Forever Red
Encyclopedia
"Forever Red" is an episode of the television series Power Rangers: Wild Force
, commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Power Rangers
meta-series. The episode was later included in the 2003 DVD collection The Best Of The Power Rangers: The Ultimate Rangers as one of several voted by the fans to be the best in the series. "Forever Red" was the first episode to commemorate the anniversary of the Power Rangers franchise followed by Once a Ranger which took place in the 15th season, Power Rangers Operation Overdrive.
). The ten Red Rangers featured, in order of appearance in Power Rangers continuity were:
, surviving members of the empire remain, seeking to destroy the Earth. Tezzla, Gerrok, Steelon, and Automon (and many Cogs) are all that is left of the Empire, as well as General Venjix, their leader. They have recently learned that Earth's Moon is the resting place of Serpentera, a war machine created by Lord Zedd
with the power to destroy a planet. Ever since Zedd's "death" in "Countdown to Destruction
", the location of Serpentera remained a mystery for many years. Venjix finds it and begins using Cog soldiers to dig it up, refitting it with a Neo Plutonium reactor to power it.
Andros
, the Red Space Ranger, discovers Venjix and finds out about his plan after following him for several years. Andros goes to the Moon to gather video evidence of their plans. He succeeds and contacts Tommy Oliver
, Zeo Ranger V, at Bulk and Skull
's poolside cafe. Tommy sends out a call for all the current Red Rangers on Earth to meet him at the NASADA space port. However, the original Red Ranger Jason does not give Tommy a definitive answer as to whether or not he would show up at all.
Cole, the current Red Ranger, is contacted by Carter as the Wild Force team are gathered at a park. Despite the other Wild Force Rangers wanting to help, Carter states that only Cole is needed. The two proceed to NASADA's space port, where they meet up with Andros, T.J., and the Silver Guardians, of which the latter two are immediately recognized by Cole, as he already met the two (a team up between the Wild Force and Time Force occurred in a previous episode).
The Red Rangers gather in a hangar, where Tommy explains that he would be leading a team of Red Rangers. Jason pulls up to the group on a motorcycle, surprising Tommy. Jason explains that he didn't think the mission would feel right without the original Red Ranger. He then proceeded to rib Cole, "the new guy" of the group, who originally offers a handshake. Tommy, Jason, Andros, Wes, Eric, T.J., Carter, and Cole board the Astro Megaship Mark II, created specifically for this mission, and proceed to the Moon. A new Alpha robot, Alpha 7, with Alpha 5
's voice and demeanor and Alpha 6
's body, is on board as well. While en route, Andros informs the other Red Rangers that Aurico and Leo will be joining them shortly (since they have a long distance to travel from Aquitar and Mirinoi respectively) while Tommy further explains their mission to the other Rangers.
Venjix and his other generals prepare to board Serpentera, but they are then interrupted by the Red Rangers. Venjix sends Cogs to distract the eight Rangers while he and the others flee to Serpentera. The Rangers battle the Cogs unmorphed and easily defeat them. Eventually, Cole escapes the barrage of Cogs and chases after the generals. Venjix fires at him, but Cole is rescued by Leo and Aurico on Leo's Jet Jammer. Then all the Rangers gather, morph with their respective morphing calls (except for Aurico, who has already morphed), and battle the Generals.
Cole and Jason fight Venjix, with Cole having trouble at first but coming back strong after Jason single-handedly overwhelms Venjix with a corkscrew kick to show off to Cole. Tommy and Wes fight Gerrok and Tommy destroys him with the Zeo Flying Power Kick. Eric and Aurico fight Tezzla and destroy her with the Quantum Defender. T.J. and Leo fight Automon and destroy him with their Quasar Saber, Transdagger, Turbo Blade, and Turbo Lightning Sword. Andros and Carter fight Steelon and destroy him by combining power from their Astro, Rescue, and Thermo Blasters. Then Cole severely damages Venjix with his Crystal Saber. Venjix then jumps into Serpentera and takes off. The Rangers fear they have failed, but Cole calls upon his Wild Force Rider to battle Venjix. Cole uses the Wild Force Rider to fly into Serpentera and destroy it from the inside. Both Venjix and Serpentera are destroyed, and Cole ends up surviving the explosion despite the others' thinking he may have been destroyed too.
Afterwards, the nine human Rangers part ways, and Cole remarks how Tommy appeared to be the "greatest Ranger ever", with the other Rangers attempting to refute his claim with some of their own adventures.
Power Rangers: Wild Force
Power Rangers Wild Force is the tenth anniversary of the Power Rangers franchise, based on the Super Sentai series Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger, which itself was the 25th anniversary of Super Sentai.Power Rangers Wild Force takes place in 2002...
, commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Power Rangers
Power Rangers
Power Rangers is a long-running American entertainment and merchandising franchise built around a live action children's television series featuring teams of costumed heroes...
meta-series. The episode was later included in the 2003 DVD collection The Best Of The Power Rangers: The Ultimate Rangers as one of several voted by the fans to be the best in the series. "Forever Red" was the first episode to commemorate the anniversary of the Power Rangers franchise followed by Once a Ranger which took place in the 15th season, Power Rangers Operation Overdrive.
Premise
"Forever Red" reunited every previous Red Ranger (with the exception of Rocky DeSantosRocky DeSantos
Rocky DeSantos is a fictional character in the Power Rangers universe. In the second season of the television show Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, he joined the team as the second Red Ranger...
). The ten Red Rangers featured, in order of appearance in Power Rangers continuity were:
- Jason Lee ScottJason Lee ScottJason Lee Scott is a fictional character in the Power Rangers franchise, played by actor Austin St. John. Jason is best remembered as the original Red Ranger from the first entry of the franchise, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, as well as the leader of the original team of Power Rangers...
of Mighty Morphin Power RangersMighty Morphin Power RangersMighty Morphin Power Rangers is an American live-action children's television series based on the 16th installment of the Japanese Super Sentai franchise, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. Both the show and its related merchandise saw unbridled overnight success, catapulting into pop culture in mere months... - AuricoAuricoAurico can refer to:* AuRico Gold, a Canadian gold mining company.* Aurico, a fictional character from the Power Rangers mini-series Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers ....
of Mighty Morphin Alien RangersMighty Morphin Alien RangersMighty Morphin Alien Rangers is a Power Rangers miniseries set at the end of the third season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers... - Tommy OliverTommy OliverDr. Thomas "Tommy" Oliver is a fictional character from the universe of the American children's television franchise Power Rangers. He is a main character in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series, as well as four of its successive incarnations Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers, Power Rangers Zeo,...
of Power Rangers Zeo - T. J. Johnson of Power Rangers Turbo
- AndrosAndros (Power Rangers)Andros is a fictional character in the Power Rangers universe, appearing in the television series Power Rangers in Space. He was portrayed by Christopher Khayman Lee.-Power Rangers in Space:...
of Power Rangers in SpacePower Rangers in SpacePower Rangers in Space is a television show that aired in 1998 as the sixth season and fourth installment of the Power Rangers franchise... - Leo Corbett of Power Rangers Lost Galaxy
- Carter Grayson of Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue
- Wesley Collins of Power Rangers Time Force
- Eric Myers of Power Rangers Time Force
- Cole Evans of Power Rangers Wild Force
Plot
Six years after the destruction of the Machine EmpireMachine Empire
The Machine Empire is a group of robotic villains in the Power Rangers universe, who first appeared in the television show Power Rangers Zeo and were later mentioned in Power Rangers in Space and Power Rangers Wild Force.-History:...
, surviving members of the empire remain, seeking to destroy the Earth. Tezzla, Gerrok, Steelon, and Automon (and many Cogs) are all that is left of the Empire, as well as General Venjix, their leader. They have recently learned that Earth's Moon is the resting place of Serpentera, a war machine created by Lord Zedd
Lord Zedd
Lord Zedd is a fictional villain from the TV series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers who was introduced at the beginning of the show's second season. Unlike Rita Repulsa, the show's original villain, Zedd was a character made specifically for Power Rangers without any prior counterpart in the Japanese...
with the power to destroy a planet. Ever since Zedd's "death" in "Countdown to Destruction
Countdown to Destruction
"Countdown to Destruction" is the two-part finale of the television series Power Rangers in Space. It marks the final appearance of almost all the villains from the previous seasons, and is also the final episode to feature Zordon...
", the location of Serpentera remained a mystery for many years. Venjix finds it and begins using Cog soldiers to dig it up, refitting it with a Neo Plutonium reactor to power it.
Andros
Andros (Power Rangers)
Andros is a fictional character in the Power Rangers universe, appearing in the television series Power Rangers in Space. He was portrayed by Christopher Khayman Lee.-Power Rangers in Space:...
, the Red Space Ranger, discovers Venjix and finds out about his plan after following him for several years. Andros goes to the Moon to gather video evidence of their plans. He succeeds and contacts Tommy Oliver
Tommy Oliver
Dr. Thomas "Tommy" Oliver is a fictional character from the universe of the American children's television franchise Power Rangers. He is a main character in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series, as well as four of its successive incarnations Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers, Power Rangers Zeo,...
, Zeo Ranger V, at Bulk and Skull
Bulk and Skull
Bulk and Skull are fictional characters in the Power Rangers universe. They appeared as permanent cast members from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers until Power Rangers in Space...
's poolside cafe. Tommy sends out a call for all the current Red Rangers on Earth to meet him at the NASADA space port. However, the original Red Ranger Jason does not give Tommy a definitive answer as to whether or not he would show up at all.
