Power Rangers in Space

Power Rangers in Space
250px
Format	Action/Adventure Science fiction
Created by	Haim Saban Shuki Levy
Starring	Tracy Lynn Cruz Patricia Ja Lee Christopher Khayman Lee Justin Nimmo Roger Velasco Selwyn Ward Melody Perkins Paul Schrier Jason Narvy Derek Stephen Prince Lex Lang
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	43 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Haim Saban Shuki Levy
Producer(s)	Jonathan Tzachor
Running time	30 minutes
Production company(s)	Saban Entertainment
Broadcast
Original channel	Fox (Fox Kids)
Picture format	480i (SDTV)
Original run	February 6, 1998 – November 21, 1998
Chronology
Preceded by	Power Rangers Turbo
Followed by	Power Rangers Lost Galaxy

Power Rangers in Space (often abbreviated as PRIS or referred to as simply In Space) is a television show that aired in 1998 as the sixth season and fourth installment of the Power Rangers franchise. It was the first full series to be handled by producers Judd Lynn and Jonathan Tzachor.

It was loosely based on, and involved footage from, the Japanese television show Denji Sentai Megaranger, the twenty-first Super Sentai series. However, due to miscommunication between America and Japan as to the contents of the sentai show, much of the space footage is original to the American adaptation. In Space was a turning point for the Power Rangers franchise, as the season brought closure to six seasons of plot, and it ended the practice of having regular cast members act in consecutive seasons. The theme of the series bears little similarity to its Sentai counterpart and its successor, Power Rangers Lost Galaxy.

Though its initial tone was similar to that of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Power Rangers Zeo, Power Rangers in Space eventually took a darker, more emotional turn.

The season was created with the intention to end the Power Rangers franchise, but ratings proved high enough to support its continuation.

Synopsis

Picking up where Power Rangers Turbo left off, Dark Specter has captured Zordon and is beginning to completely drain his powers. An assortment of old and new villains praises his victory, but an unexpected figure uncovers his plan: the Red Space Ranger, Andros. Dark Specter orders the new Princess of Evil, Astronema, to eliminate Andros so he can't jeopardize his plans.

Meanwhile, four of the former Turbo Rangers (T.J., Cassie, Carlos and Ashley) and Alpha 6 are traveling in a NASADA space shuttle with the intent to save Zordon. They are pulled aboard the Astro Megaship and later encounter Andros. Though initially suspicious and dismissive of the four former Rangers, Andros realizes he'll need their help to save Zordon and gives them each an Astro Morpher. Additionally, modifications allow the NASADA space shuttle and the Astro Megaship to combine into the powerful Astro Megazord. The new Space Ranger team then returns to Earth for repairs and supplies, but are followed by Astronema.

The Space Rangers alternate between searching for Zordon and protecting Earth. From the Dark Fortress, Astronema seeks to eliminate them via Ecliptor (who raised her), Quantrons and a variety of monsters. (Elgar has also been added to her team, but he remains a comedic bungler.) Over time, allies (such as Phantom Ranger, Justin Stewart and Adam Park) offer the Rangers invaluable aid, with Zhane (the Silver Space Ranger) emerging from cryo-sleep and joining the team. New Zords are also introduced. Meanwhile, Bulk and Skull become assistants to eccentric Professor Phenomenus and join him in searching for aliens.

While dedicated to finding Zordon, Andros has another quest: finding his sister, Karone, who was kidnapped when they were children. Over time, Andros discovers his sister was kidnapped by Darkonda, an old rival of Ecliptor's with multiple lives. Much to Andros' surprise, it turns out that Karone is actually Astronema, who was raised by Ecliptor to be evil. Andros is able to convince Astronema of the truth and she defects with Ecliptor's help. Unfortunately, just as quickly, she (along with Ecliptor) is recaptured and reprogrammed to follow Dark Specter.

