Awakening

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Awakening
Season 1, Episodes 1 & 2
Air date September 20, 1979
Written by Glen A. Larson
Leslie Stevens
Directed by Daniel Haller
Episode guide
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Planet of the Slave Girls

For 500 years, Captain William 'Buck' Rogers has been miraculously preserved, frozen by temperatures beyond imagination. Now, in Earth year 2491, he is rudely awakened by the sinister forces of the Draconian realm.

 — Narrator

"Awakening" is the series premiere of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, aired as the first and second episodes of its first season. Following the success of the Buck Rogers in the 25th Century film, a television series was commissioned, and the theatrical release edited and retooled to act as the series' pilot.

Synopsis

In the year 1987, the United States launched the last of National Aeronautics and Space Administration's deep space probes prior to World War III later that year. On board Ranger 3 is a lone astronaut, Captain William "Buck" Rogers. However, the spaceship has moved from its planned orbit, and instead of being gone a few months, it returns to Earth 504 years later. Captain Rogers is placed in a deep hibernation by forces beyond his control, and remains frozen at the controls until the year 2491. The ancient lost ship is found perfectly preserved by fighter craft of the Draconian Empire, who fire on Ranger 3, then tow it to their alien flagship, Draconia.

After being revived, Rogers meets Princess Ardala and her ship's commander, Kane. Although Ardala is supposed to be on her way to Earth on a peace mission, in reality she is preparing to invade the planet, one that has long been the enemy of her race. They use Rogers, who still thinks that his entire alien encounter is nothing but a dream, by sending him ahead to Earth to discover the location of a safe corridor through Earth's defenses. The ploy works because of a microtransmitter aboard Rogers's ship that sends back messages with the corridor's location.

Rogers finally realizes that he actually has traveled into the future after meeting Earth Defense Directorate's Col. Wilma Deering and Dr. Elias Huer, but the Computer Council considers him to be a traitor when the transmitter is found on board Ranger 3. In an attempt to clear himself of a death sentence and execution, Rogers returns to Draconia and pretends to join Ardala and her army, in the process learning of the plans to invade Earth. Rogers decides that he must stop the attack, no matter what the odds. As the man from the 20th century prepares to make his move, he is held at gunpoint by Twiki and Dr. Theopolis. Rogers must prove his innocence to the two mechanoids before the attack can be launched.

Plot

One of the king's star fortresses on its way to Earth on a peace mission.
On its way to Earth? You mean you guys aren't... from... You mean, we're not... we're not on Earth? I'm definitely gonna need that aspirin.

