"Do I look any older to you today?"
So were you starting to worry that Zack wasn't going to get a focus episode? I mean I wasn't, because I use to rent the Happy Birthday Zack video tape from the library once a week. Well finally, here it is: an episode that is quintessential Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers not for being particularly dramatic, but simply for being a solid execution of nearly all the things I love about the show. I've mentioned before that as a young kid, I only saw the show's first season via those video rentals, so is it nostalgia talking or is this episode just too much fun to resist? I think it's a combination. Yes, I can recall fond memories of Billy and his foam-spewing cake machine, but I also recognize some solid cast chemistry and a slightly-better monster-of-the-week than usual when I watch the episode with adult eyes. After so many episodes that are awkward and uninteresting, it was nice to see one that made me smile.
The Ranger teens are busy at the Youth Center after-hours decorating for Zack's surprise birthday party the next day. Bulk and Skull come in to cause problems and do other bully-like things, but the teens know how to handle them. The next day, everyone acts like they forgot Zack's birthday, which understandably bums him out. Rita sees an opportunity to give Zack her own birthday present; the Knasty Knight, armed with a super-powered sword. On his own, Zack fights the monster and Goldar but loses badly. Zordon and Alpha get the other Rangers in there, but they can't beat him either. The Knight fries their weapons and deflects their energy blasts, and before the Rangers can even stand back up, Rita makes him grow. Can they defeat the Knasty Knight in time for Zack's surprise birthday party?!
I like this episode a lot for several reasons, but chief among them are the character interactions in the first half. Sometimes early PR drags a bit during the civilian scenes and then things get more interesting in the battles, but here I really liked how the rangers played off each other in the juice bar (especially Amy Jo, who's starting to show that she's the best actor on the show). The teens' scenes may be a bit goofy, but they're also very charming. Plus, Bulk and Skull got to be a bit meaner than usual, with Bulk blowing his nose in Trini's banner and picking Billy up like he was a toy. When Kimberly tells Zack that she forgot her poodle's birthday, I just liked his reaction. It may be a childish reaction, but it was still well done.
The Knasty Knight is a solid monster as well, and it was nice to see that Finster had to put more effort into creating him than any previous clay creature. Rita doesn't even wait until the Rangers get the upper hand before she makes him grow; quite a rarity. The plan to defeat the Knight might not make a whole lot of sense, but at least it's Zack who comes up with it. Similarly to the Pudgy Pig, it was cool to see a villain actually give the Rangers a good fight since the Rangers can usually whoop monsters and putties without breaking a sweat. Speaking of putties, there was no putty fight in this episode. Honestly, I think it helped with the pacing, plus we got to spend more time with the characters.
For the most part, the show is holding up in terms of its aesthetics (music, Sentai fights, zord battles), but one thing I cannot stand is that "comedic" fast motion. It was kind of funny when Gilligan's Island did it, but it doesn't work here. As far as the writing goes, I think everything came off pretty naturally. Although we shouldn't expect much character development (it's a cartoon, remember?), it still might have been nice to learn something new about Zack. I didn't like him whining about no one remembering his birthday, but I suppose giving him some vanity could be considered a character flaw. I'm really stretching here, I know, but there's not much to work with. It fits with his cocky personality anyways.
It was fun to watch the Ranger teens dance at the party at the end while Billy deals with the deadly cake-o-matic. Just watching these people hang out and have a good time with that cheesy birthday song in the back is a perfect encapsulation of what Mighty Morphin' is: innocent, fun, and likable. When you compare this episode one to others that focus on random people (or have no focus at all), I think the quality difference is noticeable. It's just a better show when it focuses on the main characters, like most television shows. Happy Birthday Zack is pretty much the standard for a Power Rangers filler episode that keeps tight pacing, lets the characters be themselves, and has fun with every aspect.
Mighty Morphin' Score: 8/10
Power Rangers Score: 6/10
Also, as a side note: Batman confirmed as part of the Power Rangers Universe. Thanks Ernie... thanks...
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