Morph back into action with only the most important (and morphinomenal) episodes from the original series.
So you say you want to watch Power Rangers.
You say you want to relive all the major moments from the series and skip the unnecessary filler, but you’re not quite sure where to begin.
Some suggest watching every single episode if you’re really committed to the prospect, but that sounds like a lot of time to spend watching a kids show you used to love.
Speaking as a lifelong fan, I understand both sides of this. While Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is an exciting nostalgic experience, it doesn’t age well (surprise). That’s why we whipped up a guide listing only the important, quintessential episodes of the show necessary to comprehend its mostly incoherent storyline. This might sound tricky feat in itself, as MMPRis a "unique" TV series. It’s padded out with filler-y monster-of-the-day plots and sadistically repetitive stock footage that will warp your mind if you’ve seen it too many times. (Believe me. I should know.) But there is a complete story there if you know where to look. Trust us on this.
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So here it is - a list of all essential episodes you absolutely need to see to get the full Mighty Morphin’ experience. As Kimberly Hart would say, you’re, like, so welcome.
SEASON 1
This is the era that comes to mind whenever Power Rangers is brought up. It’s what brought the magic of Super Sentai to the imaginations of kids outside of Asia, after all. Despite some very obvious footage recycling that occurs halfway through, Season 1 isn’t marred by the production issues that would go on to complicate (i.e. screw up) the ongoing story the show made up as it went along. It’s still the most flawless season of Power Rangers because it’s so simple and relatable, even twenty plus years into the future.
Ep. 1: "Day of the Dumpster"
Do I really have to explain why this is essential? After 10,000 years, Rita Repulsa is free. It’s time for her to conquer earth! Zordon has Alpha teleport five teenagers with attitude to the command center – and so on, and so forth. Yadda yadda.
For a first episode of a TV show, “Dumpster” packs a powerful punch that's still felt to this day. (But to be fair, so did the one of the original pilots. The remake, “Mega Misson” for Power Rangers Megaforce in 2013, was pretty neat too.)
Just to give you some perspective here: Zyuranger, the Super Sentai series MMPR is adapted from, didn’t introduce Daizyuzin aka "the Megazord” until five episodes in. We got it up front thanks to our Western sense of impatience. Go us!
Ep. 3: "Teamwork"
Here’s the thing about any and all Power Rangers series: certain filler episodes are necessary in order to know where the shit they got certain weapons/zords/power-ups from. The third episode ever is a good example of this, as Zordon decides to bestow the Rangers with the Power Blaster to take on a random Minotaur monster while also trying to stop pollution.
Huh.
It looks like that whole multitasking thing is working out for them.
Ep. 6: "Food Fight"
Hey, look. It’s Pudgy Pig. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ most iconic monster-of-the-day, despite the heavy presence of King Sphinx in early promotional artwork.
Much as the title suggests, a food fight does indeed occur, and it's fairly ambitious one. Raise your hand if you had the Golden Books version of this with the sound effects buttons as a child. Because I did not.
Ep. 13: "Peace, Love and Woe"
I think we can all agree Madame Woe is a bad-ass bitch. Besides her gorgeous battle footage with the Rangers, we also see Billy getting some female attention for the first time in the form of Marge. No, not the Simpson. I’m talking about that awkward girl in the leggings that wants to ask Billy to the dance. She’s standing right over there. Stop looking! Don’t make it obvious.
“Woe” is essential because it gives Billy some self-esteem, also serving as a checkpoint for his character, as his arc is arguably the most developed out of all the original cast. That David Yost was its most consistent original cast member probably had something to do with it.
Ep. 17-21: The Green With Evil Miniseries
Crap. I have to explain why these are essential too? This epic five-parter changed everything about the show, its public perception, and the landscape of 1990s children’s television in a single week. It put MMPRnot only on the map but also in the imaginations of hyperactive kids everywhere who wanted to morph into the Green Ranger and have a weird gold thing on their chest too.
Tommy Oliver, the most popular character in all of Power Rangers history, is introduced here as an evil Ranger under Rita’s spell. Once the teens break it, they gain a new team member and the power of the mighty Dragonzord to boot (which is rust-proof, apparently).
Ep. 26: "Gung Ho!"
The bromance between Jason and Tommy was always a strong centerpiece for the show back in its first year, but only because the two started off as rivals. The writers knew this, which is why tension was created between them every now and then to spice things up. This episode is certainly one of the better times that trick is used.
But what’s really of importance here is the introduction of Titanus, the mysterious carrier zord the series will go on to have a very complicated relationship with, as you’ll soon discover.
Ep. 27: "Wheel of Misfortune"
I didn’t intend on including this at first, but then I realized this was the first time the kids formed the Ultrazord, so obviously I couldn’t leave it off. But other than that, the Rangers fight a gigantic wheel on a string that shoots sparks everywhere. It’s more of a party favor than a threat, but Kimberly gets up in arms over it anyway. You know how she can be.
