Morphylogeny

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

#48: MMPR 148: "Plague of the Mantis".

Features Footage from:
Zyuranger Episodes 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 35, 49;
up to 10 segments of Original Zyu footage (Zyu½);
and episodes 4 & 3 of Zyu2.

The ep, with opening, lasts roughly 20:50;15 from very start to end of the end credits and past the Saban logo (also includes a bit of black slug for opening commercials and quickly post Saban logo).

"Today on" segment is about :30; by itself.

Opening is about 1:00;00 by itself.

Ending is about 0:30; by itself.


Opening Credits

Source Description Edit Note
ZYU ORIGINAL FOOTAGE #55.

Side shot of Rita ceasing touching Repulsascope, turns to our right and says, "Finster! Make me a monster!", touching chest briefly then turning around and exiting.

Recycled, runs a little longer than before.

MMPR 116.

Chest up shot of US Goldar, talking while facing our left, lifting left hand with pointing index finger, then is just about to finish doing it again with more gusto.

Recycled, shortened.

MMPR 116.

Close up of US Goldar's face as he talks right at us, motioning left hand up pointing twice.

Recycled, shortened.

ZYU ORIGINAL FOOTAGE #3A.

Rita walks into the workshop, facing Finster, Squatt & Baboo, thrusting arms in and out as she talks, causing all three to cheer and applaud.

ZYU #15.

Close up of Squatt, raising right index finger up, talking and nodding widely twice.

Recycled.

ZYU #15.

Close up of Baboo raising right index finger and nodding.

Recycled.

ZYU #15.

Close up of Finster, while holding carving knife near horned creature mold, nods, blink, and talk, before resuming work.

Recycled, shortened to end of sequence.

ZYU ORIGINAL FOOTAGE #19.

Close up of Rita as she looks at us, scowling "Get them!" as she holds her right hand like a claw and pokes it at us three times.

Recycled. Fades to black.

MMPR 118.

Alpha, back to console, looks to our left, moving arms. Zordon talks, then finally, Alpha says something while appearing happy.

Recycled.Transitions in via venetian blind effect.

MMPR 101.

Trini's morphing sequence.

Recycled. White flash after bolt and at end.

ZYU2 #4.

In forest, briefly upward angled, Yellow Ranger leaps in, and immediately begins doing a cartwheel, leading right into a pair of backwards handsprings.

Fades in.

ZYU2 #4.

Pan up close on Yellow, she crosses arms then spreads them out, looks from side to side, gives an "up yours" gesture to the right, then turns and does a cyclone kick, punching up then center, before backflipping over, landing on all fours, getting up, spreading arms, then punching twice forth.

ZYU2 #4.

Side angle on Yellow, as holds out fist, lowering it when noticing Mantis stepping out of the shadows to her right.

ZYU2 #4.

Yellow quickly holds arms in front of chest in a defensive maneuver as she backs up a tad.

ZYU2 #4.

Mantis talks, motioning right foreleg-arm while doing so, then doing the same with his left, finally spreading both out in a pose.

ZYU2 #4.

Yellow poses fiercely with right arm up and left arm centered.

ZYU2 #4.

Mantis sees this, and thusly reaches right raptorial arm around nearby tree.

ZYU2 #4.

Close up of the thin tree trunk getting sparkily slashed in half by Mantis, causing the top half to fall.

ZYU2 #4.

Yellow alertly backflips out of the way of the falling tree, then poses.

ZYU2 #4.

Mantis readies raptorial arms then rushes forth through the downed tree.

ZYU2 #4.

Yellow dives and rolls under Mantis's arm, turns and spins kicks arm away but then flips over it when the arm slashes at her. Yellow spins away from another slash, then ducks and rolls when Mantis sparkily slashes into another tree, before turning and sparkly slashing into Yellow, knocking her away.

ZYU2 #3.

Pink & Red flip over the camera under blue sky with Blade Blasters in sword mode in their hands.

Recycled, trimmed to just the end to avoid Yellow.

ZYU2 #3.

Black & Blue flip over the camera under blue sky with Blade Blasters in sword mode in their hands.

Recycled, cuts before Yellow can appear.

ZYU2 #4.

Smoking-chested Yellow rolls to the feet of her approaching teammates, Pink comforting her, as Red steps ahead to confront the monster.

ZYU2 #4.

Sharp zoom in on Mantis, motioning arms up and down.

