Flash Gordon Pilot: Review

I just don't see John Ralston as an effective re-imagination of Ming the Merciless. Is it so terribly politically incorrect that Ming can't be portrayed as an extraterrestrial-looking Asian? Just use a real Asian actor, and modify his appearance; give him bright blue contact lenses and change his natural skin tone to maybe a subtle blue-green. Make him billiard-ball bald, and accentuate his eyebrows into satanic arches. Then let him loose to unleash his megalomaniacal villainy!

Randall,

I've seen a few more episodes since writing this review and it seems like they're going with a "softer side of Ming" version of the character. Not that he's a nice guy but he's more manipulative than evil which is where that Shakespearean style comes in. Maybe they should have changed the name to MacMing the Not-So-Nice

FGINO (Flash Gordon In Name Only)

This was the treatement for the proposed pilot for Flash Gordon that was rejected by Sci-Fi. Too bad because it was a fun but serious take on the Flash Gordon character. But most importantly it was respectful of the source material. It's mind-blowing coolness...it would have been an expensive pilot but way cool. Decide for yourself:

EPISODE ONE: (PILOT) ON THE PLANET MONGO

TEASER:
QUICK CUTS of cataclysmic natural disasters on televised News Broadcasts. HANS ZARKOV, head of NASA’s space station PROMISE, discovers these disasters are a result of meteors… but the source of the meteors can’t be seen. Zarkov realizes they have to get to the space station, and only one man can pilot a ship through those meteors. CUT TO:

FLASH GORDON, test-driving a Ferrari. He pushes the car to its limits, scaring the hell out of the poor salesman in the passenger seat. Flash grins… “I used to be an astronaut. Let me show you what kind of things got me suspended from NASA!” The salesman screams, as Flash takes the car on an even crazier ride.

A helicopter appears, chasing Flash. Finally, it lands, and Flash is surprised to see Zarkov, his old mentor. Zarkov grimly looks at him, and tells him the people of Earth need him.

ACT ONE:
Back at NASA, Flash scoffs at Zarkov. There’s no way he’s going to fly a ship through a meteor shower, and besides, NASA suspended him. Zarkov points out that NASA suspended him for doing too many dangerous things. Does it get any more dangerous than piloting a space craft through a meteor shower? Flash considers… good point.

Zarkov gets serious… and tells Flash the crash that ended in the deaths of two other members wasn’t his fault. Flash brushes it off… he knows. But we see the guilt still remains. Zarkov looks Flash in the eye… if you’re over the tragedy, then you’ll fly the ship. Flash, wanting to prove that he’s over the tragedy (even if he isn’t), finally agrees to go.

Flash and Zarkov strap into the ship and prepare to head to the space station. We see a new glint in Flash’s eye… it’s been a long time, and he’s missed it. Zarkov sees it too. He smiles, but says nothing. The ship takes off on its way to space station Promise.

The ship docks at the space station. Flash and Zarkov go to the control room, where the twelve person crew studies data and tries to determine the source of the meteor shower. Flash notices an outsider… a beautiful woman named DALE ARDEN. Asking what she’s doing there, Dale introduces herself as a Pulitzer-prize winning journalist who was hired by NASA to document what could be earth’s final days. Dale says she’s here for the news story of the century. Flash can’t believe it – the world is getting pulverized, and you’re worried about a news story? Dale is offended, and points out spreading knowledge to the masses could save lives and ultimately lead to a solution. They begin to argue… Flash thinks she’s a typical media-type, and she thinks he’s a typical dumb jock.

They’re argument is interrupted by Zarkov – they’ve found the source of the meteor shower! A massive wormhole has opened up, and meteors are pouring out of it and hurtling toward earth. Zarkov says that if they can fire a fusion bomb into the wormhole, they might be able to adjust the gravitational characteristics of the wormhole enough to alter the path of the meteors –

BOOM! A meteor strikes the space station. Machines begin to spark, lights begin to go out… and the crew realizes they won’t be able to launch that fusion bomb. They have to get out!

ACT TWO:
Everyone makes a mad race for the docked shuttle. The station explodes all around them. A couple of unfortunate crew members are killed before reaching the ship, but everyone else makes it.

