The Plot to Kill a City: Part 1 (11 Oct. 1979)

After one of their number gets killed by an Earth Defense Directorate agent, an elite group of lethal assassins known as the Legion of Death vow revenge and devise a plan to destroy New ... See full summary »

Director:

Dick Lowry

Writers:

Alan Brennert, Robert C. Dille (characters)

Stars:

Gil Gerard, Erin Gray, Tim O'Connor

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Gil Gerard	...	Capt. William "Buck" Rogers
Erin Gray	...	Col. Wilma Deering
Tim O'Connor	...	Dr. Elias Huer
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Victor Argo	...	Argus
Sena Ayn Black	...	Woman (as Sena Black)
Mel Blanc	...	Twiki (voice)
Nancy DeCarl	...	Sherese
John Furlong	...	1st Cop
Seamon Glass	...	Pirate
Frank Gorshin	...	Seton Kellogg
Anthony James	...	Varek
Markie Post	...	Joella Cameron
John Quade	...	Jolen Quince
Richard Reed	...	1st Rowdy
Mitch Reta	...	Technician

Storyline

After one of their number gets killed by an Earth Defense Directorate agent, an elite group of lethal assassins known as the Legion of Death vow revenge and devise a plan to destroy New Chicago. Buck Rogers infiltrates the gang by posing as killer-for-hire Raphael Argus.

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Plot Keywords:

25th century | spandex disco jeans | spandex suit

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 October 1979 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Glen A. Larson Productions, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor) Color (technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In an earlier scene, you can hear the PA system making an announcement for "Doctor Adam Strange." Doctor Adam Strange is a DC comic character since 1958, an American suddenly transported from Peru to the planet Rann. As Rann's "champion," his sci-fi/futuristic/space adventures were similar to Buck Rogers.

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Goofs

After Buck shoots Sherese, he leaves her knocked out on the ground and heads around a corner where Quince, Kellogg and Varek are on higher ground. After going back to where he came from, Varek is waiting there for him and after the scuffle is over, Sherese is meeting up with them, as though she had never been stunned.

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Quotes

[Masquerading as Raphael Argus, Buck has been captured and taken to a prison ship, where he is roomed with pirate Barnard Smith]
Capt. William "Buck" Rogers: However, we don't have to share any cell. If I can get them to lower that force field.
Barnard 'Barney' Smith: You have a plan?
Capt. William "Buck" Rogers: Let's just say I need an opportunity.
Barnard 'Barney' Smith: Well follow my lead, my friend. Follow my lead, opportunity is about to knock.
[Barney runs to the invisible force field]
Barnard 'Barney' Smith: [screaming hysterically] GUARD! GUARD! GET ME OUT OF HERE! HELP! Get me out of here!
Guard: [...]

User Reviews

The fun first half of an entertaining two-parter.

When one of their number is killed by an Earth Defense Directorate agent, a group of assassins known as The Legion of Death vow revenge and plot to destroy New Chicago. Buck infiltrates the gang, posing as killer-for-hire Raphael Argus, whom the other assassins only know by reputation.

Unfortunately, Buck's cover is blown before he can inform Earth of the Legion's dastardly plans.

The first of a two-part episode, The Plot to Kill a City Pt 1 is a classic slice of dodgy 80s TV sci-fi that is thoroughly entertaining thanks to its totally daft collection of bad-guys (and gal), and its rather crap effects, unconvincing matte paintings, naff set design and flimsy props.

An indication of the pure cheesiness of this episode appears early on when Buck approaches a blonde woman in a bar, only for her to turn around to reveal that 'she' is an alien (with an elephant's trunk!). And the fun continues throughout, with a telekinetic killer, a mutant in a gold face-mask, a spaceship with a sexy on-board computer, and a scene in which Wilma uses a ridiculous surveillance device to eavesdrop on the killers (a big perspex dish with flashing red diodes).

Erin Gray, as Wilma Deering, is as gorgeous as ever, sporting a brunette wig and a purple dress split up to the thigh as a disguise, and extra eye-candy is on offer in the delightful form of Markie Post, who plays Joella Cameron, an ex-girlfriend of the real Argus, who decides to protect Buck's true identity from the villains.

And to top it all, The Plot to Kill a City Pt 1 finishes with a terrific cliffhanger, just like the original Buster Crabbe series from the 1930s.