ZYU2 #4.

Continued from two shots ago, Red raises a fist and then is about to rush into action, when Yellow grabs him, stops him, then steps ahead of him.

ZYU2 #4.

Close on Mantis, who then leaps up, teleports to the near distance our right, poses, then jumps and teleports across the grassy field to the left, poses, then jumps and teleports to the far center, poses, then jumps and teleports away.

Teleportation effect added.

ZYU2 #4.

The team remains in place, stepping forth in shock at the disappearance of the monster. Yellow looks down, clenching fist to chest and seeming disappointed.

ZYU ORIGINAL FOOTAGE #39.

As camera tracks around balcony edge, Rita turns her back to us with a wicked smile, raising right arm as she talks, her team rushing up the steps to face her (Baboo, Goldar, Finster, and Squatt lags behind).

Partially recycled, but goes on way longer, start and finish, than ever before.

ZYU ORIGINAL FOOTAGE #30B.

Close up of Finster as he does a fidgeting gesture with his arms, then raises both of them over his head.

New footage from previously seen segment style.

ZYU ORIGINAL FOOTAGE #34.

Close up of Squatt, raising right hand for a moment, then shuffling forward, talking, tilting head to our left, and nodding before holding arms out.

Recycled, but runs a few frames longer than prior uses.

ZYU ORIGINAL FOOTAGE #35B.

Close up of Baboo, shaking head profusely, holding hands out, palms up at sides, then slowly lowering, frowning all the while.

Recycled.

ZYU #16.

Short zoom out as Rita walks to railing, pointing forth then making a determined fist while talking; Rounding out the scene: Baboo stands, Squatt wipes nose while preparing to look into Repulsascope, and Goldar looms.

Trimmed to reduce dialogue.

ZYU2 #4.

Mantis crosses arms in quarry, then walks forth.

Slowed. Altered to fit in Viewing Globe.

ZYU #02.

Far shot exterior of Rita's Lunar Palace.

Recycled.

ZYU ORIGINAL FOOTAGE #20A.

Rita, right eye closed and looking in Repulsascope with her left, laughs, jerking her wand just a little offscreen, mouth open wide, tongue visible.

Recycled, shortened. Runs a few frames longer than prior uses.

MMPR 142.

Real close on US Goldar's face facing our slight left on dark balcony, talking up a head-bobbing storm.

Recycled, but cuts zoom in and likely runs longer.

ZYU2 #4.

In quarry, Yellow Ranger faces Mantis, who's off in the distance. Slowly, both in a fighting stance, each switches a few steps to their left, remaining focused on one another.

Transitions in via diagonal multiline wipe.

ZYU2 #4.

Reverse angle, over Mantis' left shoulder, as Yellow in distance points, gestures to chest, spreads arms, then resumes posing. Both then take a wide step to their left.

ZYU2 #4.

Mantis throws arms up, then charges forth during zoom in.

ZYU2 #4.

Yellow Ranger gets down on a knee and spreads out to pose, before getting back up and charging forth during zoom in.

ZYU2 #4.

Close on Mantis' feet as they race across the quarry.

ZYU2 #4.

Close on Yellow's feet as they race across the quarry.

ZYU2 #4.

Zoom in as Mantis and Yellow race at one another, the Ranger cyclone kicking the monster, who ducks. She then dives and handsprings over away from Mantis' attempt to strike, only to get kicked by him. Mantis then swipes at her, she dives and rolls, gets into a crouch, and both pose at each other.

ZYU2 #4.

Close on Mantis, crossing arms in quarry, then walks forth with a slash of the right arm.

Recycled, but unaltered and first in context.

ZYU2 #4.

Mantis slashes Yellow sparkily in the chest, then tries to kick into her, but she dives and rolls, getting up and cyclone kicking his arm away, dodging another strike, but getting sparkily slashed by the other arm in return. Yellow spins back around, and finds Mantis charging with both arms grabbing at her from each side, barely grabbing them and holding their sharp edges back away from her.

ZYU #18.

Zoom out as Rita rhythmically walks up to balcony railing, talking, then finally sticking her tongue out. Flute-playing Baboo, concertina-playing Squatt, and drum-playing Finster pass by her, while Goldar taps his sword in his hand to the side.

Trims start to cut down on her dialogue.

ZYU #49.

Four Putties flip over the camera under a partly-cloudy sky.

