In 2000, with Hercules and Xena winding down, two new shows were created in an attempt to fill the void. One was the Bruce Campbell vehicle, Jack of all Trades, the other was Cleopatra 2525. The shows didn't attract the viewers that their predecessors had, and were cancelled after the first and second seasons, respectively.
I had never paid much attention to syndicated television shows. To me they had always been dumb, late night entertainment, something to watch when there's nothing to do, but you're not tired enough to go to bed yet. Then one day, while flipping through one dull show after another, I landed on Cleopatra 2525. I was hooked.
But why? I was above this mindless entertainment, wasn't I? What led me enjoy a series by the same people who spawned Hercules and Xena? First of all, to be honest, the fact that the show revolved around women in form-fitting suits didn't hurt initially. Secondly, the show was basically Science Fiction, a genre I love, as opposed to Fantasy, which I'm less receptive to. In addition, I found that the very reasons I had avoided such shows might have been one of their greatest qualities. The fact that they're not taken seriously allows them to slip many things in under-the-radar', and most don't pick up on it because the figure it's just brain dead entertainment.
However, I didn't find it at brain dead all. There were, here and there, some wonderful and surprisingly original Sci-Fi elements and even, believe it or not, some good stories. Many of Cleo's writers have impressive resumes, and have worked shows such as Buffy', The Outer Limits', The Pretender' and Enterprise'. Remarkably well assembled for a syndicated show, I believe it had underlying themes and allusions that many failed to recognise. This is largely because they, as I had in the past, looked at these shows only superficially, not bothering to entertain the possibility that there was more going on.
The basic premise of the show is very interesting. Consider the fact that all three of the leading characters are women. Their unseen guide voice' is, in fact, that of a female. Mauser, the one male in our group of heroes, seldom leaves the base of operations, and attends to many of the housekeeping' duties, such as repairing equipment, etc. Another interesting note on Mauser is that he was formerly a Betrayer, a being who aids in the enslavement of the humans. Hel's personal arch-nemesis, Creegan, is also a male. There are some intriguing implications made here, and one can draw their own conclusions upon watching the show. Needless to say, the show examines gender roles and stereotypes.
All this serves as an example of the elements of the show that slip by, unnoticed by those who fail to examine the show beyond its surface. Cleo. 25 is very much a typical syndicated show superficially. Women in form fitting clothing, incessant comedic relief, and action strung along on a shoestring budget. Deceptively, under this lies some interesting concepts and enjoyable characters. The show does have it's fans, and you can running into them online is always a pleasure. Perhaps, by some strange twist of fate, we'll encounter Cleopatra 2525 again one day.
I had never paid much attention to syndicated television shows. To me they had always been dumb, late night entertainment, something to watch when there's nothing to do, but you're not tired enough to go to bed yet. Then one day, while flipping through one dull show after another, I landed on Cleopatra 2525. I was hooked.
But why? I was above this mindless entertainment, wasn't I? What led me enjoy a series by the same people who spawned Hercules and Xena? First of all, to be honest, the fact that the show revolved around women in form-fitting suits didn't hurt initially. Secondly, the show was basically Science Fiction, a genre I love, as opposed to Fantasy, which I'm less receptive to. In addition, I found that the very reasons I had avoided such shows might have been one of their greatest qualities. The fact that they're not taken seriously allows them to slip many things in under-the-radar', and most don't pick up on it because the figure it's just brain dead entertainment.
However, I didn't find it at brain dead all. There were, here and there, some wonderful and surprisingly original Sci-Fi elements and even, believe it or not, some good stories. Many of Cleo's writers have impressive resumes, and have worked shows such as Buffy', The Outer Limits', The Pretender' and Enterprise'. Remarkably well assembled for a syndicated show, I believe it had underlying themes and allusions that many failed to recognise. This is largely because they, as I had in the past, looked at these shows only superficially, not bothering to entertain the possibility that there was more going on.
The basic premise of the show is very interesting. Consider the fact that all three of the leading characters are women. Their unseen guide voice' is, in fact, that of a female. Mauser, the one male in our group of heroes, seldom leaves the base of operations, and attends to many of the housekeeping' duties, such as repairing equipment, etc. Another interesting note on Mauser is that he was formerly a Betrayer, a being who aids in the enslavement of the humans. Hel's personal arch-nemesis, Creegan, is also a male. There are some intriguing implications made here, and one can draw their own conclusions upon watching the show. Needless to say, the show examines gender roles and stereotypes.
All this serves as an example of the elements of the show that slip by, unnoticed by those who fail to examine the show beyond its surface. Cleo. 25 is very much a typical syndicated show superficially. Women in form fitting clothing, incessant comedic relief, and action strung along on a shoestring budget. Deceptively, under this lies some interesting concepts and enjoyable characters. The show does have it's fans, and you can running into them online is always a pleasure. Perhaps, by some strange twist of fate, we'll encounter Cleopatra 2525 again one day.