Shadow of the Colossus: Are Dormin and the Colossus really evil?

    

     This is going to be a bit different. As much as I love talking about giant monsters and Tokusatsu, sometimes there is a game that really catches my eye and I have to play it and talk about it until my friends are driven insane by my ramblings. Shadow of the Colossus is one of those games. After reliving my childhood through this amazing game I got to thinking again about the characters and the story. Anybody who played the game knows it is not a very story or dialogue intensive game, but there is a story there. The story of how the land got to that point, the story of why that warrior was there, and the story of Dormin, the main topic this time.
     There are many theories circulating the interweb about Dormin and the Colossus. While the theories are diverse, most people seem to gravitate towards the theory that Dormin is evil, the colossus were meant to seal him, and Wander was in over his head. I completely reject this theory. I would go so far to say that none of the characters in this game are evil. Dormin in particular may hold a grudge against Emon but he is not evil. This theory honestly planted the seeds that would explain a lot of things in the entire land in which the colossus reside and what their innate purpose was. I believe that Dormin is not evil and is instead of being that is a tad more benevolent than we think.

needless to say: Spoilers Ahead

     It is first essential to understand what Wander, the main character, is doing in this game. Wander comes to this Forbidden land after hearing a story (more on that later) about it in order to resurrect Mono, a girl whom we can assume Wander has some romantic or family relation with. It is stated that Mono was sacrificed for she had a "cursed fate" while I think some points of dialogue are left over from plot points relating to ICO it is safe to assume that sacrifice was an intentional word choice. The game has so few spoken parts, it is unreasonable to think that they were just skimmed pieces of dialogue. Each line has a point and a very particular word choice. These Lines and certain character actions are key to this theory.
     When Wander enters the Forbidden land he meets Dormin, or rather shadowy figures that appear to be a part of Dormin. After Taking notice of Wander and, in particular, the sword he wields, Dormin and Wander have a conversation about why they are there and what Wander has to do to revive Mono. Our first piece of evidence that Dormin is not that evil comes from this conversation. At this point all we know of this land is that it's forbidden and some power in this land can resurrect this dead. Dormin appears to be that power and is okay with helping Wander but needs him to do something for him first. Dormin directly tells wander about the idols and the Colossi they represent. Dormin makes it clear that a heavy price will be paid in this ordeal, only to have the offer accepted hastily by Wander. Most Demons or evil entities are conniving and manipulative. Dormin did not have to convince wander to do anything. There was no coercion or manipulation. Dormin stated what needed to be done for this resurrection to be possible, and Wander just went forth. Dormin may be ominous and otherworldly but it seems he is not a trickster.
     This is where the game really starts and the brunt of the game is exploration and defeating the Colossi. One argument for the whole "Dormin being evil" theory is that Dormin keeps his directions towards the colossus intentionally vague. Consider this, every time Wander is directed to another colossus, a hint to how to defeat that particular colossus is squeezed in with it. Also, why does dormin have to show you where the colossi is exactly, when you have a sword that literally shows you the way as well as a map. Now, on the game dev side this is meant so the player can explore as much as possible and see this gorgeous world. What if Dormin also wants you to see as much of this land as possible while you journey, only stopping you to point out shrines of some unknown importance. If Dormin really wanted to keep your journey vague and difficult, there would be no hints from Dormin during every Collosi fight. It leaves one of two possibilities. Either Dormin wants these colossi destroyed as soon as possible or Dormin is guiding wander. I think its a bit of both.
     As Wander is defeating Colossi, his complexion grows darker and black veiny lines appear over parts of his body. This can be easily tied to what happens when a Colossi falls. When a Colossus dies, this black mist pours from their body and black tendrils appear and make a B-line towards Wander, going into his body. Next Wander appears back in the temple only to prepare for his next challenge. We find out after the final colossi that Wander faints after being subjected to these tendrils. some unknown force then lifts him off the ground and carries him back to the temple. It is heavily implied that this is Dormin moving wander to the temple. Once Wander returns to the temple and the head Shaman Emon catches up, we get the next and final major set of dialogue and cutscenes. Everything starts to fall into place.
     Instead of summarizing it, this is the exact play by play:

Shrine of Worship

Emon and his followers ride across the massive bridge to the Shrine, opening the sealed door at the end. Inside, Emon slides his mask back down over his face, having previously lifted it up. The group of six descend the ramp, and arrive at the main chamber. Soon, the entire room begins to shake.

