The writing in this episode was still kind of weak, but since this was a two-parter I wasn't really expecting much of a change from the previous episode. So in a roundabout way, this episode was at least consistent.
Everything involving Tametomo is still kind of cringey. I get what they're going for in trying to set up a rivalry between Yodonna and one of the Kiramagers (since Red already has Garuza), but it's still kind of built on an uneven foundation. That said, the episode was better for not being focused on him crushing on her, but rather her mocking of him, so baby steps.
I thought the idea of limits was also handled in a less-than-clear way towards the start - it just looks like of absurd when Silver wins after getting his ass kicked for the last 5 minutes - but I appreciate where they were going. Kiramager has made a name for itself in subversive morals of the day, and "kids, learn your place and don't surpass your limits" is pretty damn subversive.
Meanwhile, we finally get our first all-team power-up in what, a decade? It's not especially good looking, but it will do. The 100 second limit is an interesting twist that, hopefully, means the writers have nailed down a way to explain why the power-up doesn't get spammed at every opportunity (a regular Sentai plot hole). It reminds me a bit of KR Ex-Aid's invincibility power-up, but I'm assuming that Jewel won't somehow end up the chosen one that can use it forever.
The Go Ranger homage with that power-up is significant. Almost to a confusing degree. This isn't an anniversary season, so I'm not sure what on earth they're celebrating here. In the meantime, Bandai really wants to sell a toy bow this year, don't they?
I'm surprised there's no mecha power-up or change to go with the team power-up, since that's how things normally go with Sentai. But maybe that will come later? We're still owed Titan #4, IIRC.
As for Yodonna, her character still needs a bit of work. But man am I happy to finally have a face villain.
Finally, wouldn't Yodonna's plan have been ruined the moment the Rangers defeated
any one of the Bomb Jamen? Since the portal required 5 bombs in specific locations, in principle 4 would not have been enough. So defeating the rest of the Jamen was somewhat superfluous. Also, I wanted more bomb bowling.
takenoko wrote: ↑Thu Oct 08, 2020 5:48 am
More evidence that Jyuuru is on the spectrum, he sees that Mabushiina has been crying and reacts by going "Great, I can use these"
Huh. I never thought about that before. You just might be right!
Noticed that Yodonna's shoulder pads are ducks, because there's literal quacking sound effects whenever she's on screen. Not that I'm against it, but why ducks?
The Yodom theme is stagnant water, right? Water and ducks makes
some kind of sense, but I'm at a loss for how it ties into stagnant water specifically. Though are we sure those aren't crows?
Catastrophe wrote: ↑Thu Oct 15, 2020 1:26 am
Only thing I'm not a fan of is them sharing the weapon. But I doubt they'll have another scene where all 5 of them do it like in this episode.
I'm also not a huge fan of sharing a single weapon. But at the same time, I hope they don't forget that this is an all-team power-up? After years and years of having the entire team share a single power-up, I'm going to be disappointed if we immediately go back to that.
