Mork & Mindy (TV Series) Mork Runs Away (1978) User Reviews

Robert Donner debuts as Exidor

[kevinolzak · 10/10 · 18 October 2016]

"Mork Runs Away" marked the debut of Robert Donner as Exidor, self proclaimed 'Space Admiral' for the Friends of Venus, whose every appearance was enough to set the studio audience into rounds of applause. Mindy's love life has come to a stop since Mork moved in, and a call from an old beau (James David Hinton) has her convincing her father to take Mork to a basketball game. Just as things are becoming romantic, in walks Mork to discuss how Mindy's father put a halt to the game when a series of Mork-inspired mishaps occurred. Misunderstanding the situation, the boyfriend quickly exits, Mindy shedding a few tears that demonstrate to Mork how she's hurting: "your eyes are leaking!" A tear actually forms in his eye as well, so he decides that Mindy would be better off if he ran away for parts unknown. 'Main munchkin' Eugene (Jeffrey Jacquet) figures Mork can't go far on six big ones, so he suggests a nearby flophouse, where Mork meets the equally eccentric Exidor, convinced that the Venusians are coming down to destroy the earth on Labor Day, but will provide a spaceship to save 1000 lucky souls. With only 3 on board thus far, Exidor is delighted to find a true believer, then dismayed to learn that Mork actually visited Venus, reporting that they haven't the technology for space travel. Mindy has no trouble locating Mork with the Friends of Venus, and lets him know that her apartment isn't home without someone she cares about. A tender hug gets Mork going, and he admits he doesn't know what it is! Exidor would total an amazing 23 episodes, all memorable for his presence, forever spouting off to one imaginary playmate after another, Mork always willing to believe his friend if not his eyes.

Mork & Mindy : Mork Runs Away

[Scarecrow-88 · 9/10 · 14 September 2014]

"Mork Runs Away" is best described as adorable, a big hug for those who watch it. Okay, before you vomit, just hear me out. Mindy so desires a romantic interest since most of her time has been spent in the house with Mork, her friend. So a beau from the past might just be the re-introduction to a decent love life needed for Mindy so she won't feel so lonely. Mork interrupts this unintentionally (remember, he's still unaccustomed with human behavior and as each episode ends, Mork has learned more about relationships and the human condition) after Mindy's pops calls off their basketball game because of the "coffee passing incident". Mork's description of the trip to his first basketball game produces one laugh after another: this is Williams at his most brilliant. How Mork torpedoes Mindy's date is equally hilarious and sad….Mindy heartbroken and Mork teary-eyed because she was upset just tugs at the heartstrings. I think we can just see that Dawber and Williams were such a treasure together, so when something (in this case an attempt at the potential romance with an old flame going up in flames) comes between and disrupts their kinship, it has emotional resonance. Their hug at the end kind of sums up just what this episode feels like…no matter the problem they encounter, at the end they are still together and a vital part of each other's lives. Mork's "preaching" to his new "roommate"--a loony in a flophouse planning to leave for Venus with two imaginary traveling companions—is a treat as he describes how he would convince others to join them on a trip to Venus. Robert Donner, a recognizable television actor and western character actor, is a hoot as the flophouse nut appalled at Mork's accurate description of real Venusians. In a white robe, and sounding off to his imaginary companions, Donner sends up that wacky prophet weirdo often encountered in slums and street corners to the hilt. Seeing Donner and Williams in a long scene together is a comic dynamo. To call Mork and Mindy endearing would be an understatement. Each episode seems to indicate that Mork and Mindy's friendship blossoms with love at its center.