Power Rangers: Dino Thunder
Encyclopedia
Power Rangers Dino Thunder (often abbreviated as PRDT and often simply called Dino Thunder) is an American
children's television series, an incarnation of the Power Rangers
franchise. As with all Power Rangers series, it was adapted from a series from the long running, Japan
ese Super Sentai
franchise, in this case the twenty-seventh, Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger. This was also the name of the Korean
dub of Abaranger in South Korea
and had a similar/identical logo to the American version as well. Currently, 23 of the 38 episodes are available in various volumes on DVD
in Region 1, whereas a complete box set was released in Region 2 in July 2008. The series is notable as it features the return of Jason David Frank
to a starring role.
had previously mentioned a Ranger-based comic book in its crossover with Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation
.) Fans also believed this due to the lack of a Ninja Storm/Wild Force team-up episode, partly due to the actors refusing to come since much of the production crew had been laid off as well as the change in hands of the Power Rangers franchise from Saban
to Disney and filming locations from California
to New Zealand
. Executive producer Douglas Sloan
also received heavy criticism for not tying Ninja Storm in with the original universe.
To tie up all of the loose Ninja Storm ends, and to try to bring in a larger audience, Sloan brought back Jason David Frank
and his original character, the once evil turned hero, green, white, red, and now black ranger from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
through Power Rangers Turbo, Tommy Oliver
, a legendary Power Ranger, as a mentor for the new team as well as a fellow Power Ranger. Jason Frank has said that he did the show as a favour for Sloan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFQSdJXRUEI Through the episodes "Legacy of Power" (the 500th episode overall), a look back on all of the previous Power Rangers series; "Back in Black", giving Tommy new Power Ranger powers; "Fighting Spirit", seeing Tommy encounter his previous Ranger forms and airing on the eleventh anniversary of Power Rangers no less; and "Thunder Storm", a team-up arc between Dino Thunder and Ninja Storm, all previous series were included in the original Power Rangers universe.
Also in the season premiere "Day of the Dino" Mesogog knew of Lothor as he mentioned Reefside would believe he had returned to town, although Blue Bay Harbor was Lothor's target in Ninja Storm.
However considering Conner's twin brother attended the Wind Ninja Academy it is possible the two towns are relatively nearby one another, explaining Mesogog's statement.
Dino Thunder also was the first Power Rangers series to overtly acknowledge its Super Sentai
roots with an episode entitled "Lost and Found in Translation," which featured a Japanese show based on the Power Rangers dubbed in English. In actuality, the footage used in that episode was from episode 10 ("Abare League Bind") of Dino Thunders source series, Bakuryu Sentai Abaranger, dubbed in a manner similar to the comedic parody dub of Kagaku Sentai Dynaman
in the mid-to-late 1980s.
A soccer player, a computer expert, a singer, an artist, and a teacher with a long history of such situations join forces to become Power Rangers
and help save the Earth from the scheming of Mesogog, a dinosauric villain who wishes to eradicate all human life and return Earth to the age of dinosaur
s.
In this season, Tommy Oliver
, of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
to Power Rangers Turbo fame, returns as a paleontology
professor in Reefside, California. When he is assigned three detention students, Conner, Ethan
, and Kira, they end up finding the Dino Gems, paving the way for them to become the Dino Rangers. Conner gains the power of the Tyrannozord (based on the Tyrannosaurus
), as well as super-speed; Ethan gains the power of the Tricerazord (based on the Triceratops
), as well as the ability to make his skin invulnerable; and Kira gains the power of the Pterazord (based on the Pteranodon
), as well as a sonic scream. Tommy (known often as Dr. O) himself joins the team as the Black Dino Ranger, and they are also later joined by Trent Mercer as the White Dino Ranger, with the powers of invisibility and camouflage, respectively. Trent must deal with the inner struggle of good and evil, as Tommy himself once had to do as the evil Green Ranger, due to the fact that he gained his powers from a raw Dino Gem in Mesogog's lab, with the powers originally intended to be Mesogog's. Mesogog is in fact, Trent's adopted father Anton Mercer, who, in a faulty lab experiment, began to mutate into Mesogog. Trent later sides with good and saves his father from the mutation. During the course of the series, the team adds to its arsenal Zords, Cephalozord (based on the Pachycephalosaurus
), Dimetrozord (based on the Dimetrodon
), Stegozord (based on the Stegosaurus
), Parasaurzord (based on the Parasaurolophus
), and Ankylozord (based on the Ankylosaurus
). The Stegozord later combines with Trent's zord, the Dragozord (based on the Tupuxuara
), to form the Dino Stegozord. Tommy pilots the Brachiozord (based on the Brachiosaurus
), the carrier for all the other Zords. Conner is also given the power to become the Triassic Ranger, and pilots the Mezodon Rover/Megazord (based on the Styracosaurus
), which can combine with the Cephalo, Dimetro, Parasaur and Ankylozords to form the Triceramax Megazord.
