Power Rangers Operation Overdrive is the fifteenth season of the television franchise Power Rangers. The season uses footage and other material from the 30th Super Sentai series GoGo Sentai Boukenger, which celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of that franchise. In addition, this season's team-up episode, "Once a Ranger", commemorates the fifteenth anniversary of the Power Rangers franchise. The season premiered on February 26, 2007,[1] on Toon Disney's Jetix programming block. It was the first season to use 16:9 widescreen footage from the Super Sentai franchise, although this footage was scaled down & cropped to 4:3 aspect ratio until Samurai.

Power Rangers Operation Overdrive
Genre
Based onGoGo Sentai Boukenger
by Toei Company
Developed byJetix
The Walt Disney Company
Toei Company
ShowrunnerBruce Kalish
Written byBruce Kalish
Jackie Marchand
John Tellegen
David Garber
Directed byMark Beesley
Britta Johnstone
Jonathan Brough
Mike Smith
Charlie Haskell
Vanessa Alexander
StarringJames Maclurcan
Caitlin Murphy
Samuell Benta
Rhoda Montemayor
Gareth Yuen
Dwayne Cameron
Rod Lousich
David Weatherley
Kelson Henderson
Gerald Urquhart
Ria Vandervis
Nic Sampson
Theme music composerThe Transcenders
Herman van Doorn
ComposersLeigh Roberts
Ry Welch
Gad Emile Zeitune
Wayne Jones
Rhett Nelson
Country of originUnited States
Japan
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes32
Production
Executive producersBruce Kalish
Koichi Sakamoto
ProducersJanine Dickins
Charles Knight
Production locationsNew Zealand (Auckland)
Japan (Greater Tokyo Area (Tokyo, Saitama, Yokohama)) and Kyoto)
CinematographySimon Riera
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time22 minutes
Production companiesBVS Entertainment
Renaissance Atlantic Entertainment
Toei Company, Ltd.
Ranger Productions, Ltd.
Original release
NetworkToon Disney
(Jetix)
ReleaseFebruary 26 (2007-02-26) –
November 12, 2007 (2007-11-12)
Related

Unique among Power Ranger series, Operation Overdrive has the Rangers exploring, operating and fighting in many different countries around the world, rather than focusing only on their home city of San Angeles.

Pre-production

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The early working title for the series was Power Rangers Drive Force, but was later changed to "Relic Hunters" and then "Operation Overdrive"[2]

In early pre-production, on July 26, 2006, the series' logo was posted on a fan message board called "Fuñaroboard."[3] This same logo was later featured on the Disney website, RangerSecrets.com, as part of the preview for the series.[4] The logo is very similar to that of the parent series Boukenger in the basic design and format.

On November 14, 2006, Disney had set up its official website for Power Rangers Operation Overdrive.[5]

Synopsis

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Five brave, skilled, and adventurous individuals - Mack Hartford, Will Aston, Dax Lo, Ronny Robinson, and Rose Ortiz - are chosen and genetically enhanced by billionaire adventurer and Mack's father Andrew Hartford to become Power Rangers and travel the globe to find five magical jewels that were taken from a powerful artifact called the Corona Aurora before two villainous brothers, Flurious and Moltor, can.[6] Along the way, the Rangers encounter two additional villainous factions, Kamdor and the Fearcats, and are joined by an alien named Tyzonn.

Cast and characters

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Overdrive Rangers

Supporting characters

Villains

Guest stars

Episodes

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
6051"Kick Into Overdrive"Mark BeesleyBruce KalishFebruary 26, 2007 (2007-02-26)
6062Jackie Marchand

Explorer Andrew Hartford finds the Corona Aurora, a mighty crown that could be used for good or evil when reunited with its five missing jewels. However, he inadvertently awakens Moltor and Flurious, who also seek the crown's jewels. Hartford recruits four talented but unwilling citizens to become Power Rangers, and he plans to become the Red Ranger. However, when the evil forces attack, it is soon left to Andrew's son Mack to take action.


