Robert Axelrod passed away this year on September 9th. Continuing my Retrospective trilogy, we will now look back on Lord Zedd's very first appearance. This story was a 3-part adventure. Power Rangers has done only four three part season openers. The other seasons that feature a three-part opening story are Turbo, Lightspeed Rescue, and RPM. Also season 3 famously had a four-part opener known as "Ninja Quest." However none of those events would have been possible if not for the epic success of the second season. Season 2 proved to be a wonderful time to experiment with the characters, and see how far our heroes could be pushed. The story's title "The Mutiny" slightly feels a bit out of place since Zordon tells everyone that Lord Zedd is Rita's boss. However it does fit well for describing a change of regime. Lord Zedd is the second main villain in PR history. He is also the first american created Villain. He has no japanese counterpart. Had it not been for Lord Zedd's popularity we never would have seen other famous american villains like Ivan Ooze, Zenaku, or Mesogog. Lord Zedd didn't need someone to release him like Rita did with the Astronauts in the first episode. He didn't need Finster to make the monsters either. One of his greatest strengths was how self sufficient he was, which gave him a huge ego. His determination to conquer Earth never wavered even in the face of constant defeat. Lord Zedd also transformed the moon palace and made it even more scary. Then he banishes Rita for her constant failures. Lord Zedd also restores Goldar's wings which had not been seen since the first episode. Of course a new Season also means new zords. The Thunder Zords were introduced in part two of the story. Due to the fact that Rita had weakened Tommy's powers, he could not have a new zord. Tommy sometimes stepped back to conserve his powers, but he was always there when his friends needed him. The Thunder Zords were incredible and their powers were amazing. The Red Dragon Zord also had a transforming ability and could change into a warrior mode. This also paved the wave for zords with similar capabilities in the future.
The Ranger plot of this event features our heroes alongside Bulk and Skull all competing in an ATV charity race. The Race is an event dedicated to rasing money to help the city's less fortunate. Lord Zedd's first monster known as Pirantishead had the ability to control any machine with his fish flute. He used the flute to turn the Rangers' zords against them. Tommy's Dragonzord briefly served as a final line of defense. This scene was the opposite of "Green With Evil"; The Dragonzord was fighting on the good side, while the T-rex zord was under a spell. However even the Dragonzord eventually fell under Pirantishead's power. Bulk and Skull also take part in these events. With The Rangers absent Bulk and Skull borrow their bikes to steal the lead in the race. They also became witnesses to the first fight between the Rangers and Zedd's Z-Putties. The Z-putties were stronger and faster but their fighting energy is limited. The "Z" on their chest is a vulnerable spot. To some people this may seem like a tired cliche. This is how I choose to see it. The Rangers know where the Putties are most vulnerable and that gives them confidence just like a math or science trick students use in school. It feels good to have a trick you can count on. Bulk and Skull also start a new quest. Bulk is determined to learn the Rangers' true identities. He believes if they figure this out before anyone else, they will be rich and famous. Meanwhile Lord Zedd orders Pirantashead to use the Rangers zords in an attack on Angel Grove. Billy and Trini work together to make a machine that will undo the spell. Jason leads the remaining Rangers to battle a second squad of Putties and cut Pirantishead off from the city. As Zordon and Alpha state the new zords could not be summoned if the old zords remained under evil control. Insert goofy moment; Billy's machine wouldn't work because he inserted one of the batteries upside down! Ha Ha Ha 😄😄😄! The Power Blaster is used to surprise Pirantishead. He thinks they will attack the zords but they blast him instead. Lord Zedd does an epic power display as he blasts the Dino Zords back into the Earth. Then we hear his wicked evil laugh!👹👹👹 However Zordon and Alpha save the day by transfering power from the old Zords into the new zords. Tommy hangs back in the Command center and watches the epic fight between Pirantishead and the Thunder Megazord. Lord Zedd is undeterred and warns the Rangers their battle has only begun. Finster says "If it was one of my monsters, none of this would have happened!" Robert Axelrod voiced both characters. He was mocking himself. Ha Ha Ha! Billy's machine saves Bulk and Skull and allows everyone to return to the race. Tommy and Kimberly share an ATV during the final lap. Bulk and Skull announce their plan to determine the true idenities of the Rangers. Jason wishes them good luck. The Rangers speed to the finish and clear the track. That's how the story ends. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers was already a huge hit. They sold tons of toys and entertained lots of young people. However change is important, in order for a show to stand the test of time. I myself would not have kept watching if Lord Zedd had not appeared when he did. He is a grand dynamic character and he put our heroes in many tricky positions. He is cunning, tricky, insane, has a twisted sense of humor and carries a deadly Z staff. Long Live the legend of Lord Zedd. The final Mighty Morphin Retrospective will be posted in January. To Robert Axelrod, you were a wonderful part of my childhood and may you rest in peace!!! Also Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! This also marks 117 articles! Morphinomal!!!
It just struck me that if you combined and organized all of these blog posts, it would be a good book! You could do a Power Rangers Blog Book, and publish it. I bet there are enough Power Rangers fans that you could sell many copies.