By Chris E. Hayner on May 16, 2018 10:53 pm
How Krypton is freeing itself from decades of Superman mythology
The arrival of Krypton on Syfy comes at a time when comic book TV is redefining classic superheroes that have been the focus of attention for almost a century. Whether it's the way Gotham is tackling the Batman mythos or the continuously growing universe of heroes on Arrow and The Flash, it's anything but business as usual for DC comics on TV. That's what makes Krypton so interesting. While it tells the story of Superman's family and his home planet, it's set generations before the Man of Steel is even born. While it may sound like that makes for a boring story given fans know Superman's story goes, this is a show that's not really concerning itself with comic book canon thanks to the arrival of a time-traveling Adam Strange (Shaun Sipos). GameSpot spoke with the cast of Krypton during a group interview to discuss the ways it deviates from Superman's typical canon and what it means for the future of the series. Make sure you give Krypton a shot when it airs Wednesdays at 10 PM ET on Syfy.
1. Adam Strange's time travel changes everything
The very notion of somebody coming back in time from the modern day is bound to make you think it will completely alter the timeline. With Adam Strange, that is absolutely the case. "The second Adam Strange comes back into time," star Cameron Cuffe (Seg) says. "The timeline is irrevocably changed. Things could change and things do change." Executive producer Cam Welsh agrees, explaining, "I think because now that Adam Strange has traveled back in time, the timeline that we know from canon has now changed. That's really what's built into the premise of the show is can you rewrite history, and what are the dangers that can come out of that."
2. Adam also provides Seg with a link to future generations of the House of El
Thanks to Adam's arrival, it provides evidence to Seg of his family's future, which will no doubt shape how he views his own fate. "[Adam has] been there, he's been to the future, he's from the future. He knows Clark, he's met Clark," Cuffe says. "Clark is his friend. Having this guy on Seg's side, it makes him listen and it plays into the ideas that Seg does hold deep down, but [that] feel very far removed from who he is."
3. The Zod family may not be so bad after all
The introduction of Lyta-Zod (Georgina Campbell) as a love interest to Seg was an interesting choice, given the bad blood between the Houses of El and Zod by the time Superman is born. As Campbell explains, though, Lyta is really nothing like the infamous General Zod--at least not yet. "I think like all young people she has that idea that she wants to change things, and she wants to be different, and she wants to rebel against her parents," she says. "And she's very emotional, as you are when you're young, and she's in her first love and all that sort of thing. So I think it's quite interesting over the series looking at how that develops and how things change. And also that question of, as you get older, do those things start to fall away?"
4. In fact, could the House of Zod be the source of morality Seg is lacking?
Tyrannical, Lyta is not. She's merely a young woman trying to do what's right in the world--something Seg could learn a thing of two about. "She's a way more moral character than Seg is," Cuffe admits. "She in many ways is Seg's moral core, and he learns so much from her."
5. The wild card that is Nyssa Vex
While Superman fans have met the ancestors of a lot of these characters before, there is one piece of the puzzle that is a total mystery, and her name is Nyssa-Vex (Wallis Day). She's a mysterious character who could swing toward good or evil. However, her family has no notable place in Superman canon. Though, perhaps, that's going to change due to Adam Strange altering the timeline. As Day tells GameSpot, her character does have a motive and it's one that will be revealed sooner than later. "As time goes on yes definitely she definitely does lean one way and again at the end, we're not quite sure if that was genuine, we don't know but I can tell you for sure in this season she definitely does lean towards one side," the actress teases.
6. There are no heroes and villains
The comic book history of Superman is filled with absolutes--there is good and there is evil. Superman is unabashedly good as he works to save the world from the likes of Lex Luthor, General Zod, or any other forms of ultimate villainy that come his way. Krypton is a different story. Instead of dealing with good vs. evil, it operates somewhere in between. "There are no goodies and baddies. No one in this show is putting on a costume and fighting crime. There is no freak of the week," Cuffe says. "Everything is changed at the end of every episode. The status quo changes, the relationships change, there are consequences to every action, so even when you win, it's at a cost. Also, there are wonderful shades of gray. We have no villains on the show, there are no heroes on the show, everyone believes they are doing the right thing." That's how you wind up with Superman's ancestor being a conman or the House of Zod having the moral high ground. It's taking what fans recognize as the norm and turning it on its head, constantly shifting alliances.
By Chris E. Hayner on May 16, 2018 10:36 pm
Cobra Kai loves paying tribute to The Karate Kid
Now that Cobra Kai is out and the world has had a chance to watch it on YouTube Red, it's clear that the soul of The Karate Kid movie franchise is alive and well in this sequel series. Set over three decades after the first showdown between Daniel LaRusso and the villainous Cobra Kai dojo, the show pays tribute to the legacy of the films in smart ways that are sure to make any fan smile. Throughout Season 1 of Cobra Kai, there are not just mentions of The Karate Kid in flashbacks, but the story is structured in a way that the film is on your mind constantly--and that's a good thing. Given how seminal a movie The Karate Kid is, to not only fans but the stars who now reprise their roles on the show, it's important to pay respects to what came before. Still, it's a fine line to walk between properly paying tribute and flat-out copying without bringing anything new to the table. Thankfully, Cobra Kai relies on the former with nearly all of its homages helping to further expand the world its set in. If you haven't watched the show and don't want to be spoiled, you should stop reading now. We're diving into heavy spoiler territory for the entire first season of Cobra Kai to look at the ways it honors The Karate Kid and even expands on it. Besides, what are you waiting for? The first season is out now and waiting for you. If you have seen the show or don't care about finding out what happens, buckle up because we have a lot to talk about. If anything, it should get you excited for Season 2.
1. Right where we left him
From: Episode 1 When fans last saw Johnny Lawrence, he was face down on the mat after being defeated by Daniel at the All-Valley Karate Tournament. Naturally, the first shot of him in Cobra Kai is face down on the mat after being defeated by life.
2. Back in the valley
From: Episode 1 California's San Fernando Valley is as important a character in The Karate Kid as anyone or anything else, and Cobra Kai recognizes that right away. While the show was mostly filmed in Georgia, it's nice to see it returned to the Valley for some establishing shots.
From: Episode 1 When Mr. Miyagi taught Daniel how to care for Bonsai trees in The Karate Kid, chances are he didn't expect them to be used as gifts for anyone who bought a luxury car. That said, kudos to Daniel for keeping the hobby alive.
4. A glimpse at Karate Kid 2
From: Episode 1 While footage from the original Karate Kid is used throughout Cobra Kai, this blending of the movies and the show put Johnny right back in the moment his former sensei turned on him. Interesting that the reminder of his leaving Cobra Kai is what makes him restart it.
5. Three rules
From: Episode 1 And restart it he does. Taking the harsh lessons he learned from Sensei Kreese, Johnny brings back the yellow and black.
6. Cobra Kai is back
From: Episode 2 While the dojo may have a different location and design (though the original makes an appearance later) there's no mistaking that logo and what it means to this franchise.
7. A glimpse of Mr. Miyagi
From: Episode 2 Though Pat Morita died in 2005 and is unable to reprise his role as Mr. Miyagi, his presence is felt throughout the show. Beyond that, though, his face appears a number of times--including this newspaper clipping that touts the victory of a "mystery dojo" at the All-Valley tournament.
8. Washing windows means nothing in Cobra Kai
From: Episode 2 While waxing cars, painting fences, and sanding floors helped to teach Daniel karate in the first movie, Johnny's style is a bit different. For him, chores are chores and nothing else. It shows a stark contrast in Cobra Kai's version of karate and Miyagi-Do's. So get busy, Miguel.
9. Even after 35 years, a good Halloween costume doesn't go out of style
From: Episode 3 Yes, it's hard to believe that Johnny held onto a Halloween costume he wore in 1984--especially one that holds terrible memories like getting beaten up by an old man. Still, it's a nice homage to the original movie to have him dust of the old skeleton costume and offer it to his student.
10. We missed you, Ali
From: Episode 3 Though Ali (Elisabeth Shue) only appeared in the first Karate Kid, her absence is very noticeable in Cobra Kai. Thankfully, her high school still keeps a photo of her in a trophy case for some reason. Good work finding that, Johnny.
11. Miguel's new threads
From: Episode 5 You can only learn karate in your street clothes for so long. Johnny passing on his training gi from The Karate Kid to Miguel proves he's the star pupil--well, the only pupil at this point--of the new Cobra Kai.
