This article is about an episode in Power Rangers Zeo . |
A Zeo Beginning is the two-part season premiere of the first & second episodes of Power Rangers Zeo. It continues from "Hogday Afternoon".
Synopsis[]
The Rangers are shaken over the destruction of the Command Center. In the debris they find the Zeo Crystal, which leads them inside their new place of operations -- the Power Chamber. Using the Crystal, they create a new set of powers for themselves to combat their latest foe, the Machine Empire. Meanwhile, Rita and Zedd are forced to flee the Moon Palace when the Machine Empire starts attacking.
Plot[]
Part 1[]
The episode opens with Tommy Oliver narrating a series of flashbacks, summarizing the events of the previous episode that have just taken place. Having reassembled the Zeo Crystal, the Power Rangers were able to break Master Vile's curse and restore themselves and the world to their rightful ages. Goldar and Rito Revolto suddenly appeared and stole the Zeo Crystal, mere seconds before the explosives they had planted beneath the Command Center went off. Zordon and Alpha 5 were forced to evacuate Tommy, Katherine Hillard, Adam Park, Rocky DeSantos, Billy Cranston, and Tanya Sloan (Aisha's friend from Africa that she sent back in her place) to safety before the entire building exploded into rubble.
Up in the Moon Palace, Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa are celebrating their long-awaited victory over the Power Rangers when Finster arrives with bad news. The villains refuse to pay attention until a large earthquake shakes the palace. When Rita checks her telescope to find the cause, she squeaks that they're in trouble -- the Machine Empire has arrived to conquer Earth and consume its resources, and its forces are out to destroy the competition in Rita and Zedd.
Back with the Rangers, they are sifting through the rubble of what was once the safest place in the world for them, looking for any sign of Zordon or Alpha. When Adam spots a glowing object buried nearby, the Rangers dig into it and pull out the Zeo Crystal (apparently dropped by the monsters in the blast). Suddenly, the ground beneath them collapses and sends them falling into an underground tunnel. While they explore, the rubble on the surface begins to move and reassemble itself...
As flying machines bombard the Moon Palace, Zedd and Rita pack their bags as they, Finster, Squatt, and Baboo run for their lives to Serpentera. Zedd suddenly points out that even if they escape the Machine Empire, they've got nowhere to go. While hiding, Rita mentions she knows one place they can go which not even the Machine Empire could touch them. When Zedd asks if she knows which place, he becomes increasingly annoyed when he realizes she is suggesting to go to Gamma Vile in the M51 Galaxy. This starts a quarrel between the two. Zedd claims he won't go live with her father, Master Vile. Rita argues he can and will live there regardless. She desperately calls Master Vile and begs him to let them stay at his home in Gamma Vile. Though Vile does not like the thought of Zedd living with him (a sentiment that Zedd also shares), he agrees to leave them a skeleton key under his mat as he even considers the Machine Empire to be worse than him. He even remarked that Mondo and Machina destroy everything they touch.
Elsewhere in Angel Grove, Goldar and Rito are wandering the streets. Having lost their memories, weapons, and Goldar's wings in the explosion, the two monsters are now digging through garbage cans for food like stray animals. In a nearby garage, Skull is showing Bulk a surprise gift for their work as police officers... a patrol bike with a sidecar, though it needs to be rebuilt first.
The Rangers eventually locate an ornate door that opens to reveal a green vortex. At Tommy cautiously approaches it, Alpha's voice beckons the Rangers to step inside. One by one, they walk into the unknown... and come out in a new high-tech facility where Alpha 5 awaits. Alpha welcomes his friends to the Power Chamber, the next generation of strategic command that had been built as a backup to the Command Center. The Rangers then ask Alpha what happened to Zordon. Meanwhile the leader of the Machine Empire, King Mondo, prepares to begin the invasion of Earth.
Part 2[]
As the facility finishes rebuilding itself from the outside, Alpha confirms that Zordon is all right as he appears to meet with the Rangers. The wise sage is glad to see his longtime allies again, but there is no time for reunions as he announces the arrival of the Machine Empire. The Rangers respond with so many questions that Alpha nearly breaks down from the overload.
Back on the Moon, Rita and Zedd's group have just reached Serpentera. Zedd gripes about having to live with Mater Vile, likening him to a decrepit dictator. Rita silences him that it's a done deal and all they have to do is finish packing and escape. Finster agrees with her, mentioning they should get everyone on board while Mondo's forces are sill recharging.
