Power Rangers in Space symbolizes to many fans, the end of the Zordon era in the Power Rangers Universe. We witnessed many things in this season that we hadn't seen on Power Rangers before, the affects of which were felt throughout the entire Power Rangers Universe for years to come.
In the beginning of the season we're introduced to Andros the red space ranger and Astronema the beautiful queen of evil, whom we discovered is actually Andros' twin sister Karone. We discovered there was another ranger who was in a coma, Zhane the Silver Ranger. Power Rangers in Space would also be the final season of which Jason Narvy would appear as Skull regularly. His only other appearances throughout the lifespan of the series, were in the first episode of Lost Galaxy, Wild Force episode Forever Red and yesterdays new final episode of Super Samurai.
Power Rangers in Space was the first time the team revealed their identities to the public including Bulk and Skull in the episodes Countdown to Destruction. It was Bulk and Skull's finest moment in the series. I remember getting chills as Astronema was about to destroy everyone unless the power rangers reveled themselves. Out of no where Bulk looks around and says "I... AM THE BLUE RANGER!" It became battle cry for the people of Angel Grove. Skull chimed in saying he was the black ranger and then others joined in. Soon the street was flooded with people claiming to be power rangers, but Astronema becomes tired of it and orders their destruction. At that point the Rangers minus Andros step forward on a rooftop and announce that "THEY" are the power rangers. Bulk turns to skull and says "Those guys?" completely dumb founded. The team ROCKET as they enter the 3-3-5-EJ code on their morphers and become the Power Rangers.
The only way to end the United Alliance of Evils total domination of Earth is for Andros to shatter Zordon's inner dimensional tube. Before he's able to, Andros is stopped by Astronema and the two get into their final battle, with Astronema left severely injured and unconscious. Ecliptor discovered what had happened and engaged Andros in battle. During their battle, Andros turned and sliced through Zordon's tube which released a wave of energy transforming humanoid villains into good humans and monsters into dust, this became known as The Z Wave.
At the end, we see Andros carry Astronema out of the ship saddened. He lays her on the ground and in what appeared to be the CHEESIEST scene directing in Power Rangers history, leans over Astronema with a tear rolling down his face until it drips onto her. The reason this scene was so cheesy, was because it was an extreme close up shot, the tear was forced and there was no actual emotion to it. Suddenly, rays of light protrude from Astronema's body and she's transformed back into Karone and awakens.
If Zordon dieing wasn't bad enough, Power Rangers in Space was the first Romance between a ranger and a villain. This season was more like a soap opera than any other season before or after. Andros searches for his sister. His sister turns out to be his enemy. His enemy/ sister is in love with his best friend. He kills his mentor. He kills his sister. Then he resurrects his sister. He falls in love with Ashley. His best friend was in a coma for 2 years.The rangers had to fight evil psycho versions of themselves. I mean COME ON! However, I did rather enjoy it.
Andros would later return in Forever Red. Alpha and Karone would return with Bulk in Lost Galaxy (Karone becomes the first main villain to become a power ranger). Zordon is only mentioned twice after In Space, once in Forever Red when the rangers are talking about who the greatest ranger of all time is and Andros says "I killed Zordon!". The second time he's mentioned is in Power Rangers Dino Thunder which brings the return of Tommy.
Quiz Time!