  • A narrator recounts how William "Buck" Rogers survives into the 25th century, more specifically the Earth year 2491 CE.
  • Rogers is "rudely awakened by forces of the Draconian realm," after a squadron of three Hatchet fighters intercepts his ancient shuttle craft, Ranger 3. The Draconian squadron envelop the antiquity in a force field and bring it into range of their mothership, Draconia.
  • Rogers is in a medical compartment, revived by Draconian scientists.
  • Kane, Draconia's commander, reports to Princess Ardala on Rogers' miraculous recovery. Ardala demands an audience with the young man, stating that she'll make allowances for Rogers' lack of coherency from the revival process.
  • Ardala and Kane question Rogers, who is in a state of disbelief that he is aboard a spaceship, with creatures that are not from Earth. Ardala informs him that they're on a peace mission to Earth aboard one of the king's star fortresses.
  • Rogers attempts to move off his bed, finding that he is dizzy and in pain, seeing Tigerman, Ardala and Kane through blurred. He asks for an aspirin; Kane surmises that it is an anti-pain medication, which is administered in due course.
  • Ardala admonishes Kane when Rogers becomes loopy, although Rogers himself doesn't mind as he feels the euphoric effects of the drug.
  • After leaving Rogers in the medical bay, Ardala and Kane discuss Rogers statements as they walk Draconia's corridors. Ardala informs Kane that the United States of America was an empire on Earth centuries ago, with Kane replying that her tutors received their money's worth. Ardala replies that, as Kane is from Earth, he should know better than her. After the brief sparring, Ardala relates that she believes Rogers' story as the spacecraft, clothing and his mannerisms make sense in that context.
  • Kane presents his thought that Rogers is a spy placed in their path by the Federal Directorate, in order to gain their confidence in some manner and allow him the opportunity to search their ship for weapons. Ardala disputes this theory, but Kane quickly reminds her that they couldn't allow Rogers free reign, and she concedes that he should dispose with Rogers as he deems fit.
  • Tigerman accompanies Ardala back to her chambers, while Kane plans his next move.
  • In the hangar bay, a drugged and discombobulated Rogers is transported back to his craft by a gurney; Kane has him disconnected from the anti-pain medication, and he informs the captain that he'll be back on his way to Earth very soon. Kane notifies him that Ranger 3 has been serviced and re-programmed to take him home, and Rogers admits that it seems like he hasn't "been there in weeks."
  • Rogers believes he's had a great time aboard, and he has a great idea that they'd come along with him to Earth; Kane lets him know that they'll be along in a few days. He voices his belief that this is a dream, and boards Ranger 3.
  • As he performs his pre-flight checklist, Rogers tells himself that the "boys in Houston" wouldn't believe this story, and waves good-bye to a stoic Kane.
  • Ranger 3 is launched via the launch channel, and Rogers is impressed with the rapid light show.
  • On the bridge, Kane informs Ardala that Rogers has presented them the perfect opportunity to test Earth's defense shield; he re-iterates his belief that Rogers is a spy, and they'll let him through. Of course, a microtransmitter planted aboard Ranger 3 will allow the Draconians to know the precise path through the shield used by the Earth's military, which will serve as a guide map for her father's fleet.
  • Kane challenges Ardala, noting that she seems displeased at the potential fate of Rogers. She deflects, noting that she has the "strangest feeling" that she'll see Rogers again.
  • On full burn back to Earth, Rogers begins singing Frank Sinatra's "My Kind of Town" over an open communications frequency, intercepted by a Delta Section Operative monitoring Earth's defenses. As Rogers begins asking for landing instructions from Houston Control, she reports the "signing" to a befuddled Supervisor 14, who has the communications routed to his station.
  • As Supervisor 14 hears Rogers' rendition of "(Won't You Come Home) Bill Bailey," Rogers segues into another request for a re-entry vector. Believing that he is talking to Mission Control, he tells them to "get off your duffs and give me some info," which leads the Super to reflect that "it practically sounds like a foreign language."
  • An alert cuts off any further train of thought, with Rogers' Ranger 3 showing up on the Directorate scopes. With the craft headed directly into the planetary defense shield, Super scrambles the Intercept squadron.
  • In the lead fighter of the intercept squadron, Col. Wilma Deering requests coordinates for the inbound unidentified craft. She then directs the shield to be reduced to 100 miles, so that they may investigate.

Notes

"Awakening, Part II" title card on the syndicated version of the episode.
  • The opening two-hour episode is basically the feature film Buck Rogers in the 25th Century re-edited, with new footage to lead into the TV series. While there are subtle edits to tone down sexual innuendos (Twiki's quip of his "ball bearings" "turning blue" in the freezer aboard Ardala's launch), abrasive language, and an "act of violence" (Tigerman's kick to the gonads by Rogers during the final act), other scenes are either removed entirely. Of particular note was Joseph Wiseman's brief appearance as King Draco, which was completely edited out of the broadcast, although Wiseman returned to the series as Carl Morphus in "Vegas in Space."
  • The broadcast version of "Awakening" was released on DVD in 2013 as an extra on the Season 2 re-release. Over the years, fans have claimed of a missing scene in which Dr. Theopolis shows Rogers footage of World War III—in which civilization was destroyed—explains the causes of its destruction, and refers to "Anarchia" (the 25th-century name for the ruins of the old world, including Chicago, Illinois). This scene allegedly takes place during the 16 hours Rogers spends in the room with Dr. Theopolis, although no evidence of the scene — either in scripts, novelizations, or even as video materials released over the years — exists to corroborate this allegation.
  • Originally aired over the course of a 2-hour slot (the episode itself clocks in at 01:37:30), but has been formatted as two episodes to air in 1-hour slots (each episode clocks in at approximately 47 minutes in length) in most subsequent re-airings for scheduling reasons. While many guides list it as a two-parter, its initial airing and release on DVD as one full-length episode is an official recognition of this episode being a singular offering.
  • The first part of the episode streamed available for free on the NBC website is missing several parts from the original aired episode:
  • The titles and episodic credits differ from future installments, particularly with the use of white instead of a yellow color for the typeface.
  • The end scene, featuring Dr. Huer's and Col. Deering's visit to Rogers in Rogers' apartment, was filmed when the show went to series (likely filmed during the production of "Planet of the Slave Girls") given the presence of the smiley face on the dining monolith and the presence of Deering's more "informal" green-teal jumpsuit.

