Summary
- The Power Rangers franchise has produced many memorable episodes throughout its long history. Some of the greatest episodes include season premieres, finales, and major crossovers.
- For example, “A Zeo Beginning” marked the end of Mighty Morphin and the beginning of a new era for Power Rangers. It introduced new colors, new powers, and new characters.
- Power Rangers in Space’s “Always a Chance” focuses on character development, as Carlos, the In Space Black Ranger, deals with insecurities and fears after making a mistake during a fight.
My favorite Power Rangers episodes are the ones that I can rewatch over and over no matter what, including both classics from the Zordon Era and newer stories from the modern seasons. It’s always difficult to pick the best Power Rangers teams or the greatest episodes in the franchise considering how extensive the show’s lore is. Power Rangers’ TV show chronology begins in 1993 with MMPR and currently ends in 2023 with Cosmic Fury. What the future holds for Power Rangers after Cosmic Fury’s ending remains to be seen, but some episodes will forever be among the show’s best.
Every Power Rangers season has at least a couple of great episodes that break the show’s formula. Although most of them are pilots, crossovers, and finales, there are quite a few episodes that break that rule. For example, two of my all-time favorite Mighty Morphin Power Rangers episodes happened midway through their respective seasons. Some were heavily inspired by their Super Sentai counterparts, whereas others were original stories.
Season |
Release Year |
---|---|
Mighty Morphin |
1993 |
Zeo |
1996 |
Turbo |
1997 |
In Space |
1998 |
Lost Galaxy |
1999 |
Lightspeed Rescue |
2000 |
Time Force |
2001 |
Wild Force |
2002 |
Ninja Storm |
2003 |
Dino Thunder |
2004 |
S.P.D. |
2005 |
Mystic Force |
2006 |
Operation Overdrive |
2007 |
Jungle Fury |
2008 |
R.P.M. |
2009 |
Samurai/Super Samurai |
2011 |
Megaforce/Super Megaforce |
2013 |
Dino Charge/Super Dino Charge |
2015 |
Ninja Steel/ Super Ninja Steel |
2017 |
Beast Morphers |
2019 |
Dino Fury |
2021 |
Cosmic Fury |
2023 |
15 “Green With Evil, Parts I-V”
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers season 1, episodes 17-21
The first multi-episode Power Rangers arc, “Green With Evil” is probably the most important episode in the history of the franchise. While Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was already a charming show with the potential to become a major hit by that point, “Green With Evil” took things to the next level and raised the stakes for the series. From the promos teasing the arrival of a new Ranger to the introduction of Tommy Oliver, “Green With Evil” was born a classic. As a fan of Tommy Oliver, I never get tired of rewatching the beginning of his journey in Mighty Morphin.
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14 “White Light, Parts I-II”
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers season 2, episodes 17-18
Tommy Oliver’s Green Ranger form is his most iconic, but my favorite of his Ranger colors is Mighty Morphin White. As popular as the Green Ranger was, Tommy’s White Ranger suit was used in a few of my favorite MMPR episodes, not to mention the 1995 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers movie. As such, I always enjoy revisiting the first appearance of the White Ranger in “White Light.” While I was aware that Zordon’s secret new Ranger was Tommy, I like how the episode slowly sets up Tommy’s return. “White Light” also marks the beginning of Tommy’s run as team leader.
13 “A Zeo Beginning, Parts I-II”
Power Rangers Zeo, episodes 1-2
The first couple of episodes of each new Power Rangers season are usually great, as they focus on establishing the lore of the new series and set up a lot of characters and concepts that will become important later. It was no different from “A Zeo Beginning,” the episode that marked the end of Mighty Morphin and the beginning of a new era for Power Rangers. “Stronger than before,” the Power Rangers were now wearing new colors and had new powers. “A Zeo Beginning” gave the transition from MMPR to Zeo the impact and emotional weight it deserved.
Billy gives his Zeo crystal to Tanya, who becomes Zeo Yellow, while Rocky becomes Zeo Blue.
12 “Always a Chance”
Power Rangers in Space episode 25
Although most of the greatest Power Rangers episodes are finales or major crossovers, there is one episode from Power Rangers in Space that shines because of its character development. “Always a Chance” stars with Carlos, the In Space Black Ranger, making a mistake during a fight and getting Pink Ranger Cassie hurt. From then on, Carlos is unable to use his powers due to fears and insecurities. Fortunately, he is assisted by Adam, the second MMPR Black Ranger and also Carlos’ Turbo Green predecessor. Adam heroically morphs using a damaged Power Coin and inspires Carlos to keep fighting.
11 “Countdown to Destruction”
Power Rangers in Space episodes 42-43
Power Rangers in Space was great from start to finish, but its two-part finale was particularly incredible. One of my favorite Power Rangers seasons, In Space felt much more serious than its predecessors. The Rangers were now dealing with the fate of the galaxy, yet there were also personal stakes involved. It all culminated in “Countdown to Destruction,” during which Astronema and the Alliance of Evil took over multiple planets. For the first time in the franchise, it seemed like the Power Rangers were truly dealing with a life-or-death situation, which culminated in Zordon having to make the ultimate sacrifice.
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10 “To The Tenth Power”
Power Rangers Lost Galaxy episode 30
In Space and Lost Galaxy are two of the greatest Power Rangers seasons of all time. Therefore, it is no surprise that their first crossover episode, “To The Tenth Power,” is also one of the show’s best. When the Psycho Rangers mysteriously return, the Lost Galaxy heroes have to team up with the In Space Rangers to take down their toughest opponents yet. The dynamic between the two groups is fantastic, and the episode delivers some amazing interactions between the Rangers. It doesn’t get more Super Sentai than two teams of heroes fighting a team of evil Rangers after all.
