Power Rangers in Space


Power Rangers in Space is a television series and the fifth entry of the Power Rangers franchise, based on the 21st Super Sentai series Denji Sentai Megaranger.
In Space was a turning point for the Power Rangers franchise, as the season brought closure to six seasons of plot, and it ended the practice of having regular cast members act in consecutive seasons - which had been in existence since 1993. The theme of this series, and its successor, the Power Rangers Lost Galaxy, bears little similarity to their Sentai counterparts. The sixth series also marked the final regular appearances of Tracy Lynn Cruz, Patricia Ja Lee, Roger Velasco, and Selwyn Ward, as well as the conclusion of Zordon's story that has been significant in the previous six seasons.

Plot

Picking up where Power Rangers Turbo left off, Dark Specter has captured Zordon and is beginning to drain his powers. An assortment of old and new villains praise his victory, but an unexpected figure uncovers his plan: the Red Space Ranger, Andros. Dark Specter orders the Princess of Evil, Astronema, to eliminate Andros so he can't jeopardize his plans.
Meanwhile, four of the former Turbo Rangers and Alpha 6 are traveling in a NASADA space shuttle with the intent to save Zordon. They are pulled aboard the Astro Megaship and later encounter Andros. Though initially suspicious and dismissive of the four former Turbo Rangers, Andros realizes he'll need their help to save Zordon and gives them each an Astro Morpher. Additionally, modifications allow the NASADA space shuttle and the Astro Megaship to combine into the powerful Astro Megazord. The new Space Rangers then return to Earth for repairs and supplies, but they are followed by Astronema.
The Space Rangers alternate between searching for Zordon and protecting Earth. From the Dark Fortress, Astronema seeks to eliminate them via Ecliptor, Quantrons, and a variety of monsters. Elgar has also been added to her team, but he remains a comedic bungler. Over time, allies offer the Rangers invaluable aid, with Zhane emerging from cryo-sleep and joining the team. New Zords are also introduced. Meanwhile, Bulk and Skull become assistants to wacky scientist Professor Phenomenus and join him in searching for aliens.
While dedicated to finding Zordon, Andros has another quest: finding his sister, Karone, who was kidnapped when they were children. Over time, Andros discovers his sister was kidnapped by Darkonda, the archrival of Ecliptor, who has nine lives. To Andros' shock, he later discovers that Astronema is Karone, who was raised by Ecliptor to be evil. Andros convinces Astronema of the truth and she defects with Ecliptor's help. Furious at this, Dark Specter launches a planet-destroying asteroid at Earth, which the Rangers are barely able to deflect, but Karone and Ecliptor are both recaptured and reprogrammed to follow Dark Specter in the process.
Astronema, now completely cold and calculating, now not only seeks to destroy the Space Rangers, but also Dark Specter and usurp his ruling power. To that end, she unleashes the Psycho Rangers. The five monstrous and borderline-insane villains possess great power, which secretly comes from Dark Specter, nearly draining him of his life force. Individually, each Psycho Ranger is too powerful for their Space Ranger equivalents. But the Psycho Rangers are not as good with teamwork, and the six Space Rangers overcome them with a great deal of effort and teamwork. Soon after, the Rangers suffer setbacks that see the Delta Megazord and the Mega Voyager destroyed.
The series culminates in the two-part finale, "Countdown to Destruction", where Zordon is nearly completely drained, and Dark Specter orders the villains under his command to attack the entire universe. Across the universe, the Alien and Phantom Rangers, Trey of Triforia, the Blue Senturion, and KO-35's rebels are defeated and captured. The Space Rangers struggle to defend Earth and are overwhelmed and forced to retreat. Darkonda kills Dark Specter, who returns the favor before his own death, leaving Astronema in command as the Queen of Evil. While Andros boards the Dark Fortress to appeal to his sister, the remaining five Space Rangers engage in one last fight for Earth and are joined by the citizens of Angel Grove, with Bulk and Skull leading the charge.
On the Dark Fortress, Andros finds Zordon, who requests his energy tube to be shattered. Doing so will release good energy that will destroy the forces of evil and save the universe, but it will also cause his death. Following battles with Astronema and Ecliptor, Andros has no choice but to comply. The many monsters are subsequently turned to dust by the energy wave, while Lord Zedd, Rita Repulsa, Divatox, and Astronema are changed into normal, non-evil humans. With the universe now safe, T.J., Cassie, Carlos, Ashley, and Alpha 6 intend to settle down on Earth. Though initially intending to remain on KO-35 with their people, Andros, Zhane, and Karone decide to join their friends on Earth.