Language

  • Twiki's first Human word isn't English at all, but Hebrew: l'chaim. L'chaim is a toast "to life," and is said by Twiki after he gives Rogers refreshment during the interview with Dr. Theopolis.
  • Human pilots do not understand clock faces, as exemplified by Lt. Wrather's lack of understanding of a "bandit" (fighter) coming in from "12 o'clock high" (direction in relation to the ship) during the Pirate Attack on Draconia. This is a continuing theme throughout the series, particularly in the episodes "Planet of the Slave Girls" and "Return of the Fighting 69th."
  • Rogers' use of football terminology, such as "red-dogging," would later come to a head in "Planet of the Slave Girls."

History

  • Rogers' quip about "Greeks bearing gifts" is a nod to the Trojan Horse from the Trojan War. The offering of Draconia as a smorgasbord of the latest in technology for the humans reminds William "Buck" Rogers of this, although this lesson is lost to the sands of time as far as 25th century humanity was concerned.
  • The United States of America is known to Kane and Ardala, and the Federal Directorate seems to have patterned itself much after American and Western culture by the use of names, locations, and other concepts.

Continuity

Doctor Theopolis

Tigerman

  • Tigerman is clearly performed by two different people for reasons not explained on the screen. Up until Tigerman is removed from Ardala's chamber, Tigerman is played by Duke Butler. In the final scene between Tigerman and Rogers on Draconia's flight deck, H.B. Haggerty's Tigerman appears.
  • The scene where Rogers kicks Haggerty's Tigerman in the gonads is clumsily excised, and so the audience is left with an impression that he somehow succumbs to pain through a delayed effect of Rogers' attacks.
  • While Tigerman is killed by Rogers—who tucks a live Draconian bomb in Tigerman's belt, which later explodes after Rogers kicks him away (to explode off-camera)—Haggerty's Tigerman reappears in "Escape from Wedded Bliss" and "Ardala Returns."

Analysis

  • Beyond Earth's reliance on extra-terrestrial sources for food and water, Terrans have likely had help rebuilding by extraterrestrial forces and so it is entirely possible that extra-terrestrial forces have guided humanity's rebuilding. Later installments, such as "Cosmic Whiz Kid" show that Earth has been visited after the events of World War III with the abduction of child prodigy Hieronymus Fox while inside his cryo tube.
  • The events of the Holocaust are left deliberately vague, but are later visited with some considerable depth in "Testimony of a Traitor". There are nods to Russians by Rogers' himself during Wilma Deering's interception of Ranger 3, although the instigators are never stated in the series' run.
  • Dr. Elias Huer's note on personal data being readily available on every living person on Earth, not only to the Directorate but also to their enemies, eerily mirrors the privacy concerns regarding personal data prevalent in the 21st century. There are some outliers to this, including Rafael Argus in "The Plot to Kill a City," with limited information available on the assassin.
  • Huer also notes that Rogers is an anomaly, having literally come from nowhere—as Earth's history is all bust lost to time—and that he seems to be immune to the issues of personal data being readily available. However, what of the data already collected during Rogers' intense intake process following his recovery by the Defense Directorate? Would that information already be available in other databanks and information repositories, or was it somehow compartmentalized?
  • Rogers is fairly well known to both the Draconians and the Defense Directorate at this point, given Rogers' involvement in the whole affair—mostly beyond his control-which leaves to question what other threats exist. Many of these threats are touched upon in the series, ranging from criminal organizations to renegade governments, and even entertainment producers. Thus, Rogers continued existence as an "unknown quality" to the Directorate's enemies has a feasibility limit.

