Gatchaman Episode 68: “The Particle Iron Beast, Micro-Saturn”

[Thank you, Saturn, for the screencaps! And look –your “name” is in this ep’s title!]

Gatchaman Episode 68: “The Particle Iron Beast, Micro-Saturn”

BOTP Episode: “Silent City”



The episode begins with a view of a coastal city and, for an instant, all looks peaceful. But then there is a massive explosion.







It creates a huge mushroom cloud that churns in the sky behind the city, but the buildings themselves, strangely, appear unaffected.







“On an island in the southern seas, the narrator tells us, as we see an aerial view of the island that contains the coastal city, “Is a city, with a population of about 12,000. A mushroom cloud spreads and quickly fills the world with fear. Which country has dared to test nuclear weapons without warning on this peaceful island? And are there any survivors? The ISO dispatches an investigative team to find out.”

So we see some scientific-type people overseeing the departure of some planes from an aircraft carrier, and the planes are headed towards the island, visible in the distance.

The airplanes are flying along…







On board the planes, we see pilots in a cockpit watching the island as they approach it, announcing their altitude. Elsewhere in the planes, scientists are studying analytical equipment and are amazed that, even though they are only 2.5 km from the island, they aren’t picking up any signs of radioactivity.

“This is unbelievable,” says one pilot, as the island looms still closer.

“This is impossible,” says a bearded scientist in the back of the plane, “This close to the island, and nothing on the Geiger counter.”

But another, more junior looking scientist insists it’s true, and that the equipment is functioning correctly.

Now they’re only 500 m from the island, and there’s still no indication of radioactivity.

The scientists now wonder if the explosion might not have been a nuclear one after all, and the three planes fly ever closer to the island.

Soon, the planes are approaching the city on the island and one of the pilots comments that all the buildings are still standing. The scientist with the beard is standing right behind the pilot now, and he’s surprised that they weren’t all destroyed.

“We’d better take some pictures,” he says.

The pilot does, and he notices that the city appears to be completely deserted –there are no people in sight.

“This is creepy,” says the scientist, as the planes finally reach the island itself. And suddenly, the Geiger counter’s needle swings hard to the right.

“The Geiger counter’s responding! The ratings are off the scale, Sir!” cries the other scientist, still in the back of the plane.







“Abort!” cries the bearded scientist, but it’s too late. Just then, the three planes encounter air that seems to be slightly aglow or shimmering and almost immediately they all explode.






Nothing is left of the planes except pieces of wreckage that fall into the sea below as the city’s buildings loom in the background.

Abruptly, we cut to Dr. Nambu, standing before a screen showing a map of the island and he clearly has just been delivering exposition to the Team.







“That’s what happened,” he says, “The surveillance aircraft were exposed to heavy radiation and went down in flames.”

Ken and Jun are sitting together, and Ken is puzzled as he knows that radiation normally spreads out gradually from the site of a nuclear blast and that there should be no abrupt transition.







Dr. Nambu confirms this and speculates that wind currents around the island are keeping the radioactivity from spreading, “or else…” Here, Dr. Nambu looks down.

“Or else?” asks Jun, looking worried.

“Someone may be creating this phenomenon artificially,” concludes Dr. Nambu gravely.

Now we see the faces of all five Ninjas, taking in this disturbing information.

Joe is certain that Galactor is behind it, and Dr. Nambu agrees that’s likely the case.

Of course it is!

But Jinpei concludes the Science Ninja Team can’t investigate the island, with all the radiation present there. However, Dr. Nambu isn’t so sure of that, as he says that no radiation was detected in the island’s interior.

“How can that be?” asks Ken, looking baffled.

“A heavy belt of radioactivity only surrounds the island,” explains Dr. Nambu, as he gestures with a sweep of his hand around the image of the island on the screen.

“It’s just like a fortress,” remarks Jun, and Ken concurs.

Ryu concludes that getting through the wall of radiation is the main issue with any investigation of the island and the mysterious explosion that occurred there.

Jinpei clearly doesn’t like the idea of attempting that, and he elbows Ryu in the ribs, frowning, and reminds him of the three planes that blew up.