Production

Early production material for the season, dated May and August 1997 when production was concurrently underway for the Fall 1997 episodes of Power Rangers Turbo, was placed online in June 2011. The first half includes synopses of the first twenty-seven episodes of Megaranger, with a mix of Japanese names and intended US names, and a breakdown of how much footage was "usable"; there is a list of weaponry and Zords introduced, how often they appear, and the monsters and how they are destroyed. It then goes on to set out initial plans for the in Space adaptation.
Both Astronema and Andros are absent, with the Phantom Ranger uncovering Dark Specter's plan instead, and Justin is identified as the Blue Ranger. Instead of losing their powers and base at the end of Turbo, the Rangers would be given their Space powers by Dimitria so they could head into space and save Zordon. Their spacecraft would have had a limited power supply and could only be recharged by the Power Chamber on Earth, forcing them to keep returning; otherwise, they would hop from planet to planet, encountering new and returning villains, and picking up clues for Zordon's whereabouts. Divatox was still going to be the main recurring villain, with Ecliptor as her new second-in-command. Bulk and Skull formed a volunteer Citizen Force Group to try and protect Angel Grove while the Rangers were away.
In Space would have seen Carranger villain Exhaus used as Dark Specter - he would instead be the monster Goldgoyle for the end of Turbo. The Rangers were going to have a base in Earth orbit called the new Power Dome: it was to be realized by "a giant pyramid made of silky material... the walls of silk will change constantly with special effects lights creating the different moods". The "Space Station" interior was going to recycle as much of the Power Chamber set as possible; footage would be shot for the villain's "Evil Platform" set ahead of time and used as recurring stock footage.
This would be the last season to feature the character Skull as a main character as Narvy himself chose to leave the Power Rangers universe to continue his college education.

Cast and characters

Space Rangers

  • Andros
The Red Space Ranger, a native of the planet KO-35 and leader of the Space Rangers. He uses his Ranger powers to defeat Astronema and try to recover his sister Karone. He also serves as Ashley's love interest. He piloted the Mega V1 Robo Zord and his primary weapon is the Spiral Drill Saber. He is portrayed by Christopher Khayman Lee.
  • Carlos Vallerte
The Black Space Ranger and previously the new Green Turbo Ranger. He piloted the Mega V2 Shuttle Zord and his primary weapon is the Lunar Lance. He is portrayed by Roger Velasco.
  • Theodore Jay "T.J." Jarvis Johnson
The Blue Space Ranger. He was previously the new Red Turbo Ranger, and leader of the Turbo Rangers. He is the second-in-command of the Space Rangers. He piloted the Mega V3 Rocket Zord and his primary weapon is the Astro Axe. He is portrayed by Selwyn Ward.
  • Ashley Hammond
The Yellow Space Ranger and previously the new Yellow Turbo Ranger. She serves as Andros' love interest. She pilots the Mega V4 Saucer Zord and her primary weapon is the Star Slinger. She is portrayed by Tracy Lynn Cruz.
  • Cassie Chan
The Pink Space Ranger and previously the new Pink Turbo Ranger. She pilots the Mega V5 Tank Zord and her primary weapon is the Satellite Stunner. She is portrayed by Patricia Ja Lee.
  • Zhane
The Silver Space Ranger; he is kept in a hidden room inside the Megaship, cryogenically asleep for two years because he was badly injured in his last battle while saving Andros from a monster. When he was accidentally released, he helped the Rangers, but is affected by a 2.5-minute morphing time limit which he is later able to remove by absorbing a bolt of lightning with his Morpher. He piloted the Mega Winger Zord and his primary weapon is the Super Silverizer. During the Psycho Ranger saga, in an effort to confuse and throw off the Psycho Rangers, he temporarily faked being Psycho Silver. He is portrayed by Justin Nimmo.

