The last Ninja Steel episode before the Power Rangers movie leaves us wondering about the future of the franchise.

ThisPower Rangers Ninja Steelreview contains spoilers.

Power Rangers Ninja Steel Episode 8

This episode represents the end of an era forPower Rangers.

At the time of this writing, the big budgetPower Rangersmovie will be released next week.

From all the trailers and early buzz, the movie sounds amazing.

It looks faithful to the original series while still being aimed at an older audience.

If the movie proves a hit with fans, it could mean something that mostPower Rangersfans havent thought about.

That Power Rangers on TV is no longer for them.

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Consider it for a moment.

Even the much-deridedSuper Megaforcecontained elements for the fans.

That isnt necessarily a bad thing.

After all,Power Rangershas always been a show meant for children.

Asking for a kids TV to cater to adults would be obnoxious.

To this day that continues.

Some fans continually rally forPower Rangersto take itself more seriously.

To incorporate more of its past continuity.

To be more for them.

Now they have not only the movie but also the Boom!

To put it bluntly,Power Rangerson TV no longer has to even think about adult fans.

Theyve got a potential movie franchise and comics to keep them happy.

That isnt to say adults still cant enjoyNinja Steelfor what it is.

Many do, but now it doesnt have to worry about them.

It can point to the movie or comic and say, thats for you.

Leave us alone and let us tell wacky one and done adventures that dont have to reference past seasons.

The problem is that the stories just arent very good.

I could honestly accept aPower Rangersseason that is being made exclusively for kids if the stories were better constructed.

This episode features way too many gaps in logic.

You cant just use made for kids as an excuse for poor pacing and plot development.

Ninja Steelbrazenly slips over any part of the plot that could lead to good stories.

In this episode Levi doesnt seem all that effected by being kidnapped for what looked like a month.

Why isnt this explored?

Even if the show is meant for five year olds you could do something about fear.

Hell, why is the plot once again recycling plot beats fromDino Charge?

Much like Ivan, Levi was held captive and had to be freed from monster control.

Do the people behind the show just assume they can rinse and repeat these plots?

Is it because the turnover rate of kids watching this show is about two years?

Levi isnt a bad character but his introduction is paced so strangely.

Again, skipping over potentially engaging plots.

Thats okay I guess but this is certainly near the bottom of sixth Ranger introductions.

The one redeeming part of this episode is Levi appreciating Brody for not treating him like a crazed fan.

Theres great potential for stories about the perils of fame and how its affected Levis life.

That Im interested in and Ill be doubly in for it if we get to hear him sing.

Maybe there is some fun to be had whenNinja Steelreturns from its hiatus in about five months.

Maybe, after the movie comes out, our expectations for the season wont be so high.

Maybe well be able to accept it for what it is.

Maybe well be able to ignore all the wasted potential and poorly constructed plots.

Or maybe well have moved on.

Only time will tell.

One things for sure.

When we come back?

Everything will be different.

Stray Thoughts

Oh my god Victor and Monty making fun of a child kills me.

Its from the Lion galaxy.

…..Cool story, bro.

Booo, shes tiny!

Seriously, Victor and Monty for MVPs of this season.

Rating:

2 out of 5