The Ancient Warrior

Power Rangers: Wild Force, Episode 15

Original Airdate: 5-11-2002

Last Time: Zen-Aku kicked the shit out the Rangers again, and this somehow allowed Shayla to figure out what the hell is going on. Let's see how she uses that information!

Toxica, Jindrax and Nayzor are walking through the forest for a meeting with Zen-Aku, which terrifies that crap out of Toxica and Jindrax, as he'd sworn to kill them if they ever entered the forest agin. Fortunately, the brainwashing of Zen-Aku is paying off, and he gives the crystals he stole from the Rangers to Nayzor, who then orders Zen-Aku to finally kill the Rangers.

On the Animarium, the Rangers would like some information about the what the hell is going on. Shayla explains that Animus showed up and explained to her in detail what Zen-Aku's deal is. It turns out that Zen-Aku used to be a dude named Merrick, who put on a cursed mask 3000 years ago to help him beat Master Org, but, well, the cursed mask was turning him evil, so he had his fellow proto-Rangers seal him in a tomb. The Rangers want to free Merrick from his curse, and they ask Shayla for some guidance.....she, of course, has no idea what to do. The Rangers resolve to figure it out for themselves, and come to the conclusion that Zen-Aku's control over Merrick is based on the phases of the moon. Unless this entire arc has taken place over the course of about three days, I don't think that's quite right.

But enough theory, it's time for the Rangers to fight Zen-Aku again. The Rangers try to reason with Zen-Aku, but he's got a bug in his brain and so it doesn't take. Meanwhile, Master Org is delighted with how the Zen-Aku project has turned out. The Rangers get their asses kicked again, so Animus decides to show up and block out the moon. You know it's rather depressing that for the last five episodes, they only thing that has stopped the Rangers from complete destruction is Zen-Aku either deciding to take his time with his revenge, or Animus showing up and confusing Zen-Aku to the point where he leaves. Anyway, the lunar eclipse turns Zen-Aku back into Merrick, who is rather confused by the situation.

Merrick decides that it's time for a story. 3000 years ago, Animus fought Master Org and was destroyed...well, sort of, at any rate. Merrick decided to use the mask so that he could get the extra power he needed to destroy Master Org....and it worked like a charm. But, well, he became Zen-Aku and that's where we are today. He doesn't particularly trust the Rangers, but, well, the alternative is that he kills everybody, so he has no choice but to agree to it.

Elsewhere, Master Org realizes that Merrick is gaining his memories, and is slightly concerned, what with Merrick being the one who killed him before. The eclipse begins to end, and Merrick pleads with the team to kill him before he becomes Zen-Aku again. Seeing as Zen-Aku's lifetime winning percentage against the Rangers is 1.000, it'd probably be wise to listen to the man. Cole refuses, and that means that it's time for Zen-Aku to give the Rangers another beating.

Up in the Animarium, Shayla has her first and last helpful insight as she realizes that the curse of Zen-Aku stems from the evil zords, not the evil mask. She then orders Cole to destroy the Predazord....er, the Rangers have tried that before...it hasn't gone so well. The Rangers call on the Wild Force Megazord, and Zen-Aku calls out the Predazord. The Rangers are fucked.

But wait, what's this! It's time for Deus Ex Machina Zords as Danny suddenly gains the Rhino and Armadillo Zords out of nowhere. Well, that's pretty convenient. The Rangers use them in a new megazord combination, and this somehow summons some sort of spectral sports stadium out of elsewhere as the Rangers show off their soccer skills using the Armadillo Zord as a ball. Shayla tells the Rangers to aim for the Predazord's chest, which leads to the worst finishing attack in Power Rangers history, where the Megazord kicks the Armadillo Zord into the evil zord....and then the sports stadium returns from out of nowhere and the crowds cheer on the megazord. It is fitting that something as cool as Zen-Aku could only be killed by something as lame as soccer.

Anyway, the mask gets destroyed and Merrick is freed from the curse, and Shayla runs up and checks up on him....and then runs away when she hears the other Rangers coming. Shayla's a bit flighty, really. Show Over!

Next Time: Merrick desperately tries to avoid becoming part of the team!