He wasn’t supposed to be the leader. Honestly, that's the most compelling thing about Jack Landors. When we talk about the Red Power Ranger SPD, we aren’t just talking about a color or a suit; we’re talking about a massive shift in how Power Rangers handled leadership dynamics. Most seasons start with a "chosen one" or a disciplined martial artist. Jack? He was a street thief. He was someone who actively avoided authority until authority literally forced a morpher into his hand.
It’s been over twenty years since Power Rangers S.P.D. (Space Patrol Delta) hit the airwaves in 2005, yet the character arc of the Red Ranger remains a high-water mark for the franchise. It’s gritty. It’s messy. It feels real in a way that "saving the world" shows rarely do. You have this guy who spent his life stealing bread to feed the poor, suddenly being told he has to lead a team of highly trained academy cadets who have spent years dreaming of the position he just "stole."
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The Jack Landors Displacement
The tension in the early episodes of S.P.D. is palpable. Sky Tate, played by Chris Violette, is the character everyone expected to be the Red Power Ranger SPD. He had the pedigree. His father was a legendary Red Ranger. He followed every rule. Then comes Jack Landors (Brandon Jay McLaren), a guy with dreadlocks and a Robin Hood complex who doesn't even want the job.
This creates a fascinating power struggle.
Commander Anubis "Doggie" Cruger didn't pick Jack because he was the best fighter. He picked him because Jack understood the streets. He had a perspective the academy-trained cadets lacked. Jack’s genetic power—the ability to phase through solid objects—was a literal metaphor for his life. He walked through walls because he didn't believe in the barriers society set up. But leadership is about more than just breaking rules.
Why the B-Squad was Different
We have to look at the context of the 2025 setting (which, ironically, we are now living past in the real world). The world of S.P.D. was a melting pot of aliens and humans. In this landscape, the Red Ranger wasn't just a combat leader; he was a peacekeeper. Jack’s struggle was moving from "me and my friend Z" to "the entire city."
Most fans remember the "A-Squad" betrayal. It was a massive twist. The elite team, the heroes everyone looked up to, turned out to be the villains. This solidified why the "misfit" B-Squad, led by a reluctant Jack, was actually the superior unit. They had the moral compass that the elite soldiers lost in their pursuit of power.
The Suit, the Blasters, and the SWAT Mode
Technically speaking, the Red Power Ranger SPD design is one of the sleekest in the Disney era of the show. The "1" emblazoned across the chest and the police-siren aesthetic of the helmet were bold choices. But the real gear talk starts with the Delta Blasters.
Unlike previous Red Rangers who leaned heavily on swords, Jack was a dual-wielder.
- Delta Blasters: These weren't just "pew-pew" lasers. They could combine into a singular, more powerful rifle.
- The S.P.D. Battlizer: This is where things got a bit "toy-centric," as Disney-era shows often did. The Cyber-mode and Sonic-mode gave Jack a robotic canine companion (R.I.C.) that transformed into armor.
- SWAT Mode: Introduced later in the series, this upgraded the whole team. It moved away from the superhero aesthetic and toward a tactical, special-forces look. It was a response to the escalating threat of Emperor Gruumm’s forces.
The SWAT mode episodes were some of the most intense. The team had to go to a literal planet-sized bootcamp because they had become arrogant. Jack, specifically, had to learn that being Red Ranger didn't make him the boss—it made him the servant of the team.
The Unprecedented Exit
Here is what most people get wrong or simply forget: Jack Landors is one of the very few Red Rangers to voluntarily quit.
Most Rangers lose their powers, the season ends, or they move on to a higher calling (like Wes in Time Force). Jack walked away. By the end of the series, after defeating Gruumm and Omni, Jack realized that his heart wasn't in the military life. He didn't want the medals. He didn't want the rank of Captain. He went back to the streets to help people on a one-on-one basis.
It was a profound ending. It validated his entire journey. He didn't change who he was to fit the suit; he used the suit to become a better version of himself, and then he put it down when the job was done.
Sky Tate’s Redemption
You can't talk about the Red Power Ranger SPD without talking about the guy who eventually took over. Sky Tate’s growth from a bitter, entitled cadet to someone worthy of the red suit is arguably the best sub-plot in Power Rangers history. When Jack leaves, and Cruger finally hands Sky the red morpher, it feels earned. It wasn't a gift; it was a recognition of Sky's newfound humility.
Later, in the Power Rangers "Soul of the Dragon" graphic novel and various "where are they now" lore bits, we see Sky move up to become the Deka Ranger and eventually the head of S.P.D. Earth. But that path only opened because Jack Landors showed him that the color of the suit doesn't define the man.
Misconceptions about the S.P.D. Timeline
A lot of people get confused about where S.P.D. fits because of the "future" setting. Since it was set in 2025, and it aired in 2005, there's a lot of "current" tech that looks nothing like what the show predicted. We don't have Delta Command Base in the middle of a city, and we definitely don't have alien refugees living openly in New York or Tokyo yet.
However, in the Power Rangers multiverse, S.P.D. is a fixed point. We see the S.P.D. suits appear in Super Megaforce and even in the comics from Boom! Studios. The Red Power Ranger SPD is often cited by fans as the peak of the "Police Procedural" style of the show, which was a direct adaptation of the Japanese Super Sentai series, Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger.
Actually, Dekaranger and S.P.D. are very different in tone. The Japanese version is more of an ensemble comedy-drama, whereas the American version turned Jack and Sky's rivalry into a heavy, Shakespearean drama about fathers and legacies.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive back into the world of the Red Power Ranger SPD, there are a few specific things you should look for. The franchise isn't just on TV anymore; it's a massive collector's market.
- The Lightning Collection Figures: Hasbro released a highly articulated Jack Landors figure. It’s widely considered one of the best in the line because it includes the unmasked head sculpt that actually looks like Brandon Jay McLaren.
- The "Endings" Two-Parter: If you only have time to rewatch a few episodes, skip the filler. Watch the pilot "Beginnings" and the finale "Endings." The contrast in Jack's body language is a masterclass in subtle acting for a kids' show.
- The Comics: Check out the Power Rangers: Spheroid appearances in the comics. They bridge some of the gaps between the S.P.D. era and other seasons, giving more context to how the global police force was actually formed.
Jack Landors proved that a leader doesn't have to be a soldier. He just has to be the person willing to stand up when everyone else is looking for an exit. He started as a thief and ended as a legend, not because he followed the rules, but because he finally understood why they existed in the first place. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, the story of the B-Squad’s leader is a reminder that your past doesn't dictate your potential.
To fully appreciate the legacy of this character, one must look at the transition of the Red Ranger role from Jack to Sky, which is documented in the final moments of the season finale and further explored in the Power Rangers 20th Anniversary "Legendary Battle" and the subsequent comic book expansions. This transition remains a unique moment in the franchise's history, showcasing a rare instance of planned succession and character evolution that respects the audience's emotional investment in both heroes.