Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV Series) Escape from Wedded Bliss (1979) User Reviews

Buck Rogers: "Escape from Wedded Bliss"

[Wuchakk · 5/10 · 14 August 2017]

PLOT: Princess Ardala (Pamela Hensley) returns with an orbital weapon of mass destruction, threatening to obliterate whole cities on Earth unless she can wed Buck Rogers (!).

COMMENTARY: The notable elements are (1.) the initial return of Ardala from the pilot; (2.) Michael Ansara's first of three outings as Ardala's second-in-command, Kane (sci-fi fans might remember him from a decade earlier as Kang from Star Trek's "Day of the Dove"); and (3.) an entertaining "disco skating" sequence that lasts over 2 minutes highlighted by Elaine Nista and Nancy Morris. One of them is brunette and the other blond with the former being particularly jaw-dropping (the end of their routine offers all the evidence you need).

Another highlight is Tigerman's second of three appearances as Ardala's muscleman of limited intelligence (H.B. Haggerty; Tigerman's first appearance in the pilot was played by another guy). He has an interesting story bit revolving around his duel-to-the-death with Buck.

Unfortunately, the script is weak and so the story is generally dull, unless you're an uber-devotee of Ardala (Hensley). (I'm not, but she plays the part well and certainly has the requisite 'looks that kill'). Buck's solo dialogues with her are particularly tedious. Hensley would return to the series two more times as Ardala, all first season episodes.

Marry a hot babe - tough choice!!!

[coltras35 · 5/10 · 31 March 2022]

Poor Buck has a real tough dilemma in this average yet serviceable episode - watch the orbital weapon hit earth or marry Princess Ardala to prevent it from happening - the latter is a sure toughie, but life's a hitch. I know which one I would pick. Princess Ardala is too hot to turn down, even though she wants Buck just to do the loving and leave the ruling to her. You see, that's one helluva of a tough deal. Plus poor Buck will get a metal ring around his neck that will tighten in case he rebels against Ardala - and that will be placed on him when he marries her. But does he? You have to watch to find out.

The Return of Princess Ardala

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 21 November 2023]

Buck Rogers and Wilma are flying in the starfighters when they see a strange weapon in the orbit of Earth. The unsuccessfully try to destroy the powerful weapon with their pulsars. Soon Princess Ardala contacts Dr. Huer and tells him that she wants to visit the Earth Defense Directorate and the leaders. She explains that she has a deadly weapon capable to destroy Earth but if she marries Buck Rogers, she will call off the attack. However, Buck Rogers declines the offer and travels with Twiki in his motorcycle.

"Escape from Wedded Bliss" is an entertaining episode of "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" with the return of the sexy Princess Ardala. The plot is funny, with the sex drive of Ardala for Buck Rogers. The disco dance of skaters, typical in the 70´s, is hilarious for a practice in the 25th Century. The look of Wilma Deering to Princess Ardala in the reception is also very funny. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Escape from Wedded Bliss"

Neat episode

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 15 April 2011]

The wicked, but alluring Princess Ardala (deliciously played to bitchy and sultry perfection by insanely hot brunette knockout Pamela Hensley) returns with a weapon that can wipe out entire cities on Earth. Ardala demands that Buck Rogers (the always likable Gil Gerard) be turned over to her so she can marry him. Director David Moessinger, working from a blithely inane script by Alan Brennert and Cory Applebaum, relates the fun story at a steady pace, stages the fight scenes with an alarming lack of skill and verve (Buck's deadly duel with a ferocious Tigerman is uproariously awful), and adds some amusing moments of cheeky humor. The sound guest cast helps a lot: Hensley vamps it up with delightful aplomb as Ardala, Michael Ansara does well as Ardala's no-nonsense henchman Kane, hulking behemoth H.B. Haggerty makes for a suitably brutish and menacing Tigerman, and Alfred Ryder has a nice small part as paranoid forest-dwelling hermit Garedon. The shoddy (not quite) special effects, chintzy matte paintings, and a hilariously ridiculous disco dance set piece involving four folks shaking their groove things on roller skates further enhance the considerable kitschy charm of this episode. As a tasty extra bonus, Ms. Hensley looks positively scrumptious in several skimpy outfits that show off a lot of her fine shapely body. Another enjoyable show.

Ardala doesn't take no for an answer.

[BA_Harrison · 18 February 2009]

I've seen every episode of Buck Rogers from both seasons, and thought I'd written comments on all of them; imagine my surprise to discover that, somehow, Episode 12 from Season One—Escape from Wedded Bliss—had slipped through my net and avoided critique.

And imagine my horror when I realised that it was one of the episodes that I enjoyed least of all and that, in order to write a fair comment, I would have to watch it all over again! Oh well, the dirty deed has now been done, and here's what I have to say....

Wow, what a stinker!

Misguided Princess Ardala (Pamela Hensley) is still under the illusion that Buck (Gil Gerard) is the most genetically perfect male in the galaxy, and threatens to destroy Earth's cities with her alien pyramid weapon unless he agrees to become her husband. After a brief trip into the wasteland to secure vital information that can help him destroy the princess's space laser, Buck travels to the Draconian flagship where he is to be wed, but not until he has fought a duel to the death against Tigerman to prove his worth!

Apart from a hilariously camp disco-roller-skating sequence, and the really bad duel, which sees Gerard donning a leather girdle to hold in his gut, Escape from Wedded Bliss is an pretty unentertaining mix of lame comedy, lacklustre action, and plain stupidity. From Buck's inexplicable use of what looks like a WW2 motorbike (with sidecar for Twiki) to travel beyond the boundaries of New Chicago, to Tigerman's betrayal of Ardala (which seems to be instantly forgiven by the usually ruthless princess), this episode is simply dreadful.

And the lovely Erin Grey isn't given anywhere near enough screen time.