Power Rangers: Time Force
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Power Rangers:Time Force | |
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Genre | Action-Adventure |
Starring | Erin Cahill Jason Faunt Kevin Kleinberg Deborah Estelle Phillips Michael Copon Daniel Southworth Vernon Wells Kate Sheldon Edward Albert |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of episodes | 40 |
Production | |
Running time | 30 minutes |
Broadcast | |
Original channel | FOX |
Original run | February 3, 2001 – November 17, 2001 |
Chronology | |
Preceded by | Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue |
Followed by | Power Rangers: Wild Force |
Links | |
IMDb profile |
Power Rangers: Time Force (often abbreviated as PRTF and often simply called Time Force) was the 2001 incarnation of the Power Rangers series, based on the Super Sentai series Mirai Sentai Timeranger, running for 40 half-hour episodes from February to November of 2001.
Time Force is unusual among the Power Rangers series' in that its story was significantly darker than those that came before, and in that it possessed stronger parallels with its Japanese counterpart Timeranger than its predecessors. Like Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue before it and Power Rangers: Wild Force after it, the Power Rangers are adults and not teenagers. Because of this, many fans felt that this incarnation of Power Rangers, in particular, would have made a successful primetime series for adults had it not been for the traditional elements that made up a Power Rangers series. The producers behind Power Rangers claim that the reason for that not happening is that they do not want to alienate their target audience, namely, kids.
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
In the year 3000, mankind has developed a utopia, with a police organization called Time Force capturing all but one criminal. However, this criminal, Ransik, manages to hijack a prison full of cryogenically frozen convicts and escape back to the past in an attempt to change the future, but not before badly injuring Alex, the Red Time Force Ranger. Four Time Force officers attempt to pursue Ransik to the year 2001, but end up being stranded in the fictional town of Silver Hills. There, they meet Wesley Collins, who is the son of a rich industrialist and looks identical to Alex. With Wes' help, the four Time Force officers become the Time Force Rangers, helping the city of Silver Hills by capturing the various mutant criminals that Ransik releases from prison.
Being somewhat isolated from his father, the Power Rangers are unable to rely on Wes' wealth to get by - instead they operate a business out of the clock tower that the Rangers used as a base, aptly named "Nick of Time Odd Jobs," after an old company that had operated there. It is there that Wes also helps the other four Rangers adapt to life in the 21st century. Wes himself would later move in with them after his father refused to help him pay a ransom to Nadira, who kidnapped a bus full of school students, and decides to follow his own footsteps.
The Time Force officers knew that their presence would inevitably change the future, and indeed, it had: in an attempt to contain the mutant threat, Wes' father creates the Silver Guardians, a security force helping to secure the businesses of anyone who had the money, and a force that had not originally existed. Among one such member was Wes' childhood friend, Eric Myers. Unlike Wes, Eric was not rich, getting by on a scholarship as the two of them attended prep school. When the Silver Guardians make their first attempt at taking care of a mutant, they are overpowered, and Wes is forced to save them, revealing his identity as a Power Ranger in the process. When Mr. Collins offers Wes to join his guardian team, he refuses, believing that he is only helping people out for the money (as he quoted: "People are getting hurt, all because you want more money" and "Time Force Rangers help everyone, not just those who can afford it"). The Silver Guardians, led by Eric, the Quantum Time Force Ranger, continued to hold a tenuous relationship with the Power Rangers.
As for the villains, Ransik would eventually surrender peacefully when he nearly kills his own daughter, Nadira, who was trying to protect an infant. Before, the Time Force officers return to the year 3000, Jen and Wes finally admit that they love each other. Mr. Collins makes another offer for Wes to join the Silver Guardians, saying that they will now help everyone free of charge. Wes accepts and wants Eric to become his co-leader.
This series also featured the cameo return of characters from Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue, when the demoness Vypra rises from the grave. When she teams up with Ransik and unleashes a Super Demon named Quargenon, the Time Force Rangers are forced to team up with their Lightspeed Rescue predecessors.
A recurring theme in this series is the fact that an individual controls his own destiny, and must fight for a desirable future. Because of the September 11th attacks, many episodes were re-edited after their first airing to remove potentially offensive material, such as buildings being blown up. In one case, an episode titled Full Exposure was not shown again after its first airing for over five and a half years, re-airing on February 7th, 2007 on Jetix with the above mentioned re-edits.