Follower:

Lord Emon!

Emon turns to the last of the Colossus' idols, right as it explodes.

Emon:

No...

He notices Mono at the other side of the room.

Emon:

Hmm?

He takes off his mask as he looks to the altar. The camera shifts to Mono, then whites out.

By the 16th Colossus

Wander is lying on the ground in front of the now-felled Colossus. He starts to move as the camera pans up, and reappears in the Shrine.

Shrine of Worship

By the altar, Emon is performing a chant over Mono's body. In the middle of it, though, he stops and turns around; Wander has appeared in the room. His sword spirals through the air as Wander loses his grip of it, now incredibly weak and exhausted; his face is pale-white, his voice has become strained, and two small horns now protrude from his head.

Emon:

I don't believe this... So it was you after all. Have you any idea what you've done?! Not only did you steal the sword and trespass upon this cursed land, you used the forbidden spell as well...

Two of Emon's followers walk towards Wander.

Emon:

To be reduced to such a sight...

Wander manages to stand up, albeit slowly.

Emon:

You were only being used. Eradicate the source of the evil.

One of the followers readies an arrow. Wander continues to walk, hunched over, with the shadows still behind him.

Emon:

Look... He's possessed by the dead. Hurry up and do it!

The follower launches the arrow into Wander's leg; he falls over, grabbing the leg in pain, but is able to stand up again. A shadow seeps of the wound, beginning to spread out over more of his body.

Emon:

It is better to put him out of his misery then to exist, cursed as he is.

Another follower walks to Wander. He raises his sword above him; hesitating for a mere second, he
pierces Wander's chest. Cringing, Wander tries to grab the sword; darkness pours out of the wound, like the Colossi when they were stabbed. The follower backs up; Emon looks surprised. Wander staggers to the altar, reaching out to Mono. He pulls the sword out of his chest; darkness flows out of it, rapidly encasing his body in darkness. Wander drops the sword; it falls to the ground, as does he. The shadows finally reach the tip of his foot, now covering him completely. Emon looks at Mono, but turns back as one of the followers screams. Dormin - appearing as a horned beast the size of the Colossi - emerges from Wander. He speaks;

Dormin:	Thou severed Our body into sixteen segments for an eternity in order to seal away Our power... We, Dormin, have arisen anew...
Emon:	He's been resurrected...!
Dormin:	We have borrowed the body of this warrior...

All of the humanlike shadows run into Dormin's body, increasing his size.

Emon:

Place a seal over the entire shrine before it's too late!

The player takes control of Dormin for a brief segment. Emon and his men run to the central shaft of the shrine, and a follower grabs the Ancient Sword on the way.

After the segment ends, Emon and his followers run to the top of the spiral ramp.

Emon:

Ready my horse.

A follower hands Emon the Ancient Sword; he walks to the ledge that sits over the pool of water down below. Emon raises the sword into the air, then throws it downward to the water.

Emon:

Be gone fowl beast!

A bright light shines out of the pool as the sword falls into it, creating a sort of miniature tornado. Emon pauses after the winds blow his mask back, but then turns to leave. Back in the main room, Dormin is being pulled by the wind. As he's pulled, he reverts to Wander's form, but is still covered in pitch-black shadows. Dormin-Wander makes a futile attempt at resisting the wind, but is sucked into the pool. The wind dissipates. Outside, Emon and his followers ride across the bridge, which has now begun to collapse. The camera shifts back inside the Shrine. Mono comes back to life and steps off the altar. Agro comes in from the side stairs, with a limp leg. Mono pets him as he draws near her. The credits start to roll.
The locations of all sixteen Colossi are shown in Reminiscence Mode, after which we see Emon and his followers arrive at the end of the bridge as the rest of it breaks apart.

