Episode 19
"Lost & Found In Translation"
June 13th, 2004
Written by Steve Slavkin
Directed by Paul Grinder

PREVIEW:

The Dino Rangers find out their counterparts, from Japan! They wear and use the same powers as they do, how will they react?

[SUMMARY]

We're at Hayley's Cyberspace. For whatever reason it's open, we hear the crickets and what sounds like a TV. Conner and Kira "break-in" (not really they just show up) and look at the TV. Conner asks what's going on. Kira says she has no clue. Sounds like a cartoon. They approach the TV, and we see Ethan holding the remote at eye level, being enamored with the TV. Cole asks, "Dude, what are you doing? We were supposed to meet at the library." Ethan is relaxed at the big, comfy couch, and tells his buddies that Hayley got a new satelite dish, 937 channels of paradise (wow, how many of them are useless channels?). Kira already forgot the number and asks, "900 channels? And I bet there's still never anything on." Ethan has a big tub of buttered popcorn on his lap. He asks, "Are you kidding? This is amazing, four-language soap operas, sumo wrestling, three-girls sychronized swimming. I may never leave this room again!" Kira sarcastically laughs. Conner slaps the button on the TV to turn it off. Ethan is not pleased, yelling, "Hey!". He presses the remote to turn the screen back on. "I was watching that." Conner asks about his social studies assignment on comparing two countries. Ethan says he's almost done. Kira takes a seat on the couch and says she too. Conner, who surprisingly WANTS to do his homework, says he's going to get started and will see them later. Ethan switches the channel and we hear some familiar music. It's the Japanese Super Sentai series Abaranger theme song! Ethan leans forward to get a better look. Kira does as well, as she also gasps. Ethan tells Conner he has to see it. Ethan moves over to let Conner take a seat. On the TV, we see what is the Red Dino Ranger! (But Conner is right in front of the TV though...) Kira says, "Woah, it's us!" She forgets that only Conner's Ranger has been "shown". We see who played the Blue Ranger in Abaranger. Conner asks, "What, exactly..." This is the opening credits of the Sentai series. We then see the actress who played the Yellow Ranger in Abaranger. Her name is Ranru. Ethan says, "According to the satelite guide, it's a Japanese show on the world famous Power Rangers." Ethan's eyes are bulging at this point. "They even dubbed it in English!" Conner holds a popcorn to his mouth, alreday forgetting about his social studies assignment. Kira says they're a TV show in Japan. She says she has to see it. We see the Black Abarnger now. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if on the TV IS Dr. Oliver since he's still stuck in his suit! Ethan announces, "Look! It's Dr. O!" Kira laughs. The suit rotates on screen as we see the actor who played Aba Black. We see the female villain. Conner says, "This is whack." Ethan asks, "How do you know it's whack? You haven't even given it a chance." Conner says, "It wasn't even made here. I mean, what would they know about Power Rangers in Japan?" Ethan's eyes are glued to the screen. Kira says there's only one way to find out. Kira says she wants to know what they think of them. Kira and Ethan reach their arms across Conner and do some fist motions. Conner looks bored, but instead of leaving and doing his social studies assignment, he takes a breath and decides to watch the "whacked" out program. He then eats another popcorn. Wonder if it's stale?

