Planet of the Slave Girls: Difference between revisions
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* The pilots make their landings, and Danton grills Saroyan, who is clearly clammy and feverish. Rogers is quick to note this, and catches Saroyan before he face-plants into the hangar floor. | * The pilots make their landings, and Danton grills Saroyan, who is clearly clammy and feverish. Rogers is quick to note this, and catches Saroyan before he face-plants into the hangar floor. | ||
* After Saroyan is taken away to the [[Directorate clinic]], Danton identifies Rogers as being the one who interfered with a Directorate training mission. Before they get further into it, Deering arrives. Danton corrects himself after calling her by her first name, and in the ensuing conversation she confirms that Rogers had her permission to interfere | * After Saroyan is taken away to the [[Directorate clinic]], Danton identifies Rogers as being the one who interfered with a Directorate training mission. Before they get further into it, Deering arrives. Danton corrects himself after calling her by her first name, and in the ensuing conversation she confirms that Rogers had her permission to interfere | ||
* After Deering formally introduces Rogers to the chagrined Danton, the conversation switches the subject to Rogers' status as a member of the Defense Directorate, | * After Deering formally introduces Rogers to the chagrined Danton, the conversation switches the subject to Rogers' status as a member of the Defense Directorate. Deering makes the suggestion that Rogers head up one of Danton's defense-technique training sessions, and after Danton becomes incredulous at the suggestion, Deering's tone shifts: she orders Danton to introduce Rogers to his class, so that he may instruct them on 20th century battle strategy. | ||
* After Deering is told Regis Saroyan's name by Danton, she leaves. Further exacerbating the tension, Rogers stops Deering after he reminds her of drinks at [[Rogers' apartment|his place]] at 1900 hours, she replies jocularly in the affirmative: "You know something, Buck Rogers? I'll be there." | |||
* Rogers leaves the flight hangar after sharing a final, rhetorical question: "She's some kind of woman, isn't she?" Frustrated at being emasculated, Danton slaps a boom needle of Saroyan's fighter. | |||
* Deering and Dr. [[Elias Huer]] visit a feverish and delirious Regis Saroyan in his medical room. Huer shares with her that Saroyan's father, [[Tabor Saroyan]], is the governor of [[Vistula]] and notes that he'll contact the governor personally regarding his son's condition. Deering learns that other persons have been affected over the course of the last three days that Deering and Rogers were gone. Over 25,000 people in [[New Chicago]] have been affected, including cases cropping up in other cities. Most of all, the [[Computer Council]] has held off on a public announcement due to the more damning fact: the sickness has hit the Defense Directorate's pilot corps the hardest out of any other group. | |||
* After Deering asks if the sickness might be a deliberate action from an unknown party, Huer brings her to the [[Science Directorate]], introducing her to Dr. [[Mallory]], his assistant [[Stella Warden]] and the [[ambuquad]] [[Carl]]. A haughty Carl retorts that it also finds Huer "less than memorable," obliquely noting that Huer introduced them last. | |||
* Mallory reveals that, while an antidote to the poison has not been found, they have found the source of the poison, and have devised a means to test for it. To Huer's surprise, the source of the poison are [[food disc]]s, consumed daily by millions of Terrans. Deering questions how such a thing is possible, as food production and distribution is highly regulated by the [[Food Directorate]] to prevent such things, and Mallory does not have an answer for that. The poisoned individuals, while not deceased and thus have a modicum of health, have not fully recovered. | |||
* An exuberantly optimistic Mallory notes that with Carl's help they'll be able to find a remedy and return the pilots to full functioning ability in no time. | |||
* Meanwhile, Rogers lectures a class of Defense Directorate cadets, noting the use of [[football] in battle strategies. Danton comedically eggs Rogers on while his own cadets giggle and display incredulous immaturity during the lecture. Despite Rogers approach, the lecture degrades into a physical altercation that upheaves the lecture room, following examples of "sacking the quarterback," "clipping" and other types of tackles. | |||
* Summoned by the commotion that could be heard in an adjoining corridor, Dr. [[Theopolis]] and [[Twiki]] make their way into the room to see Danton have the final word—dismissing his cadets after ordering them to report to the hangar at 0800 the next morning—after tackling Rogers and forcing him into a rack of helmets, pinning Rogers underneath its bulk. | |||
