Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Robbie Chronicles

Episode 61 - Making the Grade

(We begin today's episode in Angel Grove High inside Ms. Appleby's Math Class. She's busy organizing a stack of papers in her hand as the students await anxiously for her to hand them out; especially the Power Rangers, who are conveniently seated together.) 

Trini: Ooh you guys, this wait is killing me! I hope I passed that math exam.

Zack: She's totally torturing us on purpose. And that test was no joke either.

Jason: Well, it IS mid terms guy, this pretty much decides our grades for the semester. The very direction of our high school careers... our entire lives for that matter.... rest in those stubby little fingers.

Kim: I never had to study so hard in my life. I was seeing equations in my sleep. You guys, I can't do this... I don't even wanna know what I got anymore. I should just go.

Tommy: (reassuringly) Don't be so hard on yourself Kim, I'm sure you did great.

Kim: (smiles) Thanks, Tommy.

Billy: (Turns over to Robbie) Do you think you passed?

Robbie: (zoned out) Huh?

Billy: Ms. Appleby's exam, do you think you scored well?

Robbie: I don't know... do you think you did well?

(Billy shrugs)

Billy: Well I studied day and night for the exam; passing on several of our usual social gatherings in order to memorize the arithmetic by heart. So I could say pretty confidently that I did well.

(Robbie looks at Billy with a reassured smile.)

Robbie: Then so can I!

Billy: I beg your pardon?

Robbie: (dismissively) ...nothing.

(Robbie averts the looks and goes back to doodling boobs in his note book. Just then, Ms. Appleby gets the classes attention.)

Ms. Appleby: Class, may I have your attention please? I have here your test results. I must say I am very happy with most of you.

(The rangers as well as the rest of the class turn to each other with a cautious sense of relief. Zack slaps Jason a high five. Robbie pats a still confused Billyon the back.)

Ms. Appleby: I made my test fool proof. Only those who studied hard and took my mid term serious would pass.

(Robbie smiles triumphantly)

Ms. Appleby: I even secretly made two versions of the exam to prevent any cheating.

(His heart drops)

Robbie: ...you did WHAT!?!?!
Billy: ...?
Jason: ...?
Zack: ...?
Trini: ...?
Kimberly: ...?
Tommy: ...?

Ms. Appleby: Roberto, is their something you'd like to say?

(Robbie's smile vanishes, replaced with dejection as he sinks into his seat.)

Robbie: (monotone) No... No Ms. Appleby...

Ms. Appleby: Actually Robbie, there is something I'd like to say to you. Do you mind seeing me after class?

(He groans dreadfully)

Billy: ...did you do something wrong?

Robbie: Shut up.

(He sinks into his folded arms, setting off Bulk and Skull who are seated in the back. Bulk reclined with a leg up on an empty chair.)

Skull: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!


Bulk: Aww whats a matter? Dweeb wasn't enough of a dweeb to keep up with the other... dweebs?

Skull: AHAHAHAHA!!! I like it when you said 'dweeb!' AHAHAHA!!!!

Bulk: ...

Zack: Please, as if you guys did any better...

Bulk: (snickers) Actually... I'm pretty sure Skull and I passed with flying colors. Isn't that right...? Billy boy?

Billy: Pardon?

Bulk: ...nothing.

Ms. Appleby: ACTUALLY, I'd like to see the both of you after class as well.

Bulk: What!? W-w-why?

Skull: Relax Bulky. She's probably got a prize for us cause we did so well.

Bulk: (annoyed) Quiet, numbskull.

Skull: .....???

(Meanwhile, on the moon. Rita watches everything unfold through her giant telescope.)


Rita: Ahh, it seems the poor brown ranger's bad at math, huh?

(She turns away from her telescope to face the others.)

Rita: Hahaha!! Looks like the power twerps aren't so perfect after all! I had exceptional grades in witchery!

Squatt: Congratulations my queen. I didn't need to go to school; I'm super smart anyway. S-M-R-T. Smart!