ZYU2 #4.

On the ground, Yellow points ahead, then scrambles back to her feet and poses defensively.

Transitions in via diamondy pattern effect.

ZYU2 #4.

Mantis raises arms, then crosses them while pushing into the screen.

ZYU2 #4.

Close on Yellow as she crosses arms then leaps up.

ZYU2 #4.

Just as Mantis brings arms together, Yellow flips onto them.

ZYU2 #4.

Close-up of Yellow's feet landing atop Mantis' crossed arms.

ZYU2 #4.

With her knees almost in his face, Mantis is flabbergasted upon seeing Yellow standing atop his crossed blade-arms, unable to break free.

ZYU2 #4.

Yellow does the mantis-style hand gestures, and scratch-smacks the heck out of Mantis' face.

ZYU2 #4.

Close-up of Yellow's feet as she flips up off Mantis' crossed arms.

ZYU2 #4.

Yellow kicks Mantis' face as she backflips off his arms.

ZYU2 #4.

Second take, on Yellow kicking Mantis' face as she backflips off his arms.

ZYU2 #4.

Third different take, as Yellow kicks Mantis' face as she backflips off his arms.

ZYU2 #4.

Zoom out from Yellow as she lands and poses, while Mantis falls onto his back, then gets back up.

ZYU2 #4.

Mantis rises up, then spreads out arms.

ZYU #49.

Four Putties flip over the camera under a partly-cloudy sky.

Recycled.

ZYU2 #4.

Five Putties rush up behind and flip over Mantis' outstretched arms.

ZYU2 #4.

Yellow Ranger finds herself surrounded by Seven Putties, who then begin to race around her in a circle.

ZYU2 #4.

Close on a Putty as it makes a few intimidating arm gestures, then dashes forth, pan right past the other six Putties.

ZYU2 #4.

The circle of Putties suddenly closes in on Yellow all at once, trapping her beneath them.

Fades to black.

ZYU2 #4.

Close on Putty swiping Ballhand at the screen.

Fades in from black.

ZYU2 #4.

Yellow Ranger is knocked out of the center of the Putty huddle, flipping over and hitting the ground, before rolling away and backing up.

ZYU2 #4.

Close on Mantis, waving arms up and down while laughing.

ZYU2 #4.

Close on Yellow getting up on her feet in a crouch, keeping her arm out defensively.

ZYU2 #4.

Close on Mantis, motioning right arm forth, then spreading both out and up.

ZYU2 #4.

Zoom in past defeated Putty (how'd that happen?!), as Yellow leaps up.

ZYU2 #4.

Yellow leaps up into the air, and holds fingers in mantis-style gesture.

ZYU2 #4.

Yellow jumps past Mantis, kicking down into his shoulder as she passes, causing him to turn in a daze.

ZYU2 #4.

Zoom out as Yellow lands in a crouch, Mantis comes close, so she spins around and kicks behind his knee, he spins, so she kicks behind his other knee.

ZYU2 #4.

Close-up of Mantis' gut as Yellow rapidly strikes it with her mantis-style gestured hands.

ZYU2 #4.

Zoom out from Power Dagger as Yellow prepares it, then uncrouches as she strikes the Mantis' way.

ZYU2 #4.

Zoom out as Yellow leaps up, sparkily slashes Mantis with Power Dagger, then spins around and poses as he falls and rolls.

Transitions out via jagged split effect.

MMPR 141.

Upward POV of Putty standing over camera in woods, raising left leg up and trying twice to stomp down on it, but it keeps moving.

Recycled.

MMPR 141.

Upward POV of Putty standing over camera in woods, raising left leg up and putting foot right down on the lens.

Recycled.

ZYU2 #4.

Yellow Ranger finds herself surrounded by Seven Putties, who then begin to race around her in a circle.

Recycled. Altered to fit in Viewing Globe.

MMPR 121.

Alpha stands in the Command Chamber, looking at the Viewing Globe at our slight left, motioning arms excitedly in response to what he sees, before turning and talking up to Zordon.

Recycled.

MMPR 101 & ZYU #02.

Standard original morphing sequence, minus Trini.

Recycled. Flash after bolt. Fades to white.

ZYU2 #4.

As her teammates rush up and get in formation behind her, Yellow spreads arms out, then poses with Power Dagger.

Fades in from white.

ZYU2 #4.

Close on Mantis as he suddenly jerks back to face our right.

