History Series / CaptainPowerAndTheSoldiersOfTheFuture

* DownerEnding: It counts as this rather than BittersweetEnding because [[spoiler:yes, the heroes managed to stop Lord Dread's Project New Order before the resistance was wiped out... but Pilot is dead, the Powerbase is destroyed, [[TheMole Locke]] is still [[VillainWithGoodPublicity among the resistance]], and [[{{TheBadGuyWins}} Lord Dread is last seen preparing for a cybernetic upgrade to make him even less human, meaning the war is about to get (even) worse.]]]] The show was unfortunately canned before the second season began production because Mattel [[ExecutiveMeddling didn't want the show to get any darker than it already was]].

There were a number of experiments in interactive TV in the late 80s, such as a murder mystery where viewers called in between acts to vote on who would turn out to have dunnit. One of the more radical experiments in interactive television was ''Captain Power And The Soldiers Of The Future''. The story followed the adventures of Captain Jonathan Power and his team of freedom fighters on a post-apocalyptic Earth where civilization has been destroyed by Lord Dread's robotic armies. Fortunately, Captain Power and his team have the ability to transform into armored super-soldiers by touching their power suit's insignia and saying, "[[ByThePowerOfGrayskull Power on.]]"

The show's main draw was the merchandise interactivity. Captain Power action figures interacted with electronic toys based on the show's transformation booth, fighter jets, and other hardware. These could interact with each other: the jets fired a strobe of light which a receptor on another jet could register as a hit. The toys could also interact with the show itself: various things in the show emitted a strobe effect which would register on the toy. Villains and heroes had strobes which the jets would register as targets, weapons fire emitted a yellow strobe that would register as a hit (and viewers were gently reminded that hiding the jets behind their backs was cheating). The "power on" sequence would both reset the damage count on a jet, and activate the "power on" cycle in the transformation booth toy. At the end of each episode, one of the characters would step through the FourthWall to tell viewers what constituted a good score.

Around the same time as the show's release, three animated videos were released, ''Future Force Training'', ''Bio-Dread Assault'', and ''Raid On Volcania'', which fans could train on between episodes. These featured the viewer as a new recruit, designated "Pilot-1", who received training from the captain himself in piloting the XT-7 fighter, and undertook some dangerous missions. These episodes were animated by Creator/{{AIC}}, one of the companies responsible for ''Anime/BubblegumCrisis'' and many other anime of the late 80's.

[[quoteright:275:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Captain_Power_and_the_Soldiers_of_the_Future_6108.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:275:"Power on!"]]

The show was a relatively early TV example of {{dystopia}}n CyberPunk, and, though ostensibly aimed at children, was so dark and violent many parents complained to Creator/{{Mattel}} about the AnyoneCanDie nature. Creator/JMichaelStraczynski, Larry [=DiTillio=], ''New ComicBook/TeenTitans'' creator and ''ComicBook/CrisisOnInfiniteEarths'' writer Marv Wolfman, veteran novelist and scriptwriter Michael Reaves, and Marc Scott Zicree of ''Franchise/TheTwilightZone Companion'' and ''Literature/MagicTime'' fame worked on the show, and ''ComicBook/HowardTheDuck'' creator Creator/SteveGerber was slated to write for the unproduced second season. Mattel pulled the plug on the show after the season one finale, as the producers wanted to go into even more of a DarkerAndEdgier direction which would've thrown off the MerchandiseDriven aspect of the show even further.

The show was a relatively early TV example of {{dystopia}}n CyberPunk, and, though ostensibly aimed at children, was so dark and violent many parents complained to Creator/{{Mattel}} about the AnyoneCanDie nature. Creator/JMichaelStraczynski, Larry [=DiTillio=], ''New ComicBook/TeenTitans'' creator Marv Wolfman, veteran novelist and scriptwriter Michael Reaves, and Marc Scott Zicree of ''Franchise/TheTwilightZone Companion'' and ''Literature/MagicTime'' fame worked on the show, and ''ComicBook/HowardTheDuck'' creator Creator/SteveGerber was slated to write for the unproduced second season. Mattel pulled the plug on the show after the season one finale, as the producers wanted to go into even more of a DarkerAndEdgier direction which would've thrown off the MerchandiseDriven aspect of the show even further.

* TheDragon: The [[PteroSoarer pterosaur-like]] Soaron to Lord Dread. At least until Blastarr is created mid-way through the series. Blastarr and Soaron then become CoDragons (and bitter rivals).