Baboo: Who needs school? I've gotten by just fine on my sex appeal. What about you, Finster?

(Finster sighs miserably)

Finster: ...I wanted to be a lawyer.

Rita: (scoffs) Nonsense! You're doing enough evil in the world here with me!

(She turns back around to her balcony and the view of the Earth.)

Rita: Though, apparently it doesn't take a genius to beat one of YOUR monsters... (eyes open wide) ...but wait, maybe it does!

(Meanwhile back in Ms Applebys class, math has ended and Robbie is standing in front of his teacher's desk like a little boy who knows he's in trouble; slouched and hands in his pocket. He's joined by a nonchalant Bulk and Skull.)

Ms. Appleby: I am very disappointed in the three of you.

Bulk and Skull: (nonchalantly) ...sorry Ms. Appleby.

Ms. Appleby: And especially you, Robbie.

Robbie: Ms. Appleby, if you just let me explain... I swear, it's not what it se...

Appleby: (sternly) Enough!

Robbie: ...

Appleby: Young man, I expect so much better than this. How is it that you couldn't get a single right answer?

(Robbie appears stunned by the discovery that he scored a "gentlemen's" zero. However, he's more surprised that that's all Ms. Appleby was accusing him of.)

Robbie: Huh? Well... I guess I just didn't study hard enough.

Ms. Appleby: That would be an understatement. With how much your friends are excelling, I would expect some of their work ethic would've rubbed off on you.

Robbie: ...ouch.

Ms. Appleby: This exam determines the course of your semester, which in turn determines your entire academic career. There is a make up exam tomorrow on the same material. I expect the three of you to take this exam seriously and pass. You should be thankful I'm being so generous; I could just have to have you guys held back a semester. How would you like to go to class next year with today's freshmen?

Robbie: God no... not...
Bulk: F-f-f-freshmen!!!
Skull: F-f-f-freshmen!!!

Robbie: Ms. Appleby, I thank you for this second opportunity. You truly are a beacon of light to a bleak and underfunded educational system. I mean, your dedication transcends any class subject as you already teach them all it seems.

Ms. Appleby: Get to the point.

Robbie: I just can't repeat this semester. My idiot friends won't let me live it down. They'll be out doing fun stuff like picking up trash and... saving statues, while I'll be here with freshmen? I'll do anything.

Ms. Appleby: All you have to do is bear down and study.

Robbie: Uhm. Anything else...? I'll do anything else.

Ms. Appleby: Robbie. I'll let you in on a secret... you are smarter than you give yourself credit for. You're a bright kid; just extremely lazy. I've seen burn outs before...

(Cuts to Bulk and Skull not paying attention.)

Ms. Appleby: However, smart kids who choose to follow the pack instead of using their brain just hurt me. You could've passed this test. You could've passed any of my tests. However, you choose cut my class, and when you're here, Mr. Clemente, you're doodling in your notebook and fighting to stay awake.

Skull: AHAHAHA... 'Doodle.'

Ms. Appleby: And you have wonderful, smart and supportive group of friends.

Robbie: They suck.

Ms. Appleby: (sternly) I suggest you use them for this make up test tomorrow Robbie. You don't really have a choice here but to pass.

(She emphatically slams an open textbook shut before gathering her stuff.)

Ms. Appleby: Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a history class to teach.

Robbie: See you in history.
Bulk: See you in history.
Skull: See you in history.

Robbie: I suppose I've got to get serious now...

Bulk: (To Skull) Wanna bet money that he's just gonna go home and... 'doodle' himself?

Skull: AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

(Robbie sighs but doesn't respond. He throws his bag over his shoulder and storm out. Outside, his six ranger friends are waiting for him by the lockers; although he doesn't appear to be in the mood to talk to them as he just walks on by them.)

Jason: So I assume she wasn't handing out gifts for doing so well?

Robbie: (Coldly) No.

Zack: And I assume she chewed you out pretty badly huh?

Robbie: mhm.

