How to get started with Power Rangers when you’re 25 years late to the party
For many people, Power Rangers isn’t considered an especially worthy superhero television show. But, in my opinion, Power Rangers is actually one of the greatest superhero television shows that has ever existed. Not only does the series capture the imagination of every child, and some young adults, but it also digs deep into the realm of space, time, magic, and technology in an attempt to create a universe full of excitement.
While at times Power Rangers can come across a tad silly (and doesn’t always make sense…) it can also wow its audience through excellently choreographed battles and interesting storytelling. Yes, I know that they are running about in multi-coloured spandex, but if you can look past that, it can be a very enjoyable watch.
In the past 25 years there has been many different seasons of Power Rangers, with individual styles and gimmicks. And whilst some are justifiably considered ridiculous, there are some that are simply excellent, and perfect if you’re looking for something to binge watch on Netflix.
With that being said, I can imagine that for someone who has never watched Power Rangers before the idea of indulging in a kid’s show (and an especially campy one at that) seems quite daunting. But fear not, as your friendly neighbourhood JOPO is here to help you dive deep into the waters of the Power Rangers universe, by giving you my top 5 Power Ranger episodes!
5. Force from the Future (part 1 & 2) – Power Rangers Time Force
IMHO, Power Rangers Time Force is the second best season of Power Rangers to have ever been made, and ‘Force from the Future’ part 1 & 2 is my absolute favourite opening to any season of Power Rangers altogether. These two episodes set up what would be a wonderful season, involving a very interesting romance between two of the rangers, insight into the backstory of the main villains, and properly deep character development for majority of the main cast.
Without spoiling the episodes, the season kicks off in the year 3000 with one of the best choreographed fights in Power Rangers history between the Red Time Force Ranger, and the big bad villain of the season, Ransik (a futuristic mutant). Not only do the two put on a masterful fight at the start of part 1, but they also go head-to-head again at the end of the first episode too. As well as the two incredible fights, the episode also features a futuristic courtroom case, a prison breakout, and rangers travelling through time to set up what would be a phenomenal season of Power Rangers.
These two episodes kick off the season in a major way, and I highly recommend continuing to watch the rest of the season. If I haven’t made Time Force sound like one of the greatest seasons ever already, it’s worth knowing that they considered making a Power Rangers movie dedicated to this season, so it’s definitely worthwhile.
4. Forever Red – Power Rangers Wild Force
While it’s nowhere near the best season, Power Rangers Wild Force is still incredibly solid. The plot was deep, the main characters grew as individuals throughout, and the back-story of the main villain Master Org and the Red Ranger was extremely interesting to see play out. Though Forever Red had no relation to the current storylines going on in Wild Force, the episode is indeed a memorable one, and acts a phenomenal 10-year anniversary episode. It’s no lie that this episode is predominantly a massive nostalgia party for Power Rangers fans, however anyone watching this episode for the first time would still get a major kick out of it.
The plot of Forever Red is simple, yet very affective. Nostalgia comes in to play when five surviving villains from a previous Power Rangers season attempt to revive a monstrous evil Zord to conquer the world (just like every villain does). Therefore, each Red Ranger from the current and previous seasons are called upon to take on the villainous faction and holy cow, this did not disappoint.
The episode features a wonderful un-morphed fight between the rangers and their enemies, before perhaps the greatest moment of the episode, they all morph! For Power Rangers fans, the morphing sequence is one of the best elements of the show’s history, so seeing 10 Red Rangers transform into their individual suits is phenomenal to see.
Upon morphing, the 10 Red Rangers take on the villains in what I would describe as a 10 on five battle royal that features Matrixesque shootouts, over the top mixed martial arts, and wonderfully choreographed sword fights that could arguably compared to a Star Wars lightsaber battle.
It’s no secret that anyone who watched the show between 1993 and 2002 loved this episode because of the nostalgic elements. While I think the episode could’ve benefited from being a double part-er (which was planned, but eventually scrapped), this episode is magnificent in the fact that it brings together the individual leaders of each Power Rangers team in one special mission to save the earth. It includes wonderful fight scenes, and intriguing continuity factors that may tempt a first-time watcher to go back and watch previous seasons to understand the small references that occur in this episode.
3. Countdown to Destruction (part 1 & 2) – Power Rangers in Space
Power Rangers in Space is arguably the greatest season of Power Rangers in the series history (as I mentioned on episode 4 of the Team Newplex Podcast). The story follows on beautifully from the end of Power Rangers Turbo, and the season did not slow down one bit.
