Wild Access! Again! Uncanny Fox here, continuing my look at the Power Rangers Team-Up episodes with a look at the 10 year anniversary (technically this would be on the 10th season, not anniversary, but this wouldn’t be the last time this terminology mix-up would happen) special, “Forever Red.” Believe it or not, I actually missed this when it first aired – the change in the channel threw me off, especially when the show was always getting bumped off for golf and college football half the time. I was eventually able to watch it via the 2003 “Best of Power Rangers” DVD, which I picked up at Toys R Us (RIP) during Christmas break in 2008.

Like “Reinforcements From The Future” before it, “Forever Red” was written by Amit Bhaumik, a long-time fan of the series who went on to write unused pitches for seasons such as Samurai and Beast Morphers, as well as a couple of episodes of the former and a fake episode called “Scorpion Rain,” which featured a battle between Lord Zedd and the Zeo Rangers (Bhaumik considers this cannon, but as we’ll establish later, he’s got some… odd ideas for the backstory of the show). But what he’s most known for (besides the two crossovers he did write) was his original plans for the adaptation of Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger, which would later be used for the vastly-different Ninja Storm.

It was going to be called Hexagon, and would have been for the post-Zordon Era what In Space was for the Zordon Era: a wrap-up of the previous ongoing storylines featuring returning appearances by past Rangers. You can find more details of the plans here, but the short version is that Tommy was going to lead a government organization of every Ranger on Earth, operating in a Pentagon-like building named the Hexagon (six sides, six Rangers on a team, get it?). Jason was going to be opposed to this in a matter of “Freedom vs. Security,” and the two were going to have their teams of Rangers battle over it, not unlike Marvel’s Civil War arc (which, ironically, would come out years after this all was hatched out). However, the buying of the franchise by Disney put the kibosh on these plans, as their original idea for the series was to cancel it and just air reruns in syndication until they were convinced to move production to New Zealand to reduce costs. It was a cool idea, sure, and had the show remained in Old Saban’s hands it could have very well happened. But nowadays there are just too many factors involved (not being able to get the right people back, not having the right Sentai to adapt, going too far from the budget and source footage) for it to be feasible.

But this storyline had several low-key set-ups in the two Wild Force crossovers, such as Wes’s line in “Reinforcements” about the existence of other Rangers fighting for the same goal, as well as pretty much the very concept of “Forever Red,” which features Tommy calling together a team of Rangers from different seasons to battle a common threat.

This threat went through several iterations as the episode was planned: originally the bad guys were going to be a group of villains just going around destroying planets willy-nilly, then a cult trying to revive Dark Specter (and it was going to be revealed that Malagore from the Turbo movie was a baby of Specter’s species – wait, Divatox was going to marry a baby?!?) before finally settling on a resurgent Machine Empire. There were other changes as well: Rocky was going to appear as a back-up in case Austin St. John couldn’t be reached – but, ironically enough, my man Steve Cardenas was moving at the time and couldn’t be reached, Catherine was going to be revealed to have married Tommy (this would later become official in “Dimensions In Danger”), there was going to be a scene in the beginning of the Wild Force team telling two kids to leave the fighting to the Rangers, and some more interactions between the Rangers that sadly had to be cut for time. And one big change to the ending that I’ll get into in the review. For right now though, let’s get into “Forever Red,” an episode loved by fans for its numerous references to past seasons, and argued about by others for that very reason.