Emon:

Poor ungodly soul... Now, no man shall ever trespass upon this place again. Should you be alive... If it's even possible to continue to exist in these sealed lands... one day, perhaps you will make atonement for what you've done.

Back at the Shrine of Worship, Mono and Agro walk to the pool of water. Wander, now in the form of a baby, lies on the surface of the water. Mono kneels down to him and picks him up. Mono follows Agro up the spiral ramp. Outside the Shrine, they walk up to the 'Secret Garden' atop the building. Birds chirp throughout the Garden; a deer notices Mono and Agro as they come in. It runs to them, but slows down as it nears Mono. A bird flies out of the Garden; the camera follows it, leaving Mono and Agro out of view. The bird flies across the forbidden land, eventually reaching a dark place accompanied by a raging storm. The camera shoots passed the bird, and the screen goes black.

(this play by play I got from mtkennerly on GameFAQS)

     Now I know a lot of that makes Dormin look pretty evil but consider one thing. If Dormin was truly just after his own resurrection, why bother resurrecting Mono and Wander at all? Emon did not turn wander into a baby. Emon didn't know what happened after he placed the seal and threw the sword down. For all he knows, Wander is dead. So then what? Where is Dormin? What exactly happened to Wander? and how does this mean Dormin aint evil?
    I mentioned that exact wording here is important. Emon stated that Wander had been possessed by the dead. I believe that this should be taken at face value and is a true statement. It helps us break down exactly who, or more accurately, what Dormin is. If Wander is possessed by the dead it is safe to assume that the black masses coming out of the colossi and entering wander were collective souls of the dead. We also know these as pieces of Dormin. This means that Dormin is an entity made up of a collective of dead souls and that the colossi contained pieces of Dormin.
     This could mean a great many things but I believe that Dormin is being who guides the souls of the dead, or more accurately a sentinel between the realm of the dead and the realm of the living. Now is the time to revisit the story that Wander heard about the land that drove him there to begin with.

"That place... began from the resonance of intersecting points... They are memories replaced by ens and naught and etched into stone. Blood, young sprouts, sky--and the one with the ability to control beings created from light... In that world, it is said that if one should wish it one can bring back the souls of the dead... ...But to trespass upon that land is strictly forbidden..."

