King-Ohger 48: The Monarchs Bid Farewell To Their People?

King-Ohger is finally coming to an end, right? This week's episode has that "Oh! It's getting dark!" type setting. Dugdead's ready to destroy all life on Chikyu. Evacuating people has been done during the last episode. This is seriously one apocalyptic episode. Sure, it's not as dark and depressing as Kyukyu Sentai GoGoFive or Mirai Sentai Timeranger was allowed to do. Still, one can't deny this finale gives viewers tense feelings.

The beginning is obviously meant to be tense. I wanted to know exactly what the cast felt filming this. I could imagine countless amount of retakes. I'm biased with anything past Timeranger. I do appreciate the CGI that gives the beginning a tense feeling. Then we are taken to what happened before the incident. 

Yanma explains the latest attempt to merge all the Shugods into one power. It's because Dugdead's practically one powerful foe. Yanma explains the powers of the royal jewels and what they could do. However, Dugdead really drops in and announces his arrival. I'm really wondering why the heroes didn't decide to meet somewhere else. The great Megazord plan might be a walking nuclear bomb after all. I love the amount of dilemma put in this scene. 

Racules' redemption arc continues. Douga tells Racules that they do need to vacate the citizens. However, more nightmarish scenes follow. Sure, it's CGI backgrounds while those flames have improved over time. I remember laughing at the CGI flames during Samurai Sentai Shinkenger (which has its 15th anniversary this year). I guess the CGI available to Toei wasn't all that good yet. Fortunately, nightmarish evacuation scenes do feel tense. They're as tense as the 1990s "Do these show these to children in Japan?!" moments. 

Dugdead reveals his power. I still think Super Sentai villains are meant to be sadistic and stupid. Come on, Dugdead could've just murdered our heroes and won. However, we know how real-life villains can enter into overconfident moments.

The great evacuation plan begins. More than ever, I feel Racules' redemption arc seems to be an upgrade of Captain Alex from Power Rangers Time Force. Who can remember when Alex finally saw the error of his says not once but twice? Alex was about to mindwipe his comrades but ended up allowing them to return to the past. In Racules' case, there have been at least 22 years to revisit an old concept and upgrade it. However, I feel Racules' actions from Captain Ryuuya from Timeranger to Alex from Time Force are a mix of both characters. I believe Racules did become evil while seeking to overthrow Dugdead. Why do you think Racules decided to take the highest punishment eventually? More interestingly, it seemed like Goroge died in this scene due to the carnage. 

The people wonder why they're in a very open area. It was already discussed some time ago to use the Caucasus Castle as a migration ship. I love how Racules speaks like Captain Alex, discussing the sacrifices of people, and how things can be changed. The royal jewels are taken with them. I guess the monarchs know that Dugdead may end up gaining absolute power in the process. I love the dialogue here where the regents talk about how the fight must end now. The monarchs want to vacate the people of Terra. However, unless Dugdead is stopped for good, another 2,000 years of misery could begin again. 

It's no surprise that Goroge's still alive after getting mauled by MONSTERS. The guy gets spared by Screw Logic moments A LOT. I mean, how many times did this guy get into assaults that would destroy anyone IRL? Right now, I feel like writing about how Super Sentai censorship changed over since 2001. Characters that get cartoon injuries. Super Sentai weapons don't really look as real as they used to be. Sure, characters do bleed but the amount of blood has been greatly lowered after Timeranger. The use of alcohol has been greatly reduced. Some shows go as far as to use lasers instead of bullets. Bullets are used but it ends up rather comedic.  Goroge seems to epitomize censorship laws in this scene. Goroge reveals that the other Goroge is really Kamejim. 

It's only normal for Racules to be fuming mad. I guess Racules had a close relationship with Boshimar. It wasn't any surprise that the Boshimar fans saw was actually Kamejim. So yeah, the real Boshimar died before the series began. Racules goes into unmorphed combat (for now) with Kamejim. 

I think this is another Crowning Moment of Awesome. We had the two-year time skip. Oh yes, Desnarak VIII who was killed off by Kamejim returns from the land of the dead. Not too many villains ever return to do this. In Desnarak VIII's case, he did have his redemption. This reminds me of Diabolico returning to drag Queen Bansherra into the world of the dead. I wonder if Kamejim will be dragged into it by Desnarak VIII? I mean, Desnarak VIII did arrive and I guess he's got a score to settle. Desnarak VIII was but another victim of Dugdead's lies. I can't wait to see what Desnarak VIII will do to Kamejim. Maybe, Kamejin will join the Super Sentai villains who didn't die at the hands of the heroes. 

I really must admit this fiery scene is somewhat nightmarish. Maybe, not as nightmarish as a big-budget Hollywood production but Toei really did put in some extra effort. I love the falling meteors and the dark atmosphere. It adds tension as Dugdead literally wants to wipe out all lifeforms from Chikyu. Right now, I even want to pretend that Dugdead was probably the one who manipulated Megiddo from Kamen Rider Saber and even Maeve from Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog. Okay, that's just plain impossible but it'd be fun to pretend that! 

Next week, the will of the people can be seen. Instead of vacating as they're told - they're going to help end the reign of the true tyrant king, Dugdead. It's one of those rare moments when citizens pull out this kind of courage. I wonder if King-Ohger has ripped off Ultraman Tiga's finale? I may no longer be watching Ultraman but I watched a few entries back then. Maybe yes, maybe no. I do feel that the will of the people will really be the key to true victory. With the filming having been wrapped up last December - there's no room for editing now!