Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers (1993-1997): 1×17 “Green With Evil: Out of Control (Part I)”

MIGHTY MORPHIN’ POWER RANGERS (1993-1997)

Go Go, Power Rangers!

NOTE: This being what I call “The Green Ranger Saga.”  The next 6 weeks will focus on this saga alone, five episodes and one big closing post of analysis and thoughts.  Subsequently, there will no closing commentary for each individual episode beyond the final thoughts.

Episode: Green With Evil: Out of Control (Part I)
Director: Robert Hughes
Teleplay: Gary Glasberg & Stewart St. John
Cast: Amy Jo Johnson, Jason David Frank, David Yost, Walter Jones, Thuy Trang, Austin St. John, Paul Schrier, Jason Narvy, David Fielding, Richard Steven Horovitz, Richard Genelle, Barbara Goodman
Original Air Date: October 5, 1993
Reason for Inclusion: Introduction of the Green Ranger/Tommy, plus being a pretty epic 5-part series

Boy Meets World (1993-2000): 1×05 “Killer Bee”

Episode: Killer Bee (1×05)
Director: David Trainer
Teleplay: Susan Estelle Jansen
Main Cast: Ben Savage, William Daniels, William Russ, Betsy Randle, Will Friedle, Lee Norris, Rider Strong, Lily Nicksay
Guest Cast: DeJuan Guy, Nikki Cox,  Gisele MacKenzie, Branelle Dahl, Laurel Diskin, Tom Kelly, Thomas Wilson Brown
Original Air Date: October 22, 1993

Teaser

Mr. Feeny is announcing who earned the highest geography grade.  Before he can get the name out, Cory loudly interrupts, saying it must be Minkus.  And, it was Minkus, who tells Mr. Feeny that the quiz’s bonus question was tricky.  Shawn throws a wad of paper at Minkus’ head.  Mr. Feeny hands back the assignments.  Cory’s indignant that he got a “C” because he studied for this exam, for once, and wants to know why.  Mr. Feeny points out that “East Germany,” one of Cory’s answers, no longer exists.  Two episodes in a row where Cory sucks at geography, now.  Cory asks if this occurred while baseball season was happening.  Cory says that his textbook has East Germany adjacent to West Germany.  Mr. Feeny agrees, because the textbook also says that Alaska and Hawaii will make excellent states in the future.  Oh gosh, so apparently I wasn’t the only 90s kid learning about The Soviet Union from “current” maps, after all!  Mr. Feeny explains that the Board of Education is not in a financial position to regularly update textbooks.  Cory wants to know how he’s supposed to stay up-to-date.  Mr. Feeny suggests watching the news and increasing classroom involvement.  He reminds the class that he gives them mimeographs (!), and suggests that the students refrain from using them as paper airplanes.  Shawn sails one into Minkus’ head.  Cory asks what the point of learning geography is if it’s constantly changing, and he compares it to math (2 + 2 is constant), science (Earth orbiting the Sun), and history (Lincoln gets shot).  Mr. Feeny wryly says, “Lincoln got off easy.”

Shawn’s a regular Curt Schilling!

Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers (1993-1997): 1×12 “Power Ranger Punks”

MIGHTY MORPHIN’ POWER RANGERS (1993-1997)

Go Go, Power Rangers!

Episode: Power Ranger Punks (1×12)
Director: David Blyth
Teleplay: Mark Hoffmeier
Cast: Amy Jo Johnson, David Yost, Walter Jones, Thuy Trang, Austin St. John, Paul Schrier, Jason Narvy, David Fielding, Richard Steven Horovitz, Richard Genelle, Barbara Goodman
Original Air Date: September 20, 1993
Reason for Inclusion: Geoffrey’s absolute favorite episode

ACT ONE

Billy, Trini, Zack and Jason are playing sand volleyball.  Kimberly shows up with “drinks” for everyone (that look suspiciously like water).

Meanwhile, on the moon, Baboo is brewing up a special Punk potion in his stereotypical evil genius lab.

ACT TWO

The Rangers are, naturally, attacked by Putty Patrolers.  Whilst they battle, Baboo puts his Punk Potion into the drinks.

After the brief battle, Kimberly and Billy drink from the now contaminated glasses, and experience a change.  Their former sunny dispositions have been replaced by snotty “punk” attitude.

Great face there, Billy.

