Well, that episode wasn't bad. But it also wasn't in any way good. Which is not a good thing when we're talking about the intro of the sixth ranger and a new general.
Let me first start things off by saying that I outright believe they introduced the 6th too early here. We're 14 episodes in, and the story and characters already feel underdeveloped for being this far in. The team as a whole didn't even come together until about 6 episodes in. So throwing
another Rysoulger into the pot so soon is really bad pacing; it robs the series of a chance to better develop its plots and characters.
I know the show exists to move toys. But the whole thing really does feel toyetic; all of this is happening because it's the second quarter and the toys
have to keep coming, damn the plot.
As for the sixth himself, I will give the writers credit. A character who is focused on getting married is definitely different. It's amusing in small doses, but it's not very heroic. More to the point, I agree with Luna that I don't see how you can keep this going for the next 40 episodes. And if they did, it would probably end up overdone like JyuohTheWorld.
BreadToku is also right on the money here about power levels: part of the reason that this episode leaves a bad taste in our mouths is because the whole plot is based on creating a scenario where Gold has to come in and save the day. It makes the Core 5 look inept for no good reason.
(And is it me, or are most of the Ryusoul tribe members (besides the main characters) kind of selfish dicks?)
In terms of action, it's a real mixed bag. On the downside, the director blew his big moment early on by showing us Gold transforming early in the episode. That's the kind of thing you should have for his big introduction towards the end. On the other hand, the fight choreography was a step above for this episode. There are two neat long takes in this episode, once when the core 5 are using their
toys Ryusouls, and then again when Gold is beating up the mooks. Those kind of shots are harder to do, so they're always fun to see.
Gold's weapons are kind of odd though. The blade isn't really much of a blade; like, I guess it's meant to be a dinosaur mouth with a blade in it, but it just looks like he's whacking guys with a small rod. And everything about the way he jerks the tip of his gun to do his Ryusoul equip just looks
wrong.
There was no mecha action this week. But there's enough going on here that it can wait until next week.
Meanwhile, I'm glad Wiseru is out of the picture for the moment. That was a hamfisted way to temporarily get rid of him, but his schtick had grown stale episodes ago.
Is it a bad thing that of everything in this episode, I'm more interested in what's going on with Creon than I am the Ryusoulgers? His fourth-wall antics have been legitimately amusing. And while the writers are obviously trying to jerk at the audience's heartstrings here, it's working. I want to know where this is going, and I hope it's not a turn for the worse for the best bad guy on this show.
He's gold!
He's cool and strong!
(Hey kids, buy his toys!)
Lunagel wrote: ↑Fri Jun 28, 2019 5:40 pm
And we already had the "I'm not gonna join your club" bit with Green and Black already this season, so it's a bit stale.
That's the other thing that bothered me about this episode. We barely got Green and Black on board and now they've found another Ryusoulger that wants nothing to do with them. I don't see how it's a trait that's going to lead to any new and interesting plots.
Catastrophe wrote: ↑Fri Jun 28, 2019 6:19 pm
This is quite possibly the worst introduction for a 6th ever. The stakes don't feel that high and there isn't any reason that the Minusaur should be super powerful.
We've had some stinkers before. But even otherwise bad series like Ninninger and Kyuuranger handled the introductions of their sixths relatively competently. So unfortunately I'm forced to agree; this is probably the worst introduction for a sixth in all of Super Sentai.
takenoko wrote: ↑Fri Jun 28, 2019 8:39 pm
We have a brand new character, a brand new villain, and I can barely be asked to care.
This episode in a nutshell.
(And diapers, Takenoko? Really?
)