Now that we've gotten a two-part serious business story out of the way, we're going to start seeing some more lighter fluff episodes. Next episode also looks like the long overdue ShinkenPink/Mako focus episode. Usually in Sentai, they knock out focus episodes for each character within the first 6-7 weeks. Shinkenger seems to have taken a slightly more unorthodox--albeit organic--approach to character development and lets the story play out a little more. Mako did get a pretty good speech in Act 12 when she talked about what Takeru has to deal with as their "tono-sama." I like how she's becoming more and more the mommy of the group.
A lull was inevitable, but it won't last too long. If Shinkenger follows the typical Sentai cycle, we'll see some heavy story episodes coming in around 17-18, with possibly a big game-changing event around 19-20, possibly the introduction of the 6th ranger and maybe some new faces on the villains' side.
If waiting every week becomes too much to bear, remember that TVNihon also has past sentai series up for download as well. I highly recommend Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger. It starts off a little slow but turns into an absolutely fantastic martial arts themed sentai with lots of cool fights and kung fu movie references. And if you think Shinkenger's theme song and background music is good, then you'll love Gekiranger's soundtrack.