Command Center Commentaries: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 1- Part 5

After an additional 20 episodes were added to the first season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, I'm sure a lot of people were expecting the showrunners to bring their A game in storytelling in order to keep the episodes fresh and innovative with the young viewers. That's not exactly what we got for a while. In episodes 41-48, we got filler. LOTS of filler. On top of that, fans were still writing to the show demanding that they bring Tommy back in some capacity. After sitting through enough filler episodes and noting a few standouts, episodes 49-50 brought a memorable multi-parter with a moment that would bring a lot more attention to the final 10 episodes of the season. But I'm getting a little ahead of myself. For now, let's look at the few key episodes that took place between episodes 41 and 50.


Episode 42- A Pig Surprise: Some might think it was a lazy decision to bring back Pudgy Pig for an episode. In terms of the Sentai footage, you are correct, but they make the most of the American footage. The episode features great character development for Bulk and Skull when they adopt a pig named Norman and actually care for him. When he's transformed into Pudgy Pig, they actually try to return him to a state of being "home" by reminding him that they're his parents. The episode also features a great standalone fight scene where Zack takes on a squad of Putties on his own. You started to see the Rangers be able to do this more often as the show progressed, but for the most part, they would only do this with Jason or Tommy, so it was nice to see a character like Zack show off his improved fighting skills. We also tackle a bit of thought provoking themes with Pudgy Pig when he falls in love with a female pig on a farm. This causes the Rangers to step back and say that he is an actual pig and not something evil made by Rita, since anything Rita would have conjured would be incapable of loving anything.

Episode 45- Crystal of Nightmares: Essentially another clip show, this episode provides a lot of humorous bits with Bulk and Skull, as well as another meaningful character building moment for them. I'll explain. Goldar uses the Crystal of Nightmares to haunt the Rangers' dreams, thus lowering their confidence. The Rangers all dream of previous battles, but Bulk and Skull dream of being superheroes trying to save the city. Of course, the bit ends with them not being able to pilot the Megazord, but hey, it's the thought that counts. Anyways, I really like seeing the Rangers without their confidence and having to fight to get it back. It kinda felt like a throwback to their first battle with the Putties, with the contrast being how the Rangers have evolved in their skills over the course of 45 episodes.

Episode 49- Return of an Old Friend Part 1: It's Parent's Day and we get to see that the Power Rangers' parents wear the same colors as their respective children. A bit cheesy, but harmless. Anyways, Rita's plan involves brainwashing Billy to deliver the Dragon Dagger back in her control, the Rangers' parents are abducted, and Goldar won't hand them over until the Rangers give up their Power Coins. That's some pretty heavy stuff for the FIRST part of a two-parter. What can possibly top that? I'll tell you what can. Jason reveals that there is still one Power Coin left: the Dragon Coin. It cuts to a mysterious figure entering the Juice Bar. The camera pans up to a familiar looking teenager wearing green clothing. IT'S TOMMY!!! GO, GREEN RANGER!!!!

Episode 50- Return of an Old Friend Part 2: After the most amazing cliffhanger a Power Rangers fan could ever endure, Zordon teleports Tommy to the Command Center and infuses the Dragon Power Coin with his energy. It revives the Green Ranger for a limited amount of time, and Tommy helps get the other Power Coins back to save the day. So, with 10 episodes left, we have Tommy back on the team. Fans everywhere rejoice!

Character Spotlight: Kimberly Ann Hart, played by Amy Jo Johnson

Of the characters in the first bit of the season, Kimberly is probably the one I liked the least. It's true that she grows into her own as the show progresses, but at this point, most of her material was simply that she was a valley girl. She had episodes where she showed courage as a teen and as a Power Ranger, like flying a plane to safety or fighting some of the more gross monsters of the day. Her strongest relationships were with Trini as her best friend and with Tommy as her potential love interest. Not the strongest introduction, but it could've been a lot worse. With her setting the bar low on development, it actually leaves the door open for her to improve and grow throughout the rest of the series.

Season Spotlight: Music and Costumes

When you're marketing a show like this towards children, you need to be able to have something that appeals to both the eyes and the ears. For the eyes, we have a colorful collection of the most iconic Power Rangers suits in history. When people say "Power Rangers," no matter what year it is, THIS is the team they think of. Look at that photo. THAT is childhood for a lot of people, myself included. As for the sounds, we have the greatest rocking soundtrack of any '90s kids show, courtesy of Ron Wasserman. Everyone knows the song "Go Go Power Rangers," but Wasserman provided a lot of gems with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, such as "Fight," and "Zords." I wish Wasserman would have been a part of every season, his music brings a level of kid friendly '90s metal. It's hard to explain, but it's excellent to listen to while watching the Power Rangers in action.

There's only 10 episodes left in the first season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. And with the Green Ranger back on the team, anything can happen. Stay tuned for Part 6...


Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and images are copyrighted by Saban Entertainment