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Power Rangers and the Bechdel Test

You know, I started thinking about Power Rangers and it’s use of female role models. But do certain seasons even pass the Bechdel Test?

The Rules

  1. Must include at least two women.
  2. Who have at least one conversation.
  3. About something other than a man or men.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: 7+ women. Passes before Tommy even shows up. Although, it just barely skirts along until season two or three.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers The Movie: 4 women. FAIL.
Power Rangers Zeo: 6+ women. BARELY passes.
Turbo A Power Rangers Movie: 5 women. PASS. Thank you, Rita.
Power Rangers Turbo: 5+ women. Passes with flying colors thanks to Cars Attacks.
Power Rangers in Space: 4+ women. Passes before the credits even roll for the first time! Thank you again, Rita.
Power Rangers Lost Galaxy: 3+ women. PASS. With flying colors thanks to Orion Rising.
Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue: 4+ women. PASS. As early as episode 4 thanks to Kelsey’s girl crush.
Power Rangers Time Force: 3+ women. BARELY passes thanks to a little girl and Nadira in the finale. Although, if you use the addendum that the characters have to be named, I’m pretty sure it FAILS.
Power Rangers Wild Force: 4+ women. I thought this was a “barely,” but I went back to check the conversations and I think it might be a FAIL.
Power Rangers Ninja Storm: 4+ women. PASS. Thank you Marah & Kapri.
Power Rangers Dino Thunder: 4+ women. Passes with flying colors thanks to Diva in Distress.
Power Rangers S.P.D.: 4+ women. PASS. As early as episode three.
Power Rangers Mystic Force: 6+ women. PASS. On several occasions, with several different combinations.
Power Rangers Operation Overdrive: 3+ women. FAIL. The only conversation that I can think of at all is Miratrix talking to Jessica Jeffries about the mayor.
Power Rangers Jungle Fury: 4+ women. BARELY passes thanks to Fran and Master Guin.
Power Rangers R.P.M.: 4+ women. BARELY passes thanks to Tenaya.
Power Rangers Samurai: 3+ women. BARELY passes if you squint.

I know passing the Bechdel Test doesn’t automatically make a good show, but the fact that three seasons and a movie fail, and four more just barely pass, kinda upsets me. Even seasons with genderswapped Yellows can fail! And I’m pretty sure Sentai hasn’t failed a Bechdel Test since Gaoranger, which is weird.

Note: Most of these are relying on my memory, so I could be a little off.

— 3 months ago with 4 notes
#power rangers  #bechdel test 
  1. 5-4-1 posted this