Billy: And I assume this means you've learned your lesson about the importance of high marks and how they will affect your life in the long term and how studying and working hard now will help you achieve success in the future?

Robbie: ...no.

Jason: ...?
Zack: ...?
Trini: ...?
Kimberly: ...?
Tommy: ...?
Billy: I-I beg your pardon?

(Robbie turns around with a confrontational scowl and a clenched jaw.)

Robbie: You heard me, nerd!

(Trini quickly steps in to defuse any situation.)

Trini: Robbie, calm down. Billy isn't trying to offend you.

Robbie: You don't get it, huh? I'm not like you perfect little angels. I'm not as smart as you guys. And I don't do good for the environment or any of that stuff. And yet I'm always around you guys so I'm compared to you guys constantly. Zordon thinks less of me than the rest of you. Ms. Appleby just gave me the "Why can't you be like your sister?" treatment. And I even think my mom likes you guys more than me. So just forget it, I'll just stop showing up to this class altogether. Why bother?

(The rangers look at each other taken back by his passionate and emotional rant.)

Kimberly: Robbie, I can't believe you actually think that? I mean, we're all far from perfect.

Robbie: Says the pretty and popular cheerleader/gymnast. You guys may think you're not perfect. But you fail to see yourselves from someone else's point of view. Your flaws are minor compared to everyone else that I know. I have friends who think they're absolutely perfect, sitting in jail. You guys do so much good, teach SO many classes. You guys are spotless. I don't belong near you guys.

(Robbie turns away and starts up the stairs, but a sympathetic Trini holds him back.)

Trini: Robbie stop. Don't be foolish. You're one of us and you need to stop putting yourself down. You're no less or more important than the rest of us. Zordon picked you for a reason.

Robbie: Cause I'm the only "teenager with attitude?"

Trini: No. You are smart, funny, creative and I know when it comes down to it, dependable. None of us are perfect, we just work extremely hard to be were we're at and we've fallen on our faces as many times as you have.

Robbie: ...

Trini: You just seem to be so concerned with failing, you don't even try. Then you try to uphold the image that you don't care when deep down I know you do. Just let us help you.

Robbie: ...thanks. I see what you're trying to do. Still, I don't see how I can possibly pass her make up exam tomorrow when I completely tanked it today.

Trini: We can study together after school.

(He raises an eyebrow.)

Robbie: You want to tutor me?

Trini: Well... you can say... I want you give you a chance to be... "More like your sister."

(She laughs awkwardly and fiddles with her fingers while Robbie tries his hardest to not seem touched by the offer.)

Robbie: Uhm... sure. Whatever. If you want. But I'm not gonna try to be like you guys.

Trini: Then I'll see you at my place after school.

Robbie: It's a date.


Trini: No, it's not. I'm gonna tutor you.

Robbie: It's just an expression.

(He gives a half smile to her and then to the rest of the group before waving and heading off into his next class. Meanwhile back at Rita's castle. A wide eyed empress approaches Finster in his clay workshop.)

Rita: FINSTER! Make me a monster that will take advantage of brown ranger's weakness.

(Finster appears confused by the command.)


Finster: Hmm. You'd like me to make a monster that exploits his academic weakness?

Rita: DID I STUTTER!?!

Finster: (frightened) N-n-no... it'll be rather difficult, but I'm on it.

Rita: This monster will be invincible! He won't be beaten because Robbie is too dumb to beat him. That plan is so perfect it's stupid!

(Later in the day after school has ended, Trini's room has been cleaned and set up for some serious studying. The room is very clean and very organized and looks more like study room more than a teenage girls bedroom. Books alphabetized neatly on a shelf, violin rests nicely in the corner. Even her doll collection and Buddhist symbols seemed carefully placed. Then Trini walks in, in more casual clothing, with a cup of hot chocolate in each hand. Her hair in a bun and her reading glasses on; she plops herself on her giant bed and begins flipping through her text book. After a few seconds, there is a knock by her door)

Trini: Come in.

