PLOT: While laid-up in Sickbay on the Searcher with a heavy fever, Buck observes a curious green aura around the bodies of a visiting group of officers. He slowly becomes convinced that they're lizard-people, known as the Saurians, masquerading as Terran officers with conquest on their minds.
COMMENTARY: As of this fourth episode of the 2nd season it's clear that the new production team was shooting for a Star Trek-like format rooted in dramatic sci-fi and serious space exploration, as opposed to the 1st season, which focused more on superficial space entertainment, like hot space babes and general amusement, although the 1st season certainly contained SOME serious sci-fi. If you can accept this change, "Mark of the Saurian" is a well-done, well-scripted segment. The Saurians resemble the Gorn captain from Star Trek's heralded "Arena," but with fins here & there.
Up to this point, the 2nd season delivered the goods, for the most part, and should be respected and appreciated, rather than reviled. Sure, it's different from the 1st season and some changes were bad (the addition of the eye-rolling Crichton and Twiki's curious new voice, which didn't last), but it's not THAT different and the more serious approach has its appeal. Plus, some changes were good, like the addition of Hawk. They shoulda kept the hot space babes though (beyond Wilma, that is; she's a given).
COMMENTARY: As of this fourth episode of the 2nd season it's clear that the new production team was shooting for a Star Trek-like format rooted in dramatic sci-fi and serious space exploration, as opposed to the 1st season, which focused more on superficial space entertainment, like hot space babes and general amusement, although the 1st season certainly contained SOME serious sci-fi. If you can accept this change, "Mark of the Saurian" is a well-done, well-scripted segment. The Saurians resemble the Gorn captain from Star Trek's heralded "Arena," but with fins here & there.
Up to this point, the 2nd season delivered the goods, for the most part, and should be respected and appreciated, rather than reviled. Sure, it's different from the 1st season and some changes were bad (the addition of the eye-rolling Crichton and Twiki's curious new voice, which didn't last), but it's not THAT different and the more serious approach has its appeal. Plus, some changes were good, like the addition of Hawk. They shoulda kept the hot space babes though (beyond Wilma, that is; she's a given).