• Welcome! The TrekBBS is the number one place to chat about Star Trek with like-minded fans.
    If you are not already a member then please register an account and join in the discussion!

MeTV's SuperSci-Fi Saturday Night

"Aint Even Done with the Night," John Cougar
To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.
(#17 US; #44 Rock)

Is it just me or does this one get really underplayed?

As for the video, I think he could've done without the goofy background guys and it would have made for a better video.
 
I get what the background guys are doing, but I think John's movements are a little too energetic for the music.

I like when they spoof on James Brown, trying to drag him offstage in a cape.
 
"Play it straight?" In an '80s music video? Did you watch the Talking Heads yet? :lol:
Shit, I'm old enough that I still call John Cougar John Cougar, lol, so I def know that one.

I found this video which I think worked better, I think the official video is too up and close which is what threw me:
To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.
 
"Aint Even Done with the Night," John Cougar
This is a sweet song, that has a nice Summery sound to me. Makes me think of those times in high school when I'd swing by the school parking lot on a Friday night, where some of the kids used to hang out, looking for a certain redhead. John Cougar Mellencamp is one of those artists that a lot of people dismiss, but I like his stuff, and I liked him even better when he took back his real name and starting doing stuff that was more personal and important.

"Rapture," Blondie
I think I've mentioned before that Blondie never again rose to the level of their first album, and this demonstrates that. It's fun, and nostalgic now, but not great. Better than "Heart of Glass" or that other single that I can't remember the name of right now. They have stuff that was so much better than their singles.

"Once in a Lifetime," Talking Heads
A classic, of course, and so very 80s. It's nostalgic now, but more evocative of that aspect of the 80s that seemed like every song was a novelty number. :rommie:

"Don't Stand So Close to Me," The Police
Another classic. The Police had quite an amazing run back then, and could almost do no wrong. Speaking of my Sister, she really liked this song, too, and I think with good reason. :rommie:

"While You See a Chance," Steve Winwood
I really love this song, and this period of Steve Winwood's career in general. "Valerie" is my favorite, but this is one of those songs where just the opening bars can transport me back in time. Unlike the John Cougar song, this one has a Wintery feeling, but a good Wintery feeling. It puts me in mind of driving across the lonely Connecticut countryside with my friend, heading to see an obscure band or find an obscure bookstore or something. Strange the imagery some songs evoke.

I get what the background guys are doing, but I think John's movements are a little too energetic for the music.
Probably to disguise that he is doing such a bad job of lip syncing. :rommie:
 
John Cougar Mellencamp is one of those artists that a lot of people dismiss, but I like his stuff, and I liked him even better when he took back his real name and starting doing stuff that was more personal and important.
In the interest of general disclosure, in a case like this I'm using the name that an artist was operating under at the time...much as I'm sure fellow Hoosier John Mellencamp would like us to forget that he ever went by "Cougar."

I think I've mentioned before that Blondie never again rose to the level of their first album, and this demonstrates that. It's fun, and nostalgic now, but not great. Better than "Heart of Glass" or that other single that I can't remember the name of right now. They have stuff that was so much better than their singles.
"One Way or Another"? "Dreaming"? "Call Me"? "Atomic"? "The Tide Is High"? Alas, I hold their singles in higher esteem than you do (though "Tide" is the weak spot of that bunch for me). Anyway, it looks like this will be their swan song in these parts. They have one other single in the spring of '82 that barely cracks the Top 40, "Island of Lost Souls."

A classic, of course, and so very 80s.
Definitely. I remember my sister and I seeing this, pre-MTV, and not knowing what to make of it.

Another classic. The Police had quite an amazing run back then, and could almost do no wrong.
This was always one my favorites by them.

It puts me in mind of driving across the lonely Connecticut countryside with my friend, heading to see an obscure band or find an obscure bookstore or something. Strange the imagery some songs evoke.
Indeed..."lonely"? Have you ever driven across the California desert, my friend, or the state of Nevada? Even at its most rural, CT is packed pretty tight. We're a can of sardines here.
 
