A Date With Danger

Power Rangers in Space, Episode 23

Original Airdate: 10-15-1998

Last Time: Zhane decided to fake having a terminal illness just because he could!

The Rangers are blasting some sort of bull monster as Astronema sneaks up behind them with some Quantrons. Zhane counter-ambushes her and so Astronema summons another monster to deal with him. The monster lasts about five seconds, and Astronema decides to just blast Zhane with her staff. She accidentally hits her own monster, and Zhane taunts her. The monster turns on Astronema and beats up her Quantrons as Zhane continues to stand aside and laugh at her. The monster knocks down Astronema, and Zhane sees an opportunity for maximum douchebaggery and flies the prone Astronema away. Elsewhere, the other Rangers defeat the other monster. Credits!

Zhane has apparently flown Astronema to a forest clearing, and has decided to make a fire and make her some tea. The man moves fast. Astronema is understandably confused by what's happening. She rejects his tea in order to distract him, and retrieves her staff. She walks right behind Zhane and has an opportunity to take him out permanently. She decides to threaten Zhane instead, and the Silver Ranger is unimpressed. Zhane decides to show Astronema how to roast marshmallows with her staff. Uh....Zhane, she's your archenemy who plans to conquer the universe, I don't think this is a productive use of this opportunity. She is momentarily delighted by the marshmallow, but remembers that she's supposed to kill the Rangers, not that she actually chooses to do so at this juncture. She thanks Zhane for saving her and teleports out. Zhane laments not getting her phone number.

Up on the Megaship, Cassie reads news of a new chick flick that is playing in Angel Grove. She and Ashley dragoon the rest of the Rangers into seeing it. On the Dark Fortress, Astronema is still thinking about her encounter with Zhane. Ecliptor comes up and tries to tell her about their next plan to destroy the Rangers, but he's drowned out by sentimental music. She brushes Ecliptor off, and the monster decides that he might as well put the next plan into action.

Back on the Megaship, Zhane is staring at a picture of Astronema while lying in bed. First of all, how did he get what appears to be a staged photograph of Astronema? Second of all, is Zhane really stupid enough to have fallen in love with a woman who planted a bomb on his chest last episode? Of course he's that stupid. Cassie and Ashley burst in and force him to go to the chick flick as well.

On the Dark Fortress, the madness continues with Astronema staring at what appears to be a publicity photo of Zhane. Ecliptor brings her dinner, but Astronema isn't hungry. Ecliptor knows something's up and tries to get the information out of Astronema. Ecliptor asks for permission to press the attack on the Rangers, but Astronema doesn't give it. Once Ecliptor leaves, Astronema heads down to the move theater as well.

At the cinema, the Rangers are leaving, and Zhane is distracted due to the whole Astronema situation. She disguises herself as a normal person, and looks much hotter without the ridiculous wig and gobs of makeup. Which isn't that much of a surprise, I suppose. Zhane fantasizes about Astronema some more. Focus, Zhane! Anyway, Zhane runs into the disguised Astronema and doesn't recognize her. He runs off to rejoin the other Rangers, but drops his photo of Astronema, which is retrieved by the actual Astronema.

Zhane is walking along with the other Rangers, when some energy blast narrowly avoid hitting them. Zhane retrieves an arrow with a message nearby, which turns out to be Astronema's foolproof way of asking him out. Now, you might think that only the world's dumbest human being would decide to agree to such a meeting, but Zhane is in love.

On the Dark Fortress, Ecliptor is still readying the attack. Ecliptor realizes that Astronema is missing, and decides to go ahead with the attack anyway, because he's a trooper. He sends the reconstituted bull monster to attack the Rangers. At a cafe, the Rangers get the news of a renewed monster attack, and head off to fight it.

Unfortunately, Ecliptor has used the data from the first fight to render the Rangers' weapons powerless against the monster, and the Rangers can't hurt it. In a meadow, Astronema is waiting for Zhane to show up for their date. She's apparently prepared an entire turkey, which isn't exactly traditional picnic food. On the Megaship, Zhane is also preparing for their date. On Earth, the Rangers are getting trashed by the monster. Looks like Zhane has boned them again. Ecliptor shows up for some extreme taunting.

Alpha sees the Rangers losing and is quite concerned. Zhane strolls by wearing what I can only describe as a normal button-down shirt that appears to have been spray-painted silver. He tries to sneak away for his date while the Rangers get their asses kicked. Fortunately for the survival of all that is good, Alpha notices Zhane and makes him go help the other Rangers. Zhane protests, but Alpha is insistent that he not let his teammates be brutally killed while he goes on his date. Zhane, however, has managed to lose his morpher and has to spend a few minutes searching for it in his room.

Zhane finally shows up at the fight. Elsewhere, Astronema is being stood up. Zhane manages to destroy the bull monster, which spontaneously grows into giant-size. Having no zord of his own, Zhane decides to leave its destruction to the other Rangers and speeds off on his motorcycle. The Rangers, likely inwardly wondering why their sixth Ranger has to be so awful in every way, call on the Astro Megazord, but can't quite destroy the bull monster, so they call out the Astro-Delta Megazord. They does the trick and the monster is defeated.

Zhane finally shows up for his date with Astronema. He's brought flowers! Astronema swiftly destroys them. She's angry that Zhane's late. Zhane explains that he was late because of a monster attack, but Astronema denies sending any such attack and blasts him some more. Astronema breaks off their relationship and teleports out. Zhane is crestfallen, although, on the plus side, as she was already trying to kill him, her options for getting back at him are kind of limited.

On the Megaship, the Rangers notice Zhane brooding, and argue over who should have to talk to them. Ashley ends up the unlucky volunteer. She can't get anything out of him, and makes Andros go next. He also fails. Cassie's up next and fares no better. Zhane goes off to brood in peace. Meanwhile, Astronema can't bring herself to throw out her picture of Zhane. Die, subplot, die! Show Over!

Next Time: Zhane, Zhane, go away! Also, do not come any other day.