For a straightforward action story concept this works fairly well. there was enough drama and enough twists to keep me watching. landau holds the story, most of the regular's don't make an appearance but koenig was the main lead on many episodes so this works fairly well. there are no high concept ideas behind this episode, it is a story about freedom and the individual's right to freedom against oppression. we don't really know about the prisoners and never do, this is a shame as it would have enhanced the story. there is an implication that they used to be enemies of the state and that they may have been imprisoned unjustly in order to control the population on the home world. on the other hand they may have committed violent crimes and their treatment may be fully justified; they certainly use violence against koenig. elizia is a strong villain, some of the best moments in the episode come from the conflict between elizia and krael, the prisoner's representative, who makes some very stinging comments and tries to resist in the limited way he is allowed. this helps to make the conclusion very satisfying. there is yet another eagle crash, and once again it is very exciting, as expected. the teleportation effect looks a little cheap. there is no explanation for how the plague came about; biological warfare gone wrong perhaps. the costumes and sets look very striking, the planet's surface works but the interior sets are better. landau carries his new look as a prisoner very well; it is clear that he is still a leader and won't take any nonsense. the ending ties everything up nicely and makes sense, as well as delivering a fitting punishment for one villain.
Review of Devil's Planet