Back at the Power Chamber, Zordon calmly introduces the Machine Empire and its reigning leaders in the Royal House of Gadgetry. He mentions they have been strong members of the United Alliance of Evil. The Machine Empire have broken away from their ties to try and conquer the universe on their own. Heading the Empire is King Mondo, accompanied by his wicked wife Queen Machina. At their side is their son and heir, Prince Sprocket, and serving them loyally are footman Klank and and his sidekick Orbus. Making up their armies are the Cogs, robot soldiers that feel no fear, and fleets of flying Quadrafighters. When Rocky asks why Rita and Zedd would run instead of fight, Alpha explains the Machine Empire is so powerful that not even the former have the strength to stop them. Kat agrees, mentioning they must be terrible enough for Zedd and Rita to run for it.
When Mondo's forces attack again, Zedd decides he wants to say on the Moon and take his chances with the Machine Empire. Annoyed, Rita grabs his horn and drags him to Serpentera so they can escape to Master Vile's home. When Squatt asks about Goldar and Rito, she explains that there's no time to wait for them. Since both failed to procure the Zeo Crystal, she decides that they need to remain on Earth and gets everyone aboard. As Serpentera takes off and sets course for the M51 Galaxy, Finster, Baboo and Squatt are seen mourning their lives in exile to live with Master Vile. In the command room, Zedd swears that he will return and reclaim his rightful place as ruler of Earth.
In Angel Grove, Goldar and Rito stumble into Bulk and Skull's garage, who panic and faint at seeing the monsters. When the duo recover, the two monsters swear that they'll do anything if they can be allowed to live with them. Bulk and Skull take advantage of this and make Goldar and Rito into their servants.
The Rangers ask how they are going to fight the Machine Empire without their Power Coins. Zordon shows them exactly how: by using the completed Zeo Crystal as their new power source. However, it is pointed out there is only enough power for five while there are six Rangers. Tanya is willing to not become a Ranger as she has just arrived, but Billy suddenly announces that he intends to step down from active service as a Power Ranger, having realized through working with the Alien Rangers that he could be more useful to the team as a technical advisor. He instead offers his place in the team to Tanya, who graciously accepts and joins the four Mighty Morphin' Rangers.
The alarm sounds as the Cogs appear on Earth to survey the planet's defenses. New morphing devices called Zeonizers are given to the Rangers and charged by each of the Zeo Crystal's five sub-divisions. Kat is Zeo Ranger I Pink, and Tanya is Zeo Ranger II Yellow. Zordon informs the other three males that the Zeo sub-crystals they retrieved have given them new colors; Rocky and Adam becomes Zeo Rangers III Blue and IV Green, respectively. As leader, the role of Zeo Ranger V Red falls to Tommy. While the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are no more, a new and greater fighting force now serves in their place -- the Power Rangers Zeo.
As the Cogs arrive in Angel Grove to begin the invasion, the Zeo Rangers appear and quickly defeat them. Inside the Machine Moon Base, King Mondo witnesses the unexpected opposition with intrigue. Feeling that his conquests have been getting boring, Mondo welcomes the Zeo Rangers' challenge with open arms.
In the Juice Bar, the Rangers discuss the recent developments. Tanya is living with Kat and is enrolled in Angel Grove High School, and though Ninjor has returned to his temple and the Ninjazords and Shogunzords are gone, Billy is eagerly anticipating the chance to show off his ideas in developing new Zords and weapons. The Rangers share a group moment to celebrate their return.
Cast[]
- Jason David Frank as Tommy Oliver (Zeo Ranger V Red) (unmorphed only in Part 1)
- Johnny Yong Bosch as Adam Park (Zeo Ranger IV Green) (unmorphed only in Part 1)
- Steve Cardenas as Rocky DeSantos (Zeo Ranger III Blue) (unmorphed only in Part 1)
- Nakia Burrise as Tanya Sloan (Zeo Ranger II Yellow) (unmorphed only in Part 1)
- Catherine Sutherland as Katherine "Kat" Hillard (Zeo Ranger I Pink) (unmorphed only in Part 1)
- David Yost as Billy Cranston
- David Fielding as Zordon (face)
- Bob Manahan as Zordon (voice)
- Donene Kistler as Alpha 5
- Richard Steven Horwitz as Alpha 5 (voice)
- Paul Schrier as Farkas "Bulk" Bulkmeier
- Jason Narvy as Eugene "Skull" Skullovitch
- Gregg Bullock as Lt. Jerome Stone (credits only)
- Richard Genelle as Ernie (credits only)
- David Stenstrom as King Mondo (voice)
- Alex Borstein as Queen Machina (voice)
- Oliver Page as Klank (voice)
- Ed Neil as Lord Zedd
- Robert Axelrod as Lord Zedd (voice)
- Carla Perez as Rita Repulsa
- Barbara Goodson as Rita Repulsa, Prince Sprocket, Orbus (voices)
- Danny Stallcup as Goldar
- Kerrigan Mahan as Goldar (voice)
- Bob Papenbrook as Rito Revolto (voice)
- Simon Prescott as Master Vile (voice)
- Michael J. Sorich as Squatt (voice)
- Dave Mallow as Baboo (voice)
Song[]
- Big Bang (Part 2)
Gallery[]
VHS release[]
- Both parts were edited together and released on VHS as Power Rangers Zeo: Zeo Quest.