[edit] Characters
[edit] Rangers
- Jen Scotts
- The Pink Time Force Ranger; the leader of the Time Force Power Rangers, made cold-hearted because of the apparent death of her fiancé Alex (the former Red Ranger) in the year 3000. She was portrayed by Erin Cahill.
- Wesley Collins
- The Red Time Force Ranger in the year 2001; he is actually the ancestor of Alex, the Red Ranger in the year 3000. He was needed to activate the Chrono Morphers for the other Time Force Power Rangers because of the DNA match, but he later did assist the Power Rangers, despite his privileged upbringing. Both he and Alex were portrayed by Jason Faunt.
- Lucas Kendall
- The Blue Time Force Ranger; a race car driver in the year 3000 and womanizer in any year. He was portrayed by Michael Copon.
- Trip
- The Green Time Force Ranger; a Xybrian alien, noted by his green hair and jewel in his forehead, the latter of which amplifies his psychic powers. He was portrayed by Kevin Kleinberg.
- Katie Walker
- The Yellow Time Force Ranger; she was imbued with enhanced strength due to genetic engineering. She was portrayed by Deborah Estelle Phillips.
- Eric Myers
- The Quantum Ranger; actually the leader of the Silver Guardians, a group funded by Wes's father to combat the Mutants set free by Ransik. He was portrayed by Daniel Southworth.
[edit] Allies
- Circuit: A small blue mechanical owl which acts as an information source (like Alpha 5) and calls Captain Logan to send the Zords when needed. (Voiced by Brianne Siddall)
- Captain Logan: Time Force commanding officer. (Played by Roy Werner)
- Mr. A. Collins: Wes' father and millionaire businessman (Portrayed by Edward Lawrence Albert)
- Note: Whilst Mr. Collins' first initial was established as 'A', his first name was never officially stated in the show's continuity.
- Philips: The Collins family butler, always ready to give Wes helpful advice (Portrayed by Douglas Fisher.)
- Dr. Michael Zaskin: A Biolab scientist that works for Collins (Portrayed by Ken Merckx)
- Lightspeed Rescue Power Rangers: The previous Ranger team, they join forces with the Time Force Rangers to stop Vypra and a Super Demon.
- Wild Force Power Rangers: The succeeding Ranger team that the Time Force Rangers meet and team up with in 2002 (a year after the events of Time Force takes place) to stop a trio of Mutant-Org hybrids.
[edit] Villains
- Ransik (portrayed by Vernon Wells)
- Nadira (portrayed by Kate Sheldon)
- Frax (voiced by Eddie Frierson)
- Gluto (voiced by Neil Kaplan)
- Vypra
- Doomtron
[edit] Arsenal
- Chrono Morphers: Created by Time Force and usually used by select officers such as Alex and the Time Force Rangers. The Chrono Morphers can display holographic images and imprint the DNA of the wearer so that only the person in question, or someone with similar DNA, can use them to morph by calling "Time for Time Force!". These morphers are unique in the respect that if one was inactive, the others were as well. Initially only the Red Ranger's Chrono Morpher was active, but upon being separated from its previous owner Alex, it needed to be reactivated in order for the Chrono Morphers Jen, Lucas, Katie and Trip acquired to imprint their DNA.
- Quantum Morpher: Eric Myers uses this device to morph into the Quantum Ranger by crying out "Quantum Power!", and it also controls his Quantasaurus Rex Zord. The Quantum Morpher's distinct Voice Activation feature allows Eric, or someone that sounds like him, to operate it.
- Time Force Badge: Each Ranger wears his or her own badge, thus identifying them as law enforcers to criminals. The badge can also seal an apprehended criminal in a cryo-containment unit.
- Chrono Sabers: Each Ranger carries two Chrono Sabers, which can also double as a lance. In battle, the Chrono Sabers can fire energy projectiles and are used to deliver a Time Strike.
- Electro Booster: Trip created this unique blaster to help the team overpower an energy-absorbing mutant. It is formed through adding a series of attachments onto a Chrono Saber.
