hellraiser7

Duos in danger have been a common trope from the very beginning of the suspense thriller and mystery. There is always something endearing about seeing couples not just in love but dealing with danger thrown at them.

It's hard to say why, maybe it's because we like to believe that love can overcome all, seeing how two can overcome the odds; whatever the reason one thing is always certain no matter what the duo does and staying together in the process they are doing something right.

This show I like if not quite a favorite in the "Danger Duo" subgenre; In a way this show is sort of the show or one of them that started the whole "Danger Duo" subgenre.

It no doubt has predated many shows like "Moonlighting", "Castle", "Spy Family", etc. Which have each came later and show how this show's influence has echoed throughout the years.

I of course remember this show from my childhood when I was a kid from the 80's. This was one of the shows my mom used to watch. I didn't really watch the show at the time as I was still too young for its content let alone the suspense thriller genre.

However, I always did remember that theme song which always stuck with me. It wasn't until a lot latter when I was older and saw shows like "Castle" I just one day gave this classic a chance and of course I was pleasantly surprised.

Yeah, it's true the premise of the show is a little wild but that's part of the charm of the show as it's basically pulp adventure and romance combined.

Like in a lot of pulp stories, they always shelved logic as they were more concerned about story creativity, the action and adventure, and simply what the characters did or would do under the circumstances. Which I'm personally fine with as I mainly watch television to have fun, and those reasons provide that for me.

Anyway, I really do like the premise and on a logical standpoint makes sense for the characters to be rich much like with "Doc Savage" and Bruce Wayne/Batman as it means access and affordability into resources needed along with travel.

But mainly it's all a wish fulfillment fantasy as most of us probably have that dream of being rich and going on adventures; and on a romantic standpoint being with the one you love along the way enjoying the ride.

In a way this show could almost be an "Elseworlds" tale, just the possible concept of Bruce Wayne/Batman and "Selena Kyle/Catwoman" both settled down, retire from the superhero business and then go into the detective business as themselves.

Johnathan and Jennifer Hart are both honorable mentions in my personal favorite detectives and couples. I really like the chemistry and back and forth between them, I really bought into the notion both are a couple.

Both have charisma, with Johnathan who is the passive aggressive type, he's not a guy that's really looking for trouble but when it comes, he's not afraid to take it head on as both he and his wife's life depends on it. And Jennifer who has a lot of spunk, active, adventurous and like Johnathan, she can hold her own against danger.

One unique thing about them is that both are married, which is something I don't see much.

This is a good thing, most people fear that when both characters are committed there won't be tension; but this is incorrect there still is tension but in a different sense as it's more from the opposition from the outside.

There are reasons why this is a good thing, from the fact that it eliminates those roadblock factors or cheap suspenseful delays as we see characters we know hooking up with the generic BF or GF of the week.

This always annoys me because we already know those relationships and storylines are a trip to nowheresville but also means a lot of time wasted time that could have been used for interaction for the two characters we care about the most.

It also means that the storylines are more focused by seeing the main couple working together as well as the back and forth between both; seeing how well their relationship develops and plays out along with the ongoing story.

But what I like about the couple is despite all the riches and glamour, at the end of the day their both just simply ordinary people with good hearts that want to do the right thing, as well as keep their love alive while keeping themselves alive.

Of course, my favorite character is Max. He's pretty much who Alfred is to "Batman" and company. He's useful in more ways than one; he does cook fancy dinners but also just the regular stuff which is what both the Harts prefer.

Really, like how he helps the Harts in their mysteries as he helps provide them with his two cents in matter, which lets them and us know they could be on the right track; and despite his age he can hold his own against danger well.

But I really like him because of his gruff charismatic charm as he's got some of the best lines in the show and he's also just a good father-like figure as he really does care for both the Harts and they do likewise.

The mysteries are intriguing, though some of them are kind of easy but that doesn't bother me, like with any suspense thriller I'm more interested and invested in what the characters do under the circumstances.

The action is good or decent, it's not exactly wall to wall but this show is more of a suspense thriller, and it makes sense considering the Harts and Max aren't trained fighters or warriors, as all three are ordinary people armed with ordinary powers. Part of the fun and suspense is in seeing how they overcome the opposition with whatever they got and however they can.

And of course, the music is the other highlight, this shows theme song is one of my favorite theme songs of all time. It's catchy but really sings out romantic danger, it really gets you going just makes you feel just like the couple you're seeing in all the dangerous situations they're in just foot first on the ground and running.

Sometimes the greater the danger the sweeter the romance, after all what is love without danger.

Rating: 3 stars.

This is another favorite episode, it's the Rangers against the "Five Deadly Venoms" well sort of. But no doubt this episode was one big homage and love letter to that film which is cool as it's one of my favorites "Martial Arts" films of all time.

They go so far as to show an intro training sequence which was in the classic film. We see each of these monsters have their specialty. Seeing each of their abilities and how they weld them, I'll admit it made me concerned for the rangers as they've never yet met their match. That is until today and their pretty darn stiff competition.

We see the first scuffle and unfortunately the ball isn't on the Rangers court as we see them getting their butts kicked by each of these venomous foes. This makes us a little worried and it makes you wonder how the heck they're going to overcome them.

Of course, the main monster they really must fight is the centipede. I really like the design on him, which is unique and creepy, mostly notably that bag on his head which reminds me of Jason Vorhees look from "Friday the 13th Part 2" as he was wearing a sack for a mask.

He's an extremely tough opponent as he's just got the fastest hands around; there is one scene where we see Lily and him go toe to toe and both are just unloading their fists against each other which is cool as their both doing it at rapid fire succession like Kenshiro from "Fist of the North Star". But unfortunately, it's no good as we see Lily, despite her speed is just a millisecond too slow and she takes some hits.

We even see the reveal as he's without the sack, which I'll just say makes him look even worse and the worst part about it is even deadlier. Can the Rangers find the antidote to take out this venomous opponent, you'll just have to find out.

Rating: 4 stars.