Astronema becomes more evil than ever, as she not only wants to destroy the Space Rangers, but also Dark Specter. To that end, she unleashes the Psycho Rangers. The five robotic (and borderline insane) villains possess great power, which secretly comes from Dark Specter. Every time they fight, Dark Specter is drained of power and grows weaker. Only through a great deal of effort are the six Space Rangers able to overcome the Psycho Rangers. Soon afterward, the Rangers suffer setbacks that see two Megazords destroyed, which are The Mega Voyager and Delta Megazord.

Everything culminates in the two-part finale, "Countdown to Destruction", where Zordon is nearly completely drained and Dark Specter orders the villains under his command to attack the entire universe. Across the universe, the Alien Rangers, Phantom Ranger, Blue Senturion, the Gold Zeo Ranger and KO-35 rebels are defeated and captured. The Space Rangers struggle to defend Earth, but are overwhelmed and forced to retreat. Even Zhane and his Zord, the Mega Winger, are no match. Darkonda and Dark Specter destroy each other, leaving Astronema in command as the "Queen of Evil." While Andros boards the Dark Fortress to appeal to his sister, the remaining five Space Rangers engage in one last fight for Earth and are even joined by the citizens of Angel Grove (with Bulk and Skull leading the charge).

On the Dark Fortess, Andros finds Zordon, who requests his energy tube be shattered. Doing so will release good energy that will destroy the forces of evil and save the universe, but also kill him. Following battles with Astronema and Ecliptor, Andros has no choice but to comply. The many monsters are subsequently turned to dust by the energy wave, while Lord Zedd, Rita Repulsa, Divatox and Astronema are changed into normal, non-evil humans. With the universe now safe, T.J., Cassie, Carlos, Ashley and Alpha 6 intend to settle down on Earth. Though initially intending to remain on KO-35 with their people, Andros, Zhane and Karone decide to join their friends on Earth.

Characters

Space Rangers

The Space Rangers

Andros

The Red Space Ranger; a native of the planet KO-35 and leader of the Space Rangers, he uses his Ranger powers to defeat Astronema and try to recover his sister. He is portrayed by Christopher Khayman Lee.

Carlos Vallerte

The Black Space Ranger and the former Green Turbo Ranger. Portrayed by Roger Velasco.

Theodore Jay "T.J." Jarvis Johnson

The Blue Space Ranger, former Red Turbo Ranger, and leader of the former Turbo Rangers. He serves as second-in-command and is portrayed by Selwyn Ward.

Ashley Hammond

The Yellow Space Ranger and former Yellow Turbo Ranger. She is portrayed by Tracy Lynn Cruz.

Cassie Chan

The Pink Space Ranger and former Pink Turbo Ranger. She is portrayed by Patricia Ja Lee.

Zhane

The Silver Ranger; he is kept in a hidden room inside the Megaship, cryogenically asleep for two years because he was injured in his last battle while saving Andros. When he was accidentally released, he helped the Rangers out, but is affected by a 2-minute morphing time limit, which he is later able to remove by absorbing a bolt of lightning with his morpher. He is portrayed by Justin Nimmo.

Allies

Alpha 6

After his voice chip was damaged during the destruction of the Power Chamber, he received a new voice chip, but does not sound the same and has a different personality. Voiced by Wendee Lee.

D.E.C.A.

The onboard computer aboard the Megaship, D.E.C.A. responds to voice commands and is able to articulate in 3000 known languages. The ship is constantly monitored by her through cameras located in every room on the ship. She can also perform retinal scans. Voiced by Julie Maddalena.

Adelle Ferguson

Portrayed by Aloma Wright.

Farkus "Bulk" Bulkmeier

Returning once again from Turbo, overweight and egotistical, but a good-natured goof, he and Skull decide to seek out renown alien expert Professor Phenomenus when they catch a glimpse of a UFO in the sky. Portrayed by Paul Schrier.

Eugene "Skull" Skullovitch

Portrayed by Jason Narvy.

Professor Phenomenus

An eccentric yet brilliant scientist who is constantly on the search for aliens on Earth. Bulk and Skull seeked him out when they caught a glimpse of a UFO in the sky. The trio's misadventures and antics would often have them crossing paths with the Rangers. Portrayed by Jack Banning.

