Power Rangers: Turbo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Power Rangers: Turbo
Genre	Action-Adventure
Creator(s)	Haim Saban Shuki Levy
Starring	Jason David Frank Johnny Yong Bosch Nakia Burrise Blake Foster Catherine Sutherland Tracy Lynn Cruz Patricia Ja Lee Roger Velasco Selwyn Ward Carol Hoyt Hilary Shephard Turner Jason Narvy Paul Schrier Gregg Bullock
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	45
Production
Running time	30 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	FOX
Original run	1997-04-19 – 1997-11-24
Chronology
Preceded by	Power Rangers: Zeo
Followed by	Power Rangers in Space
Links
IMDb profile

Power Rangers: Turbo (often abbreviated as PRT, and often simply called Turbo) was a television show based on the Japanese Super Sentai television series Gekisou Sentai Carranger it is the fifth season of Power Rangers.

The series is the follow up to Power Rangers: Zeo and the continuation of the storyline begun in the film, Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, in which the former Zeo Rangers Tommy (V — Red), Adam (IV — Green), Tanya (II — Yellow), and Kat (I — Pink) are joined by Justin, the twelve-year-old new Blue Ranger (who replaces an injured Rocky), in the quest to stop Divatox, a barbaric but beautiful space pirate, from unleashing the evil of her demonic fiancé, Maligore, upon the universe. The power of the Zeo Crystal and the Zeo Zords are not strong enough to withstand this new evil, so Zordon and Alpha 5 assist the Rangers in creating the new Turbo Powers, which also give the Rangers new Turbo Zords.

[edit] Production history

The production of Power Rangers: Turbo was controversial on numerous levels and is generally considered to be the jump the shark moment for the series. The series was launched with a theatrical movie Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, which was given a limited theatrical release and failed miserably to transition the Power Rangers from the Zeo season to Turbo as the film offered no explanation for the sudden change in costumes or powers. The film also saw the departure of Steve Cardenas from the Power Rangers franchise. Cardenas was injured while performing a stunt towards the end of Power Rangers: Zeo and as a result, had to leave the series. It would be a coincidence when in "Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie", Rocky tries to spin kick and fell off the ring and injured his back.^{[citation needed]}

Because Cardenas had departed, Saban added a child actor to the cast as Cardenas's replacement. Blake Foster was cast as Justin Stewart, the new Blue Turbo Power Ranger as a ploy to bring new young viewers to the show, since the core of the show's young viewership were now in their teens. The move backfired horribly, as the character failed to bring in new viewers and alienated a large portion of the existing older audience of the show.

The cast also posed some problems. Jason David Frank and Catherine Sutherland allegedly wanted to leave the show and pursue other projects (Sutherland claims this is untrue on her part). Both agreed to short-term contracts for 18 episodes. Another problem was Hilary Shepard Turner's pregnancy; Turner played the villain Divatox. To solve this problem, Carol Hoyt assumed the role until Turner could resume the role towards the end of the series. After Turner returned, Hoyt continued on with her role as Dimitria.

The last issue was usage of the CarRanger fight and Zord footage. CarRanger spoofed the long-running Super Sentai formula and featured a lot of physical comedy and slapstick humor. Saban writers were divided between those who wanted to take a serious storyline and those wanted to embrace the over-the-top campiness of the source material. The series progressed for 18 episodes before longtime Power Rangers writer, Judd Lynn (who was the main supporter of going the direction of making "Turbo" a comedy-centric series), was given the job as head writer.

When it came time to phase out Jason David Frank and Catherine Sutherland, the writers decided to replace entire original cast (except for Blake Foster), resulting in Johnny Yong Bosch and Nakia Burrise leaving the series as well. Zordon and Alpha 5 were also phased out and replaced with Dimitria (played by Carol Hoyt, upon the return of Hilary Shepard Turner) and the jive-talking robot Alpha 6. New cast members were hired to take over the now open Ranger slots. The VRV Master, a character from CarRanger who only made a few scattered appearances, was made into a recurring sixth Ranger called the Phantom Ranger.

