With Jason David Frank’s tragic death, Power Rangers fans are left to mourn another of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1993-1996.) With his time with the series spanning seven seasons, two movies, and numerous special guest appearances, the character of Tommy Oliver became synonymous with the entire franchise. Becoming the first “sixth Ranger,” Tommy would start a trope of an evil Ranger that would see the light and join the side of good, a legacy that would carry on throughout the rest of the franchise.
Here we will reflect on some of the moments that shone brightest during Tommy’s time with the rangers. From his time as the “sixth Ranger” to when he took the reins as the leader of the team, to when he became a mentor for the next generation of Rangers. We will be focusing more on specific moments and scenes from the franchise. So while his overarching story arcs, such as when he defended Trent (the latest incarnation of the “Evil Ranger” trope), there was no single poignant moment that stood out, so such a story arc wouldn’t qualify.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
6 Tommy and Jason Bond
Saban International
Tommy Oliver was introduced to the series as a martial artist equal in skill to Jason, the Red Ranger. While the two had always maintained a civil demeanor, there were often hints that the two both desired to be recognized as the better martial artist. Some would even read between the lines and note that Jason may not have fully trusted Tommy so soon after Tommy joined the Ranger’s side.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Zordon, the Rangers’ mentor and guide, would send Jason and Tommy on a journey to retrieve more powerful weapons from the carrier Zord, Titanus, in hopes that the two would learn to work together and set aside their differences. While the two initially attempted to one-up each other by racing to see who could reach the weapons first, the duo would be halted by the onslaught of Titanus. Eventually, conceding that Jason is faster, Tommy would temporarily give Jason his Dragon Dagger and Shield to protect him from the blasts. Jason would gift Tommy his Power Sword so that he could provide an ample distraction. After this successful mission, the duo would work in tandem both as Rangers and as people, teaching a martial arts class together.
5 Finding His Family
Tommy had been experiencing dreams of his team falling in battle and being visited by a mysterious figure. As time passed, Tommy met this mysterious figure and learned that he had to go on a vision quest to clear his mind and discover the mystery surrounding the half of an arrowhead that Tommy had been carrying for his life.
Despite the interruptions of the Machine Empire, Tommy would go on this quest, guided by a Falcon (reminiscent of Tommy’s animal spirit during his time as White Ninja Ranger.) Tommy would, at intervals, be confronted by a young man who looked much like him. Towards the end of this journey, the falcon would guide Tommy to a cliffside where it appeared this young man was going to fall. Tommy would save the young man, and it would then be revealed that this young man was actually Tommy’s brother, David Trueheart. After a heart-to-heart conversation and saving David from the Machine Empire’s clutches, Tommy risks breaking one of the most important rules of being a Ranger by revealing his identity as the Red Zeo Ranger to his brother, a move of vulnerability that brings the separated siblings closer together.
4 Green Once More
Rita Repulsa was unhappy that Tommy had left her control, so she began burning a green candle that, after completely melting the wax, would sap Tommy of the Green Ranger powers and make them hers again. Despite repeated attempts by the Rangers, Rita appears to be successful in her scheme. Zordon would only prove capable of stopping her by asking Tommy to transfer what little power he had left to Jason, as Rita’s sapping spell would only affect Tommy.
Later on, the Rangers would lose their power coins to Lord Zedd, but Jason would admit that he still had the Green Ranger’s power coin. Zordon would call Tommy back into service, supplying him with his own power source so that Tommy could become the Green Ranger again. While Tommy knew his time as a Ranger wouldn’t last forever, he always jumped into battle if it meant saving innocent lives.
3 Regaining His Memories
The Machine Empire, following in the steps of Rita Repulsa, would attempt to turn Tommy Oliver against his fellow Zeo Rangers, this time by wiping his memory and convincing him he was a prince of the Machine Empire and that the Rangers were a destructive force sent to disrupt his reign. While the remaining Rangers set out on their rescue mission, it would appear Tommy was into the deception too profoundly. Following the advice that Tommy needs his friends, the Rangers would risk their own safety by demorphing, allowing Tommy to see their true faces. Looking at the people that he held so close to his heart, Tommy regains his memories and joins the Rangers once more.
2 Becoming a Leader
After using up the last of his Green Ranger powers, Tommy would take time away from Angel Grove to continue working on himself. Soon he would be called back into action, unbeknownst to the rest of the team, with Zordon and Alpha 5 giving Tommy the powers of the White Ranger. Entrusting him with these powers, Zordon and Alpha told Tommy he was the perfect candidate, as he had already survived the influence of evil, so he was less likely to be turned.
The moment of his reveal to the team is often mentioned as one of the greatest moments in the franchise’s history, with the team initially not knowing if they could trust this new Ranger, only for him to reveal himself as their old friend. Kimberly (Tommy’s long-term love interest) would even faint upon realizing her high-school sweetheart was under the helmet. Behind the scenes, the character of Tommy was proving to be the most popular, and multiple Ranger actors were set to leave the show over pay disputes, so the writers took this opportunity to implement Tommy as the new official leader of the Power Rangers.
1 Uniting the Rangers in Legendary Battle
Saban Brands
Power Rangers Super Megaforce would feature the culmination of the franchise’s 25th anniversary (the 30th anniversary season, Cosmic Fury coming soon.) The entire season proved to be a love letter to the series history, including multiple cameos and giving the rangers abilities to morph into previous incarnations of the team. The season finale would be known as the Legendary Battle, and opening the special double-length episode would be a scene featuring Tommy Oliver rescuing a civilian.
Tommy would take on the role of a leader once more, recruiting all the Rangers from the past (it had been previously noted in Dino Thunder that Tommy had kept a copious record of the Power Rangers throughout history, well after his time as a Ranger.) With Tommy leading the charge, donning his Green Ranger colors again, he and his fellow legacy Rangers would encourage the team as they battled to keep the Earth safe. This moment would bring tears to the eyes of many Power Rangers fans, proving all the more poignant in the modern day when you hear Tommy say, “We will always be with you.”