“True enough,” declares Dr. Nambu, “But the God Phoenix can handle it!”

Jinpei gasps in alarm.

“But can we trust the data on the state of the island’s interior?” asks Ken, holding his chin pensively with one hand.

“What if the entire island has been exposed?” asks Joe. As is typical for him, he’s standing by himself rather than sitting on one of the couches.

Ken is concerned that radiation, even if it didn’t kill them quickly, “could still have severe effects.”

“You can trust the report,” avers Dr. Nambu, “I personally analyzed all of the data that was collected.”

Well, that seems to be good enough for Ken, then. He stands up and says “Science Ninja Team, let’s move out.”

And now we switch to another intelligence briefing, and it too involves a screen. However, it’s Leader X, and his audience is Katse.







“Katse, have you made progress on the construction of our new secret base?” demands Leader X. Katse assures him that everything is on schedule.

Leader X is not reassured.

“Incompetence in the ranks has led to the destruction of every base so far,” he says. Yes, he has good cause to be skeptical! And, he points out to Katse that he can’t help but wonder when Gatchaman will discover “this headquarters too.” Hmm, by “headquarters” is he referring to Karakoram, or to the new secret base under construction? I’m guessing Karakoram –which is probably where this conversation is taking place.

Now, if they’re constructing the new secret base on the island we saw earlier, I can see how surrounding the island with a wall of intense radioactivity might serve as a means of defense, but it’s far from “secret”! They’ve gone and attracted international attention, ISO scientists, and now, the Science Ninja Team to that very island.

Katse is all “no worries!” He announces that he’s got a plan to turn the tables and discover the location of the Science Ninja Team’s secret base. Maybe luring in the Science Ninja Team is more Katse’s plan now than keeping the new Galactor base a secret.

“Well now, that’s a new twist,” says Leader X, hearing Katse’s strategy.

“We’ll find their base and destroy it. Sire, you may have full confidence in this operation!” says Katse grandly. But you always say things like that, Katse.

Nevertheless, Leader X warns Katse that his “patience is waning” and that “failure is not an option!” But Katse has failed in 67 out of 67 previous episodes, Leader X, yet he’s still here.

Frankly, I’m rather surprised either of you has any credibility left with each other by this point.

Meanwhile, the God Phoenix is flying through the sky en route to the island. Soon, we see the aircraft carrier from whence the three doomed research planes had taken off earlier.







Ryu sees it first and calls Ken’s attention to the “research ship” below. Ken instructs Jun to send the ship a message that the God Phoenix will need to be refueled by the ship on its return journey.

“Wow, so they’re carrying fuel for the God Phoenix –that’s way cool!” exclaims Jinpei.







Considering that this might be the first mention in this show of what is normally a primary concern in aviation –an aircraft’s fuel consumption and fuel supply- Jinpei’s surprise is not out of place.

“Dr. Nambu had it all set up for us,” explains Ken.

“That’s weird,” says Joe, “We’ve never had to do stuff like that before.” Yes, apparently “before,” the God Phoenix had a magical, infinite fuel supply.

Everyone take note: fuel consumption is going to be a plot point in this particular episode.

“We’re about to jump headlong into radioactive fallout,” says Ken, “We’ve never done this before. We don’t know what’s going to happen, Joe,” concludes Ken, bowing his head gravely.

So now the mecha is on the move. I’m wondering if it’s meant to resemble a cockroach –I’ve often heard that they can survive radiation that kills or harmfully mutates other creatures.






The God Phoenix lifts off from the ground now, and the Ninjas are all up at the front of the bridge, staring at the mecha.

“Whoa, what’s that thing?” gasps Jinpei.

“The walls crumbled and turned some kind of monster,” says Ryu, staring in alarm.

Ken tells him to activate the infrared filter and “zoom in for a closer look.”

So Ryu starts bringing up closer and closer images.







When Ryu gets to 15,000X magnification, he announces “Infrared on!”

“Check it out,” says Ken, frowning at what he’s seeing, “Every single particle is mechanical!”







“They look like some sort of ant lions to me,” says Joe.

