Review: Power Rangers Lost Galaxy

Favourite Ranger: Kendrix Morgan, The Pink Galaxy Ranger I

Favourite Villain: Villamax

Favourite Episode: "The Power of Pink"

Least Favourite Ranger: Kai Chen, The Blue Galaxy Ranger

Least Favourite Villain: Deviot

Least Favourite Episode: "Stolen Beauty"

When the villainous Scorpius attacks the planet Mirinoi in search of the powerful Quasar Sabers, five young strangers rise up to fight against him. Together they unlock the power of the Sabers and transform into the Galaxy Rangers. With their newfound abilities, they dedicate themselves to stopping Scorpius and his daughter Trakeena.

As the follow-up to Power Rangers in Space, Lost Galaxy had a lot to live up to. It borrows much of what made Space so thrilling, but lacks its depth and heart. Where its predecessor was much more character-driven, Lost Galaxy is more concerned with plot. There are moments of brilliance, particularly when they build upon the mythology of the series. The Quasar Sabers and the prophecies involving the Lost Galaxy are excellent additions, giving some much-needed context to the Rangers' arsenal. The setting of a space colony also works in the series' favour, allowing for some interesting storytelling potential.

Of the five original Galaxy Rangers, Kendrix is by far the most layered. She's smart and sensitive, but also has a fiery side to her. Her friendship with Maya provides an emotional anchor for the series, while her implied romantic feelings for Leo show potential growth. Though she's not a hero, the villainous Trakeena is also developed quite well. Of all the characters in the series, she's the only one who shows the most progression. She starts off as a vapid ditz, but eventually becomes a fierce warrior capable of defeating the Power Rangers.

Unfortunately, not all of the characters are as well written as Kendrix and Trakeena. Kai comes across as stiff and unlikeable, Maya is a bit too much of the jungle girl archetype and little to nothing is done to give Damon a personality. Replacement Ranger Karone is also tragically ignored, with very few attempts made to actually follow-up on her life post-Astronema. The problem was due to there being no time spent on actually developing these characters past one-dimensional caricatures. This is because Lost Galaxy concentrates a little too heavily on its rather bloated rogues gallery. While the series would have been fine sticking with Trakeena and her men, the introduction of Captain Mutiny completely derailed the flow of the series. The extended supporting cast also doesn't help matters. In the end, there are simply too many characters and not enough done with them.

There's quite a bit to like about Lost Galaxy. The mythology is interesting and the overall aesthetic is different. The series' crossover with the Space Rangers and its three-part finale are arguably some of the best episodes thus far in the franchise. Additionally, Kendrix serves as perhaps the most multi-dimensional Pink Ranger since Kimberly from way back in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Sadly, the lack of character development makes it hard to care for the series' characters. Though not nearly as bad as Power Rangers Turbo, Lost Galaxy could have been much better than it ended up being.