Flipping the channels like an average day, my 3 year old catches a glimpse of the Power Rangers and howls to "Stop!" He doesn't know these characters from watching them regularly on TV or having their toys. He knows them from the boys on the playground who do, impressive older boys with toys that shoot projectiles and win over bad guys.
On the TV is a group of children slightly older than my son, all dressed in power gear. Every child is proud to be dressed as an older Ranger, except there is no one representing the Green guy. Of course he feels sad, which makes the children watching sad, and what could intensify their empathy more than watching him struggle to be "as good" and failing?
Throughout the rest of the show he attempts stopping criminals, halting evil deeds, meeting all with failure and destruction. In the end, the ABSOLUTE WORST THING EVER to happen to a child happens to Green Power Ranger. His friends tell him to stay at home. At this point my son says "Awww, poor green guy." The seed has not only been planted, but watered and fertilized.
Of course in the depths of despair he gets a marvelous idea for a new weapon, of all things, and saves the day! Green guy is the hero and his friends are extremely sorry they made him feel bad. Blah blah blah, long story short, his popularity with the audience is tremendous. Green merchandise will be in demand.
By coincidence we did have to go to the store two days later and sure enough, the toy sensors kicked in about five aisles away. Our son started fidgeting, turning, searching the rows for something. At first I hadn't a clue what he was looking for but then the ear splitting announcement made it all too clear. "Green Power Ranger! Green Power Ranger!" he squealed pointing to a figure that must have barely caught his eye.
My mother-in-law is a far too generous woman, and we have the toy room to prove it. She bought him the green power ranger and we've spent the last few days switching guns and knives and reminding him to only shoot projectiles at "bad" inanimate things.
Go To Page: 1 2
