While short on science, this episode is packed full of action and good visuals.
When a Planetomic missile ("100 times more powerful than the hydrogen bomb") is spotted heading for the earth, Commander Zero of the World Space Patrol calls on Steve Zodiac, commander of Fireball XL5 to intercept the missile before it hits and destroys the earth. (Oddly there seems to be no earth defense systems in place to destroy any inbound missiles or even any ships in orbit that might do the job).
Fireball's first interceptor is destroyed by sound waves. Apparently there is a live crew in the missile! But a second interceptor destroys the missile, and soon Zodiac is off to investigate where the missile came from and who fired it.
They arrive on Planet 46, a desolate moon like planet seemingly devoid of life. Zodiac and Venus take Fireball Jr down to the planet to look around. Finding nothing on the surface, they fly their jet sleds into a cave. Across a lake of fire they spot a door. Flying across the lake of fire is pretty cool and we see a puppet sweat for the first time (I think) in TV history.
Zodiac and Venus are captured by a people called the Subterrians who put Venus in the next Planetomic missile that is fired at earth. So this time Steve cannot simply destroy the missile, he's got to rescue Venus first! Great jeopardy, great action. Why the Subterrians want to destroy the earth is never explained.
Oxygen pills are introduced for the first time in this episode as Venus and Steve are shown to be able to venture into space without need of space suits. Of course this is impossible, but what the heck. It's all fun. It also seems like there are a lot of strings showing in this pilot episode. Wish they would find the money to digitally erase at least some of them.
But all in all "Planet 46" is a rousing adventure and a good start to the series.
When a Planetomic missile ("100 times more powerful than the hydrogen bomb") is spotted heading for the earth, Commander Zero of the World Space Patrol calls on Steve Zodiac, commander of Fireball XL5 to intercept the missile before it hits and destroys the earth. (Oddly there seems to be no earth defense systems in place to destroy any inbound missiles or even any ships in orbit that might do the job).
Fireball's first interceptor is destroyed by sound waves. Apparently there is a live crew in the missile! But a second interceptor destroys the missile, and soon Zodiac is off to investigate where the missile came from and who fired it.
They arrive on Planet 46, a desolate moon like planet seemingly devoid of life. Zodiac and Venus take Fireball Jr down to the planet to look around. Finding nothing on the surface, they fly their jet sleds into a cave. Across a lake of fire they spot a door. Flying across the lake of fire is pretty cool and we see a puppet sweat for the first time (I think) in TV history.
Zodiac and Venus are captured by a people called the Subterrians who put Venus in the next Planetomic missile that is fired at earth. So this time Steve cannot simply destroy the missile, he's got to rescue Venus first! Great jeopardy, great action. Why the Subterrians want to destroy the earth is never explained.
Oxygen pills are introduced for the first time in this episode as Venus and Steve are shown to be able to venture into space without need of space suits. Of course this is impossible, but what the heck. It's all fun. It also seems like there are a lot of strings showing in this pilot episode. Wish they would find the money to digitally erase at least some of them.
But all in all "Planet 46" is a rousing adventure and a good start to the series.