At the end of the series, the Rangers destroy Mesogog with their raw Dino Gem power, but the gems are burned out in the process. Just before this, they are also forced to sacrifice all the Zords in their last battle with Zeltrax, one of Mesogog's strongest minions.
Near the beginning of the series, Tommy is kidnapped by Mesogog. While searching his computer in an attempt to find him, Connor, Kira, and Ethan come across a chronological history of the Power Rangers, going through every season and incarnation except Alien Rangers. The episode, "Legacy of Power," was the 500th episode of Power Rangers, and the history was meant as a celebration of the milestone.
, who played another character back in Power Rangers Ninja Storm Eric McKnight. Conner makes an allusion to this when he mentions having a twin brother who attended the Ninja Academy.
Ethan James
: The Blue Dino Ranger; a sarcastic computer expert and one of Dr. Oliver's students. The power he acquires from the Blue Dino Gem is "Dino-Skin", which gives him invulnerability (and the appearance of super-strength). He was portrayed by Kevin Duhaney
.
Kira Ford: The Yellow Dino Ranger; a musician and one of Dr. Oliver's students. The power she acquires from the Yellow Dino Gem is the "Ptera-Scream" which allows her to produce a supersonic screech. She was portrayed by Emma Lahana
.
Dr. Thomas "Tommy" Oliver
: The Black Dino Ranger; a professor of paleontology
and long-standing Power Ranger (The Original Green Ranger, White Ranger, Zeo Ranger 5 Red and First Red Turbo Ranger). Two years After first returning to action in the Power Rangers Wild Force 10th anniversary episode forever red as Zeo Ranger 5, Red, Tommy returns as a Power Ranger once again. The power he acquires from the Black Dino Gem is invisibility. He was portrayed by Jason David Frank
and the rest of the team called him Dr.O.
Trent Fernandez: The White Dino Ranger; a manga artist and adopted son of Anton Mercer. He accidentally found the White Dino Gem, and the evil energies in it made him a foe of the Dino Rangers until he was freed, and joined their cause. The power he acquires from the White Dino Gem is chameleon
camouflage. At the end of the show,Trent goes to art school. He was portrayed by Jeffrey Parazzo
.
, there was a sidescrolling game, which was a platformer involving fighting several villains from the series. The other game was produced for the PlayStation 2
and the Nintendo GameCube
. This was the first Power Rangers game produced on a sixth generation console
. All the action takes place inside the zords. This game also had some inconsistencies with the television series to allow the action to take place in the zords while battling the regular enemies who were human size.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
children's television series, an incarnation of the Power Rangers
Power Rangers
Power Rangers is a long-running American entertainment and merchandising franchise built around a live action children's television series featuring teams of costumed heroes...
franchise. As with all Power Rangers series, it was adapted from a series from the long running, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese Super Sentai
Super Sentai
The is the name given to the long-running Japanese superhero team genre of shows produced by Toei Co., Ltd., Toei Agency and Bandai, and aired by TV Asahi...
franchise, in this case the twenty-seventh, Bakuryū Sentai Abaranger. This was also the name of the Korean
Korean language
Korean is the official language of the country Korea, in both South and North. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers worldwide. In the 15th century, a national writing...
dub of Abaranger in South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
and had a similar/identical logo to the American version as well. Currently, 23 of the 38 episodes are available in various volumes on DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
in Region 1, whereas a complete box set was released in Region 2 in July 2008. The series is notable as it features the return of Jason David Frank
Jason David Frank
Jason David Frank is an American actor, martial artist and professional mixed martial arts fighter, best known for playing Tommy Oliver in Power Rangers.- Early life :...
to a starring role.
Production
Due to the mention that Power Rangers solely existed as a comic book in Power Rangers Ninja Storm, many fans believed that series existed in a different universe than that of the original Power Rangers series. (However, Power Rangers in SpacePower Rangers in Space
Power Rangers in Space is a television show that aired in 1998 as the sixth season and fourth installment of the Power Rangers franchise...
had previously mentioned a Ranger-based comic book in its crossover with Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation
Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation
Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation or Saban's Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation is an American live-action television series produced by Saban Entertainment, which ran on the Fox Kids network from 1997 to 1998. The short-lived series was based loosely from Mirage Studios' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles...
.) Fans also believed this due to the lack of a Ninja Storm/Wild Force team-up episode, partly due to the actors refusing to come since much of the production crew had been laid off as well as the change in hands of the Power Rangers franchise from Saban
Saban
Saban Entertainment , was a worldwide-served independent American television production company formed in 1984 by music and television producers Haim Saban and Shuki Levy as "Saban Productions", a U.S...
to Disney and filming locations from California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Executive producer Douglas Sloan
Douglas Sloan
Douglas J. Sloan served as a producer, writer, director, and actor on various television shows and movies, such as Power Rangers, Big Bad Beetleborgs, and VR Troopers.-Power Rangers:...
also received heavy criticism for not tying Ninja Storm in with the original universe.