“So,” says Ken, trying to assess the situation thus far, “Nuclear tests were carried out on this island, probably by Galactor. They wiped out everything in an instant.”

Everything except the buildings, that is.

“And then,” adds Jun, “They directed the radiation from land to air, thus creating a powerful force field.”

Ryu then surmises that “Under the cover of radioactivity, they turned this city into a base.” (Yes, but not a very secret one!)

Joe remarks that the mechanical particles can take on many shapes –“pillars, walls, or anything else Galactor wants.”

Including a cockroach mecha, realizes Ken.

“So Galactor’s watching us,” says Joe grimly.

Jinpei then realizes that Galactor must have been behind the moving trolley car too, using remote control. “How dare they scare me like that,” he mutters angrily.

But Ryu wants to know where the Galactor personnel are hiding and Jun wants to know where the radiation vortex is being controlled from.

Ken doesn’t have time to try to come up with an answer –the God Phoenix lurches suddenly, nearly pitching him out of his chair.

“What’s happening?” Ken demands.

“I forgot to turn off the infrared filter, so I didn’t see what was going on outside!” explains Ryu, readjusting the view screen hastily. “That monster’s got us and he’s got us good!”

Indeed it does.







“Shake it off and take us up!” yells Ken. Ryu complies but as the God Phoenix tears away from the mecha’s grip, it takes a piece of the mecha’s pincer with it and that piece then proceeds to return to its powder-like form and spread across the surface of the God Phoenix.


And, it has a rather nasty effect on the God Phoenix’s exterior.







“The remains of that monster’s melting our outer hull!” reports a tense Ryu as Ken reacts in alarm and brings up images of damage all over the exterior of the God Phoenix.


“Chewing” or “eating” might be a more accurate description of their conduct. We get a view of the little mechanical particles (micro-Saturns?) having a feast.







“Augh! They’re gnawing holes in the God Phoenix!” reports Jinpei.

As the particles continue to spread, the main mecha is once again able to grab hold of the God Phoenix (and it seems to have regrown its missing pincer). It’s not looking good!






“What do we do?” cries Ryu, noting that “at this rate, nothing will be left of the God Phoenix but its frame!”

The particles continue to eat holes in the hull as the mecha continues to keep the God Phoenix trapped in its pincers’ grip.

Ken’s trying to think of a way to deal with the particles first, and he points out that, earlier, Jun wasn’t getting any radiation readings from city buildings.

“I think it was because those strange particles were covering the ruins,” theorizes Jun. Suddenly her eyes widen and she cries “Wait a minute!”

“That’s it!” agrees Ken, clearly thinking what she’s thinking, “Those particles are made from material that shields radiation.”

“They’re lead!” declares Joe, “And lead is weak to heat!” adds Joe.

“Then why don’t we hurry up and use heat?” demands Jinpei before realizing, to his dismay, that that’ll entail enduring the firebird technique yet again.






So now Ken orders to Ryu to “max out the generator” for the firebird technique.

Ryu is hesitant. “You know we have to use firebird again on the way out, don’t you? If we use it now, we’ll have a serious fuel shortage!”

Jinpei is all for ditching firebird and coming up with an alternative plan.

But Ken decides that as soon as they go firebird, they’ll head out. Once at the research ship, they can refuel and then return to the island to properly defeat Galactor’s latest mecha, weapon and base.

Jinpei not at all thrilled that this plan involves even more enduring of the firebird technique, but Ken has made up his mind.

“Activate!” he yells, and Ryu pushes the lever to the max, putting them in firebird mode.







And it seems to be effective. The cockroach mecha starts to melt and loses its grip on the God Phoenix. Before long, it has dissolved away completely.







Despite enduring the strain of firebird mode, Ryu is able to get the God Phoenix moving away fast.

“Good! Keep her straight!” cries Ken.

“We’re in the radiation zone,” gasps Jun.

But suddenly there’s a tremendous flash of light and an explosion around the God Phoenix.







On the bridge, everyone reacts with cries of shock and then they all collapse.













We get a last look at Ken’s eyes, wide with alarm, and then he too blacks out.