9 “From Deep in the Shadows”
Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue episode 11
Lightspeed Rescue is one of the most mature Power Rangers seasons, which is summarized by the episode that introduces Ryan Carter. The Titanium Ranger, who I can only describe as the quintessential sixth Ranger, had a very dark origin story that comes into play in “From Deep in the Shadows.” Ryan and his family were involved in a car accident when he was a kid, from which he was rescued by Diabolic and groomed to become a villain. The Titanium Ranger episodes were a highlight of Lightspeed Rescue, both before and after he joined the team.
8 “The Quantum Quest”
Power Rangers Time Force episode 13
Unlike other sixth Rangers like Tommy or Ryan, Eric Myers was never an evil Power Ranger. He was, however, a rival to Wes and believed he was worthy of leading the Silver Guardians. Once Eric got a hold of the Quantum Morpher, he became obsessed with finding its Zord to become a better Power Ranger than Wes and his friends. The first clash between the Quantum Ranger and the Time Force heroes is an incredible moment and one of my favorite introductions of a new Ranger in the Power Rangers universe. Eric’s character was only going to get better after that.
7 “Forever Red”
Power Rangers Wild Force episode 34
I don’t think there will ever be another Power Rangers episode as special as “Forever Red.” For those who watched Power Rangers until at least Wild Force, “Forever Red” is a dream that came true. On the one hand, the Power Rangers 10th-anniversary crossover feels like a fan playing with action figures. On the other hand, it treats all of the characters with respect and gives each of the 10 Red Rangers a time to shine. Andros and Tommy Oliver lead a team of Red Rangers on a mission to the moon, a simple yet effective premise.
“Forever Red” Lineup |
|
---|---|
Character |
Ranger Form |
Jason Lee Scott |
Mighty Morphin Red |
Aurico |
Alien Red |
Tommy Oliver |
Zeo Red |
T.J. Johnson |
Turbo Red |
Andros |
In Space Red |
Leo Corbett |
Lost Galaxy Red |
Carter Grayson |
Lightspeed Rescue Red |
Wes Collins |
Time Force Red |
Eric Myers |
Time Force Quantum Red |
Cole Evans |
Wild Force Red |
6 “Legacy of Power”
Power Rangers Dino Thunder episode 4
To celebrate Power Rangers’ 500th anniversary, Dino Thunder’s “Legacy of Power” revisited all seasons that came before it as the current team of heroes learned about the history of the franchise from an in-universe perspective. Dr. Oliver had been kidnapped, and while trying to find him, the Rangers discovered that their mentor was once a Power Ranger himself. “Legacy of Power” goes over a decade of Power Rangers history, with Tommy narrating the biggest events of each season. Although this is essentially a recap episode, it’s a very exciting one. It also ties into the search for Tommy.
5 “Back in Black”
Power Rangers Dino Thunder episode 5
Building up from the big reveal of “Legacy of Power,” “Back in Black” marked Tommy Oliver’s return to Ranger business for the first time since “The Passing of the Torch” in 1997. The former MMPR Green, MMPR White, Zeo Red, and Turbo Red Ranger was now the Dino Thunder Black Ranger. Having been a fan of Tommy for as long as I could remember, seeing him morph into a brand-new Ranger form in a new episode of Power Rangers was a magical moment. Whenever I rewatch Tommy’s first Black Ranger morph, it feels like I’m seeing it for the first time.
4 “Dimensions in Danger”
Power Rangers Super Ninja Steel episode 10
Although Super Ninja Steel is not among my favorite seasons of the show, it includes a great crossover episode. Rewatching “Dimensions in Danger” is bittersweet now that it has become Jason David Frank’s final Power Rangers episode. Still, it is a great episode that brings back some of my favorite Rangers of all time, including but not limited to MMPR/Zeo/Turbo Pink Ranger Kat, MMPR Red/Zeo Blue Ranger Rocky, Time Force Red Ranger Wes, and Dino Thunder White Ranger Trent. “Dimensions in Danger” also introduced the Master Morpher and revisited all of Tommy’s previous Ranger forms in a very nostalgic episode.
3 “The Nemesis”
Power Rangers Dino Fury season 2, episode 22
Power RangersDino Fury made me fall in love with the show again after a series of seasons that did not capture my interest as much as the original and early 2000s ones. Although both seasons of Dino Fury are a lot of fun, my favorite episode of the show was the series finale. “The Nemesis” was the culmination of everything Dino Fury had built up, from Zayto’s role as team leader to the mystery of Amelia’s parents. Void Queen was a great villain whose final form was quite scary. To defeat her, the Red Ranger had to sacrifice himself.
2 “Lighting Strikes”
Power Rangers Cosmic Fury episode 1
Cosmic Fury is the most recent Power Rangers series, and its first episode could not have been better. Unlike all other seasons of Power Rangers, Cosmic Fury was released all at once on Netflix and only had 10 episodes. Therefore, everything moved faster and was arguably better-paced than what Power Rangers was used to. “Lightning Strikes” wastes no time and puts viewers in the middle of the action as the Rangers team up with the Morphin Masters to fight Lord Zedd and his allies. It also brings back the original Blue Ranger Billy and Ninja Steel “Red Ranger” Mick Kanic, two fan-favorite characters.
1 “The End”
Power Rangers Cosmic Fury episode 10
If the next Power Rangers series is a reboot, I will be happy with how the original show ended. “The End” is the final episode of Cosmic Fury and, for now, the conclusion of the saga that began in 1993. The fact that Lord Zedd was the final boss in what might have been the final season of Power Rangers in the show’s current format is very fitting. The team was finally at its full power, with Morphin Master Zayto and the Cosmic Fury Rangers joining forces to take down the Emperor of Evil once and for all.