Summary
The Power Rangers Turbo series introduced a storyline called The Millennium Message, but it was never followed up on due to changes in the writing staff.
The unveiling of the Millennium Message would have introduced a formidable entity capable of thwarting the villains; however, the viewers were left unaware of its identity.
Rather than carrying on with The Millennium Message storyline, Power Rangers Turbo shifted its focus towards the transmission of titles and powers to a fresh lineage of Rangers.
Despite the anticipation surrounding the Millennium Message plot in Power Rangers Turbo, it never actually materialized for a small, subtle reason. Power Rangers Turbo, which aired in 1997, was the fifth installment in the franchise and lasted one season. However, it underwent numerous significant changes, particularly with the cast, as long-time Power Rangers Johnny Yong Bosch, Catherine Sutherland, Nakia Burrise, and Steve Cardenas were replaced by child actors. While Power Rangers is a well-established franchise with multiple series and movies, it is not uncommon for some storylines to be left unfinished. One example of this is the plot introduced in the episode "The Millennium Message" during Power Rangers Turbo, which unfortunately never received a proper follow-up. It is disappointing, as this particular storyline held the promise of an intriguing revelation that ultimately remained a mystery. Ultimately, Power Rangers Turbo experienced such changes that it marked a turning point in the trajectory of the franchise, making it a time when storylines were neglected or discarded.
Power Rangers Turbo Set Up The Millennium Message
The Power Rangers Turbo episode titled "The Millennium Message" features an actual transmission delivered by the Blue Senturion. In this episode, the Blue Senturion crashlands on Earth with the intention of delivering a message to the Power Rangers. However, his ship lands near Divatox, who compels him to read her the message. Divatox manipulates him into believing that the Power Rangers are evil. Although the Power Rangers are eventually able to restore the Blue Senturion back to normal, he is never able to read them The Millennium Message.
Ultimately, The Millennium Message lays the groundwork for an unresolved plotline in Power Rangers Turbo. According to the Blue Senturion, The Millennium Message depicts images of Power Rangers villains Divatox, Lord Zedd, Rita Repulsa, and Queen Machina joining forces to conquer the world. However, the message does not reveal the force that can potentially stop them. When the Blue Senturion presents this message to Divatox, the audience is left in suspense as the identity of the force remains a mystery. This message alludes to a significant battle that unfortunately never takes place in Power Rangers Turbo.
Why Power Rangers' Millennium Message Story Never Happened
The Millennium Message storyline in Power Rangers Turbo was never realized due to a change in the writing staff. Originally led by producers Doug Sloan and Ann Austen, the plotline took a different turn when Sloan and Austen left the franchise a few episodes after its airing. With a new set of writers and crew, The Millennium Message was ultimately abandoned, leaving audiences in the dark about who could defeat Divatox and the other villains.
However, something equally significant took place in Power Rangers Turbo. Throughout the season, the Power Rangers team decided to pass on their titles and powers to a new generation of young individuals. The process was initiated by Zordon, who chose Justin Stewart, a 12-year-old, to take over from Rocky as the Blue Power Ranger after his injury. Justin made his appearance right from the beginning of Power Rangers Turbo, and in a way, he paved the way for the arrival of the remaining new cast members. As the series progressed, Tommy, Adam, Tanya, and Kat were succeeded by T.J., Carlos, Ashley, and Cassie. Neither team could have anticipated the future events foretold in The Millennium Message.
How The Millennium Message Would Have Changed Power Rangers
The Power Rangers Turbo's Millennium Message arc extends further than just one episode. Den of Geek reveals that there is a subsequent episode called "Rangers in Concert," which serves as a continuation of "The Millennium Message." In this episode, Divatox sends concert tickets to the Power Rangers as well as a group of pre-teens. Meanwhile, while repairing the Blue Senturion, Justin stumbles upon the complete Millennium Message. The true force destined to defeat the villains is ultimately unveiled: the pre-teens who have been invited to the concert. Surprisingly, these youngsters turn out to be Ashley, Carlos, and early versions of the new Turbo team.
If "Rangers in Concert" had been filmed as intended, Power Rangers Turbo would have had significant differences. The new Turbo squad would have included a character named Missy instead of Ashley, and T.J. would have been represented by a boy named Michael. This episode would have progressed The Millennium Message storyline and had the potential to steer the Power Rangers franchise in an entirely novel direction.