UFO is the second episode out of thirteen in Benji, Zax, and the Alien Prince, the finest Saturday morning series made in the 1980s decade. It is also the only time we get to see Ric Spiegel (for some reason many websites misprint his name as "Rod Spiegel"...but unless 13 sets of credits are wrong in 14 places...it's RIC) in the flesh--guest starring as Harwell Thompson, the Antarian hunter who lures Prince Yubi into his trap and, from the vantage point of this observer, the second most dangerous of the hunters the prince encounters. The most dangerous will be encountered in episode 8.
Ric Spiegel, of course, is our Zax--heard, but never physically seen until he plays Harwell Thompson, this episode's villain.
The episode begins simply enough: with Prince Yubi and Zax playing checkers after Benji finds them a newspaper--but not just any paper: the Sweet Springs Gazette where Harwell Thompson has cleverly submitted a photo of an Antarian spacecraft (in this series, they are called "spacecraft") which quickly draws the attention of first Benji, then Prince Yubi whose curiosity regarding the possible existence of other refugees from Zanu's oppressive rule on Antars leads to find a way to go to Sweet Springs to check out this reported "UFO" sighting--and straight into Harwell Thompson's trap.
(spoilers really begin here)
The trap is sprung the moment we see Harwell's cipher--clear sign he is from Antars. He binds and gags our prince, then leaves the room to prepare the ship for departure.
Darah and Khyber are not fooled by Harwell Thompson's ruse and head straight to the hotel in hopes of capturing the prince. A race against time ensues with certain doom for our prince.
The series is off to a good and rather dramatic start! Christopher Burton's acting is completely on target and will remain so throughout the series. The entire ensemble, from Joe Rainer (Khyber) to Ric Spiegel to the smallest walk-on part on the street does a very believable job. And remember folks: this is 1983 Saturday morning television! Shows of this high quality were just not written for Saturday mornings in this time period!
UFO is dramatic, well-acted, and fun to watch!
And of course, we learn a little more about the planet Antars (this is the correct spelling of the planet--check your DVDs, folks!) and warlord tyrant Zanu. What more can you ask for?
Ric Spiegel, of course, is our Zax--heard, but never physically seen until he plays Harwell Thompson, this episode's villain.
The episode begins simply enough: with Prince Yubi and Zax playing checkers after Benji finds them a newspaper--but not just any paper: the Sweet Springs Gazette where Harwell Thompson has cleverly submitted a photo of an Antarian spacecraft (in this series, they are called "spacecraft") which quickly draws the attention of first Benji, then Prince Yubi whose curiosity regarding the possible existence of other refugees from Zanu's oppressive rule on Antars leads to find a way to go to Sweet Springs to check out this reported "UFO" sighting--and straight into Harwell Thompson's trap.
(spoilers really begin here)
The trap is sprung the moment we see Harwell's cipher--clear sign he is from Antars. He binds and gags our prince, then leaves the room to prepare the ship for departure.
Darah and Khyber are not fooled by Harwell Thompson's ruse and head straight to the hotel in hopes of capturing the prince. A race against time ensues with certain doom for our prince.
The series is off to a good and rather dramatic start! Christopher Burton's acting is completely on target and will remain so throughout the series. The entire ensemble, from Joe Rainer (Khyber) to Ric Spiegel to the smallest walk-on part on the street does a very believable job. And remember folks: this is 1983 Saturday morning television! Shows of this high quality were just not written for Saturday mornings in this time period!
UFO is dramatic, well-acted, and fun to watch!
And of course, we learn a little more about the planet Antars (this is the correct spelling of the planet--check your DVDs, folks!) and warlord tyrant Zanu. What more can you ask for?
