REVIEW: Dino Charge 10 "The Royal Rangers"
I think it’s safe to say that Dino Charge is back in the saddle. Last week’s episode had me a bit apprehensive, but going into this one I expected something a bit more forward-aimed, especially from the preview clips. In general I tend to like team-based episodes better than focus episodes, at least the traditional American ones. Thus, an episode with a more team-based, seasonal quest-based thrust would appeal to me more anyway, but I do think this episode is stronger in general. Let’s jump right in.
As the episode begins, the museum is getting ready to add a new exhibit, the Treasures of Zandar. Those of us with a wider spectrum of entertainment (or who just run a Saturday Morning superheroes site and thus learn of this stuff through normal geek-osmosis) might recognize and appreciate the clever repurposing of the term for the name of the European country in which the new artifacts were found. Meanwhile, Kendall has been burning the candle at both ends trying to develop the Dino Drive mode for the Megazords. This is basically the same thing as Samurai’s Mega Mode, though they at least stress that the use of the mode is Megazord-only instead of just...not saying anything. Can I just say, I’m so glad this production and showrunning team is actually concerned about things working beyond just cramming out the requisite 40 episodes and slapping things against the wall? In any case, the guys unload the Zandar artifacts while Shelby bugs Kendall about her artist friend’s work. The artist, Julian, is looking for his big break, but unfortunately Shelby’s using a broader definition for the term “museum” than Kendall is, so no dice for poor Julian. While it’s a bit odd of a side-quest, I do appreciate that these Rangers are shown to be people with lives, who didn’t just start existing when the plot required them to.
Riley tells the others the story of the Zandar exhibit and the valiant knight Sir Ivan finding something in a river hundreds of years prior. Shelby has a sort of running thing in the episode where she throws shade on royalty for being full of themselves, to which I say: go Shelby! Unfortunately, before Riley can finish the story, they’re interrupted by the return of the Ptera Zord. When they run off to confront it, I have two things to note. First, it’s always nice to have a change on the old formula of Power Rangers. They actually start with a zord fight this episode and end with a ground battle, which--oddly enough--seems to make this fight matter more, as it feels more personal. I’ll get to that more in a moment. But secondly, as the Ptera Zord grows nearer the box for the exhibit glows, which of course means that Sir Ivan must have found the Gold Energem as is confirmed later. This episode seems to lean on foreshadowing, which I always like for the effort and attention to detail it displays.
Unfortunately for the Rangers, Fury has found a way to make the Ptera Zord into a Megazord, so they have to use the Dino Drive mode against him. The notable thing is that usually, when a weapon on PR (or anything, really) hasn’t been tested, and is explicitly mentioned as such, it usually works without a hitch in battle. Here, the fight looks like it could have gone either way, and really, the Rangers are incredibly lucky that Fury ran out of energy when he did. I should also note the really cool design of the Ptera Charge Megazord. I can remember many Megazords with wings, but I’m not so sure about capes--that feels pretty new as far as giant robots go, much less PR. If anyone wants to write in about giant robots wearing capes, feel free. The cape serves as a shield too, which is excellent. Later that night, the Rangers are still working on the Zandar exhibit when the Gold Energem starts to resonate with their own, leading them to find it in the box of artifacts. There’s a nice educational moment where Shelby, the resident dino expert, explains that many pterodactyl fossils were located in Europe (truth!), explaining why the Energem was in Zandar. Additionally, as they’re all discussing this, the spacing of the shot has Riley, Kendall and Keeper (the “smart” ones) on one side of the table with the other Rangers arranged on the other side. Needless to say, they still need Fury’s Ptera Charger, so Tyler comes up with a plan.
A costumed plan.
Before I get to that, it should be noted that Fury is trying to recharge the Ptera Charger. Unfortunately, whatever was inside of him didn’t seem to like getting drained last week, so it forcibly stops the power transfer before he and Wrench can even get it half-charged. Fury is unsatisfied with this, but he’s understandably desperate at this point, so it’s good enough for him. The next part is a bit contrived, but it at least pays attention to character somewhat. Poisandra is watching Glitz World on TV, which Chase knew she’d be watching, so when Fury barges in all...furious, he happens to catch the broadcast about the Gold Energem at the museum. Of course, the Rangers are going to be posing as the Prince and Princess of Zandar--specifically, Tyler and Shelby, or Shyler if you’re ship-inclined, which the episode certainly is--in order to trap Fury, with the others playing back-up. Despite her hilarious complaints about the footwear, there’s quite a bit of Shelby fangirling over Tyler’s prince look, including her kissing him on the cheek while they’re out in response to a reporter. However, the best Shelby moment is when she uses her pretend princess position to give Julian some props, allowing his art to finally get recognized. How much do I love Shelby and her loyalty to her friends?
Fury, of course, barges in and takes the bait, and I have to assume Keeper whipped up the fake Energem, because it’s once again a bomb. The general is grievously injured. Two of his Spikeball guards have to help him get away, but the Rangers get there in time to stop him from escaping, and there’s a funny bit where Chase and Tyler preen about their awesome disguises before morphing into action. Tyler takes on Fury to get the Ptera Charger. It’s a pretty awesome fight as far as rubber suit fights go these days. Interestingly enough, Tyler allows Fury to surrender. I’m not sure if this is contrived or if it’s an indictment of most other seasons, because if I’m not mistaken there was something along those lines said in the first season that faded out over the years. But they’re interrupted by the re-emergence of the energy in Fury, and Tyler has better eyesight than me as he recognizes his father within it. Unable to strike, he allows Fury and the Spikeballs to escape. The episode ends as Kendall gives Tyler some minor grief over letting Fury go, but then he tells her and Keeper about his father, and they agree he made the right choice. I find it interesting that Kendall is often the person to make the colder decisions, last episode telling Riley to prioritize the mission over the other Rangers, and now this.
After a somewhat middling-to-lackluster effort last week, I’m glad to say that Power Rangers Dino Charge is off to a good start. The season is half over and we’re getting progress on the Energems quest, though unlike last year we don’t have to burn through nearly a hundred episodes of source footage, so this year can take its time. As a result we can have more story time with these characters and learn about them as people rather than as pretty faces filling suits. We got a lot of character stuff for Tyler and some interesting continuity, what with Tyler’s father being associated with Fury, the cute awkwardness of Shelby and Tyler, and Kendall’s character development. Even placement and spacing of the characters paid attention to detail. I like best of all that we have a season where these things seem likely to be paid off at the end. It wasn’t without its missteps; Shelby’s irritation with royals was a bit over the top, and there are some practical issues regarding their decoy plan that involved a good bit of contrivance. But the beauty of a good storyline with enjoyable characters is that we can look past the issues when they come, and the overall effort from Dino Charge is positive. Hopefully, they can keep this up.