Flash powers up the shuttle and races away from the space station… just as it explodes into a giant ball of flames!

Flash immediately flies head-on INTO THE METEOR SHOWER! Dale is in shock, thinking that Flash has lost his mind. Why would anyone who doesn’t have a deathwish fly TOWARD the approaching meteors? Through clenched teeth, Flash explains that if he were to fly the other way, the meteors would be flying at him from behind, and he wouldn’t be able to see them. If he can’t see them, he can’t avoid them. By flying into the meteor shower, he can at least see the danger, and deal with it. And if you don’t mind, I’M TRYING TO FLY A SHIP THROUGH A METEOR SHOWER! Dale, chagrined, sits down, forced to accept that she was just outsmarted. Maybe this guy isn’t a typical dumb jock after all…

A hellaciously cool action sequence, as Flash avoids the meteors. He takes some hits, but his pilot skills are on full display. There is no doubt the ship would be twisted metal floating in space if someone else were trying to fly it. Flash finally finds a way out of the meteor shower, except…

HE HAS FLOWN TOO CLOSE TO THE WORM HOLE! The gravitational pull is too strong, and they are pulled through it! The ship makes it to the other side, where they find themselves face to face with a BLOOD RED PLANET twice the size of earth.

Having sustained an enormous amount of damage, the ship plummets toward the red planet. Flash tries to control the ship, but there’s very little he can do. The ship begins to break apart as it enters the planet’s atmosphere. Powerless, Flash watches the rear of the ship RIP OFF, taking most of the crew with it.

The only ones left are Flash, Dale, and Zarkov. Zarkov clings to a flapping piece of the ship. Flash wants to save him, but Zarkov knows what Flash does… the flapping piece of the ship has to be disengaged if Flash is going to have any chance of landing the battered craft. Flash doesn’t want to let Zarkov go, but Zarkov forces Flash to look him in the eye. He tells Flash he’s earth’s only hope, then disengages the flapping piece of the ship himself! Horrified, Flash watches Zarkov plummet toward a thick forested area of the planet.

Flash gets back behind the controls, and through almost superhuman effort, manages to crash land what’s left of the ship. Flash and Dale crawl out of the craft, dazed but alive. Alive in the middle of the desert on a mysterious planet…but alive nonetheless.

ACT THREE:
Flash feels tremendous guilt… the crew is dead, and so is Zarkov. Dale tries to convince him the crash wasn’t his fault…just like the one all those years ago wasn’t your fault. Flash is surprised she knows about that, but Dale points out she’s a journalist, and the story wasn’t exactly a secret. Two people may have died, but the committee determined you SAVED the lives of the other six crew members. And no one in the crew of the ship we were just in would have wanted anyone else behind the controls. Flash just broods. People trusted him, and he failed them…again.

Flash and Dale search for cover from the scorching desert heat. They enter a cave, take shelter and rest for a moment. Flash doesn’t have too much time to feel bad. It isn’t long before they hear sounds of a struggle outside. Dale and Flash, hiding behind a boulder watch, as six heavily armored soldiers, Ming’s deadly MetalMen, chase what appears to be a Lion Man across the arid landscape. They capture the Lion Man with an electrical net and proceed to torture him with powerful futuristic cattle prods. The MetalMen disparage, humiliate and insult the primitive Lion Man. Flash and Dale are amazed the Lion Man can speak. As we know, when Flash sees an injustice he can’t stand back and do nothing about it. He leaps into action, much to Dale’s concern.

But something happens, as Flash jumps into the fray. He seems able to jump higher and run faster. He quickly takes down two MetalMen: His powerful fists shattering their steel breastplates. Flash marvels at his newfound strength (he later realizes that Mongo’s lesser gravity gives him greater strength and agility). Dale is suitably impressed with Flash’s fighting prowess and decides to jump into the fight as well (she’s also stronger because of the gravity). Flash is surprised to learn Dale can kickbox. Maybe not your typical media-type after all. The two fight valiantly side by side, but are severely outnumbered and eventually taken prisoner.