12. The student catches up with his teacher
From: Episode 5 Giving Daniel the chance to speak with Mr. Miyagi, even in this way, shows the importance of their relationship. Even though he's grown now, with a wife and kids, he's still that teenager from New Jersey looking for a father figure in his sensei.
13. The return of Miyagi-Do
From: Episode 5 Daniel wearing that familiar headband just feels right. It also shows him getting back to his own karate roots, the way Mr. Miyagi trained him.
From: Episode 5 It's appropriate that this was the episode that paid tribute to Morita, who was the soul of the film franchise. Spending an episode largely on Daniel reconnecting with his mentor and the ideals he learned from him helps in bringing the character full-circle.
15. The Cobra Kai of old
From: Episode 6 While Johnny's Cobra Kai dojo looks quite different from the one he first learned karate in, it was nice of the show to resurrect that old place for a flashback. It also smacks of the late 1970s/early 1980s with that huge mural.
16. Johnny leading the class once again
From: Episode 6 Inside the new Cobra Kai dojo, Johnny is once again head of the class. This time, though, it's not because Kreese has him step in to teach the students--he's the sensei now.
17. Wash the windows, wax the car. The classics never go out of style for Daniel
From: Episode 7 When Daniel said he loves this part, he wasn't the only one. Using chores to teach karate, just like Mr. Miyagi did with him, serves Daniel well. It may not be Johnny's thing, but it certainly is his.
18. One student is all he needs
From: Episode 7 As Miyagi did with him, Daniel only needs one student to go up against Cobra Kai's army.
19. The All-Valley Karate Tournament
From: Episode 7 Let's be honest, everyone knew the series was going to build up to this. Seeing the advertisement for the same tournament that led to Johnny's downfall, though, was a special moment.
20. Shape the tree
From: Episode 7 The seventh episode of Cobra Kai is a treasure trove of throwbacks to the original film. It's this quiet moment when Daniel teaches Robby how to trim a bonsai tree that he seems most like his former sensei.
21. Golf N' Stuff lives
From: Episode 7 Miguel's first date with Samantha was as cheesy and fun as Daniel's outing with Ali back in The Karate Kid--and that's thanks to the destination. Golf N' Stuff makes its return to the Karate Kid world, packing just as much putt-putt excitement as ever. Kudos to the show for including the song from the movie, Young Hearts by Commuter, as well. Fun fact: Golf N' Stuff is a real place in the Valley that you can still visit, should you want to recreate these moments yourself.
22. A flashback to the tournament that started it all
From: Episode 7 As Johnny fights to get Cobra Kai's ban from the All-Valley tournament lifted, the council that makes the decision--which includes Daniel--looks at photos of the dojo's history in the competition. Naturally, that's where we see images of Daniel fighting Johnny from the movie.
23. A cobra in red
From: Episode 8 While this obviously isn't the same jacket Johnny wore in the movie, it's clear that this Cobra's sense of style has never really changed.
24. Ma's back!
From: Episode 8 Mr. Miyagi, Daniel's father-figure, may be unable to appear on the show. Thankfully, though, his mother did visit her boy during Season 1. Randee Heller reprised her role as Lucille LaRusso, the woman who first brought Daniel to the Valley, in this episode.
25. It's not a boat, but this will do the trick
From: Episode 8 As Daniel continues his lessons with Robby, they resemble Miyagi's teachings more and more. While he notes that the lake he and Mr. Miyagi trained on is no longer an option, the two of them practicing on a large rock created a similar visual.
26. Some rivalries never die
From: Episode 9 Daniel and Johnny bickered a bunch during Season 1, but this is the first time they nearly came to blows--recreating their final showdown at the All-Valley Tournament. It doesn't seem quite as intimidating when it's poolside.
27. Back at the South Seas
From: Episode 9 Though they don't come to blows, the two do go for a ride through the Valley, which brings Daniel back to his first Southern California home. This is the same run-down apartment complex he and his mom moved into in the first movie.
28. Some things have changed
From: Episode 9 Unlike when Daniel lived at the South Seas, the complex looks like it's been cleaned up--and there's actually water in the pool now.
29. Hitting the beach
From: Episode 9 What's the Karate Kid universe without a beach party? Unlike the one Johnny crashed in the movie, though, this one mostly goes off without a hitch.
30. Facebook stalking your ex is cool, right?
From: Episode 9 Johnny and Daniel's trip down memory lane leads them to a bar, which brings up the final mention of Ali this season. It seems Daniel is Facebook stalking his ex, though he won't add her as a friend. The audience learns that she went on to become a doctor, got married, and now lives in Colorado.
31. It's the final countdown
From: Episode 10 Some things never change--like the signage on a community center. The All Valley Sports Arena marquee looks incredibly dated.
32. This is a little awkward
From: Episode 10 While Daniel probably loved seeing a picture of himself on display this big, it's a little strange that the tournament had a poster printed of a moment from over three decades ago.
33. The yellow and black attack
From: Episode 10 If Cobra Kai is going to fight in a tournament, they're going to look good doing it. The classic sleeveless black and yellow gi makes its return in this episode and have the new class of Cobra Kai looking sharp.
34: Is he stealing Daniel's move?
From: Episode 10 Having the tournament start with the move that ended it in the movie is a really fun choice. Having star Cobra Kai student Miguel using it to taunt Daniel is even better. It's good to know the Crane Kick is still pretty devastating.
35. Hawk takes things too far
From: Episode 10 Just like Bobby in The Karate Kid, Hawk ultimately adheres to Cobra Kai's rule of showing no mercy and gets himself disqualified while attacking his opponent. Unlike Bobby in the movie, though, Hawk is thoroughly satisfied with his actions.
36. Kreese is always watching
From: Episode 10 Before the final fight between Miguel and Robby, Johnny is at odds with himself. After all, his star student is about to fight his son. Walking the hallways of the sports arena and seeing his old sensei's photo on the wall certainly doesn't help matters, though it does give Johnny a glimpse at who he's turning into.
37. That trick doesn't always work
From: Episode 10 While Miyagi was able to cure what was ailing Daniel with the heat from rubbing his hands together, Daniel clearly does not have the same talent. However, he does know how to call for a medic.
38. The students have become the teachers
From: Episode 10 It's Daniel vs. Johnny at the All-Valley one more time. However, now they're the senseis and not the students. Daniel is right when he says this will never be over.
39. It looks all too similar
From: Episode 10 The final fight is Cobra Kai vs. Miyagi-Do. Nothing has changed (except for the color of the mats). Even the scoreboard is the same.
40. The new Crane Kick
From: Episode 10 Since Miguel already unleashed a Crane Kick, Robby decided to up his game. Miyagi-Do is nothing if not creative when it comes to an attack. Daniel certainly couldn't pull this off.
41. Sweep the... shoulder?
From: Episode 10 Just like when Johnny swept Daniel's leg, Miguel targeted Robby's injured shoulder to get an advantage over his competition.
42. This looks wrong
From: Episode 10 In the end, the result wasn't what The Karate Kid prepared audiences for. Cobra Kai's ruthless ways won the trophy, leaving Robby defeated and Miguel and his crew standing tall.
43. Wait, isn't he dead?
From: Episode 10 Johnny clearly said that John Kreese was dead earlier in the season. That's simply not the case, though. In the final moments of the Season 1 finale, the former Cobra Kai sensei makes his grand return, puffing on a cigar and telling his student that the story is just beginning.