Last edited:
A classic, of course, and so very 80s. It's nostalgic now, but more evocative of that aspect of the 80s that seemed like every song was a novelty number. :rommie:
I remember my friend and I loved that video when we were kids just because David Byrne was so funny looking.
 
Remaking YORGA would be tricky, because what made the original fresh and different back in the 1970s--transplanting a traditional vampire to modern-day America, with a certain degree of dry wit and self-awareness--is practically its own subgenre now. And its once-shocking twist ending (which literally gave me nightmares as a kid) is pretty much par for the course these days.

I think another difference between Yorga & other vampire films is that they took big risks: no matter how correct the heroes were in uncovering the vampire's secret and going after him, in the end, everyone--heroes and villain--dies (the shock ending you refer to), with the unspoken suggestion that evil still "won" with at least one vampire left, or viewers would assume vampirized victims would pick up where Yorga left off (The Return of Count Yorga). That kind of all-around bleak ending is rare, and I'm not sure that would work today. However, Quarry's version was so self-assured and looking down his nose at everyone, that he was a standout. His Yorga seemed to enjoy torturing/mocking his opponents almost more than drinking blood.
 
In the interest of general disclosure, in a case like this I'm using the name that an artist was operating under at the time...much as I'm sure fellow Hoosier John Mellencamp would like us to forget that he ever went by "Cougar."
Indeed. He was young and talked into it by an agent or something. But then he grew up and took his real name back, which is something to admire.

"One Way or Another"? "Dreaming"? "Call Me"? "Atomic"? "The Tide Is High"? Alas, I hold their singles in higher esteem than you do (though "Tide" is the weak spot of that bunch for me). Anyway, it looks like this will be their swan song in these parts. They have one other single in the spring of '82 that barely cracks the Top 40, "Island of Lost Souls."
"One Way Or Another" is the one I was trying to think of. I like "Dreaming," "Call Me," and "Atomic" (although I didn't realize "Atomic" had been released as a single). "The Tide Is High" is, as you say, weak. I'm not familiar with "Island of Lost Souls."

Indeed..."lonely"? Have you ever driven across the California desert, my friend, or the state of Nevada?
Once. I flew out to Las Vegas and drove across the desert to the Grand Canyon. Vast, magnificent countryside, and very hot. Opening the car door was like opening the oven to check on the cake.

Even at its most rural, CT is packed pretty tight. We're a can of sardines here.
I'm picturing driving for hours on a small, two-lane road with tall yellow grass (or something) on both sides stretching to the horizon, with maybe an occasional house in the distance. I suppose it could have been upstate New York or New Jersey or something. We used to go on long trips.

I remember my friend and I loved that video when we were kids just because David Byrne was so funny looking.
And he used to wear those big suits, like he was drawn by Robert Crumb. :rommie:
 
The Incredible Hulk--
"King of the Beach"

KING'S BEACH
--David Beller runs to the aid of Mandy, who was hit by a car while handing out leaflets to the "King of the Beach" bodybuilding competition; to avoid police involvement, the driver gives Mandy money, and all seems settled, until David spots the limping Mandy suddenly walking as normal. David--not getting involved--walks away, with Mandy catching up to him, trying to justify her scam, and offer David a cut. David walks away, back to his job at the local King's Beach Café, where his new friend Carl Molino (hearing impaired)--works hard to eventually open his own restaurant. He only needs $1000.00. Carl's determination also stems from the need to prove to his boss (and everyone else) that he's not a "...big, dumb lump of muscle".

Mandy drops by, asking David to post leaflets, but wanting to avoid her troubles, maintains his distance, so she turns her charm offensive / string-pulling on Carl, trying to convince him that he--"fresh blood"--would be a guarantee to win the $3000.00 first prize in the King of the Beach competition. Carl takes notice of the prize, and Mandy's flirting, but still shows no interest. That evening, David listens to Carl trying anything to convince his doting parents that he's independent, and quite capable of running his own restaurant.

David: "I guess they must love you a lot, huh?"
Carl: "Too much. All my life, they hear for me, they talk for me, they think for me. Too much."
David: "Is that why you left?"
Carl: "They want me to come back. They figure everyone's making fun of their kid. It hurts them."
David: "What about you?"
Carl: "People don't make fun of a winner. That's what I'm gonna be."
David: "Are you out looking for more work?"
Carl: "Yeah. Painting storefronts doesn't pay much. I'm not too good at anything else. But I'm not gonna let them take care of me anymore. I'm gonna get that money! If I have to steal it, I'm gonna get it!"

