There were over one-hundred fifty episodes of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. It is by far the longest running of the Power Rangers series, and the most influential. Of course, with so many episodes, it may be easy to miss a few. That's why I've compiled this list of must-see Power Rangers episodes. For those of you who are new to Ranger Fanaticism, maybe you'll get lucky with well-chosen episodes of Power Rangers Generations. This list is different from my Most Memorable Moments because it judges the episodes as a whole rather than a particular moment. Still, expect some overlap, since obviously the best episodes have very memorable moments in them.
Episode #10: Switching Places
Kim: "We've undergone spacial personality displacement."
Billy: "Will you please, like, speak English?!"
This was easily my favorite of the pre-Green Ranger era of Power Rangers, and I think the reasons are obvious. True, it's not a terribly original plot. The whole brain-switch thing has been done on many shows, as well as movies. Still, I found this a very entertaining, smart, and funny episode. For those of you who aren't familiar with the plot, Billy created a machine that was supposed to let a person read another's thoughts, and prepared to test it using himself and Kimberly as guinea pigs. However, the machine malfunctioned, switching his brain for Kim's and vice versa. In this episode, we were treated to a very comical rendition of Kimberly (with Billy's brain), techno-babbling the day away while trying futily to apply make-up and prepare a soufflé. Also, we were introduced to what was, in essence, Bubble-Head Billy, who was more interested in keeping his nails intact than teaching his computer student. At this point in the series, all the characters were so stereotypical it hurt... especially Kim the air-headed Valley Girl and Billy the shy and clumsy genius. Fortunately, these stereotypes faded as the series progressed, and these characters became people instead of labels. But, it was definitely a riot watching the gender-polarized stereotypes flip for an episode.
Episode #9: The Mutiny
Kimberly: "You mean... there's someone worse than Rita?"
This thriller was the second-season premier, lighting up all our screens during prime time! And it definitely didn't disappoint. In fact, it featured one major surprise that threw me for a loop: Rita Repulsa, the wicked witch who battled Zordon for millennia, wasn't the ultimate evil. Not even close. She was just another minion, serving a far mightier Emperor... Lord Zedd. The intimidating, chronic-headache suffering Rita was punished for her season of embarrassment at the hands of the Power Rangers, and then Zedd took matters into his own hands. Finster's useless Putties were replaced by more powerful ones. The Rangers had to morph in order to beat them! And Zedd's first monster, Pirantishead, froze the Dinozords, forcing Zordon to create a new fleet of Zords to deal with the intense threat. And finally, the dreaded prediction came to pass... Tommy's power began to fade. When he returned in "Return of an Old Friend," Tommy was warned that his power boost was only temporary. Ultimately it took Lord Zedd's rampage to visibly tax the Green Ranger's reserves, and Tommy's Coin wasn't stable enough to handle a Thunder Zord. This episode marked the introduction of my favorite major Power Ranger villain. He was twisted, maniacal, and powerful; a dangerous combination. Anyone who could make Goldar tremble was certainly someone to be noticed. And once he set his sights on Earth, he relentlessly attacked the Green Ranger, knowing he was the weak link in the Ranger chain. This guy put Rita to shame, and it also gave us a much-needed break from the terrible English dub of all the moon scenes.
Episode #8: Plague of the Mantis
Trini: "I do have honor. I believe in fair play. But you... you're one of Rita's monsters. You can't be trusted."