Robbie: (sheepishly) Hey... sorry I'm late.

Trini: I was beginning to think you weren't showing up at all.

Robbie: I thought about it.

Trini: Why?

Robbie: I don't know. I just felt odd. Like. I know you're just doing this because you feel sorry for me. I don't really like the idea of that. I don't want any charity. I don't want you to feel obligated to "rescue me."

Trini: But you're here, aren't you?

Robbie: You offered?

Trini: Robbie, I am offering my help, not because I feel sorry for you; but because you're my friend. And friends help one another when they're down. Like I know you would for me.

Robbie: (laughs) I don't think I could ever help you in math. I mean... no offense, but you are the most, stereotypical Asian I have ever met!

Trini: I-I'm sorry?

(She seems slightly taken aback by that comment as he continues to make it worse.)

Robbie: You preach "Gung-Ho" when two rangers argue, you go on about honor and fighting fairly, you're a black belt at kung fu.


Trini: ...

(He points across the room.)

Robbie: You have a violin for god's sake!! And maybe it was just me, but I could've sworn your fathers kicked me out of his convenience store before.

(Robbie then realizes that Trini appears really hurt by what he's saying. He rushes over to her bed, sits by her and tries to save face.)

Robbie: BUT... you're doing a very sweet thing. And I know us polar opposites don't always get along so great. But it just makes me really appreciate your kindness even more. It makes me want to be your friend.

Trini: Really?

Robbie: Yeah. And of course, math isn't my strong suit. But if you need help in anything else... like if you asked for a 20, but you think you're dealers cheating you...

Trini: (cuts him off) I don't think that'll be necessary (laughs) But, thank you Robbie, that's very kind. It's nice to see a more serious side of you. You know, more than just cracking jokes and acting like you don't care.

Robbie: Yeah... don't get used to it.

Trini: I like it. Robbie, I'd like nothing more than to stop our silly squabbles and be your friend. I'm sure the other guys feel the same.

(Robbie's unsure how to react, so he just smiles awkwardly.)

Robbie: Cool... hey, let's get some work done.

Trini: Of course.

(Back at Rita's castle she's looking through her telescope as rest of the rangers play basket ball at the park.)

Rita: Ahhh! The rangers are separated! Now's the perfect time to send down the monster... before they know what hit em!

Finster: I-I'm not quite done yet, my empress. I was stuck looking for... math spells. You should send down the putties in the meanwhile.

Rita: (Barks) ARE YOU TELLING ME WHAT TO DO!?!?

Finster: (Cowers in fear) N-n-no... I would absolutely never do such a thing!!

Rita: I thought so.

Finster: ...

Rita: Now send down the putties!

Finster (sigh) ...

(Camera cuts to Angel Grove Park where Jason, Tommy, Zack and Billy are playing a good natured game of two on two basket ball as Kimberly sits by the benches, cheering on indiscriminately.)

Kimberly: Woooo!! Go guys!!!

(Zack has the basketball and is being guarded by Jason. He's smiling confidently while doing some fancy dribbling.)

Zack: Hey Jase...

Jason: What's that Zack?

Zack: Want me to let you in on a little secret?

Jason: (jokingly) That you can't play ball? I'm pretty sure the whole park knows.


Zack: Ha... you're funny. Nah... it's that you might be our field leader.....

(Zack dribbles twice between his legs before shooting up and back for a fade away shot that Jason can't block. It swishes perfectly; getting nothing but net. Zack looks back at Jason before flashing a wink at him.)

Zack: But I'M the king of the court. Haha.

Kimberly: Woooo!!!!

Jason: Nice shot, "King Zack.". Bet you can't do it again

Zack: Bet you the role of leader I can!

(Suddenly, from the skies, putties appear and surround the court. One appears by the bench Kimberly was sitting at, scaring her off. She runs to the other rangers who get in fighting position.)

Jason: Man, these clay brains again... what do we do?

Zack: I don't know you're the leader!