Meanwhile, on the moon, Rita is pleased.  She asks Finster to make her a monster.  He decides on a Terror Toad.  He likes to eat things and is mean.  So basically, a good pre-requisite.

He also was the stunt double for Kermit during filming of “A Muppet Christmas Carol.”

The next day at school, we see Bulk and Skull struggling with their lockers.  Skull ponders on Yorick…

Why is he called Yorick?

…while Bulk gets buried in…ick.

I can’t judge too hard…my locker in 6th grade was pretty bad.

Kimberly and Billy show up with entirely new wardrobes.  Kimberly flirts with Skull and demands he go on a date with her to “tear up the town.”  Skull agrees quickly.

Apparently punk in 1993 is the same as punk in 1987.

On the viewing globe, Alpha 5 notices the problem. Zordon instructs him to teleport the Rangers to the Command Center and to place Kimberly and Billy into a transparent force field.  Understandably, this angers them.

That is a horrible outfit, Kim.

Zordon explains what has happened to Kimberly and Billy, and tells them that only sap from the Singing Squash can heal them.  However, before they can set out to find this Squash, the Terror Toad appears on Earth.

ACT THREE

Jason, Trini and Zack morph into action to fight the evil Terror Toad.  And discover that he will actually eat them.  Poor Trini is the first to go.

Zordon sends Alpha 5 to find the Singing Squash, which he succeeds in doing.

In the land of trash bag flooring…

Back in battle, Zack and Jason aren’t doing so well and before too long, Terror Toad has eaten Zach as well.

We cut to the Command Center where Alpha 5 has prepared the sap of the Singing Squash to rescue Billy and Kimberly.  A few snide remarks and one big drink later, and our Rangers are back to their usual selves.  Zordon catches them up on what is happening and they head into battle.

After destroying his horn, the Terror Toad uses his tongue to capture Jason.  However, he reveals his weak spot below his neck, and they quickly make plans.  However, before Billy can take him out, he too is eaten.

So many comments….

Kimberly uses her power bow to free the others and then with one final arrow, takes out the Terror Toad, effectively ending his reign.

Meanwhile, on the moon, Rita complains of a headache.

Back at the Juice Bar, Skull comes to pick up Kimberly for their date.  Angry that she refuses to go out with him, they challenge the guys in volleyball, and wind up tangled in the net.  All is once again right in the world, and the Rangers have saved the day.

I can sympathize with this.

COMMENTARY

This has been my favorite episode for years.  It started when I got the storybook adaptation of the episode.  That was actually my first exposure to a couple of the episodes, but this one in particular.  I liked it because it was Kimberly-heavy, and the story was pretty fun over all. I also liked the fact there was no use of the Zords and that the minor character of Baboo got played up.

The nice thing about this episode is it’s not quite the standard episode.  A lot of the minor characters have stuff to do, and it isn’t focused on Jason being the clear leader.  It gave Kimberly a chance to really shine, and it gave Alpha a chance to be a hero of sorts.

Interestingly, the American episode and the Japanese episode are basically the same plot.  The storyline and footage sync up with each other, which is one of the few times this ever happens.

On a side note, I always wanted a Terror Toad action figure. I thought he’d be highly marketable with accessories.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I give the episode an A+.  It still holds up as my favorite, and despite some really bad acting when they’re punks, I really don’t find much fault with the episode.

Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1996-2000): 1×05 “A Halloween Story”

SABRINA, THE TEENAGE WITCH (1996-2000)

Episode: A Halloween Story (1×05)
Director: Gary Halvorson
Teleplay: Nell Scovell
Cast: Melissa Joan Hart, Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick, Nick Bakay, Nate Richert, Jenna Leigh Green, Michelle Beaudoin, Paul Fieg
Guest Stars: Sally Jessy Raphael, Emily Hart, Robin Riker, Diane McBain, Linda Kash, Jay Kogen, Phillip Glasser
Original Air Date: October 25, 1996

Cold Open

Hilda and Zelda are giddily duetting on “Halloween, O Happy Day,” when Sabrina comes downstairs to the kitchen, asking why Salem was yowling.  Hilda says that he doesn’t like their Halloween caroling, and asks Sabrina if she is excited about the holiday.  Sabrina’s excitement level is not high enough, so the Aunts start in on “Have a Jolly Hallo-hallo-halloween.”  Sabrina insists that she’s attempting to get into the spirit, and demonstrates her Sally Jessy Raphael costume.  The Aunts aren’t impressed, as the “costume” merely consists of a pair of red-framed glasses, so Sabrina challenges them to improve the costume.  The Aunts use their magic, and the part of Sabrina is now being played by Sally Jessy Raphael.  Sabrina-as-Sally Jessy Raphael checks her appearance out in the mirror.  In character, she announces, “Next up, we are going to talk to a teenage witch and her aunts who take things too far!”  The Aunts carol their way into the opening credits.

