"Passing the torch"

In 1993, a TV show called “Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers” premiered.  The popularity of this show cannot be overstated.  One website puts it this way: “Mighty Morphin’ Powers Rangers is one of the few shows in the 90’s that managed to become so ubiquitous, so iconic, that it transcended its medium to become a full pop culture phenomenon” (source: https://unwinnable.com/2012/11/23/mighty-morphin-cultural-phenomenon/).  How very true.

In the middle of that first season, a new character was introduced.  His name was Tommy Oliver.  Originally, he was an evil Power Ranger, thanks to the spell that was put on him by Rita Repulsa (the main villain of the first season).  When the spell was broken, he was offered the chance to fight alongside the other Rangers, and defeat Rita.  He accepted.  As time went on, he proved to be a valuable ally.  So much so, he was eventually promoted to be the leader of the Power Rangers.  Years passed; his teammates changed, as did the weapons, and the version of the Ranger powers as well, but Tommy remained the faithful warrior.  One website was apt when it described Tommy as “a legend among the Ranger community” (http://powerrangers.wikia.com/wiki/Tommy_Oliver).

But ultimately, the time came for Tommy – and the rest of his veteran teammates – to retire.  In an episode titled “Passing the Torch”, Tommy chose a valiant young man named T.J. to be his successor, and new leader of the Power Rangers.

 

I can relate to some of the feelings that T.J. must have been feeling.  I say this because almost three years ago, my dad finished his race.  He passed the torch to me.  Like Tommy, my dad is considered a legend.  How do you take over for a legend?  Every day I feel the weight of the solemn responsibility of carrying the torch, and walking in the footprints that Dad walked.

To conclude, I’m strangely comforted by the fact that T.J.’s Ranger team was an impressive team.  No, T.J. couldn’t be Tommy; that would be impossible and unreasonable to expect.  But the next season – “Power Rangers: in Space” is one of my favorite seasons of Power Rangers.  Just thinking about that season makes me want to watch that epic adventure again.  T.J. and the team served in a way that would have made Tommy proud.  This parallels the call in my life to carry the torch and serve with humility, courage, and nobility.

Kevin