Next we see the waves on the ocean’s surface, and inside the God Phoenix, Ken is unconscious, slumped over his console.







He stirs, briefly opening his eyes slightly, and then manages to sit up and lean back against his chair. “It looks like we made it,” he thinks to himself, “What was that impact?”

He presses a button and activates the view screen. “The ship!” he cries, seeing that the God Phoenix is, in fact, on the deck of the research ship (and for some reason, doesn’t seem to have any holes showing in its exterior).







“It’s the research ship! We must have broken through the radiation zone!” says Ken excitedly, “Wake up everyone! The God Phoenix is on the research ship!”

Jinpei struggles to his feet, and tells Ryu he’s impressed. “You’re good! How did you manage to land on the deck in the middle of the shock wave?”

“Actually…” says Ryu, puzzled. He thinks to himself “That’s odd –I don’t remember a thing!”

Ken instructs everyone except Ryu to “go topside” and that they’ll begin the refueling process.

The four of them go up to the dome.







On the deck of the research ship, excited personnel are running up to the God Phoenix. Ken jumps down to the deck, followed by Jun and Jinpei. Joe is last, perhaps delayed by the cool-but-unnecessary flip he turns in the air on his way down.

Three crewman of the research ship greet them, and tell them that Dr. Nambu is here.

Ken is surprised to hear this, but next we see a door opening and inside is Dr. Nambu.







Dr. Nambu turns to see the four Ninjas entering and greets them with “Science Ninja Team, good work!”

Ken wants to know what brought him here.

“I knew I sent you to a city of death,” says Dr. Nambu, “And I started to get worried, so I came too. I’m relieved to see that you’re all right. Let’s go back to the base.”







Now Jinpei pipes up that they have to return to the island, as soon as they get more fuel.

“Uh… well, we’re changing the investigation of the island,” says Dr. Nambu, “I want to go back to Ninja Team headquarters and go over the plan.”

“If you want to go over the plan, you can do it here, Doctor,” points out Joe.

“But we’re going to need the assistance of the entire ISO, so let’s head on back to the base right away in the God Phoenix.”

The God Phoenix is still sitting on the deck of the research ship (and showing some damage on its nose), and now the four Ninjas file back outside from the room they were in, as Dr. Nambu follows them. Using his bracelet, Ken contacts Ryu and tells him to open the fuel tank.

But Ryu, looking at the fuel gauge, says “Uh oh.”

Battle of the Planets version, “Silent City”


We begin with an exterior view of Center Neptune, “Nerve center for all of Galaxy defenses and security,” Zark reminds us.

Now we see Zark himself, and he’s telling us how it’s a full time job keeping an eye on all the friendly planets, “day and night.” So, with a wasteful expenditure of energy, he flaps his cape and flies over to his monitors’ screens.

He’s worried about planet Exor (but doesn’t tell me how to spell it), “way out at the edge of the Milky Way.”

A team of robot planes has been sent there to investigate “something strange that’s happened to their biggest city.”

Insisting he’ll “watch them all the way,” Zark extends his legs and begins wiping one of his upper screens with a cloth as, he explains, he needs all the help he can get to see what’s going on millions of miles away.

So now we get a brief look at the depths of space, and then the biggest city on planet Exor, located on an island. We’re shown a massive explosion occurring there, and Zark explains that it’s suddenly become surrounded by a “powerful wall of radiation.”

But none of the building, apparently, have been damaged!

Now Zark explains, as we get a look at a large ship stationed near the island, that the robot planes have arrived, and are going to try to penetrate the wall of radiation.

“If those robot planes can get through,” says Zark, “They’ll bring back pictures of what’s going on inside that silent city.”

And we see the three robot planes taking off and heading towards the island.

“The city inside is completely deserted,” continues Zark, “Everyone was warned to leave by a mysterious voice, shortly before an explosion occurred!”

Yes, the people of Exor all willingly obey mysterious, disembodied voices –how very convenient.

The robot planes are nearing the island now, and as soon as they’re close, they all explode.

Good thing they were only robots.