At the local gym, Mandy continues to work on Carl, pushing him to usurp the current local bodybuilding star--appropriately named (for the town) King. Carl scoffs at her notions of some great future in the sport, predicting even one as popular as Bill Flowers, the so-called "King" will eventually fall and be lucky to even manage a gym, or become a bouncer in 5 to 10 years, bragging about his former fame. Mandy argues that if he invests his saving into the contests (including promotions), he would be a lock to win and triple his investment, which would allow him to open his restaurant sooner--or go on to compete for Mr. West Coast, Mr. America or Mr. Olympia. Finally buying her pitch, Carl gives her the $500 deposit fee for the contest.

Carl knows Mandy is a hustler--a glory seeker, but he reassures David he's not falling for it, but after a second thought (about risking his chance to open a restaurant) asks David to stop her from making the deposit.

David discovers Mandy is homeless--living concealed among metal barrels under the pier; Mandy knows David does not trust her, but the young woman--after admitting she would take 15% from his winnings--claims she's genuinely interested in seeing Carl succeed. Before Mandy can return the money, Rudy & Steve--the two men conned by Mandy's car accident scheme--show up, demanding the return of their payoff money. Mandy quickly cuts Steve with her knife and runs off, leaving the angry men to force David to produce money he does not have...by holding his head under the tide. Nearly drowning, David Hulks-out; the creature stops the men by hurling a pier support into their legs, then sends Steve into the ocean, and Rudy hanging from the pier ledge.

Hours later, David learns Carl (thanks to his absences) had been fired. With no money (including that still in Mandy's possession) or a place to live, Carl packs his bags, preparing to go back to his parents. David is also ready to leave town and offers his room to Carl, so at least he will be able to pursue his dream. Carl is touched by how much David will help him--

Carl: "I'm just not used to being treated like this. I really appreciate your friendship...but you still can't know what its like to be a freak."

Later, at Gold's Gym, as Carl trains, David notices King complaining (though inaudible) about Carl to two shady-looking men. Mandy returns--with Carl's money, still trying to prove her good intentions to David, going so far as to enlist his help in the management, training and promotion of Carl. Over time, with David & Mandy's help Carl trains hard--with the threatened, jealous King watching every step of the way....

King's trainer calls Solly Diamond (King's manager and local criminal), warning him about Carl, which sends the crook to pay a visit--

Solly: "Now, this is the King's third competition. I've managed to convince some pretty heavyweight sponsors to come around and take a look at him. If they like what they see, they're gonna put him in the big time. Big money--the whole works. Now, you're still young--but if the King doesn't break out this year, that's it. His career is over. He can't afford to lose. And with the time and money that I've invested in him over the years, neither can I."
David: "Are you asking Carl not to win this contest?"
Solly: "I would like Carl not to compete this year, okay? Out of respect for the champion."
David: "But he's already paid his entrance fee."
Solly: "All right, I'll see to it that he gets it back somehow, and next year, it'll pay off for him."
Carl: "I need the prize money this year!"
Solly: "I didn't know you were strapped. Hey, okay--count on me to tide you over. What do you need?"
Carl: "I don't want your money!"
Solly: "Really? Where do you think your entry fee came from, huh? Sweet kid, that Mandy. I don't know--real upset...some sad story about getting ripped off. So, I lent her the money with Carl's contract as collateral."
David: "I don't believe it."
Solly: "Except I have the right to call in the loan whenever I want, which I'm doing right now--you got 1000 bucks plus interest? So you see...I own you. Like it or not, I am ordering you to pull out of this contest!"
David: (holding Carl back) "Mr. Diamond, I think it would be a great idea if you left."

Solly makes a crack about Carl's hearing, then leaves. Hurt and angered at Mandy's duplicity, Carl still listens to her explanation--how she thought she was helping him--which angers Carl, as that's the been the "helpful" treatment he's had to endure all life long: no one bothering to respect the fact he has the ability to think and feel for himself. Again, treated like a freak. Carl brushes Mandy's excuses aside, telling her she will (eventually) find another meal ticket.