Flash, Dale, and the Lion man are taken to Mingo city and thrown into prison. As they are brought in, they are seen by AURA, the Emperor’s daughter. She is intrigued by them… wondering if they truly come from earth. And if all the males on earth are as strapping as this one…

In the cell, the Lionman finally tells Flash and Dale his name: THUN. Flash and Dale tell Thun their story, and get some more information out of him. They are on the planet Mongo, which is ruled by the cruel MING THE MERCILESS. If anyone would know what Mongo has to do with the destruction of earth, it would be Ming. Flash decides he will have to find a way to meet this Ming. But he doesn’t have to wait long… Ming has sent for both the earthlings.

Flash and Dale enter Ming’s Dragon Throne Room, where they stand before the villainous MING THE MERCILESS. They watch Ming ruthlessly execute a devoted follower of his Church who is unable to pay his monthly stipend…and then he orders the dead devotee’s new bride to join his already swelling stable of wives.

Flash and Dale try to ask him questions, but he forcefully silences them… HE will ask the questions around here. Finally, Dale loses her temper and demands to know what is going on. Ming is intrigued by this little spitfire… she has a passion that the women of Mongo lack.

Charmed, he offers up some basic information… Mongo is dying, and he needs to strip earth of its natural resources. But he can’t do that until he kills off all the humans… hence the meteors creating all the natural disasters. Flash and Ming have a (very brief) discussion on their philosophies, where Ming makes it clear that the world is not a sympathetic place, and only the strong survive.

Furious, Flash tries to rush Ming, but is held back by his WITCH-WOMEN guards. Ming eyes Flash intently… if you want a fight, I’ll give you a fight!

ACT FOUR:
Inside MING’S ARENA OF DEATH. Flash looks up to see Dale miserably standing by the side of Ming. Flash watches as Thun is also tossed into the ring, where the two of them will face four BEINGS who can turn invisible at will. Thun, because of the injuries sustained during the earlier clash with the MetalMen, is of no physical help throughout the deathmatch. But Thun’s keen sense of smell helps him direct Flash to locate the invisible beings. But that only works temporarily… it’s obvious that Flash and Thun have no chance of winning.

Suddenly, Dale jumps into the arena! Flash is horrified… almost as horrified as Ming! He orders the match be stopped, but is told that the beings are programmed not to stop until everyone in the arena is dead. Ming does not want to see Dale, his new prize, harmed… and there is ONE person the beings are programmed not to harm. Ming jumps into the ring, and puts his arms around Dale, proud that he has saved her…

Until Flash appears behind Ming, a knife to his throat. Get us out of here, or you die. Ming is forced to keep his guards at bay as Flash, Thun, and Dale make their way to the exit with Ming in tow. At the exit, Ming promises Flash this is not the last time they will see each other. Flash smiles…that’s a promise Flash can keep as well. The three of them escape aboard a small space craft, leaving Ming to plot Flash Gordon’s demise…

Standing on the edge of the desert, Thun pays Flash his respects. He usually mistrusts strangers, but Flash fought with him against the Metalmen AND in the arena of death. Flash shows Thun how to “shake hands”... that’s how we show respect on earth. Thun offers to take Flash and Dale to the home of his people. Having nowhere else to go, Flash and Dale accept.
Walking together, Flash tells Dale that they must find a way to save earth… they only have ninety days. Dale asks how, and Flash just shakes his head… he has no idea. Flash says he wishes that Zarkov was around, because he would know what to do. Dale asks if Flash still blames himself for Zarkov’s death. Flash sighs… he’s not over it yet, but one thing he does know: Zarkov wanted him to save the earth. And that’s what he’s going to do. The two of them follow Thun to the homeland of the Lionmen…

AS WE CUT TO A FIGURE LYING IN THE WOODS. As he slowly picks himself up, we see that it’s Zarkov. He’s alive! Suddenly shadows descend upon him. He asks for their help, but instead, he is roughly tied up and dragged away into the dark forest…

THE END

As Emperor Ming said in the 30s serial; "we shall see", "we shall see"

Here we go again! Another version of Flash Gordon that has nothing to do with the original. Why bother? If I'm going to watch Flash Gordon, I'm going to watch the 30's serials. Starting with the look, Buster Crabbe looked like a comic. If he's wearing blue jeans, then he is simply NOT Flash.
Kevin Sorbo and Sam Raimi smashed all my Steve Reeves/Alan Steele ideas about the look of Hercules. I'd this version of Flash to do the same, but I'm never too hopeful.
Let Joss Whedon do more Firefly eps instead of doing a classic but NOT doing a classic. Let's forget Flash and Star Trek and lets have some new stuff from our generation now.

seems to me that the human race has run out of original ideas and has no choice but to take the old ideas and recycle them. Think this was mentioned in one of Issac's books stating that there are no original ideas anymore and even if you thought it up on your own someone before you thought of it first.