* FiveManBand
** TheHero: [[StevenUlyssesPerhero Captain Jonathan Power]]. A good strategist and a fine soldier, but impetuous, immature, and still learning what it means to be a leader.
** TheLancer: Major Matthew "[[TheAce Hawk]]" Masterson. A [[CoolOldGuy war veteran]] and friend of Jonathan's father, Stuart.
** TheSmartGuy: Sergeant Robert "[[MasterOfDisguise Scout]]" Baker. Good with infiltration of both enemy bases and computer networks.
** TheBigGuy: Lieutenant Michael "Tank" Ellis. The team's [[TheStoic stoic]] heavy weapon expert and MightyGlacier.
** TheChick: Corporal Jennifer "[[ImprobablePilotingSkills Pilot]]" Chase. Rescued from the [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything Dread Youth]] and also quite [[TheStoic stoic]]; she becomes a love interest to Captain Power as the show progresses.

* {{Animesque}}: The videos lean heavily on this. A side effect of being animated by AIC.[[note]]and Creator/AnimeR for the second and third tapes[[/note]]

->''"Power on."''\\\
''"Earth, 2147: The legacy of the Metal Wars, when man fought machine - and machines won.\\

* DarthVaderClone: Lord Dread. While he doesn't wear a helmet, his black armor and cybernetic body certainly fit the trope. He is also troubled by still-human motives, his remaining flesh is disfigured/pale, he was the colleague and murderer of Captain Power's father, he is subordinate to the setting's true BigBad (Overmind), and the one time he and Captain Power actually fight in person, he manages to kick the good Captain's ass. Seriously, this guy looks (and acts) like the bastard son of Darth Vader and the Borg.

* BodyUploading: In a malevolent way. Warlord-class [=BioDreads=] are equipped with Digitizers that can reduce a human being to data, which is then stored in the MasterComputer Overmind. Although the process can be reversed, victims tend to [[CameBackWrong be irrevocably changed]] [[MindRape by the experience]].

The series celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2012 with a long-awaited DVD release. In late 2012, executive producer Gary Goddard announced that a revival of ''Captain Power'' was beginning development under the name ''Phoenix Rising''. Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens have been tapped as showrunners. As of 2022, the reboot is either cancelled or deep in DevelopmentHell, [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Goddard#Sexual_assault_allegations with Goddard out of the picture entirely]], and [[https://twitter.com/TVPhoenixRising/status/756195423878995969 the last update being from 2016.]]

The series celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2012 with a long-awaited DVD release. In late 2012, executive producer Gary Goddard announced that a revival of ''Captain Power'' was beginning development under the name ''Phoenix Rising''. Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens have been tapped as showrunners.

* TheDragon: The pterodactyl-like Soaron to Lord Dread. At least until Blastarr is created, and then he and Soaron become CoDragons (and bitter rivals).

* CutShort: The writers had more than enough material for a season 2. But the executives didn't like the direction the show was going.

Together, they form the most powerful fighting force in Earth's history. Their creed: To protect all life! Their promise: To end Lord Dread's rule! Their name....[[TitleDrop CAPTAIN POWER AND THE SOLDIERS OF THE FUTURE!]]"''

''"Earth, 2147: The legacy of the Metal Wars, when man fought machine - and machines won. [=BioDreads=]: Monstrous creations that hunt down human survivors and digitize them. Volcania: Centre of the [=BioDread=] Empire, stronghold and fortress of Lord Dread, feared ruler of this new order. But from the fires of the Metal Wars arose a new breed of warrior, born and trained to bring down Lord Dread and his [=BioDread=] Empire. They were Soldiers of the Future, mankind's last hope!\\

* HitAndRunTactics: The overall MO of the Power Team. For all their powers, they lack the numbers to depose Lord Dread head-on. But with the help of the [[TeleportersAndTransporters Jump Gates]], they can strike at vulnerable targets and withdraw to the Powerbase before Dread's forces can corner them.

* [[PrecisionFStrike Precision "D" Strike]]: Actually occurs in one episode. There's also a Precision "H" Strike in another.

* {{Teleportation}}: The Jump Gates, which the Power Team uses to get around the continent. While for most of the series, this is how the team was able to perpetrate hit-and-run attacks against the Biodread Empire so effectively, it ultimately became their own undoing when Lord Dread acquired the network's access frequency.

