Well, I finally got around to finishing Cosmic Fury!
…Ay yi yi yi yi…
Okay, well, a lot like with Dino Fury, this is a series of highs and lows. There are parts that I really liked…and at least ONE part in particular that got under my skin, which colored my enjoyment of the rest of the season.
On the plus side…this actually has a plot! Things happen! And they’re things that we haven’t gotten for YEARS in this franchise, so that’s quite nice.
And I actually do think they integrated a few ideas that Kyuuranger had into the show rather nicely, when all is said and done. It’s not the same, but it does try to bring in a few ideas, and it ends up having…something of a similar vibe overall. With only 10 episodes, they managed to give us a little taste of what happened in Kyuuranger.
And this does have heart and care put into it…at least in some places. It doesn’t address EVERYTHING that I wish that it had. But…again, it’s only 10 episodes, I’m willing to give them a little slack about not crossing every “t” or dotting every “I” in the franchise. But, it does have it’s heart in the right place. And, while I may not LOVE these characters, I am…fond of them, mostly.
And I’ll even give them credit for giving all the main characters SOME sort of plot point in the 10 episodes. Even if a lot of the characters are sharing plots with each other. And…ONE of the plot points feels tacked on and is the thing that got under my skin the most about this show. But, hey, they did TRY to give all the characters something to do. No one got pushed ALL the way to the side.
But…this show can still be painfully bipolar. Tackling REALLY heavy subjects one minute and then making the worst possible puns the next. I guess I should give them credit for even TRYING to tackle a few of the ideas that they do. But…it kind of makes those darker moments feel trite when they aren’t given the gravitas they deserve.
And the biggest problem of the entire show is…I don’t think they allowed our main characters to really have strong “negative” feelings at all. Some…really dark stuff happens to these characters, but they don’t react how any “normal” person would react. They don’t get angry or sad or depressed or lash out. These characters seem to have THREE emotions that they’re allowed to show. “Happy”, “Stoic”, and “Mildy Concerned”. Everything else is pretty much off the table. And I get why, the writers and executives don’t want the kids watching to be sad or worried or start to cry. They don’t want parents calling them and chewing them out. But…if you’re going to tackle some “dark” concepts…and then you don’t allow your characters to actually REACT to the things going on around them…maybe you shouldn’t be USING those concepts in the first place? Because at some point, what’s the point of DOING those dark things if you aren’t actually going to have your characters CHANGE or REACT to them? It just ends up feeling pointless and hollow. And makes your characters look uncaring. They make JOKES about some of this dark stuff, and just feels WRONG to me.
Overall, I do think the pluses and minuses kind of cancel each other out. Leaving us with a series that’s…kind of middling overall. I can’t say this is my favorite season. But, this is definitely not the worst season, either. It’s…actually kind of a fitting end for the entire Nickelodeon era. I know we’re WELL into Hasbro’s ownership, but I feel like this still has a lot of Nick’s DNA ingrained into it.
And if this IS the end of Power Rangers as we’ve known it…well, it’s been quite the ride. I can’t say they didn’t at least TRY to give us a grand sendoff. I think this season was memorable, at least. And it’s been a good (almost) constant run for the past 30 years.
Although…I can’t be TOO upset about this. Because the Boom comics are still going without any sign of stopping. And frankly, I’ve personally been enjoying the comics more than the last few seasons of this show. The show may be going on “hiatus” for now, but the franchise is still pumping out new material. So this isn’t really a “goodbye” so much as…”enjoy your vacation”. Hopefully, after the break the franchise comes back stronger than ever.
Fair warning, I’m kind of mean to Fern in particular in this play by play. She really doesn’t deserve it, but…I have a bit of a “character arc” as the show goes on. And my feelings shift a bit as the show continues. I think preserving how I processed this show probably is worthwhile. I don’t know if others kind of went through a similar thing too or not. But, if you’re bothered by how harsh I am…I’m sorry, I think this probably mostly accurate, at least to my experience.
Episodes 1-3
…Ay yi yi yi yi…
Okay, well, a lot like with Dino Fury, this is a series of highs and lows. There are parts that I really liked…and at least ONE part in particular that got under my skin, which colored my enjoyment of the rest of the season.
On the plus side…this actually has a plot! Things happen! And they’re things that we haven’t gotten for YEARS in this franchise, so that’s quite nice.