Hey at least its not one of those sci-fi original movies that just suck.

Max Von Sydow, where are you?!?!? The pilot was a real disappointment, on all levels. Mongo looks like Earth, too much so; Ming (the Merciless) “Ruler of the Universe” looks deflated and weak, like an accountant who got rejected as someone’s dad in a Buffy episode (not saying he can’t act, just that my expectations for the great “Ming” are a bit more “larger than life” evil). So this guy controls the water for an entire planet huh? Who cares, and how does that make him the ruler of the entire universe? The set looks like the same mall basement they used in Logan’s Run. And the outside scenes look like they were shot in someone’s backyard. None of the costumes seem to fit anyone except the main characters either, and look like the costumes from that, almost as cheesy, 80’s mini-series “V”. Remember the 1980 version of Flash Gordon, the guards were alien, but their costumes covered them from head to toe, they looked cool and you could tell they were alien, but they didn’t need any makeup or anything special, just the absence of any exposed skin was enough to make them look cool and make you wonder what was underneath. It was a good way to keep costs down and at the same time not make every character look like an extra. This series’ guards don’t even get cool gloves?!?!

So far, this series looks, cheap, poorly written, and poorly acted/miscast. A lazy attempt at a great franchise. I’ll continue to support this sci-fi attempt (bad sci-fi is still better than most of what’s out there) and continue to hope; but not for very long if it continues to remain sub-par. The new Flash Gordon needs a Farscape infusion, get some of those writers, costumes, special effects and aliens, (ok, and the cast)and this might just have a chance.

I had my hopes up, but the pilot was atrocious, plain and simple. You'd think with all the advances in CGI and the reduced production costs both it and digital filmaking provide, that there would at least be an attempt to preserve the over-the-top outlandishness of the source materials. The effects were almost non-existent, and the lame attempts to justify their lack were abundantly apparent: from keeping the action on Earth instead of Mongo much of the time; to using rifts in space-time rather than having to deal with a single spaceship effect.

I wish more people understood that great sci-fi shows of the past like Doctor Who, Star Trek, Space 1999, heck, even Lost in Space and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, were charming in their attempts to tell truly epic tales on shoestring budgets. All of those series didn't let the lack of convincing effects stop them from attempting to tell their grand yarns, but after seeing the pilot of Flash Gordon, it looks like that's exactly what the producers are doing to this show; which is a shame.

... who wrote the 'treatment' script? is that thing for real? It's MILES away better than what SciFI broadcast last week!

Seriously, were you joking? Who offered / wrote the treatment script you posted - is it just a fan's hopeful alternative?

Daen,

The treatment was real. It was commisionned by RHI who own the rights to Flash Gordon...the vice president of RHI pushed hard for this treatment to get made but the president of RHI Robert Halmi sr quickly kiboshed it. I only posted the pilot section...the writer actually wrote an entire series bible...it was based heavily on the old comic series...as well as a new comic series released by DC in the late 1980's...the writer was new and untested, thus they went with the seasoned vet-- the guy who created CHARMED (Peter Hume)...we can see what a huge mistake that was. The proposed bible had the title: FLASH GORDON A.D. and was a cross between Indiana Jones and Star Wars...it took place entirely on Mongo...every episode ended in a cliffanger...Flash had a great backstory and Ming was a merciless bastard...and bald with a mellifluous accent. After reading the treatment I can confirm that it would've made a tremendous series...but it would've been expensive...maybe the most expensive show on TV. Lots of effects, there was THUN the lion man (called a LIONITE in the bible). Thun was described as the Beast in Beauty & the Beast (starring Ron Pearlman)...anyway I can post the entire bible but it's a 50 page monster.