Aquitian Rangers

(uncredited).

Justin Stewart

Portrayed by Blake Foster.

Karone

Andros's sister and the main anti-hero/villain of the series, She was kidnapped as a child by Darkonda and handed over to Dark Specter. She was raised by Ecliptor, who became a father figure to her. Told that her parents were killed by the Power Rangers, she would come to be known as "Astronema", princess of evil. She would eventually discover the truth and defect to the Rangers' side for a time, before being captured and brainwashed to be completely loyal to Dark Specter when she went to the Dark Fortress in order to reprogram an asteroid that Dark Specter had sent on a collision course with Earth. She was eventually reverted back to herself by Zordon's energy wave in the finale. Portrayed by Melody Perkins.

Trey of Triforia (Gold Zeo Ranger)

Wielder of the Golden Power Staff, who temporarily passed his powers onto Jason in Zeo, while he healed after being split into three distinct personalities. (uncredited)

Blue Senturion

Voiced by David Walsh (uncredited).

Phantom Ranger

Silvy Larson

Portrayed by Juliet Naulin. The young daughter of Carlos' high school teacher who finds out Carlos and Andros are Power Rangers.

Zordon

Voiced by Robert L. Manahan (uncredited).

Adam Park

Portrayed by Johnny Yong Bosch.

Galaxy Power Rangers

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

• Leonardo
• Michaelangelo
• Donatello
• Raphael

Villains

Main article: Villains in Power Rangers in Space

Dark Specter

The "Grand Monarch of Evil", who all other villains fear, Dark Specter appears as a gigantic lava-monster. He is the leader of the United Alliance of Evil. He was shown to have the ability to shape shift. Dark Specter was responsible for the fall of Eltar, he managed to capture Zordon and proceeded to slowly drain his powers throughout the season. He nearly met his end with the creation of the Psycho Rangers, who drew they're energy from the evil monarch every time they fought. He was killed in the finale by Darkonda, who had stolen a Velocifighter armed with an experimental laser. With his dying breath, he devoured Darkonda whole before exploding. Voiced by Christopher Grey.

Astronema

The "Princess of Evil", Astronema is a sadistic and ruthless villainess who was groomed as a child in the ways of evil. It is later discovered that she is in fact Karone, sister of Red Ranger Andros. She defected to the Rangers' side for a time, before being captured, brainwashed and given cybernetic implants which overwrote her emotions. As a result of this, her demeanor became cold, and even more ruthless and evil then before. She would later create the Psycho Rangers and link they're powers directly to Dark Specter in an attempt to do away with the monarch and take power for herself. When Dark Specter is killed in the finale, she becomes the "Queen of Evil", she is seemingly killed accidentally during a confrontation with Andros, but is revived by Zordon's energy wave. Portrayed by Melody Perkins.

Ecliptor

Voiced by Lex Lang (credited as Walter Lang).

Elgar

Portrayed by Kenny Graceson and voiced by Derek Stephen Prince (credited as David Umansky).

Darkonda

A Bounty hunter who was responsible for kidnapping Karone as a child. Sadistic and treacherous, Darkonda was a rival of sorts to Ecliptor. Voiced by Steve Kramer.

Quantrons

Craterites

Piranhatrons

Psycho Rangers

• Psycho Red: Portrayed and voiced by Patrick David (uncredited).
• Psycho Black: Portrayed and voiced by Michael Maize (uncredited).
• Psycho Blue: Portrayed and voiced by Wally Wingert (uncredited).
• Psycho Yellow: Portrayed and voiced by Kamera Walton (uncredited).
• Psycho Pink: Portrayed and voiced by Vicki Davis (uncredited).
• Psycho Silver: Portrayed and voiced by Justin Nimmo (Zhane).

Other villains

Villains from previous series also appeared. Information about these recurring villains can be found in the following articles:

Lord Zedd

Portrayed by Edwin Neal (credited as Ed Neil) and voiced by Robert Axelrod.

