Buck Rogers in the 25th Century - The Complete Epic Series

Back in my youth, I was a huge science fiction fan. Oh sure, I cut my teeth on Star Wars, but quickly found the old school Star Trek, Doctor Who and Space: 1999. I loved Battlestar Galactica, and fondly remember watching the subject of today's review with fondness: Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. So when I got my hands on the Galactica after many years and found that the show had aged pretty well, I had high hopes for Buck living up to the warm fuzzy memories in the back of my mind.

What a disappointment.

First let me sum up the show: "The year is 1987 and NASA launches the last of America's deep space probes. In a freak mishap, Ranger 3 and it's pilot - William "Buck" Rogers are blow out of their trajectory into an orbit that freezes his life support systems and returns Buck Rogers to Earth 500 years later. . . ."

With the Star Wars wave just about to crest, with a reasonably successful Battlestar Galactica on the air, and with Star Trek poised for rebirth just around the corner, Hollywood was hungry for any science fiction it could get it's grubby little hands on. Glen Larson's star was in ascendance, thanks to Galactica, and given a shot at reinventing what could potentially become a fan favorite.

Much like Flash Gordon, Buck is a timeless archetype as a space adventuring swashbuckler - a sure hit with the kids. Gil Gerard is perfect for that sort of roll - strong, ruggedly handsome, intelligent and charming. Erin Gray as Colonel Wilma Deering is the woman who launched a thousand prepubescent fantasies. By all accounts, it should have worked.

It would seem, however, that a successful producer and ideal stars in the midst of a Perfect Storm of science fiction does not a good series make. So what happened?

The series started strong, with a vaguely dystopian society where man had evolved into a race of helpless children governed by a committee of computers that looked like clocks. There was lots of interplay between the rebellious fish-out-of-water Buck and the strong willed Wilma. But as time went on, Wilma lost traction and changed into this unrecognizably demure, stereotypically female character. She started to return to form in the last couple of episodes of the second season, but by then it was too little, too late. The writers grew bored with the New Chicago setting and opened up Buck into the bigger world. In short, they took a fascinating premise and squandered it away.

Not that I didn't want the show to evolve. Eventually Buck would move out into the Bigger World, but not when he's backed up by really stupid scripts with stiff and wooden dialogue.

Then, in response to slipping ratings, the production team took the entire premise and threw it all out for second season. Suddenly Buck and Wilma were shipped off as part of the crew of the Searcher, on a mission to find the Lost Tribes of Earth. I'd wonder if there were twelve tribes, hoping for some kind of Galactica/Buck cross-over, but this would be far too witty and intelligent for the show writers.

Instead, we get Buck being mind-controlled by alien artifacts, getting turning into a goat, and totally ripping off Star Trek in a Cage-like episode where he winds up court marshaled thanks to some ancient video footage taken out of context. Meanwhile, Wilma takes off her clothes.

Oh, did I mention that the likeable supporting cast had been replaced too? We get an admiral that mostly ineffectual (when he's not stomping around shouting), a forgetful Doctor/Professor/Scientist that's mostly disconnected with the rest of reality, a Mister Spock in robot form without all the charm and personality, and Hawk a stoic laconic bird man warrior and the last surviving member of his species.

Is it any wonder that Gil Gerard looks more and more like he's only on the series because someone off screen is holding a gun to his head? As time goes on, it becomes more and more clear that Gil wanted off the sinking ship and that he was merely going through the motions.

Now don't get me wrong - while sticking with the show was like watching a slow motion train wreck that lasted thirty-one weeks, there were some good points about the show.

For starters, we have the guest stars. While I might have some unkind things to say about the main cast, the guest stars really bring the A-Game. We get an interesting list of guest villains in the form of Ceasar Romero, Frank Gorshin, and Julie Newmar - but sadly no Burgess Meridith. Markie Post and Richard Moll get to show up too (but not on the same episode) and Jack Palance, Roddy McDowall, Peter Graves and Ray Walston all get some screen time. There's Jamie Lee Curtis, Mark Lenard, Jerry Orbach, and Gary Coleman (probably in an NBC cross-pollination attempt). And any series that gives the nod to the old school must have some merit about it, and we get the biggest nod of all: the original Buck in the form of Buster Crabbe.

Then there's Twiki - ok, he's the post-Star Wars mandated Annoying Komedy Relief Robot, but he's freakin' Mel Blanc! Everyone I mention the series to remember him going BE-DE-BE-DE-BE, and I'm actually shocked that the producers managed to not go completely over the top when using him. The most outlandish he gets is when Twiki hooks up with a gold plated girlfriend version (complete with boa) who says - and I'm not making this up - BOO-TY- BOO-TY- BOO-TY.

Speaking of booty, I would be remiss in my duty, if I did not point out Pamela Hensley as the lusciously delectable Princess Ardala. Not only is she easy on the eyes (oh god, is she ever), but the chemistry and sexual tension between her and Buck really works. Sadly the character only showed up three times in the series run, but she made a lasting impression on millions of prepubescent youth across the nation.

There is an undeniable sense of campy retro fun about the series, but this novelty wears off by the time the first disc is over. Getting through all 30 hours is a real chore that only the truly dedicated or morbidly curious should undertake.

THE DVD -
Buck Rogers is presented in its original 1.33:1 full frame aspect ratio, with no re-mastering done whatsoever. The prints look dingy and washed out and the negatives look dirty, like Universal just took the broadcast masters out of the basement and just slapped them onto DVD without a thought.

I should also mention that there are two different versions of the pilot in existence. One o them was a theatrical release, and one was broadcast as the pilot on television, containing scenes not included in the theatrical release. The version of the pilot is the theatrical release, meaning the DVD subtitle "Complete Series" is slightly misleading. If I recall correctly, the new footage doesn't add much, but it does set up the remainder of the season - and it's just one more example of Universal's sloppiness in handling this set.

THE EXTRAS -
Not a thing. Not a bloody thing. Considering how much time and effort went into the Battlestar Galactica set, the studio should be ashamed. For the price they are asking for the set - about 90 bucks retail - this is nearly highway robbery.

THE BOTTOM LINE -
As a huge fan of seventies retro kitch and nostalgia, I really, really hate to say this - but considering the overall lousy quality of the show, the effort put into to the release, and the outrageously high price tag, you shouldn't waste your money, Leave the warm fuzzy feelings you had of the show as a kid live in the back of your mind undisturbed.