- Chrono Blaster: The standard Time Force firearm.
- Quantum Defender: The Quantum Ranger's personal firearm can change into a sword.
- Vortex Blaster: This powerful cannon, forged from the five V Weapons, delivers a powerful blast capable of either freezing or knocking out targets.
- V Weapons: Giant cannons used by the five core Rangers, each branded V1 to V5. They can easily destroy a target but are usually set to stun.
- Battle Warrior Armor: A black knight once bested a white knight and claimed for himself a box that could be opened only by those with a pure heart. The black knight eventually appeared in Silver Hills and left the box in a cave, to be guarded by a dragon. Wes found the cave and defeated the dragon before opening the box to receive the magical Battle Fire, which gave him access to the Battle Warrior Armor. In addition to body, helmet and boot armor, Wes is armed with a giant sword which ignites its target in a blaze.
- Mega Battle Armor: The Quantum Ranger's own Battlizer Armor, granted to him by Alex from the year 3000. The Mega Battle Armor places a visor over Eric's helmet and gives him torso shielding, roller-blades, detachable wings that serve as blasters and blades, and a large energy blade that is capable of "freezing" giant criminals.
- Vector Cycles: Motorcycles from the future, assigned to each of the five core Rangers for ground pursuit.
- Strata Cycle: A sleek vehicle sent by Alex to aid Wes. It has flight capabilities and awesome firepower.
- TF Eagle: Quantum Ranger's personal transport, capable of travelling through time.
- Time Jet: A glider-like aircraft that carries the Rangers to their Time Fliers. It can fire from front-mounted blasters and transform into an over-sized handgun. In its handgun mode, it is often used by the Time Force Megazord Mode Blue.
[edit] Zords
The Zords in Power Rangers: Time Force were all futuristic vehicles sent back in time from the year 3000 to assist the Time Force Rangers in the year 2001. They were launched by the Transwarp Megazord through a time gate. The Time Flyers had three formations: Jet Mode, Mode Red for power, and Mode Blue for speed. The Shadow Winger was sent back in time by Alex to assist his comrades in the past. The Quantasaurus-Rex was used solely by the Quantum Ranger, and was the precursor to the other Time Force Zords, although it was lost in the Jurassic.
- Transwarp Megazord
- Shadow Force Megazord
- Shadow Winger/Time Shadow Megazord
- Time Force Megazord
- Time Flyer 1, piloted by Wes as the Red Time Force Ranger
- Time Flyer 2, piloted by Lucas as the Blue Time Force Ranger
- Time Flyer 3, piloted by Trip as the Green Time Force Ranger
- Time Flyer 4, piloted by Katie as the Yellow Time Force Ranger
- Time Flyer 5, piloted by Jen as the Pink Time Force Ranger
- Quantasaurus-Rex, controlled by Eric as the Quantum Ranger
[edit] Episodes
# | Title | Original Airdate |
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1 | "Force from the Future, Part 1" | February 3, 2001 |
2 | "Force from the Future, Part 2" | February 10, 2001 |
3 | "Something to Fight For" | February 17, 2001 |
4 | "Ransik Lives" | February 24, 2001 |
5 | "A Blue Streak" | March 3, 2001 |
6 | "A Parting of Ways" | March 10, 2001 |
7 | "Short Circuited" | March 17, 2001 |
8 | "Jen's Revenge" | March 24, 2001 |
9 | "The Time Shadow" | March 31, 2001 |
10 | "Future Unknown" | April 7, 2001 |
11 | "Uniquely Trip" | April 14, 2001 |
12 | "Worlds Apart" | April 21, 2001 |
13 | "The Quantum Quest" | April 28, 2001 |
14 | "Clash for Control, Part 1" | May 5, 2001 |
15 | "Clash for Control, Part 2" | May 12, 2001 |
16 | "Bodyguard in Blue" | May 19, 2001 |
17 | "The Legend of the Clock Tower" | May 26, 2001 |
18 | "Trust and Triumph" | June 2, 2001 |
19 | "Trip Takes a Stand" | June 9, 2001 |
20 | "Quantum Secrets" | June 16, 2001 |
21 | "Lovestruck Rangers" | June 23, 2001 |
22 | "The Last Race" | July 7, 2001 |
23 | "Full Exposure" | July 14, 2001 |
24 | "Movie Madness, Part 1" | July 21, 2001 |
25 | "Movie Madness, Part 2" | July 28, 2001 |
26 | "Time Force Traitor" | August 4, 2001 |
27 | "Frax's Fury" | August 11, 2001 |
28 | "Dawn of Destiny" | August 18, 2001 |