Claudia: I’d say that a Sally Jessy Raphael cameo places this show firmly in the 90s era, because I don’t think her red glasses have been seen much of anywhere lately.

Geoffrey: The last thing I heard about was when she stepped in for Dick Cavett in the revival of Rocky Horror. I miss trashy daytime TV with a heart.  Also, SJR has great gams.

 

Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers (1993-1997): 1×11 “No Clowning Around”

MIGHTY MORPHIN’ POWER RANGERS (1993-1997)

Go Go, Power Rangers!

Episode: No Clowning Around (1×11)
Director: Adrian Carr
Teleplay: Mark Hoffmeier
Cast: Amy Jo Johnson, David Yost, Walter Jones, Thuy Trang, Austin St. John, Paul Schrier, Jason Narvy, David Fielding, Richard Steven Horovitz, Richard Genelle, Barbara Goodman
Original Air Date: September 17, 1993
Reason for Inclusion: One of the five episodes available on VHS. Also the episode I’ve seen the most.

Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers (1993-1997): 1×10 “Happy Birthday, Zack”

MIGHTY MORPHIN’ POWER RANGERS (1993-1997)

Go Go, Power Rangers!

Episode: Happy Birthday, Zack (1×10)
Director: Jeff Reiner
Teleplay: Stewart St. John
Cast: Amy Jo Johnson, David Yost, Walter Jones, Thuy Trang, Austin St. John, Paul Schrier, Jason Narvy, David Fielding, Richard Steven Horovitz, Richard Genelle, Barbara Goodman
Original Air Date: September 12, 1993
Reason for Inclusion: One of the five episodes available on VHS.

The Cake-O-Matic

Boy Meets World (1993-2000): 1×04 “Cory’s Alternative Friends”

Episode: Cory’s Alternative Friends (1×04)
Director: David Trainer
Teleplay: Patricia Forrester
Main Cast: Ben Savage, William Daniels, William Russ, Betsy Randle, Will Friedle, Lee Norris, Rider Strong, Lily Nicksay
Guest Cast: Danielle Fishel, Marla Sokoloff, Megan Parlen, Katie Jane Johnston, Matthew Bartilson, Marty York, Chris Owen, Sam Horrigan
Original Air Date: October 15, 1993

Teaser

Marla Sokoloff (her character’s name is “Paige” but that’s in no way as memorable as “Marla Sokoloff”) and… using process of elimination on the guest star list, I think it’s supposed to be “Hillary,” but they never say her name onscreen.  So, “Hillary” it is.  The girls are concluding a class presentation promoting biodegradable products.  Said presentation involves dropping a fish into a beaker containing “lake water” and pulling it out seconds later…with nothing left but bones.  Scary!  Mr. Feeny compliments the girls’ hard work, and calls up Cory and Shawn to present.

An excellent example of 90s environmentalism.

The boys high-five each other as they walk up to the front.  Shawn pulls down the classroom’s rollup map, and Cory announces that their topic will be the effects of air pollution on everyday life.  Mr. Feeny comments that he likes their topic.  The boys unfold pointers, and Shawn uses his to indicate “Denver”… which appears to be located in the Gulf of Mexico.  Cory points to “Philadelphia,” which is apparently located in Iowa.  The boys rattle off random geography-type facts related to each location, news magazine-style.  Then, they turn the discussion towards Mile High Stadium (home of the Colorado Rockies, who had the highest run percentage) and Veteran’s Stadium (home of the Philadelphia Phillies).  They conclude their presentation by saying that if Philadelphia would clean up its smog, the Phillies’ run percentage would become as high as the Rockies are able to achieve due to their cleaner air.  This seems like a topic the stat geeks should explore.  And then write meaningless blog and forum posts about their “findings.”   Ahem.  (Disclaimer: I don’t really hate stat geeks and think they’re quite useful and their findings are often quite interesting.  Seriously.)

