Why Peta Rutter?
It's a question I've been asked a not so surprisingly many times. First, the season that she co-starred on as the mentor, Power Rangers Mystic Force, receives a very divided reaction from the fandom. Most fans either love it or loathe it, leaving little grey area. Another thing she has going against her is her short term as a Power Ranger. She was only a ranger for a handful of episodes, and never returned for a team up. However, I think her limited tenure is actually a reason I adore the character. Often times when something is well liked, it becomes over used. The best example of this is ruining your favorite song by listening to it to many times. After hearing it so much, you begin to lose your love of said song and may not enjoy it at all. I feel this could be the case with some rangers. Udonna, however, never left the show, just her powers did. And so this always left the chance of a return as fans of the design were left wanting more. I mean just look at the costume:
It is a really spectacular design and is one of my personal favorites (needless to say, of course). This desire made you look forward to seeing the character each week, being intrigued. Another helpful part was Peta Rutter's acting and theater skills. She was great at captivating audiences on a show that is infamous for not always having the best actors. What really made Udonna herself special was her drive. When the rangers were stuck in the Underworld, she didn't hesitate to risk her own life and powers to save them. After losing her powers, she went off alone in search of her long thought to be dead husband. She valiantly charged the leaders of the Ten Terrors, almost god-like villains of the Underworld. Though not always the strongest fighter, she had brain, determination, experience, and skill. A famous saying goes "art reflects life." Through accounts that have been given, we can see Peta Rutter had a similar drive. She, along with her husband, continued in the dying art of alternative theater. Together they created mesmerizing shows that wowed their audiences. She also showed great diversity. She could be humorous, as seen from her two year stint on sketch comedy show Away Laughing, or serious, seen in made for tv specials Trifecta and Home Movie. She starred in This Is Not A Love Story (2002) and had roles in The Footstep Man and Dead Kids, where she showed off her dancing skills. She herself had been in a dance group named Darc Swan. And of course Power Rangers, which in its self requires diversity. Above all though, she inspired me. Her character was a guide for the Rangers and helped teach them valuable life lessons. Ones that could even be used in our world. So when people say, "Why Peta Rutter?" it's not as simple as saying, she's a childhood hero, she was a kind soul, gifted actress, skilled performer. She was certainly all those things, but she was so much more. Peta Rutter was herself, a joyous person and breathed bright light into dark souls. I've started all these accounts to let her know that her impact was left. She made a footprint and will always be there for people to look up to. I guess what I should be saying above all is, thank you so much Peta Rutter, and may your soul rest with all the happiness it deserves.
