(I will be intentionally vague about the details so as not to give away information I would prefer to keep quiet.)
Back in 2000, I was going through a particularly difficult time in my life. The constant moving around that we did as a family was a strain on me. Other situations were painful for me, and not without a certain amount of drug abuse on other's parts. Suffice it to say, this time of my life was not an easy one, especially since my upbringing was not left untouched by the sting of death and heartbreak. I felt powerless to change my circumstances, and so I became ever more jaded and withdrawn. My one best friend at the time was my little brother, and the time we spent together was precious and treasured.
When 2001 came around, circumstances were still difficult, and in some ways became worse. The situations were taking a toll on my homework, my friendships suffered, my relationships were strained, and my outlook on life was, for lack of a better term, grim.
I had watched Power Rangers for so many years before that time, but like many people my age, I took a break at around the time Power Rangers Lost Galaxy began. The Rangers I knew, the original Mighty Morphin' cast, were long gone by this point, and thus, my attachment to the show decreased as it went on. I never started hating the show after that nor did I think I was too old or mature for it; I just lost interest.
But once February 2001 rolled around, all of that changed. When Power Rangers Time Force began, it impacted my life in a way that is difficult for me to describe. I do not know why I started watching the show again. Perhaps because my little brother was showing interest in it again? Maybe to pass the time while training Pokémon on my GameBoy? God only knows the reason. But one thing for sure was this: it was a show that changed my life.
I took an immediate liking to Jason Faunt as the Red Ranger. The main reason? His name was Wes, too. An instant bond was formed the moment he stepped on-screen. Charismatic, likable, and a great fighter. He was pretty much everything I wanted to be, everything that I thought superheroes should be. I projected myself onto him and started asking myself how he and I were alike and how we were different.
Sometimes this type of comparison is damaging, but for me, it was remarkably introspective. I started to realize that who I was at that time was not really the Wesley I wanted to be. Who was this jaded, angry person I had become? Why was I angry? Why was I called depressed by the school's counselors? All these questions would flood my mind.
I continued to watch Time Force as much as I could. I was so happy when they started re-airing the episodes after school because it gave me so much to look forward to during the day. It was the glimmering moment of happiness that I could cling to and enjoy; not that my life was generally unhappy, but because I made it unhappy by my reactions to everything that was going on around me.
I aspired so much to be like Wes. He was that hero that I needed during this dark period of my life. Don't get me wrong, I loved the rest of the cast and look back on each of them fondly; but Wes has that special place in my heart, as cliché and sappy as that sounds. As he was learning about his place in the world, his destiny, his responsibility as a son and as a Red Ranger, I was right there alongside him, learning what he was learning and applying what I could to my life.
He was MY hero. He was MY Red Ranger.
The part that will forever stick out to me as the defining moment of Time Force was when Wes finally has that heart-to-heart with Eric at the end of the series. When he describes fighting to change one's destiny and how he and Eric are equals, are Power Rangers... well, I can't help but have chills, and I have to fight to really hold back the tears.
So, to Jason Faunt: You are my Red Ranger and my hero. Thank you so much for the work you did on that show. Was it a cheesy show at times? Yes. Was it maybe somewhat childish? I'm sure it was. But the hard work you put into that show helped to make me the person I am today. You impacted my life in ways I really cannot describe, and I give you a hearty thank you for doing what you did. I hope I can someday meet you in person and really describe what your role meant to me and give you a hug and take you out for a meal or something. You deserve it, sir.
Thank you so much for being Wes. Thank you for being my Red Ranger.
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