By Chris E. Hayner on May 16, 2018 10:25 pm
The most utterly ridiculous cereals ever based on movies, TV shows, video games, and more
The 1980s and 1990s were a great time to be a kid if you loved cereal. Every trip to the grocery store would find a new offering on the breakfast cereal aisle, taking a movie, TV show, video game, or celebrity and turning it into a sugary morning treat. While themed cereal can still be found in stores--we're looking at you, Fruity Pebbles--the glory days that saw practically every title getting its own special blend of marshmallows, corn, rice, and oats have come to an end. Ralston, the company behind many of the best-remembered offerings, no longer dabbles in licensed foods. In fact, based on their website, the company now specializes in cereal that looks similar to name brands like Fruit Loops and Cocoa Puffs, while being different enough to be marketed as a different product.How the might have fallen. Then again, in its heyday, Ralston was actually known as Ralston Purina and dedicated a sizable chunk of its business into making pet food, so perhaps its better off now. How important is taste and originality in these cereals anyway? After all, one of the biggest reasons anyone bought these was due to the characters emblazoned on the boxes and the prizes that were included with the cereal. Who cares what Batman cereal tastes like when it comes with a bank in the shape of the Caped Crusader? Thankfully, there were still some colorful and tasty cereals to be found back then, right Spider-Man? Take a trip back in time with GameSpot as we revisit 22 of those cereals--both good and bad. How many of these do you remember sitting down with at breakfast? Image: Sony Entertainment
1. Urkel-Os
There was a time when nothing in pop culture was hotter than Steve Urkel, the nerdy character on Family Matters. In an age where the TGIF programming block ruled the world, Urkel was its king. This cereal that was first released in 1991--and remained in production until 2000--is proof of that. Image: Ralston
2. Nintendo Cereal System
When it came to video games, nothing was hotter in the late '80s than the Nintendo Entertainment System. It permeated pop culture in such a way that it spawned merchandise, cartoons, and even the movie The Wizard. Naturally, like many popular properties, it also got a cereal--two if you want to get technical. In each box were two bags, one a Super Mario Bros. cereal and one for The Legend of Zelda. What a time to be alive. Image: Ralston
3. Bill and Ted's Excellent Cereal
Excellent! A Bill & Ted cereal not only existed, but it wasn't based on the movies. Instead, this cereal followed the cartoon and featured the animated versions of Bill and Ted emblazoned on the box. The real joy of this breakfast wasn't the marshmallows, though. Instead, it was the prize that came with the cereal--a cassette tape holder shaped like Bill and Ted's phone booth time machine. Image: Ralston
4. Smurfberry Crunch
For many, Smurfberry Crunch is the gold standard for sugary cereals based on TV shows and movies. The fruity corn and wheat cereal first debuted in 1981 and lasted for years before an addition to the Smurf's cereal line--Magic Berries--that added marshmallows to the mix in 1987. Image: Post Cereals
5. The Addams Family
Addams Family cereal sounds like a great idea, in theory. However, its pieces were made to resemble skulls, dismembered hands, and headless dolls--all things very familiar to this particular family. Serving a bowl of that to a kid could be pretty traumatic, though. However, there was a period of the time where the "toy" it included was a flashlight made to resemble a character from the movie. That's pretty exciting for a kid. Image: Ralston
6. Donkey Kong
Mario and Zelda had to share a cereal. Before that, though, Donkey Kong got a box all to himself. According to the box, it was "crunchy barrels of fun." While that doesn't exactly found appetizing, what's not to love about a video game-themed cereal with a taste similar to Captain Crunch? Image: Ralston
7. E.T. Cereal
While the E.T. Atari game may have been a colossal bomb, the cereal was not the same case. Taking a note from E.T.'s love of Reese's Pieces in the movie, the cereal was flavored like peanut butter and chocolate. Among the bonus prizes included in the box were trading cards, as well as a picture of Michael Jackson and E.T.--because why not? Image: General Mills
8. The Real Ghostbusters
This is another cereal based on a cartoon that's based on a movie. This particular cereal was released three times under three different names and was incredibly simple, in terms of design. Marshmallow ghosts mixed with fruity Os, to create the Ghostbusters logo in your cereal bowl. The best part of this cereal, though, was the prizes that came in the box--from glow-in-the-dark door hangers to buttons to frisbees. Image: Ralston
9. Batman
Like many Ralston cereals, Batman essentially consisted of themed corn pieces--bats in this instance--and a standard sweet flavor. The prizes were where Batman was able to shine. Honestly, the only reason to get this cereal was for the Batman bank that came attached to the front. Who's going to keep your change safer than the Dark Knight? Image: Ralston
10. Gremlins
This sweetened cereal may not be all that exciting--its pieces are meant to look like Gizmo but they don't--but it's hard to resist something as adorable as the mogwai on its box. Inside the box with the cereal was a sticker, which is a decent bonus. However, the big prize was something you had to actually mail away for--a plush Gizmo. Image: Ralston
11. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
It's essentially Rice Chex ("ninja nets") with marshmallows. The marshmallows in question are shaped like ninja weapons and pizzas, everything needed for a radically tasty breakfast. None of that matters, though, without what is perhaps the most beloved prize of all time-- a Ninja Turtle-shaped cereal bowl. You could eat your Ninja Turtles cereal out of a Ninja Turtles bowl. Image: Ralston
12. Fruity Pebbles/Cocoa Pebbles
Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles are undeniably the most successful licensed cereal of all time. They were first released in 1971 and can still be found in stores today, almost 50 years later. Clearly, Post stumbled onto something good when it came to The Flintstones. Image: Post Cereals
13. Spider-Man
The Spider-Man cereal from 1995 is very similar to Ralston's Ninja Turtles offering. This time, though, the "ninja nets" were spiderwebs and the marshmallows were supposed to be pumpkin bombs, "spider symbols," Peter Parker's camera, and Kingpin. In reality, they were essentially blobs of various colors. Image: Ralston
14. GI Joe Action Stars
This cereal arrived in stores in 1985--the same year the cartoon premiered. It wasn't colorful or flashy, but it was part of a complete breakfast to help create a real American hero… probably. What's most important is the mini-comic books that came packaged in the box. Cereal and comics, what more do you need? Image: Ralston
15. C-3PO's
And you thought the Star Wars Christmas Special was the most shameless cash-in on this franchise. These were essentially Honey Nut Cheerios in a figure-eight shape. As for prizes, they varied from trading cards to a Rebel Rocket toy. Image: Kellogg's
16. Mr. T
We pity the fool that never got to try Mr. T's cereal. Why did Mr. T have a cereal, you ask? Between his appearance in Rocky III and his role on The A-Team, Mr. T was a pop culture sensation in the early 1980s and that got him his own breakfast. If only they'd come up with a better idea than pieces shaped like T and literally nothing else, though. Image: Quaker
17. Pac-Man
Following the success of Donkey Kong's cereal, it was Pac-Man's turn. This cereal features Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, and ghost marshmallows, along with sweet balls of corn. Among the prizes offered inside was bubblegum. There was also the possibility of winning a full-size Pac-Man arcade game. Image: General Mills
18. Donkey Kong Jr.
Donkey Kong cereal was a little too basic--thankfully, Donkey Kong Jr. righted the wrongs of his father. Out are the crunchy barrels. Instead, this cereal is made up of pieces shaped and flavored like bananas and berries, putting a fruity twist on breakfast. Image: Ralston
19. Rainbow Brite
Of course, the Rainbow Brite cereal--based on the cartoon and movie--is rainbow-colored and shaped. It's essentially Fruit Loops, but with half-circles instead of full loops. The only notable prize, really, was a colorful chain necklace you could mail away for. What's the point of buying cereal without a toy in it? Image: Ralston
20. Morning Funnies
With so many cereals based on well-known cartoons and movies, opting to create one based on newspaper comic strips might not seem like a cutting-edge idea. What's even more bizarre is the cereal itself had nothing to do with the various comic strips it licensed. It was simply made up of smiling faces in a variety of colors. Image: Ralston
21. Booty O's
Where do you start with Booty O's? What started as an on-screen joke made by the trio known as New Day became an actual breakfast cereal you could buy in stores and a never-ending string of merchandise. The oat-based breakfast comes packed with marshmallows that look like trombones and booties, to name a few shapes. If only Ralston was still a cereal giant that could mass produce it. Image: WWE
22. Pro Stars
Not every cereal can be based on a fictional character, right? That's where Pro Stars, which puts the spotlight on sports celebrities, comes in. We know what you're thinking: That's what Wheaties are for, right? Thankfully, Pro Stars added funny to the mix and included a contest to win breakfast with Wayne Gretzky. Top that, Wheaties. Image: General Mills
By Chris E. Hayner on May 16, 2018 10:22 pm
Lost in Space is ruled by Murphy's Law.