* AirstrikeImpossible: The ''Franchise/StarWars''-style trench run against the control center for the Icarus Platform.

* KilledOffForReal
--> '''Straczynski''': "''I've never talked about this before -- said I was in a thoughtful mood -- but I've known several people, friends, who've taken their own lives. In one case, I spoke to her just beforehand. Tried, through the phone lines, to reach her one more time, pull her back from the edge. I couldn't. Years pass. Time comes for me to write the last filmed episode of '''Power'''. Jennifer Chase is going to die, partly of her injuries, partly of her own volition. [[CreatorBreakdown Part of my life went into that scene]], in the way it was constructed, and what was said. And what was not said, what never had the chance to be said, and thus still burns. I knew that, at the crucial moment of that scene, he couldn't be near her, as I wasn't near my friend...it had to be long-distance, hearing but not seeing her, and the terrible pain of arriving too late. I cannot watch that episode without crying. Ever.''"
** This particular case is ''loaded'' with tropes: the character took the time to [[FatalFamilyPhoto go through personal effects and mementos from previous adventures]], her relationship with Jon is ''[[ADeathInTheLimelight finally]]'' [[ADeathInTheLimelight put front-and-center]] (but she can't express her true feelings, instead saying "[[CanNotSpitItOut It can wait]]"), she is inadvertently left to HoldTheLine from [[AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs an enemy invasion]], and she ends up performing a HeroicSacrifice to save the Power Base's sensitive data when all is lost. At least she managed to [[TakingYouWithMe destroy Blastarr]] ([[NighInvulnerability we hope]]) along the way.

* LaResistance: The Power Team, along with assorted other human resistance groups -- allied or [[WeAreStrugglingTogether otherwise]].

* StevenUlyssesPerhero: Lampshaded in an episode where Captain Power meets and works with another resistance leader. She's surprised to learn that his last name actually ''is'' "Power".

-->'''Blastarr''': Surrender, by order of Lord Dread.
-->'''Pilot''': Go to hell. (pushes self-destruct button of the Power Base reactor)
* TechnologyPorn: Oh, yeah.
* TeleportersAndTransporters: The Jump Gates, which the Power Team uses to get around the continent. While for most of the series, this is how the team was able to perpetrate hit-and-run attacks against the Biodread Empire so effectively, it ultimately became their own undoing when Lord Dread acquired the network's access frequency.

* TitleScream

* TransformationSequence: Power on!

* WholeEpisodeFlashback: "The Summoning Of Thunder," a DeathByOriginStory for Stuart Power, and StartOfDarkness for [[strike:Lyman Taggart]] Lord Dread.

* FrickinLaserBeams: Everyone uses them in the future.

->''"Power on."''

->''"Earth, 2147: The legacy of the Metal Wars, when man fought machine - and machines won. [=BioDreads=]: Monstrous creations that hunt down human survivors and digitize them. Volcania: Centre of the [=BioDread=] Empire, stronghold and fortress of Lord Dread, feared ruler of this new order. But from the fires of the Metal Wars arose a new breed of warrior, born and trained to bring down Lord Dread and his [=BioDread=] Empire. They were Soldiers of the Future, mankind's last hope!\\

The show was a relatively early TV example of [[{{Dystopia}} dystopian]] CyberPunk, and, though ostensibly aimed at children, was so dark and violent many parents complained to Creator/{{Mattel}} about the AnyoneCanDie nature. Creator/JMichaelStraczynski, Larry [=DiTillio=], ''New ComicBook/TeenTitans'' creator Marv Wolfman, veteran novelist and scriptwriter Michael Reaves, and Marc Scott Zicree of ''Franchise/TheTwilightZone Companion'' and ''Literature/MagicTime'' fame worked on the show, and ''ComicBook/HowardTheDuck'' creator Creator/SteveGerber was slated to write for the unproduced second season. Mattel pulled the plug on the show after the season one finale, as the producers wanted to go into even more of a DarkerAndEdgier direction which would've thrown off the MerchandiseDriven aspect of the show even further.

* BrainUploading: In a malevolent way. Warlord-class [=BioDreads=] are equipped with Digitizers that can reduce a human being to data, which is then stored in Overmind. Although the process can be reversed, victims tend to [[CameBackWrong be irrevocably changed]] [[MindRape by the experience]].