Broken down with no sense of controlling his own destiny, Carl is ready go back to his parents, when David suggests Carl treat his thoughts and emotions the way he does his body--exercising & using them at the right time for the best outcome. Carl gets the point, and considers another option: if he wins the competition, he will have the money to pay off Solly's loan & end the contract, and as he's going to be a restauranteur--not a professional bodybuilder--Solly's hold over him ends.

Competition day arrives, and so does a dispirited Mandy, meeting a cautious David--

Mandy: "Diamond asked me to talk Carl out of competing. He offered to give me Carl's contract back. I told him, if Carl comes back to me, it'll have to be because he wants to."

David appreciates her honesty, and sense to let Carl make his own decisions about the event--and any romantic feelings, which she shares. As the competition begins, Solly and his trainer plot to stop Carl from competing in the solo posing event, using the "emergency call" ruse. Suspicious, David investigates (leaving Mandy to make sure Carl is not distracted), and is grabbed by Solly's bruisers.

Good on her word, Mandy encourages Carl to continue, finally expressing her true feelings for him. While things are looking up for Carl and Mandy, David is not so fortunate--Solly's thugs using the cable connected to a weight stack (60 pounds) as a noose. As Mandy finds the crime-scene-to-be, the thugs allow the weight stack to lower on its own--strangling David. The thugs grab & beat Mandy--all combined to trigger a Hulk-out. Rushing the henchmen, he sends a medicine ball into the abdomen of one, and bends a weight bar around another. On stage, Carl wows the crowds, until a hushed silence catches their attention--the Hulk carries the unconscious Mandy, handing her to Carl and (as always) runs away from flashing cameras, and startled bodybuilders.

In the wake of winning the King of the Beach competition, Carl finally buys the building set to become his restaurant--

Carl: "So between the two of us, I figure we can make this a nice restaurant. Mandy agreed to kick in her 15%."
David: (pleased) "Heyy!"
Mandy: "And with his championship, we should get a lot of free publicity. But i'll never figure out how you got through that competition with all that chaos going on?"
David: "Yeah..."
Carl: "I turned off my hearing aid!"
David: "Hey, listen, you two be good to each other, you hear? And you my friend, you keep working on those muscles."
Mandy: (not aware of the "muscle" conversation between David & Carl) "But he's not going to compete anymore."
Carl: "You'll be back. Remember, we're your family."

David hits the road...

NOTES:

This is not a cure-related episode.

Jack McGee does not appear in the episode.

Lou Ferrigno joins Bill Bixby as the second TIH star to play more than one role in the series, but Ferrigno--unlike Bixby in "Broken Image"--is given an on-screen credit as a guest star.

Carl's "but you still can't know what its like to be a freak" had David pause for a moment, as he thought he does know what its like to be a freak...but he has the "luxury" of retuning to David Banner, where he's not judged or mistreated on sight, something Carl (from his perception) had experienced throughout his life.

If anyone had any doubts about the occasionally mentioned size of the Hulk, the split screen with Carl indicates the creature is a full head or so taller than Carl, who we can assume shares the stats of the actor.

Third episode in a row set somewhere in California, so David must feel fairly comfortable there, despite the Hulk-outs.

The weight stack pulley used to hang David was inventive--creepy, but inventive. That might be the first and only time the device has been used for that reason on film.

The National Register's cover story: "Secret Addictions of Hollywood's Sex Symbols" Yes, the trash merchants still up to the old tricks Banner spoke of in the pilot.

One of the real Gold's Gym franchises appears in this episode. Undoubtedly, the gym appearing on an episode of TIH--featuring a two-time Mr. America--gave the gym a wealth of free advertising when covered by the then-very popular bodybuilding media.

GUEST CAST:

As the Bixby teaser narration informs us, "King of the Beach" was Lou Ferrigno's (Carl Molino) first speaking role. Understandably, many 70s/80s audiences assumed Ferrigno also provided the voice of the Hulk, since Ted Cassidy & Charlie Napier were uncredited, but this was "Louie's" (as Kenneth Johnson called him) true debut as a full-on speaking actor.

