!' 'That's just too much of a burden to bear' sound like a natural exchange between two human beings...

-This is minor, but the Rangers didn't know Xandred had returned until now? I'm almost positive they've referred to him in previous episodes. Dayu and the army of Moogers didn't tip off Master Ji that Xandred was back?

Did I mention we will do battle?
Thought I should mention it again just so we're all clear

What To Remember

-Xandred's back, tell a friend

-Sealing Symbol Power used by Shiba family line

-Spike's new found love for the Pink Ranger

Bottom Line

Test Of The Leader receives a passing grade, but this series has a long ways to go before it can expect extra credit.

3 bananas out of 5

Power Rangers Samurai 'Forest For The Trees'

What happened

Master Ji reveals a new zord combination, the Samurai Battlewing. To Mike's dismay, he is not chosen to help pilot the zord. Meanwhile, one of Xandred's monsters trips the alarm and the Rangers go into action.
As the Rangers battle the monster, the beetle disk is blown out of Mia's hand and Mike recovers it. Mike unsuccessfully uses the disk and the monster takes the opportunity to escape. Afterwards, Ji takes Mike off the team and confiscates his morpher for his actions.
Jayden reminds Ji that 'pushing a door meant to be pulled will never be opened,' and Ji finds Mike to return his morpher. He tells Mike to connect with the forest to increase his symbol power. Mike rejoins the team and takes down the monster with a new technique. When they call their zords, Mia hands the beetle disk to Mike and they use the Battlewing to defeat the monster.

Unaired memories

What worked

-We finally get to see Mike's rebellious nature that was hinted at before the show premiered. So far the rangers have been more or less perfect, so having Mike making mistakes and learning from them was refreshing to see. I think it's also safe to say this was the best performance Hector David Jr. and Rene Naufahu have brought to the season so far. I bought into the disconnect between the two characters that was effecting Mike's training.

-A highlight of the episode was Ji asking Mike for his morpher. In an act of defiance Mike used his powers against Ji. Though a little awkward considering how much trouble their mentor had pulling a plant off a table, it was still a powerful moment with palpable tension.

-The monster's personality has been toned down from some of the waaay over the top, pun heavy monsters from past episodes. The writers are improving on integrating funny dialogue into the shows format. Not perfect, improving.

-The Bulk and Spike moments were entertaining. I really like the bit where Spike overheard the word Samuraizer. Now that their roads have finally crossed I have a feeling we'll get more and more interaction between Bulk & Spike and the rangers.

(pictured above)

Typical fan reaction to Samurai

What Went Wrong

-The entire episode centers around who gets to use the beetle disk: Mia or Mike? But I thought only Jayden had trained to use the Beetle Power Disk. I guess Mia mastered the disk sometime off screen. Wouldn't it have made more sense for the beetle to go to Jayden and the tiger to someone else?

-The all powerful, evil Master Xandred is absent yet again. Xandred is shaping up to be one of the least menacing villains in Power Rangers history. Most of his time onscreen is spent unconscious, complaining about headaches, or simply not onscreen at all. Suck it up, master of all evil. At least when Rita had a headache it was after she observed the rangers, came up with a plan/monster that would spoil the moral of the day, unleash the monster, make the monster grow, and ultimately fail miserably.

-The motorcycle. What? So one might think that seeing Ji pull up on a motorcycle, we'll get to see a different, more easy going side of Ji. That he realizes he needs a unique approach to teach Mike. That they're not so different after all. Well that's some wishful thinking right there. Instead he pulls up, still in full samurai gear, and drives Mike to a forest where he reverts back to classic Ji.

-All of this goofy Ji doesn't understand kids with their blue jeans and their rock n' roll music I could do without. It's really starting to remind me of a different G.

-Apparently, never telling Mike to connect with the forest has seriously hindered his ability to use his symbol power. While I do appreciate that there was more to Mike learning how to do his pole vault thing than nothing at all (see: Jayden in Day Off), i'm seriously getting tired of these vague character progressions. Everyone always talks about the way of the samurai, training with power disks, and improving your symbol power, but we're never explicitly seen how they accomplish any of the this. A little insight into their training would go a long way.

Indescribably stupid

What To Remember

-Samurai Battlewing debut

-Foreshadowing
Dayuu: But why do you care so much about Deker?
Octoroo: I think we may have overlooked something important about him. Something very important indeed.

-Foreshadowing
Spike: ...Samuraizer?

Bottom Line

Forest For The Trees is an average episode that lacks substance but generally kept me entertained.

3 bananas out of 5