Back in the 1990’s, like a lot of my peers, I was into Power Rangers…not for the storylines, but more for the zord fighting. I collected merchandise, watch the show after school if I could and even the first real convention, I attended was Power Morphicon in Pasadena, CA back in 2012.
However, Power Rangers wasn’t just about heroes in multi-colored spandex fighting bad guys like Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd. You see, there was a polarizing time period for the Power Rangers in the mid 1990’s that I think today’s generation of neurodivergent individuals can learn from.
I am of course talking about the transition from Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers to Power Rangers Zeo. Sure, from a business standpoint, this was necessary considering that updated toys needed to be sold, the amount of sentai footage would be dictated to create storylines and filler episodes, etc.
Back in 1995, Season 3 of Power Rangers sort of ended on a cliffhanger when the Rangers were turned into children by a device known as the Orb of Doom. This, in turn, led to a sub season called “Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers” which in turn, ultimately led to “Power Rangers Zeo” in 1996. However, looking back on this transition, I couldn’t help but feel somewhat of a bitter taste in my mouth.
Final Megazord Battle “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” Season 3, Episode 32: “The Sound of Dischordia”
For one thing, the Ninjazords and Shogunzords were my favorite groups of zords and the Ninja Ranger powers were amongst my favorite amongst the Rangers. Sure when the Dinosaur powers were destroyed at the start of the season, that was a transition. When Tommy Oliver (Jason David Frank) went from being the Green Ranger to the White Ranger, that was a transition. When the Ninjazords were disabled after the Falconzord was stolen and replaced by the Shogunzords, that was a transition.
But why was it that the transition from Mighty Morphin to Power Rangers Zeo deemed rough to some people? Could it be that the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers were never given a proper sendoff (their zords and powers destroyed in battle before the Orb of Doom was activated) or the shock of seeing something like the Command Center being blown up at the end of MMAR caused us to react in different ways?
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Well, to be frank, this whole transition from MMPR to Zeo can often be related to the transition that many neurodivergent individuals experience in life. Right now, I’m going through a transition of getting acquainted to the idea of not being in retail to focus on Going the Distance and the neurodiversity community. Whereas the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers were a fixture for 3 years, I was a fixture at my day job for 14 YEARS. So, you can see there is somewhat of a connection.
However, the fact that we never got to see the Ninja Rangers Zords and Powers get a proper sendoff (destroying the ninja coins was kind of weak to me) where they get destroyed in battle sort of represents that when our time to transition comes, it comes without warning and you just gotta face it one way or another.
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Speaking of the Ninja Power Coins, their destruction along with the destruction of the Command Center at the end of the season can often be symbolized as transitions are sudden and the fact they are gone forever represents that we have to move on as hard as it is. Do I personally think that Zordon should have given the young Power Rangers powers while they were kids and have them fight alongside the Alien Rangers and have their powers destroyed in battle ultimately leading to the Zeo Crystal Quest?
My mind says yes he should have…but what kind of message would that be sending to the audience? It would send a message that you are just delaying the inevitable.
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Alien Rangers of Aquitar (from left to right): Corcus (Black), Cestro (Blue), Aurico (Red), Tideus (Yellow) and Delphine (White)
Plus, seeing the Alien Rangers demonstrates to us that we need to have an open mind and embrace someone different than us. In a way, the Alien Rangers can represent neurodiversity through their behaviors and the fact that the rely on an essential, such as water. Furthermore, it demonstrates that it’s okay to share something we cherish with others because they get a chance which in this case is the Shogunzords and eventually, the Falconzord.
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Then came the Zeo Power Rangers where we had to get used to new ranger costumes, new zords, a new base in the form of the Power Chamber, new villains in the Machine Empire, essentially everything was new. But we had to move on from Mighty Morphin as hard as it was. Eventually, we come to the conclusion that whatever change was made was all for the best. This is demonstrated when Billy Cranston (David Yost) steps down from being a ranger to becoming a technical advisor in the Power Chamber.
The fact of the matter is that the transition from Mighty Morphin to Zeo should serve as a tool for neurodivergents that life is full of changes because that’s how we learn and grow. The Power Rangers franchise as a whole is constantly evolving because that’s how it is able to survive for over 30 years. But, it’s also important to take things in baby steps as demonstrated when the Zeo Crystal (the source of the Zeo Powers) was demonstrated during Mighty Morphin Season 3 in the episode, “Master Vile and the Metallic Armor” and can serve as a learning tool for families and educators to teach about baby steps to ease transitioning.
Yes, I know it’s a lot to take in, but transitions are never easy for anyone, even as great as the Power Rangers. The important takeaway is that nothing lasts forever and even if it does, it gets old after a while where a change is needed. Was the switch from MMPR to Zeo needed? You be the judge, but I think it was if Power Rangers was going to survive…
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Catch you all later!!
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