Netflix's interstellar family vacation, Lost in Space, is a seriously fun show to watch. Based on the cult classic TV show from the 1960s, this new take is riveting, exciting, and looks beautiful--even if this distant planet they've landed on looks a lot like the wilderness outside of Vancouver, where the show was filmed. So while it's a good show--GameSpot's review of Lost in Space is proof of our love--it's not perfect. In fact, some of the show is downright silly. Time and time again, terrible things happen in and around the Robinson family as they cope with life on this new planet, proving Murphy's Law is as strong as the laws of gravity in this corner of space. Whether it's Will Robinson falling into an ice hole in the pilot or his parents sinking in a tar pit while out for a drive--down to the possible destruction of the planet itself--things happen again and again throughout season 1. In fact, it's so constant that you can't help but laugh. After digging through the first season, we were able to come up with 45 different times everything went absolutely wrong on Lost in Space. Follow along, though do beware of spoilers if you haven't actually seen the show.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
The series stars off with Murphy's Law immediately sticking it to the Robinson clan when their friendly game of Go Fish turns into a space emergency, as they lose control of their ship.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
During that very crash, Maureen--the matriarch of the Robinson family--breaks her leg when a case slams into it.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
After crash-landing on a strange, new planet, the Robinsons quickly try to escape their battered ship. Of course, they don't get far due to a damaged hatch that temporarily keeps them stuck.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
Not long after finally getting off of the ship, they realize it crashed into a lake of freezing water that is swallowing it whole. This is still in the first half of the first episode.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
Before it gets frozen, though, eldest daughter Judy goes back into the ship to retrieve power cells to keep the family from freezing to death. Naturally, because only bad luck exists on this planet, she doesn't make it back in time and gets frozen in, with only her spacesuit keeping her alive.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
Will, the youngest in the family, had a plan to free her. Instead, though, he fell down an ice hole.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
They do find a way to melt the ice, though. However, then it starts to rain and the temperature plummets again, causing the water around Judy to freeze again.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
Meanwhile, after climbing out of his ice hole, Will ended up in a jungle being chased by a scary robot.
Season 1, Episode 1--Impact
He made friends with the robot, but then forest fire threatened to harm him--again, this is still the first episode. Thankfully, the robot turned out to be friendly and saved him, then took him back to his family, where it saved Judy. Thanks, Robot.
Season 1, Episode 2--Diamonds In The Sky
The beginning of the second episode introduced another crashed ship on the planet, with a crew in a similarly disastrous situation.
Season 1, Episode 2--Diamonds In The Sky
There's is a different kind of disaster, though, as the ship they're on hangs over the edge of a cliff.
Season 1, Episode 2--Diamonds In The Sky
The Robinsons are looking for other survivors, though, and instead find fire and a destroyed ship, meaning not all of their people made it out alive.
Season 1, Episode 2--Diamonds In The Sky
With her family off looking for other survivors, Penny sees a massive storm rolling in because nothing is ever simple.
Season 1, Episode 2--Diamonds In The Sky
Naturally, her family gets caught in the storm. This isn't your run-of-the-mill rain, though. The hail can pierce your skin and cause some scary damage, as John quickly learns.
Season 1, Episode 2--Diamonds In The Sky
Once they finally escape and get clear of the storm, seeing a flare from another survivor leads them right back into it as the Robinsons try to be heroes.
Season 1, Episode 3--Infestation
Because they simply cannot catch a break, after getting back to their ship safe and sound, the Robinsons realize damage has been done to their engines that must be fixed before they can leave the ice.
Season 1, Episode 3--Infestation
Additionally, a portion of the ship has flooded, making certain places impossible to reach.
Season 1, Episode 3--Infestation
To make matters even more difficult, Maureen realizes that their fuel is disappearing somehow. Without fuel, they'll never be able to power the ship.
Season 1, Episode 3--Infestation
Where's the fuel going, you might wonder? These scary-looking snake creatures that have now infested the ship are eating it.
Season 1, Episode 3--Infestation
Thankfully, they're able to fix the engines and power the ship enough to rid them of the creatures, but not before Judy becomes trapped underneath shifting cargo.
Season 1, Episode 4--The Robinsons Were Here
Another group of survivors are working their way to the Robinsons, only to fall prey to... a dead battery. Seriously.
Season 1, Episode 4--The Robinsons Were Here
That's probably better than the trouble John and Maureen run into, though, as a massive dish falls on top of them. It's astounding to look at, but one of the worst things that could happen. Luckily, they survive without a scratch.
Season 1, Episode 5--Transmission
As Maureen tries to conduct some weather and atmosphere experiments, a gust of wind and her trusty weather balloon nearly pull her to her death over the edge of a cliff.
Season 1, Episode 5--Transmission
Not long after, she uses that same balloon to float into the planet's atmosphere. It's there that she realizes the planet's gravitational pull means it will soon be destroyed. So not only is the planet trying to kill them, it's also trying to kill itself.
Season 1, Episode 5--Transmission
But that's all in space. Down at ground level, the survivors are menaced by--what else--a big creepy, lizard monster.
Season 1, Episode 6--Eulogy
As the sixth episode kicks off, Judy and some of the other survivors find a cache of fuel they can use to leave the planet. The problem is, it's stuck in a ship that's about to topple over a cliff.
Season 1, Episode 6--Eulogy
As the group drains the fuel, Don finds information to show that Dr. Smith is an impostor. Unfortunately, almost all of it slid right out the door in a box as the ship went over the cliff. This particular moment is almost comical.
Season 1, Episode 6--Eulogy
Back at the home base, a particularly unstable survivor got their hands on a gun--thanks to Dr. Smith--and put pretty much everyone in danger in her quest to get to Robot.
Season 1, Episode 6--Eulogy
Where else would that lead but to Robot going temporarily mad, which left John badly injured. Again, thanks Dr. Smith.
Season 1, Episode 7--Pressurized
Thankfully, by the next episode, John is largely healed and Robot is taken out of commission. Unfortunately, John, with Maureen this time, quickly lands back in danger when their space SUV gets stuck in a tar pit.
Season 1, Episode 7--Pressurized
Meanwhile, the mission to rescue the fuel hits a snag when the transport vehicle is damaged by gaseous explosions. Evan heroically springs into action, lest the entire mission be doomed.
Season 1, Episode 7--Pressurized
That goes about as well as you'd expect, given how this show operates, when the transport hits more rough terrain.
Season 1, Episode 7--Pressurized
A particularly nasty explosion topples the tanker, crushing Evan underneath. Not all hope is lost, though, as Judy puts her medical skills to use to save him.
Season 1, Episode 7--Pressurized
However, by removing the tanker crushing them, the group also loses all of the gas they procured--mission not accomplished.
Season 1, Episode 7--Pressurized
Meanwhile, Maureen and John sink all the way into the tar. In theory, that should seal their fates. Of course, they find a way out right before running out of air.
Season 1, Episode 7--Pressurized
Sadly, after sacrificing the fuel to save him, Evan still dies.
Season 1, Episode 9--Resurrection
As Episode 9 kicks off, John uses what little fuel was left to return to space in an effort to signal to others that there were survivors on the planet. As you can tell, that went really well--the ship he was in blew up. He didn't die, though. Instead, he and his co-pilot were left floating through space on a small sliver of the vessel.
Season 1, Episode 9--Resurrection
As if one parent in danger isn't enough, Dr. Smith also kidnapped Maureen. You know, because she's a crazy person. Her plan was to rebuild Robot so he would be loyal to only her--and it worked.
Season 1, Episode 9--Resurrection
The rest of the survivors, though, found a source of fuel to help power their ships into space. However, upon retrieving it, they were met be these creepy and deadly alien creatures. This planet is full of monstrosities.
Season 1, Episode 10--Danger, Will Robinson
While the Season 1 finale wrapped up a lot of storylines, it wasn't without its calamities. Like when the Robinsons thought they had defeated the now-evil Robot, only for him to creep back onto the ship--and destroy the hatch that keeps the cargo bay airtight.
Season 1, Episode 10--Danger, Will Robinson
He wasn't alone, though. In case you thought one unstoppable killing robot was too easy a task, two of them came to play.
Season 1, Episode 10--Danger, Will Robinson
While ultimately Will's Robot remembered its loyalty to the youngest Robinson and destroyed its fellow machine, it wasn't without damage to Maureen's helmet, which sucked away at her air supply.
Season 1, Episode 10--Danger, Will Robinson
Likewise, the space SUV that Judy and Penny were hiding in was damaged in the fight, leaving their air supply in doubt.
Season 1, Episode 10--Danger, Will Robinson
Will went outside of the ship to repair the hatch only to, in true Robinson fashion, end up in an even worse position than before when he lost touch with the ship and floated away. It's a good thing John chose that exact moment to make his way back to the ship, saving his son and rejoining the family.
Season 1, Episode 10--Danger, Will Robinson
Unfortunately, just as the Robinsons and Smith were about the rejoin the rest of the survivors, a piece of alien technology on their ship instantly sends them to another galaxy--meaning they are only again lost in space.
By Array on May 16, 2018 09:48 pm
Being an arctic explorer ain't easy.