And I actually do think they integrated a few ideas that Kyuuranger had into the show rather nicely, when all is said and done. It’s not the same, but it does try to bring in a few ideas, and it ends up having…something of a similar vibe overall. With only 10 episodes, they managed to give us a little taste of what happened in Kyuuranger.
And this does have heart and care put into it…at least in some places. It doesn’t address EVERYTHING that I wish that it had. But…again, it’s only 10 episodes, I’m willing to give them a little slack about not crossing every “t” or dotting every “I” in the franchise. But, it does have it’s heart in the right place. And, while I may not LOVE these characters, I am…fond of them, mostly.
And I’ll even give them credit for giving all the main characters SOME sort of plot point in the 10 episodes. Even if a lot of the characters are sharing plots with each other. And…ONE of the plot points feels tacked on and is the thing that got under my skin the most about this show. But, hey, they did TRY to give all the characters something to do. No one got pushed ALL the way to the side.
But…this show can still be painfully bipolar. Tackling REALLY heavy subjects one minute and then making the worst possible puns the next. I guess I should give them credit for even TRYING to tackle a few of the ideas that they do. But…it kind of makes those darker moments feel trite when they aren’t given the gravitas they deserve.
And the biggest problem of the entire show is…I don’t think they allowed our main characters to really have strong “negative” feelings at all. Some…really dark stuff happens to these characters, but they don’t react how any “normal” person would react. They don’t get angry or sad or depressed or lash out. These characters seem to have THREE emotions that they’re allowed to show. “Happy”, “Stoic”, and “Mildy Concerned”. Everything else is pretty much off the table. And I get why, the writers and executives don’t want the kids watching to be sad or worried or start to cry. They don’t want parents calling them and chewing them out. But…if you’re going to tackle some “dark” concepts…and then you don’t allow your characters to actually REACT to the things going on around them…maybe you shouldn’t be USING those concepts in the first place? Because at some point, what’s the point of DOING those dark things if you aren’t actually going to have your characters CHANGE or REACT to them? It just ends up feeling pointless and hollow. And makes your characters look uncaring. They make JOKES about some of this dark stuff, and just feels WRONG to me.
Overall, I do think the pluses and minuses kind of cancel each other out. Leaving us with a series that’s…kind of middling overall. I can’t say this is my favorite season. But, this is definitely not the worst season, either. It’s…actually kind of a fitting end for the entire Nickelodeon era. I know we’re WELL into Hasbro’s ownership, but I feel like this still has a lot of Nick’s DNA ingrained into it.
And if this IS the end of Power Rangers as we’ve known it…well, it’s been quite the ride. I can’t say they didn’t at least TRY to give us a grand sendoff. I think this season was memorable, at least. And it’s been a good (almost) constant run for the past 30 years.
Although…I can’t be TOO upset about this. Because the Boom comics are still going without any sign of stopping. And frankly, I’ve personally been enjoying the comics more than the last few seasons of this show. The show may be going on “hiatus” for now, but the franchise is still pumping out new material. So this isn’t really a “goodbye” so much as…”enjoy your vacation”. Hopefully, after the break the franchise comes back stronger than ever.
Fair warning, I’m kind of mean to Fern in particular in this play by play. She really doesn’t deserve it, but…I have a bit of a “character arc” as the show goes on. And my feelings shift a bit as the show continues. I think preserving how I processed this show probably is worthwhile. I don’t know if others kind of went through a similar thing too or not. But, if you’re bothered by how harsh I am…I’m sorry, I think this probably mostly accurate, at least to my experience.
Episodes 1-3
Ep 1 Lightning Strikes
Planet Zordnia…a name that took them tireless sleepless weeks to come up with, I’m sure.
Well, we know where they spent their budget. Reminds me of the Legendary Battle in Super Megaforce.
I do think I like this new voice for Zedd better than the actor they were using last season. He’s just a better soundalike for the character.
I’m not sure if I like the new villains. Something about the design just feels off. Not all that into all the…tentacles. Why were these guys a thing?
The new grunts (Zeddinels?) remind me of the ones from In Space (Quantrons). I wonder if that’s on purpose?
A random weapons manufacturer was able to break a crystal created by ancient warriors linked to the very foundational energy of the universe itself? Oookay.
And the cameos start. Billy and Mick. At least they set them up in the last couple of seasons.
So much exposition. Wow.