We go to the Abranger show. We see some orange tomatoes, three green apples, and two grapefruit I believe. We then see some traditional Japanese foods. We see someone taking stew out of a pot and putting it into what looks like a genie's lamp. It's Ranru (some names were never translated, I'm sure you can guess which is which), who asks (in English), "Who wants to try some of my curry? It smells delicious! Just like Mom used to make." We're at what looks like a bar-type setting, but without the alcohol and drinks. No Moe or Barney either. The guy in red standing on a platform looks at it and says, "It sure looks good!" Some more people come in and greet each other. Ethan watches. A guy in blue with a triceratops logo behind him sits down and reads the paper. The guy in blue announces, "Whacker Wilson is coming to town!" By the way, if you are or have watched this, that is not Blake, just his voice doing the the Blue character, whose name by the way is Kenny. He says the American baseball players are so greedy. What's funny is that his mouth isn't even moving. The Blue character in Abaranger wasn't always so talkative. His "Dino Morpher" responds, "How do you know? Can you name them all?" Kenny responds by asking who asked him. The guy in red, whose name is Ryouga by the way, cries that the curry is too spicy. Ranru tells Ryouga to toughen up. There's another girl next to Ranru. Her name is Emiri. Kiri's eyes are glued to the set. Kenny says he will make some curry. Ryouga says he can't taste anything anymore. Kenny claims they'll love it. He picks up a jar of ingredients. At that point, Conner turns of the television. Kira and Ethan immediately cry out, "Hey!" Conner sets the remote down and Ethan snatches the remote into his hand, asking, "What did you do that for?" Conner says it's totally weird, they've got it all wrong. Ethan replies, "Hello, secret identities, how do they know what we're supposed to be like?" Conner asks if they saw the "red guy", saying he's nothing like him. Conner probably has never tried curry. Kira says just because something is different doesn't mean it's bad. Ethan claims he's nothing like the blue guy but just wants to see what kind of curry he's going to make. Ethan turns back on the widescreen TV. We see the villain's base in a green background. On the TV, we see the female villain. Her name in Abaranger was Jannu. She says she hates the Power Rangers. I wonder where we've heard that before. We see the Black Ranger (unmorphed running on screen). His name is "Mikey" by the way. Jannu says she hates "Mikey" most of all. She draws her weapon. We see more of the room Rannu is in, which has more people. A little girl villain named Rije I believe. She explains, "Hey! Here's a thought. Instead of mumbling to yourself, why don't you finally do something about it!" Jannu replies, "Huh!" Some guy in the back says, "Great idea boss!" Another guy in the back says it's a great idea and that's why she's in charge. Rije says, "That's right, I AM in charge!" Her eyes glow green. She tells them not to forget (obviously they haven't). She fires some green energy at the two henchmen. Conner has joined the group of awers. The two henchmen "scream" in pain. Rije says, "As for you missy, I know you borrowed my hairspray without asking. Take that!" She fires the same green energy at Jannu. Jannu just takes the pain. One of the henchmen gets hair spray as an idea (rogaine would benefit him more). He says nothing is more frieghtening than a bad hair cut. He flips through the pages of a catalog and finds an Elvis-like style. Kira just laughs. One of the henchmen explains about the style, "So yesterday, so evil!" He then laughs. A henchmen dips a brush into a dish of dirty looking liquid. Conner is unimpressed, "That's, their evil plan? Bad hair." Power Rangers has seen worse. Kira tells Conner she's seen him have some bad hairdays. Kira says it's kind of scary. Ethan is getting irritated while holding some popcorn and utters, "SHHHH!" Conner looks bored now as he continues to watch. We see half a pineapple on a dish with fruit all around it. Someone asks, "What is it?" Kenny, not moving his mouth, says, "Curry fruit surprise! Try it!" Ryouga, Ranru, and Emiri surround it and just look at Kenny. The three turn around and confer. Kenny asks, "Uh, guys?" The three turn around for a moment and politely laugh. Ranru says she can't eat it, or else she will hurl. Emiri says she has acid reflexes. Ryouga asks who is going to try it. Ethan and Kira watch closely, while Conner touches his chin. Some bald guy walks in. The three seem pleased with the bald man's appearance. Ranru greets the bald man, "Mr. O'Shaunessy!" Ryouga says they have something for him. Mr. O'Shaunessy says he's out of there. Ryouga runs to prevent him from leaving. Ryouga tells him he hopes he's hungry. He sits him down and Ranru says they have a surprise for him. Not really a surprise since the "surprise" is right there. Ryouga tells Emiri to get "it". Emiri runs two feet to get the dish. Kenny looks hesitant as Emiri grabs the dish and brings it to Mr. O'Shaunessy. Mr. O'Shaunessy says it smells funny. Kenny refuses to look over at the four. Ryouga says just one bite. Ranru adds, "Yeah yeah!" Mikey walks into the picture. Emiri greets Mikey and asks what's he doing here. Mikey says he's starving and asks for something to eat. Mr. O'Shaunessy shoves the plate in front of Mikey and tells him it's his lucky day. Mikey asks, "It's free?" Mr. O'Shaunessy says, "Yes it is." Mikey begins pigging out at the fruit. Everyone's faces look disgusted. Kenny says, "He likes it! He really likes it!" His face didn't look like he said it though. Emiri says it seems like it. Mikey then holds his mouth and somehow blurts out, "Where's the bathroom!" Emiri holds out her arm and says, "Mikey!" Kenny says, "Everyone's a critic." An alarm sounds. The screen is in the mouth of a dinosaur head. The screen reads, "Emergency." It's in English by the way. Ranru tells Mr. O'Shaunessy she will show him out and can take Kenny's curry to go. Ethan is excited. Conner continues to look bored. Mr. O'Shaunessy is shown the door, and then says he will give the dish to his mother-in-law. They bring up the screen, similar to Dr. Oliver's computer. Kenny says there are alien life forms downtown. Ryouga says, "Right." Then he asks about Mikey in the bathroom. Emiri is on her knees outside the bathroom and tells Mikey, "Black Ranger, we need you!" Mikey makes groaning noises. Ryouga says they don't have time. The three run out. On his way out, Ryouga tells Emiri to clean up after him. Emiri says that's gross. Mikey makes some more noises.

