黙示戦隊スカイファイター
Apocalypse Sentai Skyfighter

Tangled Up in Blue

Only wanting to go on a pleasant date with Alex, instead Kari finds herself fighting her insecurities, her fears... and the monster Riso!

Summary

During ordinary sparring practice, Kari ends up losing her temper and storms off, half in tears. Davis tries to figure out what's wrong, but when he hears from Alex that they haven't been as close since becoming Skyfighters, the solution is clear: order the two to go on a date!

When they actually go out together, though, both are awkwardly silent, Kari sulking just as much as she had before. She keeps wanting to say something, but then ends up staying quiet, until Alex finally stops her. He tells her that he's sorry for getting her mixed up in all this Skyfighter business, knowing that she doesn't like to fight, and promises that he'll convince Oji to find another person to replace her.

They hold hands, and Kari is about to respond, when suddenly, their date is crashed by an obnoxious monster named Riso and a legion of Fangwings! Alex promises that he'll protect her, and that she doesn't have to fight, transforming to take them on. Riso mocks them, calling her cloying for sitting there pretty as a princess while Alex fights for her, upsetting her even more. Alex tells her not to worry, he'll soon be done; unfortunately for him, the fight isn't going well. Finally, Kari can't take it anymore, and transforms to save her fiancé, joining the fight. Still distraught, she tells him that she didn't become a Skyfighter because he dragged her into it; she did it because she wanted to make sure that he was safe.

Her real fear, she explains as they take down the Fangwings, wasn't that she would get hurt; it was that she wouldn't be a good enough fighter to protect him. Riso laughs and tells her that's a reasonable fear, since the minions's power is nothing compared to his, and he goes on the offensive. They try to attack him one at a time, but to no effect. It seems hopeless, but then Alex takes Kari by the hand again, and apologizing, he realizes that what's important is that they work together. Agreeing, they turn on Riso once more, this time hitting him with a mighty combination attack; proving that on their own they might not be good fighters, but together, nothing can get between them!

Afterwards, Davis demands to know how their date went, and if Alex is going to try to be closer to Kari in the future. Alex just says that he'd rather not go on any more dates like that one, and then the two laugh; Davis awkwardly joins in, completely in the dark.

Quotes

Sam: "How was I to know that the princess would fall apart like that?"
Davis: "You could try showing some more sensitivity, Sam! Do you have to be such a pain in the ass?"
Sam: "Oh, great, now we have two princesses?"

Riso: "This date looks like such a drag! Fortunately I brought some friends to liven up the mood!"

Riso: "Don't worry, princess, you look as pretty as a picture! You just let your shining knight handle it-- it'll make my job so much easier!"

Kari: "It's no use... he's right, I'm not a good enough fighter to keep you safe! If only I had spent more time practicing instead of sulking..."
Alex: "We'll worry about practice later. Right now, kid, only one thing matters: I need you to give it your all."
Kari: "I promise."
Alex: "Then let's get him... together."

Kari and Alex: "Let's go! Super Flying Love Conquers All Kick!"

Comments

• As well as being about Kari's love life, the episode's title is also a reference to a Bob Dylan song by the same name.
• Alex promises to find someone else to be Skyfighter Pink. Later we will find out that this wouldn't have been possible even if she had wanted to; once activated, the transformation badges are bound to the user's DNA forever.
• This is the first appearance of Alex's oft-repeated inspirational catchphrase, "I need you to give it your all."
• ...and, sadly, the only appearance of the "Super Flying Love Conquers All Kick!" You'd think if it could conquer all, they'd use it more!