Fatherhood, Fandom, Fury
The last six weeks have been a whirlwind, personally and within the online Power Rangers community.
Most importantly, Stephanie and I welcomed our son into the world. Jason — named after a Power Ranger at my wife’s behest and not mine, though few actually believe that — is a chill fella who likes to eat, sleep and pee on himself. He is the greatest thing to ever happen to us.
Amid learning how to parent, and while trying to support a family of three (plus two cats) on a median salary, I’m also in the thick of writing a book about the history of Power Rangers — Morphinomenal: How the Power Rangers Conquered Earth. For the most part, my research and interviews are complete; I’m holding out a few more weeks for one subject whose participation odds I’d put at 30-1 right now. The remainder won’t be able to be completed until after Sept. 29, when Power Rangers Cosmic Fury launches via Netflix.
I have mixed feelings about the approaching season of Power Rangers — none having to do with the show itself. Based on what I know from private conversations and spoilers that have graced my social timelines, it’s going to be a hoot. But given the overall condition of Power Rangers fandom at the current time, I fear what will come once the 15 seconds of spotlight have passed by Cosmic Fury and the realization really starts to set in that there won’t be any on-screen Power Rangers content for at least a year, and probably longer.
It’s weird to actually think about the fact that Power Rangers, at least as it’s existed since 1993, will no longer “be.” New Zealand has closed up shop, Hasbro’s Lightning Collection is pausing and adult fans are left in the dark, wondering why something they’ve obsessed over for decades is changing.
But it’s also weird that a show that debuted 30 years ago — with far more naysayers than fanfare — sustained into 2023 using a development model that was arguably outdated at the time it originated. And, while doing so, built a continuity within itself that managed to become as convoluted as it is loose. In so many ways, for so many reasons, not a single other show on the planet existed as Power Rangers existed for the last 30 year years. Regardless of whatever form it takes over the next decade or two, it’s a run that should go down in the annals of television history and be studied by anyone with a passion for media. (One hope I have for Morphinomenal: How the Power Rangers Conquered Earth is that it becomes a surrogate champion for that cause — this show’s story is as wild as it gets, and more people need to have their eyes on it!)
Frustration over change is inevitable, and understandable, especially as it relates to this show in particular — generally, Power Rangers was a very predictable, reliable brand in terms of news and developments (though much less so over the last decade, even amid “stability”). In the last couple of months it’s been more difficult for me to engage with my preferred fandom outlet (Twitter) because the sarcasm, pessimism and all-around negative vibes have superseded any joy on the timeline.
“What is there to be excited or positive about?” is a common refrain, and it’s just disheartening to see that be the dominant feeling around something that has so much rich history. My own relationship with Power Rangers isn’t contingent on the existence of future consumption opportunities: I’m going to love it just as much whether it sits in Hasbro’s basement or if it becomes the next franchise to overstay its welcome in cinemas thanks to Chinese investment. However, I’m just one person. People have different relationships with the things they love, and for some the treadmill of ceaseless consumption is part of the thrill for Power Rangers. It’s totally understandable that, after 30 years of conditioning to expect “new,” folks will have a hard time adjusting to a world where “new” might not be right around the corner, or maybe never come at all.
My hope of hopes is that Cosmic Fury emerges as a triumphant coda to 30 years, and that within a few months the writers and actors get what they want, news starts trickling out about a Power Rangers reboot and, by 2025, the franchise is back on the rails toward another 30 years of new-look success. If it doesn’t play out that way, or similarly, I fear what the online fandom will do to itself.
In the meantime, I’ll be writing, and thinking about how weird it is that my son won’t grow up in a world where there are new Power Rangers suiting up every year. And thinking about how cool and unique it was that I got to do so.