Out on the city, we see Whacker Wilson dressed in a red sweatsuit with a jacket over it, with sunglasses and a hood over his head. He says he's always wanted to see Japan. He then sees people running from a monster. He asks himself, "What is that!" It's a teddy bear monsters, with some special features. Conner says, "Oh come on, that is SO a guy in a rubber suit!" Ethan says, "No one said this was a documentary. Use your imagination." Conner says no one is going to believe a bear, mushroom, and ATM monster. Kira asks if it's any different of anything they've been fighting. Conner thinks about it and doesn't reply. We see the monster and he introduces himself. His name is "Ka-Ching". We then see some Japanese text. I'm sure that doesn't read "Ka-Ching". He says he's a monster who feeds on greed with his magic weeds he will control the world. He has a mushroom in his hand and throws it at a fat guy's head. The mushroom explodes into pink gas and gives him pink hair. Ka-Ching says, "Pink hair, quite a scare!" Kira laughs. Ethan looks like he's in love. Ka-Ching tells an old woman, "Hey Granny! Time for a make over!" He throws a mushroom, giving the old woman blue hair. The old woman feels her new hair. She's probably glad she has it. Ka-Ching laughs and walks towards Whacker Wilson. Wilson asks, "What the..." Ka-Ching recognizes Wilson as an American tourist and says he looks ready for a new...Then the Abaranger appear on the scene. Kenny speaks out, "Hey, bear, monster thing!" Ka-Ching tells the Rangers to wait their turn. Kenny tells the group, "Let's do it!" They activate their "Dino Morphers", and say, "Dino Thunder, Power Up!" We see the morphing scene from Abaranger, which consists of filling the body with the suit from the bottom to the top. Their face masks do a little roar after the completion of the morph. Ethan claims he didn't tell anyone. Ethan asks everyone else. Coner just looks over. Kira stares and says not her. Conner says not him but at least they're getting some action. The Red Ranger asks, "Ready guys!" He does a pose and says, "Tyranno Power, Red Ranger!" Kenny does his pose, "Tricera Power, Blue Ranger!" Ranru does her pose, "Ptera Power, Yellow Ranger!" Red calls for "Roar of Ranger", they do a pose down the line. We see the dino footprint emerge in a background of fire. Ka-Ching says, "Very impressive. But I brought special guests stars. Triptoids!" This will probably be the most action the Triptoids get all series. We see the Triptoids, hop along, past Whacker Wilson. Ryouga leaps into the air and kicks Ka-Ching before going to fight the rest of the Triptoids. We go down the line as we see an all-out brawl. Ka-Ching says, "Smash and bash and I'll pay you cash! Wait until I unleash my mushrooms on the Rangers." We see the Red Ranger hold up his arm in the air and say "Red Ranger". He has a wig on his helmet. We see the Blue Ranger pose, with a wig on his helmet. Ethan watches and smiles. The Yellow Ranger then poses, with a purple wig on her helmet. They pose down the line with the wigs on their heads. Kira just laughs. We then see the heads of the Dino Zords with wigs on their heads. The three quickly pose again. Ryouga says his hair has bounce. Conner looks like he's had enough and says, "Oh that's it! I mean they're totally making fun of us." Kira just looks at Conner. Conner gets up and says he's out of here.