To tie up all of the loose Ninja Storm ends, and to try to bring in a larger audience, Sloan brought back Jason David Frank
Jason David Frank
Jason David Frank is an American actor, martial artist and professional mixed martial arts fighter, best known for playing Tommy Oliver in Power Rangers.- Early life :...
and his original character, the once evil turned hero, green, white, red, and now black ranger from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is an American live-action children's television series based on the 16th installment of the Japanese Super Sentai franchise, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. Both the show and its related merchandise saw unbridled overnight success, catapulting into pop culture in mere months...
through Power Rangers Turbo, Tommy Oliver
Tommy Oliver
Dr. Thomas "Tommy" Oliver is a fictional character from the universe of the American children's television franchise Power Rangers. He is a main character in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series, as well as four of its successive incarnations Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers, Power Rangers Zeo,...
, a legendary Power Ranger, as a mentor for the new team as well as a fellow Power Ranger. Jason Frank has said that he did the show as a favour for Sloan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFQSdJXRUEI Through the episodes "Legacy of Power" (the 500th episode overall), a look back on all of the previous Power Rangers series; "Back in Black", giving Tommy new Power Ranger powers; "Fighting Spirit", seeing Tommy encounter his previous Ranger forms and airing on the eleventh anniversary of Power Rangers no less; and "Thunder Storm", a team-up arc between Dino Thunder and Ninja Storm, all previous series were included in the original Power Rangers universe.
Also in the season premiere "Day of the Dino" Mesogog knew of Lothor as he mentioned Reefside would believe he had returned to town, although Blue Bay Harbor was Lothor's target in Ninja Storm.
However considering Conner's twin brother attended the Wind Ninja Academy it is possible the two towns are relatively nearby one another, explaining Mesogog's statement.
Dino Thunder also was the first Power Rangers series to overtly acknowledge its Super Sentai
Super Sentai
The is the name given to the long-running Japanese superhero team genre of shows produced by Toei Co., Ltd., Toei Agency and Bandai, and aired by TV Asahi...
roots with an episode entitled "Lost and Found in Translation," which featured a Japanese show based on the Power Rangers dubbed in English. In actuality, the footage used in that episode was from episode 10 ("Abare League Bind") of Dino Thunders source series, Bakuryu Sentai Abaranger, dubbed in a manner similar to the comedic parody dub of Kagaku Sentai Dynaman
Kagaku Sentai Dynaman
is the seventh installment of Toei Company's Super Sentai series. It aired on TV Asahi from February 5, 1983, to January 28, 1984, with a total of 51 episodes...
in the mid-to-late 1980s.
Plot summary
Power Rangers
Power Rangers is a long-running American entertainment and merchandising franchise built around a live action children's television series featuring teams of costumed heroes...
and help save the Earth from the scheming of Mesogog, a dinosauric villain who wishes to eradicate all human life and return Earth to the age of dinosaur
Dinosaur
Dinosaurs are a diverse group of animals of the clade and superorder Dinosauria. They were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates for over 160 million years, from the late Triassic period until the end of the Cretaceous , when the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event led to the extinction of...
s.
In this season, Tommy Oliver
Tommy Oliver
Dr. Thomas "Tommy" Oliver is a fictional character from the universe of the American children's television franchise Power Rangers. He is a main character in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series, as well as four of its successive incarnations Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers, Power Rangers Zeo,...
, of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is an American live-action children's television series based on the 16th installment of the Japanese Super Sentai franchise, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. Both the show and its related merchandise saw unbridled overnight success, catapulting into pop culture in mere months...
to Power Rangers Turbo fame, returns as a paleontology
Paleontology
Paleontology "old, ancient", ὄν, ὀντ- "being, creature", and λόγος "speech, thought") is the study of prehistoric life. It includes the study of fossils to determine organisms' evolution and interactions with each other and their environments...
professor in Reefside, California. When he is assigned three detention students, Conner, Ethan
Ethan James
Ethan James could refer to:* Ethan James * Ethan James , British fashion company* The fictional Power Rangers character Ethan James...
, and Kira, they end up finding the Dino Gems, paving the way for them to become the Dino Rangers. Conner gains the power of the Tyrannozord (based on the Tyrannosaurus
Tyrannosaurus
Tyrannosaurus meaning "tyrant," and sauros meaning "lizard") is a genus of coelurosaurian theropod dinosaur. The species Tyrannosaurus rex , commonly abbreviated to T. rex, is a fixture in popular culture. It lived throughout what is now western North America, with a much wider range than other...