* MonsterSobStory: Lord Dread himself strays close to this trope in a surprisingly early episode, where we learn about Jessica, an artist that Dread knew before the Metal Wars (and when Dread was still fully human). Against Dread's orders, Jessica is blinded in a Biodread attack, and he spends the next 15 years hunting for her -- but not for villainous IHaveYouNowMyPretty reasons that you might expect. No, Dread simply wants Jessica to design the [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans robot bodies that will house humanity's minds in his New Order]]. He restores her sight with a prosthesis... only for her to [[HeroicBSOD freak out]] at the ruins of the world around them. Despite Dread's reassurance that the [[IDidWhatIHadToDo ruins are just a "transition"]], Jessica decides that she wants nothing to do with him. One can't help feeling just a ''little'' sorry for Lord Dread as she ignores his honest pleading (and abandons her newly-regained eyesight) to leave with Captain Power.
-->'''Jessica''': He offers me nothing... his world. But in my mind is the world as it was. Mine is a better world than the one you live in, Captain. I wish you could see it.
-->'''Tank''': Jumpship's on the way in. Where's Dread?
-->'''Captain Power''': Alone.

* TheJuggernaut: Blastarr. While neither of the [=BioDread=] warlords are easy to take down, Blastarr is clearly the more resilient of the two.

* PimpedOutDress: A resistance fighter who was Hawk's OldFlame attempts this in one episode where the two end up hiding out together. The dress is actually quite plain by the standards of TheEighties (much less now), but Hawk has lived in a ruined world for so long that he still remarks that it's the most beautiful thing he's seen in a long time.

* PuttingOnTheReich: Dread's Human goons are all dressed as Nazis. Interestingly, the actor playing Taggart/Dread also looks frightening similar to UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler, sans the iconic mustache.

->''"Earth, 2147: The legacy of the Metal Wars, when man fought machine and machines won. [=BioDreads=]: Monstrous creations that hunt down human survivors and digitize them. Volcania: Centre of the [=BioDread=] Empire, stronghold and fortress of Lord Dread, feared ruler of this new order. But from the fires of the Metal Wars arose a new breed of warrior, born and trained to bring down Lord Dread and his [=BioDread=] Empire. They were Soldiers of the Future, mankind's last hope!\\

There were a number of experiments in interactive TV in the late 80s, such as a murder mystery where viewers called in between acts to vote on who would turn out to have dunnit. One of the more radical experiments in interactive television was ''Captain Power And The Soldiers Of The Future''. The story followed the adventures of Captain Jonathan Power and his team of freedom fighters on a post-apocalyptic Earth where most of the population had been converted into robotic warriors by the evil Lord Dread. Fortunately, Captain Power and his team had the ability to transform into armored super-soldiers by touching their power suit's insignia and saying, "[[ByThePowerOfGrayskull Power on.]]"

* AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs

** Prometheus: A deadly plasma storm.

* FamilyFriendlyFirearms: Both the Power Team and their enemies use laser guns. Several characters also use firearms, but they don't do a thing against Bio-Dreads. Consequently, blood is a rare sight in the show.

* StevenUlyssesPerhero: Lampshaded in an episode where Captain Power meets and works with another resistance leader. She's surprised to learn that his last name really ''is'' "Power".

** Lyman Taggart sincerely thought that humanity would be improved by becoming [[AssimilationPlot a cybernetic organism]]. After becoming [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Lord Dread]], though...
** The whole idea behind Overmind in the first place was as a computer with which Taggart and Power could take control of all the world's military robots, in order to end the years of stalemated warfare that had followed from the development of robot soldiers.

Their leader: Captain Jonathan Power, master of the incredible powersuits which transform each soldier into a one-man attack force! Major Matthew "Hawk" Masterson, fighter in the sky! Lieutenant Michael "Tank" Ellis, Ground Assault Unit! Sergeant Robert "Scout" Baker, Espionage and communications! And Corporal Jennifer "Pilot" Chase, Tactical Systems Expert! Together, they form the most powerful fighting force in Earth's history. Their creed: To protect all life! Their promise: To end Lord Dread's rule! Their name....[[TitleDrop CAPTAIN POWER AND THE SOLDIERS OF THE FUTURE!]]"''

* GenderedOutfit: While Pilot's power suit is nowhere near {{Stripperiffic}}, it's still conspicuous that her suit is the only one among the Power Team that doesn't have a helmet.

** Icarus: A satellite capable of digitizing people en masse.