Jason Lee Scott is a fictional character in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series, played by Austin St. John. Jason is best remembered as the original Red Ranger, and the first leader of the Power Rangers.
Character History
Jason was an accomplished martial artist from the fictional town of Angel Grove, California. He was selected by Zordon and Alpha 5 as one of five "teenagers with attitude" to become the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. He was given the power of the Tyrannosaurus. After he was selected to be in a peace conference partway through the series, Jason left the Power Rangers, and the title of the Red Ranger went to Rocky DeSantos.
Jason returned in Power Rangers: Zeo, temporarily taking over the duties of the Gold Ranger from Trey of Triforia. He also became the guardian of Auric the Conqueror for a time. Jason relinquished the Gold Ranger powers back to Trey in the season finale of Power Rangers: Zeo when it was discovered that he could not handle the powers much longer, as they were draining away - along with his own vital life force.
In Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie, Jason was kidnapped along with Kimberly Hart by the villainess Divatox and was briefly brainwashed to fight against the Power Rangers. After being restored to normal by Lerigot, he once again faded into the background.
Jason's final appearance was in Power Rangers: Wild Force, in the special episode Forever Red. In this episode, he regains his Red Ranger powers and joins nine other Red Rangers to defeat the remnants of the Machine Empire, a force of villians that Jason had previously battled as the Gold Ranger. Notably, he was the only Red Ranger in "Forever Red" without an explanation as to why he still retains his Red Dino Ranger powers. He should not have powers because he retired from his Red Ranger post and the Red Ranger powers were subsequently destroyed on various occasions in the Mighty Morphin' series.
Jason's whereabouts during the eight years between Turbo and "Forever Red" are not explained in any iteration of the series. His future after Forever Red also remains unexplained. However, based on clues in his final episode, Jason, like all Red Rangers after him, keeps in touch with each team of Power Rangers.
In a viewer contest held by ABC Family, Jason was voted the best Red Ranger.