Mack wishes to continue as the Red Ranger; however, he is opposed by Mr. Hartford, who doesn't want his son to get involved. However, the situation worsens when Moltor steals the crown and kidnaps Mr. Hartford, forcing Mack to lead a rescue attempt.
6073"The Underwater World"Mark BeesleyJohn TellegenMarch 5, 2007 (2007-03-05)
The search for the first jewel of the Corona Aurora begins when Andrew discovers Atlantis. Believing the first jewel to be hidden there, the Rangers travel to the undersea continent. However, problems arise when Will refuses to cooperate with the team.
6084"Heart of Blue"Britta JohnstoneDavid GarberMarch 12, 2007 (2007-03-12)
With the scroll from Atlantis, the Rangers need to find the other two to continue with the jewel quest. Meanwhile, Dax falls in love with a girl named Mira, but seeing her becomes far worse when it is revealed that she is Miratrix, another villain seeking the jewels.
6095"Weather or Not"Britta JohnstoneJohn TellegenMarch 19, 2007 (2007-03-19)
As the Rangers prepare to head to St. Lucia to search for the first jewel, Moltor steals a weather machine and prepares to destroy Earth. Meanwhile, Mack questions his status as the Red Ranger when he puts a bystander in jeopardy. When the Weather Machine in its monster form defeats the Zords and traps the other Rangers in a chasm, Mack must put his doubts aside to pilot the newest Zord successfully, the Drill Driver.
6106"Pirate in Pink"Britta JohnstoneJackie MarchandMarch 26, 2007 (2007-03-26)
The Rangers begin the final leg of the first jewel quest on St. Lucia; however, while the other Rangers worry about running into the Ghost of Brownbeard the Pirate, Rose refuses to believe in the supernatural spirit. However, the Ghost of Brownbeard does turn up also searching for the jewel; Rose finds herself forced to trust him while trying to keep it away from Miratrix.
6117"At All Cost"Jonathan BroughBruce KalishApril 2, 2007 (2007-04-02)
With Brownbeard's pearl safely in the Rangers' hands, the gang have some time-off. However, their fun is made sour due to Ronny's desire to beat the others no matter what. Meanwhile, Moltor holds a battle royale for his Lava Lizards to see which one is left standing. The victor of that battle royale is transformed into Volkan as he attempts to get a Dragon Scale to make him more powerful while the Rangers try to find the same scale that will allow them to wield the new Defender Vest and the overpowerful Drill Blaster.
6128"Both Sides Now"Jonathan BroughDavid GarberApril 9, 2007 (2007-04-09)
The gang's search for the Hou-ou bird leads to a dead end; however, they have more important things to worry about when Will is suddenly "fired" by Andrew and "sides" with Miratrix. While the other Rangers scramble to find him, Will assists Miratrix in releasing her Ninja Master Kamdor.
6139"Follow The Ranger"Jonathan BroughJohn TellegenApril 30, 2007 (2007-04-30)
Mack misinterprets Andrew's concern over his status as a Ranger as a lack of confidence. Meanwhile, Moltor and Flurious team up to steal the DriveMax Megazord, capturing Mack in the process. While the other Rangers try to locate their leader and the Megazord, Mack finds that the key to his escape may be the rivalry between his two captors, with a little assistance from Norg.
61410"Lights, Camera, DAX"Mike SmithJohn TellegenMay 7, 2007 (2007-05-07)
Miratrix and Kamdor are looking for the Toru Diamond using the parchment left behind by the Hou-ou bird. Moltor interferes with their search and uses the monster Scaletex against the two. Meanwhile, Dax wants to try out for a movie role, and when Andrew tells him no, he is forced to decide between his lifelong dream and his Ranger responsibilities. Things get complicated when Kamdor casts a spell on the ninja stuntmen.
61511"Face to Face"Mike SmithJackie MarchandMay 14, 2007 (2007-05-14)
61612May 21, 2007 (2007-05-21)

The Rangers try to translate the parchment that was recovered from Miratrix and Kamdor, but is ambushed by monsters sent by Moltor. Mack discovers that one of the monsters, an alien named Tyzonn, may not be evil and tries to figure out the truth behind his actions.


Mack and Tyzonn are ambushed by Bullox and a group of Lava Lizards as the other Rangers try to find Mack and claim the next jewel of the crown. Once that was done and Bullox is destroyed, the Rangers use the jewels they have to restore Tyzonn back to his true form at the advice of the Sentinel Knight.
61713"Man of Mercury"Charlie HaskellJohn TellegenJune 4, 2007 (2007-06-04)
61814

When an expedition camp in Brazil finds the first clue towards finding the third jewel of the Corona Aurora, they are attacked by new villains known as the Fearcats. The Rangers attempt to stop them only to find their paths crossing with Tyzonn again.