FGINO (Flash Gordon In Name Only)

I decided to put up the proposed first five episodes of FLASH GORDON A.D. Trust me this is the real deal...and it was rejected by Sci-Fi but it would've been the most accurate and respectful rendition of Flash Gordon ever...Yes, Flash was re-envisoned as a washed out astronaut who had a deathwish...but he finds his purpose in life once he's on Mongo and becomes the hero he was destined to be...he was also a football star in college...enjoy:

THE NEXT FIVE EPISODES OF FLASH GORDON A.D.

EPISODE TWO: CHOSEN
Flash and Dale meet the Lionites, who are led by Thun’s father. The Lion People have a strong distrust for outsiders, and do not share Thun’s thirst for knowledge, so they are not happy that Thun has brought them to their home. Thun believes Flash to be the Chosen One, a prophecy he encountered through his readings. The Lion People roll their eyes.

Flash, seeing this as an opportunity to make allies, agrees that he is the Chosen One. What he doesn’t realize is that the Chosen One is required to perform three trials to prove himself. And no one has ever survived these trials before.

Meanwhile, Ming speaks with VULTAN, and asks him to find and kill Flash Gordon. But bring the earthwoman back alive. Vultan agrees on one condition… that he be given Aura’s hand in marriage if he succeeds. Ming reluctantly agrees, and is not happy when Vultan boisterously points out that he will soon be calling Ming “Father”!

Flash goes through the trials and succeeds. The Lion People still don’t believe in prophecies, but begrudgingly give Flash their respect. But as Flash and Dale contemplate how they can use their newfound allies to save earth, they are suddenly abducted by Vultan and the Hawkmen. Soaring through the air, they are powerless… and must go wherever Vultan decides to take them.

EPISODE THREE: DESIRE
Vultan brings Dale and Flash to Sky City… he wants to take a look at them and see what all the fuss is about before he brings them to Ming. While at Sky City, Aura (and a group of her Witch-Women) pay a secret visit, and break Flash out of his holding cell. Flash doesn’t want to leave without Dale, but Aura says it’s the only way she will help Flash escape. Flash is taken prisoner by Aura and the Witch-Women and has no choice but to go with her. Together, Flash and Aura escape Sky City.

Vultan, discovering Flash’s escape, goes berserk. Finally, he brings Dale to Ming and tries to convince Ming that he killed Flash Gordon, but Ming will only believe it if Vultan produces Flash’s head. Vultan makes up some lame excuse, like he threw Flash down a volcano. Ming does not relent, and refuses to give Vultan Aura’s hand in marriage.

Aura takes Flash to a lavish apartment in Mingo…a place her father doesn’t know she has. Aura tells Flash she took him because she didn’t want to have to marry Vultan, which she would have had to do if Vultan brought Flash to her father. But Aura obviously has other plans for Flash as well, and she starts coming on to him. As the two of them are about to kiss…

PRINCE BARIN bursts in. Aura mocks surprise… but Barin points out if she didn’t want him in there, her Witch-Women could have made sure he never got through. Aura flaunts Flash, trying to make Barin jealous. It works. Aura is called away by her father. She is forced to leave Flash in Barin’s hands…

Aura returns to her father’s palace in Mingo City, where she comes face to face with Dale. Aura is ordered to oversee the Purification Process of her father’s new bride Dale Arden. Aura is disgusted and repulsed that her father would choose such a lowly commoner to be his bride. According to the elitist Aura, Dale should be a slave or a servant, at most. During the Purification process, Dale must be ceremoniously cleansed of the touch of all other men. Dale refuses to undergo the process and a fight ensues in which Dale shows off her kickboxing skills.

Ming walks into the Purification chamber and watches, as his daughter Aura attempts to defend herself from Dale’s quick punches. Throughout the fight, they argue over Flash (though Dale insists she is not attracted to him in any way). Ming watches with amusement, and is once again taken by Dale’s moxie. Aura storms off, angry that her father would choose someone over her. This is not the last time she will have issues with Dale Arden.