Trini has always been a unique Ranger, worthy of note. Unfortunately, she was so reserved that she usually took a back seat to the others. There were very few Trini-centric episodes, and then I get chills when I remember episodes like "For Whom the Bell Trolls." However, there was one dynamite Trini episode, that focused on the concept of honor. The Mantis monster was created to take advantage of the code of honor Trini respected thanks to her Kung Fu training. It challenged Trini to a one-on-one duel, sneering that Trini betrayed her honor by calling backup during their last confrontation. Trini was hesitant to trust the monster, but she couldn't deny that her friends' aid tipped the odds in her favor. So Trini put personal safety and better judgment aside, choosing to trust in the honor of her opponent. She confronted the Mantis alone, calling her friends for aid. Not surprisingly, the Mantis took advantage of Trini's naiveté by summoning some Putties for backup. Trini held her own until reinforcements arrived, and she also learned an important lesson: the forces of evil had no honor. We got to see some confusion on Trini's part, as she weighed the worth of her honor, and the honor of evil. I was impressed by this episode. We were shown how low evil will sink to exploit the decency of the Power Rangers.
Episode #7: The Power Transfer
Kimberly: "This is like a whole new beginning."
No Power Rangers fan could forget this pivotal three-part episode, marking the very first time a Ranger was replaced. We've said goodbye to a Ranger (Green) and welcomed a Ranger (Green and White), but this time the Ranger remained, while the teenager left. Considering the fact that the actors were gone way before the actual retirement of their characters, I think Saban did a good job with this. The Rangers had to go on a quest to the most distant galaxy to retrieve a magical sword, which would act as a conduit to transfer the energy signatures of the departing Rangers into three new candidates. While the Rangers were away, Adam, Rocky, and Aisha proved themselves again by protecting Angel Grove. I found this to be an entertaining episode. It's not up here because of its incredible wit, but it marks a turning point in the history of Power Rangers. Considering how many teenagers have been Rangers, a very important fact was transmitted here: the Power can be given to someone else when needed. Of course, I found it rather funny that Trini, Zack, and Jason had to go on this momentous quest to transfer their powers, while Kimberly simply handed Katherine the pink coin.
Episode #6: Return of the Green Ranger
Tommy Clone: "I know all about you. All of your secrets and weaknesses. So why don't you make it easy on yourself and surrender to me?"
This episode didn't change the face of the Power Ranger team or anything, but it was a crucial episode to the personal development of Tommy Oliver. Also, it brought a refreshing return to the sneering, wonderfully wicked Evil Green Ranger, as well as shed a little bit of light onto Tommy's psyche. A quick recap: Tommy first joined as the Green Ranger, chosen not by Zordon, but by Rita. Obviously, that raised a few questions about whether he should be a Ranger. He did get over this self-doubt, but then he was forced to retire thanks to the Green Candle. Then, he came back. Then, he retired again. Then, out of the blue, he became the White Ranger and leader of the Power Rangers. Suddenly, that complex and isolated character is given the burden of leadership. While I like the idea of Tommy's personal growth, I personally didn't think that he had truly come to grips with his darker side. But in this fabulous episode, his dark side stared him right in the eye! Yes, an evil Tommy clone, given the considerable might of the Green Ranger. And to make it even better, the other Rangers were shipped into colonial Angel Grove! Okay, I'm not going to sit and wonder how the heck Angel Grove (which I assumed was in California) was a colonial village, but it did mean that all his friends were gone. No one to help him stand against the evil within. It was a nice twist that, instead of killing the clone, like all the other imposter Rangers we see on the show, Tommy helped the clone realize that he too was a complete human being, capable of being good or evil. It's a powerful reminder of our own culpability, and responsibility for our own actions. Yes, sending his clone two hundred years into the past did create a time anomaly that can only be resolved in fanfiction, but it was the only way to get rid of the clone while not destroying him. Personally, I would have preferred Tom to remain in the present day, and create a new life for himself. That way, he could've returned on another episode. Well, that would have been nice, but still, I loved this episode. And yes, the little side-plot with Adam and Marissa was an unanticipated treat. Talk about a star-crossed love!
Episode #5: Doomsday
Rita: "To finish them off I will use all my power to activate your zord... Cyclopsis."