[COMMERCIAL BREAK]

Ethan tells Conner to wait. He explains he knows it's not the most accurate interpretation of their jobs as Power Rangers. He raises an eyebrow and says it's kind of funny. Kira says he hasn't even given it a chance. She asks if he wants to see how it ends. Conner says it ends with him leaving, going to the library, and finishing his report. He says he will see them later and heads out the door. Ethan smiles and says he will be back. Kira asks how does he know. Ethan picks up Conner's backpack and places it where Conner sat. Kira smiles. Ethan asks, "Shall we?" They continue to watch. We see Ka-Ching on the screen, saying, "This is gonna be hilarious." He gets one of his mushrooms and throws it at the Rangers. The Rangers duck out of the way. The ball is still in the air though, and it's headed towards Whacker Wilson. Ranru tells Wilson to run. Wilson drops his bag and gets out a bat. Kenny asks what's he doing. Whacker Wilson takes a mighty swing and bats the ball back to Ka-Ching. It nails him in the face, and instantly grows some colored hair. The Triptoids and Rangers stop fighting. The Triptoids actually laugh. Kira looks on. Ka-Ching's face has bright blue hair. He says it's only funny when he does it. He teleports away by his hair? The Triptoids jump in the air and vanish. Ranru asks where did everyone go. She obviously wasn't paying attention. We see Whacker Wilson. Ryouga says "no clue". Whacker Wilson stands down. Ranru asks, "Who are you?" Whacker Wilson takes off his hood and sunglasses. Kenny steps forward and "demorphs". We go to the newspaper from earlier and Kenny says, "It's Whacker Wilson! The greedy American baseball player." Ranru and Ryouga run forward with delight. Whacker tells the Rangers they're good fighters and he says he will see them again. He picks up his bag and walks off. Kenny asks, "Wait, what are you doing here?" Kenny's mouth doesn't actually move during that dialogue. Whacker says his back is killing him, but his words don't match his mouth. The Rangers ask, "Huh?" Whacker says the world's best chiropracter lives here. Kenny says he's right. Kenny asks if he's not here to play baseball. Whacker asks how can he play baseball when he can hardly move. Easy, the DH rule. Whacker extends his hands out and says he has to find the chiropracter. He says his name is Kenny Yukito. Ranru and Ryouga react with a, "HUH! That's him!" They then point to Kenny who is standing next to them. Whacker turns around and gives a, "Hey!" Kenny doesn't look thrilled. Ethan is munching away on popcorn. Conner comes walking in, brushes the popcorn off his backpack, when Ethan tells him to take a seat. Conner looks at the TV, then around, then asks, "Is it really that good?" Kira says he will never know unless he finds out for himself. Ethan gives a "shhh" to Kira. Conner puts his bag down and watches. I don't think he's sat down yet.