After the intro, the episode stars on the moon, where a group of Cogs are digging something out of the rocky surface, while a group of recycled Big Bad Beetleborgs costumes (no really, they reused suits from that show for the villains here) looks on. Their Shadowborg leader, named General Venjix (no relation to the Big Bad of RPM, no matter how much Amit Bhaumik thinks otherwise), declares that Zedd was “a fool” to leave the thing they are digging for behind. And that thing? Zedd’s infamously powerful war Zord, the dreaded Serpentera, a green Chinese dragon which once leveled an entire planet with its mouth cannon. Remember that little factoid for later…

Meanwhile, a robbed figure (surprise, surprise) is watching them from a hillside. It’s Andros, who bemoans that the Machine Empire is almost done digging the Zord out. He moves in for a closer look, only to draw the attention of the Green Hunter Beetleborg, known here as Gerrok (who happens to be voiced by Walter Jones, aka the original Black Ranger, Zack. In fact, most of the Generals are voiced by former Rangers: Venjix is Archie Kao, aka Kai from Lost Galaxy, Tezzla – the white one – is Catherine Sutherland, aka Katherine, and Automon – the orange one – is Dave Walsh, who voiced the Blue Senturion in Turbo).

They chase after him on… horses? Wait, why would a proud robot empire rely on organic beasts of burden? Robot horses, yeah, but normal ones? Anywho, Andros morphs and gets away on his Galaxy Glider, as the Generals let him escape as it’s “too late” to stop them anyway.

Back on Earth, Bulk and Skull (apparently Bulk found a way back from Mirinoi) are now the owners of their own resort, and they’re currently playing Psycho Ranger chess while bragging to each other about all the monsters they met. Turns out it’s all the same ones. I love Skull’s reaction to Bulk boasting that he once met Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa: “Oh yeah? So did I!”

The phone rings, and Bulk runs to it while pushing Skull into the pool. The more things change. His smile soon fades when he hears who’s calling. He and Skull hurry over to the man the message is for, debating whether or not they should “bug” him before deciding that this is too important not too. The man sitting in the chair takes the phone, answering in a rather familiar voice…

Meanwhile, a familiar yellow hummer drives up to a beach that the Wild Force Rangers are hanging out at (which is where the aforementioned “don’t try this at home” scene would have happened). Carter steps out and asks for Cole, announcing himself as “Lightspeed Rescue… Red Ranger” with an odd pause in the middle that happened quite a bit in Wild Force. He tells Cole that he’s come to recruit the new Red Ranger for an important mission, one that could determine the fate of the entire Earth. It seems he’s always the one tracking down everybody, isn’t he?

They drive over to the NASADA (Power Rangers’ version of NASA) Spaceport, where Cole is overjoyed to meet back up with Wes and Eric inside a parking garage. Carter reintroduces them, as well as TJ, who he refers to as his full name of Theodore J. Jarvis Johnson. So, he’s “TJJJ?” Anywho, he’s wearing Red and being accompanied by Lighting Cruiser, signifying that he’ll be serving as the Red Turbo Ranger.

TJ introduces everyone to Andros, who tells Cole that they’ve all been assembled her by a “Veteran Ranger,” who’ll be leading them on their mission. And that Ranger? Tommy Oliver himself, reporting for duty as the Red Zeo Ranger.

After the commercial break, Tommy explains why they’re all here: the remaining followers of the Machine Empire have gathered on the moon, plotting to avenge the destruction of the Royal Family at the hands of the Zeo Rangers (actually, it was Rita and Zedd who blew them up, although they did return for “Countdown To Destruction” – but there they were destroyed by Zordon’s energy wave, the Zeo Rangers didn’t even fight in that battle) by invading Earth. They’ve been in hiding since the end of Zeo, but have finally found the opportunity to strike.

Cole asks how they plan on getting to the Moon to fight the Empire, and Andros presents the new and improved Astro Megaship Mark II, fresh off the construction yards of KO-35 and the “fastest spaceship in the Galaxy.” Again, we’re going to have to see it make the Kessel Run to verify that…

Tommy then gives everyone a chance to back out if they think the mission is going to be too dangerous, but naturally nobody takes it. Cole speaks up and says that he doesn’t know about… spaceships, or this Machine Empire… but he’ll do what he must… to protect the Earth. Again, weird pauses.

