Power Rangers Super Samurai - Stroke of Fate - Episode Review

Pictures thanks to Samuraicast.com

Summary:

Rangers are weaken on the ground. Antonio notices a chance to attack an unconscious Deker but hesistates, he tells his team and Mike says even he knows it was a good idea he didn't do it. Antonio feels bad and leaves. Deker is now awaken and washes himself in a small stream and thinks of Serrator's words. He walks on his own in the forest and have flashbacks to that night and find a place familiar. Dayu greets him and asks if he recognizes the place. She asks if he feels something, he says nothing and walk away. We are given another flashback of Serrator making him and Dayu into Nighlok.

 

Mike walks into Kevin and shocks him. The Lightzord has a letter on it from Antonio. Jayden sends Mike and Kevin after Antonio as he went to go against Deker and he goes with the girls after Serrator as an alarm goes off. Bulk and Spike think of a way to plug in one of the holes of the line. They come up with a plan to plug it with all the gum they have. Deker bumps into Antonio and asks him why he didn't stop him when he had a chance. Antonio says he is there to stop him now. Red, Pink, Yellow and Lightzord fight Moogers Serrator set out at the weakest spot.

 

Deker says to attack him because he is unarmed. Antonio kneels down and begs Deker not to do it, that millions will suffer. Deker says he is no samurai and is about to attack him when Kevin and Mike attack. Mike says Antonio is not weak, that his heart is the strongest compassion. Jayden goes super and Deker arrives. Deker attacks Serrator and says he only cares for his sword. Serrator screams. Deker closes his sword in the seath. All the purple energy leaves. Bulk and Spike roll the giant gumball into the geyser and plugs it. They both celebrate from above the gum but can't get unstuck. Deker trusts they will finish this, they morph and attack Serrator with Octo Disk Cannon and Bullzooka at the same time. Serrator grows.

 

They fight off Paproyx and form the Gigazord. Serrator kicks balls at it. Red goes Shogun again. The Rangers couldn't defeat him so they call for Shark Zord and channeling the power of all the zords, they destroy Serrator. Dayu asks Deker if he has turned his back on the Nighlok. Deker says he will lift the curse on his own. The Rangers walk during a sunset, Antonio stops, Mia comes up to him. He says he thinks about Deker's choice. The gang tell Antonio he made a good choice too.

 

Episode Review:

Even though fans have criticized that Samurai is so much like Shinkenger, joke that it is just a translation other than an adaption, I commend Saban to let even the darkest story points in like Deker daring Antonio to attack him unarmed and calling him no samurai. I also like that Serrator's plot line has been condensed because in Shinkenger, it is too drawn out. And there is a whole subplot about the souls in Uramasa that is not here in PRS and I am glad, it makes it too messy and sordid. I am disappointed that Yellow or Green doesn't get to use their Shogun Mode and there is so much of Red in Shogun Mode.



Power Rangers Super Samurai - A Crack in the World - Episode Review

Since I missed out on writing reviews on these episodes (and Stroke of Fate), and I got the Complete Blu-Ray set, I will be doing them today. Pictures thanks to Samuraicast.com as always.

 

 The gang spar and Kevin thinks about Serrator, that he is gone rogue and up to something big. Mike was to spar with him but fell. Kevin puts a dot on each attack and they form a line. Serrator calls a monster to create misery around a locator he gives him. Antonio is proud of the fish he caught and takes picture of it in a photo booth Bulk and Spike relax doing mediating techniques in bright blue and orange outfits. Octoroo figures out the Serrator will be making a crack in the world and that Deker needs to do the final strike. Serrator has been planning for this for years. With Dayu and Deker, Dayu is mad and wants to go after Serrator. Deker still thinks Serrator will be fixing his Uramasa.

 

Serrator fixes the sword. The monster attacks and the Rangers figure out the plan. Antonio morphs in the photo booth and runs off. Bulk and Spike don't notice. They grab their food to eat. Spike notices people suffering from the monster attack. The monster attacks the duo and they run in the photo booth. Spike thinks he is sick but is hungry. Bulk lifts the booth and the two walk in it to get the food. They find it and eats it. Gold Ranger arrives and fights the monster. The others arrive and stop the attack. Moogers arrive.