* After Danton and his cadets disperse, Dr. Theopolis reacts to the display: "Two grown men fighting. How disgusting." Rogers explains that he was giving a demonstration. | |||
|-| | |-| | ||
Act 2= | Act 2= | ||
<!--{{quote | <!--{{quote | ||
|Princess Ardala|One of the king's [[star fortress]]es on its way to [[Earth]] on a peace mission. | |Princess Ardala|One of the king's [[star fortress]]es on its way to [[Earth]] on a peace mission. | ||
| Line 45: | Line 54: | ||
|attribution=Princess [[Ardala]] to {{buck}} after the [[Draconians]] revive him, {{BR25|Awakening|prose=Y}} | |attribution=Princess [[Ardala]] to {{buck}} after the [[Draconians]] revive him, {{BR25|Awakening|prose=Y}} | ||
}} --> | }} --> | ||
* | * In the evening, Dr. [[Mallory]] tells [[Stella Warden]] that [[Carl]] is running a nitrogen breakdown of the poison sample, and while they wait for the results he will go off to take a break. Warden supports this and agrees to watch Carl's readouts in the interim. After Mallory leaves, Warden plants a device inside of one of Carl's compartments, which begins its overload. | ||
* After Warden leaves the premises, Carl calls out for help, and Mallory quickly returns to Carl as he smolders and sparks like a Roman candle. "Too late. Good bye, Mallory." Carl then sparks and a scorched, smoldering hulk remains. | |||
* In [[Rogers' apartment]], Col. [[Wilma Deering]] and {{buck}} | |||
|-| | |-| | ||
Act 3= | Act 3= | ||
Revision as of 23:12, 23 April 2021
| Planet of the Slave Girls | |
|---|---|
| Season 1, Episodes 3 & 4 | |
| |
| Air date | September 27, 1979 |
| Teleplay by | Steve Greenberg Aubrey Solomon Anne Collins |
| Story by | Steve Greenberg Aubrey Solomon |
| Directed by | Michael Caffey |
| Episode guide | |
| Previous Awakening |
Next Vegas in Space |
"Planet of the Slave Girls" is the third and fourth episodes of the 1st season of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.
Synopsis
The majority of Earth's Defense Directorate pilot corps becomes incapacitated after consuming poisoned food discs. Capt. William "Buck" Rogers, Col. Wilma Deering, Maj. Duke Danton and Maj. Fields fly to the distant planet of the food's origin, Vistula, returning Governor Tabor Saroyan's son there to recover. While on the planet Vistula, they find that Kaleel has been building up a mass of brainwashed followers alongside a fleet of Scorpion fighters in secret, planning to use them against Earth's weakened defense forces in order to conquer the Earth. With Earth's defense force now heavily outnumbered 10-to-1, Rogers decides that he must destroy the attack fleet and rescue Deering, who has become trapped in Kaleel's mountain fortress.
Plot
His father is Tabor Saroyan, the governor of Vistula. I suppose I should notify him personally.
Just how serious is his condition?
It's his nerves controlling his voluntary muscles and motor coordination. They're deteriorating, just like all the others.
Others?
Yes. The Computer Council has ordered that a definitive statement to the general public not be made just yet. But so far here in New Chicago, 25,000 case have been reported.
When did all this start?
Three days ago, while you and Buck were gone. And another thing: this disease, or whatever it is, has cropped up in other cities on Earth, but here in New Chicago it's much, much worse... You see, what the Computer Council is trying to keep secret is its effect on our defense squadrons, for they've been hardest hit of all.
— Dr. Elias Huer and Col. Wilma Deering discuss the condition affecting Regis Saroyan, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century's "Planet of the Slave Girls"
- Capt. William "Buck" Rogers and Col. Wilma Deering perform a training flight run in a Thunderfighter, call sign Earth Recon One, returning to Earth via Stargate 4. Rogers feels disoriented after exiting the space warp, and Deering notes that it is a normal reaction to those who've experienced the space warping for the first time.
- After exiting, they come across a pirate attack on a Thunderfighter referenced as Scout Three. Its pilot, a young man named Regis Saroyan, is scared and sick. Over the distress channel, Rogers hears Scout Three's call for assistance.
- Scout Three's leader, Maj. Duke Danton, admonishes Saroyan for lagging behind and instructs him to engage in evasive maneuvers while the rest of the Scout squadron loops back for him.
- From Earth Recon One, Rogers shares his belief that Scout Three won't make it, and Deering agrees with the assessment. Between Rogers' piloting skills and Deering's shooting, they are able to fend off the attack, saving Saroyan at Danton's chagrin. Rogers surveys Scout Three's damage, noting that he sustained a hit on his starboard side.