Oh goodness, Squillia has a sideways baseball cap and a selfie stick. Ugh.
You know, since this is the first they’re seeing Zayto back since he…DIED, you’d think they’d have more questions about the afterlife or the Morphin Grid or something.
Zedd made a mind controlling poison that only effects ONE person?! That’s…kind of on brand for him, honestly. Continue.
Man, Zayto JUST came back, too. Now the Morphin Masters are going to have to use another Max Revive on him.
Wait…Mick’s full name is Mick Kanic? UGH! I must have blocked that out.
Man, the Morphin Masters go down easy. And my Pokemon reference early was apt! Gotta Catch ‘Em All!
Well, that thing has some interesting Zodiac-like symbols on it. I guess they’re getting a new Zord!
Planet where they got the Shogun Zords from? *One Google search later* Oh…I COMPLETELY forgot about this place. I thought this place was new. It’s been around since “The Changing of the Zords”. They reference the most obscure stuff from MMPR, sometimes.
Nah, stick it in the hole! I’m sure it’ll be FINE.
Oh…dude…did he actually lose a arm? That can’t be permanent right? Geez…mood whiplash.
Okay…they’re unfazed by their friend and brother losing a freaking arm in front of them. Cold as ice. Geez.
30 years ago…so I guess everything happened in real time, huh?
Okay…why is Izzy not by her brothers side right now? Shouldn’t she be REALLY worried about him?
Oh, NOW Mick trusts the Morphin Masters? The same ones that got Javi’s arm blasted off?
Okay…I know I shouldn’t find it funny…but the FIRST THING Izzy worries about is Javi not being able to play guitar. OY! Yeah…he’s gonna be real down about…not being able to play guitar…okay. It sure is a bummer.
Ep 2 Beyond Repair:
Geez…this…this is WAY too dark of a topic for this version of Power Rangers to deal with.
You know everyone saying everything’s going to be fine is starting to sound like denial…and maybe that’s the point, but I can’t tell with this cast.
Kinda sounds like Ollie’s mom is ready to give up on him.
J-borg…what are you doing? This does not feel like the time for this. Oh, the mood whiplash is real.
Yes, let’s not tell people about the alien warlord out for revenge. That couldn’t possibly blow up in your faces.
“Mom says locks are for poor people” This…this is coming after a ranger losing a arm. It’s a decent joke, but…it’s completely tone deaf to what we were doing 5 minutes ago.
Ollie’s mom is taking her son being mind controlled SO WELL. TOO WELL!
Izzy lying to her girlfriend…and going off on a trip in the middle of an intergalactic war and her brother LOSING A FREAKING ARM! Oh, this show’s priorities are SO painful.
I swear these characters showed more emotion over some jerk stealing one of Javi’s SONGS last season than him LOSING AN ARM!
Did they have Javi lose an arm just as an excuse to let Billy go on missions with them?
The villain gets his butt poked by a cactus…this mood whiplash is a lot!
Javi has a robot arm now. That’s going to be interesting to explain to their dad.
And hey! Obvious Deux Ex Machina Button! (TM) Buy it for only $9.99!
You know, this felt like a really good chance for Javi and Solon to bond…and they really didn’t do ANYTHING with it all episode.
I can’t help but feel like Billy being here all the time feels forced. These characters don’t know him at all. They have no connection to him. And their relationship’s not really being built up at all.
You’re…going to expose someone’s who’s being mind controlled to PURE morphin energy? That sounds like a recipe for a Cosmic Hulk.
Aiyon to Billy: “Oh, look at that young man go” *Snerk* Okay, that’s a good one.
I guess it took less than an episode for Javi to get over losing a arm.
Yeah, a girlfriend that can read your mind was always gonna backfire, but I didn’t expect like this.
“What my sister didn’t tell you that I lost my arm? That’s so rude TO YOU.” This show somehow made Javi losing an arm all about Izzy and her relationship with Fern?! Just…UGH!
Almost all the Ranger Statues get blown up. It was relatively easy. It’s such a glaring weakness with these particular Rangers.
And, yeah, Ollie’s probably faking still being under mind control.
Amelia took losing Ollie SO WELL! TOO WELL! No one cares about Ollie.
Oh, yeah, Fern. How could we ever forget about FERN! Everytime Fern isn’t on screen, we’re always asking, “Where’s Fern?”