Now we cut to Chief Anderson, standing before a screen showing a map of the island and explaining to G-Force that the robot planes “were completely disintegrated.”

Mark, sitting with Princess, remarks that the radiation reading from the island was “the highest ever.”

Anderson adds that they (whoever caused the explosion) also left a “belt of radiation surrounding the city like a wall.”

Princess asks if they know who did this.

Anderson says Spectra bombed the island, but he also believes that “It’s their own base.”

Everyone stares, wondering why Spectra would want to do this to one of its own bases.

“Bombing themselves?” says Jason.

Anderson announces that someone must go there and get “a firsthand look.” He thinks that Spectra bombed Exor to make it seem like they’re not interested in it, but that they are nevertheless there.

“You can handle the radiation,” he continues, “If you stay there no more than an hour.”

“All that way, for an hour?” asks Mark.

You’ll be able to pierce the radiation wall, by setting off an equal amount of heat,” explains Anderson, gesturing around the map of the island with one hand.

Princess realizes he means doing the Fiery Phoenix. Mark wonders what will happen if they try that in radiation.

“One of two things,” says Tiny, “We fly through or we fry though.” Hee!

Keyop doesn’t like these odds and elbows Tiny in the stomach.

Anderson explains that an aircraft carrier will “deionize” them when they arrive at Exor, which will protect them for one hour.

Mark seems satisfied with this, and he stands up, telling the others they “don’t have a thing to worry about.”

And now we get stock footage of the Phoenix departing Center Neptune to take to the air, and then to space. We see a little bright dot that is, presumably, the Phoenix, flying around the Earth and then zooming off towards the stars.

And it keeps zooming, past nebulae, galaxies and other visually appealing features of the universe.

The music is cool, though –very dramatic and grand.

And the little dot that is the Phoenix keeps on zooming –a big hint, no doubt, that lots of Gatchaman footage has been cut from this episode.

As filler, I much prefer this to Zark.

And the dot keeps zooming.

At last, we cut to the Luminous One.

“First you rush me into approving an elaborate camouflage. Now you request more time?” demands the Luminous One.

Zoltar explains that he only needs a few hours.

“You have fabricated the myth that this island city on Exor is our secret base in the hope that somehow you can lure G-Force into investigating?” continues the Luminous One.

“The wheels are already in motion,” says Zoltar, making grand arm gestures, “For the final destruction of G-Force.”

“Did you sent them invitations?” asks the Lumious One –ooh, sarcasm.

Which seems to be wasted on Zoltar in this instance.

“No, Great Light of Wisdom [and sarcasm], but I was able to entice them and they are now well on their way to planet Exor,” explains Zoltar.

And now we see that the Phoenix is indeed flying through the skies of Exor now, and the aircraft carrier that Anderson explained would “deionize” them is visible in the sea below.

“And now we get sprayed with some goop that keeps us safe for only one hour,” says Mark, sounding more skeptical of this plan than he had in Anderson’s presence.

Keyop requests “olive green” goop, only to be informed by Mark that there are no color choices.

“Did you notice how Anderson hated to look us in the eye?” asks Jason, scowling at his radar screen.

“That’s because we’re into something new,” says Mark, “He’s not sure this thing will work, and he couldn’t test it so,” and here he bows his head, “We’re his guinea pigs.”

Keyop looks horrified to be a guinea pig (If only you knew about the “G-Force” movie, kid…)

“He’s always been straight with us,” remarks Tiny, “Why the switch?”

“Well, if it’ll make you feel better,” says Princess, “I brought along my mini-Geiger.”

Mark’s glad to hear that, and he tells her to keep it handy.

Now, Tiny takes the Phoenix into a fast dive towards the aircraft carrier.

As a voice over a speaker announces “Prepare to deionize,” the aircraft carrier’s crew stands on the deck and waves excitedly to the Phoenix, cheering.

Apparently either a brief fly-by is all that’s required to complete “deionization” or we’re to assume that it was deemed unnecessary to actually show it being done, for suddenly the Phoenix is flying away, leaving the aircraft carrier behind, as the voice from the speaker declares “Deionization complete!”