Post TIH, Ferrigno was not quite through with fantasy--
  • Hercules (Cannon Films, 1983)
  • The Adventures of Hercules II (Cannon Films, 1985)
  • The Incredible Hulk Returns (New World Television / Disney-ABC Domestic Television, 1988) - featuring the first live-action version of Thor, and the first time two Marvel characters appeared together on screen (outside of animation)
  • Sinbad of the Seven Seas (Cannon Films, 1989)
  • The Trial of the Incredible Hulk (New World Television / Disney-ABC Domestic Television, 1989) - featuring the first live-action appearance of Daredevil
  • Cage (Cage Productions, 1989) - Not a fantasy film, but it starred Ferrigno and TV Captain America, Reb Brown
  • The Death of the Incredible Hulk (New World Television / Disney-ABC Domestic Television, 1990)
  • Conan (Syndicated, 1997) - "The Three Virgins"
  • The Incredible Hulk (UPN, 1996-97) - series regular as the voice of the Hulk
  • Black Scorpion (Sci-Fi Channel, 2001) - "Virtual Vice"
  • Hulk (Universal, 2003)
  • The Incredible Hulk (Universal, 2008)
  • The Avengers (Marvel / Paramount, 2012) - voice of the Hulk (uncredited)
  • Star Trek Continues (Dracogen / Far From Home, 2014) - "Lolani"
  • Avengers: Age of Ultron (Marvel / Paramount, 2015) - voice of the Hulk (uncredited)
  • Adventure Time (Cartoon Network, 2010-16)
Leslie Ackerman (Mandy)--
  • Project U.F.O. (NBC, 1978) - "Sighting 4021: The Superstition Mountain Incident"
  • The Twilight Zone (CBS, 1986) - "Lost and Found"
  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Syndicated, 1996) - "Trials and Tribble-ations" with Charlie Brill
Charlie Brill (Solly)--no one will argue that Brill's most popular and high profile fantasy work were his two appearances as villainous Arne Darvin in Star Trek's "The Trouble with Tribbles" (NBC, 1967), and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's "Trials and Tribble-ations" (Syndicated, 1996). Beyond ST, Brill's other fantasy work includes--
  • Blackbeard's Ghost (Walt Disney, 1968)
  • Wonder Woman (CBS, 1979) - "Going, Going, Gone"
  • The Munsters Today (Syndicated, 1988) - "Corporate Munsters"
  • Out of this World (Syndicated, 1990) - "Cowboy Kyle, Man of Granite"
  • Deep Blood (Filmirage, 1990)
  • Dead Men Don't Die (Academy, 1990)
  • They Came from Outer Space (MTE / MCA Television, 1991) - "Animal Magnetism"
  • Silders (Sci-Fi Channel, 1998) - "Lipschitz Live!"
 
Hulk: “King of the Beach”: I love how the preview opens with Bill Bixby informing the audience that the episode features Lou Ferrigno’s first speaking role. They certainly make the most of it, building the whole story around a Ferrigno-based character and his friendship with David. And it’s a lot of fun. Ferrigno gives a fairly good performance, and he has excellent chemistry with Bixby, considering that they’ve virtually never been onscreen together before (except in hallucinatory scenes in “Married” and “Metamorphosis”). Although it’s fitting that they mesh so well, considering that they’ve been embodying two halves of the same character for several years.

So for a pure gimmick episode, it works quite well, even though the plot is nothing to write home about. It’s worth it just for the chance to see Bixby and Ferrigno play off each other. There are a couple of technical glitches, though. In the first Hulk-out, when the Hulk is smashing through the supports under the pier, it’s pretty obvious that they’re just cosmetic and simply dangle there after he breaks them. And in the shot where the Hulk and Carl are facing each other, they position the Hulk about 8 inches higher than Carl (reflecting how much taller than Ferrigno the Hulk is supposed to be -- per "Prometheus" and "Bring Me the Head of the Hulk," he's an even 7 feet, while Ferrigno's 6'4") but you can tell from his legs that he’s simply higher in the frame -- and in the long shot, Carl and the Hulk double are clearly the same height.
 