- After Danton and Rogers get into a verbal tit-for-tat, Danton challenges Rogers to repeat his statements regarding "Funk & Wagnalls" face-to-face in New Chicago's flight bay. Rogers agrees while Deering, recognizing the voice, smirks silently.
- The pilots make their landings, and Danton grills Saroyan, who is clearly clammy and feverish. Rogers is quick to note this, and catches Saroyan before he face-plants into the hangar floor.
- After Saroyan is taken away to the Directorate clinic, Danton identifies Rogers as being the one who interfered with a Directorate training mission. Before they get further into it, Deering arrives. Danton corrects himself after calling her by her first name, and in the ensuing conversation she confirms that Rogers had her permission to interfere
- After Deering formally introduces Rogers to the chagrined Danton, the conversation switches the subject to Rogers' status as a member of the Defense Directorate. Deering makes the suggestion that Rogers head up one of Danton's defense-technique training sessions, and after Danton becomes incredulous at the suggestion, Deering's tone shifts: she orders Danton to introduce Rogers to his class, so that he may instruct them on 20th century battle strategy.
- After Deering is told Regis Saroyan's name by Danton, she leaves. Further exacerbating the tension, Rogers stops Deering after he reminds her of drinks at his place at 1900 hours, she replies jocularly in the affirmative: "You know something, Buck Rogers? I'll be there."
- Rogers leaves the flight hangar after sharing a final, rhetorical question: "She's some kind of woman, isn't she?" Frustrated at being emasculated, Danton slaps a boom needle of Saroyan's fighter.
- Deering and Dr. Elias Huer visit a feverish and delirious Regis Saroyan in his medical room. Huer shares with her that Saroyan's father, Tabor Saroyan, is the governor of Vistula and notes that he'll contact the governor personally regarding his son's condition. Deering learns that other persons have been affected over the course of the last three days that Deering and Rogers were gone. Over 25,000 people in New Chicago have been affected, including cases cropping up in other cities. Most of all, the Computer Council has held off on a public announcement due to the more damning fact: the sickness has hit the Defense Directorate's pilot corps the hardest out of any other group.
- After Deering asks if the sickness might be a deliberate action from an unknown party, Huer brings her to the Science Directorate, introducing her to Dr. Mallory, his assistant Stella Warden and the ambuquad Carl. A haughty Carl retorts that it also finds Huer "less than memorable," obliquely noting that Huer introduced them last.
- Mallory reveals that, while an antidote to the poison has not been found, they have found the source of the poison, and have devised a means to test for it. To Huer's surprise, the source of the poison are food discs, consumed daily by millions of Terrans. Deering questions how such a thing is possible, as food production and distribution is highly regulated by the Food Directorate to prevent such things, and Mallory does not have an answer for that. The poisoned individuals, while not deceased and thus have a modicum of health, have not fully recovered.
- An exuberantly optimistic Mallory notes that with Carl's help they'll be able to find a remedy and return the pilots to full functioning ability in no time.
- Meanwhile, Rogers lectures a class of Defense Directorate cadets, noting the use of [[football] in battle strategies. Danton comedically eggs Rogers on while his own cadets giggle and display incredulous immaturity during the lecture. Despite Rogers approach, the lecture degrades into a physical altercation that upheaves the lecture room, following examples of "sacking the quarterback," "clipping" and other types of tackles.
- Summoned by the commotion that could be heard in an adjoining corridor, Dr. Theopolis and Twiki make their way into the room to see Danton have the final word—dismissing his cadets after ordering them to report to the hangar at 0800 the next morning—after tackling Rogers and forcing him into a rack of helmets, pinning Rogers underneath its bulk.
- After Danton and his cadets disperse, Dr. Theopolis reacts to the display: "Two grown men fighting. How disgusting." Rogers explains that he was giving a demonstration.
- In the evening, Dr. Mallory tells Stella Warden that Carl is running a nitrogen breakdown of the poison sample, and while they wait for the results he will go off to take a break. Warden supports this and agrees to watch Carl's readouts in the interim. After Mallory leaves, Warden plants a device inside of one of Carl's compartments, which begins its overload.
- After Warden leaves the premises, Carl calls out for help, and Mallory quickly returns to Carl as he smolders and sparks like a Roman candle. "Too late. Good bye, Mallory." Carl then sparks and a scorched, smoldering hulk remains.
- In Rogers' apartment, Col. Wilma Deering and William "Buck" Rogers
Notes
- Originally aired as a 120-minute episode, but has been formatted as two 60-minute episodes 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 double-length episode should make this the official recognition.