Flurious tests his gyros on the Fearcats, Mig and Benglo, turning them into powerful cyborgs. It is a race against time for the Rangers to save Tyzonn and stop the Fearcats from destroying San Angeles.
61915"Behind the Scenes"Charlie HaskellJackie MarchandJune 11, 2007 (2007-06-11)
The Rangers are invited to perform an on-air interview for a popular talk show. Flurious, Kamdor, Miratrix, and the Fearcats join in an extremely shaky alliance, and while Kamdor and Miratrix target Tyzonn, the others start to hit the Rangers with several sequential attacks. With their Zords taken out by Flurious's robot, the Rangers must rely on Tyzonn and his new Zords to save the day.
62016"Just Like Me"Charlie HaskellDavid GarberJune 18, 2007 (2007-06-18)
The Rangers travel to Norway and race Moltor to the mystical hammer Mjolnir. Moltor retrieves it first, and the adventure is compounded by Tyzonn's sudden desire to emulate Will and Will's annoyance at this. Tyzonn is forced to learn the benefits of being himself as they attempt to take Mjolnir back.
62117"It's Hammer Time"Vanessa AlexanderJohn TellegenJuly 2, 2007 (2007-07-02)
Tracing the connection between the Cannon of Ki Amuk and Mjolnir, the Rangers travel to Mexico and are ambushed. In the process, Loki appears, masquerading as Thor, and steals Mjolnir. To get it back, Spencer disguises himself as the Goddess Freyja even when the real Thor shows up to expose Loki's trickery. After the Rangers use the Cannon of Ki Amuk and Mjolnir to get the Piedra Aztec del Compás, it gets stolen by Moltor.
62218"Out of Luck"Vanessa AlexanderDavid GarberJuly 9, 2007 (2007-07-09)
After successfully getting the Piedra Aztec del Compás, Moltor sends Blothgaar to fight the Rangers. Mack is blasted by the Piedra Aztec del Compás and is overcome by a serious case of bad luck. The rangers give him their good luck charms.
62319"One Gets Away"Vanessa AlexanderBruce KalishJuly 16, 2007 (2007-07-16)
Using the Piedra Aztec del Compás, the Rangers finally find the Blue Sapphire, the Corona Aurora's third jewel. Will is entrusted to get it back to the base, but is ambushed by Kamdor and Miratrix and loses it to the villainous pair. With Andrew angry with him, he resigns only to have Spencer offer him another chance. Meanwhile, Moltor offers the Fearcats some invincible Super Armor.
62420"Once a Ranger"Britta JohnstoneJackie MarchandJuly 23, 2007 (2007-07-23)
62521

Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa's son, Thrax, unites all four Corona Aurora-seeking villain factions into a new Evil Alliance. When they overwhelm the Overdrive Rangers, their connection to the Morphing Grid is severed, and their powers are destroyed. With the gems still needing protecting, Sentinel Knight assembles a team of replacement Rangers, made up of previous (or future) teams of Power Rangers.


No longer having Ranger powers, the former Overdrive Rangers return to their civilian lives. All but Mack, who learns of Thrax's plans to destroy the Sentinel Knight, seeks out the only item capable of doing so, the legendary sword Excelsior. Meanwhile, their replacements, the team of Returning Rangers, head to Angel Grove to seek out the only being capable of repairing the Morphing Grid: Alpha 6.

Guest Stars: Johnny Yong Bosch, Sally Martin, Emma Lahana, Matt Austin and Richard Brancatisano.
62622"One Fine Day"Britta JohnstoneBruce KalishAugust 6, 2007 (2007-08-06)
The Rangers get a day off and plan a relaxing picnic in the forest. Unfortunately for Rose, Tyzonn is obsessed with getting to know her better, which goes from flattery to annoyance very quickly. The Fearcats happen to be in the same forest, and while searching for the powerful Centurion Torch to use in their latest Giant Robot, they put up a Lamporean force field. Our heroes bump into it and despite Tyzonn claiming that forming a human chain with his Mercurian powers will allow them passage, they end up separated with Rose stuck inside the force field with Tyzonn.
62723"Ronny on Empty"Mike SmithJohn TellegenAugust 20, 2007 (2007-08-20)
62824August 27, 2007 (2007-08-27)

Ronny is captured by the Fearcats while Will disobeys orders to not go after her. Meanwhile, a clue from the Centurion Torch leads the other Rangers to Egypt.


