I watched episode 1. I will download some other to watch over the weekend. Based on that one episode it looks as though it might be very good. I like the way it’s a small team. If I had seen this as a child I know I would have liked what with all the suits and helmets. I know I would definitely have wanted the toys. 
When you say episode 1, are you talking about “Holographic Zone Battle” or the 1st episode actually aired, or did you watch episode 4 first like I said to?
Because when I started watching it properly about 2.5yrs ago, I saw them in “order”, and was thrown by the fact that there was nothing in episode 1 to explain what the setup was. It was only when I saw episode 4 that I thought, “this should have been aired first, it’s got all the establishing details” - although even that episode still doesn’t go into detail about what Overlord originally did, that is only properly seen in episode 54, “Oversight”, which is actually one of several flashback shows made at the end of the season. Obviously the budget ran out, and they had to do what they could for the last nine episodes - which, in a season of 65, will tell you that production and airdate order don’t always match up. But then you knew that anyway because I’d already told you that episode 4 is the actual pilot - written, under a pseudonym, by J. Michael Straczynski (creator of Babylon 5) no less. But yes, after making 56 “proper” episodes, things got a bit tight, so they made 6 flashback shows, and then the last three (in both production AND airdate order for a change) just cobble together scenes from existing episodes with fresh dialogue.
Holographic Zone Battle. I will watch episode 4 tonight if I get chance.
I recognised a lot of the voices in it.
Right, I’m with you.
I recognised a lot of the voices in it.
Absolutely!
Dan Gilvezan (Dirk Courage) was Rolf in Prince Valiant, and actually sounds a little like . . .
Neil Ross (Overlord, Bandit, Tank Schmidt) was Leoric in Visionaries, Morpho in Pirates Of Dark Water (where he reused his Overlord voice), and Duncan in Prince Valiant, not to mention the baddie in the first episode of Pole Position, and although he’s not credited, I believe he was Calistro in the DotE episode “Sleeper Awakes”. This last one might be wrong, but I don’t think so. It wouldn’t be the first time a guest voice has gone uncredited (nor even the first time in DotE as you’ll see . . .)
When I first watched the show as an adult, I was thinking, “he sounds a bit like Neil Ross, but he does definitely sound American and not English, so is it him?” and then I saw Dan Gilvezan’s name on the credits, and thought, “oh, it could be him actually” - and then I saw Neil Ross on the credits as well, and I had to look it up!
Frank Welker (Dr Lawrence, Razorback) has a list of credits as long as your arm! Best known to my generation (but not me!) as Megatron, I’ve also heard him as Niddler in Pirates Of Dark Water (recognisable from his Spiral Zone voices more than anything else!)
Hal Rayle (Max Jones) was also Arzon in Visionaries, and (despite never getting a credit) is also recognisable as Kro-Tan in DotE.
This was a rare occasion where a black character was voiced by a white actor. Although I can think of two other shows where this happened; Mysterious Cities Of Gold, the boys voicing Esteban and Tao were both opposite colours to their characters! And also Pirates Of Dark Water, both Ren and Tula were voiced by white actors (but that’s on an alien world, as evidenced by the dark-skinned Ren having fair hair!).
Michael Bell (Hiro) had a guest role in the Star Trek TNG pilot that same year, he was Zorn, the governor of the Farpoint station.
Mona Marshall is another one of those names with a list of voice credits so long you wouldn’t believe! According to IMDB, she was also in Transformers; she had a small part in an episode of Prince Valiant (just as a maid, not something that I could point to and recognise); and I remember seeing her name on the credits to James Bond Jr, but never knew until I looked her up who she was (Tracy).
Denny Delk is the only name in the cast that means nothing to me. The only thing I recognised on his CV is that he was the voice of Wicket in both Return Of The Jedi and Ewoks. And even then, it’s not like I had an “oh yeah!” moment.
Speaking of “oh yeah” moments, oh yeah, I watched the first episode of Avatar last night. I’ll watch a few more, because I remember you said it takes a little bit of time to get going. Certainly so far I’m not convinced.
I spent half the time trying to think where I’d seen that look of character design before - and then it hit me. The Nemi cartoon strip in Metro (occasionally I get the tram, and flip through it).
Although I did raise an eyebrow on seeing the voice credits, specifically with Gran Gran being Melendy “She-Ra” Britt!
The first is one of two parts. As I said it takes a few episodes before it gets going. But it is very different to the 80’s cartoons we like. I have got really into anime movies so maybe that is why I like Avatar. If you are not a fan of anime it mightn’t be for you.
It does have a good voice cast. Other actors which have more prominent roles as it goes on include Mako, Mark Hamill, Grey DeLisle, Greg Baldwin and Dee Bradley Baker.
Ah, Luke Skywalker himself! Yes, I heard that he’s done a lot of voice work over the years.
I just discovered even the wrestler Mick Foley (Mankind, Cactus Jack, Dude Love) did a voice in it parodying his former tag partner Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson as a character called ‘The Boulder’.
I will admit this, the main characters being so young was a bit off putting for me at first. But I can’t explain it but as it progressed I just really liked it.
Mark Hamill has indeed done a lot of voice work. As I am sure you are aware one of his most famous voice roles is The Joker.
I was actually speaking to my friend who is a massive Star Wars fan and as we talked about the new film talk of Luke came up and I discovered he thought after Star Wars Mark Hamill only did a couple things then retired. I informed him of his voice acting career.
Actually I didn’t know about the Joker, but then I’m not that big on Batman.
Certainly, I’ve never really bothered with anime, so maybe it won’t be for me, but I’ll give it a fair chance.
