I'm surprised to find so little in the way of reviews or information, since "Les Shadoks" was a genuinely original and striking series. Even nowadays, several decades later, there are large parts of the French-speaking world where eyes will light up at the mention of the word "Shadok". At first sight the drawings may look childishly simple or primitive, but do not let yourself be deceived : this is very very very sophisticated television which spins tales full of surreal invention, whacky poetry and absurd wit. Where else are you going to find creatures such as a semi-divine soothsayer and wizard who works a second job as a plumber ? Or a drunken captain whose hobby consists not of "putting tiny ships into bottles" but of "putting bottles into tiny ships" ?
The series also contains elements of satire, often accompanied by pithy comments or deliberately stupid sayings and battle cries. A small example : "For such is the Shadok life philosophy : why attack problems in a simple way when you could attack them in a complicated way ?" Watch planet Earth become a lure and a destination for two alien races, to wit the Shadoks (nasty bird-like creatures blessed with more persistence than brains) and the Gibis (clever quadrupeds whose bowler hats allow them to think collectively and telepathically). It's a metaphor for the space race, complete with vast budgets, nation-wide programmes, wall-to-wall propaganda and mutual espionage.
The series also has something to say about the way oppressive regimes deal with their citizens. The Shadoks, for instance, tend to throw their various dissidents (described as "people who have failed to give entire satisfaction") into subterranean tunnels and prisons. Another solution consists of grabbing these unfortunates and sending them on suicide missions. Every now and then people survive their suicide mission, in which case they are roundly accused of ingratitude : what of the splendid monument remembering their sacrifice ? (Such monuments are built pro-actively, before the "heroic volunteers" even leave.)
French is my second language : I remember watching the series, or at least parts and fragments of the series, when I still wore pigtails - yes, I'm that old. Many were the times when I rolled out of my chair laughing. I've got to admit that the series still makes me laugh, which can point either at an arrested development or else at a consistent personality...
Try and watch the various seasons in their original French : actor Claude Piéplu, who was known for the expressiveness of his voice and the perfection of his pronunciation, did stellar work as the narrator. You're unlikely to forget his "ces pauvres bêtes", especially when spoken in a tone of more-in-sorrow-than-in-anger.
The series also contains elements of satire, often accompanied by pithy comments or deliberately stupid sayings and battle cries. A small example : "For such is the Shadok life philosophy : why attack problems in a simple way when you could attack them in a complicated way ?" Watch planet Earth become a lure and a destination for two alien races, to wit the Shadoks (nasty bird-like creatures blessed with more persistence than brains) and the Gibis (clever quadrupeds whose bowler hats allow them to think collectively and telepathically). It's a metaphor for the space race, complete with vast budgets, nation-wide programmes, wall-to-wall propaganda and mutual espionage.
The series also has something to say about the way oppressive regimes deal with their citizens. The Shadoks, for instance, tend to throw their various dissidents (described as "people who have failed to give entire satisfaction") into subterranean tunnels and prisons. Another solution consists of grabbing these unfortunates and sending them on suicide missions. Every now and then people survive their suicide mission, in which case they are roundly accused of ingratitude : what of the splendid monument remembering their sacrifice ? (Such monuments are built pro-actively, before the "heroic volunteers" even leave.)
French is my second language : I remember watching the series, or at least parts and fragments of the series, when I still wore pigtails - yes, I'm that old. Many were the times when I rolled out of my chair laughing. I've got to admit that the series still makes me laugh, which can point either at an arrested development or else at a consistent personality...
Try and watch the various seasons in their original French : actor Claude Piéplu, who was known for the expressiveness of his voice and the perfection of his pronunciation, did stellar work as the narrator. You're unlikely to forget his "ces pauvres bêtes", especially when spoken in a tone of more-in-sorrow-than-in-anger.