What I loved about this season was the fact that In Space told an almost Star Wars-like story of the Red Ranger who was in search of his missing sister. It featured some great villains with genuine motives, and continued the ongoing dramatic journey of the Power Rangers searching for the being that created the first Power Rangers team, Zordon.
Countdown to Destruction started in a phenomenal way, as past and current villains attempt to take over the galaxy, led by Astronomer (the main season villain), and Dark Spector (the emperor Palpatine of the Power Rangers universe). Without giving away spoilers, the Space Rangers attempt to defend Earth against the threats of the ‘United Alliance of Evil’ but are easily outnumbered by the threats of the villainous faction. In the end, it comes down to a decision that the Red Ranger must make in order to save the galaxy, but what he decides could turn the Power Rangers universe upside down.
Countdown to Destruction truly caps off what is, in my opinion, the greatest season of Power Rangers. Each story arc that had unfolded throughout the season had a solid conclusion at the end of these two episodes. Although these episodes primarily act as somewhat of an end of an era to everything that had taken place before it, the drama during this finale is enough to tempt any new viewer to start watching the series from its beginning, or just the beginning of this season (which I’d strongly recommend).
2. To the Tenth Power – Power Rangers Lost Galaxy
To be completely honest, I have not watched the entirety of Lost Galaxy. I have watched the opening few episodes and the Magnu Defender story arc that took place midway through the season, but other than that my knowledge of the Lost Galaxy season is quite limited.
Though the parts of Lost Galaxy that I did watch were decent, the season generally wasn’t as good as the previous season (In Space), but the writers attempt to create another season of Power Rangers that didn’t take place on Earth is well worth some praise. However, one episode of Lost Galaxy that stands out to me is To the Tenth Power – a childhood favourite of mine, and still a favourite to this day.
To the Tenth Power is phenomenal in every way possible. It features the return of a set of evil Power Rangers who made their debut in a previous season, and a badass team-up between the Galaxy Rangers, and another previous Power Rangers team. The combination of a set of evil rangers, and two Power Rangers teams coming together to defeat them is wondrous in the eyes of a geek like myself. The fight choreography in this episode is again magnificent and highlights the individual fighting styles of each ranger. Not only that, but this episode ends with a lot intrigue, and sets up the next story arc wonderfully.
To the Tenth Power could just be considered another nostalgia party due to the return of a previous ranger team. However, if you’re watching this episode for the first time it’s likely you’ll want to know who all these returning characters are, so I highly recommend checking out Power Rangers in Space before watching this episode, or immediately after.
As well, I’d recommend that after watching this episode you continue to watch the remainder of Lost Galaxy, as the next story arc is extremely intense, and one that may even make you shed a tear.
1. End of Time (part 1, 2, & 3) – Power Rangers Time Force
It’s no coincidence that Time Force appears twice on this list, because I simply can’t speak highly enough of how wonderful the season was at the time of release – and still is to this day. To top off what was an extremely good season was the three-part ending titled End of Time.
End of Time hit every high note that it needed to hit. The episode played on the heart strings of the viewers by capping off a romance between two people from two different time periods who had fallen for one another whilst attempting to save Earth from being taken over by mutants. You’re able to see the emotional effect that existing in an unknown time period has on a group of people, and how the rangers developed as characters because of time travel.
The standout moment of the episode, however, is the Pink Time Force Ranger putting in what I would describe as an Oscar-worthy performance in her attempt to finally capture Ransik – a story that started in the first two episodes of the season as mentioned above.
End of Time, along with the entire Time Force season is a must watch. While these three episodes are a masterful ending to a time travel story, the episodes are also a perfect set-up for a first time viewers. There’s tons of action, emotional moments, and goddamn time travel which is awesomeee. I understand that this is the end of a story arc, however it can be the beginning of one if that’s what you desire. If watching these episodes tempts you to then rewatch the Time Force season leading up to this point then do so, because its 100% worth it.
It’s morphin’ time!
If you’re someone who has never watched Power Rangers before then I hope this list is what you were looking for, as Power Rangers at times can honestly be magnificent. If you’re looking to throw yourself into a season and immediately start your Power Rangers fan journey, then I highly recommend checking out In Space and Time Force (if you hadn’t gathered, I like these seasons), because those two seasons alone truly capture the moments that us long-time fans love.
So fire up your Netflix and enjoy your favourite dudes in multi-coloured spandex save the earth, and “may the power protect you!”