Logan's Run (TV series) Review

My thanks to Peter Nielsen of Retro Movie Geek for pointing out this unknown, long-lost gem.

Basically. Logan's Run the TV series (LRTV) is Star Trek but on Earth. Funnily, a few episodes use actual TOS sound effects. And ironically, Data from Star Trek TNG would take all his cues from Rem: Logan's android companion.

Less than a third of its 14 episodes develop or advance the world of LRTV. The bulk is a David Carradine, Kung-Fu-esque wandering into different societies with advanced technology and a backwards grasp of morality.

From here, Logan either corrects or destroys these societies before moving triumphantly onward in his search for Sanctuary. Naturally, despite whatever unnatural catastrophe befalls the travelers, each episode ends with everything "back to normal" for Logan, Jessica 6 (Logan's growing love-interest) and Rem (Logan's handy robot whose role ranges from Ex Machina to McGuffin).

LRTV's wandering premise, undeveloped story arc and all-too-frequently derivative story lines clearly rung the death toll for this ill-fated series. 

Episode 3: Capture, for example, is a poorly done, shameless retelling of The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell that has no relevancy to the series' overall narrative. Likewise, episode 7: Crypt leaned too much on Agatha Christie for their plot. 

Too early for such tactics in a series still in its first season. It begs the use of terms such as "rush-job", "filler" and even "stalling" with critiques like "lost", "clueless" and "inept."

It seems natural that, with Star Wars having signaled the gold rush on science fiction, producers felt that bad sci-fi was better than no sci-fi.

...the travelling adventurers...

Sadly, though "mostly garnish" would accurately describe the vast bulk of LRTV episode content, there is a bright lining to this dark cloud.

With all dressing-down put aside, LRTV is a nostalgic delight. A fresh trip down fog-of-history lane for those meeting it anew. A glimpse into a televised phoenix which would be reborn from its own ashes into more remarkable science fiction programs.

It's clear shows like Star Trek, Kung Fu and even Twilight Zone, as well as movies such as Westworld, Futureworld & Star Wars influenced the short-lived broadcast. Nevertheless, LRTV would leave a mark much bigger than itself. 

Released September 1977, the run was cancelled in February of the next year. It's impact would nonetheless be put to better use that same year.

September 1978. Battlestar Galactica would re-attempt building a TV show on the back of a film. It would use LRTV elements while learning from LRTV's mistakes.

September 1979. Buck Rogers in the 25th Century would hit the scene with an even closer idea of where LRTV should've thought to go.

It's funny to see these travelers moving from one new society of beings to the next - having been re-packaged from Star Trek - simply going on to be re-packaged.

It's been done before: The Honeymooners re-packaged into I Love Lucy into The Flintstones and so on.  

Whether seeking Sanctuary, Earth or Earth of the past, the formula in these series is so identical that their differences do more to highlight their similarities.

One can also argue content employed by Knight Rider (premiering September 1982) originated in LRTV and was put to a more successful use. 

And there's little hope to refute TNG's most beloved character, Data, is merely Rem re-imagined.

Yes, LRTV has its own share of "jiggle-TV" content so prevalent in the 70's. Some exec clearly observed the cheap panty-shots of Heather Menzies' shiny, silk-like mini dress...

 ...could be adapted into a spandex outfit for Erin Grey.

Still, if you're wanting a trip back in time to a bygone era of overly-convenient, simple-minded, sexist, condescending, all-American science fiction produced by people with no understanding of science fiction and even less of science, then this is a hearty recommendation!

Film Discussion: Logan's Run (1976)