     What if that land is simply an intersecting point between the land of the dead and the land of the living? The main temple, the various shrines and ruined cities all could have been built ceremoniously to worship and protect the cycle of life and death. I believe this to be the case. I also believe that the people in Wanders tribe, and particularly Emon, have a reason for knowing about the ritual to bring back the dead.
     Dormin does not show aggression with Wander, but gets violent with Emon and his men stating they sealed his body into the 16 colossi. It is unreasonable to think that Emon himself is as old as some of the ruins in that land. It was established by Dormin earlier in the game (and by the fact that many of the colossi can't leave) That these Colossi were built back when the structures were more stable and complete. Enough time has indeed passed more moss to grow on several Colossi, and for stone structures to collapse.
     I believe that over time the people that lived there began to fear the power of the dead as the souls of the dead (represented by shadows, beings created by light) just would wander alongside the living. Dormin likely was always present in some form but stayed near the main temple and only occasionly went to the outer reaches to get the lay of the land and be sure the living and dead aren't in conflict. This idea is reinforced by the fact that the last bit of Dormin that speaks with you is only able to communicate with you at the Temple, where the connection is strongest, and how Dormin still seems to know a lot about the land and where these Colossi are. Dormin very likely has light omniscience. This explains also why he was able to let Wander know Emon was coming before the last Colossus. Dormin can see where all of the Colossi are but more than that, knows very well about how the Colossi work as well as the Shamans like Emon.
     I believe these Colossi, initially were made to just be stone statues representing or honoring warriors, animals, etc. Some were even meant to represent spiritual guardians. Those who played the game know that many of the colossi are looking over or wandering around temples or something akin to a ritual site. What if the Shamans of old put the glowing rune (the glowing weakspot) in particular spots on these 16 monuments and used the seals to pull pieces of Dormin, which as established are souls of the dead, into these Colossi. These separated and powerful souls could account for the fact that the Colossi seems to have something of a personality unique to each one. One could also toy with why these Colossi attack Wander if they are pieces of Dormin. There are two likely answers. One is that the individual pieces of Dormin hold a grudge against the living until they reform with Dormin's main body. The other is that the enchantment has them protecting the specific site they were constructied. It would be easier for the Shamans as that would have been the statues initial purpose anyway. I am more convinced of the latter. I also believe that Until Dormin gets enough power to connect to the pieces, they aren't active. This is explained by the fact that you have to fight the Colossi in order and the first Colossus is right next to the castle more or less.
     Now most of this is speculation but explains quite a bit. There has to be something more, though. For a theory to work there needs to be something in the game. Fortunately there is two final pieces of evidence that raise way too many questions in the game. Firstly at the end Dormin does not persist the chase of Emon and the guards up the spiral steps. During the cutscene there is a pretty big jump in time as anybody who has played the game knows that climbing that spiral ramp to the top on foot does NOT take but a few seconds. This creates a period of time unaccounted for for Dormin. If only Dormin had been seen following the shaman or reaching to grab him them while they climb this would be a different story but that is not the case. The only two things Dormin could have been doing in that time frame is a) standing there lamenting a missed opportunity or b) finishing the ritual and bringing Mona back to life. I find it hard to believe that that castle would stop him or Dormin would just give up like that so considering it is way too much of a stretch, the first option is out. The second option also explains the weird delay in Mona coming back to life.
    The second piece of Evidence is from the same scene. When Dormin is chasing the guards and emon, no matter what you do, you cannot kill them. For a "Demon" with the power of 16 colossi and a connection to the souls of the dead, being unable to kill seems pretty odd. Again we are left with two options. a) the newly reformed Dormin is not powerful enough to kill anybody yet b) Dormin was never trying to kill them. I cannot believe the first option simply because he was reformed piece by piece. Dormin had plenty of time to get acclimated to his form one piece at a time so even if he is not at full power, he must be darn close to it. The second option is very easy to explain again if he was trying to finish the ritual. Dormin did not want them dead. They were not his followers he just wanted to shoo them. Dormin just wanted to finish the ritual and help his new follower in peace. I will say again it is easy to assume that the price Wander paid is being turned into a baby, but neither the player nor Emon knows how his interference affected Wander.
     In Conclusion. There is too much unaccounted for time and Dormin doing not a lot of evil things for me say that he is really evil. I don't think Dormin is good either. If I were to place Dormin on the typical alignment chart, I would say Dormin is easily Lawful Neutral. Dormin is bound by a set of rules and laws, some of which he enacted himself. While the being never goes out of his way to help anybody, neither does Dormin go out of his way to hurt anybody. Dormin is just doing his job and it's easy to see him as evil like you would a grim reaper or Hades. There was no villain in this story. Wander wanted to save his love from an unknown and unfair fate, Emon was trying to stop him as their beliefs treat life as sacred and Dormin was just trying to do his job. A deal was made and Dormin made good on it. To me, that makes the story that much more tragic. Pretty cool for a game where all you do is fight 16 bosses, huh?

    

Go-Onger Review

  This series was among the first Sentai that I watched and ultimately helped me get into Tokusatsu so it will always have a soft spot in my heart. I must admit, that going into it I didn't know what to expect. I wasn't the biggest fan of the suit designs or the zords. I still gave it a fair chance and, to this day, I am glad I did. Go-Onger is by no means perfect, but it is worth talking about.This series has some great examples of the best parts of Tokusatsu but also has a very obvious negative that lingers on with many other Super Sentai and Kamen Rider shows.
     First and Foremost I see it fit to talk about the characters. This Sentai has more members than most but doesn't exactly hold the record. Despite a 7 member count, most of the characters played off each other very well and I was never really distracted by just how many there were. This is helped by the fact that time was taken to get to know the first 5 well before Gold and Silver were introduced, and there was still ample time to understand their characters as well.

