This is an episode that turns out to be more than the sum of its parts. It didn’t really break any new ground in terms of the new member’s (a) personality or (b) reasons for entering the fight. It doesn’t help that Gai really does have a lot of Genta similarities - the aspirations to be a member of an existing team, the hyper-peppy personality, the obsession with having an impressive debut and [potential spoiler for next episode]
it looks like he even comes with his own mecha
like Genta did. Plus, the Gokaigers’ reactions were a lot like the Shinkengers’ reactions to ShinkenGold’s first appearance. We were just missing someone pointing out that he was sparkly. (On second thought, he kind of said that himself.)
As for GokaiSilver itself, it’s nice. The design is mostly the same as the rest of the team and I like those. Using the bandanna to set it apart was a good idea. The only element I’m iffy on is the sunglass-look to his visor. As for how he transforms - I also have a quibble that is that it doesn’t seem like his phone folds down or shrinks in some way. The Mobirates were big and kinda clunky to begin with, but Silver’s looks like a cell phone from the late 80s/early 90s.
I’m not sure I like GokaiSilver’s theme song, but it’s really catchy. I found myself humming it afterward. His
gingin pun is fun too.
Ultimately, that’s why I like this episode - it’s fun. The humor ends up carrying this episode, which is easy because there’s a lot of it. Lots of moments made me smile:
-Marvelous has the funniest expression on his face when he first considers track-suit man as their amazing silver man
-Gai uttering the worst thing he could say after finding himself in a suspicious situation - “I’m definitely not suspicious”. Right.
-The MOTW completely blowing the secret plan.
-Luka calling the SilverBlazer old...at first I thought it was because she had the oldest suit of that batch, but that wasn’t quite true. Still struck me as funny.
-Luka calling Gai cute - twice. It was random the first time, but then she said it a second time!
-Megaphone + Gokai Ou = Awesome search technique.
-Silver’s ridiculously long (but color-friendly) introduction speech.
-And of course, that spoof opening. Marvelous and Luka are funny, but I can’t get past “I’m Joe!” without bursting into laughter. And Ahim breaking fourth wall to point out that Gai didn’t imagine her any differently...that sequence is awesome.
Speaking of the team, the summer clothes look nice. Clearly, Marvelous is from a tropical planet that he can still be wearing his full outfit when everyone else strips down a few layers.
Points to the Gokaigers for using their brains and figuring out that Armadon running from the battle was because they (accidentally) figured out his weak spot...and triple points to Giru for trying to capitalize on the fact that the Gokaigers’ would figure it out. Yeah, it didn’t work in the end, but it’s nice to see the characters on both sides trying to out-think the other.
The most unique thing about this episode? I think this is the clearest answer we’ve ever gotten for where a sentai movie fits into the series. I’m a little curious about what the timing was originally supposed to be like. The movie got delayed 3 (maybe 4?) weeks because of the earthquake, but we only lost 1 week of episodes. This episode aired the day after the movie premiered, and yet it directly references the movie. Makes me wonder if the movie tie-in was always supposed to be in this episode or if it was supposed to be at the start of the Basco episodes and they held it back.
I'm forever in your debt for all that you do 
)
)
