Flash Gordon (2007 TV series)

Last updated
Flash Gordon
Genre
Based on Flash Gordon
by
Alex Raymond
Developed byPeter Hume
Starring Eric Johnson
Gina Holden
Karen Cliche
Jody Racicot
John Ralston
Anna van Hooft
Jonathan Lloyd Walker
Steve Bacic
Music byMichael Picton
Country of originUnited States
Canada
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes21 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers Robert Halmi Jr.
Robert Halmi Sr.
Peter Hume
Running time42 minutes
Production companiesFlash Films
Reunion Pictures
King Features Entertainment
Original release
Network Sci-Fi
ReleaseAugust 10, 2007 (2007-08-10) 
February 8, 2008 (2008-02-08)

Flash Gordon is a short-lived science fiction television series that debuted on Sci-Fi in the United States on August 10, 2007 and continued airing new episodes through February 8, 2008. It has also appeared on the British/Ireland variant of Sci-Fi and Space in Canada. The series was developed by Peter Hume, who served as executive producer/showrunner and wrote the first and last episodes, among others.

Contents

Plot

The series was loosely based on the comic strip of the same name and incorporated elements from several previous adaptations, following the adventures of Steven "Flash" Gordon (Eric Johnson), a twenty-five-year-old who lives with his mother and whose scientist father was lost in a mysterious accident when Flash was 13 years old. Flash's ex-girlfriend, Dale Arden (Gina Holden), is a television news reporter and engaged to police detective Joe Wylee. They meet Professor Gordon's eccentric former assistant, Hans Zarkov (Jody Racicot), when rifts in space appear, allowing travel between Earth and the planet Mongo.

Mongo is ruled by the ruthless dictator Ming (John Ralston), who controls "Source Water", the only source of safe drinking water on Mongo. Unlike the previous adaptations, he is only called "the Merciless" in closed circles and is publicly called "Benevolent Father". He also exhibits the traits of modern, media-savvy dictators, rather than the more simplistic, stereotypically evil characterization of earlier incarnations. [1] Also unlike previous depictions, Ming resembles a blond Caucasian human rather than a bald East Asian man. Ming's daughter, Princess Aura (Anna van Hooft), is disturbed by her father's brutality. The series adds a new non-Terran character, Baylin (Karen Cliche), a bounty hunter from Mongo. She finds herself trapped on Earth and becomes a comrade of Flash, Dale, and Zarkov and their guide to Mongo and its inhabitants.