Ep. 28-29: "Island of Illusion", Pt. I & II
I was tempted to leave these off too, but something major does actually happen in this glorified, drawn out clip show that could have been condensed down to one episode. This adventure served the function of “Crystal of Nightmares” before that episode even aired, which is to make the Rangers question themselves. Rita banishes the gang to a lost interdimensional island where they’re tormented by a dwarf who preys on their insecurities by making them relive scary moments from the series. Whatever.
In other news, we meet MMPR’s scariest villain: Lokar, a giant disembodied head that floats in the sky. (I shit you not, his Zyuranger counterpart is literally supposed to be Satan.)
Ep. 34-35: "The Green Candle" Pt. I & II
Kimberly and Tommy’s OTP seemed to be constantly idling offscreen where the kids couldn’t see. But this fateful two-parter culminates with a big ol’ smack on the lips that looked like deep throat french kissing to impressionable 8-year-olds everywhere.
Oh yeah, and the Green Ranger loses his powers for the first time because Rita drains them with a magic candle, forcing Tommy to leave the team. That happens, too.
Ep. 36: "Birds of a Feather"
This episode is a perfect snapshot of the Rangers’ mood following the loss of the Green Ranger, and a good example of how the show would function in Tommy’s absence. Most of its run time is entirely made up of zord battles, a trend the show would pick up on far off into the distant future, but it’s all great stuff. We also get to see Jason stab what appears to be a giant STD to death with dual lightsabers. What’s not to love?
The Cardiatron and Hatchasaurus were like the Captain and Tenille of Power Rangers monsters. They were even immortalized on the MMPR Rock Adventure soundtrack album as audio clips from their zord fight during this episode was spliced in as a prelude to an alternate retelling of Lord Zedd’s arrival in “The Mutiny” in which the Dinozords were inexplicably kept around instead of being replaced. The more you know...
Ep. 38: "A Bad Reflection on You"
The teens get stuck in after school detention with Bulk and Skull while clones of their Ranger selves run amok in Angel Grove. How can they sneak away to stop the carnage and clear their names?
Episodes about evil Ranger clones would are nothing special now, but back in the day, they were everything. The show will soon dip back into that well later on this season, but “Bad Reflection” remains the most iconic effort of the two.
Ep. 39-40: "Doomsday" Pt. I & II
This was originally written to be the series finale, as it’s adapted from the final episodes of Zyuranger. When the show got immensely popular and took over the world one playground at a time, "Doomsday" was re-written to be more of a mid-season finale than anything else.
Still, this is an apocalyptic two-parter that serves as a spiritual checkpoint for the team and the series, as well as a rite of passage for a wacky, head-scratching show that turned into a full-fledged action program overnight. Plus, Tommy comes back for a cameo at the end, and we know how you feel about him and that mullet.
Ep. 42: "A Pig Surprise"
I don’t want you to watch this episode. I really don’t. Please understand this before we proceed.
However, I include it because it marks the re-appearance of Pudgy Pig, who is mostly seen in the exact same footage they used in "Food Fight", just re-arranged and re-dubbed. Oy vey.
Ep. 49-50: "Return of an Old Friend" Pt. I & II
In case finally meeting all of the Rangers’ parents wasn’t enough of a big deal, we also get the return of the Tommy, who gains the ability to morph back into the Green Ranger after Zordon recharges his powers. That means he’s back on the team! Yay! Oh, but Billy goes evil for awhile and it’s slightly disturbing. Un-yay.
The events of “Return of an Old Friend” raises the stakes higher than “Doomsday” did, and it had a more triumphant ending that gives us Tommy back and with a fresh new ponytail this time. We love that thing.
Ep. 59 - "Mighty Morphin' Mutants"
Another evil Ranger episode? So soon? Fuck yes. Although the one we just discussed a few moments ago will always hold a special place in my heart, this one is the better of the two.
The Mutant Rangers are a group of badass mofos lead by Commander Crayfish, the monster that the number one Power Rangers fan named himself after. It should also be mentioned that Alpha replaces the Power Weapons after they get toasted by the Mutants, but since the new super strong replacements look exactly the same, I don’t know why I even bothered to type this out just now. Other than that, get ready for some great use of Mighty Raw’s “5-4-1” during the hard-and-fast fight scenes.
Ep. 60 - "An Oyster Stew"
In the first season “finale” Zack scores a date with Angela, so he takes her to an outdoor French restaurant that looks like it was built in a parking lot. What’s that? It was? Oh. Well, who gives a damn.
What’s most remarkable about this episode is that THE GREEN RANGER GIVES THE BLACK RANGER HIS SHIELD YOU GUYS. HOLY FUCKING SHIT. (Also, you must bear witness the first underwater Megazord battler ever. Because we need more fake, unconvincing bubbles in our lives.)
Hit the drop down for season two!
