Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
01:00 Logan's Run
02:00 The Hulk & She-Hulk
Logan's Run. Episode 4 starts with a chase sequence. Logan, Jessica and REM (running from The City Of Domes and trying to find a place called Sanctuary) are being closely pursued by Francis and other Sandmen. Our heroes find an underground complex. The security is elaborate, but REM (being an android) can by-pass it and get them inside, while the Sandmen gather outside. The complex is home to a human called Lisa and two basic robots, whose duty is to take care of her. Lisa has never been outside the complex, and has never met people before. So, Logan and the gang befriend her as they try to outwit the waiting Sandmen and get to the bottom of the complex's mysteries.
It's a great episode. The story is basic, but no less powerful because of it. How successful the episode is depends on the acting talents of the very beautiful Lisa Eilbacher (one of my all-time favourite actresses) whose character undergoes a sexual awakening, of sorts, in the presence of Logan, and - as a consequence - becomes more of a threat than the waiting Sandmen. How successful the ending of the story is depends on how willing the viewer is to buy into the Fairy Tail aspects of what is happening. If you can take that leap, then the ending is somewhat epic and lonely. If you can't then it is probably a bit of let-down. Personally I was quite touched when, at the end, the girl let them all go and watched sadly as they drove off.
The Hulk & She-Hulk. Episode 15. Apparently, CBS wanted to revamp The Incredible Hulk in it's 4th season. They wanted less screen-time for the Hulk (because it was expensive) and they wanted to give Banner a side-kick, who drove around the country in a mobile lab offering him assistance. This, too, was to cut down on expenses, by giving the show a standing set. Thankfully these awful ideas weren't put into practice.
Sadly, however, the animated Hulk series of the 90s did undergo a substantial re-vamp for it's second season. The show's serious tone (and supporting characters) were dropped and the She-Hulk character (formerly a guest star) took centre stage. So much so that this 15th episode is more about her than Bruce Banner.
Several elements of the episode suck. The show's version of She-Hulk is heavily influenced by John Byrne's superb run on the comic book, which was once described as a comic book version of Moonlighting. In other words, it was funny, sophisticated and the character didn't take herself too seriously.
Unfortunately, the animated series fails to do this justice. None of the supposed comedy is funny, and Jennifer comes off as a jerk whenever she acts cocky and self-confident. It's also very annoying that all of her dialogue is underscored by hideous jazz music. So, in this way, the Over-The-Top and adorable Jennifer Walters: She-Hulk of the comics becomes annoying and embarrasing on-screen. Nice work, guys.
Bruce Banner, too, has changed. Gone is the angst-ridden mild-manner scientist of Season 1. Now we have a fairly muscular man-of-action, who can handle himself in a fight and isn't too bothered when he turns into The Hulk. Quite where they got this characterisation is beyond me. Season 1, at least, was faithful the the Dr. Banner we know and love. This guy is kinda bland.
The story, here, is nonsense and seems to establish the idea that Bruce and Jennifer drive around the country in a flashy red convertible having adventures. Yeah, right. I buy that. I wonder is that what CBS wanted to do the 70s series? Makes me shudder.
Logan's Run, The Hulk And She-Hulk