Rita Repulsa

Portrayed by Carla Perez and voiced by Barbara Goodson.

Goldar

Voiced by Kerrigan Mahan.

Finster

Voiced by Robert Axelrod (uncredited).

King Mondo

Voiced by David Stenstrom (uncredited).

Queen Machina

Voiced by Alex Borstein (uncredited).

Prince Sprocket

Voiced by Barbara Goodson (uncredited).

Orbus

Voiced by Barbara Goodson (uncredited).

Klank

Voiced by Oliver Page (uncredited).

Divatox

Portrayed by Hilary Shepard Turner.

Rygog

Voiced by Lex Lang.

Porto

Voiced by Scott Page-Pagter (uncredited).

General Havoc

Voiced by Tom Wyner (uncredited).

Zords

Main article: Zords in Power Rangers in Space

The Zords in Power Rangers in Space are based on various Space vehicles. The Astro Megashuttle was used by four of the Turbo Rangers to leave the Earth to try to help Zordon. The Astro Megaship is Andros' personal spacecraft that could combine with the Megashuttle to form a Megazord. The Delta Megaship is given to the Space Rangers by the Phantom Ranger. Andros wins Zordon's keycards and the Space Rangers learn the location to the Mega Voyager, five new space vehicles. Zhane is given the Mega Winger by the KO-35 Rebels.

Episodes

Main article: List of Power Rangers in Space episodes

#	Air Date	Episode Title
1	1998-02-06	"From Out Of Nowhere, Part I"
2	1998-02-13	"From Out Of Nowhere, Part II"
3	1998-02-20	"Save Our Ship"
4	1998-02-27	"Shell Shocked"
5	1998-03-06	"Never Stop Searching"
6	1998-03-13	"Satellite Search"
7	1998-03-20	"A Ranger Among Thieves"
8	1998-03-27	"When Push Comes to Shove"
9	1998-04-03	"The Craterite Invasion"
10	1998-04-04	"The Wasp With A Heart"
11	1998-04-11	"The Delta Discovery"
12	1998-04-18	"The Great Evilyzer"
13	1998-04-25	"Grandma Matchmaker"
14	1998-05-02	"The Barillian Sting"
15	1998-05-09	"T.J.'s Identity Crisis"
16	1998-05-16	"Flashes of Darkonda"
17	1998-09-12	"The Rangers' Mega Voyage"
18	1998-09-19	"True Blue to the Rescue"
19	1998-09-26	"Invasion of the Body Switcher"
20	1998-10-03	"Survival of the Silver"
21	1998-10-10	"Red With Envy"
22	1998-10-14	"The Silver Secret"
23	1998-10-15	"A Date With Danger"
24	1998-10-16	"Zhane's Destiny"
25	1998-10-17	"Always A Chance"
26	1998-10-21	"The Secret of the Locket"
27	1998-10-23	"Astronema Thinks Twice"
28	1998-10-24	"The Rangers' Leap of Faith"
29	1998-10-28	"Dark Specter's Revenge, Part I"
30	1998-10-29	"Dark Specter's Revenge, Part II"
31	1998-10-30	"Rangers Gone Psycho"
32	1998-10-31	"Carlos On Call"
33	1998-11-04	"A Rift In the Rangers"
34	1998-11-05	"Five of a Kind"
35	1998-11-06	"Silence Is Golden"
36	1998-11-07	"The Enemy Within"
37	1998-11-11	"Andros and the Stowaway"
38	1998-11-12	"Mission to Secret City"
39	1998-11-13	"Ghosts in the Machine"
40	1998-11-14	"The Impenetrable Web"
41	1998-11-18	"A Line In the Sand"
42	1998-11-20	"Countdown to Destruction, Part I"
43	1998-11-21	"Countdown to Destruction, Part II"

See also

• Countdown to Destruction, the finale episode

External links

• Power Rangers in Space at the Internet Movie Database
• Power Rangers in Space - Bandai America

Preceded by Turbo

Power Rangers 1998

Succeeded by Lost Galaxy