Jason: We fight!
Zack: Right!
Tommy: Right!
Billy: Right!
Kimberly: Right!

(Rangers disperse and go off into different directions. Jason cuts through the middle like a hot knife through butter; lethal punches and kicks that take down the putties in front of him, while still possessing the quickness to avoid any attacks in his way. Two putties grab him by each arm while one stands in the middle, in position to attack him. Yet, with brute strength alone, he knocks the two at his side together while taking down the third with a flying kick.

Zack, more nimble on his feet, dances around the hordes rushing at him. His hands, quicker than their eyes. He shows as much by flipping onto a table, allowing two putties charging toward him to collide clumsily. Two more join him on opposite ends of the table in an attempted double team. He manages to dodge a punch from the right smoothly, who accidentally hits the putty on the left. The left responds with a punch of his own, but Zack dodges that one as it hits the putty on the right. Zack mockingly shouts "Missed me!" as he counters with a split kick which knocks them both off the table.)

Zack: I told you, this is MY court!

Kimberly: Oh be quiet Zack!

(Kim shoots at Zack as she tries to avoid her own group using only her experience as a gymnast to go on. She gracefully pulls of back flip after back flip to separate herself from the rest. Stops, ducks, and punches the first putty in the groin. Cartwheels herself by a trash can. Another one of Rita's minions tries to get to her, but she hides behind it, while holding it in her hand. It shuffles left to no avail, then right.... Finally it gets so frustrated, it charges right at Kimberly who shoots back whilst still holding the bin and allows the putty to fall right into it.)

Kimberly: Mom was wrong. I do like to take out the trash!

(She emphatically slams the lid over the can on the word slam, and then poses.

Then the camera cuts to Billy, with no true fighting style of his own, he runs around clumsily trying to avoid getting hurt. He sees the basketball lying idly on the floor and decides to run over and use it. He picks it up and uses it to absorb the blow from one of the putty's punches who runs off in pain. Then turns around and puts the ball to his hips to absorb another kick. He then throws it at the third, charges at him and while his hands are protecting his head the whole time, he does a spinning leg sweep to knock it down.

That leaves Tommy, who like Jason is extremely skilled at martial arts. Except his feet posses a lighting quickness that can kill a putty three times before he hits the ground. He eyes his next target, dodging anything else in his path, and like a shark smelling blood attacks with three quick high kicks. He sets both feet to the floor, lifts the next leg up and chops another right through the chest before planting him on the floor with the heel of his foot. All the while shouting "Syu-ahhhh!!!" a billion times. He looks up sharply at the last putty that's seen what he's done to his friends and decides to simply throw himself on the floor and pretend to be wounded.)

Tommy: Thought so.

(The putties disappear. A sigh of relief overcomes the team as they meet back at the basketball court.)

Kimberly: What was all that about?


Jason: I don't know. But is everyone alright?

Tommy: Yeah.
Kimberly: Yeah.
Billy: Affirmative.
Zack: ...I'm the king of this court.

(Back at Rita's castle)

Rita: Those stupid putties can't do anything right. Finster, put the monster through your little easy bake oven and send him down!

(He sighs to himself)

Finster: I should have gone to law school like mum wanted...

(Back at the park, a large quake overtakes the park. The rangers struggle to keep on their feet when a bolt of lighting hits a tree near by.)

Kimberly: (startled) What was that!?

Tommy: By that tree!

(Rangers scurry over to investigate and are puzzled by what they see.)

Zack: Huh?

Tommy: Is that...

Kimberly: What I think it is?

Jason: Looks like...

Billy: A math equation?

(Billy was right. The lightning that struck the tree somehow left an imprint of the math equation. "25 = x/5 – 10")

Zack: Man, either graffiti's becoming more and more intelligent, or that wasn't no ordinary lighting.

(The rangers aren't given enough time to process what's going on as another blast goes off right near them, sending them all to the ground.)

Jason: AHHH!
Tommy: AHHH!
Zack: AHHH!
Billy: AHHH!
Kimberly! AHHH!