Parents need to know that the Power Rangers aren't exactly pacifists. They fight other rangers -- the bad ones -- using martial arts and various weapons. At times the enemy rangers are related to the good rangers, which could be confusing to young viewers. Some episodes rely on scary plot devices, like mind-control machines. Girls and boys are completely equal in the Power Ranger world -- in fact, they're indistinguishable once in costume. The Power Rangers are heavily marketed to the 5+ set, but they're better suited for kids a year or two older.

Families can talk about the way the rangers relate to one another and to their leader or guide, a former ranger named Billy. The rangers spend most of their time battling evil (who doesn't?), but they have to practice and train to get better. Do you think the green ranger would be able to beat the robot if she didn't practice? Parents will have to reach to find lessons here, other than those about why karate kicking isn't the best way to solve problems in real life. It might be fun to talk about the way the program is filmed. Virtually all of the characters are created in a way that allows footage filmed in one country to be used everywhere else the rangers are seen -- since you can't see the characters' mouths moving, any language can be dubbed in. What advantages does that offer?