Michael Bacon in VR Troopers Episode 1: The Battle Begins Part 1

"The Battle Begins, Part 1" introduces JB very well, even if it is a Ryan centered episode. There actually aren't many episodes where Ryan isn't featured as a main character, since he does the Flashback at the Korean Temple, thinking of his dad's lessons, but there are.
Ryan and him are shown as equals by giving them near identical bikes and motorcycle costumes. Oddly though he sits in the back of the car, when they go to meet the Professor.

He gets the win for Tao Dojo, while you normally save the last fight for someone who's the best fighter. (Maybe there's a technical reason for it too, albeit the karate tournament didn't really get into tactics. Also, it was 3-2, so maybe there was a moment where Kaitlin was the first fighter, possibly making her an equal, but it was probably Tao.

He's a mix of Zack/Tommy in terms of him being second in command and constantly beating bad guys, and has Billy's brains, giving him the equivalent of all Mighty Morphin Power Rangers' male characters, outside of Jason. He tells Ryan how VR works.


Kaitlin goes straight after a monster.
Editing error: Kaitlin says she'll distract the Ape Rocket Punch monster, but it's JB who runs straight at him.

JB happens to get close to her and Laser Lance Command.
JB tries to locate Ryan with the Professor's assistance after he disappears.

His character was not originally supposed to be in the series, as it was originally only Metalder based, especially if you've watched the Cybertron pilot with Jason David Frank and no Spielban footage. Kaitlin had an equivalent and Tao was still involved.

I'd assume the dog or the Kaitlin equivalent or Tao would've helped Ryan at the end of the episode of Cybertron.

No Rocket Punch Ape monster footage vs Kaitlin and JB though.

There's also a bit of Power Rangers knowing their powers without ever using them thanks to the knowledge given from their technology trope.

Also, I forget the next episode, but I would have JB go after Grimlord with Ryan resting.

JB can Han Solo, Ryan saying he owed him one.

I also wonder what was the status of the Grimlord's minions going through the barrier, since JB stopped a monster, but Ryan failed.