Characters

Go-On Red (Sosuke Esumi) - Many would describe him as having an immature yet sunny disposition. I am inclined to disagree. Though Sosuke is indeed energetic, positive and a tad stubborn, I would not describe him as immature. Sosuke shows multiple times that he understands the mission and the weight of everything happening around him. He develops very well as he keeps on maturing while trying to hold on to his energy and positive, albeit thick-headed, attitude. Sosuke never loses his charm and the show is better for it.
Go-On Blue (Renn Kousaka) - Renn is very much the parental figure of the group. He is always there to prepare good food and offer helpful advice. It is joked about that he is the Go-Ongers "mother" and rightfully so. Renn's writing and development is arguably the weakest as his primary character ark is coming to terms with his own nice yet doting and slightly naive character. There is enough character and enough development for me not to hate him but everything about him seemed very "by the numbers". Not a bad character but didn't necessarily stick out to me.
G0-On Yellow (Saki Rouyama) -While Sosuke can be described as having a sunny disposition, Saki is clearly more of the fun loving one. Saki tries to always be happy and make those around her happy. It was very easy to make Saki and Sosuke have the exact same character, and that thin line is walked along often in this show. Fortunately the show is smart enough to make their joy come from different places. While Sosuke wants to keep his life in gear so he can keep going and keep growing, Saki has a very specific dream she is constantly working towards. That is coupled with family issues we learn about later that create this sense that Saki  may sometimes be forcing that smile. Much like Renn character development is very basic, and just enough is done to show that Saki has grown. Unlike Renn, however, Saki sticks out and is much more enjoyable to witness which, in turn, makes her development more fun to watch even if it is only a little. Saki is a very delightful character that offers just more than enough for the show.
Go-On Green (Hant Jou) - Hant Jou is a tough nut to crack. Kind-hearted, childish and easygoing are words often used to describe him, but I would say he is also a bit timid by nature. Hant has a deep curiousity and selfless nature, which is what roped in into Gunpei's shenanigans when he became Go-On Black. Hant getting chosen as Go-On Green is no less than a happy accident. Though becoming a Go-Onger cost him his job, Hant is often found working part time, both for money and personal reasons. Despite his childishness, Hant's development is based not around taking things seriously, but rather taking the right things seriously. As I said, Hant can be pretty timid and reserved when he doesn't know what to do or feels unmotivated. It's all about finding that nice balance between taking your responsibilities with complete seriousness while relaxing and enjoying the other facets of your life. In a way, I'm sure a lot of people can relate to Hant.
Go-On Black (Gunpei Ishihara) -Without a doubt, Gunpei was the most eager to take up the mantle of Go-Onger. As the evil organization "Gaiark" appeared he was but a cop. After his superiors told Gunpei that Gaiark was out of their jurisdiction he left the force and went on to find the Go-Ongers. After a very rocky start, Gunpei became a part of the team. Upon leaving the force and becoming a Go-Onger, Gunpei had a strong sense of justice and believed that the police had lost this sense of justice, as well as the fact he saw his team as kids who needed his guidance. With this his story was very much about not being as hard-headed and learning to be more compassionate and empathetic to others. Eventually, Gunpei saw the other Go-Ongers as more than just kids, they were his team.
Go-On Gold (Hiroto Sutou) - The first of the Sutou siblings that make up Go-On wings. At first Hiroto comes across as a stuck-up jerk. Actually by the end of everything he is still kind of a stuck-up jerk, but as we learn more about him we discover that he does everything he does for good reason. When Hiroto first encounters the Go-Ongers he wants them to stop and leave everything to the wings. It is discovered later that the reasons were two-fold. First Hiroto wanted to be sure as many people (Go-Ongers included) were safe from unnecessary danger and second, he thought he was the only one good enough and cabaple of fighting (with the exception of his sister). Over time in the series, Hiroto discovers that he is not all that and the other Go-Ongers are just as capable as he is. I mean, he's still a jerk but at least by the end he plays well with others.
Go-On Silver (Mio Sutou) - Mio is an odd one. Mio has rich girl sensibilities through and through as well as an even larger superiority complex than her brother at times. She is quicker to work with the Go-Ongers...but mostly because she finds their lack of skill adorable and think they need to be protected by "big sister Mio". Like her brother, she comes to see what the Go-Ongers are capable of over time, beginning to trust their skills and work with them legitimately. The reason she sticks around isn't what you'd expect though. She has a massive crush on Sosuke, built off the notion that it's adorable how rambunctious and determined he is despite being bad at fighting. She is just as stuck up, if not more, than her brother. Also like her brother, Mio comes around and is able to fight with all the Go-Ongers honestly and proudly.
BOMPER (Born-to Outerdimension and Mechanic x Pitcrew-type Engine-support Robot) - The Go-Ongers helpful Robot companion. advises the Go-Ongers and is an experienced mechanic for the zords. 

