Here's what happened to Zordon after Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and how it informed the events of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always.
WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always.
What happened to Zordon in Power Rangers directly informed the events of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always. Zordon, the original Power Rangers mentor, is one of the most recognizable characters in the Power Rangers universe. However, Zordon did not appear in Power Rangers: Once & Always. While the Power Rangers’ mentor's absence from the reunion can be disappointing, there is a good reason why Zordon was not in Once & Always.
Of the five teenagers with attitude picked by Zordon in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ “Day of the Dumpster,” only Billy and Zack returned. Rocky, Kat, Aisha, and Adam, chosen by Zordon to replace Jason, Kimberly, Trini, and Zack, were also part of the Power Rangers: Once & Always cast. Despite his absence, Zordon’s presence was felt throughout Power Rangers: Once & Always.
Zordon Died In Power Rangers In Space
Zordon died at the end of Power Rangers in Space’s “Countdown to Destruction, Part II.” The “Countdown to Destruction” episode served as Power Rangers in Space’s series finale, but it also wrapped up Power Rangers’ “Zordon Era.” Andros, Power Rangers in Space’s Red Ranger, destroyed Zordon’s tube at Zordon’s request. The Power Rangers’ mentor had to sacrifice himself to save the universe from the Alliance of Evil. Zordon’s good energy, which became known as the Z-Wave, wiped out evil from a corner of the galaxy, saving trillions in the process. Zordon’s sacrifice also redeemed several Power Rangers villains, including Rita Repulsa, Lord Zedd, and Divatox.
Zordon was the Power Rangers’ mentor during Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Power Rangers Zeo, and Power Rangers Turbo. Zordon returned to Eltar, his home planet, ahead of Power Rangers Turbo season 2. In Power Rangers in Space, the Rangers learned that Zordon had been kidnapped by Dark Specter. Though the Power Rangers eventually found Zordon, the Eltarian’s sacrifice was the only thing that could save the day. Zordon’s death meant the end of the Zordon Era, which refers to every Power Rangers show released between 1993 and 1998. The Power Rangers franchise would have several mentor figures after the Zordon Era, all of which took inspiration from Zordon.
How Power Rangers: Once & Always Addressed Zordon’s Death
Fortunately, Power Rangers: Once & Always did not retcon Zordon’s death. The Power Rangers reunion could have brought Zordon back in many ways, which would have served a nostalgic purpose rather than a narrative one. Instead, Power Rangers: Once & Always cleverly incorporated Zordon’s death into its story. Once & Always revealed that Billy was trying to find what was left from the Z-Wave to bring Zordon back to life. However, Billy’s experiment failed, and Rita Repulsa’s evil essence was restored instead. Rita Repulsa had already been redeemed, but the evil portion of her spirit was accidentally brought back by Billy.
Robot Rita killed Trini, the Yellow Ranger, right after taking over Alpha 5’s body. As a result, Billy blamed himself for what happened to Trini. In addition, Trini died saving Billy from Robot Rita, further adding to the Blue Ranger’s guilt. Despite the failed attempt at bringing Zordon back, the Power Rangers’ mentor may still return. During Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always’ ending, Billy said he has not given up on bringing Zordon back. If the original Power Rangers ever get back together for another reunion, Zordon’s potential return could make for an exciting story.