), as well as super-speed; Ethan gains the power of the Tricerazord (based on the Triceratops
Triceratops
Triceratops is a genus of herbivorous ceratopsid dinosaur which lived during the late Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous Period, around 68 to 65 million years ago in what is now North America. It was one of the last dinosaur genera to appear before the great Cretaceous–Paleogene...
), as well as the ability to make his skin invulnerable; and Kira gains the power of the Pterazord (based on the Pteranodon
Pteranodon
Pteranodon , from the Late Cretaceous geological period of North America in present day Kansas, Alabama, Nebraska, Wyoming, and South Dakota, was one of the largest pterosaur genera and had a maximum wingspan of over...
), as well as a sonic scream. Tommy (known often as Dr. O) himself joins the team as the Black Dino Ranger, and they are also later joined by Trent Mercer as the White Dino Ranger, with the powers of invisibility and camouflage, respectively. Trent must deal with the inner struggle of good and evil, as Tommy himself once had to do as the evil Green Ranger, due to the fact that he gained his powers from a raw Dino Gem in Mesogog's lab, with the powers originally intended to be Mesogog's. Mesogog is in fact, Trent's adopted father Anton Mercer, who, in a faulty lab experiment, began to mutate into Mesogog. Trent later sides with good and saves his father from the mutation. During the course of the series, the team adds to its arsenal Zords, Cephalozord (based on the Pachycephalosaurus
Pachycephalosaurus
Pachycephalosaurus is a genus of pachycephalosaurid dinosaur. It lived during the Late Cretaceous Period of what is now North America. Remains have been excavated in Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming. It was an herbivorous or omnivorous creature which is only known from a single skull and a few...
), Dimetrozord (based on the Dimetrodon
Dimetrodon
Dimetrodon was a predatory synapsid genus that flourished during the Permian period, living between 280–265 million years ago ....
), Stegozord (based on the Stegosaurus
Stegosaurus
Stegosaurus is a genus of armored stegosaurid dinosaur. They lived during the Late Jurassic period , some 155 to 150 million years ago in what is now western North America. In 2006, a specimen of Stegosaurus was announced from Portugal, showing that they were present in Europe as well...
), Parasaurzord (based on the Parasaurolophus
Parasaurolophus
Parasaurolophus is a genus of ornithopod dinosaur that lived in what is now North America during the Late Cretaceous Period, about 76.5–73 million years ago. It was an herbivore that walked both as a biped and a quadruped. Three species are recognized: P. walkeri , P. tubicen, and the...
), and Ankylozord (based on the Ankylosaurus
Ankylosaurus
Ankylosaurus is a genus of ankylosaurid dinosaur, containing one species, A. magniventris...
). The Stegozord later combines with Trent's zord, the Dragozord (based on the Tupuxuara
Tupuxuara
Tupuxuara is a genus of large, crested, toothless pterodactyloid pterosaur.The genus was in 1988 named and described by Alexander Kellner and Diogenes de Almeida Campos. The type species is Tupuxuara longicristatus. The genus name refers to a familiar spirit from the mythology of the Tupi...
), to form the Dino Stegozord. Tommy pilots the Brachiozord (based on the Brachiosaurus
Brachiosaurus
Brachiosaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur from the Jurassic Morrison Formation of North America. It was first described by Elmer S. Riggs in 1903 from fossils found in the Grand River Canyon of western Colorado, in the United States. Riggs named the dinosaur Brachiosaurus altithorax,...
), the carrier for all the other Zords. Conner is also given the power to become the Triassic Ranger, and pilots the Mezodon Rover/Megazord (based on the Styracosaurus
Styracosaurus
Styracosaurus was a genus of herbivorous ceratopsian dinosaur from the Cretaceous Period , about 76.5 to 75.0 million years ago...
), which can combine with the Cephalo, Dimetro, Parasaur and Ankylozords to form the Triceramax Megazord.
At the end of the series, the Rangers destroy Mesogog with their raw Dino Gem power, but the gems are burned out in the process. Just before this, they are also forced to sacrifice all the Zords in their last battle with Zeltrax, one of Mesogog's strongest minions.
Near the beginning of the series, Tommy is kidnapped by Mesogog. While searching his computer in an attempt to find him, Connor, Kira, and Ethan come across a chronological history of the Power Rangers, going through every season and incarnation except Alien Rangers. The episode, "Legacy of Power," was the 500th episode of Power Rangers, and the history was meant as a celebration of the milestone.
Dino Rangers
Conner McKnight: The Red Dino Ranger; a soccer player and one of Dr. Oliver's students. The power he acquires from the Red Dino Gem is super-reflexes.. He later gains the powers of the Triassic Ranger. He was portrayed by James NapierJames Napier (actor)
James William Napier Robertson is a New Zealand actor, writer and film director who has appeared in several television programmes including The Tribe, Power Rangers and Shortland Street, and wrote and directed the feature film ....
, who played another character back in Power Rangers Ninja Storm Eric McKnight. Conner makes an allusion to this when he mentions having a twin brother who attended the Ninja Academy.
