Power Rangers Jungle Fury: Way of the Master

Welcome back to the Jungle. Last time, Camille defeated Naja in combat, thus thwarting his attempt to overthrow Dai Shi as well as destroying the last remaining member of the Five Fingers of Poison. Shame, I liked those guys.

Our episode opens with the Rangers already in battle against our monster of the week, an enormous Pangolin Beast. The Pangolin’s hard, scaly armor is too strong for the Rangers weapons and even The Megazord can’t seem to make a dent in the thing. Flit is on hand to provide commentary and I’m just now noticing that he’s wearing tiny little shoes. God I just wanna hug that cute little guy. In any case, our heroes are forced to retreat and rethink their strategy.

Back at the loft, RJ has a suggestion. Back during his academy days, RJ heard about an old Pai Zhuq master named Phant who wielded a weapon stronger than steel. Unfortunately, after he retired, Master Phant became a hermit and no one has heard from him in years. Lily says that if he has something that can take down that Pangolin Beast, they’re going to need to find him and quick.

At Dai Shi’s castle, Dai Shi, angry that the Five Fingers of Poison turned out to be a bunch of losers, says it’s time for a new strategy. To that end, he commands Camille to bring him the bracelets of the Three Overlords.

Back with our heroes, they’re randomly wandering through the woods hoping to happen upon Master Phant. Seriously, RJ said that no one knows where to find Master Phant or even if he's still living in this country, so what else could the Rangers possibly be doing other than wandering around randomly hoping they get lucky. I’d make fun of them, but when the guy lives completely off the grid, it’s as good a strategy as any to try and find him. However, unbeknownst to our Rangers, someone or something is watching them from the shadows.

At Dai Shi’s castle, we finally learn what he’s up to. Remember back when I said that Dai Shi is not at full power yet? Well, Dai Shi blames this fact for his failure to defeat the Rangers as well as Naja’s attempted coup. We’ll get into this more in the next episode, but Dai Shi plans to grow stronger by using Naja’s life talons to resurrect one of the three overlords, in this case Carnisoar, the Hawk Overlord of the Sky, to act as his new teacher in order to expedite the process of regaining his strength. Camille is horrified by the suggestion since Carnisoar’s methods were ruthless, but Dai Shi has made up his mind and sets off to find Carnisoar’s tomb.

Back in the woods, The Rangers are still wandering aimlessly searching for Master Phant until they’re attacked by a figure in a cloak. The cloaked figure appears to be one hell of a fighter, easily able to take on all three of the rangers at once and even possessing the ability to stomp his feet and create shockwaves. The figure tells the three Rangers that they are not welcome here before retreating into the woods.

Through what has to be some of the most amazing dumb luck in the history of mankind, the Rangers happen upon what they believe to be the home of Master Phant, though Theo has a hard time believing that a Pai Zhuq master lives in dilapidated shack in the middle of the woods. Our heroes head inside and meet the old master, who isn’t the least bit interested in getting involved with matters regarding the Order of the Claw, but when Theo says that Dai Shi has escaped, he changes his tune. Lily asks Master Phant if he can teach them how to use his signature weapon, but Phant says that the Jungle Mace is the weapon of a warrior not a useless old man like him. Theo calls the Master’s bluff and deduces that he was the cloaked figure who kicked their asses back in the woods, but Phant just insists that the Rangers leave him in peace. Our heroes receive word that the Pangolin Beast is attacking the city once again. Theo and Casey head out to fight it, but Lily isn’t going anywhere until Master Phant shows her how to use the Jungle Mace.

Back in Ocean Bluff, the Pangolin Beast plans to cause an earthquake by drilling to the fault line under the city. The Rangers arrive and fight Camille as The Pangolin starts digging.

Back at Master Phant's hovel, Lily is still waiting outside and has passed the time by planting flowers in his yard. Phant finally admits that he was once one of the greatest masters at the academy until old age forced him to retire. Now he feels like his life lacks purpose. Master Phant heads back inside and Lily is attacked by a Rinshi battalion. I question how the Rinshi knew where to find Lily in the first place, but it doesn’t matter. What matters is, Master Phant comes out wielding his mighty chain mace and fights off the Rinshi, even unleashing his own animal spirit, an elephant, in the process. The Master may be old, but he can still kick ass. Feeling a rejuvenated sense of purpose, Phant agrees to train Lily in how to use The Jungle Mace.

Back in Ocean Bluff, Theo and Casey have their hands full with Camille and the Rinshi when Lily arrives now wielding the Jungle Mace. It seems master Phant is a fast teacher, because Lily is already using her new weapon like a master. Lily is even able to send the chain down the Pangolin Beast’s hole, drag it back up to the surface and finally put a dent in its armor. Impressive.

Well, time for a Megazord rematch as Flit returns to provide commentary yet again. This time around though, the Rangers have a new trick up their sleeve. Lily can now summon Master Phant’s elephant spirit to serve as an armor upgrade for the Jungle Pride Megazord. Now wielding a giant sized version of the Jungle Mace, the Rangers smash the Pangolin monster to bits.

After the fight, our heroes regroup at Master Phants place and give it a much needed sprucing up as a way of saying thank you. Phant thanks Lily for believing in him and agrees to stay in touch, as he may yet have more to teach his new favorite student.

Elsewhere, our episode ends with Dai Shi having found the tomb of Carnisoar the Sky Overlord.

Way of the Master was a truly excellent outing. Unlike the Strike Rider, The Jungle Mace feels like a new weapon that actually feels earned and tied into the lore of the series. Yes, it’s still ultimately another new toy to sell, but it does give us some nice character moments for Lily and a cool new mode for the Megazord. Master Phant is a welcome addition to the cast and I’m a sucker for an old retiree who can still kick ass. All in all, another great outing for Power Rangers Jungle Fury. Next time, we finally meet the much storied Sky Overlord and see just how ruthless his training methods truly are in Good Karma, Bad Karma. Until then, May The Power Protect You.