Cole, the current Red Ranger, is contacted by Carter as the Wild Force team are gathered at a park. Despite the other Wild Force Rangers wanting to help, Carter states that only Cole is needed. The two proceed to NASADA's space port, where they meet up with Andros, T.J., and the Silver Guardians, of which the latter two are immediately recognized by Cole, as he already met the two (a team up between the Wild Force and Time Force occurred in a previous episode).
The Red Rangers gather in a hangar, where Tommy explains that he would be leading a team of Red Rangers. Jason pulls up to the group on a motorcycle, surprising Tommy. Jason explains that he didn't think the mission would feel right without the original Red Ranger. He then proceeded to rib Cole, "the new guy" of the group, who originally offers a handshake. Tommy, Jason, Andros, Wes, Eric, T.J., Carter, and Cole board the Astro Megaship Mark II, created specifically for this mission, and proceed to the Moon. A new Alpha robot, Alpha 7, with Alpha 5
Alpha 5
Alpha 5 is a fictional robot on the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers television series. On Alpha's chest is a yellow stylized lightning bolt similar to the Power Rangers' lightning bolt symbol, but inverted. His head is in the shape of a golden flying saucer with a visor that flashes when he is speaking...
's voice and demeanor and Alpha 6
Alpha 6
The Alpha 6 is a controversial "molecular detector" that is claimed to be able to detect from a distance various substances including explosives and drugs...
's body, is on board as well. While en route, Andros informs the other Red Rangers that Aurico and Leo will be joining them shortly (since they have a long distance to travel from Aquitar and Mirinoi respectively) while Tommy further explains their mission to the other Rangers.
Venjix and his other generals prepare to board Serpentera, but they are then interrupted by the Red Rangers. Venjix sends Cogs to distract the eight Rangers while he and the others flee to Serpentera. The Rangers battle the Cogs unmorphed and easily defeat them. Eventually, Cole escapes the barrage of Cogs and chases after the generals. Venjix fires at him, but Cole is rescued by Leo and Aurico on Leo's Jet Jammer. Then all the Rangers gather, morph with their respective morphing calls (except for Aurico, who has already morphed), and battle the Generals.
Cole and Jason fight Venjix, with Cole having trouble at first but coming back strong after Jason single-handedly overwhelms Venjix with a corkscrew kick to show off to Cole. Tommy and Wes fight Gerrok and Tommy destroys him with the Zeo Flying Power Kick. Eric and Aurico fight Tezzla and destroy her with the Quantum Defender. T.J. and Leo fight Automon and destroy him with their Quasar Saber, Transdagger, Turbo Blade, and Turbo Lightning Sword. Andros and Carter fight Steelon and destroy him by combining power from their Astro, Rescue, and Thermo Blasters. Then Cole severely damages Venjix with his Crystal Saber. Venjix then jumps into Serpentera and takes off. The Rangers fear they have failed, but Cole calls upon his Wild Force Rider to battle Venjix. Cole uses the Wild Force Rider to fly into Serpentera and destroy it from the inside. Both Venjix and Serpentera are destroyed, and Cole ends up surviving the explosion despite the others' thinking he may have been destroyed too.
Afterwards, the nine human Rangers part ways, and Cole remarks how Tommy appeared to be the "greatest Ranger ever", with the other Rangers attempting to refute his claim with some of their own adventures.
Cut scenes
The episode was originally intended to be an extra-long special, and a number of scenes were trimmed or removed when it was made into a regular episode. These scenes are available online, as part of production footage. The bits that didn't make it include:- Tommy Oliver was retired and was the owner of Bulk's restaurant; he isn't aware of the Machine Empire until Andros calls him. The trimmed scene gives the impression that Bulk and Skull (who are nervous of Tommy) are aware he's a Ranger and that Tommy has already been working with Andros; as the line about "I'm retired" never aired, Power Rangers Dino Thunder would follow the implication that Tommy was active and reveal that he was working in secret to prepare for Mesogog's return.
- The Wild Force Rangers break up two kids fighting, who claim they're playing Power Rangers, and tell them Power Rangers "don't fight people, so you shouldn't either". Carter Grayson informs the other Rangers that only Cole has been "selected" for the mission and the others can't come.
- Andros' original reason for why he's a great Red Ranger was "I killed ZordonZordonZordon is a powerful wizard and mentor to the Power Rangers franchise, appearing in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers television series and many of its subsequent incarnations....
" (Jason was shocked to hear Zordon was dead). This was redubbed to "I saved two worlds!".
Note
- Five random Beetlborgs suits: Shadowborg, The Green Hunter Beetleborg, Dragonborg (minus his antennae), Fireborg and Ladyborg from Saban's Big Bad Beetleborgs were used as the remaining generals of the Machine Empire trying to reactivate Serpentera.