- In the scenes where Dr. Elias Huer and Col. Wilma Deering visit Regis Saroyan, and later when they make their way to Dr. Mallory's lab, Deering is wearing a gold wrist watch on her left wrist, over her uniform's sleeve. This fleeting appearance of the 20th century-looking timepiece is never explained, particularly as it is distinctly out-of-place with her entire uniform. It suggests that this is either a costuming error, or part of a sub-plot that was either reshot or discarded during production.
- Ardala's launch is re-used as the shuttle heading to Kaleel's fortress in the Sea of Stone.
- The Galactica shuttle makes its first appearance in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, although it is by accident as it is inferred that this is the craft piloted by Maj. Duke Danton and Capt. William "Buck" Rogers in pursuit of Deering's abductors—although that craft is later revealed to be the two-seater Thunderfighter.
Analysis
- Earth's reliance on outside sources for vital supplies is an Achilles' heel that is continually exploited by enemies.
- The fact that Earth has little knowledge of slavery (or indentured servitude) is discordant with facts around this episode, particularly when it seems abundant in the galaxy. It is not only exemplified by the subjects of the Draconian Empire, such as Ardala's handmaidens, but other direct examples of it in various later episodes. For instance:
- Amos Armat is known for slave trafficking, according to Marla Landers (BR25: "Vegas in Space").
- The Ruathan envoy Mr. DeBronin (an ambuquad) is conveyed by his human subject in much the same way Twiki conveys Dr. Theopolis (BR25: "Planet of the Amazon Women").
- The illegal arms dealer Roxanne Trent uses Terran slave labor in the form of the deaf-mute Alicia, and goes to note that the only reason Alicia is still "employed" by Trent is because the Terran labor market is depressed (BR25: "Return of the Fighting 69th").
Questions
- Where did Wilma Deering get the gold wrist watch she carries, which seems out of place for her uniform?
- How did Kaleel come by his powers?
- What is Galen's story? How long ago did he defect from the Earth Defense Directorate?
- From what sources did Kaleel acquire his cache of weapons and Scorpion fighters?
- How did the Food Directorate not know of Kaleel and the slave labor, particularly as there have been 3 successive appointments of Tabor Saroyan?
Quotes
If you call that interference, there's something wrong with your Funk and Wagnalls.
I don't know what you mean by that, but how'd you like to repeat that in the flight hangar?
I'd love to.
So you're Buck Rogers, huh?
Since the day I was born.
Danton addresses Deering, who is standing next to Rogers.
I beg your pardon, Colonel, but, uh, he's no captain.
That's not quite true, Duke. While Buck has formally declined to join the Defense Directorate, he does help us out on occasion.
Danton addresses Rogers.
"Declined to join"? Now, why would a big, brave hotshot like yourself do something like that?
[Rogers replies matter-of-factly] I didn't think I'd like the company.
— Major Duke Danton, Captain William Rogers and Colonel Wilma Deering, (BR25: "Planet of the Slave Girls")
Well, we'd better get on our survival gear on.
Yeah. Otherwise, we'll look like a couple of brown-and-serve rolls at sunset.
— Duke Danton and William "Buck" Rogers after being forced down into the Sea of Stone by a power leech, (BR25: "Planet of the Slave Girls")
This thing itches like crazy.
Take it off if you don't mind getting third-degree sunburn.
You probably feel right at home wearing yours.
That's right.
I've seen pictures of people and how they dressed in your time.
Yeah, well, your half-baked 25th-century historians got things so messed up, they don't know the difference between a cowboy and a traffic cop.
— Duke Danton and William "Buck" Rogers head towards Kaleel's fortress, following the signal from Wilma Deering's contamination detector, discussing their golden-colored survival suits, (BR25: "Planet of the Slave Girls")
Brigadier Gordon and William "Buck" Rogers
Hey, nice double-teaming over there, whoever you are.
Gordon's the name. Thanks.
Have we met, Gordon?
I don't think so, Captain. We're from different times.
— Captain William Rogers and Brigadier Gordon during the Battle of Vistula, (BR25: "Planet of the Slave Girls")
Gordon, where'd you learn to shoot like that?
I've been doing that sort of thing since before you were born, Captain.
[surprised] You think so, huh?
Young man, I know so.
— Captain William Rogers and Brigadier Gordon during the Battle of Vistula, (BR25: "Planet of the Slave Girls")
Careful. Careful. The filament you're soldering is the precise weight and thickness as the one you're replacing. Be careful, Twiki. It was very difficult to make.
Get off my back!
