Seeing a boxing ring on an alien world
oh, brother. Seeing Dr. Smith with a robe that reads "Tiger Smith"
oh, dear. Seeing Dr. Smith boxing a midget alien that disappears
oh, the pain. Look, "The Deadly Games of Gamma Six" isn't quite "The Great Vegetable Rebellion", but it sure is ridiculous. Mike Kellin, a nice character actor who often shined in bit parts in movies, is an alien promoter, Myko, who tests John Robinson's bravery and strength by sending strongmen after him to test his mettle. Pleased, he offers John a chance to be the first Earth man to represent his planet in the "universe games" (yeah, such importance, such grandeur, that these games take place on a sparsely populated planet with no attending aliens, only seeing them televised across the universal television airwaves; clearly mimicking the Olympics). John wants no part in such a challenge, preferring to devote his time, duties, and responsibilities to other matters involving his family and their jobs working on the ship and chores needing attending to. Dr. Smith sees an opportunity to possibly get back to Earth (and riches) if he can talk John into accepting Myko's proposal but is unsuccessful. Reluctantly Myko asks Smith if he will instead represent Earth and the doctor, blinded by a chance to get off the planet and wealth that comes with the title of greatest in the universe, agrees! Yes, this is absurd, and it isn't a surprise that John will eventually get in the ring and ask to represent his planet, especially after learning that the losing opponent will have his world invaded/attacked. There's this "wheel of death" that is similar to Russian roulette except instead of a bullet from a pistol, the weapon fires a laser (so powerful it penetrates rock). John is able to talk Myko into facing him on this wheel teaching the alien a valuable lesson about judging a planet based on one particular human (Smith, not the highest quality representative of Earth). The overly silly premise does have a saving grace: the dynamic of John and Will's discussions about when and when not to fight. Will shows disappointment in his father, but John is right that there is a time and place when fists are needed, but he prefers to use his intellect instead of brawn. It's a pacifistic message that John proves accurately when Smith enters the bout, believing Myko will set up a fix for him to win without much difficulty (he hasn't a clue that the midget can disappear, much to his dismay when the bout starts
and finishes), feeling all along that there was more to the "deadly games" than met the eye.
I'll take any episode usually if it is centered on Guy Williams because so often he is overshadowed by Smith's screen time. Williams has great scenes with little Mumy, and you can see he knows all too well his boy is frustrated with his stance not to fight. His John is a brains-first scientist who doesn't like the idea of fighting anyone for money or fame. But, per usual, thanks to Smith, John must get involved, with the fate of his home planet hanging in the balance. "The Deadly Games of Gamma Six" might be of interest to fans of camp television, in the "Gilligan's Island" vein, but for anyone looking for a strong sci-fi story, elsewhere will be your destination. My favorite scene would have to be when John warns Smith repeatedly to quit pushing his buttons about competing in the universe games, charging towards the scoundrel when he doesn't stop (it's funny seeing Smith run like a wimp).
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