 

Jayden goes super and fights Serrator. Serrator blocks the Rangers and Jayden takes the girls to fight the monster as Serrator fights the other boys. Deker arrives and Serrator explains the plan. Jayden destroys the monster and the three form Samurai Megazord to fight its big life. Deker wants his sword but Serrator tells him he won't give it to him without a little favor. The girls use the Beetle and Swordfish and make their combos with Megazord after Moogers holds it down. They use Tiger and two Spitfangs arrive. They become the Battlewing Megazord and take them two down. They then call the Claw Armor Megazord. Jayden goes to Shogun mode and destroys the foe.

 

Serrator says that the only way to release his curse, he can do it with one quick slash with the Uramasa. The energy surges among the line, wiping out the Rangers and Dayu jumps out of the way. Each point explodes with purple energy. Serrator says he knows in the end Deker will do his bidding. The Rangers are unmorphed and on the ground. Deker faints. Serrator laughs.

 

Episode Review:

The Bulk and Spike stuff was funny and needed as the rest of the episode is dire and full of despair But the funny parts seem to grouped together giving the episode a disjointed feel. Other than that, the Special Effects from Shinkenger look great. And also kudos to the team in New Zealand to make all that debris and makeup of the gang hurt. Because back in the day of MMPR, the Rangers wouldn't even have a smudge and end up at the park.

 



Power Rangers Super Samurai 3-Disc Complete Set Blu-Ray

UPDATED 12/3/12 8PM EST

First of all, thank you to Saban Brands and Lionsgate for the complete season of Power Rangers Super Samurai Blu-Ray 3 disc set. Second of all, most likely fellow Power Force member Fury Diamond of Rangercrew Blog will be reviewing this and posting up the menus but I decided to give it a try as I usually review all the DVDs I ever get (on Spanengrish Ramblings). 

 The box shelve and case itself have the same graphics. As with all Lionsgate DVDs, the previews come up and you can't skip it with 'Menu.' You have to press 'forward' to skip the previews. The DVD menus are exactly the same. It would had been nice if Lauren appeared in the menu for the last disc but oh well. When you wait, a lightning bolt appears and it loads, changing red  to yellow. This set does not include Trickster Treat nor Stuck on Christmas.

Disc One: 1. Super Samurai 2. Shell Game 3 Trading Places 4 Something Fishy 5 The Rescue 6 The Bullzord

Disc Two: 7 He Ain't Heavy Metal, He's My Brother 8 Kevin's Choice 9 Runaway Spike 10 The Strange Case of the Munchies 11 A Sticky Situation 12 Trust Me 13 The Master Returns

Disc Three:  14 A Crack In The World 15 Stroke Of Fate 16 Fight Fire With Fire 17 The Great Duel  18 Evil Reborn 19 The Sealing Symbol 20 Samurai Forever

Extras? Not much, just stuff from Power Rangers YouTube like: Train like A Ranger shorts, Ranger Swarm from Licensing Expo 2011, and the Music Video from "He ain't Heavy Metal, he's my brother." I would have liked some interviews from Kimberely Crossman (Lauren) and the others.

 I can't post screen captures because I am guessing the rules are the same to Lionsgate as Shout! Factory, I am not sure. Anyway, the season itself I felt it was the same as the first but they did take more liberties this time. Bulk and Skull did actually get involved this time, but by the end, not enough. They get mixed in with the Samurai Rangers in "Runaway Spike," "A Strange Case of the Munchies" and "Stroke of Fate" where they make a giant gumball. I wish they did have some episodes of flashbacks and backstory on Bulk and Skull because lots of younger fans had no idea who they were. Kids have told me they don't like Bulk and Spike. 50 episodes, 1 movie, 1 teamup special and one sequel special have been reduced into 43 episodes and things don't seem so rushed like the Disney Seasons here in these 20 episodes. Check out my episode reviews.

Older fans have their problems with Power Rangers Samurai and Power Rangers Super Samurai being too much like its Japanese counterpart Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. In the defense of the creators, the show is targeted to children in the United States who have NEVER seen Super Sentai, part of the reason that Power Rangers EVEN exists. The reason I put those words in capital letters is because too many adult fans complain about this fact and they fail to realize this point. I mean, it would be nice if the writers were creative and made their own storylines and Power Rangers was unique to Super Sentai. But Elie Dekel of Saban Brands personally told me that he was surprised we fans knew about Sentai and knew things before they did.