Ethan James
Ethan James
Ethan James could refer to:* Ethan James * Ethan James , British fashion company* The fictional Power Rangers character Ethan James...
: The Blue Dino Ranger; a sarcastic computer expert and one of Dr. Oliver's students. The power he acquires from the Blue Dino Gem is "Dino-Skin", which gives him invulnerability (and the appearance of super-strength). He was portrayed by Kevin Duhaney
Kevin Duhaney
Kevin Duhaney is a Canadian rapper and actor. He is best known for his role as Ethan James, the Blue Dino Ranger, in Power Rangers: Dino Thunder-Film:* Animal 2 - Tommy...
.
Kira Ford: The Yellow Dino Ranger; a musician and one of Dr. Oliver's students. The power she acquires from the Yellow Dino Gem is the "Ptera-Scream" which allows her to produce a supersonic screech. She was portrayed by Emma Lahana
Emma Lahana
Emma Kate Lahana is a New Zealand actress and singer, known for her roles as Kira Ford on Power Rangers: Dino Thunder and Charlotte Monroe on Hellcats.-Career:...
.
Dr. Thomas "Tommy" Oliver
Tommy Oliver
Dr. Thomas "Tommy" Oliver is a fictional character from the universe of the American children's television franchise Power Rangers. He is a main character in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series, as well as four of its successive incarnations Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers, Power Rangers Zeo,...
: The Black Dino Ranger; a professor of paleontology
Paleontology
Paleontology "old, ancient", ὄν, ὀντ- "being, creature", and λόγος "speech, thought") is the study of prehistoric life. It includes the study of fossils to determine organisms' evolution and interactions with each other and their environments...
and long-standing Power Ranger (The Original Green Ranger, White Ranger, Zeo Ranger 5 Red and First Red Turbo Ranger). Two years After first returning to action in the Power Rangers Wild Force 10th anniversary episode forever red as Zeo Ranger 5, Red, Tommy returns as a Power Ranger once again. The power he acquires from the Black Dino Gem is invisibility. He was portrayed by Jason David Frank
Jason David Frank
Jason David Frank is an American actor, martial artist and professional mixed martial arts fighter, best known for playing Tommy Oliver in Power Rangers.- Early life :...
and the rest of the team called him Dr.O.
Trent Fernandez: The White Dino Ranger; a manga artist and adopted son of Anton Mercer. He accidentally found the White Dino Gem, and the evil energies in it made him a foe of the Dino Rangers until he was freed, and joined their cause. The power he acquires from the White Dino Gem is chameleon
Chameleon
Chameleons are a distinctive and highly specialized clade of lizards. They are distinguished by their parrot-like zygodactylous feet, their separately mobile and stereoscopic eyes, their very long, highly modified, and rapidly extrudable tongues, their swaying gait, the possession by many of a...
camouflage. At the end of the show,Trent goes to art school. He was portrayed by Jeffrey Parazzo
Jeffrey Parazzo
Jeffrey Parazzo attended high school in Oakville where he performed in various plays. After high school, Jeff moved to downtown Toronto where he started performing in local theater. He is of Filipino descent....
.
Allies
- Hayley Ziktor: Manager of the Cyberspace Cafe, and technical advisor of the Rangers. She is very intelligent, is an MITMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyThe Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
graduate and is always well informed about her customers. According to various casting sheets, Hayley's last name is "Ziktor" (a reference to Karl Ziktor, also known as Grimlord, a reference to VR TroopersVR TroopersVR Troopers was a syndicated live action show produced by Saban from 1994 to 1996...
), though it was never mentioned on the show. (Played by Ismay JohnstonIsmay JohnstonIsmay Johnston is a New Zealand actress, best known for her role as Hayley in Power Rangers: Dino Thunder.-Films:* Scary Movie 2 * 30 Days of Night...
) How she found out about Tommy's Ranger past is also never explained. She went to college with Tommy. - Cassidy Agnes Cornell: The local High School reporter and a typical school divaSchool divaA school diva is a popular culture reference for a well-liked or worshipped female student, whether in elementary school, middle school, or high school, who sees herself as an alpha female...
. She was first stuck-up, superficial, and snobby with a strong ambition to be a TV reporter. Once the Dino Rangers appear in Reefside, she begins her quest to uncover their real identities (just like Bulk and SkullBulk and SkullBulk and Skull are fictional characters in the Power Rangers universe. They appeared as permanent cast members from Mighty Morphin Power Rangers until Power Rangers in Space...
in the second season of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers). In the episode "Leader of the Whack", it is revealed that Cassidy's middle name is "Agnes". She started to act more respectfully upon hanging out with Ethan JamesEthan JamesEthan James could refer to:* Ethan James * Ethan James , British fashion company* The fictional Power Rangers character Ethan James...