And I have just removed almost 11wks of facial hair growth. It was getting too itchy. There always comes a point when I can’t go a moment longer without shaving, and this was it. That said, there’s still a few tiny bits I missed, I’ll go back for them in a minute. But compared to the amount that was there, it hardly counts as anything.
I didn’t know about him being the Joker until several years ago, long after I stopped watching the Batman cartoon.
Regardless though I found the Avatar story very charming and interesting. If I recall correctly the objective of the overall story isn’t unveiled until episode 3-5.
I am the same, got rid of about the same amount last week LOL.
Well, the initial concept about Ang being the Avatar is stated in episode 1.
The difference between our two “deforestation” programmes was that mine was a bit more complete, the 2.5mths growth I have just got rid of means I start from a clean slate (or chin, rather). Feels good to not have all that mess in the way anymore.
Yes but…well you will see when they go to the air temple, I believe it’s episode three. Although a crucial part of the story is revealed in episode 8.
I cut my hair and trimmed my beard then used the blade on my face and head so completely clean. Now I am going to let my hair and beard both grow. I am going to try and let my beard grow until after December.
OK, fair enough. I’ll watch episode 2 later tonight.
I didn’t get chance to watch episode 4 but hopefully later today/tonight.
I saw episode 2 of Avatar last night. Not sure it’s my thing but I can understand how kids would like it, so I’ll give it a few more chances yet.
Then I found some more episodes of C.O.P.S. on youtube - home recordings, mostly split into two parts, but still probably close to the whole series. I saw a couple, including the first episode I ever saw by chance back in 1992 or whenever it was. I forget the case name, but it was the one where the money was printed with invisible ink, and Big Boss attempted to introduce “Boss Bucks” to the city to replace it. Even more details came flooding back to me as I saw it, little details like Bulletproof being evicted from his apartment for paying in real money when his landlord wanted Boss Bucks, and Highway and Sundown getting charged with robbing a bank - wow.
Well as you know now they are going to the North Pole for Aang and Katara to learn water bending but it is episode 8, well 7 and 8 are two parts, as I have said a crucial part to the over all story and their quest is revealed.
That C.O.P.S. episode sounds a bit familiar. I would like to see the episode where Sundown hunts a cowboy crook.
You’ll find about 20 episodes, including the one you’re looking for (The Case Of The Pardner In Crime) at:
http://www.veoh.com/users/cops4kids
It’s not a great site, but if you download them with YTD you shouldn’t have a problem. You’d be advised to start with the two parts of “The Case Of COPS” - although not the first episodes aired, they are really the pilot.
Another one you mentioned, “The Case Of The Bogus Justice Machines” is also there.
Episode 4 was very good. I think I may start watching more Spiral Zone when I get chance. As I said this definitely a show I would have loved in the 80’s. It reminds me of a combination G.I. Joe and M.A.S.K. and Centurions and in the 80’s (and now) that’s a winning formula for me LOL.
I know I would have loved some of the toys. 
You see what I mean about how it should have been the first one aired!
I think I may start watching more Spiral Zone when I get chance. As I said this definitely a show I would have loved in the 80’s.
Agreed. I don’t believe it was ever aired over here (possibly the dark premise). I saw a couple of episodes by chance when on holiday in Spain; they had some kids’ TV in English of an evening, and this was on wednesdays. It wasn’t Thundercats or Defenders Of The Earth, but for an action cartoon junkie in a foreign land, it was a much-needed fix!
If you are going to watch more, then the ones to pay particular attention to are:
The important:
6. Small Packages
10. The Unexploded Pod
16. When The Cat’s Away
30. The Last One Picked
31. So Shall Ye Reaper
34. Bandit And The Smokies
33. Zone Of Fear
I list 33 after 34 because 34 introduces Rawmeat, and 33 shows him as part of the team already!
The interesting:
19. Island In The Zone
24. The Man Who Wouldn’t Be King
53. Duchess Treat (sequel to 24, but not an immediate follow-on due to new characters)
60. Brother’s Keeper
A couple of personal favourites:
15. The Sands Of Amaran
21. The Mind Of Gideon Rorshak
Two based on Alistair MacLean stories:
45. A Little Zone Music (based on Where Eagles Dare)
55. Assault On The Rock (based on The Guns Of Navarone)
It reminds me of a combination G.I. Joe and M.A.S.K. and Centurions and in the 80’s (and now) that’s a winning formula for me LOL.
I know I would have loved some of the toys.
You’re not the first person to make the G.I. Joe comparison. Never having seen any of those shows properly, I can’t really say. But there’s the odd moment that reminds me of Defenders Of The Earth. Mainly the HQ-in-a-mountain feature, but there’s also the odd moment of Courage flying their aircraft that reminds me of Flash Gordon.
I watched episode 3 of Avatar earlier. Still not grabbing me, but I can see the seeds being sown in terms of the major story arcs, I’ll stick with it a while longer yet.
And I’ve just watched another episode of C.O.P.S. - The Case Of The Sinister Spa. The two female characters, Mainframe and Mirage, took centre stage in this, although I suspect the choice of them for this one was more just an excuse to get the two women into leotards. That said, Mirage is the undercover expert on the team, but did she wear any kind of disguise? Nope. She acquitted herself well, but Mainframe still did better. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, if this show had taken off, Mainframe would have been one of the best female role models in cartoon history. Possibly the best. She’s without a doubt the most intelligent member of the team.
Oh, and I have officially resumed progress on that Visionaries story, “A Moonlighting Romance”.
Avatar is a great show but it might not be your thing. But I can almost guarantee that for certain that you will like Galaxy Rangers if you give it a chance.
I’ll give Avatar a few more chances, like I said, but I suspect you could be right about it not being my thing. I can understand how kids today would like it though.
Galaxy Rangers - from what I’ve heard about that show, again, I think you’re right, I would enjoy that.