Changeman Episodes 49-50

 

1/11, Episode 49 -- "Sorrowful Shiima Beast Soldier"

Super Giluke successfully transforms Shiima into a Space Beast Soldier as a desperate Tsurugi tries to reach through to her before it's too late in this episode, a companion piece to episode 46.

It's pretty creepy to jump right into the episode with Shiima under attack by Giluke, but I like how the other Gozma members come upon the scene and react to it; there's Ahames' anger at Giluke, there's a genuine shock and concern for Shiima. But, she fully transforms into the Medusa-like snake-headed Space Beast Soldier Zuune, given the agenda of causing panic throughout the country by turning common stones into diamonds and having the citizens riot over them. Oh, and those diamonds will eventually be made to explode by Zuune, so...there's a few bases covered with this little plan.

Tsurugi right away recognizes Shiima's voice coming from the monster, and after the events of 46, thinking of how happy she was at the time, he's determined to get through to Shiima before she's completely lost or even fought and destroyed by the Changeman. A great aid from an unlikely ally: Warajii and his flute playing! This episode marks the debut of the tune Warajii plays, the "Remembrance Song of the Home Planet," a kind of universal folk tune that dredges up nostalgic memories in aliens who have lost their way. Take note at how Ibuki reacts upon hearing it twice in this episode; he's transfixed both times. Hmmm...what's that about, Ibuki?

And like Jiiru helping Buuba, Tsurugi's words and Warajii's music help fuel Shiima's strength to fight through Zuune. Shiima puts up a heck of a struggle here. I think it's kind of cool, once Shiima separates from Zuune, how the Zuune husk is then "blank" until it absorbs some nearby Hidora soldiers, then becoming a Hidora-variation of the design. It's a pretty cool design -- although top-heavy, which looks like it causes the suit actor some trouble.

I like the final scene, with Changeman, Zoorii and Warajii looking glumly out into the sunset as Warajii plays his treasured flute. I don't know if this is intentional or not, but that Yuuma remembers pocketing one of Zuune's diamonds reminds me of all the way back in episode 5 when he stole Crystal X so he could start his restaraunt; I assume he pocketed it with similar intentions, just too bad that once Zuune's plan was foiled, all of the diamonds reverted back to stones. Poor Yuuma -- if he watched more toku, he would have known that would happen.

Next week: the Changeman help Warajii take his show on the road, it's an alien USO tour.

 

 

1/18, Episode 50 -- "The Day Gozma Trembled"

For most Sentai shows, 50 is the end. There are some Sentai shows that don't even make it to 50. As Changeman hit 50, it's still putting into motion the end game...

There's always been mixed info why Changeman was extended to 55 episodes. I used to always read because the show was popular, but then the reason changed to Flashman was running behind schedule, so Changeman was extended... One thing supporting the Flashman excuse is that Flashman is a show that looks like it had a much higher budget than what was the norm for Sentai at the time, so maybe THAT caused some problems. Because, sadly, some of these last few Changeman episodes look like they're really pinching yennies. (But Changeman has a pretty smart explanation around that coming up in a couple of episodes, but that's for episode 53.)

This episode is probably the most tightly budgeted one. There's not much variety in the locations, it's quite sparse. Ambitions in terms of special-effects exceed spending limits. Because there's a great divide-and-conquer plan of Gozma's in this episode. Bazuu's been a little too inspired by Super Giluke -- he's had it up to his shoulder nubs with boasts and empty promises, he wants to see some action instead of hearing all talkin'. So when Ahames makes the mistake of approaching Bazuu with some latest Changeman smack talk, he greets her with a blast of his damnation ray and, because he's feeling generous, he splits her precious Jangeran ride into two and turns them into Space Beast Soldiers.

With that, this episode continues the few previous ones in having recurring characters transformed into Space Beasts, but it's a shocking challenge to our heroes as Sayaka and Yuuma fight one while Dragon, Griffin, and Phoenix defend against the other. Not only does it up the stakes for the Changeman but surely, too, Ahames must feel the desperation of Gozma's boss in his turning her prized pet/fearsome mode of transport into a tag team of fire and ice. (There's a nice moment when Phoenix uses her fire power to free Sayaka and Yuuma from icy Saran wrap -- not a bad special effect actually. Although, I'd be pretty damn terrified if I was the one imprisoned by ice and Phoenix just casually strolls up and uses her DEADLY PHOENIX FIRE maneuver, the one that's literally cooked a lot of Gozma fools, to HELP free me from the frozen trap. Even though it works, that was a crazy risk she took, man!)

The Changeman have a plan of their own, too. The Earth Defense Force further develops Warajii's homesickness weapon into the ultimate attack, rigging up a device so Warajii's playing can be heard throughout the universe. (That's some technology, Earth Defense Force!) As Gozma attempts to steal and destroy Warajii's flute, a sad family dynamic plays out as Gator disappoints his son yet again. The boy just wants his father to return home. 

The Changeman's hopes are crushed as Warajii, in a fit of anger, throws his flute in his father's direction, the flute smashing as it lands on the ground. Ordinarily, you'd be kind of frustrated by a character doing something like this to an item that had such importance, but Warajii's just a kid, so you can understand why he did it and his feelings behind it. Still, this makes it so that the Changeman tastes some defeat in this episode. It was a good idea to broadcast the song; a peaceful way to end the battle, and one that would have obviously worked, as we saw on the Gozmard. (Gyodai, Gator and Shiima are affected, with the latter asking where is her homeplanet, while Buuba, naturally, is all like, "WTF?") 

The divided Jangeran proves to be a pain for the Changeman, as they're put through a variety of burning and freezing attacks. But also especially since the two dragon beasts reunite and fly off each time the team build the Power Bazooka to shoot it! Change Dragon comes through using his noggin, arranging it so Jan freezes Geran, making it so they can't reunite, giving the Changeman enough time to blow Jan away with Power Bazooka! This last fight is nicely filmed on a rooftop as the sun sets, with another eye-pleasing sunset shot in the final scene, as the sorrowful and defeated team look for Zoorii and Warajii. Hmmm...is the crew getting some practice for a certain sunset duel in 52?

Next week: A familiar face returns, a birth, a Gozma defector and the threat of a Neo Jangeran.