“The Full Circle”

On the planet Retha, Sandra is taken prisoner by neanderthal cave dwellers whose leaders bear a striking resemblance to Commander Koenig and Doctor Russell.

Writers: Jesse Lasky Jr. & Pat Silver

Director: Bob Kellett

If I were to try to describe this episode in one word, that word would be “silly.” The mist on the planet Retha turning people into neanderthals, that’s one thing, but transforming Alphan uniforms into bearskins and commlocks into crude spears? This is getting a little hard to swallow. The general consensus among the fans is that someone forgot to tell Jesse Lasky and Pat Silver that the producers had changed their mind about making 1999 a Saturday morning cartoon. Kids might buy a far-fetched plot like this one, but adult sci-fi fans just rolled their eyes and laughed at this ridiculous premise.

Still, there are some saving graces to this episode. It has some of the best writing in the series. Alan comments that the planet reminds him of the rain forests of Brazil, to which Paul responds, “Where the nuts come from?” An abrupt warning from Carter not to go into the mist gets Kano’s response: “I hate back seat drivers!” Then there’s Victor’s immortal line, “Carter’s down there with a ray gun!”

Otherwise underutilized characters like Sandra Benes and David Kano get a chance to get their uniforms dirty. In fact, I believe this is one of the only times Kano has ever left the base (other than in “Guardian of Piri”, which was involuntary.)

Still, with all its chuckles, it’s an overall silly episode.