It is a good thing those two never made it to the map round on Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego.

Cory asks Mr. Feeny if he enjoyed their presentation.  Mr. Feeny didn’t and takes partial blame.  He announces that the class would redo the assignment, and he would choose the partners.  I don’t understand why Marla and Hillary would have to redo their project, because they did a great job.  He pairs Shawn with Minkus.  Both of them literally facepalm at this news.

Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1996-2000): 1×04 “Terrible Things”

SABRINA, THE TEENAGE WITCH (1996-2000)

Episode: Terrible Things (1×04)
Director: Gary Halvorson
Teleplay: Jon Sherman
Cast: Melissa Joan Hart, Caroline Rhea, Beth Broderick, Nick Bakay, Nate Richert, Jenna Leigh Green, Michelle Beaudoin, Paul Fieg
Guest Stars: Penn Jillette, Tom McGowan, Sara Van Horn, Milo Ventimiglia, Marvin C. Jones II, James D. Fields
Original Air Date: October 18, 1996

Cold Open

Sabrina, wearing a black-on-black short sleeved turtleneck/miniskirt jumper ensemble, encounters Libby in the school hall–wearing the exact same über-90s outfit.  Sabrina flees to the bathroom as fast as her clompy black heeled boots allow, and uses magic to change her outfit to a lace-front blue top and patterned brown bellbottoms.  She confidently walks to her locker, and Jenny greets her… wearing the same blue/brown ensemble.  Jenny, naturally, approves of Sabrina’s outfit.

Claudia: I look at the first outfit, and I see Marcia Brady.  I look at the second outfit, and I see David Cassidy.

Geoffrey: I don’t really like either outfit.  The first one is marginally better, but that second one, yowza.

Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers (1993-1997): 1×06 “Food Fight”

MIGHTY MORPHIN’ POWER RANGERS (1993-1997)

Go Go, Power Rangers!

Note to readers:

This is the first time we will be skipping an episode.  “Different Drum,” while an interesting episode, just didn’t have enough in it that justified a full blog post.

Episode: Food Fight (1×06)
Director: Robert Hughes
Teleplay: Cheryl Saban
Cast: Amy Jo Johnson, David Yost, Walter Jones, Thuy Trang, Austin St. John, Paul Schrier, Jason Narvy, David Fielding, Richard Steven Horovitz, Richard Genelle, Barbara Goodman
Original Air Date: September 9, 1993
Reason for Inclusion: One of the five episodes available on VHS.

An establishing shot!

Boy Meets World (1993-2000): 1×03 “Father Knows Less”

Episode: Father Knows Less (1×03)
Director: David Trainer
Teleplay: April Kelly
Main Cast: Ben Savage, William Daniels, William Russ, Betsy Randle, Will Friedle, Lee Norris, Rider Strong, Lily Nicksay
Guest Cast: Willie Garson, Thomas Brown IV
Original Air Date: October 8, 1993

Teaser

They should have made bundt sandwiches instead.

In the Matthews kitchen, Alan is packing his sack lunch, as Cory mimics his actions exactly.  Cory exposits to Morgan that he Alan are going to see the Blue Angels do formations.

Lenny’s picture is in the dictionary, right next to the “nebbish” entry.

Meanwhile, in the living room, Eric is on the giant cordless phone, trying to convince Heather that a turtleneck will conceal…something.  Amy overhears this conversation as she walks into the room, so Eric must confess that he gave Heather a hickey.  He’s saved from a lecture by the doorbell.  The nebbish visitor introduces himself as Leonard Spinelli, Alan’s assistant manager at the grocery store.  Amy rolls her eyes at the introduction and says, “You’ve had dinner here maybe twenty times!”  Poor Lenny says that he’s always unsure if he’s made an impression.  She leads him into the kitchen, where he apologizes for interrupting the family on a Sunday… then he pauses and introduces himself to Cory, who of course already knew who he was.  Finally getting to the point, Lenny informs Alan that the store’s Perrier shelf fell down into the produce and Alka-seltzer aisles.  Alan apologizes to Cory for having to cancel their plans, and promises to make it up to him.  And thus commences, what is it now?  The 2nd son-and-his-dad episode in a row?  Plus the pilot had a small subplot tucked in there.  Oh well.