 

     The zords they pilot are referred to as their partners. There are 12 of them in total, each with their own bit of character. Aside from the main 5 and Jum-Bowhale, there isn't really enough time for the other zords to shine. That is not to say their characters aren't fun and enjoyable. I just felt at times some of the zords were just there for the megazord and others were there to be characters.

Engine Speedor - condor/race car
Engine Bus-on - lion/bus
Engine BearRV - bear/RV
Engine Birca - orca/motorcycle
Engine Gunpherd -German Shepherd/police car
Engine Carrigator - alligator/semi-trailer
Engine Toripter - chicken/helicopter
Engine Jetras - tiger/fighter jet
Engine Jum-bowhale - whale/jumbo jet 
Engine Kishamoth - mammoth/steam engine
Engine T-line - tyrannosaurus rex/bullet train 
Engine K-line - triceratops/bullet train 
Armored Wheel GoRoader GT - Tire that turns into a Mecha            

     The villains in Go-Onger each stand out in their own way, For better or for worse. The main villain faction in the show is a group referred to as Gaiark. This group operates like a huge corporation and their big goal is to spread pollution as far as possible. While that seems pretty generic, it is discovered later that they actually need pollution to survive. While this isn't a huge game changer, nor is it touched upon as much as I would like, it still adds a bit of necessary depth to the villains of the show.

