PLOT: Buck, Twiki & Theo travel through a vortex to a parallel universe at the bequest of the pacifistic Pendarians who are threatened by the Zadians, led by their ruthless war witch Zarina (Julie Newmar). Meanwhile Princess Ardala (Pamela Hensley), Kane (Michael Ansara) & the Draconians follow Buck's trail through the vortex with Dr. Huer and Col. Deering along for the ride. Kelley Miles plays the lovely Chandar who meets Buck on Pendar while Donald Petrie plays her beau captured by the Zadians to pick his brain. Sam Jaffe & Vera Miles (mother of Kelley) are on hand as top Pendarians.
COMMENTARY: This double episode (97 minutes) is perhaps the most ambitious of the series with its well done F/X (for 1980 television), convoluted plot, and myriad guest cast members. "Planet of the Slave Girls" and "Time of the Hawk" are the only two that come close, although I prefer "Slave Girls" to "War Witch" (it's just overall more entertaining).
The complex plot features the interactions of people from no less than four worlds. The uneasy alliance between the Terrans and the Draconians is an interesting change of pace. The large gold sphere in the first act is reminiscent of 1998's "Sphere." Speaking of that part, it was shot at Vasquez Rocks, where several Star Trek episodes were filmed. There's another outside sequence in Part I shot at some park or garden. The vortex is curiously reminiscent of the 'Boom Tube' featured in Jack Kirby's comic book The Forever People.
This last episode of the 1st season marks the final appearance of several characters: Huer, Theopolis, Ardala and Kane. The excellent Huer (Tim O'Connor) would be replaced by two okay-but-inferior characters in the abridged 2nd season (Admiral Asimov and Dr. Goodfellow). The brilliant and creative Theo would be swapped for the annoyingly arrogant robot Crichton.
COMMENTARY: This double episode (97 minutes) is perhaps the most ambitious of the series with its well done F/X (for 1980 television), convoluted plot, and myriad guest cast members. "Planet of the Slave Girls" and "Time of the Hawk" are the only two that come close, although I prefer "Slave Girls" to "War Witch" (it's just overall more entertaining).
The complex plot features the interactions of people from no less than four worlds. The uneasy alliance between the Terrans and the Draconians is an interesting change of pace. The large gold sphere in the first act is reminiscent of 1998's "Sphere." Speaking of that part, it was shot at Vasquez Rocks, where several Star Trek episodes were filmed. There's another outside sequence in Part I shot at some park or garden. The vortex is curiously reminiscent of the 'Boom Tube' featured in Jack Kirby's comic book The Forever People.
This last episode of the 1st season marks the final appearance of several characters: Huer, Theopolis, Ardala and Kane. The excellent Huer (Tim O'Connor) would be replaced by two okay-but-inferior characters in the abridged 2nd season (Admiral Asimov and Dr. Goodfellow). The brilliant and creative Theo would be swapped for the annoyingly arrogant robot Crichton.