AMC's horror show, The Terror, keeps getting scarier. The crews of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror--two real ships that set out from England in 1845 and disappeared for over 150 years--arrived in the frigid Northern wastes in search of the Northwest Passage. Please don't consider it a spoiler that things won't turn out great for these characters in the end. These real life shipwrecks weren't discovered until 2014 and 2016, respectively, and their crews had died long ago from cold, starvation, disease, lead poisoning, and cannibalism. Anything that happens in The Terror between the start and that foregone conclusion is just embellishment invented by Dan Simmons, the author of the book on which the show is based, or showrunners David Kajganich and Soo Hugh. But what embellishments they are. With that in mind, we're going to keep a running list of all the scariest s*** that goes down in each new episode of The Terror. Don't miss our interview feature on how The Terror embraces horror without resorting to jump scares. Now click through to find out what's new.
1. Man Overboard
Episode 1 Of all the things that are no doubt going to kill these characters over The Terror's ten episodes, you might think falling overboard and drowning would be the least terrible. Then you imagine your whole body going numb, your vision shrinking, and your senses deadening as you slide further into the depths, unable to move or help yourself or do anything but die. Not a great start to this voyage.
2. This Guy
Episode 1 We don't know what it means. We just know that he's terrifying.
3. A Boy Among Men
Episode 1 It's unclear what this poor kid died from, but does it really matter? It's easy to envision these expeditionary crews as ships full of brave, hardened men, big sailors with 5 o'clock shadows and tattoos of mermaids and anchors. Seeing this kid get sick and scared and die is pretty jarring.
4. Hello Again
Episode 1 This trip underwater is filled with so much foreboding that you spend the entire scene just dreading that something awful is going to happen. Ultimately it could have been worse, but it was still a deeply unsettling moment.
5. World of Ice
Episode 1 The final shot of episode 1 is the most chilling of the whole episode: The two ships are completely encased in ice, presumably with no hope of digging out any time soon. This is only the beginning of the doom, though.
Episode 2
6. Crew, Meet Tuunbaq
Because probably starving to death in an Arctic wasteland isn't bad enough, the crew met the Tuunbaq, an Inuit creature of legend, in The Terror Episode 2. It doesn't seem very nice.
7. Bye Dad
Episode 2 Given that they were able to get this woman (who will come to be known by the name Lady Silence) and her dad back to the ship, there was a brief hope that they would save his life. Her frantic cries that he couldn't die below deck were terrible to hear.
8. Lady Silence's Warning
Episode 2 If only Lady Silence knew how right she was when she said they're going to disappear. Was it a prescient prophecy, or is she going to make sure of it? We'll have to keep watching to find out.
9. Photo Fnish
Episode 3 Captain Franklin poses for a photograph with the men chosen to hunt and kill the "bear." This being 1846, the group must pose for a full 30 seconds for the picture to be taken. Nothing really happens here, but the atmosphere is seriously ominous, as Goodsir watches his pocket watch to count down until the picture is done. It's almost like they are counting down to something terrible happening...
10. Tent Attack
Episode 3 And it does! Before the hunting party can even leave their tent, the Tuunbaq attacks, ripping open the tent from above and grabbing one of the men. As the rest of the group fire wildly into the blizzard and Franklin makes a run for it, the creature's victim loses his head in gruesome style.
11. Owwww-lid!
Episode 3 Episode 3 might be filled with decapitation and dismemberment, but one of the most excruciating moments comes shortly after the Tuunbaq attacks the hunting party. Crozier hears the gunshots and screams so runs to the deck, using a telescope to see what's going on. After he spots the terrified men retreating back to the Terror, he moves the telescope away from his eye, only to find that the metal has frozen to his eyelid, pulling a chunk of skin away with it. OWWWW!
12. Franklin Checks Out
Episode 3 Franklin's death was a genuine surprise. He had been introduced as one the show's main characters, and his antagonistic relationship with Crozier provided much of this episode's drama. But he becomes the Tuunbaq's third victim, pulled through the ice before having his leg torn off and dumped in same icy grave that we saw the Eskimo dad's body lowered into at the start of the episode.
13. Dinner Gift
Episode 3 This episode closes with Lady Silence back at her camp, alone. From outside the igloo we hear the ominous sound of large, beastly footsteps and the breathing of something big and scary. But the Tuunbaq is not here to kill--it is leaving her some food (a dead seal). The final shot of Lady Silence's terrified face as she emerges from the igloo is one of the most chilling moments of the whole episode.
14. Setting Sun
Episode 4 Crozier and his men stand on the deck of the Erebus, watching the final rays of the sun disappear below the horizon as the months-long darkness of winter descends. "The last of the year," says one of the men. "Feels like an omen." How right he is.
15. Heather's Brain
Episode 4 The marine named William Heather is laid out on the operating table after being attacked at night by the Tuunbaq. His head is half-open and his brain is on display, but amazingly, he's still alive. The whole scene is so spooky that even the doctors are forced to seal his eyes shut so he doesn't stare at them while they operate.
16. Two Men, One Body
Episode 4 In Episode 4's creepiest scene, Hickey creeps along the deck of the Erebus towards a mysterious figure seemingly leaning over the edge of the ship. As he reaches out to touch the figure, the body falls to the ground in two pieces. Even worse, we discover in the next scene that the top and bottoms halves of the body belong to different victims and have been stacked by someone--or something--in this macabre way.
17. Hickey's Confession
Episode 4 Hickey takes matters into his own hands and kidnaps Lady Silence, bringing her back to the Erebus. When Crozier demands to know what happened, the officer describes seeing the Tuunbaq up close. It doesn't sound good. "It was three times that of any bear we've seen. With a different... set to its head," he says. "I do not believe it is an animal we battle."
18. Hearing Voices
Episode 5 A crew member named Manson is helping move yet another body into the lower decks of the Terror, into what is called "the dead room." Except the terrified Manson doesn't want to go; he tells Lt. Irving that he's heard the voices of the dead trying to escape...
19. Why Do You Want To Die?
Episode 5 In his drunken desperation to find out how stop the Tuunbaq, Crozier yells at Lady Silence, demanding to know how the creature can be killed. Her reply is as unsettling as it is accurate. She stares straight into Crozier's soul and tells the pathetic, sorrowful man, "You don't want to live. Look at you. Why do you want to die?"
20. Up The Mast
Episode 5 In the show's most terrifying sequence so far, the Tuunbaq finally boards the ship in search of victims. Poor Blanky is sent by a drunken Crozier to pointlessly observe the ice, and in doing so is chased up a mast by the angry beast. We get the best look at it so far, just before it slices into Blanky's leg.
21. Sore Saw
Episode 5 Speaking of which, unfortunately Blanky's leg can't be saved. And this being the Arctic wilderness in the 19th century, there's nothing that can be done except take a swig of whiskey, put a stick between your teeth, and get busy with the saw. We don't really see much, but the sound of the saw and Blanky's screams are truly horrifying.
22. "A Darkness… With No Firm Hand To Stem It."
Episode 6 Blanky tells Fitzjames a story about a previous expedition he was on, where the odds of survival were about as low as they are for the crews of the Terror and the Erebus. The point of this eerie scene is to foreshadow the creeping madness in this episode, and Ian Hart's performance makes for a chilling scene.
23. Toungue-baq
Episode 6 Lady Silence sits on the ice with the Tuunbaq and reveals that her father was its master. "You cannot be with a shaman for so long," she tells the creature. "Accept me in his place." And then, with the beast looking on, she raises a knife and starts to cut out her own tongue.
24. King Heather
Episode 6 Poor old Heather hasn't had the best winter. He was mauled by the Tuunbaq in Episode 4 but survived, and since then has been lying on a gurney with his brain exposed. But if that was enough of an indignity, he ends up as the centrepiece of Fitzjames's carnivale, propped up as a macabre king with a paper crown on his head.
25. Lady's Back
Episode 6 Lady Silence returns to the ship, minus her tongue and covered in her own blood. Has her sacrifice given her control of the Tuunbaq? I suspect we'll find out soon enough.
26. Fire And Ice
Episode 6 In a great bit of misdirection, Collins sits with Dr Stanley early in the episode, describing his feelings of isolation and general mental disintegration. But in the end, it's not Collins but Stanley who cracks first. He sets the carnival tent ablaze and then immolates himself, staggering towards the terrified crew with his arms outstretched. It's a truly horrifying scene.
