Ancient Awakening

Power Rangers: Wild Force, Episode 5

Original Airdate: 3-2-2002

Last Time: We learned some sort of lesson....either "don't be afraid of heights" or "never give up," the episode wasn't very clear.

On the Animarium, Alyssa has made pancakes, and has to rush off for an archeology class. As we learned last season, archeology classes are magnets for new morphers and/or zords. The class convenes at a cave, and the professor immediately pulls a trilobite fossil from a rock wall. Damn, that's some impressive archeology! Alyssa hears the faint sounds of an elephant, and I guess she's either about to find a new zord, or this season is going to take a bold leap and introduce the first schizophrenic Ranger. Alyssa decides to investigate the cave before signing up for a lifetime supply of thorazine.

She finds a dusty wall, which, when brushed, reveals a glowing carving of an elephant. This also draws the attention of Master Org. But getting the elephant now would violate the strict formulas of the show, so Alyssa returns to the Animarium and looks for Shayla. It turns out that Shayla is just like the Candyman, in that if you say her name, she instantly appears out of nowhere. Alyssa organizes a field trip with Shayla and Cole to see the cave.

And what Org of the week will oppose them? The Tire Org! The Tire Org? It is just a tough season all around. Taylor takes Danny and Max to fight him. It doesn't go well, until Toxica and Jindrax redirect him to get Shayla instead. The monster promptly captures Shayla from Cole and Alyssa. The Rangers try to chase the Org, but get tired and quit. The lion zord, who at this point has to regret choosing Cole, sends down some motorcycles to help. I can just imagine him sitting up there on the Animarium saying to himself, "Holy fuck! The Rangers need even more God damn weapons to fight the Orgs? The hell!" Cole claims that the lion told him that they're called Savage Cycles. Sure, Cole, whatever you say....

The Rangers speed off, except Cole doesn't know how to drive a motorcycle, and is confused by the very nature of motorcycles. Okay, now listen close, because this next part doesn't make a town of sense. Alyssa is able to jump her bike on top of the Tire Org, who's currently in the shape of a giant tire. She then breaks her cycle, which slows down the Org...doesn't stop it though, so the Rangers just shoot it with some lasers. Well, whatever, time for the megazord showdown!

The fight doesn't go so well, and that means it's time for the first new zord expansion pack of the year. Jindrax and Toxica use this opportunity to recapture Shayla, and Alyssa decides to go down and help. Shayla is brought before Master Org, who shows her the cave from earlier, and explains that there's another zord that can only be released by one pure of heart. Alyssa shows up and immediately becomes a hostage. Unfortunately, there's some sort of technicality that only the zord's chosen master can use the new zord, which leads to Master Org blasting at Shayla and Alyssa and then storming off. Alyssa then releases the Elephant Zord.

The Elephant Zord turns into a sword and shield for the Wild Force Megazord, and gives the team a chance to use their new finisher the "Pachyderm Crusher Attack." Okay, no, no, no, I demand that the writers come up with a less awful name for that attack.

Later, Alyssa is still talking about the damn elephant. Shayla explains that there are buttloads of zords floating around for the Rangers to sell to the kids. Elsewhere, Cole is still treating his motorcycle like a living animal, because he is not really capable of living in a modern society. Show Over!

Next Time: Mo' Zords, Mo' Problems!