But before they set off on their journey, Andros asks about the one Red Ranger left on Earth who hasn’t shown up yet (since apparently Rocky doesn’t even get a mention here), and Tommy sadly tells him that the guy in question couldn’t make it despite Tommy hoping otherwise. Cole then hears a motorcycle driving up outside…

And riding it is Jason Lee Scott, the original Red Ranger and the one everyone was talking about just before. The others run out to greet him, and Jason goes over to Cole, calling him the “New Guy” and answering the latter’s eager handshake offer with a casual shoulder pat.

He then addresses the rest of the group, expositing that he knows some of them, “some of them more than others” (interestingly enough, he’s looking at the Silver Guardians while saying this part, a possible Hexagon tease), before finally shaking hands with Tommy. The two former teammates share a brief exchange that lets you know that they’re still the best of friends after all this time. Which is ironic because in real life they couldn’t stand each other for most of the past decade.

With everyone onboard for the mission (again, sorry Rocky), the Rangers give a slow-motion Top Gun walk to the Megaship before blasting off into space.

Up on the Moon, Venjix (still not that one) gives a fiery General Hux speech to his Cog minions, telling them about how they were forced to hide among the starts after the defeat of King Mondo. But now the powerful Serpentera at their disposal, they have the means to rebuild the Machine Empire and have their revenge on the Power Rangers. All to the awkward-looking cheer of the super-imposed Cog legions.

Elsewhere, on the planet Mirinoi, Leo reclaims his Quasar Saber for the battle ahead. The reason he shows up later is that the production crew wasn’t sure if Danny Slavin (Leo) would return for this episode – as I mentioned in my “Trakeena’s Revenge” review, he walked out midway through production, so it was anybody’s guess if he was game to come back. As such, all of his scenes were filmed in post-production, and he was digitally inserted in a few group shots towards the end.

On the Megaship, Andros announces that he’s contacted Leo and Aurico, saying that they’ll meet the rest of the team on the moon. After a new robot named Alpha 7 (still voiced by Richard Steven Horvitz) tells him everything’s ready, Tommy briefs everyone on how the Machine Empire attacked Earth all those years ago, and how the Zeo Rangers defeated them. Or how Zedd and Rita took them out with mail bomb, same difference. In any case, their remaining Generals have gathered on the Moon.

When Eric and Wes ask why they’re on the moon, Jason answers that they’re looking for Serpentera, and Tommy explains that Zedd left his Zord behind after what I’m guessing is the fight against the Rangers in that fake “Scorpion Rain” episode. Andros adds that he spent the last few years tracking the Generals, until they discovered Serpentera’s hidden location. And if they get their hands on it, they’ll have more than enough power to destroy Earth. Just the look Tommy and Jason give each other when they first say the Zord’s name is enough to sell the threat.

Back on the Moon, Venjix’s lieutenant tells him that they had finished installing a “Neo-Plutonium reactor” in Serpentera to account for the Zord’s previous energy problems, causing the General to gloat that they will soon avenge King Mondo’s untimely destruction. The Rangers soon arrive, and Jason cuts in that if the Generals miss King Mondo that much, “we promise we can help you join him.” Awesome line. It’s just the way Austin St. John delivers it, so cocky and casual.

Venix orders his Cog troops to attack, and an all-out slugfest ensues. Highlights include Tommy slipping out of his jacket when a Cog tries to grab it, Jason split kicking a pair of drones like it’s 1993, Eric kicking a Cog under a desk (seriously, there’s a random piece of office furniture just laying around in the middle of an evil robot army’s Moon base), Carter saying “screw it” and just shooting everyone, and Wes taking a pair of Cog staffs and going to work Nightwing-style. It’s all very top-notch action, and whatever they were paying Koichi Sakamoto sure as heck wasn’t enough.

Eventually, Venjix orders his Generals to board Serpentera, and they head out to the Zord with Cole chasing behind them and calling out “Stop!” in a dramatic fashion. As in, he stops running, holds up his hand and orders them to halt. It could have been a nice meme, if the guy doing it hadn’t ended up… Anywho, Venjix blasts some purple lighting bolts at him, declaring that he will be “the first to feel their wrath.”