Ep 3 Off Grid
Javi dealing with his new robot arm gets less than a minute of screentime before they move on to another joke.
Izzy’s being overprotective of Fern. Meh.
Oh, they’re gonna use the Morphin Master’s staff to relink to the grid and get their new suits. Okay.
Oh, great, space eggs. Do you want Facehuggers? Because this is how you get Facehuggers.
And now Aiyon’s going to turn into a were-bug. Better just put him down now.
I’ll admit, this is a decent monster design. Which makes sense since it’s actually a reused suit from Kyuuranger.
Well, the stuff going on with Earth sounds REALLY interesting, all these past Ranger teams stepping up…too bad it’s all happening off screen.
Okay, I’ll admit…I legitimately couldn’t tell if Ollie was mind controlled or not anymore…good fake out, show. The whole scene with his mom had me going for a minute.
We’re getting more emotional payoff with Aiyon trying and failing to make a cake than the ENTIRE arc of Javi losing a arm. I know I keep harping on it, but it’s not really working as a plot point for me
And we interrupt our regularly scheduled monster fight for…Squillia’s tiktok video. Joy.
“I am…extremely confused. And I feel…so old.” Zedd should not be this relatable.
Oh my goodness…BAKUGAN!
Yeah…not the biggest fan of the new suits. They look a little too…”pajama-y”? There’s something about the texture of that fabric that bothers me. I’m sure they’re pretty comfortable and maneuverable, but they’re a little plain in the “chest” area.
So you can change colors just by “feeling” differently now?
You know, Amelia just slid into the leadership role so naturally and smoothly…that it was actually kind of boring. She didn’t have to grow or change or adjust to her new role at all. It just felt…kind of dull? A little too convenient. I guess it’s a problem with only having 10 episodes, but it could have been a subplot in ONE of them. Some little bit of growing pains into her new role.
Planet Zordnia…a name that took them tireless sleepless weeks to come up with, I’m sure.
Well, we know where they spent their budget. Reminds me of the Legendary Battle in Super Megaforce.
I do think I like this new voice for Zedd better than the actor they were using last season. He’s just a better soundalike for the character.
I’m not sure if I like the new villains. Something about the design just feels off. Not all that into all the…tentacles. Why were these guys a thing?
The new grunts (Zeddinels?) remind me of the ones from In Space (Quantrons). I wonder if that’s on purpose?
A random weapons manufacturer was able to break a crystal created by ancient warriors linked to the very foundational energy of the universe itself? Oookay.
And the cameos start. Billy and Mick. At least they set them up in the last couple of seasons.
So much exposition. Wow.
Oh goodness, Squillia has a sideways baseball cap and a selfie stick. Ugh.
You know, since this is the first they’re seeing Zayto back since he…DIED, you’d think they’d have more questions about the afterlife or the Morphin Grid or something.
Zedd made a mind controlling poison that only effects ONE person?! That’s…kind of on brand for him, honestly. Continue.
Man, Zayto JUST came back, too. Now the Morphin Masters are going to have to use another Max Revive on him.
Wait…Mick’s full name is Mick Kanic? UGH! I must have blocked that out.
Man, the Morphin Masters go down easy. And my Pokemon reference early was apt! Gotta Catch ‘Em All!
Well, that thing has some interesting Zodiac-like symbols on it. I guess they’re getting a new Zord!
Planet where they got the Shogun Zords from? *One Google search later* Oh…I COMPLETELY forgot about this place. I thought this place was new. It’s been around since “The Changing of the Zords”. They reference the most obscure stuff from MMPR, sometimes.
Nah, stick it in the hole! I’m sure it’ll be FINE.
Oh…dude…did he actually lose a arm? That can’t be permanent right? Geez…mood whiplash.
Okay…they’re unfazed by their friend and brother losing a freaking arm in front of them. Cold as ice. Geez.
30 years ago…so I guess everything happened in real time, huh?
Okay…why is Izzy not by her brothers side right now? Shouldn’t she be REALLY worried about him?
Oh, NOW Mick trusts the Morphin Masters? The same ones that got Javi’s arm blasted off?
Okay…I know I shouldn’t find it funny…but the FIRST THING Izzy worries about is Javi not being able to play guitar. OY! Yeah…he’s gonna be real down about…not being able to play guitar…okay. It sure is a bummer.
Ep 2 Beyond Repair:
Geez…this…this is WAY too dark of a topic for this version of Power Rangers to deal with.
