Buck Rogers in The 25th Century - Vegas In Space (1979)
Welcome to James Bond in space. The other one. The Glen Larson project that was another Battlestar Galactica. Grossly underrated? Or is it really as rubbish as almost everyone seems to make this show out to be? I picked this one 'specially, when I could have picked a Season 2 story which I favour most. Mainly for it's Star Trek & Erich Von Daniken influenced & new direction theme, minus Queen Ardala. 'Hard ' to believe, I know! Season one was a bit silly & yet I like it enough to enjoy, NOT EVERY EPISODE! Admittedly, some are a hit & miss, but one's like the one I'm about to blog on about, seem to keep me engaged, for some reason.
We begin with what appears to be a dog fight in space between Earth Defence Thunderfighters & a new model of Draconian Hatchet fighters. It's a combat simulation designed to train pilots in dealing with the new maneuverable enemy designs. Might as well be caveman Buck gives Wilma a lecture (fair enough) on how instinct in piloting a fighter is better than reliance on a computer, something that comes up, later.
Now to the main plot. Dr Huer is approached by a 'Moon mobster' Armot for help rescuing a kidnapped secretary, Felina Redding, in exchange he'll give himself up minus any amnesty, & all the corrupt computer crime data minus a gift-wrapped package with ribbon on top. She stumbled across a computer "code error" and for whatever reason makes her a target for crime-lord rival Velosi played by Richard Lynch (yes, baddie Dr Xavier from Galactica 80). What possible reason could a mass-murderer show such concern for one, simple secretary?
Why her? Why me, anyway?! Yeah....,why?!
Buck is happy with his new deadly mission, which involves such perilous dangers & risk, such as gambling, wine, women, & song. Yes, this is going to be tough one. 'A sacrifice.' But someone's gotta play poker at the expense of Earth Defence, right, Buck? Oh, the Humanity! Wilma doesn't come along for the ride, & mercifully, neither does Twikki, be-da-be-da-be gone, twit! Instead, Buck is lumbered with the equally gorgeous Major Landers. Oh, woe is me! *sobs*. Twikis' talking plate, jukebox, Dr Theopolis gives them gadgets for their dangerous mission & to D*sn*y in space they go, albeit one ruled by a tin-pot dictator..wait a minute....
After sneaking their way through strict space customs, Buck & Landers blend into the groovy Space-Disco atmosphere of this City in orbit. Major Maria Landers attracts the attention of Velosi at her cost. As does Buck by some 'pleasure' girl who was forced to stay against her will by Velosi. He says who can leave or who can't. You can checkout anytime you like but you can never leave, sounds familiar, Don? Before being the next to succumb to the 'Don' Velosi curse, she points out Buck being "mauled by that creature, there!" & that he must be cheating! All part of the plan, folks. Buck rescues Felina from some mind torturer. Complete with a stereotypical, Germanic sounding accent. After Buck does some torture of his own on one of Velosi' thugs with a not-so orange flavoured buzz pill. They split, complete with "mauler."
Twikki-dumb! Classic Buck girl. Mauler? In stores for Christmas 1979!
Okay, blog bit. This could easily be an episode of a cop show, private detective series from this era which is why I confess to liking this one. The obvious scene to remind us that we're still watching Sci-Fi is the space battle, as they're escaping, with the modified Hatchets that Velosi is obviously supplying the Draconians. Buck convinces Major Landers to use her instincts instead of a computer to blast them out of the stars. Velosi is obviously a sex trafficker amongst his long list of not so good deeds, if poor Tangie is anything to go by & almost Landers!
Ah, now the interesting point of the episode. The ultimate question. WHY does a crime-lord, no different to Velosi. Does a sacrifice himself for a lowly secretary? Felina. You are my daughter! She was a weakness he couldn't afford to let expose to his enemies, yet he kept her close. Behind, without her knowledge. But he screwed up by giving her a job at his firm, you've gotta love nepotism. Obviously, she's shell-shocked & can you blame her? What if it had been another secretary that stumbled upon the illegal "code error?" It doesn't take a brain surgeon.........Armot doesn't come across as your run of mill, outer-space mobster. Cesear Romero plays him too likeable. Noble, another Commander Adama. The Lorne (Bonanza) Greene version, of course. The Father-figure? Oh, well.
Major Maria Landers! Some spaceships. Rogers, Buck Rogers!
Despite it's reputation, this show seems to command loyalty from this geek of a blog/reviewer. This episode, like others, has an electronic, futuristic, Jazz/Disco sound in the decadent space city party scene. But, mercifully. I feel no need to get up & boogie! HOW on Earth does Earth progress from a nuclear dark age to an advanced interstellar Empire in just 500 years?! I love the special effects! :) So up there with the myriad of Star Wars inspired stuff of this era!
I like this one, sue me?
No copyright infringement. I just love Classic Sci-Fi!
Borgduck, aka Stewart,