27. Cooking With Gas
Episode 7 Collins' mental disintegration continues. He tells Goodsir that the smell of "gas" is everywhere, ever since the ill-fated carnivale. Goodsir presumes he means the fire itself, but Collins is more specific--he is continually smelling the "meat" of his friends, burning alive. "They were cooking, like fillets grilling."
28. Heads Off
Episode 7 The one glimmer of hope that the stranded men had was the rescue team sent out after Franklin's death in Episode 3. Unfortunately, as we discover in the most gruesome way possible, the team only made it 18 miles. Hartnell finds their severed heads lying in the snow, presumably removed weeks earlier by the Tuunbaq and now displayed as gruesome frozen trophies.
29. Morfin's Madness
Episode 7 Madness continues to creep amongst the men, and a crewmember called Morfin is its next victim. The camp is awoken by Morfin screaming at the others, demanding that they cut off his head and lay it with those that they found the previous day. While his colleagues are obviously reluctant to do that, his death wish is soon granted when his gun malfunctions and explodes in his face.
30. Hacking Hickey
Episode 7 The episode ends with a shocking death, but it's not a Tuunbaq attack. Having encountered a group of Inuits, Irving races back to tell Hickey and another man. At this point Hickey fully becomes the evil character that the show has been building up to, and having already killed the other man, brutally stabs Irving several times through the chest. The episode concludes with the reveal that he is not Hickey at all, but someone else who has assumed his identity to board the Terror before it sailed.
31. Butchered
Episode 8 Suspecting that Irving didn't die at the hands of a savage gang of Inuits as Hickey reports, Crozier insists on viewing his body. The camera pans gruesomely down Irving's corpse, which has been scalped and castrated, revealing the extent of Hickey's savagery.
32. Tuunbaq attack!
Episode 8 After a slow build-up with very little actual horror, this episode explodes into mayhem as the Tuunbaq makes his reappearance, pursuing Collins into the midst of Hickey's impromptu trial. The creature bursts through the fog and lays bloody waste to the camp, trampling, biting, and clawing every man in sight.
33. Collins No More
Episode 8 While the fog-shrouded chaos of the final sequence makes it hard to see who exactly the Tuunbaq is killing, we do get Collins' demise in an excruciating close-up. The creature flattens him and proceeds to tear him apart, while he lies on the ground screaming. Bye Collins!
34. Whose head?
Episode 9 The grim business of gathering the bodies from the Tuunbaq's attack is underway, and it opens with this gruesome shot of one poor victim. Luckily Blanky is on hand to help the poor lad given the job of identifying the dead. "Mr Honey the carpenter," he says. "I recognize his neckerchief."
35. "What are we willing to eat next?"
Episode 9 Food is desperately short for both Crozier's men and Hickey's gang of mutineers. And of course, it is over in Hickey's camp that the previously unspeakable taboo of cannibalism is raised. Stating that they never really knew what was in cans of meat that they have been eating for years anyway, Hickey argues that eating human meat wouldn't be much worse. "Our needs have changed," he says.
36. Gibson Goes
Episode 9 Having made the decision that the only way to survive is to eat their own dead, Hickey is quick to supply a main course. After the captured Goodfellow tells him that the increasingly sickly Gibson is unlikely to live past a few days, Hickey speeds up the process and brutally stabs him to death.
37. Dinner Is Served!
Episode 9 Goodfellow is forced to carve up Gibson and deliver the choicest cuts of meat to the rest of Hickey's men. They sit silently around the table, grimly eating the lightly-charred meat. It's a dark scene, but one that also that evokes great sympathy for these men who have been forced into this terrible situation. Well, except for Hickey of course, who looks like he's really enjoying his dinner.
38. Soul Man
Episode 9 Although the bulk of Episode 9 is filled with murder and man-eating, there is a haunting sequence in which Tozer tell Hickey of what he saw when the Tuunbaq devoured Collins in the previous episode. "I saw my Collins' soul… and I watched that creature inject it. Feed on it." Chilling indeed.
By Kallie Plagge on May 16, 2018 04:52 am
Switch It Up
At E3 2017, Nintendo teased a new Pokemon game for the Switch. Instead of the rumored Pokemon Stars, which was thought to be an enhanced version of the 3DS games Sun and Moon, Game Freak's untitled Switch Pokemon game is a new, "core RPG." We know very little about the game, so we started dreaming up all the things that could make a Switch-exclusive Pokemon game extra special. 2016's Sun and Moon--and last year's updated versions, Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon--added a few of the quality-of-life features that will most likely return in the next Pokemon game. New and improved tools for high-level training, like being able to see a Pokemon's IVs at a glance, were a boon for competitive players, as was the reintroduction of Move Tutors in the Ultras. Alola also saw the introduction of regional variants of existing Pokemon, which is probably here to stay as well. So what's left to improve? We had quite a few ideas. Click forward to see nine things we want to see from Pokemon on Switch, and let us know in the comments what else you're hoping to see!
Way Less Hand-Holding
Recent Pokemon games have been regarded as, well, a bit easy. Pokemon is for everyone, but that doesn't mean the games should painstakingly explain the basics of catching and training Pokemon for the first two hours, either. Learning how to play Pokemon is easy, but mastering it is hard, and that's a big part of why it's so rewarding to build a successful team--so the next Pokemon game should actually make that a challenge again.
A Bigger, Better World To Explore
Gen 2 (Gold, Silver, and Crystal) is the best Pokemon generation of all time, in part because you got to take on all of Kanto after conquering Johto. It was like having a bonus Pokemon game after you finished your Pokemon game. That same principle could extend to Pokemon on Switch--with more power than the 3DS, the world could be so much bigger and more alive. And what's Pokemon without the adventure part?
More RPG Elements
Pokemon has the stats and complex party-building mechanics present in a lot of RPGs, but it could go even further. There are already trainer classes, like Youngsters and Fishermen, so why not make them work more like traditional RPG classes? Imagine choosing the Breeder class and getting Egg-hatching bonuses or becoming an Ace Trainer so you can be more of a jack of all trades.
Add an MMO-Style Online Component
Pokemon has mainly been the domain of handhelds, and although the Switch is portable, it's also a proper home console (with the promise of an online service). So if the Switch Pokemon game has a bigger, better world and a few more RPG-style details, it's not a stretch to hope for even more of a living RPG world when you connect online. There would probably be parental controls and safety limitations, since this is Nintendo, but if Game Freak brought back Secret Bases and made online connectivity a little more immediate, we would be pretty stoked.
Bring Back Ride Pokemon
The death of HMs was one of Sun and Moon's greatest gifts to Pokemon, which means Ride Pokemon shouldn't go away any time soon. You should never again keep a Linoone (a very good HM Pokemon, for the record) or anything else you don't really want to train in your party just because it can move boulders for you.
Your Pokemon Should Follow You, Dang It
This is probably the most frequently requested Pokemon feature ever. It hasn't been a thing since HeartGold and SoulSilver, and assuming the 3D (and graphics in general) would be a lot better on Switch, walking Pokemon would be a great way to show that off. Imagine a Rowlet hopping around or a Growlithe digging at the dirt when you stand in one place too long!
Improve the Post-Game
This goes hand-in-hand with a few other things on our wishlist, but seriously--in Sun and Moon, there really wasn't much to do after beating the game unless you play the competitive meta or want to catch lots of legendaries. Adding a significant late-game area to explore, bringing back Pokemon Contests, and adding mini-games would all go a long way toward improving the post-game experience for all kinds of players. Also, Pokemon on Switch should definitely bring back the ability to call trainers you've battled for a rematch at any time.
Pokemon Bank Compatibility
This is a no-brainer. Pokemon on Switch has to work with Pokemon Bank, since there wouldn't be any other way to trade up the Pokemon from your previous games. Plus, bringing your favorite Pokemon onto the Switch could be a lot like when you uploaded your Pokemon from Red and Blue into Pokemon Stadium--there's your favorite Charizard, but on a bigger screen.
Pokemon Amie/Refresh With the Joy-Cons
Pokemon Amie (from ORAS) and Refresh (from Sun and Moon) are both very charming, simple additions that make anyone who wants to use them feel closer to their Pokemon. A version on Switch could incorporate either the touchscreen or the Joy-Cons if that's your jam, and it would be ridiculously cute.