I like "Dreaming," "Call Me," and "Atomic" (although I didn't realize "Atomic" had been released as a single).
My bad. Looks like I initially skipped it in the last summer hiatus due to plentiful competition and low chart position, and hadn't thought to return to it as part of a...

HIATUS OF 1980 FLASHBACK!!!

"Atomic," Blondie
To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.
(Charted May 17, 1980; #39 US; #1 UK)

I'm picturing driving for hours on a small, two-lane road with tall yellow grass (or something) on both sides stretching to the horizon, with maybe an occasional house in the distance. I suppose it could have been upstate New York or New Jersey or something. We used to go on long trips.
There might be stretches like that in the eastern part of the state, which I'm not as familiar with...I've just driven through it on occasion, mainly to get to Cape Cod, the 51st state, back when it was the ex and I's favorite vacation spot.

David Beller runs to the aid of Mandy
A likable urchin...it's different that she meets Carl via David rather than the two of them already being in an existing relationship when David shows up.

David walks away, back to his job at the local King's Beach Café, where his new friend Carl Molino (hearing impaired)--works hard to eventually open his own restaurant.
It's cute how we keep hearing about "the old man" who runs the restaurant, but we never see him.

Nearly drowning, David Hulks-out
-28:12.

Carl is ready go back to his parents, when David suggests Carl treat his thoughts and emotions the way he does his body--exercising & using them at the right time for the best outcome.
I know that it's the Lou Ferrigno episode, but I thought they were hitting the weightlifting theme a bit heavy...the speech about muscles, David's "deathtrap," the medicine ball....

As the competition begins
There was a lot of obvious schlong on that stage; Ferrigno played it modest with the black briefs.

As Mandy finds the crime-scene-to-be, the thugs allow the weight stack to lower on its own--strangling David. The thugs grab & beat Mandy--all combined to trigger a Hulk-out.
-05:14.

Carl: "You'll be back. Remember, we're your family."
They don't fall on that list, but more potential return visits never explored.

David hits the road...
In a generic LM, magically switching from a blue shirt to a turtleneck.

This is not a cure-related episode.
Just schlepping around with Lou!

Jack McGee does not appear in the episode.
Who needs him when you've got Lou?

Third episode in a row set somewhere in California, so David must feel fairly comfortable there, despite the Hulk-outs.
It is a damn big state.

In the department of other roles...IMDb told me that the little girl at the beach building the sandcastle went on to play the voice of Lucy van Pelt in a Charlie Brown series.

I love how the preview opens with Bill Bixby informing the audience that the episode features Lou Ferrigno’s first speaking role.
I vaguely recall this one being promoted a bit as well, though I don't have any specifics.

Ferrigno gives a fairly good performance, and he has excellent chemistry with Bixby, considering that they’ve virtually never been onscreen together before
Indeed, that really stood out to me watching it this time. Given the nature of their working relationship, they could just as easily have hated each other's guts, but if they did, it doesn't show here. ***coughsolokuryakincough***
 
Last edited:
"Atomic," Blondie
I actually had that album (the first time) on 8-Track. I played it literally to death, which actually wasn't that hard with 8-Tracks. It doesn't quite have the magic of that first album, but pretty much every track is a winner.

There might be stretches like that in the eastern part of the state, which I'm not as familiar with...
Somehow that sounds about right.

I've just driven through it on occasion, mainly to get to Cape Cod, the 51st state, back when the ex and I's favorite vacation spot.
Hey, you drove past my house (just past the gas tank, on your right as you headed South).
 
I thought you were up in Boston? We were down on 95/195. Swung up that way on a day trip once...went to the JFK museum.
 
I know that it's the Lou Ferrigno episode, but I thought they were hitting the weightlifting theme a bit heavy...the speech about muscles, David's "deathtrap," the medicine ball....

Well, at least they did not have David use lines such as "curl those thoughts! Pump that emotion! Gimme three sets! You can do it!"


There was a lot of obvious schlong on that stage; Ferrigno played it modest with the black briefs.