Also Jonathan Tzachor probably decided to follow Shinkenger because Shinkenger was such a great series and wonderfully written. Given that lots of fans initially thought Disney dropped out of Power Rangers thinking that Shinkenger was quote "Unadaptable" because of its Japanese theme and background. But PRS and PRSS proves it can be done. I don't think most fans even imagine that the Samurai theme would be around for TWO years. Now fans can also argue that the writing and acting play into the 'blandness' of these two seasons but I honestly think it was a modest attempt. Kids really like it and understand it, keeping track of all the names and plots. Most kids I talk to are more into the action than the comedy. And Saban Brands keep talking about the "DNA of Power Rangers" but they forget two stables of the franchise: last names for the Power Rangers (we only got 4 out of 7) and the name of the city they live in. It looks like they live on an island. I will be covering more on the pros and cons of Power Rangers Samurai later this week.

Kamen Rider Wizard 13 Images

Go-Busters 41 Images

Power Rangers Super Samurai - Sealing Symbol - Episode Review

I'm typing this from my new Dell laptop. That's right, I've gone from Mac (since 2006) back to PC. I've had a PC since 1994. Pictures from Samuraicast.com

 Summary:

Xandred says Dayu should have embraced her Nighlok life. Dayu says her human heart never allowed her to do it. Xandred merges with Dayu and holds her dress, and shocking the Rangers. Xandred asks for the Red Ranger and Lauren arrives. He says "What can a little girl do?" He sends an attack and Antonio and the others defend her. She gives Kevin the Black Box and Shark Disk to Mike to distract him as she seals him. Xandred rapidly takes care of the five. He goes after Lauren but the others hold him off. Lauren writes the sealing symbol. Jii hopes his training was enough. Light Zord comes in and defends Antonio. Jayden fights Moogers.

The five are knocked down. Lauren is almost done when Jayden arrives. Xandred and Lauren slash at the same time. Xandred is pushed back but not sealed. Lauren goes down on her knees. Xandred comes out of the fire, surprising them. They notice a white patch on his chest that he got from Dayu, He doesn't need Sanzu River water anymore. He knocks the six down. Lauren falls and de-morphs. Jayden runs to their aid and teleports them all away. 

The Rangers are feeling down at the headquarters. Emily feels sorry for Lauren as she spent her whole life learning the symbol. Jayden talks to Lauren outside in the dark. Lauren has a sling on. She says she let everyone down, even their dad. She is handing the leadership back to him, the right thing is to lead them. He says he'll do his best, time to finish what their dad started. Lauren calls for a meeting. The Sanzu River is about to overflow, Octoroo and Xandred talk. Xandred drops the Dayu dress into the river.

At the meeting, Lauren announces handing the leadership to Jayden, which Mike likes. Jayden tells them that he has a plan, to take him out with brute force. They chuckle. He has a weak spot---Dayu's white patch, They need more power.,. Lauren gives Jayden the Shiba Fire Disc, loading it with enough fire symbol power from Lauren since she is too hurt to fight. Jii prays they come back.  Buildings glow red, people scream and a giant invasion to the city occurs with the sanzu river flooding in and Moogers plying out. Then Lightning McQueen flies over a canon, oh wait, that was a commercial. Sorry, this ep needs comic relief but Bulk and Spike didn't appear. They will next week!

So Xandred and Octoroo ride on their ship. The six Rangers dressed in Samurai training clothing, including Antonio (it is the first time I remember seeing him in it outside of the morphing sequence), When the Moogers notice them, the six morph and fight. Jayden goes Super Mode and the Rangers plank around him to get to Xandred, at the end of a horde of Moogers. Spitfangs attack Antonio and he destroys them. Xandred pitys them. The moogers are clear and Kevin and Mike take an attack for Jayden. Jayden uses the fire disc and points it in the white spot on Xandred, Xandred holds the sword and says the old speil ("can't defeat me that easily"). The disk breaks. The Rangers de-morph. They won't give up. Xandred wants to capture Lauren. Jayden faints. To Be continued....

Review:

Favorite quotes? "Epic win for you," Octoroo says. Also Mike's "Booyah" in an inappropriate spot. Two episodes left! The finale next week and then the Christmas Special, which most likely takes place before the final episodes. I'm proud to announce that Lionsgate will be bestowing the 20 members of Power Force the 20 episode 3-disc Blu-Ray Super Samurai full season box set. Some of us don't have Blu-Ray so keep an eye out for giveaways and eBay sellings.