By Mat Elfring on May 16, 2018 02:11 am
Game shows aren't what they used to be. Aside from series like Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, or The Price is Right, most new game shows are nothing more than straightforward trivia shows with no real fun kicker or edge to them. That wasn't the case in the '80s and '90s, when some of TV's most entertaining game shows were on the air. It was a time when contestants had to run up a mountain in order to get a piece of a radical glowing rock or had to shop in a fake mall until they risked dropping in exhaustion. While there is a big nostalgia factor for a lot of these shows, so many of them were so unique, it's worth taking another look at. Recently, Nickelodeon announced that its classic game show Double Dare will be returning to television this summers. Sadly, it's without the original host Marc Summers, but that got us thinking. If Double Dare can return, then there's a whole world of game shows from the '80s and '90s that would be a lot of fun today. We looked into the past to find some of the best game shows that aired between the '80s and '90s that could easily get a revamp for television today. The vast majority of these shows were a lot like Double Dare, in the fact they are trivia shows with a bizarre twist. Here are 14 of them we'd love to see return to television.
Legends of the Hidden Temple
Dates: 1993-95 Network: Nickelodeon The action-adventure game show was most noted for its giant, talking head mascot, Olmec. The show had a real Indiana Jones vibe to it as teams of two battled each other in challenges for the right to explore the Temple and win fabulous prizes, like a telescope, a boombox, or a trip to Space Camp. The most infamous room in the Temple was the Shrine of the Silver Monkey, where the players had to put together a monkey statue that only fit into a podium one, specific way. Most contestants failed this challenge.
Nick Arcade
Date: 1992 Network: Nickelodeon Surprisingly, Nick Arcade only had one season of new episodes, but Nickelodeon ran reruns for five years afterwards. The trivia show revolved around the world of video games, where contestants would have to answer questions about video games. Additionally, contestants would play console games like Sonic the Hedgehog and try to beat each other's high scores. The finale of each episode was contestants jumping into The Video Zone, which put the players into a weird, green-screened video game.
Wild And Crazy Kids
Dates: 1990-92 Network: Nickelodeon Aside from having the most '90s intro possible, Wild And Crazy Kids featured over-the-top games, many times based on sports. One of the more memorable ones was donkey basketball, which--you guessed it--featured kids riding on donkeys and playing basketball. There were also sloppy versions of familiar games, like Red Light, Green Light, but if you got caught moving during "red light," you were hit in the face with a pie.
Finders Keepers
Dates: 1988-89 Network: Nickelodeon This late '80s game show was all about destroying rooms in a fake house. Two teams ran amok in a fabricated house where they had to search for specific items given to them by the host of the show. Finders Keepers concludes with the winning team having to search six rooms of the house for hidden items. It's 30 minutes of people trashing rooms. As a kid, it was incredibly satisfying.
Guts
Dates: 1992-96 Network: Nickelodeon Sure, Ninja Warrior and the numerous knockoffs of it exist now, but back in the early '90s, things were Xtreme! Guts pitted kids against each other in extreme versions of familiar sports. However, the highlight of the show was the finale where contestants had to climb up a giant mountain called The Aggro Crag. If they were successful, they won a radical piece of the mountain's glowing rock.
Get The Picture
Date: 1991 Network: Nickelodeon Although the show had over 100 episodes and ran for two seasons, Nickelodeon's Get The Picture didn't even make it a full year, starting and ending its run in 1991. On this series, contestants would answer trivia questions and if they answered correctly, would uncover a piece of a mystery picture behind a giant video screen, and they'd have to guess what it is. The finale was the winners of the previous rounds playing a giant game of memory where they had to correctly guess where random pictures were on the giant board.
What Would You Do?
Dates: 1991-93 Network: Nickelodeon We're not talking about the primetime, hidden camera series hosted by the delightful John Quiñones. This was an afternoon Nickelodeon series hosted by Marc Summers, which ran from 1991-93. Summers took people from the audience and tried to get them to do crazy things for cash prizes. Also, there was the pie pod, a chair contestants sat in that would automatically launch pies into their face.
Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?
Dates: 1991-95 Network: PBS Do it, Rockapella! The game show based on a computer game took itself incredibly seriously, and that's partly what made it so great. The PBS series ran for five seasons, almost hitting the 300 episode mark. Each week, three junior detectives would help the host and chief track down a thief who stole something important (like a gigantic stadium). Once that sinister baddie was captured, the winner of the trivia rounds would have to trot around the world on a map of the Earth to try and find Carmen Sandiego, by adding markers to the countries announced by the host.
Fun House
Dates: 1988-91 Network: Fox Fun House was Fox's attempt at replicating the greatness of Double Dare, but with a twist that made the finale of each episode a ton of fun. During the show, which ran from '88 to '91, contestants would battle each other in physical challenges. The winner of the opening rounds ended up going into Fun House, which was a wacky obstacle course where contestants had to find hidden flags.
Shop 'til You Drop
Dates: 1991-2005 Networks: Lifetime, The Family Network, PAX Although this show was aimed at adults, many kids during the early '90s watched the first few seasons of the series. Across its run on multiple networks, Shop 'til You Drop aired from '91-'05 and filmed close to 1,000 episodes. The show started with consumer knowledge and pop culture trivia, and the team of two that got the most points during that round got to (say it with me) Shop 'til You Drop! They ran around a fake mall, exchanging boxes to try and obtain the most expensive gifts possible.
Supermarket Sweep
Dates: 1965-67, 90-95, 2000-03 Networks: ABC, Lifetime, PAX While this piece revolves around '80s and '90s game shows, here's one that we didn't realize was originally from the '60s. Supermarket Sweep first aired between '65-'67 on ABC, but the show gained its popularity during the '90s, when Lifetime picked up and revamped the show. Believe it or not, this series ran for 1,111 episodes. The trivia portion of the show revolved around consumer knowledge and finding things in the grocery store set within a certain time limit. The winners of the previous rounds would get to run amok in the grocery store trying to rack up a huge bill.
Remote Control
Dates: 1987-90 Network: MTV When Remote Control aired on MTV back in the late '80s, it was weird to have a show on the network not showing full music videos or about music in general. This trivia show was bizarre and quite funny for its time, as it had Denis Leary, Colin Quinn, and Adam Sandler as writers. The questions for the contestants revolved around television knowledge. The winner of the opening rounds would be strapped to a bed where they'd have to identify numerous music videos on a wall of TVs.
Starcade
Dates: 1981-84 Network: TBS Even during the arcade boom of the '80s, there were very few game shows revolving around video gaming. Starcade was the best and brightest of them, airing over 130 episodes. On the show, contestants would answer video game-related trivia questions and would battle each other on arcade games for top scores. It was a lot like Nick Arcade, without the cheesy green screen finale. The winner of those opening rounds would go on to the Bonus Round where they played one of the arcade games on set and had to beat an average score set by 20 people.
Figure It Out
Dates: 1997-99, 2012-13 Network: Nickelodeon The only game show on this list that doesn't involve challengers answering random trivia was Nickelodeon's Figure It Out. For each segment, a contestant would come out with a secret about themselves, which was usually a bizarre talent. A panel of Nickelodeon celebrities would come out and ask the contestant yes or no answers to try and "figure it out" their secret. If they could not find out the secret, the contestant won fabulous prizes. Additionally, there were "Secret Slime Actions," and if anyone on the panel performed said action, the panel member would get slimed and someone in the audience would win fabulous prizes.The show got a short-lived revival in 2012.
By Chris E. Hayner on May 16, 2018 01:13 am
33. Justice League
There's been no shortage of great comic book movies released over the last ten years. Here are the 32 best, ranked by their Metacritic scores. First: Though this DC superhero team-up movie has its share of problems -- most notably, an uninspired villain and his infinitely disposable horde of fear-eating bug men -- the jokes are fun and the heroes are worth rooting for. You can read the full GameSpot review of Justice League here. This film received an 45 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Warner Bros.)
32. Thor: The Dark World
While Thor has fit seamlessly into The Avengers, the character's solo movies haven't always lived up to their hype. The Dark World had the promise of an adventure on Asgard, but it didn't connect. The film received a 54 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
31. Man of Steel
While you may be hard-pressed to find someone that's a fan of Zack Snyder's DC Extended Universe films--or his dark, gritty take on Superman--at least Henry Cavill looks the part of the titular Man of Steel. Unfortunately, the movie does him no justice. The film received a 55 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Warner Bros.)
30. Watchmen
Zack Snyder's vision of the cult classic comic book isn't necessarily bad. Unfortunately, it's incredibly long and too complex for those that aren't already fans to understand. While it's a faithful adaptation of Alan Moore's original story, perhaps it could have been streamlined a bit more for film. The film received a 56 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Warner Bros.)