Later, the Witch-Women strap Dale to what looks like a retro-futuristic torture apparatus. Her head, face and upper body are covered in electrodes. It’s a mind altering device meant to transform her into a willing, subservient bride to be. She reasons with Ming and convinces him that any man on Mongo can have her by using the mind-altering device. But a great man, such as himself should be able to woo a woman without altering her mind. Ming is intrigued by her strong-spirit and takes the challenge. The dictator vows to win her heart the traditional way before marrying her. Dale hopes her disgust looks like enthusiasm.

Back in the Arborian forest, Flash is about to be executed by Barin. Flash tries to convince Barin to spare his life… won’t this just piss off Aura? Barin shrugs… that just makes executing you MORE appealing. Just before the execution is about to go through, a voice booms out to stop. A figure approaches… a man obviously respected by all of the Rangers.

ZARKOV!

EPISODE FOUR: THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING
Zarkov gives his backstory, and we see the flashback of how he went to being dragged through the woods to gaining the respect of the Arborian people.

Aura using a tracking device she placed on Flash goes into the Arborian forest with her Witch- Women and locates her dashing earthman. .Aura rushes to Flash’s side and sexily drapes herself around him, which drives Barin into a fit of jealousy.

Suddenly, Metalmen descend upon them in the woods! Ming, placed a tracking device on Aura, after learning of Flash’s escape, and had his daughter followed into the forests of Arboria. Ming sent a death squad in hopes of squashing both Barin and the meddlesome earthling! A giant battle ensues between the Rangers and the Metalmen.

Back in Ming’s palace, Ming courts Dale by conventional means. Slightly comical as this cold-hearted dictator does his best to be “romantic”. It’s all Dale can do to keep from vomiting.

With the Metalmen closing in, Zarkov tells Flash that he is going to give himself up. Flash is devastated, but Zarkov explains that Ming rose to power by using the best scientific minds on the planet. Ming won’t hurt Zarkov… he will use him. And that will allow Zarkov to become an inside presence or a mole within Ming’s palace, and hopefully find a way to save both Earth… and Dale. Flash sees the reason in his argument, and watches as the Metalmen take Zarkov prisoner.
The MetalMen hunt through the forest for Flash. But Flash escapes with the help of Aura through the dense foliage...Barin and his Arborian Rangers flee into hiding as well. The MetalMen continue their relentless pursuit of Flash.

Back in Ming’s palace, Ming tells Dale that the courting was wonderful (all twelve hours of it), and now he’s ready to get married. Having no choice in the matter, Dale says yes.

EPISODE FIVE: YOUTHQUAKE
Flash and Aura walk through the massive forest kingdom of Arboria and stumble upon a small farming community (much like the Amish) known as, the VESSEYE. They are a kind populace who are quick to provide food and shelter for Flash and Aura. The Vesseye are also devout followers of the Church of the republic of Ming. Flash soon realizes that everyone in the farming community is 21 (earth years old) or younger. This strikes him as odd. Aura tells Flash she is 24 earth years old.

By episodes end, Flash comes to the horrific realization that the young farming community of Vesseye are being used as organ donors for the Mongo elite. This is how Ming has managed to stay alive for over five hundred years and defeat death. The Emperor is harvesting the organs of the Vesseye and using them to prolong his life and the lives of his closest advisors (the Mongo Elite). Flash attempts to explain the wrongfulness of what Ming is perpetrating on the Vesseye to Aura and we see the first stirrings of her conscience. Maybe there is good in her.

On their 21st birthday the Vesseye are promised eternal life in the Kingdom of the Church of Ming…instead they are brought to Mingo city and slaughtered for their organs!

Meanwhile, Zarkov is brought to the palace. Ming speaks with him, and is impressed by his vast knowledge. Zarkov also pretends to be bitter at Flash for leaving him to die. Ming, deciding he can be useful, orders him to the technology center. Ming wants the scientist close by at all times… a mind like Zarkov’s should be used at every opportunity. Why limit him?

