The mid-90’s were a strange time, Freddos cost just 10p, MTV
showed music videos, clear Coca Cola was a thing, mobile phones were bigger
than most new-borns and didn’t even send texts, and Mighty Morphin Power
Rangers was the biggest thing on TV, season one took the western world by
storm, and season two was no different, but what did this second collection of
adventures hold for our “Teenagers with Attitude”? All is not well in Angel Grove, and we’re not just talking
about the constant monster attacks and weird goings-on that befall its
inhabitants, we introduced to new villain, Lord Zedd, who boots Rita Repulsa
off her throne following his anger at failing to defeat our heroes, Green
Ranger Tommy finds his powers waning further as Lord Zedd sets his sights on
ridding him of them for good, and we’re introduced to three new enthusiastic
and athletic teenagers, all mysteriously appearing as Jason, Zack and Trini are
starting to be seen less and less. I said in my season one review that I found it tough to
watch, in comparison it’s a cakewalk against the hodgepodge that is season two,
the majority of the Japanese action footage had been used up, so awkward fight
sequences appear where neither side is seen on screen at the same time, the
bizarre absence of Jason, Trini and Zack, except in Ranger form and sounding
strangely different, following a pay dispute and the actor’s subsequent
quitting from the show, and then the introduction of Rocky, Adam and Aisha,
who, spoilers, become the new Red, Black, and Yellow Rangers, they fight well
enough, but seem devoid of any acting talent, with Rocky always appearing to
have a look on his face like he’s got something to say, but has forgotten what
it is. That’s not to say season two isn’t worthy of any merit
however, there is an awful lot packed into it, the opening trilogy of episodes
featuring the near-destruction of the team’s Zords, and upgrade to brand new,
more powerful Thunderzords, the introduction of Lord Zedd and his relentless
pursuit of the Green Ranger allows for some more heartfelt episodes, as Tommy ends
up having to come to terms with losing his powers and saying good bye to his
friends. His farewell is short-lived however as just a few episodes
later, Zordon and Alpha-5 manage to turn him into the White Ranger, complete
with cool outfit, a talking Sword named “Saba” and use of the White Tigerzord,
in turn he becomes the new leader of the Rangers and despite the weird model
shots where he’s supposed to be riding the back of the Tigerzord, cements
himself as a firm fan-favourite and biggest badass in Ranger history.
There are plenty more multi-part episodes in season two and
these are where its real strength lies, bigger stories with bigger
consequences, Green Ranger’s loss of powers, becoming the White Ranger, the
Rangers finding themselves trapped in colonial California with Tommy left alone
to battle an evil version of himself, and the transfer of powers from the old
to new Rangers, it’s a season with almost as much going on behind the scenes as
there is off-screen. Though the series does come to a close with some of the
worst two-parters in the show’s history, Storybook Rangers and Wild West
Rangers are truly dreadful, each of these episode-pairs feature boring and
honestly, idiotic stories, which could’ve really been boiled down into singular
adventures, fitting in well with other dross like The Song of Guitardo, and
Orchestral Maneuvers in the Park, but whilst generally the individual episodes aren’t
all that bad, they can be very hit and miss, with standouts like Missing Green,
Zedd Waves, and Goldar’s Vice Versa not only proving entertaining, but
excellent at helping to introduce us to the new additions to the cast. Overall this season isn’t without its faults by a longshot,
but the now-classic formula is there, and packs in everything that its audience
could possibly want, more fights, monsters, explosions, and comedy, with even a
bit of heart in there too, the unspoken relationship of sorts between Kimberley
and Tommy, as well as the age-old question of, when are Bulk and Skull going to
finally reveal their deep-seated love for each-other and discover that their
bullying comes from a place of repressed feelings and frustration? I guess we
may never know, in the meantime, it’s back to action!
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers - Season 2 is out now on DVD