Not that the ’90s were ever really gone, but more than ever they’re definitely back! And there is quite possibly no other franchise as synonymous with the ’90s as the Power Rangers!
The multicoloured, spandex-clad superheroes were every kid’s ambition. Despite early controversies regarding violence, supposed promotion of drug use in its name, and even perceived racism, the Power Rangers have persisted for 27 years now.
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And while there’s never really been a time since without these morphinominal characters, there has been a recent surge in their popularity thanks to the impressive reimagination of the characters by BOOM! comics as well as Hasbro’s buyout of the property, leading to one of the highest selling toy lines in Power Rangers history.
Hasbro’s acquisition of the brand has also led to a re-thinking of the Power Rangers as seen on screen, big and small. And with the confirmed involvement of I’m Not Okay With This co-creator Jonathan Entwistle in the future of the franchise, the Power Rangers are possibly more in trend now than they ever were.
With like any other long lasting franchise, many are sure to want to explore its roots, be they old fans looking for a refresher, or new fans who just yearn to learn. But with over 900 episodes produced over 27 years of broadcast, catching up on the show is an arduous task to say the least–the first season alone wields an archive of 60 episodes (the result of unprecedented popularity and demand). However, thanks to our dedicated and unhealthily Power Rangers-obsessed writing team (it’s me, I have a problem), here’s our attempt to offer a more streamlined experience.
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Over the next few weeks, look to us for a guide to the first three seasons (the Mighty Morphin era), with each reduced to 22-episode runs that still offers all the necessary information that a person looking to douse themselves in the Morphin Grid could possibly need.
01×01 – Day of the Dumpster
Following the inadvertent release of the intergalactic conqueror-witch Rita Repulsa and her court of mystics, warriors, and fools, Zordon, a temporally trapped wizard, and his android partner Alpha 5 select five “teenagers with attitude” to be bestowed with the awesome powers of prehistoric creatures and become the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers!
Jason the Red Ranger, Trini the Yellow Ranger, Zack the Black Ranger, Kimberly the Pink Ranger, and Billy the Blue Ranger have to battle both the Putty Patrollers, and Rita’s general Goldar in a monstrous form. Thank the Power for their Dinozords, giant robots with the spirits of extinct animals capable of forming into a mechanised force for good!
Along with the Rangers, Zordon and Alpha, and Rita and her crew, this episode also introduces the legendary pairing of Bulk & Skull (who have had more appearances than any Ranger with a consecutive 6-season run–7 for Bulk–as show regulars). The now famous city of Angel Grove and the Command Centre also debut in this episode.
01×02 – High Five
Trini has to confront her fear of heights when she and Billy are put on the spot without the rest of the team.
This episode marks the introduction of the now iconic communicators, as well as Rita’s Dark Dimension—a location with significant presence over the next few seasons. It’s also the beginning of Trini-Billy shippers.
01×03 – Teamwork
The show’s tendency to promote values to their young audience begins taking clearer shape with this episode when the Rangers are occupied with battling pollution in both their civilian and their superhero identities.
This episode also introduces the Power Weapons, and their combined form the Power Blaster, used for finishing moves against smaller monsters… before they become bigger monsters. Ironically, this is one time where the Power Blaster destroys a monster that the Megazord couldn’t.
01×07 – Big Sisters
Kim and Trini continue being really nice people and volunteer to mentor a mischievous young girl as part of a Big Sister programme. Billy’s flying car, the RadBug (short for “Remote Activated Drivingzord for Basic Ultra Geomorphology”), makes its first appearance.
A fleeting mention and a glimpse of the Morphing Masters is also given. While they’ve yet to recur in the TV show, they’re of some significance in the ongoing BOOM! comic book series.