Ultraman (1966) Episode 4 Review

This episode’s Kaiju is Ragon, who is a water-based creature and has a nifty breath attack, but otherwise doesn’t really create much of a challenge for Ultraman, except for a little plot device added in the beginning that pads on the danger. This episode is a little bit on the disjointed side, but there are still a few fun moments to be had from the Science Patrol and their wacky antics.

This tale opens up with a bit of exposition involving a nerfed rocket that was supposed to carry 6 nuclear bombs for helping out the crew out in Jupiter. Unfortunately, the rocket crashed into the ocean with 1 bomb already detonating and cutting a path of destruction (and also giving Tsuburaya Productions more of an excuse to show off pretty water effects). 4 of the remaining 5 bombs are found, but the Maritime Patrol is stuck on how to find the last bomb without setting it off, so they turn to the Science Patrol to find a means of retrieving the bomb without going underwater which could trigger the bomb’s detonation mechanisms. In the middle of figuring this out, we are treated to a comedy bit to cut a little bit of the tension as Fuji and Hoshino are taking the day off to go catch some sun at a nearby marina. Of course when there’s comedy, there’s usually a very kaiju-related destruction bit to follow, as we watch Ragon “drown” a carrier.

When Hayata talks with the lone survivor of said attack, they learn the monster has the last bomb on its bodice, which puts the team in a very precarious situation. While the Science Patrol is trying to figure out the best way of dealing with Ragon, Hoshino and Fuji get stuck with a little one who jabbers a lot and likes both spaghetti and sandwiches at the same time. I did find it funny that both Fuji and Hoshino were annoyed by the squirt, even though Fuji was thoughtful enough to go ahead and watch the kid for her mother. Naturally Ragon is heading their way, so we get treated to a series of more flooding with those splash water effects. Cap goes ahead and sends Arashi in the Jet VTOL while Ide is forced to stay and make coffee badly for Cap.

The Jet VTOL, another component in the Science Patrol's arsenal.

Hayata is also on his way, except in a means of creating more tension, they have him take a car boat ferry. A little padding on the script much there? I think so too. In the battle sequence that follows, all parties collide with the Ragon as it tries to chase Fuji and Hoshino around with Arashi powerless due to the bomb being caught up around its’ skin. This turn of events forces Hayata to once again become Ultraman and battle Ragon, although even this bit was off as they tried to create even more tension by having the Warning Light go off sooner than normally displayed in the last few episodes. This strikes of inconsistency and they probably should have decided on a set amount of time in the Kaiju battle for it to start going off. Annoyances aside, it does help add to the list of problems the teams has at the moment. The day is saved of course, although the ending was a bit out there. Ultraman had flown out to space to prevent the bomb from destroying Japan, and the cast is genuinely concerned about whether Ultraman survived. Hayata just walks over says, that Ultraman is immortal and everything’s ok, and then they end the episode with shot of Hayata cracking a slight smile. I do have to say that’s some confidence there.

I think it's been very well established at this point that Hayata has UltraTiger Blood flowing in his veins.

It probably would’ve been more appropriate to have Ultraman do a quick touchdown on the Earth, maybe a flyby, something to let the others know he is okay before shifting back to Hayata. Just a thought there. This episode you can probably skip as it isn’t really flying on all cylinders, but with how solid things have been so far, you have to have a clunker every once in while. Is it just me or haven’t these old school shows kinda dipped in quality when they have an annoying kid as a character? I mean, it happened in Kamen Rider too. Schwatch!