Mindnet-Page3

Mindnet as reviewed by kalinara via the Pretty, Fizzy Paradise Blog continued....

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We go to a weird tower on a barren moon type thing, where Kilbane is presenting Mindnet to the Queen. Eek. She's upset though, because she wants ALL of Mindnet, not just one part. Kilbane insists that half would still boost her powers, but the Queen knows how to play him and snaps back that he'd told her he was the most powerful of the Supertroopers. But in actuality, he's just able to imitate Gooseman's powers for a few seconds. Kilbane and his Massive Ego does not like this, and he insists that Gooseman needs his implant to work his powers, where Kilbane summons his at will. He also pops out a set of Wolverine-esque claws, which HAS to be an intentional homage. He then beats up a pillar. Oh, for the record, Ryker Kilbane apparently belongs to the Ricardo Montalban as Khan Noonien Singh school of fashion. He's wearing an orange bandanna, black pants, and an open vest. Also, he's got a mullet and is wearing finger-less gloves. Actually, he kind of looks like him in the face too. But that might just be me being fooled by his horrible clothes.

Oh, I see! The bad clothing choices are a supertrooper thing! That makes perfect sense. I mean, think about it. Say you breed up a bunch of soldiers who escape (as they are wont to do), to find them, just look for the most idiotically dressed people in the crowd! Perfect! I'd totally genetically engineer super-soldiers that way. But then I'm also insane, so there you go. Kilbane declares himself to be Gooseman's superior in every way and declares that he'll bring her not only the rest of Mindnet but the Galaxy Rangers! The Queen tells him that if he fails her again, he'll end up in a psycho-crystal. Um, from what we've seen so far, if she does end up using his brain to power a Slaver Lord, I suspect the poor zombie robot will starve. I'm just sayin'. Then for no apparent reason, she blasts the REST of the pillar that Kilbane already attacked. That poor poor pillar. It's like a battle to see which of them can be the most short-sighted and melodramatic villain around. But at least the Queen is better dressed.

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Meanwhile, back at Beta, Zach warns Niko that her powers are going to be stretched to the limit. Apparently the plan involves some sort of computer link-up. Doc's helping of course. Niko's willing to do whatever it takes to clear Goose. Where the hell is Goose anyway? Wouldn't it be a good idea to keep him with you, since you know there's an impostor running around? Anyway, apparently Zach and co. are not supposed to be here, as we know because an odd robot wearing glasses quickly warns Captain Foxx that someone is coming. AH, that's what they're doing. Doc gets the computer to release the other part of Mindnet, so Niko can use it to find the missing half. It's a reasonable plan, but seems like it's also an invitation to someone to come steal that one as well, now that it's under very little guard. Huh, apparently the Rangers have some communal abilities as well, as they all huddle in a circle, one hand together, and one hand touching their badges. Niko's the only one not activating her implant, as her hand is on the other part of Mindnet.

She tells Goose to picture the other Supertroopers in his mind and holy hell, apparently no one was breeding for looks. EGADS. Goose is a fairly good looking guy when he's not scrunching his face up to look prematurely forty-ish, and except for the scar, Kilbane's got the Ricardo-Montalban-Khan thing going on. But they're apparently the flukes out of the deal, if the rest of these folk are any indication. Yeech. Anyway, the vision focuses on Kilbane, and Niko affirmatively identifies him as the Mindnet thief. Doc apparently doesn't need to touch computers to work 'em like this, and Kilbane's datafile shows up on the monitor. Goose mutters that he should have figured.

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They finish just in time, as a group of soldiers force the door open. Niko points out that they can't let the soldiers stop them, and both Niko and Zach turn to face the poor saps. Chief poor sap tries to get them to stand down as a bunch of other soldiers surround them. Zozo gets the drop on him, kicking him in the back of the knee and knocking him down. Welcome back, awesome-Zozo! I missed you! He and Waldo do the same judo-throw/ring-zap combo that they pulled off during Phoenix (first episode) and I'm very glad to see it. In the background, the sunglassed robot flutters a bit anxiously, but his babbling manages to distract one so Zach can punch him. Goose, Niko and Doc do their thing too, with varying amounts of picking people up by the scruff of the neck and whamming them into each other, kicking them in the face, or wisecracking.

Niko wants to take the component with her, so she can trace the rest. Which strikes me as a good idea and a bad idea. A good idea, because well, she probably CAN trace it. But a bad idea, considering that it amounts to bringing the other half of the Mindnet right into the hands of the people who want it. They get into the ship and blast off. (Apparently sunglassed robot is coming too!)

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As they take off from Earth, we see Mustached Man of the Comanche again. So now I'm not entirely SURE whether this episode is before or after Traash. I'm tentatively guessing after. It's possible that only Niko knew what the Mindnet was for, after all. Mustached Man tries to order Zach down, but Zach replies "No can do." Goose maneuvers them into "commercial traffic" and the Comanche loses them. Niko psychics out that they're going to the barren planet from before, which turns out to be Sorry End on Tortuna. Goose finds this amusing.

Yay, Stock footage of Ranger One beneath that one particular Tortuna rock cropping! It's a good thing the Queen's forces never found that spot, or the animators would have to draw something else! And...ROBOT HORSES!!! Joy! The Rangers are dressed as Zanguil again, too. Niko Mindnets herself another vision, and determines that Kilbane is very near. Zach orders Waldo, Zozo and "Buzz" (presumably the sunglassed-robot) to stay with the ship and guard the Mindnet component. Zozo protests, but Zach's counting on them, so he reluctantly agrees. The Rangers walk their horses through the town. Some lizard/fish type guy seems to recognize them as human, but Shane scares him off. They make their way to a big metal door, and all draw their weapons. As usual, Niko's gun is biggest.

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