Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV Series) The Crystals (1981) User Reviews

Buck Rogers: "The Crystals"

[Wuchakk · 6/10 · 27 August 2017]

PLOT: Buck, Wilma & Hawk explore an uncharted planet seeking power-giving crystals for the Searcher whereupon they discover the greenish mummified remains of a humanoid and a beautiful innocent girl with amnesia (Amanda Wyss). The situation turns dire when the mummy comes alive and Crichton claims the girl will eventually morph into a creature like the "mummy."

COMMENTARY: This is perhaps the most Star Trek-like episode of the series, although it's not as compelling as most Star Trek installments (TOS, that is). The highlight is, of course, petite cutie Amanda Wyss who prances around in a flattering white toga the entire segment. Most viewers will remember Wyss from her role in "A Nightmare on Elm Street" a few years later (1984). In any case, she's impressive in this episode, sprightly and convincing, and the producers tastefully showcase her beauty.

The 'monster' looks like a cross between Marvel's Man-Thing and the Swamp Thing costume from the 1982 movie of the same name, although way cheesier. Wilma is appareled in a relatively loose jumpsuit uniform the entire episode, which might turn-off guys who prefer her usual skin-tight outfits, but it's nice to see the Colonel in something different. Thankfully, Twiki's original voice (by Mel Blanc) is restored after five episodes with the higher kiddie voice.

The Beauty and the Beast

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 20 December 2023]

The Searcher is adrift without fuel and only stabilized. Buck Rogers goes with Hawk and Wilma in a shuttle to look for crystals to power the Searcher on the uninhabited planet Phoibocetes. However, they stumble upon a mummy first and with a gorgeous young woman later and Buck calls her Laura. Wilma and Hawk return to the planet with a mining crew to explore the crystals from the planet while Crichton researches more about the creature. Soon he informs Buck that the creature is an evolution of Laura's shape, and she will turn also into another creature.

"The Crystals" is an episode of "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" where the seductor of female aliens meets Laura, performed by the gorgeous and sexy Amanda Wyss in one of her firsts roles. The arrogant Crichton commits a serious mistake in his researches that affects Laura, Buck and Wilma. Funny that she wears clothes and speaks English, but everything is possible in "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century". Good to see the return of sexy and beautiful guest starlets to the show. The return of Twiki's voice and chirping is another plus in the show. Wilma's costumes are not so beautiful as in the other shows. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "The Crystals"

Buck vs. The Alien Mumnmy!

[profh-1 · 7/10 · 22 May 2020]

The Searcher's power unit desperately needs recharging; without the crystals their sensors show can be found on the planet below, they may be stuck orbitting forever. (Shades of "Mudd's Women"!)

Down below, in a garden-like paradise setting, a real mystery presents itself. What is the connection between red energy crystals, a beautiful young girl with amnesia, and a menacing creature that looks like it stepped right off of "LOST IN SPACE"? Arrogant, egotistical Crichton eventually figures it out... but only after he admits he read the antique archive recordings on the planet completely wrong.

I think something happened this week. All of a sudden, they changed the uniforms of the Searcher crew, a huge improvement. They now look more "science-fiction jumpsuit" and less "cruise ship". Buck continues to wear civilian clothes, really emphasizing a 20th century man in the 25th century. At the same time, Paul Carr, who was in the last several stories in a row, has vanished. But here's the other good news. Mel Blanc returned to voice Twiki! Massive improvement. I liked when he sarcastically said at one point, referring to the snobbish, stuck-up Crichton... " I can't believe he's my SON!" Also, Wilfred Hyde-White actually seemed together for once, and not talking as if he was borderline-senile. This was the 1st time his character, Dr. Goodfellow, wasn't annoying. The story, while still a bit on the dull side, was a step up. Once again, this whole season feels like a trial-run for "NEXT GENERATION".

I think the strangest thing in this episode was, it looked to me like Wilma went thru 3 different hair-styles in one story. I guess that's a change from going thru 3 or 4 different skin-tight outfits in one episode the previous year.

It was like somebody looked at how things were going, and decided, "We need to FIX this, NOW!" They might have made it. But sadly, in another 5 weeks, it was GONE.

This week's guest-star was Amanda Wyss, who later appeared in such films as FORCE FIVE, FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, and BETTER OFF DEAD.

Buck vs the mouldy mummy monster.

[BA_Harrison · 18 May 2008]

Considering that The Crystals features a young Amanda Wyss (from A Nightmare On Elm Street) in a very short dress, and gives plenty of screen time to Erin Gray, it should be an absolutely unmissable episode, but with Wyss forced to spout some particularly ridiculous dialogue and Gray given an unflattering baggy jumpsuit to wear, it proves to be rather forgettable stuff.

In a plot that is rather reminiscent of Star Trek:TOS, Buck, Wilma and Hawk are sent to the planet Phibocetes to collect Thurbidian crystals which are required to power The Searcher. Once there, they discover a strange mummified creature that awakens to cause havoc, trashing their ship and stealing the crystals.

A little later on, and Buck also discovers a pretty young girl who is suffering from amnesia (Wyss). After comparing the girl's blood sample with that of the creature, Wilma discovers that they share similarities in their DNA. Chrichton, The Searcher's know-it-all robot, surmises that the girl is in the early stages of her life-cycle, and will eventually mutate into a mummy creature...

It's not often that I will say this about an episode of Buck Rogers, but this one was just plain boring, with a dreary plot, a hopeless monster (a man wearing a costume that looks like it's been made from a bit of old carpet) and a crap studio set swathed in dry ice.

The Mummy

[timmytony80 · 6/10 · 21 April 2019]

A very memorable episode. Highly watchable for the very creepy "boggy-mummy" if nothing else. In hindsight, can't believe they were allowed to air this, in 1980-81. Again, looking back, they must have shown caution in creating a somewhat rubbery, halloweeny mummy costume. Imagine going all the way on an 8 year old, ala' THE FOG or even Boris Karloff. And even still, I remember this ep. being very scarry. A very funny performance by AMANDA WYSS. Although, unintentional. But necessary in the light of a slimmy mummy running around accosting & kidnapping ppl. A few mistakes though. Buck defeats the mummy in hand-hand combat, even though the mummy ripps apart a door made of esp. strong alloys. Even for the very late 25th century. Also, Buck stays behind on a spooky, mysterious planet. Possibly, haunted by grotesque mummies. And Colonel Derring/Hawk not protesting. Or Hawk & a compliment of Searcher security police accompanying him. To end, this ep. is somewhat stimulating as it has a warped yet entrolling take on biology.

Interesting episode

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 18 July 2011]

Buck Rogers (Gil Gerard, likable as usual) and company visit the planet Phibocetes in order to gather thurbidian crystals for the Searcher. While on the planet Buck stumbles across a ferocious mummy monster (Hubie Kerns Jr. in a gnarly nylon outfit) and a lovely young lass with amnesia whom he names Laura (well played with disarmingly sweet and vibrant charm by the foxy Amanda Wyss; Freddy Krueger's first victim in "A Nightmare on Elm Street"). However, the mummy makes off with said crystals. Director John Patterson, working from an intriguing script by Bob and Esther Mitchell, relates the absorbing story at a snappy pace, makes good use of the misty-covered sylvan location, creates a reasonable amount of spooky atmosphere, and tosses in a few nice touches of humor. The mysterious link between the mummy and Laura is especially odd and compelling. Wyss' touching and impressive portrayal of Laura constitutes as a major plus; she makes a Laura a hugely sympathetic character who you can't but care about. Moreover, Erin Gray is in fine appealing form as Wilma and Thom Christopher does well as Hawk. A neat show.