Ranru and Ryouga are sitting on some steps as we hear Kenny tell someone to relax. We are near a lake as Kenny is massaging Whacker Wilson. Wilson says it tickles. Ranru tells Ryouga that she read Whacker Wilson makes $5 million a year. Ryouga says, "Really? $5 million?" He continues to move his mouth after "million" so he must be saying some cryptic message. Ranru replies, "Yep!" Both of their eyes glow dollar signs with "American money". Whacker Wilson looks like he's being tickled with his facial expressions. Kenny has his hands in position as he tells Whacker to hold still. He presses down as Kenny says they're almost done. Ranru asks if Ryouga thinks Kenny's right about Whacker playing only for the money. Ryouga says he doesn't know and seems to really love baseball. Kenny says one more push and they're done. We see what looks like an X-Ray and something pops up from the spinal cord and lands in another spot. Whacker's mouth is wide open as it's finished. Whacker rolls off the stone block he was being treated on and asks if he's sure. Kenny says the magic is all in the wrist. Whacker stands over Kenny and asks if he is crazy, then what has he done to his back. Kenny tells him before he speaks another word, test his back. A lightbulb goes off. He moves his hips and does some salsa dance I believe. He tells Kenny he's a genius. Whacker tells everyone forget baseball, he is going to become a ballroom dance champ. Not sure if they have those in Japan. He does some pose. Ethan sits there smiling. Kira laughs. Kenny puts his hand on Whacker's head and tells him he should be all set. Whacker grabs him and is about to kiss him but stops. Whacker tells Kenny he saved him and now he can play baseball again. He says he's going to tell everyone what a great chiropracter he is and tells him to imagine the incredible career he's going to have. He says he could be rich. Kenny stops Whacker's head from getting any closer to him and tells Whacker he doesn't have time for that. Whacker asks, "You don't?" In a deep voice, Kenny says he has a more important job. Whacker has no idea what Kenny is talking about. Kenny says, "I'm a Power Ranger!" He instantly morphs with a golden glow. Whacker asks, "Is there good money in that?" Kenny says it doesn't pay a thing. He walks by Whacker who has no idea what Kenny is thinking. Kenny walks up the stairs and tells Whacker nice meeting him and to enjoy his stay in Japan. Whacker says he doesn't get it and asks why he would do it for nothing. He grabs his bag and walks off. Kira says she's starting to see the moral here. Conner looks like if he saw this back in "Wave Goodbye" he would be playing professional soccer. Conner asks, "What, Power Rangers are doofuses?" Kira says no, that money isn't everything. Kira hits Conner and asks if he has been paying attention. Conner leans over the couch and attempts to get popcorn when Ethan flinches and scares off Conner. Conner has to snatch at the bowl to get some and tells him to share. Whacker says he's feeling much better now and can really enjoy his time in Japan. He looks over a river and says it's beautiful. Ka-Ching taps Whacker's shoulder and says, "Excuse me?" Whacker says, "Yeah?" His eyes look like he's seen a ghost when he sees Ka-Ching. Ka-Ching tells him not to be scared. He says he just wants his autograph, and has a white board to sign it on. He hands it to him, calling him, "Mr. Baseball star." Whacker signs it then tells him to have a mushroom. Whacker's jaw drops as he gets the mushroom shoved in his face. Ka-Ching says American sports heroes are so gullible. Ka-Ching tells Whacker that's what he gets for having such a big ego. He says it's time to get wiggy with it. Conner stands in front of the TV and holds his shirt out with his arms like he would be flying. Conner says it's bad enough they made them look like fools but to make fun of their sports heroes, he asks where is their pride. Conner says he will not let them sit here and get away with this. Conner is planning a trip to Japan to meet with the Toei executives in the next 24 hours to straighten this out. Kira asks Conner if he's overreacting just a little. She says it's a TV show. Conner asks Kira, "Don't you know what this represents? This, is what they think of us in Japan!" Kira asks, "How can you say that! This is one episode of one TV show and NOT even the whole episode." Conner just stares at Kira, who has seemed to move next to Ethan to try to watch the TV. Conner still tries to block the TV. I bet he wishes the TV was not a widescreen so he wouldn't have to spread out his shirt. Ethan tells Conner his suggestion to sit down and watch the rest of it. Ethan tells Conner if he doesn't like it at the end he can write the TV station, Congressmen, the President, whatever. Ethan says right now he just wants to see the Power Rangers help Whacker Wilson learn the errors of his ways. Conner and Ethan tell Conner to move and give a little hand motion. Conner is still determined to block the TV. Conner continues to show a temper, but then closes his shirt and walks somewhere. On the TV, we see a guy on a motorcycle wearing some weird looking goggles.

[COMMERCIAL BREAK
[COMMERCIAL BREAK]

Hayley's Cyberspace is buzzing with business again as the new day has dawned. Students pack the place after school has let out (well hopefully it's over for the day). Conner walks by Hayley while greeting her and telling her he's going to be using her terminal. Hayley tells him, "Sure, help yourself." He types on a laptop what looks like a Power Point Presentaiton. The title, "Japanese vs American Culture: Closer than we think, by Conner McKnight." The title is improperly typed, since "than we think" should have capital letters for the first letter. We see the television screen again and we see Whacker Wilson shake hands with Kenny. He tells him, "This is one amazing country. Thank you so much for everything that you've taught me." Kenny says he was wrong, that he does love baseball more than money. Whacker says goodbye and thank you. The others in that room don't respond. Ethan and Kira see Conner on the couch in front of his TV typing his report. Ethan asks Conner if he liked it so much he had to catch the rerun. Conner says, "Sorta." He then turns off the TV with the remote. Kira reads Conner's title, "Japanese versus American Culture, Closer Than We Think." Conner says that show gave him an idea for his social studies assignment. He says he compared how Japan sees them, as they (the US) sees themselves. Ethan's eyes roll and says he hopes without getting too specific. Kira looks on. Conner closes his laptop (hopefully he saved). He admits he was a little bit skeptical at first but then he really got into it. Kira tells him, "See, their show was different but it was still cool." Conner says except for one thing, not enough Red Ranger. Ethan tells Conner that he's jealous that the Blue Ranger saved the day. kira says with the Yellow Ranger the furry faced freak wouldn't have stood a chance. Conner pushes Kira along. Ethan pushes Conner along. We see a new group of three people watch the television, two guys and a girl. Could they be the next Abaranger? We see the logo as the episode ends.

[END EPISODE]