ZYU2 #4.

Pink Ranger leaps up and fires arrow from Power Bow.

ZYU2 #4.

Mantis swats the arrow out of the air with left arm.

ZYU2 #4.

Close on Pink as she switches Power Bow around into use as a blunt object as she descends.

ZYU2 #4.

Mantis sparkily slashes through Pink's chest as she flips over him.

ZYU2 #4.

Zoom out sharply as Pink lands on her back, rolls over as the three male Rangers regroup around her, then pose, before rushing off to fight.

ZYU2 #4.

Mantis ducks under Red's kick, blocks Black's kick before sparkily slashing him off, turns, blocks Blue's kick then sparkily slashes him off, then smacks Red's kicking leg away.

ZYU2 #4.

Closer as Mantis blocks Red's punch, then sparkily slashes him down, causing the Ranger to roll away.

ZYU ORIGINAL FOOTAGE #10C.

Rita, her back to us, stands at balcony railing, facing cut-out of Earth. She holds wand across both hands, then pulls it back in right arm, preparing to throw.

ZYU ORIGINAL FOOTAGE #6.

Rita, looking right at us, throws wand out of frame, screaming "Grow!".

Recycled, trimmed to end of sequence.

ZYU #05.

Rita's Wand passes through the atmosphere.

Recycled.

ZYU #05.

Rita's Wand stakes into dirt.

ZYU #05.

Rita's Wand unleashes energy from its center orb.

Recycled.

ZYU #05.

Rita's Wand's energy ripples into the ground beneath causing a quake.

Recycled.

ZYU #05.

Smoke bellows from big fault in ground.

ZYU2 #4.

Mantis grows gigantic amid fading updraft of smoke.

ZYU2 #4.

Close on Red as he gestures fist across chest, nod-talks, then zoom out as he and his teammates all raises their right arms and summon to the skies.

ZYU #06.

Crack in the ground spreads open, releasing a fireball, shown from within the crack.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Tyrannosaurus Dinozord rises up above flames and smoke, facing us.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Mastodon Dinozord surfaces from its icy domain.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Mastodon exhales its icy breath.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Triceratops Dinozord appears within the sands of the desert.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Triceratops raises its head and opens mouth while driving through the dusty desert.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Sabertooth Tiger Dinozord sprints through the jungle.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Sabertooth Tiger opens its mouth in a close up.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Sabertooth Tiger leaps out of the greenery.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Volcano erupts!

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Pterodactyl Dinozord soars upwards amid lava lights.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Pterodactyl Dinozord flies out of the smoking volcano and heads for the trees, not quite reaching them.

Recycled, shortened.

ZYU #06.

Red Ranger drops into his cockpit seat, gestures arm.

Recycled, cuts look down.

ZYU #06.

Black Ranger drops into cockpit, gestures arm.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Blue Ranger drops into cockpit, gestures arms.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Yellow Ranger drops into cockpit, gestures arms.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Pink Ranger drops into cockpit, gestures arm.

Recycled.

ZYU #07.

Red holds up Coin, which glows, forming his gleaming Power Crystal as he wipes hand across from Coin-holding hand.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Close up of Red Ranger inserting Power Crystal into control slot with red energy results.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Four square shots of each Ranger in their cockpits, preparing to insert crystals.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Four square shots of close ups of each Ranger inserting Power Crystal into control slot with colored energy results.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Red Ranger in cockpit, zoom in as he presses controls forth.

Recycled.

ZYU #12.

Four square shot of (clockwise from top left) Tyrannosaurus connecting with Tricera & Sabertooth legs electrically, Mastodon component floating, Mastodon connecting with Tyranno with energy release, Sabertooth folding down into leg form.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Zoom in on cockpit as Red Ranger raises fist up, then forth, then grips control.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Circle symbol of all five dinosaurs together glows brightly with Ranger colors.

ZYU #06.

Tank folds up into body of the standing Megazord.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Horns fold out, eyes glow, bright flash occurs, then sharp zoom to Megazord posing fully formed amid lightning.

Recycled.

ZYU2 #4.

As dust blows in near his feet, Mantis stands poised, motioning arms up, then down, menacingly.

ZYU #20.

Close on Megazord as it marches in toward our left, then in zoom out, faces front and poses battle ready near mountain.

ZYU2 #4.

Facing each other across the battlefield, Mantis and Megazord stand frozen, as dust blows past them, from our right to left.