(the Blue Dino Ranger on the season) (they were talking on an online dating service), who realized she was simply insecure. Towards the end of the season, she finally learns the truth about the Rangers, and even has a tape with proof, but gives it to them out of respect for what they have done, and she ends up going to the prom with Devin. She was played by Katrina DevineKatrina DevineKatrina Devine is a New Zealand actress.-Biography:During school, Devine acted in various amateur and school productions...
, who played one of Lothor's nieces on Ninja Storm. The two characters briefly met in "Thunder Storm, Part 2," with both complimenting the other's looks, but saying they looked better. - Devin Del Valle: Cassidy's subservient sidekick and cameraman; he has a slight crush on Cassidy but seems very reluctant to do her bidding often. He is also heavily into video games and trading cards, much like Ethan. In the last episode, Devin takes Cassidy to the prom. (Played by Tom HernTom HernTom Hern is an actor from Christchurch, New Zealand. He is best known to a global audience for his role as Ram in The Tribe and Devin Del Valle in the 2004 television show Power Rangers: Dino Thunder. He also appeared in Shortland Street, Revelations, Interrogation, Maddigan's Quest, as well as in...
) - Dr. Anton Mercer: Trent's adoptive father and Mesogog's alter ego. He is very business-like and doesn't show his sensitive side, which makes him appear cold-blooded although he has shown to truly care for his adopted son and, in secret, he is desperately struggling to control Mesogog, the evil creature he transforms into. Eventually, he is separated from Mesogog and grows closer to Trent. (Played by Latham GainesLatham GainesLatham Gaines is an American actor, artist and inventor. Born February 3, 1964 in Birmingham, Alabama, he is the son of the novelist Charles Gaines and artist Patricia Ellisor Gaines.-Acting career:...
). - Ninja Storm Power RangersNinja Storm Power RangersThe Ninja Storm Power Rangers are fictional characters and heroes in the Power Rangers universe, appearing as protagonists in the television series Power Rangers Ninja Storm....
- Space Patrol Delta B-Squad Power RangersS.P.D. Power RangersThe S.P.D. Power Rangers are fictional characters and heroes in the Power Rangers universe, and the primary protagonists in the television series Power Rangers S.P.D....
Villains
- Mesogog: The main villain of the series, who resembles a dinosaur. His alter ego is Anton Mercer, who collaborated with Tommy in creating the Tyrannodrones. He is also the White Dino Ranger's adopted father. Like most Power Rangers villains, he does not take failure lightly. In the final episode, he is destroyed by the Red Dino Ranger with a giant Tyrannosaurus rex of energy thanks to other Rangers. (Played by Latham GainesLatham GainesLatham Gaines is an American actor, artist and inventor. Born February 3, 1964 in Birmingham, Alabama, he is the son of the novelist Charles Gaines and artist Patricia Ellisor Gaines.-Acting career:...
)
- Principal Randall/Elsa: An evil warrior with a mysterious past. She doubles as Principal Randall, who runs the Rangers' school, Reefside High. She has a small crush on Tommy when he is the Black Ranger as referenced by Zeltrax in many episodes.In the final episode, Mesogog drains her of her evil powers and turns her back into a human. (Played by Miriama SmithMiriama SmithMiriama Te Rangimarie Smith is a New Zealand film and television actress who has played roles in various TV shows such as Xena: Warrior Princess, Karaoke High and Shortland Street...
)
- Terrence "Smitty" Smith/Zeltrax: A black-armored warrior who has it out for the Rangers, and works for Mesogog. He was later discovered to be Terrence Smith (aka Smitty), a former co-worker of Tommy's who was injured in an explosion. In one episode, Zeltrax got his Golden Rod form and used the Triptoids as Foot Soldiers after he broke away from Mesogog. Kira and Dr. Oliver destroyed him in the finale. He dislikes Tommy in particular because before the explosion in the labs Tommy gets the job working for Anton Mercer, over him. (Voiced by James GaylynJames GaylynJames Gaylyn is an American-born screen actor and voice actor.-Biography:Gaylyn is probably best known as the voice of Zeltrax in Power Rangers: Dino Thunder. He is currently based in New Zealand...
)
- White Dino Ranger (clone): When Trent was replicated in "Copy That", this evil clone was made. He shows no trace of human emotion and was created only to destroy the Rangers. He is occasionally weakened because two White Rangers cannot exist at the same time. In the end, Trent destroys him after they attack each other at once. (Voiced by Adam GardinerAdam GardinerAdam Gardiner is an actor/voice actor most notable for his roles in Power Rangers. He voiced the Evil White Ranger Clone in Power Rangers: Dino Thunder, and Kamdor in Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive.-Voice-over roles:...
)
- Tyrannodrones: A cross of Dinosaur DNA and modern technology, these beasts where created by Tommy and Anton many years ago, and later recruited for Mesagog's army.