Will saves Ronny from having her energy drained, and the Rangers battle Moltor's new robot with a new Megazord.
62925"Things Not Said"Mike SmithDavid GarberSeptember 10, 2007 (2007-09-10)
The Rangers battle one of Kamdor's monsters that gives their system a virus. Mack is revealed to be an android made by Andrew. Mack then becomes enraged at his "father" Andrew convinces Mack to help the other Rangers. Mack then says he'll go, but he's taking Rose's new robot technology. He arrives at the fight and activates the Sentinel Sword, getting his battlizer and becoming the Red Sentinel Ranger, defeating all of Kamdor's monsters. Kamdor flees with the Star of Isis, but Ronny uses her super-speed to steal the jewel at the last second.
63026"Red Ranger Unplugged"Jonathan BroughJohn TellegenOctober 1, 2007 (2007-10-01)
Mack tries to find a new identity for himself and takes up the guitar. The Rangers battle a new Fearcat named Crazar while Mig and Benglo look for the Octavian Chalice.
63127"Home and Away"Jonathan BroughJackie MarchandOctober 8, 2007 (2007-10-08)
63228October 15, 2007 (2007-10-15)

Mig and Benglo access the Octavian Chalice's power and mix the different ingredients need to create Agrios. Agrios severely damages the Megazords in battle. Meanwhile after a battle with Kamdor and Miratrix, Tyzonn is knocked unconscious and awakes on his home planet with his fiance.


Tyzonn begins to have doubts regarding his reunion with his fiance when he finds that she is actually Crazar in disguise. Meanwhile, Mack attacks the Fearcats in the Flash Point Megazord, willing to sacrifice himself to stop Agrios. The Rangers eventually defeat Agrios. The Fearcats try to escape with the Octavian Chalice, but the Rangers show up ready to finish the battle.
63329"Way Back When"Jonathan BroughJohn TellegenOctober 22, 2007 (2007-10-22)
The Rangers view Mack's memories on a video screen to remind themselves of the status of each jewel, to figure out who has them, and to try to figure out where to begin their search for the final jewel. They first view the four earlier jewels' locations, which proves fruitless, but thanks to Spencer's help, they eventually reveal the next location: Greece.
63430"Two Fallen Foes"Mark BeesleyJohn TellegenOctober 29, 2007 (2007-10-29)
The Rangers travel to Greece, where they invoke an ancient ritual to find the next jewel. Kamdor, angry that Miratrix failed him again, berates her. Miratrix, seeking more power, intercepts the ritual, and becomes a giant owl-like creature. After being defeated by the Battlefleet Megazord, Kamdor then imprisons her inside the crystal where he was imprisoned. He now makes his final act: summoning a meteor with the power of the Blue Sapphire and challenges the Rangers. At the same time, the rest battle the meteor, Will battles Kamdor. In the end, Will defeats Kamdor, and the Rangers destroy the meteor. They then travel to Egypt and now need a key to open the Sarcophagus with Moltor on the trail.
63531"Nothing to Lose"Mark BeesleyJackie MarchandNovember 5, 2007 (2007-11-05)
With the Blue Sapphire now in his possession, Flurious uses its power to start destroying Moltor's volcano. Meanwhile, the Rangers head to Japan to find the Tri-Dragon key needed to open the Tomb, which they hope contains the next jewel. Having decided he is the most expendable member of the team due to his android nature, Mack starts to place himself in more dangerous situations, which comes to a head when he decides to go to Moltor's volcano to retrieve the crown. Although he is unsuccessful, Moltor is severely weakened and travels to Flurious' ice lair with the crown. However, with both the crown and one of the jewels in his possession, Flurious quickly disposes of his brother and plans to take care of the Rangers next. Meanwhile, the Rangers learn that the Corona's fifth jewel may have been far closer than they could ever have imagined.
63632"Crown and Punishment"Mark BeesleyBruce KalishNovember 12, 2007 (2007-11-12)

The Rangers retrieve the fifth jewel from the sarcophagus. However, they're immediately ambushed by Flurious, the only villain left, and he manages to take the four jewels that the Rangers possess. Now with all five jewels and the crown, Flurious plans to reassemble the Corona Aurora and unleash his wrath upon the world. But Flurious makes a big mistake by not destroying Mack earlier when he had the chance, leading to his destruction.

Note: This episode aired in the United Kingdom on November 11, 2007 (2007-11-11), before the United States' broadcast.

References

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  1. ^ "Rangersecrets.com". Retrieved 2007-02-09.
  2. ^ The working titles for the series were "Power Rangers Relic Hunters" and "Power Rangers Drive Force".http://powerrangersrelichunters.com was registered by Disney in early 2005. In June 2006, "Power Rangers Operation Overdrive" was listed in an official press release Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ "Power Rangers Operation Overdrive (LOGO INSIDE!)". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2006-07-26. (The original post featuring the logo.)
  4. ^ "RangerSecrets.com". Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  5. ^ "Home — Power Rangers Operation Overdrive — JETIX". Retrieved 2006-11-15.
  6. ^ "DVD review: Power Rangers Operation Overdrive". BBC. July 14, 2008.
  7. ^ "Rod Lousich Details". Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
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