...missed that when originally aired, and I will not look for it now or in the future.

They don't fall on that list, but more potential return visits never explored.

And that's too bad, considering how well Bixby & Ferrigno worked together. The close feelings of their off-screen friendship was all over the episode.


In a generic LM, magically switching from a blue shirt to a turtleneck.

I wonder how many one-time-only LM walk-offs were shot for the series with Bixby or his double Frank Orsatti?


It is a damn big state.

It is but we've witnessed David high-tail it out of other large states after one episode (the New York-based "Terror in Times Square" comes to mind).

In the department of other roles...IMDb told me that the little girl at the beach building the sandcastle went on to play the voice of Lucy van Pelt in a Charlie Brown series.

Ahh. Interesting.

I vaguely recall this one being promoted a bit as well, though I don't have any specifics.

Interviews of the period, and I recall a local (L.A.) TV Times ad.

Indeed, that really stood out to me watching it this time. Given the nature of their working relationship, they could just as easily have hated each other's guts, but if they did, it doesn't show here. ***coughsolokuryakincough***

...or ***coughtinalouiseandeveryonecough***
 
^^ :rommie:

I thought you were up in Boston? We were down on 95/195. Swung up that way on a day trip once...went to the JFK museum.
Technically I'm in Quincy, right South of Boston-- but I was born in Boston and worked there for twenty-two years. Are you sure you don't mean 93? That goes right by the JFK Library, turns into Route 3, and goes down over the Sagamore Bridge. 95 seems like it would be longer, but I'd have to check. Also not sure about 195-- 495 maybe? I'm not good with roads.
 
No, pretty sure we went to Cape Cod via 95/195 in southern CT, through RI, not going particularly close to Boston. If we had gone a more northerly route, we wouldn't have gotten any closer than Providence, at which point the most direct way would have been to swing down on 195: Map. We went out of our way to go up to Boston from the Cape on one of our vacays.
 
Well, I don't know what episode of Land of the Giants MeTV would've shown if they'd kept going, so I'll just cover the remaining dozen episodes in original airdate (and streaming video) order, which means we start with "Home Sweet Home." This is a rehash of the premise of Lost in Space's "Visit to a Hostile Planet," where a couple of the travelers find a way back to Earth but end up in the past. This is done by way of making this a loose sequel to "A Place Called Earth," which originally aired just two weeks earlier, and having the castaways stumble upon the time travellers' ship from that episode, actually the Space Pod from LiS's third season.

But it takes a while to get to the time-travelly stuff, since much of the first part of the episode is taken up with Fitzhugh trying to trick people into keeping the pod secret (and the others shouldn't be nearly so gullible about his blarney by now, especially Dan) and with a dull subplot of a couple of giant park rangers lying in wait to capture the Little People. (This is another episode where the giants randomly have ordinary Anglo-Saxon names like Wilson and Jack instead of the usual "alien" names.) And even the trip-to-Earth stuff is rather dull; first there's a lot of bottle-show business inside the capsule, and then Steve and Fitzhugh end up in 1900 -- somehow they didn't expect that a timeship would take them to a different time -- and have to contend with the superstitious townfolk locking them up and wanting to burn them as demons or something. There's a lazy time-freeze deus ex machina to get them out of that crisis (although it does lead to a slightly amusing sequence where Fitzhugh robs a bank while all its denizens are frozen in time) and then it's back to deal with the rangers. For a story about something as momentuous as their return to Earth, it's really pretty boring.

For that matter, if the time capsule was just following a preset course, why did it go to 1900 New England instead of back to the future it came from, thousands of years hence? Given what "A Place Called Earth" established, that would've been its more likely target destination. There are also some odd oversights, like crew members constantly going off on their own without carrying walkie-talkies or any other equipment, which just makes it easy for them to get captured one by one. (You'd think that by now, they'd all routinely carry blades for cutting through giants' nets.) Also, this is yet another episode where Betty is not only absent, but treated as though she never existed; one or two of the plot beats about whether anyone can be spared to go searching for the missing others pretty much presuppose that there are only six castaways in all.
 
If you are not already a member then please register an account and join in the discussion!

Sign up / Register


Back
Top