Supporting characters

  • Alpha 6
After his voice chip was damaged during the destruction of the Power Chamber, he received a new voice chip, but does not sound the same and has a different personality. Alpha no longer speaks like a New Yorker and now uses his predecessor's catchphrase. He is voiced by Wendee Lee.
  • D.E.C.A.
The on-board computer on the Megaship, D.E.C.A. responds to voice commands and is able to articulate in 3000 known languages. The ship is constantly monitored by her through cameras located in every room on the ship. She can also perform retinal scans. She is voiced by Julie Maddalena.
  • Adelle Ferguson
Owner of the Surf Spot, the Rangers' new hangout; from observation, she appears to have bought Youth Center from Jerome Stone and converted it. She is portrayed by Aloma Wright.
  • Farkas "Bulk" Bulkmeier
Returning once again from Turbo, he and Skull decide to seek out renowned alien expert Professor Phenomenus when they catch a glimpse of a UFO in the sky. He is portrayed by Paul Schrier.
  • Eugene "Skull" Skullovitch
Bulk's best friend, and his opposite in appearance and mentality; Skull is thin and more stupid than Bulk, to the point that he has to be told what to be thinking of. Skull is best known for his high-pitched laughter. He is portrayed by Jason A. Narvy.
  • Professor Phenomenus
A strange yet brilliant scientist who is constantly on the search for aliens on Earth. Bulk and Skull sought him out when they caught a glimpse of a UFO in the sky. The trio's misadventures and antics would often have them crossing paths with the Rangers. He is portrayed by Jack Banning.
The Turtles were summoned and brainwashed by Astronema to fight the Rangers. Her control over them is later broken and they team up with the Rangers to battle Astronema's forces. Before returning to New York, the Turtles had one request: space surfing on the Galaxy Gliders. Due to Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation being filmed in Vancouver, none of the Turtles' voice actors reprised their roles for their appearance.
  • * Leonardo
The leader of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He is voiced by Michael Reisz.
  • * Raphael
The aggressive, cool but crude member of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He is voiced by Kim Strauss.
  • * Donatello
The scientific member of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He is voiced by Ezra Weisz.
  • * Michelangelo
The fun-loving "Party Dude" of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He is voiced by Tony Oliver.
  • * Venus de Milo
A female turtle and Shinobi who is the latest member of the group. She is voiced by Tifanie Christun.
  • Alien Rangers
The Power Rangers from the water planet Aquitar. They have been allies to the Power Rangers of Earth, since Zordon called upon them when Master Vile reversed Earth's time. The Alien Rangers were later seen fighting Divatox's army on planet Gratha.
  • Justin Stewart
T.J. Johnson, Cassie Chan, Ashley Hammond, and Carlos Vallerte's former teammate. After the destruction of the Power Chamber and the loss of the Turbo powers, Justin elected to remain on Earth to be with his father. Storm Blaster tracked him down and gave Justin a new Turbo morpher, to help the Space Rangers. He is portrayed by Blake Foster.
  • Karone
Andros' sister and the main anti-hero of the series, She was kidnapped as a child by Darkonda and handed over to Dark Specter. Karone was raised by Ecliptor, who became a father figure to her. He told that her parents were killed by the Power Rangers, she would come to be known as "Astronema", Princess of Evil. She would eventually discover the truth and defect to the Rangers' side for a time, before being captured and brainwashed to be completely loyal to Dark Specter when she went to the Dark Fortress in order to reprogram an asteroid that Dark Specter had sent on a collision course with Earth. Karone was eventually reverted to herself by Zordon's energy wave in the finale. She later became the second Pink Galaxy Ranger in the following season. She is portrayed by Melody Perkins.
  • Trey of Triforia
Wielder of the Golden Power Staff, who temporarily passed his powers onto Jason Scott in Zeo, while he healed after being split into three distinct personalities. Trey was later seen fighting Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd's army in the Vica Galaxy.
  • Blue Senturion
An intergalactic police officer from 2000; he originally was sent back in time to warn Dimitria of the United Alliance of Evil's plot, but now helps enforce the law and defeat villains. He also assisted the Turbo Rangers, before departing to Eltar with Dimitria to help Zordon. The Blue Senturion was later seen with the Phantom Ranger fighting the Machine Empire and General Havoc's army on the Phantom Ranger's homeworld. He is voiced by David Walsh.
  • Phantom Ranger
A Ranger of unknown origins. He had helped the second Turbo Rangers fight Divatox. He and Cassie share a bond. The Phantom Ranger helped the rangers gain access to a new Megazord and was later seen with the Blue Senturion fighting the Machine Empire and General Havoc's army on the Phantom Ranger's homeworld.
  • Zordon
Founder and former mentor of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Power Rangers Zeo, and original Turbo Rangers. Zordon returned to his home planet of Eltar, only to be captured; Dark Specter proceeded to continually drain Zordon of his powers while filling his container with lava, ensuring all Rangers would lose hope. With Dark Specter's destruction, Zordon regained his powers, only to sacrifice himself to unleash an energy wave that wiped out the United Alliance of Evil. He is voiced by Robert L. Manahan.
  • Adam Park
Carlos' predecessor and Zack's successor, Adam was the new Mighty Morphin Black Ranger, Green Zeo Ranger, and the original Green Turbo Ranger. When Carlos began doubting himself following a disastrous fight with Lizwizard, Adam helped him through it. Adam also held onto his morpher when Rito destroyed his team's powers. He succeeded in morphing into the Black Mighty Morphin Ranger once more, though it nearly killed him. He is portrayed by Johnny Yong Bosch.