Mark announces that they’re “going topside” now to meet the carrier’s crew. I guess he didn’t include Tiny, because only Mark, Jason, Princess and Keyop appear on the dome as the carrier’s crewman run towards them in apparent excitement.

Everyone jumps down from the dome (and Jason does a showy flip in the air) and Mark greets some of the crewmen.

“You must have been responsible for our rescue,” he says, but a crewman replies “Don’t thank us, Commander –Chief Anderson did that.” And he shrugs in the direction of a room in the ship.

“Anderson? Here?” says Mark.

But they go over to the room the crewman had indicated and Anderson is indeed there.

“Welcome back from oblivion,” he tells G-Force.

“That’s where we almost were,” says Mark, with some accusation in his tone.

“I realize this was a very difficult assignment, Commander, and I know you had your doubts. But in the future, you should put more confidence in me.”

“Almost had it,” says Keyop cheerfully.

“The Phoenix is refueled and ready to go back into the city,” continues Anderson, “If you feel you’ve had enough rest.”

Ooh, now there’s some accusation in Anderson’s tone.

“Wouldn’t you like to go back in with us, Chief?” asks Jason, probably detecting the disparaging element in Anderson’ remark.

“No, I have some urgent business to take care of here,” declares Anderson, “I’ll follow you all the way on the monitor.” Great, just like Zark.

Mark is in the lead as they all leave the room to head back to the Phoenix, and Anderson is bringing up the rear.

“Tiny, check the fuel gauge,” says Mark into to his communicator. On the bridge, Tiny does that and notes “Uh oh, we’re just about out of space juice.”

“Are you absolutely sure of that?” asks Mark. Tiny is.

“Didn’t you check it?” demands Mark, and Tiny replies “No, I didn’t check it,” a tad defensively, “They told me it was all set to go so I figured it was set.”

“Great,” says Mark, as Anderson (standing right behind him but seemingly oblivious to what Mark was just saying to Tiny) now says “I gave you a safe hour on that island, and still you don’t trust me.”

Mark looks away, his expression indicating that he’s just figured something out.

“Some hour,” says Mark, “I was just making a routine flight check, according to established procedure, Chief,” says Mark, not turning around to look at Anderson.

Mark starts walking ahead now, as Jason, Keyop and Princess move to accompany him.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” says Jason.

Mark flings both arms out and shoves away Princess, Keyop and Jason, but what he says is “Jason, get off!” Right, single out Jason…

Now Mark, still walking, addresses Anderson. “There was no base on that island and you knew it!”

“What are you saying, Mark?” demands Anderson, looking a little disconcerted.

“You just wanted to radiate us, and when that didn’t work, you tried drowning.”

Drowning?

Now Mark whips around suddenly, crouching low and hurling his boomerang at Anderson. Anderson flinches and leaps sideways as the boomerang returns to Mark’s hand.

“Don’t pretend I hit you!” says Mark, standing again, “You know how accurate I am with this thing!”

Yes, thank goodness he didn’t hit Anderson’s face, even though it’s more than apparent now that he isn’t really Anderson!

“I had the feeling you were sending us on a doomsday flight from the start, ‘Anderson,’” says Mark, looking angrier than he sounds, “Why?”

Um, so we’re to think that it was Zoltar himself who was at Center Neptune at the episode’s beginning, explaining the mission to G-Force? Man, that’s some crappy security they’ve got going at Center Neptune if that’s the case!

“Why? Because I serve a higher power than you, G-Force!”

So with that, Anderson whips his coat off and swirls it in front of himself, revealing that he is, in fact, really Zoltar.

He declares that he has further surprises for G-Force, and now a whole bunch of armed Spectran soldiers come running from all directions, quickly surrounding G-Force.

Zoltar declares it’s the end for them, “once and for all,” but G-Force leaps to attack as soon as the soldiers open fire on them.

Much kicking (from Princess and Keyop) and punching (from Mark) ensues, as Tiny sits on the Phoenix’s bridge and wonders what’s taking them so long.

But Tiny looks outside now, and sees that his four other teammates are chasing and attacking a bunch of Spectran soldiers across the carrier’s deck.