- Tommy's narration recapping "Hogday Afternoon" is left out.
- Despite the immediate revelation of Zordon's well being, the VHS uses Alpha's depressed response.
Errors[]
- During the flashback in Part I, the dialogue used are alternate ones, instead of the original.
- In the aerial shot of the Cogs zapping Lord Zedd, and Rita while they're fleeing, three white bars can be seen on the top, bottom, and right side of the screen as it shakes. It's easier to see them if the viewers put the scene in slow motion.
- As Serpentera departs, one of the Tengas is carrying Goldar's wings.
- In Part I Alpha tells the Rangers that the Power Chamber has always been beneath the Command Center just in case there was an attack, however in Part II Zordon tells the Rangers that Alpha was working on it for 'months'.
- When discussing about fleeing to Master Vile, Lord Zedd’s suit has several holes in it. One in particular is between his arm pit and chest.
- When Rita calls for Master Vile the sound of the explosions are either not heard, or come in to late.
- Bulk and Skull do not recognize Goldar and Rito despite encountering them numerous times.
- Despite that the Rangers were already morphed but helmetless in the Power Chamber after they got their new powers, their morphing sequences were still shown when they go into battle.
- When the Rangers turn towards Zordon, Tanya looks completely different. This was because before filming, the makeup department did not have enough time to finish Nakia's hair, so they gave her a wig to wear.
- When Bulk, Skull, Goldar, and Rito crash into each other the bucket on Rito’s head disappears.
- In Part II, in the storage room of Serpentera, Zedd's staff is shown in the background, however seconds later, Zedd is seen holding it in the cockpit.
Notes[]
- Debut of the Power Chamber, Zeo Rangers, and the Zeonizers, the first wrist mounted and two part Morphers.
- None of the Rangers appear morphed in Part 1.
- Final appearance of Baboo. Squatt returns in a non speaking cameo in In Space's "Countdown to Destruction".
- This is the last episode to use Zyuranger footage (of Finster's workshop).
- First appearance of King Mondo, Queen Machina, Prince Sprocket, Klank & Orbus and the Machine Empire.
- Zordon does not appear in Part I.
- The morph call for Zeo in Part II is "Power Rangers Zeo", in future episodes, it returns to "It's Morphin Time!".
- From this episode onward until "A Golden Homecoming", Rito and Goldar are now Bulk and Skull's servants.
- At the end of Part II, Tommy first quotes the phrase "Once a Ranger, Always a Ranger." This phrase would be heard through out the franchise's history, as well as become the title for the Operation Overdrive episode for the 15th Anniversary Team-Up.
- Katherine is the only Ranger to retain her color designation, remaining the Pink Ranger. Both Tommy, Rocky, and Adam change colors from White to Red, Red to Blue, and Black to Green respectively. Billy surrendered his powers and Tanya gained the Yellow Ranger powers for the first time. At the end of the episode, Tommy, Rocky, Adam and Tanya wear new clothes based on the color of their respective Zeo powers, while Katherine's clothes retain the same color of her previous powers and Billy wears random clothes instead of his usual blue.
- This episode marks the first mention of the United Alliance of Evil, the unspoken "union" which Rita, Zedd, and related villains belong to, which will serve as the basis for Dark Specter's army in Space.
- First appearance of Bulk & Skull's patrol bike, which becomes their main choice of transportation until Turbo's "Spirit of the Woods".
- Serpentera's toy is used for the footage of it landed on the moon.
- This is the first episode to not feature a Black Ranger.
- Starting with part one and ending with Time Force's "The End of Time: Part 3", the Saban logo at the end credits uses children laughing and a few seconds of Ferbus' theme from Masked Rider.
See Also[]
- Ep. 47: Break in! The Final Deciding Battle - Super Sentai counterpart in Zyuranger. See comparison page. (Finster's clay models destroyed)
- Ep. 37: You Have to See It!! Enormous One - Super Sentai counterpart in Dairanger. See comparison page. (Serpentera departure footage)
- Ep. 1: Invasion!! 1999 - Super Sentai counterpart in Ohranger. See comparison page. (Red Zeo Ranger's debut & story)
- Ep. 2: Assemble!! The Choriki Sentai - Super Sentai counterpart in Ohranger. See comparison page. (Rest of the Zeo Rangers' debut & Story only)
External Links[]
- Watch A Zeo Beginning, Part I on the official YouTube page
- Watch A Zeo Beginning, Part II on the official YouTube page