Now in the palace, Dale attempts a daring escape. But she is caught, and brought before Ming. His feelings hurt… Ming thought he had convinced her to love him. Dale goes into a speech about love not being able to be “convinced”. In a fit of rage, Ming yells out that it is obvious she’s saving herself for Flash Gordon. Dale flatly denies it, but can’t look anyone in the eye when she says it. Ming decides to zap her brain using the Mongonian mind altering device… you’ll be a subservient bride just like every other wife I have. And then we’ll be married – tomorrow! The episode ends as Dale is strapped into the mind-altering device and undergoes the process…
As the episode comes to a close, Flash and Aura are captured by the Hawkmen in the Vesseye village and brought back to Mingo city. Aura is slated to marry Vultan who carried out his bargain. Meanwhile, Flash is strapped to an operating table and is about to have his organs harvested because Ming wants to study the human’s anatomy and hold the valiant earthman’s heart in his hand…

EPISODE SIX: CEREMONY
…Flash is on the operating table. Mongonian medical technicians hover over him and are about to administer the anesthetic. The operating room is lined with unconscious Vesseye on operating tables. It’s a slaughterhouse. A doctor walks into the room and proceeds to render the entire medical staff unconscious with a Toxin-Blaster. He removes his facemask—it’s Dr. Zarkov. Zarkov explains how he has gained the trust of the Emperor and become his personal teacher on all earthly matters, such as science, religion, technology, philosophy, etc. Ming, it seems, is also a student of life. The dictator particularly liked Zarkov’s dissertation on Hitler. Zarkov, also informs Flash of Ming’s plan to brainwash and marry Dale.

By episodes end, Flash and Zarkov rescue Dale moments before her wedding ceremony. Flash is overjoyed and kisses Dale who is zonked out of her mind because of the mind-altering device. They share their very first kiss and Flash thinks its epic! But unfortunately, Dale has no recollection of the kiss after Zarkov reverses the mind-altering device’s effect. In fact, Dale is incensed that Flash would take advantage of her while under the effect of the brainwashing machine. Flash tells her that she kissed him back…pretty well, too. Of course, an argument ensues.

In an exciting action sequence, Flash (in disguise) and Dale escape (with Zarkov’s help) into the squalid streets of Mingo city. Zarkov remains at the palace as Ming’s tutor. Before Flash’s escape, Zarkov gave him a communicator, which allows them to speak at any time. Flash is disguised in traditional Mongonion foot-soldier garb--it is here that we see the updated but familiar Flash Gordon outfit: Form-fitting blood red sweater, navy blue pants with black piping, black boots and a black utility belt. The sweater is made of high tensile fabric and could resist stabbing weapons and a straight shot from a blaster. It’s like Kevlar on steroids.

Aura is relieved that Flash escaped because she won’t have to marry Vultan but she wants the resourceful earthman even more, which drives Prince Barin crazy.

As Flash and Dale walk toward an uncertain future, through the dilapidated city streets, our hero quickly comes to the realization that the clock is ticking for earth’s survival and he must do everything in his power to save his beloved home planet.

Meanwhile, Ming triples the price on Flash’s head and orders his favorite Bounty Killers, the Hawkman and MetalMen to bring back the earth girl and hunt Flash Gordon down like an animal…

THE REST OF SEASON ONE
Humans have 90 days left to live. The clock is ticking, as earth population gets closer to extinction. Flash must save earth with the help of Zarkov (he’s a mole) who’s filtering information back to our hero from Ming’s palace. As the season progresses, Zarkov finally discovers the exact details of Ming’s plan. Ming is using a HYPERGATEWAY DEVICE to open a wormhole and send STEALTH DESTROYER PROBES embedded in meteors to earth, which in turn cause earthquakes, tsunamis and other natural disasters.

Throughout the first season, Flash, with Zarkov’s help, scrambles to locate the HYPERGATEWAY DEVICE in order to destroy it. But it’s hidden and heavily guarded. In order to get to it, he will need the help of Thun and his Lionites. This won’t be easy, as everyone on Mongo is hunting for Flash because of the huge bounty on his head. So, Flash must contend with the Hawkmen, the MetalMen and Prince Barin who are all after him. All are hunting him for their own personal reasons. Be it money (The Hawkmen) or jealousy (Prince Barin who is incensed that Aura is smitten with Flash).

