Tommy and Kim witness a transmission from the future, featuring Tommy, powerless during a major battle. This heralds the results of Zordon and Alpha's tests, which reveal that he only has enough Green Ranger energies for one last battle. Meanwhile, five grim bullies show up at Angel Grove High. They're polar opposites of our heroes, right down to matching colored clothing. Lord Zedd plans to forcibly make them his Dark Rangers. He has the five bullies captured, and sends the Turbanshell monster (a conkshell with worm creature) down to attack the Power Rangers. Tommy's dwindling Green Ranger powers are to be siphoned off by Zedd's Green Crystal, with which he will not only destroy the Command Center but power his Dark Rangers.
Tropes
- All There in the Script: None of the Dark Rangers are named in the two-parter, but the script identifies them as Justin (Red), Zane (Black), Bobby (Blue), Tina (Yellow), and Kristen (Pink).
- Batman Gambit: As Turbanshell begins attacking the city, Tommy promises to help, which is exactly what Zedd wants.
- Big "WHAT?!": Zedd's reaction to Turbanshell saying he had to leave the battle to recharge, even more so when he learns that Turbanshell had the Rangers' on the ropes.
- Evil Counterpart: The Dark Rangers' civilian identities correspond to the original five Rangers. Also, Zedd notes how he's doing what Zordon did: selecting five teenagers to advance his goals.
- Evil Laugh: How Zedd and Goldar greet the other Rangers' arrival into his other world dimension. Plenty more follows, as Zedd gloats about his victory.
- Final Battle: For Tommy, according to his future self. As he only has enough power for one last fight.
- Friendless Background: According to the Dark Rangers, no-one had ever given them a chance, unlike Zedd. The Rangers conclude that this is the reason for their grim behavior. This is confirmed at the end of the second part.
- From Bad to Worse: Tommy gets teleported to Zedd's other world dimension.Tommy: I'm all alone.Turbanshell: Well, not exactly, but it's just you and me, kid! Welcome to your nightmare!
- Innocuously Important Episode: Jason, Zack, and Trini appear on-camera in the new footage, but while morphed, their dialogue is recycled from earlier episodes, and they're otherwise quiet. This reflects the abrupt departure of Austin St. John, Walter Jones, and Thuy Trang from the cast, as the ADR sessions were done sometime after filming.
- Leaning on the Fourth Wall: After what's left of Tommy's powers are absorbed, Turbanshell comments on this long foreshadowed development. It's even framed as him looking towards the audience.Turbanshell: You're through, Green Ranger! It's the moment we've all been waiting for!
- Missing Mission Control: With the aid of his green crystal, Zedd manages to cut the Rangers off from Zordon and Alpha.
- Ominous Message from the Future: Tommy gets a strange message from his future self.
- The Psycho Rangers: Lord Zedd's Dark Rangers were simply recolored Putty costumes to match the Rangers. They never actually fought their good counterparts, mostly because the suits were so fragile that any fight scenes would have ripped them.
- Their civilian identities were even Evil Counterparts of the Rangers' civilian identities with similar names.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Bulk and Skull, after having their butts handed to them by the Teens' evil counterparts.
- Sealed Good in a Can: Once obtaining the Green Ranger powers, Zedd uses his Green Crystal to seal off the Command Center.
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You Look Familiar: Ogie Banks, who plays Zane, the Black Dark Ranger, had previously been a recurring extra during crowd shots in Season One.