The peoples of Mongo live in "cantons", tribal groups that echo the animal-human hybrids of the original comic strip. The cantons include the Verdan (based on Prince Barin's forest-dwelling people from the strip), the Turin (based on the strip's Lion Men), the Dactyls (the series' version of the strip's Hawkmen), the Omadrians (women who create powerful medicines), the Frigians (who live in the frozen wastelands), the Tritons (who live beneath the ocean), and the Zurn (painted blue "Magic Men" led by Queen Azura). There is also another group known as the Deviates, mutants whose ancestors drank "Grey Water" (toxic water) to survive. The Deviates are led by Terek, their unofficial king (later revealed to be Aura's brother) and are distrusted by almost everyone.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"Pilot" Rick Rosenthal Peter HumeAugust 10, 2007 (2007-08-10)
Flash Gordon thought that his father died in a fire 13 years ago. Actually, Professor Gordon disappeared through a "rift", traveling to the planet Mongo... and now something has come back through the rift, looking for a mysterious artifact that Gordon left behind. Flash is forced to team up with his ex-girlfriend, Dale Arden, who travels with him to Mongo to meet Ming, the planet's brutal dictator. When they arrive, Ming imprisons Flash and sends Dale to his harem to be prepared for his pleasure. In the end, Flash and Dale escape back to Earth.
2"Pride" Paul Shapiro Derick Martini & Steven Martini August 17, 2007 (2007-08-17)
Ming's bounty hunter, Baylin, is trapped on Earth and living in Flash's house. To bring Baylin back, Ming sends another hunter, who has a personal connection to her.
3"Infestation"Paul ShapiroMelody FoxAugust 24, 2007 (2007-08-24)
A dangerous insect travels through an errant rift and bites Flash's friend, Nick. Dale is left behind to tend to Nick, while Flash and Baylin travel to Mongo in search of a cure.
4"Assassin"Neil Fearnley James Thorpe September 7, 2007 (2007-09-07)
Flash is astonished to see his father come through the rift, but his joy turns to horror when Professor Gordon starts murdering his old colleagues.
5"Ascension" T.J. Scott Scott MurphySeptember 14, 2007 (2007-09-14)
Vultan, leader of the Dactyls, extorts Rankol into opening a portal to Earth, so he can find the son he lost via a rift a decade ago.
6"Life Source"T.J. ScottMelody FoxSeptember 21, 2007 (2007-09-21)
Athletes begin disappearing and someone from Mongo seems to be behind it.
7"Alliances (Part 1)"Grant Harvey Gillian Horvath September 28, 2007 (2007-09-28)
Flash, Baylin and Zarkov travel to Mongo, searching for information about Flash's father. To be continued.
8"Revelations (Part 2)"Mick MacKayJames ThorpeOctober 5, 2007 (2007-10-05)
Prince Barin of the Verdan agrees to marry Ming's daughter Aura. Ming is disturbed by a prophecy predicting his overthrow. Sam J. Jones who played Krebb in this episode also starred as Flash Gordon in the 1980 Flash Gordon movie.
9"Till Death" Morgan Beggs Lisa KlinkOctober 12, 2007 (2007-10-12)
Aura travels to Earth to drug Flash with a love potion, so that she may get out of the arranged bonding with Barin. Aura's plan works and she make Flash to fall in love with her.
10"Conspiracy Theory" Rick Stevenson Sheryl J. AndersonOctober 19, 2007 (2007-10-19)
Rankol has Zarkov kidnapped and brought to Mongo. A government agent named Montgomery questions Flash and Dale about the rifts.
11"Random Access" Patrick Williams David TynanOctober 26, 2007 (2007-10-26)
The barrier between dimensions breaks down causing rifts to randomly develop. Flash and Joe end up on Mongo working in a mine.
12"Secrets and Lies"Mick MacKayPeter HumeNovember 2, 2007 (2007-11-02)
Joe tries to convince his Captain that Mongo is real. Flash and Zarkov travel through a rift to prevent its detection. Ming secretly tries to start a war between two cantons to hide the fact that there is not enough source water to meet all promised amounts.
13"Sorrow"Patrick WilliamsMelody FoxNovember 9, 2007 (2007-11-09)
Honor Day is celebrated on Mongo, in remembrance of lives lost during an environmental cataclysm known as "The Sorrow". During the festivities, Ming orchestrates a brutal attack on the Verdan.
14"Stand and Deliver"Mick MacKay Gillian Horvath November 16, 2007 (2007-11-16)
Flash and the gang learn that the Verdan have become captured and are being sold as slaves. After Dale is captured as well, they learn that Ming is growing paranoid about a prophecy that he believes predicts that Barin will overthrow him.
15"Possession"Patrick WilliamsAndrea StevensNovember 30, 2007 (2007-11-30)
Joe sets off for Mongo with a rift blaster stolen from Zarkov's lab to secure photographic proof that the alien world exists. Flash and the gang pursue and encounter a witch who steals Dale's soul. Elyse Levesque, Christina Jastrzembska.
16"Thicker Than Water"Matt HastingsJames ThorpeJanuary 4, 2008 (2008-01-04)
Flash and Aura are kidnapped by a Deviate after he returns to Mongo with Baylin and Zarkov in search of the rift blaster that Joe lost. They need to find it before Rankol does.
17"Ebb and Flow"Patrick WilliamsSheryl J. AndersonJanuary 11, 2008 (2008-01-11)
Rankol steals a lake from Earth and stores it in a reservoir on Mongo. This forces Flash, Baylin, and Zarkov to return to Mongo. They are forced to make a tough decision, resulting in Joe's death.
18"Blame" Rachel Talalay Melody FoxJanuary 18, 2008 (2008-01-18)
Water that is supplied to the Cantons is found to be contaminated. This forces Flash and Aura to go on a journey to find an antidote to prevent a massive loss of life.
19"Cold Day in Hell"Pat Williams Gillian Horvath January 25, 2008 (2008-01-25)
Flash ventures to Frigia to free the cold region's queen and face the final test of the prophecy.
20"Revolution (Part 1)"Paul ShapiroJames ThorpeFebruary 1, 2008 (2008-02-01)
Ming sends his soldiers to raid the ice in Frigia, leaving the city unprotected. Flash and Terek rally the cantons in preparation for their attack on Ming's palace, with Rankol now on their side. Flash frees his father from Rankol's mind prison. Back on Earth, Dale and Mrs. Gordon are chased by Government agents and manage to flee to Mongo. To be continued...
21"Revolution (Part 2)"Paul ShapiroPeter HumeFebruary 8, 2008 (2008-02-08)
Terek's attack against Ming has begun and Ming enlists the help of Azura to repel Terek's forces. Dr. Gordon is reunited with his wife after 13 years. Ming is captured by Flash and Aura and brought before Terek. Placed in the death chamber, Ming escapes by utilizing the magic power of Azura's medallion. Flash's parents return to Earth but the others are left trapped on Mongo.