Season One’s FINALE culminates with a HUGE CLIFFHANGER: Flash, along with Zarkov and Dale finally discover the location of the Hypergateway. Destroying it will seal the wormhole and save earth. But once destroyed, the rare Hypergateway will be gone and Flash and his cohorts will be forever stranded on Mongo. But the ever resourceful Zarkov figures out a way, which allows them to return to earth before destroying the Hypergateway. As much as Flash wants to go back home, he tells Dale that he feels a greater calling. He has seen the plight of the people of Mongo and wants to help unite the warring species, overthrow Ming’s tyrannical rule and bring peace to the fractured planet. Flash tells her he can’t walk away from this battle. It’s not in his nature. The suffering masses of Mongo need him. By making this sacrifice and staying on Mongo, Flash is convinced he can unite all species and overthrow Ming’s Merciless rule. Zarkov, proud of his surrogate son, smiles and volunteers to stay and fight the war alongside Flash.

Dale looks at Flash, eyes teary and says: “I’m a New York girl. I have to follow my heart. I can’t stay…” She kisses Flash and steps into the Hypergateway. She’s going home. Flash is devastated… SMASH TO BLACK. END OF SEASON ONE!

SEASON TWO & BEYOND: FUTURE STORYLINES

FLASH GORDON: On Mongo, Flash Gordon quickly realizes that being from the higher-gravity world of Earth, he’s many times stronger than the Mongonians (as are both Dale and Zarkov but in a much lesser degree). Planet Mongo’s decreased gravity levels give Flash a physical advantage and allow him to punch harder and jump higher. He keeps pushing his physical abilities further and further as the series progresses. He starts to discover new powers. Eventually he can see through steel. He can hear people from long distances. He can leap very far and very high. Is he truly the chosen one (as Thun insists) or are his newfound abilities the bi-product of Mongo’s gravitational forces? And why aren’t the gravitational forces affecting Dale and Zarkov in the exact same way as Flash? As the series progresses Dale shows signs of being an Empath and Zarkov’s intelligence increases tenfold. It almost seems like Mongo amplifies a person’s strongest attributes…

Throughout the series, Flash quickly learns that planet Mongo is under the tyrannical rule of a merciless dictator named Ming. Initially, Flash is on Mongo for one reason: To save earth. He doesn’t care about Mongo, or the people of Mongo or becoming their savior. He eventually decides that defeating Ming will accomplish both those goals, and while deep down inside he wants to help the people of Mongo, he tells everyone, at first, that once earth is saved, he’s out of this hellish planet. Of course, his attitude changes by the end of Season One.

As the series progresses (Season 1) Flash begins to realize his greatest enemy, Emperor Ming, rules the planet by keeping all the multitude of alien species at war with one another through fear and terror. Keeping the various species at war with each other is an ingenious manner of dividing them. United they conquer, divided they fall. One of Flash’s main objectives throughout the series will be to unite the segregated species of Mongo to work together and defeat Ming. In many ways, Flash Gordon is a modern counterpart to Hannibal the Carthaginian General who was able to convince several different races of mercenaries to unite and fight together against a common enemy: The Romans.

All the aforementioned attributes combine to give Flash a healthy sense of self. Is he arrogant? Perhaps. But Flash would prefer to call it confidence. He can be cocky at times but we know his heart and intentions are always in the right place. Another important facet of Flash Gordon is: His looks and his humor. He’s a good-looking guy and is fully aware of it and he always has a wisecrack ready in dire situations. Throughout the series, Flash’s dashing looks help him secure the allegiance and devotion of the many stunningly beautiful Queens and Princesses of Mongo, who are instantly smitten with the exotic blond-haired Adonis from earth. Flash is the first fair-haired man the alien women of Mongo have ever seen and they practically tremble in his presence. Of course, Flash loves the adulation and it feeds his already healthy ego. Flash’s flirtatious nature will get in the way of the one woman who is right for him—Dale Arden. Dale and Flash are obviously meant to be together but Flash’s quest to save earth, as well as his inability to let people he loves into his tough shell will stand between their budding relationship.

I'll take the new check-your-mind-at-the-door Flash Gordon series over any of the reality shows on today any time. It's enjoyable and...what's that word? Oh yeah, entertaining to watch. But the real reason I looked in here is to ask if anyone can tell me what year Flash's' Pontiac Firebird is. I'm thinking 1969- but would like the definitive answer, please(stuff like this keeps me up at night-go figure).