Ultimately, by the end of the series' run, the ratings were down as the series began to prepare for yet another relaunching since the CarRanger footage had run out. Blake Foster was let go (which explains his character's Justin's choosing to stay on Earth with his dad while the other Rangers went into space) and the series ended with the four rookie Power Rangers, now powerless, Zord-less, and with only a damaged Alpha 6 to guide them, borrowing a NASADA space shuttle and heading off into space to continue their fight against Divatox.

[edit] Synopsis

The Turbo Power Rangers

After the defeat of Maligore, the older Turbo Rangers graduate from high school and resume their normal lives, but are attacked once again by a vengeful Divatox and her forces and an endless supply of detonators and monsters that threaten the citizens of Angel Grove.

A new twist into the story involves Zordon and Alpha 5 returning to Zordon's home planet of Eltar, thereby relinquishing the mentorship of the Rangers to the spectral Dimitria of Inquiris (who is suggested to be Divatox's long-lost twin sister) and the street-talking Alpha 6.

The Rangers are then joined by Blue Senturion, an intergalactic police robot who brings with him the "Millennium Message", a pivotal story arc which foretells the later events of Power Rangers in Space. The four older Turbo Rangers are then retired from duty, "Passing the Torch" to four new Rangers - T.J., Carlos, Ashley, and Cassie, while Justin remains as the Blue Turbo Ranger.

The mysterious Phantom Ranger, whose identity is never revealed and whose powers originate from Eltar, arrives on Earth in the nick of time. Divatox's brother General Havoc arrives, bringing with him a new Space Base for his sister and a Metallosaurus Zord (a tyrannosaurus-like robot with a long tail). The Phantom, who becomes Cassie's love interest, gives the Turbo Rangers new Rescue Zords, and the Rangers later manage to retrieve the Turbo Zords as well.

However, the end of the series brings tragedy and devastation as the Rescue Megazord is self-destructed on T.J.'s command in a failed attempt to destroy the powerful Goldgoyle, the Turbo Megazord is wrecked in the same battle, and the Power Chamber is blown up by Divatox's minions.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Rangers

Tommy Oliver

The first Red Turbo Ranger, and former Zeo Ranger V - Red, White Power/Ninja Ranger, and Green Power Ranger. He was portrayed by Jason David Frank.

Justin Stewart

The Blue Turbo Ranger; when Rocky injured himself at a martial arts match, Justin was chosen by Zordon to be the Blue Turbo Ranger. Justin, however, was twelve and unexperienced. He was portrayed by Blake Foster.

Adam Park

The first Green Turbo Ranger, and former Zeo Ranger IV - Green and Black Power Ranger. He was portrayed by Johnny Yong Bosch.

Tanya Sloan

The first Yellow Turbo Ranger, and former Zeo Ranger II - Yellow. She was portrayed by Nakia Burrise.

Kat Hillard

The first Pink Turbo Ranger, and former Zeo Ranger I - Pink and Pink Power/Ninja Ranger. She was portrayed by Catherine Sutherland.

T.J. Johnson

The second Red Turbo Ranger; Tommy chose him to be his replacement based on his bravery in protecting others. He was portrayed by Selwyn Ward.

Carlos Vallertes

The second Green Turbo Ranger; Adam chose him to be his replacement as he helped Adam save Angel Grove citizens that were under attack. He was portrayed by Roger Velasco.

Ashley Hammond

The second Yellow Turbo Ranger; Tanya chose her to be her replacement. She was portrayed by Tracy Lynn Cruz.

Cassie Chan

The second Pink Turbo Ranger; Kat chose her to be her replacement as she helped T.J. and Kat save Tommy. She was portrayed by Patricia Ja Lee.

The Phantom Ranger

A mysterious warrior who arrives on Earth and gives the new Turbo Rangers their Rescuezords. He was voiced by Alex Dodd.