Broadcast

Flash Gordon was canceled in April 2008. [2] Re-runs of the show began airing weekly on ION Television on August 1, 2008. [3]

Reception

The show was not well received. Metacritic gave the show an average score of 35/100 based on reviews from 13 critics. [4] UK science fiction magazine SFX described episode 3 as "possibly the worst episode of anything, ever", [5] and as part of their 200th issue features, they named the series as the worst they had ever reviewed. [6] The New York Post gave the show 0 stars describing it as "a disgrace to the name of the enduring comic-strip-character-turned-movie-and-TV space hero". [7] Another UK science fiction magazine, TV Zone , in a review for episode 13, stated "the series continues to improve, and you start to see the meaning in the producers' madness - they must have hoped they could lull passing viewers into watching Sci-Fi with pedestrian, mainstream plots, before building up a world of Dune -like complexity...which might even have worked if the early episodes hadn't been so dire that no-one but reviewers are still watching". [8] When the show premiered in the UK, the magazine recommended it to readers, noting "you may well be wondering, considering the vitriol of our early reviews of the series, why we're picking out Flash Gordon as something to watch out for. Well, the point is that while the early episodes are dire...this is one series that does eventually—and we mean eventually—reward patience and endurance". [9]

Home media

In August 2007, Best Buy offered an exclusive DVD that included "The Premiere Episode", selected deleted scenes (with incomplete effects) and a gallery of series concept art. This release includes the truncated 65-minute version of the pilot, exactly as it aired on Sci-Fi four days prior. Subsequent DVD releases include the full 87-minute version of the pilot, split into two parts.

Phase 4 Films released the complete series on DVD in Region 1 (Canada only) in July 2009. [10] The 5-disc set features all 22 episodes of the series.

Mill Creek Entertainment has released the complete series on DVD in the USA in April 2013. [11]

In other media

CD releases

In February 2014, Perseverance Records released a CD containing selected cues by composer Michael Picton. A second album was released in May, with the final volume scheduled for later in the year.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flash Gordon</span> Comic strip character created 1934

Flash Gordon is the protagonist of a space adventure comic strip created and originally drawn by Alex Raymond. First published January 7, 1934, the strip was inspired by, and created to compete with, the already established Buck Rogers adventure strip.

<i>Flash Gordon</i> (serial) 1936 film serial

Flash Gordon is a 1936 superhero serial film. Presented in 13 chapters, it is the first screen adventure for Flash Gordon, the comic-strip character created by Alex Raymond in 1934. It presents the story of Gordon's visit to the planet Mongo and his encounters with the evil Emperor Ming the Merciless. Buster Crabbe, Jean Rogers, Charles Middleton, Priscilla Lawson and Frank Shannon portray the film's central characters. In 1996, Flash Gordon was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dale Arden</span> Fictional character appearing in Flash Gordon

Dale Arden is a fictional character, the fellow adventurer and love interest of Flash Gordon and a prototypic heroine for later female characters, including Princess Leia and Padmé Amidala in Star Wars. Flash, Dale and Dr. Hans Zarkov fight together against Ming the Merciless.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mongo (fictional planet)</span> Primary setting of the Flash Gordon franchise

Mongo is a fictional planet where the comic strip of Flash Gordon takes place. Mongo was created by the comics artist Alex Raymond in 1934, with the assistance of Raymond's ghostwriter Don Moore. Mongo is depicted as being ruled by a usurper named Ming the Merciless, who is shown as a harsh and oppressive dictator.