ZYU #06.

Slow zoom in on Red in Megazord cockpit, turning to Blue & Yellow, nod-talking, then looking to our slight left.

Trims start to remove his talking to Black & Pink.

ZYU #06.

Close on Black in Megazord cockpit, looking to slight left, nod-talking quickly with a bit of a sitting up.

ZYU #06.

Close on Yellow in Megazord cockpit, looking to slight left, pointing with left hand briefly and talking a little.

Cuts before she makes other finger gestures.

ZYU #06.

Close on Red in Megazord cockpit, looking downward to the slight left, giving a wide nod, as Pink clutches mouth with hands.

Trims start to cut his first motion, then cuts before pan over to Yellow.

ZYU2 #4.

Zoom out from Mantis' feet as he slowly moves to our right, one leg over the other, arms up, while the Megazord looms in the foreground in place.

ZYU2 #4.

Reverse angle, as Mantis poses in place, while Megazord steps forth, gets in a battle ready stance, and the dust blows in.

ZYU2 #4.

Close on Mantis' feet, as he finally scrapes right foot across the dirt in a half circle, before bringing his feet together and leaping.

ZYU2 #4.

Mantis leaps up into the sky, gets poised and slashes right arm forth.

ZYU2 #4.

Mantis lands both sharp arms into Megazord's chest sparkily, then clenching arms around Mega's sides, only to have it defend with its own arms, locking the pair. After a shift to the side, they break off. Mantis then kicks, its blocked, Mega dodges the monster's next hit, until he twists around and sparkily slashes it away.

ZYU2 #4.

Pan up from Megazord's stumbling-back feet, chest smoking, before finally posing battle ready.

ZYU #09.

In Megazord cockpit, Red looks to our upper left and summons.

Recycled, trimmed to end.

ZYU #09.

Power Sword plummets from the dark and stormy skies.

Recycled.

ZYU2 #4.

Zoom out as Megazord catches Power Sword in right hand, then poses battle ready with it.

ZYU2 #4.

Mantis rushes up, he and Megazord lock arm & sword, before breaking off, turning around, they clash weapon to arm again, before Mantis sparkily slashes Mega in the chest. During all this, the camera is tracking around to the left. Mantis raises both arms and slices downward, prompting Megazord to lift the sword horizontally to block. They struggle, shift positions, and finally break off, just so the monster can sparkily slash the Megazord in the chest again.

ZYU2 #4.

Close on Mantis, readying arms up, then leaping with them poised.

ZYU2 #4.

Mantis lands both arms downward into Megazord's horizontally held sword, until it uses the leverage to toss him away.

ZYU2 #4.

Megazord flips Mantis completely over.

ZYU2 #4.

Zoom out as Mantis falls, rolls, and gets back up in a daze.

ZYU2 #4.

Megazord raises sword up, then steps forth and prepares to slash.

ZYU2 #4.

Megazord sparkily slashes into Mantis, then does it again as it passes by him, before turning and stopping, facing us.

ZYU #06.

Zoom out from Red, as all five Rangers in cockpit raise right arms and make slashing downward motion.

Recycled.

ZYU #06.

Megazord motions sword, pulsing with lightning and electricity, powering it up while raising it to the sky, which surge with a reddish storm.

Recycled.

ZYU2 #4.

Close on Mantis, as he nervously says his prayers. Nyuk, nyuk.

ZYU #07.

Under reddish skystorm, Megazord swoops sword underhand, slashing upward and diagonally, leaving a visible trail.

Recycled.

ZYU2 #4.

Zoom out as a pinkish energy slash cuts across Mantis, causing him to blue sparkle and yellow pulse ring, before spinning about as pinkish electricity crackles. He falls, a blue flare erupts, and he explodes massively.

ZYU2 #4.

Blackened smoke from a fireball wafts upward over brief but bright burst of sparks, leaving a small, lingering fire in the spacious wilderness.

ZYU #17.

Zoom out from Power Sword as Megazord swipes it about in a chest-up pose.

Recycled. Trims catch & march forth.

ZYU #35.

Zoom out from screaming Rita as she stands before her bowing henchmonsters, hitting Squatt with wand, then Baboo, then Goldar twice, the preparing to hit Baboo again.

Recycled, but runs longer than prior uses and brighter. Transitions out via downward pixel wave.

Ending Credits