Yogostein (land pollution minister) - Yogostein is loud, tough and very strong. He is far from stupid though. Yogostein can be thick-headed as his pride can get the better of him sometimes, but his schemes are almost always well thought out. Heck, most of the schemes in the early episodes would likely work if the Go-Ongers didn't get a new zord or power at just the right time, but I digress. I would say that Yogostein is the most interesting villain in this whole show. The desire to defeat the Go-Ongers and make a place suitable for only the Gaiark slowly devolves into a sick obsession. Towards the end of the series. This shows itself in his willingness to hurt himself and other allies to achieve his goals. Before this obsession took over a picture was painted of a being full of loyalty to his organization and care for those under him. Yogostein was almost always proud of his creations and most of all, his vice minister. The transition is pretty drastic but comes out so naturally and is all the more devastating because of it.
Kitaneidas (air pollution minister) - Compared to the other two ministers, Kitaneidas is more of a tinkerer and a thinker. Most of his schemes were pretty indirect in some regard but were just as effective as the other ministers' plans. Of the mainstay villains in the show Kitaneidas very easily stood out the least. Despite being a very formidable fighter he was often delegated to a sort of support villain role in the series. Unfortunately there is not much else to say about him other than he was good at tinkering and was a good support villain.
Kegalesia (water pollution minister) - Kegalesia is very much the diva of the villains. I hate to say it but a huge chunk of her character, down to her design, was probably meant solely as fan service. She is by no means a bad villain but she only stands out a bit more than the air minister when it comes to evil. I think if this character was given the direction to just go all out and have fun she could have been just as fun and over the top as Bandora from Zyuranger. Whenever she snaps and goes full evil, the transition is pretty funny. Imagine if the super crazy ex-gf you always hear about was also a machine set to spread air pollution and destroy stuff. Her schemes were always drawn from some random obsession or thing she really wanted, though she was always quick to help her cohorts evil schemes. Kegalesia was a good villainess but underutilized I feel.
Hiramechimedes (land pollution vice-minister) - Easily my second favorite villain of the show and it is not just because he has an awesome name. The Vice minister of land pollution joined the fray against the Go-Ongers later in the series and served as the primary rival of the Go-On wings (Gold and Silver). Hiramechimedes is the smartest of the villains and a brilliant tactician. His skills in organizing the troops and making plans keep the Go-Ongers on their toes the entire time he is around. Much like his boss, Yogostein, Hiramechimedes suffers from some hardcore pride, thought not in the way you think. Hiramechimedes is proud to be in Gaiark and proud to be serving under his hero Yogostein. The two earth ministers hold each other in reverence for their skill. I'm honestly shocked they didn't pull a "I'm a better earth minister than you" with the vice-minister....Though given what we got....that also would have been a much better alternative for the last bit of the show. I digress. The Vice-minister appeared out of the blue and left with a bang with one final confrontation against the Go-Ongers. A great villain and a very pivotal character considering what happened to Yogostein not long after.
Chirakasonne ( Danger Cabinet-Director) - Chirakasonne is the right hand man to the Crime Minister and leader of Gaiark, Yogoshimacritein. There is not much to say about this character and that honestly is the entire problem. He was supposed to be this second in command, this huge baddy, but he feels more like your typical monster of the week. What is his power? Chirakasonne can absorb and throw back blasts of energy using the energies of his own body. That is what he does. That is who he is. Thinking back, I don't think he lasted more than two episodes. It is worth mentioning him though as Chirakasonne and the next two villains are integral to probably the greatest flaw of the show. Before that I should probably discuss the other two.
Kireizky (Cleaning Minister) - Why does an evil organization that creates and survives off pollution...need somebody to clean? I think I know what the intent was. Imagine what the mafia refers to as a cleaner. Basically it would make him an assassin who is good at getting things done quick and making it seem like nothing happened. The problem was how surreal his character was. Kireizky was a neat freak and all of his weapons resembled cleaning supplies. Everything from a feather duster sword to a dust pan shield. I don't hate this character as much as the other two that show up out of nowhere at the end, but I can't really like him. On writing and designing the character I believe that the original concept got lost in his gimmick. Unfortunately that gimmick goes against everything he should be as a member of Gaiark. Kireizky isn't bad as a villain, he is certainly formidable against the Go-Ongers, he is just too out of place to me.
Yogoshimacritein (Crime Minister) - I do not get why the Danger Cabinet-Director and the Cleaning Minister are the way they are. They confuse and frustrate me. Yogoshimacritein and how he was handled just makes me mad. The first thing you notice about the Crime Minister is how much he looks like Yogostein. Well that is because they are father and son. This is made clearer when you notice that some of the mannerisms of Yogoshimacritein are just like Yogostein except with a tad more menace and calm to him. They way they fight is also very similar but it is apparent that the Crime minister is a lot stronger. On his own, YogoShimacritein is absolutely final boss material, but was written into the story so poorly that much like the last two, I don't have much to say about him other than, he's pretty evil and intimidating.

