Mean Wheels Mantis

Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy, Episode 26

Original Airdate: 10-29-1999

Last Time: Commander Stanton got brainwashed and tried to steep Terra Venture into the nearest sun, and it only took Kai half the episode to realize that that might be a bad thing.

Leo is strolling through Terra Venture's oddly expansive forest, when he notices Maya talking to her Galactabeast. You know what's tragic? In a few season, we'll meet a woman who makes Maya seem like completely focused and rational. Maya teaches Leo how to talk to the animals. It involves "listening with your heart." Of course it does. Leo tries, but can't do it.

On the command carrier, Deviot introduces Motor Mantis. Trakeena sends him out. Motor Mantis has a motorcycle, and uses it in order to wreak havoc on Terra Venture. Credits!

Motor Mantis is confronted by Maya and Kendrix, the only two Rangers without motorcycles. The monster turns them into trophies. The other Rangers show up, properly motorcycled, and receive a challenge from Motor Mantis: Whosoever wins a motorcycle race around Terra Venture shall receive the girl Ranger trophies as prize. The other Rangers aren't keen on such an arrangement, but Motor Mantis speeds off, and they must chase after him anyway.

Over the course of the pursuit, Motor Mantis manages to lose Kai by means of some sort of electric tripwire, and Damon by means of fallen boulder. That leaves him and Leo. Leo is briefly ahead, but get shot by Motor Mantis, who goes on to win the race. He even has Sting Wingers wave a checkered flag to prove it. Leo claims that the monster cheated, but Motor Mantis doesn't really care and leaves with the trophy Rangers. Leo is depressed that his motorcycling skills have let down his friends. That's an important lesson for kids to learn: If you aren't constantly prepared for a high-stakes motorcycle race, your friends will certainly be reduced to trophy form and taken away.

Later, Damon is trying to fix the bikes as Leo freaks out for a bit before Damon claims that Leo's bike will be fixed in the morning. Kai, however, points out that Leo's already lost once with that bike, and isn't apt to do much better the next time, but Leo is determined.

That night, Leo is summoned by his Galactabeast. Leo is initially unable to understand what it's saying, but learns to listen with his heart, and is able to decipher something about "more power." Or maybe the stress of being a Power Ranger has caused him to have a psychotic break.

At dawn, Leo sneaks into the garage and takes his bike out to race Motor Mantis again. Leo stakes his Quasar Saber in order to get the monster to agree to a rematch, and the race is on. This time, they've decided to erect an impressive looking finish line complete with banner, starting lights, and flags. I'm not exactly sure who set all of this up. I guess they took a little time before the race to make sure that they were doing it in the most professional way possible. "Hey, Red Ranger, we can't do this race unless you pick up the finish line banner from the print shop!"

Anyway, the race begins and they're evenly matched. Motor Mantis leaps from his bike onto Leo's, but get knocked off and somehow manages to get back onto his own motorcycle, which is still running straight.

At the garage, Kai wakes up and realizes what has happened. He is mildly concerned. Back at the race, Leo's bike simply isn't fast enough and he's losing. He remembers what Maya told him about talking to animals, however, and this allows him to summon his new Capsular Cycle, which allows him to win the race. He demands Motor Mantis relinquish the girl Rangers, but the monster refuses, so Leo runs Motor Mantis down on his new bike. Not very sporting of Leo, really. This turns Maya and Kendrix back to normal, and Kai and Damon show up to further congratulate Leo.

Motor Mantis, however, is still contractually obligated to do a giant monster fight, and so the Rangers call on the Galaxy Megazord. Kendrix shows off a rarely seen attack by having her zord shoot some explosive cherry blossoms at the monster, and Motor Mantis is eventually brought low by the Condor Missile.

Later, Maya and Leo talk about talking to animals. Apparently all that Leo was able to glean from his conversation with his Galactabeast was something vague about his bike having more power. Kai, Damon and Leo then decide to race bicycles because......Show Over! That's why!

Next Time: Moral Ambiguity! A Maya-Centric Episode! Filler!