- Triptoids:Footsoldiers who emerged from Ethan's video game, they soon became Zeltrax's minions.
Arsenal
- Dino Morphers: The Dino Morphers are used by the Red, Blue and Yellow Dino Rangers. Each one is powered by a Dino Gem and adorned with a "Dino Plate" modelled after each Ranger's respective creature. To morph, the Rangers simply flip the Dino Plate and call out "Dino Thunder, Power Up!". When Conner transforms into the Triassic Ranger, his Tyranno Plate turns gold.
- In an episode "Lost and Found in Translation", the Japanese Dino Rangers' morphers can communicate with their respective users (it is actually from Abaranger).
- Brachio Morpher: The Black Dino Ranger's morphing device, powered by the Black Dino Gem. It is activated when Dr. Oliver calls out "Dino Thunder, Power Up!" then inserts and turns a special key. Interestingly enough the design of the Brachio Morpher is similar to the Turbo Morpher which had the primary use of a key as well (and this is presumably another reference to an older Power Rangers series that started Jason David Frank).
- Drago Morpher: The White Dino Ranger's morphing device, initially granted to him when the evil White Dino Gem bonded with and corrupted him. Primarily activated with the call of "White Ranger, Dino Power!", although the morphing call has varied at least twice.
- Triassic Morpher: Modelled after a Styracosaurus, the Triassic Ranger can use this morpher to summon his Battlizer Armor once he gains the necessary Dino Energy.
- Triassic Battlizer Armor: The Triassic Ranger's Battlized state, which grants him access to powerful shoulder cannons and the flaming Dragon Yo-Yo (made up of two Mezodon-themed hand guards), as well as allowing him to super-stretch his limbs somewhat like Inspector GadgetInspector GadgetInspector Gadget is an animated television series that revolves around the adventures of a clumsy, simple-witted cyborg detective named Inspector Gadget – a human being with various bionic gadgets built into his body. Gadget's arch-nemesis is Dr...
. Unlike most Rangers, Conner activated his Battlizer Armor with nothing but his own willpower. If the Triassic Ranger were to be counted as a separate Ranger, the Battlizer Armor could be seen as his version of Super Dino Mode.
- Triassic Battlizer Armor: The Triassic Ranger's Battlized state, which grants him access to powerful shoulder cannons and the flaming Dragon Yo-Yo (made up of two Mezodon-themed hand guards), as well as allowing him to super-stretch his limbs somewhat like Inspector Gadget
- Thundermax Saber: The Dino Rangers' primary firearm can transform into the Thundermax Saber.
- Z-Rex Blaster: A powerful cannon made of the Tyranno Staff, Tricera Shield, and the Ptera Grips. It can be upgraded into the Z-Rex Blaster Super Mode with addition of the Drago Sword and Brachio Staff. According to Super Sentai continuity, the Z-Rex Blaster can Combine with the Thunderstorm Cannon (from Power Rangers Ninja Storm). This combination would more than likely be called the Z-Rex Thunderstorm.
- Tyranno Staff: Red Ranger's personal weapon; capable of launching energy orbs.
- Tricera Shield: Blue Ranger's personal weapon; can fire lasers from its horn projections.
- Ptera Grips: Yellow Ranger's personal weapons; simple dagger-like weapons.
- Brachio Staff: Black Ranger's personal weapon. The Brachio Staff can create a super energy orb to launch at opponents. It can also deliver energy slashes and summon "Wind Strike", "Earth Strike", "Water Strike", and "Fire Strike" attacks.
- Drago Sword: The White Ranger's sword can switch into a "Pen Mode", in which mode it can conjure explosive energy arrows. It is shaped like a quill.
- Super Dino Mode: An ability all five Rangers eventually utilize. By drawing energy from their Dino Gems, they go through an almost feral transformation. Their helmets roar, the patterns on their suits transform into spiked armor and their strength increases greatly. Kira is also granted a pair of wings in this state. The White Ranger Clone could also access this ability.
- Shield of Triumph: Triassic Ranger's personal weapon. It allows him to travel into the "Triassic Dimension". It also has a sword embedded in it known as the Sword of Triumph, that can slash opponents with energy and shoot grappling energy blasts.
- Triassic Ranger: Conner morphs into this secondary Ranger form by using the Shield of Truimph. The Yellow and Blue Rangers generally lend him their power for him to achieve this transformation, but he has been shown to power-up without their aid. It is usually activated after Conner has morphed into the Red Dino Ranger.
- Raptor Riders: The result of one of Tommy's experiments, these dinosaurs are each commandeered by the Red, Blue, Yellow and Black Dino Rangers.
- Raptor Cycles: Lightning-fast motorcycles piloted by the three main Dino Rangers. They have offensive weaponry.
- Dino ATV's: Stylized, heavily-armored All Terrain Vehicles used by the Black and White Rangers. The then-evil White Dino Ranger had once intended to use the ATV's against the Rangers but they managed to stop him.