[edit] Allies

[edit] Villains

Main article: Villains in Power Rangers: Turbo

• List of Power Rangers: Turbo monsters

• Enemy Foot Soldiers:
  • Pirahnatrons
  • Putra Pods
  • Chromites

[edit] Arsenal

• Turbo Morphers: Wrist-mounted devices modelled after an automatic transmission gear panel. The Turbo Rangers would call out "Shift Into Turbo", activate the Morphers by inserting and turning a special key, than proceed to proclaim the following phrases. Please note that the phrases listed below were only used by the original Turbo Ranger team, and were discarded once the senior Turbo Rangers recruited their replacements.
  • "Red Lightning Turbo Power!"
  • "Mountain Blaster Turbo Power!"
  • "Desert Thunder Turbo Power!"
  • "Dune Star Turbo Power!"
  • "Wind Chaser Turbo Power!"

• Turbo Blaster: Standard Ranger firearm. It could open up to reveal a turbine that increased its power.

• Turbo Sword: A sword carried by each Turbo Ranger. The handle could be pulled back for an extra power boost.

• Turbo Navigator: Handheld GPS that can track enemies and power sources. It can be converted into a blaster for use in battle.

• Turbo Robotic Arsenal Mobilizer (R.A.M.): Combination of Turbo Weapons, forms a racecar and transforms into a blaster.
  • Turbo Lightning Sword: Red Turbo Ranger's personal weapon.
  • Turbo Thunder Cannon: Green Turbo Ranger's personal weapon, an engine-shaped cannon..
  • Turbo Hand Blasters: Blue Turbo Ranger's personal pistols.
  • Turbo Star Chargers: Yellow Turbo Ranger's personal weapons functioned similarly to knuckle-dusters, and would produce sparks upon striking an enemy.
  • Turbo Wind Fire: Pink Turbo Ranger's personal bow-like weapon could fire energy from each of its four barrels.

• Turbine Laser: Weapon that can move by itself and be mounted on Storm Blaster.

• Turbo Carts: Go carts equipped with lasers for Ranger use.

• Senturion Synergizer: Personal sidearm of the Blue Senturion, has a blaster mode and a baton mode.

• Senturion Cycle: Personal transport of the Blue Senturion.

• Lightning Cruiser: A sentient 1996 Chevrolet Camaro piloted by the Red Turbo Ranger that featured flight capabilities.

• Storm Blaster: A sentient jeep commandeered by the Blue Turbo Ranger.

[edit] Zords

Main article: Zords in Power Rangers: Turbo

The Turbozords were cars that could change their size given to the Turbo Rangers along with their new Turbo Ranger powers in Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie. The Robo Racer was the Blue Senturion's Zord that he brought with him from his home planet. The Phantom Ranger brought Artillatron and the Rescuezords to the Turbo Rangers on his visit to Earth, as well.

• Turbo Megazord
  • Red Lightning Turbozord, driven by Tommy and then T.J. as the Red Turbo Ranger ¹
  • Mountain Blaster Turbozord, driven by Justin as the Blue Turbo Ranger ¹
  • Desert Thunder Turbozord, driven by Adam and then Carlos as the Green Turbo Ranger
  • Dune Star Turbozord, driven by Tanya and then Ashley as the Yellow Turbo Ranger
  • Wind Chaser Turbozord, driven by Kat and then Cassie as the Pink Turbo Ranger
• Robo Racer, driven by the Blue Senturion
• Artillatron, driven by the Phantom Ranger
• Rescue Megazord
  • Lightning Fire Tamer Rescuezord, driven by T.J. as the Red Turbo Ranger
  • Siren Blaster Rescuezord, driven by Justin as the Blue Turbo Ranger
  • Thunder Loader Rescuezord, driven by Carlos as the Green Turbo Ranger ¹
  • Star Racer Rescuezord, driven by Ashley as the Yellow Turbo Ranger ¹
  • Wind Rescue Rescuezord, driven by Cassie as the Pink Turbo Ranger ¹