Power Rangers Finally Got Tommy Right in Dino Thunder
In a refreshing turn of events, a legacy season from the 2000s effectively rectified the shortcomings towards Tommy Oliver in Power Rangers. It’s not hard to see why Tommy became the iconic figure of Power Rangers during the ’90s. The original Green Ranger was an immediate fan favorite whose charm helped Mighty Morphin Power Rangers gain immense cultural significance, despite joining the series in episode 17. Whether as a brainwashed antagonist or as a hero, the Green Ranger embodied charisma that few characters could match.
Despite the fact that Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (MMPR) had exhausted its Dragon Ranger footage, keeping Tommy around was a logical decision. It didn’t take long for Tommy to reappear after losing his Green Ranger powers, this time as the more potent White Ranger. From then on, Tommy was no longer an outsider – he was now the team’s commander, replacing Jason. However, I must admit that during the Zordon Era, the writers struggled to utilize Tommy effectively, potentially damaging the character.
Power Rangers Gave Tommy Oliver Too Much Focus During The Zordon Era
Tommy Was Everywhere Between MMPR Season 2 And Turbo
Tommy’s rise to prominence in Power Rangers during the early 1990s was meteoric, going from a fresh, occasionally team-fighting member to leading not one, but three distinct teams and wielding four sets of powers within just three years. Simply put, Tommy was ubiquitous in the series, particularly after his transformation into the White Ranger, a role that catapulted him into the limelight following Jason’s departure from the show. However, despite holding such a pivotal position, Power Rangers seemed to overlook developing Tommy’s character adequately, leaving many viewers feeling that his leadership was not fully deserved.
| Tommy Oliver’s Power Rangers Forms | |
|---|---|
| Show | Color |
| Mighty Morphin Power Rangers | Green, White |
| Power Rangers Zeo | Red |
| Power Rangers Turbo | Red |
| Power Rangers Dino Thunder | Black |
From a storytelling perspective, it was logical for Tommy to take over as Jason’s successor due to his enhanced strength granted by the White Light. As the series transitioned from Zyuranger to Ohranger and needed to adjust its color scheme, it was only fitting that Tommy assumed the role of the Red Ranger. However, I have always felt that Tommy didn’t quite fit as the Red Ranger. These issues with the character became increasingly apparent during Turbo, when it appeared as though not just Tommy but the entire Mighty Morphin Power Rangers/Zeo team had evolved into caricatures of themselves.
The Original Green Ranger Always Worked Better As An Extra Ranger Than As A Leader
Tommy And Red Just Didn’t Match
While not every character needs to be a protagonist or a leader, it seems Tommy may have been more captivating in his role as an individual Ranger rather than the Green Ranger leader. The original Green Ranger was often more intriguing when he was independent and off doing his own thing. Tommy, however, was impulsive and not the most strategic thinker, frequently opting to handle situations alone. Granted, character development in Power Rangers was somewhat limited. In comparison to Jason, T.J., and Andros, it appears that Tommy did not possess the same level of intrigue as a leader.
Tommy wasn’t the only Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (MMPR) character who struggled in the long run; by the time the Turbo Rangers arrived, the show was gasping for a new lease of life. The writers had exhausted every potential interaction among the original characters and Tommy, who had been the Red Ranger in two separate seasons, seemed to be overused. It felt like the Power Rangers team didn’t know how else to utilize Tommy other than having him pop up everywhere, even in the two movies. As a huge Tommy fan myself, I was happy to see the show introduce new characters with Turbo.
Power Rangers Dino Thunder Redeemed Tommy Oliver (By Turning Him Into Zordon)
Having Tommy Be An Older, Wiser Ranger Was A Great Decision
I wouldn’t have thought that Tommy, among all the characters, would end up as an exceptional guide, which is why I found it delightfully surprising how much I enjoyed Dino Thunder. Instead of dominating the show like Jason David Frank’s character could have, Dino Thunder ensured that Tommy was always integral to the stories of the new Rangers. Even though he reclaimed his Power Ranger status in Dino Thunder, his role was primarily that of a mentor to Kira, Ethan, Connor, and Trent.
In his time as a Red Ranger, Tommy might not have been an exceptional leader, but he truly shone in his role as “Zordon” on Dino Thunder. It was intriguing to see how the impulsive and independent Ranger had transformed into a sage mentor for four high schoolers, all while managing to don the armor himself. Tommy’s evolution made him far more captivating than ever before.
In the White Ranger arc of Dino Thunder, we even witness Tommy reflecting on his past as the Green Ranger. This introspection led him to assist his students in saving Trent. Dino Thunder is an outstanding season within the Power Rangers franchise, and it showcased the best version of Tommy yet.
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2025-04-21 03:38