Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV Series) The Plot to Kill a City: Part 2 (1979) User Reviews

Buck Rogers: "The Plot to Kill a City: Part 2"

[Wuchakk · 8/10 · 10 August 2017]

PLOT: Buck is discovered to be an imposter by the Legion of Death, a group of super-powered assassins, but uses his wits to buy time in order to save himself and New Chicago. Meanwhile, Wilma flies back to Earth to do her part in vanquishing the evil plot to obliterate the city.

GUEST CHARACTERS/CAST: The group of assassins consists of Kellogg (Frank Gorshin), Sherese (Nancy DeCarl), Quince (John Quade), Varek (Anthony James) and Marcos (Robert Tessier). Barney, the likable thug is played by James Sloyan while Jorella is played by Markie Post.

COMMENTARY: Cheesy late 70's sci-fi or not, the comic booky story is compelling and the characters are well fleshed-out and portrayed. Fun-lovin' Markie Post stands out in her ultra-alluring red outfit (kudos to the costuming department). People forget how jaw-dropping she was in her prime and we thankfully have this episode (and Part 1) to remind us. The sympathetic story arc of Varek (the tall, melancholic assassin) is well-done.

Nancy DeCarl is thoroughly stunning as the super-villainess and her striking brown costume is reminiscent of The Enchantress from the Thor comics (again, kudos to the costuming department). Meanwhile Gorshin is effective as the cold, evil mastermind. Lastly, the story features some actual locations rather than the typical one-dimensional, flimsy sets (e.g. "Vegas in Space"). The matte paintings are unconvincing as usual though.

Satisfying conclusion to a worthy two-parter

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 13 March 2011]

The Legion of Death discover Buck Rogers' true identity, but he manages to avoid being killed by the nefarious gang of evil assassins. But can Rogers (the always affable Gil Gerard) stop the Legion of Death from destroying New Chicago. Director Dick Lowry, working from an engrossing script by Alan Brennert, relates the enjoyable story at a constant quick pace and stages the action scenes with a reasonable amount of flair and competence (a set piece with the Legion breaking into a power plant is especially neat and entertaining). The nice guest cast have a ball portraying the nifty array of colorful villains: Frank Gorshin as cunning Legion leader Seton Kellog, John Quade as portly telekinetic Jolen Quince, Nancy De Carl as lovely, yet lethal psychic Sherese, and Robert Tessier as hulking chrome-domed brute Marcos. The adorable Markie Post makes a favorable impression as the perky Joella Cameron, Erin Gray is in fine feisty form as Wilma Deering, veteran bad guy character actor Anthony James has a welcome and refreshing change-of-pace good guy part as Kellog's disfigured mutant bodyguard Varek, and James Sloyan contributes a hearty and amusing turn as wormy no-count rascal Barney. The climax with Varek stopping a meltdown from occurring in the nick of time is quite tense and gripping. The groovy-chillin' score by Stu Phillips hits the right-on funky spot. The lovably shoddy matte painting and variable (not so) special effects are a real cheesy hoot. A fun show.

Compelling 2nd part

[coltras35 · 8/10 · 2 April 2022]

In this 2nd part, an informant, who knew the real Argus, confirms that Buck is an impostor, and the Legion of Death eventually learn that Buck's an agent, and after evading death, he and Wilma are determined to stop the group from destroying New Chicago, by sabotaging the city's antimatter power plant.

The 2nd part is even more compelling than the 1st, with some nice twist and turns, a suspenseful sequence when the group break into the power plant - there's an excellent performance by Anthony James as a mutant and Markie Post wears one red hot number.

A satisfying climax to a fun tale.

[BA_Harrison · 31 March 2008]

Following Pt. 1's cliffhanger ending, Buck momentarily escapes the Legion of Death, but is soon recaptured. Fortunately, Buck has another card up his sleeve, and convinces the group that he is an assassin who has killed Argus, and taken his place in the hope of joining the group. This ploy works for a while, until a traitor in New Chicago informs Kellog (Frank Gorshin) and his cronies of Buck's real identity.

Joella (Markie Post) helps Buck escape once again, but Kellog sends his mutant bodyguard Varek (Anthony James) after our hero with orders to kill. Fortunately for Buck, it seems that Varek has a conscience and will not be part of Kellog's plan to destroy New Chicago: instead of shooting Buck, he lets him go.

Believing Buck to be dead, the legion high-tail it to Earth (it seems that the protective shield around the planet, as seen in the pilot show, is no longer working!) and blackmail an engineer at a generating plant (by threatening his family) into granting them access to his workplace. By sabotaging the anti-matter reactor they hope do obliterate New Chicago!

The second part of The Plot to Kill a City Pt. 2 proves to be just as much fun as the first, with Buck turning the tables on Barney (the criminal who sold him out to Kellog), an enjoyably silly scene in which the Legion break into the power plant, and an exciting climax in which Varek, no longer able to follow Kellog's orders to kill, turns against his master, and ultimately saves the day.

The Antimatter Power Plant

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 13 November 2023]

Barney rats Buck Rogers out to the Legion of Death, and the assassins interrogate him. However, Buck tells to them that he is the smalltime murderer-to-hire Aaron Wist, and Kellogg confirms his identify that was previously prepared by Dr. Huer. They let him go to meet Joella. But Kellogg's mole in the Earth Defense Directorate returns and informs that the spy is actually the Captain Buck Rogers, and the assassins hunt him down. Meanwhile, Buck is not able to transmit the location where it will be the attack of the Legion of Death in New Chicago. Joella finds that Barney has bought a fighter with the money he received from the Legion of Death. Meanwhile, the mutant Varek spares the life of Buck Rogers and shows his face behind the mask to him. He asks Buck to avoid the sabotage of the antimatter power plant to save the Earthlings from a terrible fate. Buck Rogers team-up with Joella and uses Barney's fighter to return to Earth. Meanwhile, the Legion of Death threatens the family of the Engineer Richard Selvan to gain access to the power plant. Will Buck Rogers arrive on time to save Earth?

"The Plot to Kill a City: Part 2" is the entertaining conclusion of the Part 1 of this show. The episode has funny situations, like Dr. Huer leading two agents that look like "Robocop" to fight the Legion of Death in the power plant. The rest the episode is like the other, funny, enjoyable, with beautiful actresses in tight or open clothes, and lots of fun. The redemption of Varek is also funny. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "The Plot to Kill a City: Part 2"