You've gotta admit, it takes some nerve to kill off your hero in the first episode. As the series opener, this explains (as well as any of the episodes do) the origin of Earth's war of nerves with the Mysterons. I feel kinda bad for Captain Black. Brown at least had some dialogue before he turned bad and was killed off. But Black's there for a couple minutes, the martians are attached, and now he's their evil puppet (no pun intended). No characterization. And what made them choose him for the role and not the two other guys in the Mars rover? Such a heavy fate left unexplained.
Regardless, this is a first-rate series opener. It perfectly sets the show's trademark paranoid tone, and for a kids show, this is fairly serious stuff. But it doesn't skimp on the action, and the pacing is excellent.
8/10
Regardless, this is a first-rate series opener. It perfectly sets the show's trademark paranoid tone, and for a kids show, this is fairly serious stuff. But it doesn't skimp on the action, and the pacing is excellent.
8/10
