Power Rangers Wild Force
"The Flute"
Original Air Date:9/21/02		Based On: Gaoranger #36 - - Senshi Odoru(The Soldiers Dance)
*Season 10, bite 29 *Official Network Show Number PR-1230 *29th episode of PRWF *3rd episode aired on ABC KIDS *447th total Power Rangers episode
Writer: Katie Torpey		Director: Worth Keeter
Starring Cast: Ricardo Medina, Jr. _AS_ Cole (Red Ranger) Alyson Kiperman _AS_ Taylor (Yellow Ranger) Phillip Jeanmarie _AS_ Max (Blue Ranger) Jessica Rey _AS_ Alyssa (White Ranger) Jack Guzman _AS_ Danny (Black Ranger) Philip Andrew _AS_ Merrick (Lunar Wolf Ranger) Ann Marie Crouch _AS_ Princess Shayla Sin Wong _AS_ Toxica		Additional Cast: Ryan Goldstein _AS_ Kite Beth Bowles _AS_ Teacher Michael Alan Johnson _AS_ Dancing Boy Paul McKinney _AS_ Dancing Businessman Deborah Flora _AS_ Dancing Businesswoman Danny Wayne Stallcup _AS_ Jindrax Ezra Weisz _AS_ Mandilok (male voice) Barbara Goodson _AS_ Mandilok (female voice) Monica Louwerens _AS_ Flute Org (voice) Dave Mallow _AS_ Narrator (voice; uncredited, scenes from next time only)

_CAPSULE:_

Cole asks some pigeons in the city if they've seen Kite around. The trail, though, is cold. Even the other Rangers can't find the kid. Atop a building, Mandilok is being fed fresh car parts by Putrids dressed as waiters and Jindrax & Toxica dressed like chefs. They overhear Princess Shayla singing to the Deerzord, ya know, "Ode To Nature", with Merrick on flute. Their reactions to the song and the singing echo the audience is every way. What's weird? Is the Deerzord is on the Animarium now. They must be singing on an amp with level 11! The song goes on far, far too, too long. Kite also overhears it from the city, causing him to cry, not knowing why it's familiar to him. In a music shop, an Org Spirit forms into that of an Ocarina (ya know, like in that Zelda game), creating the Flute Org! It quickly plays its own musical instrument, very poorly, drowning out Merrick's flute playing so much, that Shayla ceases singing and complains. They get into a very childish squabble, where the Princess refuses to ever sing with him again, calling him a "horrible musician".

Anyway, Flute Org plays in the city, causing children at a playground to begin dancing around to his awful tune, until they're exhausted, and then some. The Wild Force Rangers, and Lunar Wolf Ranger, arrive on the scene, and since they're unaffected by the sound of the Org's instrument, are able to run him off. Toxica & Jindrax snatch Flute Org up, and bring him to the Nexus to meet Mandilok. He can only control children, but with more power, adults could fall prey to his spell, too. Mandilok drains some power from the Duke Orgs, and gives it to the Flute. In the city, Cole finds Kite, or rather, the boy finds him. They each eat a fudge bar, and Cole quizzes him on his past. He doesn't remember who his parents are or where he came from, something they have in common. On the Animarium, the other WFs inform Shayla of the Org's flute-playing, which confirms Merrick's earlier denial. The Viewing Pond alerts them, Cole is called, and we see that the Flute Org is making a whole bunch of businessmen & women dance to his evil tune! The five Wild Force Activists are also entranced by this off-key tune, forced to dance in a strange choreography with everyone else. Back on the Animarium, Merrick finally airs out the problems with his relationship with the Princess. He tells her the reason he doesn't visit often is because the ruins remind him of his past, namely 3000 years ago in Animaria. It's hard for him to move on. He admits he does like to play the flute for her. She never thought of his feelings, and apologies, the two getting caught up in the moment.... but eventually, they snap out of it and head down to help the other Rangers. The horrible sound of "Ode To Nature" disturbs even Flute Org, breaking his hold on the dancing group. Mandilok interrupts Merrick & Shayla, and Flute Org plays a higher tempo tune, forcing the WFs and Turtle Cove citizens to dance a variety of different, high-paced dances. But the Deer Wildzord, summoned by "Ode To Nature", comes down, and uses his antler energies to end the evil flute's spell-making properties. Another low point in the series comes, when Merrick cracks a joke, making a laugh like Butt-Head, and then gets playfully shoved over the side of the building by the Princess! He morphs in time, but still, it's an insane bit that never fails to annoy. The Rangers all morph, and Flute Org is beaten about repeatedly, before being turned to goop by the Jungle Sword. Toxica makes Flute Org revive gigantically, and his flute is restored to working condition. Playing it nearly cripples everyone with reality warping & mind bending sound. Even Kite is run off by the noise. But, suddenly, a magical light appears on the horizon, and the five ancient Wildzords that made up the god-like being known as Animus, materialize in the city! They form together into the sentient Megazord know as Animus, now a living being again after 3000 years. He destroys Flute Org's flute, allowing for the Rangers to summon and form the Isis Megazord, which destroys the Flute Org with a spinning blow called the Antler Crush.

Princess Shayla & Merrick are overjoyed to see Animus has returned from the grave, after his death against Master Org back around 1000 BC. Unlike his previous appearances in mystical ghostly visions, Animus doesn't speak this time, vanishing away as quickly as he reappeared once the danger has passed. They're frustrated by his the answers surrounding his mysterious return. Merrick leaves, but gives a smiling nod when Shayla reminds him they have to sing for the Deer tomorrow. She sighs lovingly. Cole tries finding Kite where he left the boy, but there's no sight of him anywhere. Hmm... ya don't think? Nahh, that's just so very too obvious!... or IS it?

[Scenes from "Team Carnival"; End Credits]