28. Iron Man 2 (tie)
Iron Man 2's biggest problem is that it follows Iron Man, the incredibly well-received movie that kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Mickey Rourke, fresh of an Oscar nomination, stars opposite Robert Downey Jr. as the movie's villain Whiplash. Sadly, it all pales in comparison to the first outing. This film received a 57 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
28. Thor (tie)
While better than its sequel, Thor had way too much backstory, both on Asgard and on Earth, to truly make a major impact. It also leaned heavier on comedy than any of the other Phase One films in the MCU, which leaves it as the odd movie out. This film received a 57 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
27. Spider-Man 3
Packed with villains, a dancing Peter Parker and the introduction of Spidey's iconic black costume to little fanfare, Spider-Man 3 is such a strange film. While it was still a box office success--and entertaining in some parts--Sony opted to reboot the franchise rather than develop Spider-Man 4. The film received a 59 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Sony Pictures)
26. The Wolverine
It would be hard for a sequel not to improve upon X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Adapting the Silver Samurai story from the comics, The Wolverine moved slowly but told a solid and interesting story in the X-Men universe. This film received a 60 on Metacritic. (Image credit: 20th Century Fox)
25. The Incredible Hulk
This is the strangest film in the MCU's Phase One. Five years after Ang Lee's Hulk, Marvel rebooted the character and recast Edward Norton in the role. The movie delivered better than anyone who watched Hulk could have imagined. Still, Norton was recast in future MCU movies by Mark Ruffalo. This film received a 61 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Universal Pictures)
24. Iron Man 3
Iron Man 3 just didn't fit what fans expected of a comic book movie. Director Shane Black brought emotion back to Tony Stark and gave Downey's character a redemption story as he rebuilt himself, literally and figuratively. This film received a 62 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
23. Ant-Man
Marvel took a turn with Ant-Man, presenting what was essentially a heist story that just so happened to involve superpowers. It was a nice change of pace for Marvel that opened a new avenue in the MCU. This film received a 64 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
21. Deadpool (tie)
The Merc with a Mouth finally got his time in the sun with the dirtiest, most vulgar comic book movie one could possibly imagine. Deadpool wouldn't fly in the MCU, but he fits surprisingly well in the X-Men universe and proved to everyone that R-rated superhero movies can be successful. This film received a 65 on Metacritic. (Image credit: 20th Century Fox)
21. X-Men: First Class (tie)
Many fans thought the X-Men franchise was dead after X-Men: The Last Stand. Instead, it went back in time to show the origins of several characters in the universe. This film received a 65 on Metacritic. (Image credit: 20th Century Fox)
18. Avengers: Age of Ultron (tie)
While the sequel to Marvel's Avengers wasn't quite as good as the first, it did illustrate how close the team of superheroes had become since their first adventure together. Unfortunately, crazed robot Ultron didn't prove to be a worthy adversary. This film received a 66 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
18. The Amazing Spider-Man (tie)
The Amazing Spider-Man felt like more of a genuine adaptation than the trilogy that came before it thanks to Andrew Garfield playing up Peter Parker's more humorous side. That can't necessarily be said about its sequel, though. This film received a 66 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Sony Pictures)
18. Captain America: The First Avenger (tie)
It's one of the most iconic stories in Marvel Comics history, and director Joe Johnston did it justice. Set during World War II, The First Avenger finds the right balance between action and heart while setting the stage for just how grand the MCU would become. This film received a 66 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
17. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2
If there's such a thing as too much Baby Groot, it has yet to be seen. The second Guardians manages to expand the crazy world set up by the first movie, while also taking the time to focus on developing each and every one of the main characters. It's the rare sequel that lives up to the first movie in practically every way. This film received a 67 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
15. Deadpool 2 (tie)
While this sequel shares the same great fourth-wall-shattering meta humor as the original, GameSpot's own Micahel Rougeau warns in his review that its trope-heavy plot "doesn't work." The film scored a 68 on Metacritic. (Image: 20th Century Fox)
15. Avengers: Infinity War (tie)
According to GameSpot's Michael Rougeau, "The action ... is as imaginative as you'd hope with all these different heroes with wildly varied powers coming together--and every bit as excellent as we've come to expect from directors Joe and Anthony Russo." It's not the best-rated Marvel film ever, but it is a really fun one. This movie scored a 68 on Metacritic. You can read the spoiler-free GameSpot review here. (Image: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
14. The Avengers
Marvel's first superhero team up couldn't have gone much better. With a worthy villain in Loki, Avengers gave the team a reason to come together and made use of the cast's natural chemistry to create a truly special moment. This film received a 69 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
13. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Winter Soldier stands in the MCU as one of the best single superhero movies of all time. With a deeply personal story between Steve and Bucky, dazzling action moments and the destruction of S.H.I.E.L.D., Winter Soldier works on every level. This film received a 70 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
12. Doctor Strange
As with Ant-Man, Doctor Strange broke the mold of what people expect from comic book movies. Instead of superpowers and storylines bogged down in continuity, it dealt with the mystic and set its hero on his own adventure. This film received a 72 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
10. Thor: Ragnarok (tie)
In the Thor franchise's third film, the god of thunder must escape the planet of Sakaar before Hela (Cate Blanchett) wipes out Asgard. This movie smashed its way to a 73 on Metacritic. (Photo: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
10. Spider-Man: Homecoming (tie)
It turns out the third try was the charm: Sony's newest Spider-Man reboot, which brings the webslinger into the MCU, is the Spidey film fans have been waiting for. With a believable cast, a street-level superhero story, heart and humor, Spider-Man finally feels at home. This film received an 73 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Sony Pictures)
9. X-Men: Days of Future Past
With time travel as a tool, Days of Future Past bridged the original and new X-Men casts, making for a truly memorable experience in an effort to save the world. It also gave director Bryan Singer the chance to fix some of the things that left fans annoyed by The Last Stand--such as the death of Cyclops. This film received a 74 on Metacritic. (Image credit: 20th Century Fox)
8. Captain America: Civil War
Adapting one of the better modern comic book arcs, the film pits Iron Man against Captain America in a battle that tore the Avengers apart. It also introduced the newest Spider-Man, who was a welcome addition. This film received a 75 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
7. Guardians of the Galaxy (tie)
The film that showed Marvel they could go outside of the box, Guardians took a little-known comic book team and made them mainstream heroes as they fought colorful alien monsters in space, all to a perfect soundtrack. As with Ant-Man and Doctor Strange, this movie benefits from not having to do any heavy-lifting of MCU continuity. The threads are there, though. This film received a 76 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
6. Wonder Woman (tie)
Wonder Woman delivers the hope that the DC Extended Universe has been missing. While movies like Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad were dark and gritty, Wonder Woman was bright, empowering and actually pretty funny at times. Will it turn the tide for DC, though? This film received a 76 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Warner Bros.)
5. Logan
Hugh Jackman's final adventure as Wolverine is also the best in the entire X-Men franchise. Taking a cue from Deadpool, Logan leaned heavily into R-rated territory, embracing the violence and gore that are a trademark of the Wolverine comics. That, mixed with newcomer Dafne Keen as a little girl with similar powers to Logan, created one of the most artistic comic book movies to date. This film received a 77 on Metacritic. (Image credit: 20th Century Fox)
4. The Dark Knight Rises
The final film in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy serves as a true ending to that version of the characters, something a lot of superhero franchises never get the chance to do. While there are some questionable choices made in the film--like Joseph Gordon Levitt's character's real name--Batman versus Bane proved to be an epic showdown. If only Bruce Wayne was in the cowl more often during the movie. This film received a 78 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Warner Bros.)
3. Iron Man
Iron Man, the movie that launched the MCU, is great from top to bottom. Downey is inspired casting as Tony Stark and his journey from egotistical playboy to superhero is riveting. This film received a 79 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Paramount Pictures)
2. The Dark Knight
It's been called the Godfather II of comic book movies, and for good reason. The Dark Knight furthered the Batman mythology while introducing a truly legendary take on the Joker, with Heath Ledger embodying the painted madman in a way nobody else has before. This movie set the bar for what a superhero movie could be--a standard that will always be incredibly difficult to surpass. This film received an 82 on Metacritic. (Image credit: Warner Bros.)
1. Black Panther
Black Panther is so deeply invested in the world its set in -- the fictional African nation of Wakanda -- that it rises above to become a celebration of culture and representation, all while setting up Avengers: Infinity War. This movie scored an 87 on Metacritic. You can read the GameSpot review of Black Panther here. (Image: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
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