But before they can attack further, a laser blast cuts them off. Suddenly, Leo swoops in and rescues Cole in his Jet Jammer, with Aurico (who’s voiced here by Christopher Glenn – guess he was the go-to actor for replacing Red Rangers) hitching a ride as well. They soon jump down and join up with the others, and Leo demorphs. Or does he, as in one brief shot he’s still morphed as the Generals arrive to confront the fully assembled Ranger squad. We also see the unmorphed Leo superimposed onto the side shot of the group, both of which are leftovers from when nobody thought Slavin would make it to the shoot.

And now the big moment is at hand: everybody morphs. We see their morphing scenes one by one as they pose and announce themselves, an awesomely nostalgic look at the series’ evolution over the years. All except for Aurico, who never demorphs during this episode (his actor, David Bacon – no relation to Kevin as far as I can tell – couldn’t make it). After it’s all done, Tommy lets out an “Alright guys, let’s do it!”, and the team of 10 Red Rangers poses. Of course the background explodes, why wouldn’t it?

A point of issue with this among the fanbase is that some of the Rangers, namely Jason and TJ, lost their powers during their respective seasons, and therefore shouldn’t be able to morph. The widely accepted explanation for the latter is that Lighting Cruiser gave TJ a morpher just like Storm Blaster did for Justin in “True Blue To The Rescue,” but for Jason things are a bit… trickier. One possible answer is that when he gave his powers to Rocky in the middle of Season 2, they weren’t transferred per se, but rather copied, as evidenced by Jason, Zack and Trini still being in Ranger form after Rocky, Adam and Aisha morphed in “The Power Transfer.” Another, one that Amit Bhaumik considers to be the case, is that Tommy discovered the source of Zordon’s power and used it to restore Jason’s Power Coin. And there’s another one that’s just plain weird: In a tie-in comic from the Mighty Morphin days, Lord Zedd created an evil team of Rangers using the old Dino Power Coins. Sometime before “Forever Red,” Jason found the Dark Red, beat him in a fight and took his coin for himself. Which is strange, because there’s no indication that said comic is even cannon to the show. In any case, let’s all be thankful that Super Megaforce nullified this issue by giving everybody their powers back. It’s one of the few things that season did right. Even if it didn’t actually explain how that happened…

The Generals run at them, and the Rangers break off into teams of two to battle them. Jason and Cole take on Venjix – with the former showing the “rookie” how it’s done by going mano-a-mano with the metal baddie, Wes and Tommy engaging with Gerrok – and Tommy applying the coup-du-grace with a “Zeo Flying Power Kick,” Eric and Aurico (who’s showing off his definitely-not-ninja agility skills) do battle with Tezzla – and dodge some rolling boulders in the process, Leo and TJ have a sword fight with Automon – finishing him off with an impressive areal combo, and Andros and Charter challenge the blue one (Steelon, who’s a modified version of Dragonborg, aka that one Astral Borg who’s Japanese version was Dante) to a slow-motion, Matrix-eqse laser shootout. And at the risk of sounding like a broken record here, but darn are the fight scenes in this season amazing.

Soon only Venjix remains, and the General shakes off Cole’s Crystal Saber attack to declare that he still has one last card to play: Serpentera. He jumps inside the giant war Zord and fires it up, launching from the surface as Tommy laments that it is “one ugly Zord.” Speaking of, the Zord is CG in this episode (I won’t rag too much about the quality of said CG – this is a low-budget TV show, after all – but it does look like it came straight from the PS1), and is noticeably smaller than it was back in Season 2. And in some shots, its head is purple. Yeah, I don’t know why they did that either…

And here’s where the episode derails a bit. Jason tells everyone to get back to the Megaship to stop Serpentera, but Carter points out that there is no time for that. Now there’s only one chance left: for Cole to summon his Wild Force Rider, a motorbike given to him by Animus in a previous episode that can transform into a birdlike flying mode, and take the dragon Zord on himself. He flies past the massive Zord’s energy blasts and hurries ahead of it, complete with inexplicable tire-screeching sound in the empty void of space. Once he’s right in front of Serpentera, he mutters that he has an idea and charges straight at it, deflecting its previously-planet-destroying energy beam as he rams the dragon’s mouth – which destroys the Zord once and for all as Venjix laments that he’s failed the Empire.