<i>Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe</i> 1940 US film serial directed by Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor

Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe is a 1940 American black-and-white science-fiction 12-chapter movie serial from Universal Pictures, produced by Henry MacRae and co-directed by Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor. The serial stars Buster Crabbe, Carol Hughes, Charles B. Middleton, Frank Shannon, and Roland Drew. It was written by George H. Plympton, Basil Dickey, and Barry Shipman, and was adapted from Alex Raymond's syndicated newspaper comic strip of the same name from King Features Syndicate. Shown theatrically in 12 separate weekly "chapters", it was the last of the three Universal Flash Gordon serials made between 1936 and 1940.

Dr. Hans Zarkov is a fictional character appearing in the Flash Gordon comic strip and the following serials, films, television shows and comic books. Zarkov is a brilliant scientist who creates a rocket and forces Flash and Dale Arden to come with him to the planet Mongo, and fight against Ming the Merciless. In the original comic strip, he was first thought to have died when his ship crashed into the planet Mongo. It is later revealed that Ming's minions pulled him out of the wreckage. Zarkov's character in the 1980s DC comic was handled the same way.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ming the Merciless</span> Flash Gordon character

Ming the Merciless is a fictional character who first appeared in the Flash Gordon comic strip in 1934. He has since been the main villain of the strip and its related movie serials, television series and film adaptation. Ming is depicted as a ruthless tyrant who rules the planet Mongo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Vultan</span> Fictional character appearing in Flash Gordon

Prince Vultan is a fictional character in the Flash Gordon comic strip and its adaptations. Vultan is the ruler of the Winged Bird-Men, a race of flying extraterrestrials who dwell in Sky City, a metropolis that floats in the sky. He fits the archetype of the Viking: strong, hearty, and with a great appetite for life, food, drink, and women.

<i>Flash Gordons Trip to Mars</i> 1938 film

Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars is a 1938 Universal Pictures 15–chapter science-fiction movie serial based on the syndicated newspaper comic strip Flash Gordon. It is the second of the three Flash Gordon serials made by Universal between 1936 and 1940. The main cast from the first serial reprise their roles: Buster Crabbe as Flash Gordon, Jean Rogers as Dale Arden, Frank Shannon as Dr. Alexis Zarkov, Charles B. Middleton as Ming the Merciless, and Richard Alexander as Prince Barin. Also in the principal cast are Beatrice Roberts as Queen Azura, Donald Kerr as Happy Hapgood, Montague Shaw as the Clay King, and Wheeler Oakman as Ming's chief henchman. The serial was followed by Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (1940).

<i>Defenders of the Earth</i> 1986 animated television series

Defenders of the Earth is an American animated television series produced in 1986, featuring characters from three comic strips distributed by King Features Syndicate—Flash Gordon, The Phantom, Mandrake the Magician, and Mandrake's assistant Lothar—opposing Ming the Merciless in the year 2015. Supporting characters include their children Rick Gordon, L.J., Kshin, and Jedda Walker.

<i>Flesh Gordon</i> 1974 film

Flesh Gordon is a 1974 American superhero sex comedy feature film serving as a spoof of Universal Pictures's first Flash Gordon serial films from the 1930s. The film was produced by Walter R. Cichy, Bill Osco, and Howard Ziehm. It was co-directed by Ziehm and Michael Benveniste, who also wrote the screenplay. The cast includes Gregory Loquist, Suzanne Fields, John Hoyt and William Dennis Hunt. It was distributed by Mammoth Films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princess Aura</span> Fictional character appearing in Flash Gordon

Princess Aura is a fictional character in the Flash Gordon comic strips and serials. She has been portrayed by various actresses in the many Flash Gordon adaptations in film and television.

