Over the past 20 years, there have been some memorable villains in the Power Rangers universe, but none more memorable than Rita, Zedd, Goldar, Scorpina and Rito. Twenty years and we’ve seen the likes of Ivan Ooze, Devatox, King Mondo and his Machine Empire, Dark Spectre, Astronema who eventually became a Power Ranger in Lost Galaxy, and many many others. However, the most memorable came from the original series MMPR.
Rita Repulsa was accidentally released from her space dumpster on the moon by 2 astronauts. With her in the dumpster were Goldar, Finster, Squat and Babboo. Later in the season, Scorpina is introduced and it’s implied that there’s a romantic or strong relationship between her and Goldar. In the original Japanese footage, the two were actually romantically involved. In comic books and coloring books, King Sphinx played more of a roll as one of the main henchmen rather than just a monster of the week. At some point before the series began Rita stole the Dragon Zord power coin from Zordon in order to create her evil Green Ranger mid way through the first season.
In the second season we were introduced to Rita’s Master and future husband, Lord Zedd. From his first appearance in the prime time special episode of MMPR, it was clear that Zedd was far more evil than Rita. Eventually Rita tricked Zedd into Marriage, but soon Goldar would reveal the true reason they married but discovered that Zedd and Rita truly were in love.
After the MMPR movie came out, Rito Revolto chose to permanently visit his big sister, Rita. With him he brought his wedding gift for Rita and “Edd” which was straight from the MMPR movie, Tangu Warriors. At the end of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and the beginning of Power Rangers Zeo , The Machine Empire chased of Zedd, Rita and their minions. The group traveled around the moon in an old school RV. After the fall of the Machine, Zedd and Rita made few minor appearances in Power Rangers Turbo, mainly when Divatox called Rita for advice on how to defeat the Rangers. Rita’s response (while laying in bed next to a snoring Zedd) “If I knew I wouldn’t have to listen to this!”
Zedd and Rita made their semi regular return in Power Rangers in Space as a part of the Council of Evil. They were among the many Masters who grew large to terrorize Angel Grove to provoke the Rangers into surrendering. Eventually, When Andros shattered Zordon’s energy tube and released Zordon’s good energy to wipe out all evil, Zedd and Rita along with a few other villains were transformed into good humans while their minions like Goldar and Rito were reduced to dust. At some point prior to the Z Wave, Rita and Zedd had a son named Thrax who debuted in Operation Overdrive.
Rita made another return during Power Rangers Mystic Force, where she was referred to as The Mystic Mother, Empress of all Good Magic and gave the Mystic Force Rangers their link to the Morphing Grid. It is yet unclear what happened to Zedd, but according to Thrax, he too joined the forces of Good.
Rita was portrayed by a number of actresses over her appearances on Power Rangers. Machiko Soga portrayed her in the original live action Japanese footage which was re-used for Power Rangers, while Barbara Goodson performed her voice. Carla Perez began portraying Rita after he youthful reintroduction midway through the second season when she married Zedd, up through the end of Power Rangers in Space. Machiko Soga reprised the role as the Mystic Mother in Mystic Force with Susan Brady performing the voice overs.
Machiko Soga who portrayed Rita in her original form and as the Mystic Mother, passed away May 7, 2006 after battling pancreatic cancer for 2 years. The morning of her death, she was found by a visiting friend at her home. Machiko was 68 years old.
This article dedicated to Machiko Soga March 18, 1938 – May 7, 2006
Lord Zedd was portrayed by Ed Neil (not to be confused with Ed O’Neil of Al Bundy fame) in live action and Robert Axelrod performed his voice. Personally, I liked the movie costume better.
The voice actors of the villains to this day continue to perform voice work for Power Rangers and several other video games, films and television shows.