The Rangers' Leap of Faith is the twenty-eighth episode of Power Rangers in Space. It is the third of the five-part story arc where Astronema turns good and joins the Rangers.
Synopsis
Astronema leads the Power Rangers to the planet where Zordon is being held captive, as proof that she has chosen to give up her life of evil. But the Rangers, aside from Andros, have serious doubts about her honesty. Their suspicions seem to be vindicated when it all turns out to be a trap by Dark Specter to capture the Rangers, but Astronema saves them.
Plot
With the knowledge about Zordon's location, thanks to Astronema, the Rangers set a course to Utopa in the Kurag Galaxy. But because none of them besides Andros trusts her, they have her restrained in the engine room. Andros brings some food to Astronema and apologizes for her predicament. Astronema understands because she knows the others do not trust her, but she asks Andros if he does. He says he does trust and asks her the same question about himself. Astronema is unsure about it, but she says she is working on developing trust with Andros. Before Andros leaves, Astronema asks him what happened to their parents. Andros admits he has no idea what happened to them, but he hopes they escaped KO-35 before the invasion. Andros and Astronema talk and begin to bond over their parents.
Some time later, the Astro Megaship arrives at Utopa and Andros and Astronema make for the bridge. T.J. is dismayed to see that Andros has brought extra shackles and is told that they must trick Dark Specter into believing Astronema captured them. The others reluctantly agree to it, though T.J. again expresses concern about the plan. The Rangers put their shackles on as Astronema orders Alpha 6 to open a communication channel to Dark Specter. When Alpha complains about being treated disrespectfully, Astronema says please, surprising Andros. Astronema tells Dark Specter that she has all five Rangers, and the forcefield around Utopa is lowered.
With the plan a success, the Rangers begin activating scanners to search for Zordon, only for a squad of Velocifighters to surround the Megaship. Astronema says they are only there to escort them, and the Rangers reluctantly follow them. As they do so, Andros leads Astronema back to the engine room. However, T.J. has a bad feeling about this and alters their course. As they are pursued by the Velocifighters, lighting strikes the Astro Megaship and disables their power. Sensing danger, Andros comes into the bridge as the Megaship crash lands onto the planet. Once on the ground, Andros goes to check on his sister but is troubled to find that she has seemingly escaped. Although T.J. is now more certain that Astronema was leading them to a trap, Andros remains doubtful that she did but can’t explain why she would have fled.
The Rangers make their way through a jungle to find Zordon and see an army of Piranhatrons running through the area. Cassie and Carlos believe that Zordon might be on the planet after all, but a doubtful T.J. believes that the Piranhatrons are only here because they are on Utopa. Just then, they are ambushed by the Piranhatrons and Darkonda, forcing them to morph and fight. However, they are outnumbered and Andros is knocked down by Darkonda. Before Darkonda can finish off Andros, Ashley defends her friend and tells Andros to find Zordon but Darkonda shoots Andros in the back as the other Rangers get overwhelmed. Fortunately, Astronema arrives and gets Andros to his feet so they can find Zordon.
The two are then confronted by Ecliptor who threatens to destroy them. Astronema begs Ecliptor to reconsider as Andros gets in front of his sister to protect her from Eclitptor’s attack. Seeing Astronema frightened for her brother’s life, Ecliptor reconsiders and lets them pass, dismissing her attempts at gratitude. Darkonda then delivers a crippling attack from behind while Ecliptor watches Astronema and Andros leave.
Arriving at Zordon’s location, Andros is amazed to see him, however, it is revealed that Dark Specter was impersonating Zordon the whole time. Darkonda and the Piranhatrons surround Andros and Astronema, and the Red Ranger is captured. Andros expresses disappointment that Astronema lied to them as Darkonda arrives with the now-captured Rangers. Dark Specter prompts Astronema to reveal the truth about her deception though Darkonda remains doubtful of her intentions, but she knocks him down and says her trapped worked perfectly. As Dark Specter leaves, he gives Astronema one final task to prove her loyalty: destroy the Power Rangers.
Astronema gives a convinced Darkonda the order to destroy the Rangers, but Andros still tries to get through to her. However, with his back turned, Karone blasts Darkonda from behind, revealing she was on the Rangers' side all along and frees the Rangers. As Darkonda recovers, he is shot again by Elicptor, destroying him yet again. Karone goes to Ecliptor’s aid and wants to bring him back with them, but he insists that they leave without him. The Rangers reluctantly agree to Ecliptor's request leaving him to ward off the Piranhatrons as they make their escape back to the Astro Megaship.
With Karone defected, Dark Specter gives the revived Darkonda full, yet temporary command of the Dark Fortress until Astronema returns, frustrating Darkonda as she is a traitor. Seeing Ecliptor carried back into the Fortress by Quantrons, Darkonda demands that both of the traitors be destroyed for their betrayal. However, Dark Specter says he still has plans for Karone and Ecliptor, promising that their loyalty will never waver again. Darkonda reluctantly agrees to it and has the Quantrons escort Ecliptor off the bridge, sinisterly saying he has plans of his own.
On the Astro Megaship, T.J. and the Rangers apologize to Karone for doubting her loyalty. Karone admits that she has never had friends before, and hopes that one day they will trust her. To her surprise, the Rangers trust her. Cassie explains that they believe her and T.J. says she has five friends right now. Karone is shocked but happy to see that the Rangers forgive her, and Andros gives his sister a warm smile now that she is finally back to where she rightfully belongs.
Cast
- Christopher Khayman Lee as Andros (Red Space Ranger)
- Roger Velasco as Carlos Vallerte (Black Space Ranger)
- Selwyn Ward as T.J. Johnson (Blue Space Ranger)
- Tracy Lynn Cruz as Ashley Hammond (Yellow Space Ranger)
- Patricia Ja Lee as Cassie Chan (Pink Space Ranger)
- Justin Nimmo as Zhane (Silver Space Ranger) (credit only)
- Paul Schrier as Farkas "Bulk" Bulkmeier (credit only)
- Jason Narvy as Eugene "Skull" Skullovitch (credit only)
- Donene Kistler as Alpha 6
- Wendee Lee as Alpha 6 (voice)
- Julie Maddalena as D.E.C.A. (voice)
- Melody Perkins as Astronema/Karone
- Danny Stallcup as Ecliptor
- Walter Lang as Ecliptor (voice)
- Kenny Graceson as Elgar
- Derek Stephen Prince as Elgar (voice)
- Steve Kramer as Darkonda (voice)
- David Fielding as Zordon (face)
- Bob Manahan as Zordon (voice)
- Christopher Cho as Dark Specter (voice)
Zords
Errors
- to be added
Notes
- With the exception of the morphing sequence, the Astro Megaship and the establishing shots of the Dark Fortress, this episode contains no Sentai footage.
