R.I.P Jason David Franks.

“The Power Rangers” had a pivotal influence on my burgeoning curiosity into story telling. Contributing to one of my first ever attempts at writing a story at the tender age of just 6 years old. Of course my “plot” was reliant on derivatives portrayed in the show, with contrivances that even the show was too sophisticated to depict. Not to mention an excessive use of the classic sentence connector “and then” to propel my asinine dialogue. I have such cherished memories of counting down the days until Christmas, to hopefully receive the Power Rangers Megazord as a reward for my good behaviour. Not to mention the fact that the epic theme song still lives rent free in my head. To be so effusive in regards to a children’s show, that depicts such an exuberant invention of teenagers that perform balletic martial arts, while dressed as garish, leotard clad skittles, at the behest of a disembodied head to fight an evil moon witch. All for the blatant purpose of merchandising every conceivable accessory you can practically advertise to kids. But it just had such an intoxicating, frenetic energy you simply couldn’t dislike. It’s an admission that a 35 year old would attribute to nostalgia, but the death of Jason David Franks has only reiterated just how affectionate I am for it.

Jason David Franks death and suspected suicide is tough to take, especially if the assumed cause of death is confirmed. Though he portrayed many Rangers throughout the various incarnations of the Power Rangers Universe, it was his role as the “Green Ranger” and subsequent redemption as the “White Ranger” I remember so vividly. While other original cast members were seemingly abashed to be recognised as a Power Ranger, Jason was one of the first to truly embrace his popularity. Though I’ll confess to being an ardent proponent of the “Red Ranger”, they always harboured a burgeoning resentment to Tommy’s affluent rise to prominence as the leader of the team, usurping”Jason Lee Scott”. I did develop a grudging respect for his ascendance though. I mean come on we all had our favourites. It’s easy to judge these “story-lines” from a kids show that depicts such exuberant martial arts and gaudy, almost pantomime-like costumes and regalia. But as kids, these stories were dynamic and powerful. And it’s heartbreaking that someone so synonymous with both the show and our childhood has died. Even though you’ve never met them or even really know them, those early memories are so profound that you can’t help feeling as though you’ve lost someone special.

I remember being just as shocked to discover that the “Yellow Ranger” (Thuy Trang) had perished in a car crash at the age of 27. And this to me just feels like another betrayal of my childhood. Another Power Ranger defeated, but not forgotten.