Questions

Regarding Earth

  • Aren't the shield borders adaptable, given that the shield's distance from the Earth is demonstratively alterable itself?
  • How far reaching is the influence of the Federal Directorate?
  • What sort of "black market" exists in Anarchia?
  • How do the mutants and inhabitants of Anarchia sustain their number, given all food and water are provided by off-world sources?
  • With the prevalence of habitable worlds in the galaxy, why do the humans not leave Earth for those planets whose biospheres are demonstratively sustainable?

Regarding Draconian Interests

  • Why do Draco, Ardala, and Kane believe Earth worthy of being conquered, considering that its survival is wholly reliant on extra-terrestrial support?
  • Why do the Draconians look like humans?
  • Why don't the Draconians simply conquer the other planets who are supplying the food and supplies Earth's citizenry requires?

Regarding Ardala

  • If there are 29 other daughters who can service the "needs of the Realm," as Kane put it, what makes Ardala special?

Regarding Kane

  • What prompted Kane to defect to the Draconian Empire? What was his role prior to his defection?

Quotes

William "Buck" Rogers and Col. Wilma Deering

I would suggest thoroughly searching her ship before you allow it inside your defense shield.
Wrather an insulting way to begin an alliance based on good faith.
Good faith is for bureaucrats and what gets you a city with a lid on it. I'd go up there armed to the teeth, full squadrons. Otherwise, you'll be sitting ducks.
[bristling] For a man whose expertise is allegedly five centuries old, you seem quite opinionated.
You're right. It's none of my business how you blow up your world. My generation didn't know what they were doing either.

 — William "Buck" Rogers and Col. Wilma Deering on the impending arrival of Draconia, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century's "Awakening"


No, no. I... I don't like that plan. It worries me.
[annoyed] Why?
[facetious] Well, you see, I'm scheduled for termination. If I miss it, I might get into a lot of trouble.
Buck, you are impossible. I'm offering you your life, and you're giving me practical jokes?
Well, see, that's the point: are you offering me termination of my termination, or are you just postponing it?
If you can prove that your story is true...
Let's go.

 — William "Buck" Rogers and Col. Wilma Deering on visiting Draconia to verify Rogers' story, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century's "Awakening"

William "Buck" Rogers and Theopolis

Well now, what an attractive man you are, Captain Buck Rogers.
Now look, I've been waiting 24 hours to find out where I am, who I am, who you are. Could I have some answers?
Certainly Buck, that's why I'm here... to answer your questions.
Great. Let's have it.
Well, you're Captain Buck Rogers, and according to your ship's log, you left Earth in 1987.
That much I know. Tell me what I don't know.
Well, if preliminary data holds up, it appears you have returned to Earth 504 years later. [Rogers is stunned to silence] You are now in the 25th century. [Theopolis notices Rogers' condition as Twiki returns with a liquid refreshment for Rogers] Buck? Are you all right, Buck? Did you hear me? Buck?
[still stunned] I think I will have that drink now.
[Rogers takes the drink, and Twiki offers his first human-understandable statement] L'chaim.

 — Dr. Theopolis answers William "Buck" Rogers' questions during Rogers' initial orientation, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century's "Awakening"

On Ardala

We owe you a great deal more than an apology, Buck. Especially me. I confess, I thought the Princess had you beguiled.
Well, I will say she had the nicest set of... horns... at the ball.
Yes, it was an attractive hat.


[looking out the window while smushing Rogers' face] Bidi-bidi-bidi. Uh-oh.
[readjusts Twiki on his lap] Eyes forward. You'll get star-sick.
Bidi-bidi-bidi. Buck, you're my kind of guy.

 — Twiki and William "Buck" Rogers after seeing Ardala's launch on an escape vector, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century's "Awakening"

Rogers Quotes

Look, I got attached to a lot of places, a lot of people, a lot of good times in another century, and it was all torn away from me. Now maybe there's no way back to those things I left behind, and then again, maybe there is. What I'm trying to tell you is, I'm afraid that if I put down roots here, I might have to go through it all again. Thanks, but no thanks.

Twiki Quotes

Cast

 

Related Subjects


References

  1. This name comes from the script, and is used as a descriptive term.

External links