When Steve Cardenas actually injured his knee in real life, the show wrote it into the plot briefly before replacing him with Justin in Turbo. But what if Rocky had survived the transition to Turbo but couldn’t morph? He would have become the team’s handler at the Power Chamber, working alongside Alpha and Dimitria.

Rocky taking over the technological and tactical support role would have given him a massive amount of character growth. He was always the athletic, slightly goofy one; being forced to use his brain instead of his body would have matured him. He could have been the “Q” to the Rangers’ “James Bond.”

It would have created a poignant dynamic between him and Justin. Rocky, the teenager who lost his ability to be a hero, mentoring the kid who was given powers too early. It would have provided a grounded, emotional anchor for the chaotic Turbo season, showing the harsh reality of superhero life.

The villains would have tried to exploit Rocky’s vulnerability. Knowing he was stuck in the Power Chamber, Divatox might have launched specific attacks on the base, forcing Rocky to defend his home turf without powers. We could have seen him using the base’s defense systems creatively to hold off Putties or Piranhatrons.

As a kid, I was mad when Rocky left because he was my favorite of the Zeo replacements. Keeping him around, even out of the suit, would have softened the blow of the Turbo transition. It would have shown kids that you don’t need a spandex costume to be a valuable part of a team.