In the ’90s, the TV show Mighty Morphin Power Rangers became one of the most profitable children’s franchises in history, reaching millions of viewers and moving huge quantities of action figures. One of the quintessential children’s media properties of the era, the show became nearly synonymous with being a “’90s kid” and continues to hold nostalgic value for millennials.

But from a labor standpoint, the show was a disaster. As will perhaps come as no surprise to onlookers of the current Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes, the set was plagued by poor pay and actor mistreatment. The current Writers Guild (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) work stoppages invite us to reflect on the workplaces and employment arrangements behind the scenes of television and film entertainment — many of which, as the story of the Power Rangers demonstrates, are marked by bitter labor struggle.

The live-action superhero franchise was brought to America by creators Haim Saban and Shuki Levy under the banner of Saban Entertainment, and premiered on Fox Kids in August of 1993. It borrowed footage heavily from the popular Japanese show Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger, which was a part of the long-running Super Sentai series.