29 | "Fight Against Fate" | August 25, 2001 |
30 | "Destiny Defeated" | September 8, 2001 |
31 | "Undercover Rangers" | September 15, 2001 |
32 | "Beware the Knight" | September 22, 2001 |
33 | "Time for Lightspeed" | September 29, 2001 |
34 | "Reflections of Evil" | October 6, 2001 |
35 | "Nadira's Dream Date" | October 13, 2001 |
36 | "Circuit Unsure" | October 20, 2001 |
37 | "A Calm Before the Storm" | October 27, 2001 |
38 | "The End of Time, Part 1" | November 3, 2001 |
39 | "The End of Time, Part 2" | November 10, 2001 |
40 | "The End of Time, Part 3" | November 17, 2001 |
[edit] Trivia
- Time Force is the second regular series to feature a non-human (a human-like alien) as a Power Ranger. Trip, the Green Ranger, was an alien from the planet Xybria and had a green gem in the center of his forehead that allowed him minor telepathic abilities.
- Unlike previous seasons, with the exception of Power Ranger in Space, Time Force did not end with most of or all of the Rangers' arsenal destroyed in the final battle.
- Time Force is the second Power Rangers season to feature a female Ranger as the leader of the team. It is also the first (and only) Power Rangers season to feature a Pink Ranger as the leader (although some promotional materials put Wes as the leader and Jen as second-in-command).
- Jen makes a Power Ranger first, by using the word 'death': "I won't let his death be in vain!"
- Time Force is the only series thus far to feature a sixth Ranger, the Quantum Ranger, that wore the same color as another team member, the Red Ranger (Wes and Eric both wore red as their color scheme).
- Time Force is notable for being the first series not to "destroy" its monsters, but rather "capture" them in containers.
- Time Force is also noted for being the first series to employ the "Red Rookie" concept, where the Red Ranger (in this case, Wes) was the last Power Ranger to be recruited into the team.
- It was the first series to employ Power Rangers from the future.
- It was the second series to feature villains who truly reformed (Ransik and Nadira) and turned to the side of good, the first being Karone in Power Rangers in Space/Lost Galaxy.
- One episode of Time Force ("Circuit Unsure") was dedicated in memory of Thuy Trang, a member of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers cast who died in an automobile accident in 2001.
- Eric Myers, the Quantum Ranger, made history when he defeated a giant monster without a Zord; however, he was equipped with the Quantum Mega Battle (his Battlizer).
- The team-up episode "Time for Lightspeed" saw 5 Battlizers being activated at the same time.
- This was the only series in which there sidearm weapons (Chrono Blasters) were not viewable when morphed.
- Oakley, Inc. sunglasses were used as the Visual Scanners the Rangers wore.
- First series to feature an animal-like mentor, Circuit the robotic owl.
- This series of Power Rangers is currently aired in Australia on the Seven Network at the highly unusual time of 1:30am Tuesdays-Thursdays and India in Disney at 4:30 pm Saturday and Sunday.
Preceded by Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue |
Power Rangers 2001 |
Succeeded by Power Rangers: Wild Force |
Power Rangers |
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Television series |
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers • Alien Rangers • Zeo • Turbo • Space • Lost Galaxy • Lightspeed Rescue • Time Force |
Wild Force • Ninja Storm • Dino Thunder • S.P.D. • Mystic Force • Operation Overdrive |
Movies |
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie • Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie |
Characters |
Rangers • Zords • Villains • Enemy grunts • Monsters • Other Characters |
Related series from Saban Entertainment |
VR Troopers • Masked Rider • Big Bad Beetleborgs • The Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog • Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation |
Other related series |
Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad • Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills |
See also |
Fox Kids • ABC Kids • ABC Family • Toon Disney • Jetix • Saban • Disney • Super Sentai |