This is where it all began. Capitalizing on the popularity of Star Wars, with a lower budget than producer Glen Karson's Battlestar Galactica, "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" is catered to a television audience who loves the combination of sci-fi, action, and babes. Gil Gerard's signature role is Air Force Captain and astronaut of Ranger 3, William "Buck" Rogers, whose space ship is adrift after a cryogenic mishap freezes him, awakening 504 years later, in the 25th century, the Planet Earth is not the way he left it, a Holocaust having wiped out most of mankind, cybernetic beings restoring the world slowly, humans actually answering to them. Because the earth is badly in need of supplies in order to survive during its restoration, they want to negotiate with the Draconian empire in a trading treaty, but Princess Ardala, her second in command, Kane(Henry Silva, reeking of villainy, his character barely able to contain his disdain for Ardala), at the orders of the King of their planet, plan to attack planetary forces, using the guise of peace as a means to gain access under the shield. Buck, at first believed to be a spy for pirates (pirates have been circulating throughout the area), especially after a microtransmitter is found on board the Ranger 3, by Earth, soon wants to help them when he believes that Ardala and her Draconian people are up to no good. Buck, after he is drugged once upon the Draco ship upon being released from cryo-stasis, is sent to Earth so that the microtransmitter can give them coordinates to the planetary shield, with plans to attack the "inner city", the epicenter of the world where the planet's rebuild/restoration starts. Buck is introduced to Dr. Elias Huer (Tim O'Conner, quite pleasant, polite, and informative), who tells him a little about what has happened over 500 years, as well as, how Earth is rebuilding after the Holocaust. Col Deering (the foxy Erin Gray), a female commanding officer, at first, doesn't at all trust Buck, believing he is nothing but an untrustworthy spy, soon becoming attracted to him, more than a little upset when her interest is spurned (not necessarily because Buck isn't attracted to her, but for "outing" Ardala and her true intentions for Earth). A lot going on plot-wise in our introduction to the series, including Buck becoming friends with Twiki, a "midget" robot ("Bidi-bidi-bidi"), and sphere cybernetic robot named Dr. Theopolis (softly voiced by Howard F Flynn); carried around on a necklace by Twiki) , who accompany him on various adventures such as his journey outside the inner city, seeing the remnants of what was Chicago (visiting his parents' gravesite) with radioactively scarred mutant humans who try to hunt them down in a trap and on board the Draconian's finest ship when he attempts to interrupt their plan to attack Earth. Star Wars is an obvious inspiration for the series as Earth's squadron and the masked Draconian attack ships appearing as supposed pirate marauders engage in space battles. This is where Buck thrives, showing his skills as a combat fighter. The show plays off his "relic status", his slang and verbiage. Gerard's charisma and handsome looks are played to the hilt; he is certainly marketed on the show as a James Bond in Space. Anyway, his adaptation to a whole different century really was the hook for the first season—not to mention, his association with the cast, their chemistry together, and the various adventures he (and they) would be a part of as the series continued. The great voice of William Conrad (Jake and The Fatman television series) narratively introduced to us Buck's fate at the beginning of this official entry to the series and the one and only Mel Blanc lent his recognizable voice to Twiki. A revisit to this series over the summer will be quite a hoot; I'm really excited about it. In terms of Buck's initial mission, he certainly explores...just not deep space, but a completely different time. Pamela Hensley is delicious as the corrupt Ardala, scantily clad and eyeing her father's throne (her "galactic bikini" and horned helmet attire is an eyeful).
Review of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