Story discussion

     As I said before when the show is good, it displays some of the best parts of Tokusatsu. The first dozen of so episodes before the wings join are about the characters. the main plot details involve black and green officially joining the Go-Ongers and getting new zords and zord combinations. The conflicts are typical monster of the week fare but some of the plans of the villains are pretty bold. I honestly believe some of these plans would work if the Go-Ongers didn't jus happen to get a new weapon or zord configuration at just the right now.
     In many ways the first part of this show feels like a parody done right. The hero characters are interesting and fun and the villains serve as the voice for the audience in a way. They keep getting continually confused and frustrated by the new toys. It really is bizarre but the villains in the beginning find this odd balance of threatening mastermind and funny straight man in a comedy routine. The show is very good at using comedy to ease the viewer into situations. by the time big story events start happening, the audience is completely comfortable with the heroes and the villains. This makes them that much more invested, and is one of the shows greatest strengths.
     The next 20-30 episodes is when the story and drama really kick in. The introduction of the Go-On wings and Hiramechimedes puts a spin in everything. The audience gets to see new sides to our villains and due to the increased danger the Go-Ongers must learn to work together better and start to reel back and take things more serious. The show, by  no means,  loses it's comedic edge. There are still the occasional funny moments, but this huge section of the show was meant to transition into the plot and take things a bit more serious. Thinking back it did seem like the show was drastically different before the Vice-minister of earth arrived than after. It is always hard to transition from comedy to more drama and action but this show did okay.
     The heroes are all about character still, and to some degree more so than a developing story. The villains, however get the big dramatic story turns. Yogostein, especially, with his slow descent into madness as his plans keep failing and his colleagues keep dying. This does create a weird dynamic on both sides of the fence. The heroes aren't terrible but aside from some individual episodes don't really get a chance to stand out. The best dramatic moment for the heroes is when it seems Sosuke is about to die. That scene shows great acting and really helps to reinforce to the Go-Ongers how serious and how much of a problem the villains have become. Other than that, most of the time the heroes are just kind of okay and nothing really stands out. The villains kind of start of suffer here, though. Since Yogostein is getting so much development he takes center stage for the villains and unfortunately overshadows the others, especially after Hiramechimedes dies. At this point in the series I didn't hate any of it but thought the series was a tad better in the beginning when they were just having fun.
     Then came the climax and the last few episodes. Everything kind of fell apart here. The appearance of Kireizky, Chirakasonne, and Yogoshimacritein were unexpected in just about every sense of the word. Suddenly these supreme higher ups of Gaiark showed up to correct the mistakes their subordinates made. On paper this is fine and not an unfamiliar plot to Tokusatsu. There are three things that ruin the impact of these three, however: First, The three ministers of Earth, water and air pollution do not even know of their existence and to some degree confused that they even have bosses. This raises so many questions and ruins the illusion that Gaiark is this super organized  entity of evil. Secondly, The build up and development for the other villains just suddenly stops leaving the audience wanting for some kind of closure or conclusion to their story. Third, all three of the new big villains hardly get any semblance of development. They all just kind of show up and take more than one episode to beat.
     In a bizzare twist though, we do get to see some great acting all around from the heroes in the last few episodes. While nothing ground-breaking, Once the situation got more dire in the story and the stakes were raised that high, all of the Rangers switched to a more serious mode. Oddly enough, all of the Go-Ongers act so much better during dramatic moments. It's not like they are terrible at the more light-hearted or comedic moments. I honestly can't imagine anybody else playing Sosuke. It was good, though, that the acting on the hero side just got better. For them the final episodes were all about resolution and they showed that resolution in every waking moment. I only wish I got a different ending on the villains side.

Final Thoughts
    
     Now I had the design for the final boss spoiled to me before I finished the show. When I saw it, and saw what was going on with Yogostein, I thought some dark things were about to happen. I thought the earth pollution minister would scrap his friends and greatest allies, the other two ministers, to empower himself as the Ultimate Minister of Pollution. Unfortunately that is not what happened and I got immensely disappointed with what we actually got. Even when I clear my bias as much as I can and rewatch the ending it really makes no sense from a story telling perspective.
     This is the major flaw of this series and one that unfortunately lingers in Tokusatsu. Villains, particularly final boss villains don't appear till the end with no real buildup to them. Often times there is buildup to another possible outcome, but that just makes the final battle chosen, all the less exciting. The audience isn't built up to fear this villain, we are built up to expect a battle that suits the character. Another example is Kamen Rider Faiz. Takumi's fight with Kiba held more weight than the actual final battle of the show. The final fight is only a symptom of how the story is written though.
     I can't say exactly who would be to blame for this but in many tokusatsu series, a good chunk of the series is written and portrayed very naturally. The way characters interact and what you begin to think will come of them meet or surpass expectation very well. As the series ends there is of course a pressure to wrap everything up and many times that requires the addition of a central foe for everyone to fight. This usually means that a Tokusatsu series will have an opening and middle that are strong or at least good with a last bit that is not terrible, but not what it could have been.
     Ranting aside that is the best way for me to describe Go-Onger as a whole. this series was fun and the characters were great, but it could have been a lot more if the last episodes took a slightly different route. I do recommend that this series be watched. When this show is good, it is funny and great, just don't expect a masterpiece.