To be honest, when I first saw this episode, I really thought it was the series finale… just when it began! The Power Rangers were getting ready to celebrate as the mayor declared an annual holiday "Power Ranger Day," honoring the heroes that kept their little town on the map. However, the festivities were doomed as Rita kidnapped all the citizens in Angel Grove, and unleashed Goldar's Zord: Cyclopsis. Cyclopsis kicked Megazord and Mega Dragonzord tail, and with help from Lokar, survived the Ultrazord's finishing move! The Rangers took a great risk by piloting their Zords at half power, draining the last of their power and leaving them vulnerable to Goldar's attack. Ultimately, Alpha discovered the key to defeating Cyclopsis: shifting modes of the Megazord to confuse the evil Zord. Cyclopsis was finally destroyed, and it seemed Rita had taken a substantial loss. It was such an overwhelming victory for the Rangers that Zordon asked if they'd like to retire! Of course, our beloved heroes wouldn't even think of it, as it was assured that Rita would strike back from this defeat. So, the Rangers return to a fully populated Angel Grove, where they are treated to some hero worship and appreciation. And to top off a dynamite, thrill-packed slugfest, who shows up in the last few moments for a cameo? None other than Tommy, the recently retired yet still devoted former Green Ranger! I was glad to see his face again, and the Rangers finally got a little appreciation for all the hard work they put into protecting Angel Grove. I loved the whole concept of Cyclopsis! Rita's giving Goldar a massive power-boost is far more effective than channeling her energies to create incoherent monsters. And can you get a more dramatic title? Yes, once you saw the title screen fade, you were expecting some major suspense. And this episode really delivered.
Episode #4: An Oyster Stew
Zack: "I sure learned a lesson. Never try to impress someone with money, 'cause you can't buy love."
I utterly, completely, loved this episode. You've probably noticed that most of the episodes that I recognize on this page are actually multi-parters. That's because it's difficult to make a single episode stand out, considering that, once again, there were 150 individual episodes. But this episode was the downright funniest episode of Power Rangers! And it brought to head a mini-theme that was building since the first week of MMPR: Zack and Angela. While it's true that the first relationship that was emphasized was Tommy and Kimberly, there is no doubt that the first major crush belonged to Zack. And here's how it always went: Angela would walk into the Youth Center. Zack would try to approach her, intending to impress her with his dancing prowess or smooth words. She'd brush him off completely, leaving whatever Ranger present to laugh at Zack's disappointment. But finally, Zack tried a different tactic. Rather than rely on charm, he decided to impress her with money. So, his plan began to unfold. He'd sweep her off her feet with dinner at a fancy restaurant, a romantic serenade of professional musicians, and a magnificent gift: a pair of pearl earrings. Not too shabby, especially for high school! Not surprisingly, all Zack's efforts result in a hilarious catastrophe. The French café he chose featured a menu entirely in French, a language he didn't speak. In a brave attempt to impress, he ordered for everyone. He ended up ordering unappetizing frog legs, setting up the dominos for their dramatic tumble. The musicians arrived, only to be Bulk and Skull beating a harsh tune from the guitar. And finally, the Coup d' Gras: the dazzling pearl earrings. Only... it was one of Rita's tricks! The pearls were in fact the Pearls of Stillness, which froze everyone present. Once the spell was finally broken, the pearls evaporated like Alka-Seltzer tablets. Obviously, Angela wasn't very pleased with Zack's elaborate practical joke, and begged Zack to just leave her alone. So, at the end, Zack made one more attempt. No more flashy presents or upscale restaurants. He was dirt broke. Instead, he gave her a handful of flowers and a sweet song. And he won a kiss! The lesson is communicated well, and the episode ends on a humorous note as Bulk and Skull once again break out into grating melody. Who could ask for anything more from twenty-two minutes?
Episode #3: The Green Candle
Tommy: "It's over... isn't it."
