Re: Why weren't the villains zapped?
 

It was a left over side effect of Zordon's connection to Specter. It allowed him to take out all of Specter's forces.

Re: Why weren't the villains zapped?
 

I think Zordon didn't think it was right to vaporize villains that didn't attack yet. It was one of his main rules for Power Rangers not to escalate a fight.

Re: Why weren't the villains zapped?
 

Zordon should have sacrificed himself in MMPR rather than risk the lives of teenagers. It just shows how selfish he was.

Re: Why weren't the villains zapped?
 

Good thought. But in this case it was risky. Due to the lack of control Zordon had with the ability. ...It might have failed.

Re: Why weren't the villains zapped?
 

Zordon was still stuck in his time warp in MMPR. The wave only worked with Zordon free. Which was only the case post the start of Turbo.

Re: Why weren't the villains zapped?
 

Zordon sacrificing himself in MMPR wouldn't have worked for exactly the reason that Goldar's Revenge stated. Lerigot freeing Zordon from his time warp in "Shift Into Turbo" made the Z-Wave possible so he could've done that then but I think he wanted a more concentrated blast which is why he had waited until he was trapped inside of Dark Specter's energy tube in order to sacrifice himself.

Re: Why weren't the villains zapped?
 

Zordon could have summoned Lerigot to free him at anytime. But he waited until there was a way to get home. It was convient for hm to hide in the time warp and continue to let his minions do his dirty work.

Re: Why weren't the villains zapped?
 

how could he though? We have no idea how long ago he knew of him and how well he knew about Lerigot's magical powers.

Yes he knew a lot about Rita and Zedd's forces but as the series went on he really couldn't do much to help out the Rangers since he wasn't as familiar with the evil threat.

He had no clue about Trey despite what he had claimed that the only way the Gold Ranger could know him and Alpha is if they knew him.

Re: Why weren't the villains zapped?
 

I agree with you this time Matt. Zordon would never do anything nefarious to anyone good. Zordon also would not hesitate to sacrifice himself for the greater good.

Re: Why weren't the villains zapped?
 

Zordon's Wave was a last resort if there was no other way to defeat evil. You don't go using that power lightly.