Carlos and the Count

Power Rangers Turbo, Episode 40

Original Airdate: 11-13-1997

Last Time: T.J. proved the folly of sabremetricians everywhere.

Bulk and Skull have new jobs again, this time as horror film festival organizers. It's a step up for them, to be honest. Justin and Carlos show up to watch, and the first movie is a vampire movie. Divatox, in a moment of prescience, is revolted by the thought of another fucking vampire move. Elgar is out on the balcony dealing with lunar bats. But they aren't even on the moon, and....anyway, Divatox turns one of the bats into her new monster, Count Nocturne. Credits!

Carlos and Justin split up after the movie ends. Carlos, having learned nothing from the vampire movie he just watched, walks alone on an unlit street after dark. Some Piranhatrons show up as a reminder to kids that monsters will come from nowhere and attack them if they are alone outside at night. Count Nocturne shows up and moves to make Carlos a vampire. Bulk and Skull walk by and witness the scene. Bulk and Skull realize that they have to get new jobs once more: vampire hunters!

At school the next day, Carlos is wearing all black and sunglasses because of his...condition. That, or he's a big Johnny Cash fan. Ashley comments on his new look and invites him the blood drive after school. Unfortunately, it's right next to the wooden-stake district. Carlos is intrigued by the nature of a blood drive. Bulk and Skull show up, and apparently their vision of a vampire hunter is a guy dressed for a safari with a necklace of garlic. They see Carlos' fangs, and are have second thoughts about their career choice. Justin confronts the pair, and Skull helpfully gives him some garlic. The principal shows up and points out that Bulk and Skull graduated last year. He sends them to detention. Bulk and Skull are rightfully confused as to how that works.

In another classroom, Justin sits down at the same table as Carlos and shows him the clove of garlic. Carlos does not react well. Justin notices and asks why Carlos is wearing sunglasses. Carlos explains that the light hurts his eyes. See, Justin, Carlos isn't a vampire, he's just very high. Later, Justin is doing some research on vampires when T.J. comes up behind him and surprises him. Cassie is also there. Justin observes Carlos and is suspicious. Divatox decides that Justin is learning too much way too early in the episode and orders Count Nocturne to slow the plot down with a fight scene.

T.J., Cassie and Justin are walking towards the juice bar when Justin runs into a concrete pole because he's engrossed in a book. Cassie examines the book Justin is reading, and mocks him for reading more about vampires. Cassie explains that there's no such thing as vampires. The vampire monster shows up. Oh, Cassie, when will you learn? The Rangers are able to fight him off after a while. Justin tells the other Rangers that Carlos is a vampire. Back at school, Ashley offers to "grab a bite" with Carlos after the blood drive. Carlos agrees, but decides that he might as well vampirize her now, but is interrupted by the other Rangers. Justin accuses him of being a vampire. Carlos takes offense at such insinuations of undeadhood. Justin challenges Carlos to look into a mirror, and Carlos' cover is blown. T.J. tries to convince Carlos to go to the Power Chamber, but Carlos doesn't want to go, he turns into a bat and leaves. T.J. is astonished at this turn of events. Unfortunately, this review is text only, but imagine the worst possible reading of the lines: "You were right! Carlos is a vampire!" and you'll begin to understand the magic of young Selwyn Ward.

The Rangers track Carlos to the blood drive. Bulk and Skull arrive, still in their vampire hunting gear. Lt. Stone does not believe, and Bulk and Skull can't quite get him to see Carlos. God knows they're trying, though. Ashley and T.J. manage to capture Carlos and send him to the Power Chamber. Alpha 6 has made an antidote, but Carlos doesn't want to take it. She administers it nonetheless, but the effects are only temporary. Count Nocturne attacks Angel Grove again, and the Rangers morph and roll out. They fight it out, and the Count is eventually beaten by the Turbo RAM Cannon. Torpedoes happen. The Rescue Megazord responds. The Rescue Megazord manages to get chained to a giant cross. The Rangers leave the Rescue Megazord to die for their sins and get into the Turbo Megazord. Count Nocturne breaks the Turbo Megazord's legs. Ouch. The Count proceeds to start using his drill on the downed Megazord. The Rangers combine the working parts from their two half-broken Megazords to form a new configuration. Artillery Power is asked for and received, and Count Nocturne is defeated. Divatox is once more angry, and tries to throw Elgar off of her space balcony.

Bulk and Skull are holding another film festival. The Rangers show up and Carlos and Justin try to traumatize the pair by joking around about vampires. You know, seeing as those two tried to warn everyone about the actual vampire in their midst, you'd think the Rangers would ease the hell off. Anyway, this week is werewolf night, and Skull is understandably concerned that a werewolf is going to show up. A werewolf-looking deliveryman arrives with the film and Bulk and Skull, having endured more than they can bear, collapse under the stress. Show Over!

Next Time: The very last Justin episode, I promise. Well, the last this season, at any rate.