This is… lame, especially since the original plan was to have all the Red Zords come back for a final showdown with Serpentera. But this idea was scrapped due to budget issues (the production crew had gone all in on “Reinforcements From The Future,” and Disney wasn’t too keen on doing an episode “promoting old toys that aren’t in stores anymore,” meaning that they had to get the extra money to do this episode from Bandai – who in turn would only do so if a newer toy saved the day, hence the Wild Force Rider), meaning we were stuck with a freaking motorbike taking out the so-called “most powerful Zord ever built.” Some fans explain that since the bike came from Animus, it had divine power or something, but I still think it’s a stretch. And this wouldn’t be the last time an anniversary episode ended with a total Deus-Ex-Machina, believe you me. On the plus side, the music was pretty good.

Back on Earth, everyone says goodbye and shares one last fist bump as Tommy thanks them for saving the universe, departing with Zordon’s classic line, “May the Power protect you all.” As he leaves, Cole looks on in wonder and says that Tommy “really is the greatest Ranger.” Which leads the others to start bragging about their accomplishments: TJ points out that he was the one who replaced Tommy, Jason boasts that he did all the work while Tommy was “kissing on Kimberly at the Juice Bar,” Carter’s just happy that Tommy’s haircut is regulation now, Eric declares that his Q-Rex could “eat his Dragonzord for lunch,” Leo says that he discovered a galaxy, Wes wonders why he doesn’t get a fan club for changing the course of history, Andros boasts that he saved two worlds (he was originally going to say that he killed Zordon, but that’s not something you want to go bragging about), and TJ finally ends the episode by telling everyone about the time he and the other Turbo Rangers got baked into a giant pizza. Good times. Weird as all-get-out and sure to send Justin screaming into therapy when he gets older, but good times…

The Next Time segment (this would be the last season to show these to date) shows the beginning of the endgame of the season, showing Toxica kidnapping Princess Shayla to regain their current boss’s favor (Master Org was displaced at the moment). But that’s a story for another day…

So, now that we’ve finished talking about the story, on to Pros and Cons:

Pros:

Brilliant fight choreography throughout.

An entertaining plot that ties into past seasons nicely.

Managing to get (almost) everybody back is pretty impressive, especially when you look at more recent anniversary Team-Ups.

Cons:

The Deus-Ex with Cole’s bike.

A few minor continuity grumbles here and there.

Rocky not even getting a mention.

Aside from the final battle with Serpentera, “Forever Red” is an excellent crossover, and easily the best anniversary episode in the show’s history (low bar, as we’ll establish in later reviews, but still…) Everybody gets at least one scene to show how awesome they are, the fight scenes are top-notch, the character interactions (especially the one-upping scene at the end) are entertaining, and there are plenty of small references and in-jokes relating to past seasons. All-in-all, it’s a near-perfect love letter to fans of the show, and one that stands the test of time as one of Power Rangers’ greatest moments.

As I’ve said before, Wild Force was aired during a transitional period for the franchise: the show switched channels from Fox to ABC during the show’s run, and after it was finished production was moved from LA to New Zealand in order to reduce the cost of making it, which resulted in the entire crew being replaced. Due to this, the cast of Wild Force would not return in Ninja Storm for a Team-Up (or really at all save for Deker in Samurai), meaning we’re going to be skipping a season next week. Indeed, we’ll be entering the Disney Era proper with the crossover between Ninja Storm and Dino Thunder, a 2-parter titled “Thunder Storm.” ‘Till then, I’ve been The Uncanny Fox. Live long, stay gold, and remember: TJ had the weirdest run as Red Ranger. Bar none. That dude needs to write a book.