“I think maybe they could use some of my incredible muscle,” he says eagerly.

Meanwhile, Mark flips a goon, we get a very brief glimpse of Jason cartwheeling past, and then Tiny jumps down from the Phoenix’s dome, using some conveniently situated (and unfortunate) soldiers to cushion his landing.

Mark kicks another soldier, as Tiny now, with punches, drives a bunch of soldiers over the side of the carrier, adjusts his stance, and then flings some more over the side too, keeping count as he does so (does he get a bonus, per capita, for dispatched Spectrans?)

As we see the Spectrans (who for their sakes, can hopefully swim) hitting the water, Tiny concludes at “fourteen.”

Now Mark is looking around for Zoltar.

“When the going gets bad, the bad get going,” remarks Princess and as she says this, a circular, pronged ship containing Zoltar rises from out of the carrier.

“Farewell, G-Force,” he says, “But make no mistake, it is only farewell. We will meet again very soon and the outcome will be different! You may depend on it!”

“How does that devil always manage to get away?” demands Jason.

“He always keeps us busy while he does his disappearing act,” says Mark, “But one day, we’ll nail him.”

“Derail him,” adds Keyop.

“Maybe his spinning pie plate will run out of fuel,” says Tiny, “Fuel…” he adds, remembering the Phoenix’s situation.

But Mark announces they will refuel now and go and check on the real Chief Anderson (who is probably tied up in a closet somewhere at Center Neptune).

Now we hear Zark’s voice from Center Neptune, and he’s apparently not searching for the real Anderson or apologizing for not noticing that Zoltar himself had recently been there. “Zoltar’s plot might have worked, if Mark hadn’t suspected there was something wrong. Of course, I could have alerted them, if I’d known the Chief had been lured away from Center Neptune.”

Ah, so no need to search the closets then.

So now we get some groovy music and we get to watching the glowing dot zoom through space again –going in the opposite direction across the screen, so we know that G-Force is returning home.

“People don’t always report to me their comings and goings here on Earth,” says Zark now, a bit petulantly, as we see the dot pass Saturn and approach Earth, “Only when they’re going to outer space or coming back again, like G-Force is now.”

Now we’re looking at Zark and 1-Rover-1.

“I do wish they’d keep me better informed,” Zark is still complaining, “Then we wouldn’t have hair-raising near misses like this.”

Yes, Zark is never to blame.

1-Rover-1 barks.

Zark assures him that he is good about “reporting in and out.” Of course, control freak Zark must remind us all that 1-Rover-1 one couldn’t do this unless he, Zark, pushed the right buttons.

“Things like that are sacred secrets to G-Force,” says Zark, saluting.

I fail to see why that’s a sacred secret.

1-Rover-1 stands and salutes too –I guess because Zark pushed buttons to program him to do that.

Those funnies are great!

And LB, yet another great writeup! I always enjoyed the team banter once they landed on the island.

You know, in the Japanese subtitles at this part...


Ryu says something like, "Why can't it be Jun who comes to me for comfort?" (If I remember it right...I'll go back and check to see what he actually says...)

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There is no problem that cannot be solved with time, patience, and a judicious amount of high explosives.

Consider the really awesome thing about this episode: the microscopic machines. Remember, this episode is from, what? 1972 or '73. The transistor was still the state of the art in electronics. Entire circuits etched in a space only somewhat larger than the period at the end of a sentence were pipe dreams. Nobody was talking about molecule-sized machines (and would not until the 1990s). The only clanker is that the machines in this episode are made of lead.

Looks like Sosai shared some technology with Galactor, this time.

Zoltar imitating Anderson from the beginning of the mission was a major plot hole for BotP (although it was an interesting touch). After all, Spectra had to find Center Neptune's location in order to destroy it in the final episodes of the series. I'm still watching and reviewing, but there's no hint that Center Neptune is mobile. In fact, it's supposed to be over a mile down (which is contradicted by the establishing shots).

Was that IF finished? Is it at ff dot net or Gatchfanfic if it is?

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Benefits, not features; benefits, not features

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Benefits, not features; benefits, not features