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So we start off in a laboratory with some scientist mixing chemicals. I knew it was only a matter of time before we saw a mad scientist in this show, what with Billy's child genius and all. He proclaims that he's finished his invisibility formula, and accidentally spills some in his potted cactus, causing said cactus to disappear, just so we can see that this is legit and he's not crazy. Something I never got with mad scientists is why they create their crazy concoctions. I mean, what exactly is the purpose of a chemical that turns people invisible? I guess that's why they're considered "mad" scientists.
We cut to the Juice Bar where Jason is teaching his karate class. Trini practices with them for a bit before wandering off and sitting beside Billy, who's also watching the class.
Wait. Isn't he a member of that class? Didn't we see him take part in that class in the first episode? What the hell?! Well, apparently, Billy quit the class off-screen. They were going to mention this, but for whatever reason, the lines were cut out. His reasons for quitting? Who cares, it gives us a plot for this episode!
Billy takes over some water bottles to the recycling bin for Ernie, but runs into Bulk and Skull, who need quarters for the arcade machine. They turn him upside down and shake him around a bit to get the money, but bash their heads together trying to grab it. Trini helps Billy up, and Billy's upset that he's always getting picked on. Trini tries to cheer him up by saying that her famous scientist uncle is coming to visit. This doesn't work, and Billy eventually decides to re-enroll in Jason's class. So, what was the point in quitting, again?
We briefly see the mad scientist put some of his chemical in a jar and run off excitedly. By the way, even with looking at the colour of his clothes, if you haven't figured out that this is Trini's uncle, I pity you.
We then move to the moon where Rita asks for another monster from Finster for a plan she has. She specifically wants a monster who can turn invisible, and Finster creates the Dark Warrior. Ignoring the generic name, this guy is pretty cool, looking like some kind of mutant ninja (no turtle features, though). Not as cool as the Knasty Knight, but still pretty cool.
We then head back to the Juice Bar where the scientist is wandering around aimlessly. Jason dismisses his class in what appears to be a rehash from the first episode. The group praises Billy for his work in the class, and Trini mentions her scientist uncle again. Jason mentions that he's also a famous martial artist, meaning Billy could prove to be a good mentor for him. I could comment on the potential racial stereotypes here, but I'm sure others already have. The uncle (named Howard) places the jar with the formula on the counter of the bar, and Ernie picks it up, wondering what it is. He meets with the group and is introduced to Billy, who he immediately decides to take under his wing.
We head to the moon where Rita orders her henchmen, as well as Dark Warrior, to go steal the invisibility formula. I'd ask why, when she already has a monster that can be invisible, but I'm guessing it's for the Putties, or something. Goldar, Squat, and Baboo head to Howard's lab, and Goldar picks up some black bottle, thinking it's the one they're looking for. Squat and Baboo drink from it, but get sick and not invisible. They head back and Rita gets pissed, beating on the two. Dark Warrior recommends that she have the Putties kidnap Howard so that Warrior can get him to talk. So, wait, one of her monsters is actually thinking for himself?! Holy shit.
We cut to a park where Howard is training Billy. The Putties arrive and attack the two. Surprisingly, Howard holds them off (even though it's obviously a stunt double), but soon gets captured by the Putties, though not before telling Billy to remember what he learned. Even though they trained for all of TWO FREAKING MINUTES!
Moving along, we cut to a cave where we see Howard tied to a chair with dynamite behind him ready to blow. And what just adds to the cheese factor is the fact that all the crates are labeled "TNT", just like in the old Bugs Bunny cartoons. The Dark Warrior demands that Howard tell him where the formula is, but Howard says that he forgot. Warrior threatens to go after Trini, but Howard keeps saying that he doesn't remember where the formula is. Warrior gives him an hour to tell him before he blows him up. And I'm sure no one will try to save him within that hour, right?
We cut to the Bar where Jason and Trini are sparring with Kimberly and Zack nearby. Billy runs in and tells them what happened to Howard. Ernie then brings over some black balloons, which were sent to Trini. They quickly pop, revealing a message inside from the Dark Warrior, telling Trini to bring the formula to Angel Grove Park to save her uncle. Since a) they don't have the formula, and b) don't know where it is, they decide to teleport to Zordon and ask for help.
Once at the Command Center, Zordon fills them in, and explains Rita's plan to use the formula to make the Rangers disappear forever.
...WHAT THE HELL GOOD DOES THAT DO?! It's not like the Rangers would be at a disadvantage if they were invisible! I mean, yeah, it'd be a little hard for their social lives, but it wouldn't change things from a battle perspective! Hell, it'd actually make things EASIER for the Rangers, since Rita wouldn't see them attacking her monsters, and the monsters wouldn't know how to fight the Rangers since they couldn't see them! Rita's pretty much trying to shoot herself in the foot here and is going to fail! DAMN, that's bad!
Anyway, the Rangers teleport to the cave and fight the Putties as civilians, with special focus on Billy to show that his two minutes of training is actually paying off. The Putties are beaten and the group runs into the cave. They find Howard and Billy tries to disconnect the bomb. Howard reminds him to use his karate training to focus his mental energy. You know, because it's not like he's a genius or anything and could figure out how to disarm the bomb himself! Of course, Billy disarms the bomb and Howard wanders off, wondering where he left the formula. The group then morphs and heads to fight Dark Warrior.
They fight for a bit with both sides fairly even. Rita eventually gets annoyed and makes Dark Warrior grow. The group summons the DinoZords, and even though Dark Warrior is attacking them, they form the MegaZord. Dark Warrior puts up a hell of a fight, even tying the MegaZord up with a chain. But the group still summons the Power Sword and finishes him off. Rita promptly beats up her minions some more.
We cut back to the Juice Bar, where Howard is still wondering where his jar is. Billy spars with Jason and actually does a good job. Jason then promotes him to yellow belt karate, and naturally, everyone is happy for Billy. Everyone except for Bulk and Skull, of course. They push Billy around a bit as Howard finally finds his jar with the formula. He then sees Billy, Bulk, and Skull, and decides to help out by drinking some of the formula and beating up Bulk and Skull. This naturally causes the duo to freak out and run off. Howard reappears, the group laughs, and the episode ends.
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This was another episode that had its ups and downs. On the one hand, Dark Warrior was a cool monster, and definitely proved to be Rita's smartest creation yet, actually coming up with plans and battle strategies. That's a pretty big accomplishment, since even Rita fails in that category sometimes. But, the plot wasn't that great. Sure, it gave Billy some character development, but the whole thing with the formula and him suddenly becoming a karate master after TWO MINUTES OF TRAINING is extremely questionable. Not a good episode, but again, they really just seemed to be killing time. Why, you may ask?
Well, you'll find out next time. I'm going to be taking a few days off from this, but when I come back, I'm coming with a HUGE 5-post update, covering the entire Green With Evil minisaga. I'll see you then.
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The Dark Warrior, a much better monster than expected of Rita.
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