It wasn't a question. When Tommy uttered those words, in a weak and choked voice, we knew an era had ended. In this climactic two-part episode, the unthinkable happened. And I, for one, was completely shocked! Everything was fine in Angel Grove. No signs on the horizon of the terrible fate that awaited one of their number. Out of the blue Rita reveals a lump of magical wax that she had been saving, which had imprinted the Green Ranger's power signature. With it, she attempted to siphon away his power, and create another Evil Green Ranger. She didn't succeed (surprise, surprise), but it wasn't by any means a victory for the Power Rangers. While they managed to prevent Rita from stealing the Green Ranger powers, irreparable damage was done to the Green coin. There would never be another full-strength Green Ranger, and our shy and beloved Tommy Oliver bid farewell to the team. My jaw dropped when I saw the candle flicker and die. I didn't think a show like Power Rangers had the capacity for such a poignant defeat! I was impressed with the deep emotional drama in this episode. And the irony of it hits me like a brick wall. The day Tommy lost his powers was the day he finally shared his true feelings with Kimberly. I don't know about you, but my eyes were moist.
Episode #2: The Changing of the Zords
Tommy: "We can't let Zedd win this fight. Kimberly's counting on us."
One reason why this episode is so high on my personal list is because it marks the end of Kimberly's career as the Pink Ranger. She stuck around for a few more episodes, but here the bright rose warrior fights her last. But she does get a terrific send-off! I personally believe this was the best farewell any of the Rangers' got. In case you didn't see this three-parter, here's the rundown: Rita used Kat Hillard, a young woman she kidnapped from Earth, to spy on the Rangers and steal the Power Coins. Kat, fueled by jealousy, decided to only steal Kimberly's coin, causing the Pink Ranger to weaken and slowly die. The only way to save her would be to retrieve her Power Coin, or somehow separate her life force from the coin. But things only got worse; not only was Kim's coin stolen, but Zedd came up with a sneaky scheme to kidnap her too! The Rangers were forced to decide whether to serve Zedd, or let Kimberly die. I just love how diabolical the villains were in this episode. And I adored Katherine as a two-faced, vindictive servant of evil. The look on her face when she ripped apart that photograph and crumpled the piece with Kimberly gave me chills! This time, the fight was deeply personal, and the stakes were high. This episode packed incredible drama, plot twists, and pulse-racing suspense into a solid hour of Ranger adventure! If only the Turbo movie was this captivating... but I digress.
Episode #1: Green With Evil
Tommy: "Man... why me?"
What list of incredible Power Rangers episodes could be complete without a round of applause for the fabulous introduction of the first evil Power Ranger, the Green Ranger? Okay, so it was a mini-series, blowing us away with five action-packed, shock-inducing episodes. Who wasn't impressed? It was this very saga that pulled me onto the Power Rangers bandwagon. This episode had it all. It opened with a mysterious new student with a mean karate kick that had everyone talking. He seemed nice enough, but as time passed, he went from quiet yet friendly to cruel. I adored the part where he confronted Kimberly and muttered "Reality check, Kimberly... you're not the center of everyone's universe." Ouch, that was cold! And I for one loved Jason David Frank as a villain. I think he's done some of his best acting with fiendishly glowing eyes and malicious smirks. But wait... that's not all! In addition to the fabulous dynamic between evil Tommy and just about everyone, there was still the thrilling Jason vs. Goldar face-off, the tragic disappearance of Zordon, the destruction of the Command Center, and even the introduction of the wicked sting of Scorpina! When it rains in Angel Grove, it really pours! How could any episode compare to this brilliant mini-series? This is where, in my opinion, the Power Ranger series really takes off, and explores and deepens the teenagers as well as the villains.
That's the list! I think I should emphasize the fact that this list is based entirely on my own opinion. I didn't open a poll anywhere, nor did I take advice from others. As a consequence, I'm sure many of you may not agree with the episodes that I've selected. My opinions may appear somewhat biased, but even if you don't think these are the most memorable episodes, you have to agree that they do stand out.