Prince Barin is a character in the Flash Gordon stories. He is king of a region of Mongo called Arboria. Barin becomes one of Flash's best friends, and is deeply in love with Princess Aura. In his appearance, Barin resembles the character of Robin Hood.

<i>Flash Gordon</i> (film) 1980 film by Mike Hodges

Flash Gordon is a 1980 space opera superhero film directed by Mike Hodges, based on the King Features comic strip of the same name created by Alex Raymond. The film stars Sam J. Jones in the title role, Melody Anderson, Ornella Muti, Max von Sydow and Topol, with Timothy Dalton, Mariangela Melato, Brian Blessed and Peter Wyngarde in supporting roles. The film follows star football quarterback Flash Gordon (Jones) and his allies Dale Arden (Anderson) and Hans Zarkov (Topol) as they unite the warring factions of the planet Mongo against the oppression of Ming the Merciless, who is intent on destroying Earth.

<i>Flash Gordon</i> (1996 TV series) American animated superhero television series

Flash Gordon is a 1996 animated television series based on the sci-fi comic strip of the same name. The character, who had been around in the comics pages since Alex Raymond created him in 1934, had recently starred in several film serials, a 1980 feature film, and two earlier cartoon series — The New Adventures of Flash Gordon and Defenders of the Earth.

<i>The New Adventures of Flash Gordon</i> 1979 animated television series

The New Adventures of Flash Gordon, also known as The Adventures of Flash Gordon, is a 1979–1982 animated television series. The series is actually called Flash Gordon but the expanded title is used in official records to distinguish it from previous versions. Filmation produced the series in 1979, partly as a reaction to the mammoth success of Star Wars in 1977. The series was an homage to the original Flash Gordon comic strip and featured many of the original characters, including Flash's girlfriend Dale Arden, and the scientist Hans Zarkov. The series is still regarded as one of the most faithful adaptations, and one of Filmation's finest overall efforts.

Prince Thun is a fictional character who appeared in various forms of the Flash Gordon comic strip and film productions. He is a Lion Man of Mongo and one of Flash's most trusted friends. His Father is King Jugrid, ruler of the Lion Men, and one of the three mightiest rulers of Mongo.

<i>Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All</i> 1982 US animated science fiction-film

Flash Gordon: The Greatest Adventure of All is a 1982 animated television film produced by Filmation and written by Samuel A. Peeples. It was broadcast on NBC on August 21, 1982.

<i>Purple Death from Outer Space</i> 1966 American film

Purple Death from Outer Space is a 1966 American black-and-white science fiction film directed by Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor. It is the first of two feature-length compilations of the 1940 serial Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe. The second, Perils from the Planet Mongo, was released the same year.

<i>Flash Gordon Classic</i> 2015 film

Flash Gordon Classic is a 2015 animated fan film made by Robb Pratt. It is a remake of "The Tunnel of Terror", the second episode of the 1936 Flash Gordon serial.

References

  1. Sci-Fi Channel. June 29, 2007. http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=2&id=42218 Archived July 3, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  2. Flash Gordon: SciFi Quietly Cancels Adventure Series , TV Series Finale, April 3, 2008
  3. ION Television - Movies Archived July 29, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Flash Gordon - Season 1". Metacritic. CBS. 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2012-06-30.
  5. SFX Issue 162. Sfx.co.uk (2007-11-25). Retrieved on 2010-11-26.
  6. SFX@200 Pick Of The Day: The Worst Show SFX Has Ever Reviewed?. Sfx.co.uk (2010-09-06). Retrieved on 2010-11-26.
  7. Linda Stasi (August 10, 2007). "LOST IN SPACE. New 'Flash Gordon' lives with his mom". NYPost.
  8. Anthony Brown (January 9, 2008). "TV Zone" (223).{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. "TV Zone" (226). April 2, 2008.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. A Renamed Peace Arch Ent. Announces The Complete Series of the Sci Fi Channel Show Archived 2010-08-23 at the Wayback Machine
  11. USA Release for 'The Complete Series' of Sci-Fi's 2007 Show Archived 2013-02-27 at the Wayback Machine