I'm not on your back, Twiki. And please concentrate on what you're doing. If anything, I'm on your front, and I can't get off without your help. Where have you been coming up with such expressions?
My good buddy, Buck.
I should have known. It's hard to believe that Captain Rogers learned to speak on the same planet as the rest of us.
We're next, Twiki. [the launch channel's lights run towards them] Here we go.
[hits the throttle] Geronimo!
— Dr. Theopolis and Twiki take their first flight into a Thunderfighter (BR25: "Planet of the Slave Girls")
[spotting an enemy fighter in his sights] Eat lead, sucker!
Lead? What lead? Twiki, what are you talking about?
— Twiki and Dr. Theopolis in a firefight during the Battle of Vistula, (BR25: "Planet of the Slave Girls")
You ready?
Mm-hmm.
Deering flips Rogers over her shoulder
How's that?
Fine. Just fine.
Not too hard?
No. Oh, no.
Maybe I shouldn't have asked you to teach me judo until you'd fully recover from teaching 20th-century battle strategy.
— William "Buck" Rogers and Col. Wilma Deering in Rogers' apartment, (BR25: "Planet of the Slave Girls")
Other Quotes
I'm in danger! Assistance! Assistance! Danger. I am in danger. Assistance! Somebody come! Please! [Dr. Mallory arrives] Too late. Goodbye, Mallory. [Carl explodes]
— Carl attempts to attract attention after Stella Warden plants an explosive device inside of Carl, (BR25: "Planet of the Slave Girls")
Hey, creep, I bet you wear that mask 'cause your face looks like it's been through a meteor shower!
— William "Buck" Rogers as he and Duke Danton fight off nomads following their crash-landing in the Sea of Stone, (BR25: "Planet of the Slave Girls")
Cast
- Gil Gerard as Capt. William "Buck" Rogers
- Erin Gray as Col. Wilma Deering
- Tim O'Connor as Dr. Elias Huer
- David Groh as Major Duke Danton
- Roddy McDowall as Governor Tabor Saroyan
- Brianne Leary as Ryma
- Macdonald Carey as Dr. Mallory
- Karen Carlson as Stella Warden
- Michael Mullins as Regis Saroyan
- Buster Crabbe as Brigadier Gordon
- Jack Palance as Kaleel
- Felix Silla as Twiki
- Mel Blanc as Voice of Twiki
- Robert Dowdell as Galen
- Sheila Wills as Major Fields
- Don Marshall as Julio
- Diane Markoff as Female Pilot
- June Whitley Taylor as Leila (credited as "Woman")
- Borah Silver as Leila's husband (credited as "Husband")
- Michael Masters as Worker
- Don Maxwell as Guard
- Nathaniel Brian Wine as Technician
- William Conrad as Voice of Narrator (uncredited)
- Eric Server as Voice of Dr. Theopolis (uncredited)
- Directed by Michael Caffey
- Teleplay by Steve Greenberg, Aubrey Solomon and Anne Collins
- Story by Steve Greenberg and Aubrey Solomon
- Produced by Jock Gaynor, Medora Heilbron, Bruce Lansbury, Glen A. Larson, David J. O'Connell and David G. Phinney
- Music by Johnny Harris
- Cinematography by Ben Colman
- Film Editors - Michael Berman and Leon Ortiz-Gil
- Casting - Phil Benjamin
- Art Directors - Fred Luff III and Paul Peters
- Set Decorators - Victor Hugo and Frank Lombardo
- Costume Designer - Sal Anthony
- Harker Wade - Unit Production Manager
- Bob Bender - First Assistant Director
- Gerald T. Olson - Second Assistant Director
- Jerry Allen - Model Builder
- Ted Wilson - Carpenter (uncredited)
- Earl Crain, Jr. - Sound
- Dick Wahrman - Sound Effects Editor
- Chuck Arrigo - Special Effects Coordinator (uncredited)
- Peter Anderson - Visual Effects Supervisor: Universal Hartland
- David M. Garber - Miniature Effects
- Wayne Smith - Miniature Effects
- Bob Bralver - Stunts (uncredited)
- Gary Armstrong - Assistant Camera
- Kenneth Hale - First Assistant Camera
- Johnny Harris - Composer: Theme Music (uncredited)
- Stu Phillips - Composer: Theme Music (uncredited)
- Alan Brennert - Story Editor
- Anne Collins - Story Consultant
Related Subjects
References
External links
- Planet of the Slave Girls at IMDb
- Planet of the Slave Girls, Pat I at NBC.com
- Planet of the Slave Girls, Part II at NBC.com