"G.I. Joe" (1985) TV series 1985-1986

Writers:

Larry Hama (character development)
Denny O'Neil (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

16 September 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Animation

Plot:

An elite special missions force fights against the terrorist forces of Cobra.

Plot Keywords:

Military | Based On Toy

Cast

Chris Latta	...	Cobra Commander / ... (77 episodes, 1985-1986)
Michael Bell	...	Duke / ... (67 episodes, 1985-1986)
Neil Ross	...	Shipwreck / ... (62 episodes, 1985-1986)
Arthur Burghardt	...	Destro / ... (56 episodes, 1985-1986)
Frank Welker	...	Torch / ... (55 episodes, 1985-1986)
Mary McDonald-Lewis	...	Lady Jaye / ... (49 episodes, 1985-1986)
Bill Ratner	...	Flint / ... (45 episodes, 1985-1986)
Zack Hoffman	...	Zartan / ... (36 episodes, 1985-1986)
Kene Holliday	...	Roadblock (36 episodes, 1985-1986)
Morgan Lofting	...	Baroness / ... (35 episodes, 1985-1986)
Corey Burton	...	Tomax / ... (32 episodes, 1985-1986)
Pat Fraley	...	Ace / ... (31 episodes, 1985)

Also Known As:

Action Force (UK)
Chijô saikyô no Expert Team G.I. Joe (Japan)

Runtime:

30 min | 30 min (85 episodes)

Country:

USA | Japan

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:PG | USA:TV-Y7 | UK:PG

Company:

Sunbow Productions

Trivia:

The line of action figures included one for Zartan the Swamp Master, a villain who could camouflage himself like a chameleon. However, the figure was taken off the shelves late in 1986.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the Joes and the Oktober Guard are seen riding sleds in "The Great Alaskan Land Rush", Scarlett is seen riding with Duke while Roadblock is seen riding with Diana of the Oktober Guard. In the next shot, however, Roadblock is suddenly with Sgt. Horrorshow.

Quotes:

Flint: Lady Jaye! I... I was worried about you.
Lady Jaye: That doesn't exactly make me unhappy, you know.
[awkward pause, then they hug]

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Family Guy: Back to the Woods (#6.9)" (2008)

Decent toy tie-in.

GI Joe was essentially an advertisement for the toys; it, like the comic, was designed to tie in with the toy line, to support the storyline of the comic and toys, and to introduce new characters and vehicles.

Given the constraints of the advertising medium, the show was pretty good. The characters seemed to develop over time, and there were identifiable (and diverging) personalities. Unfortunately, GI Joe suffers from the same problem may other cartoons that depict battle show; no one gets hurt or killed.

I don't want to sound like a sadist or cheap thrill seeker, but one would think that a show depicting two large armed forces continuously battling over the globe would suffer casualties. Planes were constantly shot down, but no one ever died. Highly unrealistic, and with Robotech showing at the same time, GI Joe lost its edge. It may have been more popular than Robotech, but couldn't maintain interest for very long. ...and then there's the episode where Cobra has a high-powered laser, and- no, doesn't try to destroy Joe- attempts to carve the Cobra logo onto the face of the moon. What an effective use of technology and power! Graffiti!