You know everyone saying everything’s going to be fine is starting to sound like denial…and maybe that’s the point, but I can’t tell with this cast.
Kinda sounds like Ollie’s mom is ready to give up on him.
J-borg…what are you doing? This does not feel like the time for this. Oh, the mood whiplash is real.
Yes, let’s not tell people about the alien warlord out for revenge. That couldn’t possibly blow up in your faces.
“Mom says locks are for poor people” This…this is coming after a ranger losing a arm. It’s a decent joke, but…it’s completely tone deaf to what we were doing 5 minutes ago.
Ollie’s mom is taking her son being mind controlled SO WELL. TOO WELL!
Izzy lying to her girlfriend…and going off on a trip in the middle of an intergalactic war and her brother LOSING A FREAKING ARM! Oh, this show’s priorities are SO painful.
I swear these characters showed more emotion over some jerk stealing one of Javi’s SONGS last season than him LOSING AN ARM!
Did they have Javi lose an arm just as an excuse to let Billy go on missions with them?
The villain gets his butt poked by a cactus…this mood whiplash is a lot!
Javi has a robot arm now. That’s going to be interesting to explain to their dad.
And hey! Obvious Deux Ex Machina Button! (TM) Buy it for only $9.99!
You know, this felt like a really good chance for Javi and Solon to bond…and they really didn’t do ANYTHING with it all episode.
I can’t help but feel like Billy being here all the time feels forced. These characters don’t know him at all. They have no connection to him. And their relationship’s not really being built up at all.
You’re…going to expose someone’s who’s being mind controlled to PURE morphin energy? That sounds like a recipe for a Cosmic Hulk.
Aiyon to Billy: “Oh, look at that young man go” *Snerk* Okay, that’s a good one.
I guess it took less than an episode for Javi to get over losing a arm.
Yeah, a girlfriend that can read your mind was always gonna backfire, but I didn’t expect like this.
“What my sister didn’t tell you that I lost my arm? That’s so rude TO YOU.” This show somehow made Javi losing an arm all about Izzy and her relationship with Fern?! Just…UGH!
Almost all the Ranger Statues get blown up. It was relatively easy. It’s such a glaring weakness with these particular Rangers.
And, yeah, Ollie’s probably faking still being under mind control.
Amelia took losing Ollie SO WELL! TOO WELL! No one cares about Ollie.
Oh, yeah, Fern. How could we ever forget about FERN! Everytime Fern isn’t on screen, we’re always asking, “Where’s Fern?”
Ep 3 Off Grid
Javi dealing with his new robot arm gets less than a minute of screentime before they move on to another joke.
Izzy’s being overprotective of Fern. Meh.
Oh, they’re gonna use the Morphin Master’s staff to relink to the grid and get their new suits. Okay.
Oh, great, space eggs. Do you want Facehuggers? Because this is how you get Facehuggers.
And now Aiyon’s going to turn into a were-bug. Better just put him down now.
I’ll admit, this is a decent monster design. Which makes sense since it’s actually a reused suit from Kyuuranger.
Well, the stuff going on with Earth sounds REALLY interesting, all these past Ranger teams stepping up…too bad it’s all happening off screen.
Okay, I’ll admit…I legitimately couldn’t tell if Ollie was mind controlled or not anymore…good fake out, show. The whole scene with his mom had me going for a minute.
We’re getting more emotional payoff with Aiyon trying and failing to make a cake than the ENTIRE arc of Javi losing a arm. I know I keep harping on it, but it’s not really working as a plot point for me
And we interrupt our regularly scheduled monster fight for…Squillia’s tiktok video. Joy.
“I am…extremely confused. And I feel…so old.” Zedd should not be this relatable.
Oh my goodness…BAKUGAN!
Yeah…not the biggest fan of the new suits. They look a little too…”pajama-y”? There’s something about the texture of that fabric that bothers me. I’m sure they’re pretty comfortable and maneuverable, but they’re a little plain in the “chest” area.
So you can change colors just by “feeling” differently now?
You know, Amelia just slid into the leadership role so naturally and smoothly…that it was actually kind of boring. She didn’t have to grow or change or adjust to her new role at all. It just felt…kind of dull? A little too convenient. I guess it’s a problem with only having 10 episodes, but it could have been a subplot in ONE of them. Some little bit of growing pains into her new role.
