In the first column in KSiteTV's TV Flashback series, Derek B. Gayle discusses why Power Rangers has lasted so long.

This is the first entry in a new feature we’ll have at KSiteTV – TV Flashback, looking at some of our favorite series from the past!

The awesome Young Justice finale just happened last week, and with shows like that on the air, it’s a nice reminder that kids do actually have it pretty good in terms of TV these days. We can chat about how our old school TV is so much better until the cows come home, but while there certainly are classic shows that are just better than some things we have now, usually we’re blinded by nostalgia filters. So really, what is it that keeps some of us grown-ups so fondly attached to shows that, on the outset, shouldn’t be all that good to adults?

If you’ve read my bio, I’m listed as an “avid Power Rangers fanatic.” Maybe the fanatic part is debatable, but the fact that I grew up with the show and to this day love the opportunity to talk and tweet about it is totally true. Usually met by adults with responses like “It’s still on?” and “I only watched the originals,” Power Rangers is, yes, still going on and even going strong. In fact, it’s an awesome time to be a Power Rangers fan now, with the announcement last month that Shout! Factory would be releasing all complete seasons of Power Rangers from 1993-2009 (in addition to other Saban products) beginning this summer, and Lionsgate would be subsequently releasing all series after. The entire series is already on Netflix Instant, and further news has been slowly leaking regarding the franchise’s 20th anniversary in 2013 (the same year as Doctor Who‘s 50th anniversary, coincidentally.)

No doubt this is in part because of the success of the most recent seasons, Power Rangers Samurai and Super Samurai, which have surprisingly revitalized the franchise by all-but-rebooting it for a brand new generation of kids to grow up with it. It’s definitely aimed at a younger audience than the previous season, but old fans can feel comfortable that it’s still in that same big universe and honors the classics, whether it’s hard to watch for people over the age of 12 or not. Hopefully it will continue to take the route of the original series and grow up as its new fans do, because though it might not be for every kid, the franchise has quite a bit more merit than it’s given credit for, and could inspire another generation. Here’s just a handful of reasons why it’s been around so long—and why it’s my personal favorite show from childhood.

1) A fun, rich universe and endless possibilities

Yeah, it’s a universe in which humans can breathe in space and there’s Earth-level gravity on the moon, but hey, at least it’s always been consistent about it. While it recycles footage (and sometimes storylines) from its Japanese predecessor, making an adaptation successful by making it into a wholly different franchise can work when done well—consider that Transformers was adapted from a Japanese toy line, and even the original Star Wars is technically a remake of the Japanese film The Hidden Fortress but with spaceships. There’s something to be said, though, about a series that can give you anything—and that’s exactly what Power Rangers does. Between the hokey (but for effective for kids) “power of friendship” speeches and strength in teamwork lessons and such, there’s a massive and surprisingly intertwined mythology stretching from the fantastical past to the technological future, and from the most magical parts of Earth to the deepest reaches of space. Themes of the show have featured a hodgepodge of dinosaurs, magic, ninjas, time travel, space travel, military operations, police forces, and just plain old cars. There really is something for everyone.



2) It crosses all sides of the emotional spectrum

Giant robots and rockin’ theme music aside, the most renowned parts of the show were when it wasn’t afraid to go to very emotional, high-stakes places. Even with the typically hammy acting that dominates the show, the darker and personal story arcs, such as those in Power Rangers in Space, Lost Galaxy, Time Force and RPM, can tug at the heartstrings and punch you in the gut as an adult just as it did when you were a kid. For many fans, the death of [SPOILER] Zordon in Power Rangers in Space is right up there with Optimus Prime and Mufasa in terms of traumatizing childhood hero deaths. But even at all that, the show could turn right around and lay on whimsical and sometimes clever comedy, like the insane amounts of meta references in RPM, or an entire season of affectionate parody in Ninja Storm, or that time they were baked in a giant pizza (it doesn’t make sense in context either, but it’s hilarious.) And even then, the comedy could still have an emotional core to it—comic relief characters Bulk and Skull had six-year-long character development from butt monkey bullies to actual heroes with a lot of heart, and it’s the reason they’re so beloved, to the point that Bulk’s character returned for Samurai.

3) The behind-the-scenes stuff is so darn interesting

Probably a major reason I’m interested in filmmaking in any capacity now is because of my younger self investigating the ridiculous amounts of work the Power Rangers production teams had to do for such a cheap show. The creative hoops they’ve jumped through to utilize the Japanese footage—all just to make the show they set out to make—sometimes defeated the original intent of it being “cheap and easy” television. That kind of dedication to vision is something aspiring filmmakers can respect. Just to name a few examples, the original footage for the space-heavy Power Rangers in Space and Lost Galaxy didn’t really involve space; the footage for RPM was goofy and comical, while the Rangers version involved a bleak, post-apocalyptic, Terminator-esque storyline; and notoriously, the third season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers combined elements and footage from at least four different Japanese incarnations combined with American footage. This isn’t even counting the sometimes-absurd-but-always-creative ways of dealing with abrupt cast changes—seriously, no show does stand-ins like Power Rangers. Reading up on any given season is sure to be intriguing to anyone interested in crazy TV production stories.

4) A huge, interesting history

Nearly 20 years of it to be exact, rich with all kinds of crazy stories and memories, and elements that have survived two decades worth of pop culture fads, trends and world events. In fact—and just hear me out on this—there are actually a number of similarities, in terms of history, between Power Rangers as a franchise and Doctor Who. I could write an entire article just discussing those similarities (both were first intended to be low-budget educational children’s shows, both have survived multiple cancellations for decades, etc.) But most importantly, watching classic Doctor Who episodes, with a few exceptions, requires thinking of it in context. Without a love for the series, the cheap effects and crazy stories might look really stupid to a casual viewer, especially those without a previous affinity for sci-fi. However, those who grew up with the show, or have a gained a very profound connection with it after the fact, can go back and get enjoyment out of it—whether through the feeling of nostalgia, respect of the history, or simply an appreciation non-fans can’t quite wrap their heads around. Power Rangers is similarly a franchise ripe with all kinds of history and pop culture context, and its past has frequently been honored throughout the show’s run, such as reunion specials in Power Rangers Wild Force, Operation Overdrive, and a big chunk of Dino Thunder.

Should you go watch it and expect some profound epiphany about your life, if you never had any interest in the franchise before? Of course not—it’s still just a kid’s show, after all. But it’s worth acknowledging the sheer magnitude and impact of a successful franchise of this size, and the many like it. But above all, it shows the ability for the simplest, cheapest and most benign of shows to still transcend its roots and make a mark on our lives and our culture—a big chunk of us, at least—just by being imaginative. It’s something plenty of us grew up with and helped shape how we view the world, something that can be said for any show people grow attached to. And, honestly, it’s a feel-good show that just-so-happens to have awesome action sequences. Even when the show’s journey can be dark at times (and make no mistake, the series can get really dark when it wants to) ultimately, they make it through and win in the end. You can’t understand the power of optimism, responsibility and the necessity of friends until you’ve seen it through multi-colored spandex.