- Hovercraft Cycle: Built specifically for the Blue Dino Ranger, it has flight capabilities.
- Triceramax Command Center Truck: The Rangers use this truck, armed with powerful laser blasters, to invade Mesogog's island and storm his fortress.
- Triceramax Command Center was shown on screen but not named. The name "Triceramax Command Center" comes from the toy released by Bandai in the U.S.
- Aerial Attack Craft: The aerial warships of Mesogog's army, they are usually piloted by Zeltrax.
Zords
The Zords in Power Rangers Dino Thunder were bioengineered from dinosaurs by Tommy Oliver and Anton Mercer.Special episodes
- In the Power Rangers Operation Overdrive episode Once a Ranger, Kira returns when the Sentinel Knight brings Rangers from the past (with the exception of Bridge Carson from Power Rangers SPD) to form the Retro Power Rangers.
- Throughout the duration of Power Rangers SPD, crossovers have twice been made. First in the episode History then four episodes later in Wormhole. In both instances, their memories were eradicated to avoid problems in the timeline, as the knowledge could alter the outcome in the future. In Wormhole the SPD rangers insist that it was unfair that only the Dino Rangers memories were erased, while theirs remain intact. In this, Doggie erases all of their memories including his own, except the Omega Ranger, who appears to avoid his memories being erased as well as Tommy who was not seen with the gang.
Video games
There were two games produced for Dino Thunder. On the Game Boy AdvanceGame Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
, there was a sidescrolling game, which was a platformer involving fighting several villains from the series. The other game was produced for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
and the Nintendo GameCube
Nintendo GameCube
The , officially abbreviated to NGC in Japan and GCN in other regions, is a sixth generation video game console released by Nintendo on September 15, 2001 in Japan, November 18, 2001 in North America, May 3, 2002 in Europe, and May 17, 2002 in Australia...
. This was the first Power Rangers game produced on a sixth generation console
History of video game consoles (sixth generation)
The sixth-generation era refers to the computer and video games, video game consoles, and video game handhelds available at the turn of the 21st century. Platforms of the sixth generation include the Sega Dreamcast, Sony PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, and Microsoft Xbox...
. All the action takes place inside the zords. This game also had some inconsistencies with the television series to allow the action to take place in the zords while battling the regular enemies who were human size.
Episodes
| # | Air date | Episode Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2004-02-14 | "Day of the Dino, Part I" |
| 2 | 2004-02-14 | "Day of the Dino, Part II" |
| 3 | 2004-02-21 | "Wave Goodbye" |
| 4 | 2004-02-28 | "Legacy of Power" |
| 5 | 2004-03-06 | "Back in Black" |
| 6 | 2004-03-13 | "Diva In Distress" |
| 7 | 2004-03-20 | "Game On" |
| 8 | 2004-03-27 | "Golden Boy" |
| 9 | 2004-04-03 | "Beneath The Surface" |
| 10 | 2004-04-10 | "Ocean Alert" |
| 11 | 2004-04-17 | "White Thunder, Part I" |
| 12 | 2004-04-24 | "White Thunder, Part II" |
| 13 | 2004-05-01 | "White Thunder, Part III" |
| 14 | 2004-05-08 | "Truth And Consequences" |
| 15 | 2004-05-15 | "Leader Of The Whack" |
| 16 | 2004-05-22 | "Burning At Both Ends" |
| 17 | 2004-05-22 | "The Missing Bone" |
| 18 | 2004-06-12 | "Bully For Ethan" |
| 19 | 2004-06-13 | "Lost and Found in Translation" |
| 20 | 2004-06-19 | "It's A Mad Mad Mackerel" |
| 21 | 2004-07-10 | "Copy That" |
| 22 | 2004-07-17 | "Triassic Triumph" |
| 23 | 2004-07-24 | "A Star Is Torn" |
| 24 | 2004-07-31 | "A Ranger Exclusive" |
| 25 | 2004-08-07 | "Tutenhawken's Curse" |
| 26 | 2004-08-21 | "Disappearing Act" |
| 27 | 2004-08-28 | "Fighting Spirit" |
| 28 | 2004-09-05 | "The Passion of Conner" |
| 29 | 2004-09-18 | "Isn't It Lava-ly" |
| 30 | 2004-09-25 | "Strange Relations" |
| 31 | 2004-10-02 | "Thunder Storm, Part I" |
| 32 | 2004-10-09 | "Thunder Storm, Part II" |
| 33 | 2004-10-16 | "In Your Dreams" |
| 34 | 2004-10-23 | "Drawn Into Danger" |
| 35 | 2004-10-30 | "House Of Cards" |
| 36 | 2004-11-06 | "A Test Of Trust" |
| 37 | 2004-11-13 | "Thunder Struck, Part I" |
| 38 | 2004-11-20 | "Thunder Struck, Part II" |