Die Spezialisten unterwegs

This show is kind of a rare treasure, because it got canceled after the first season, when two of the crew-members tragically died. Though it was not long on air, I was lucky enough to watch it, even it was late on TV. Because of that, back in the days not many of my classmates have seen it. So it was kind of a secret show besides the more popular ones like The incredible Hulk, Knight Rider or The A-Team, what made it even more special for me.

It had a variety of different characters, most of them not so grounded in society, but each with special or supernatural skills, who must learn to work as a team to overcome their flaws and fulfill their adventurous missions.

Dr. Billy Hayes was considered as the comic relief and the leader of the team. He always reminded me of what Steve Guttenberg did in Police Academy. Dr. El Lincoln, a kind and reserved character with the appearance of a basketball-player was able to shrink to the size of an action figure. Great stuff! My favorite character of the show was Johnny B, because as a kid, what could be cooler than a freaky guy with sunglasses an a leather-jacket shooting thunderbolts out of his hands? Yeah, not so much! And as mentioned before, last but not least, the sweet but moody Gloria who has to learn to control her telekinetic powers and her temper.

The show had it all: mad comedy, cheesy action and as expected - some absurd sciency stuff. The concept is easy, but it's fun, many of the minor characters are also recognizable and it has one of the greatest intro song that'll be stuck in my head for ever.

I watched it decades later, and I would still consider me a fan, even it makes me a bit sad about how the show suddenly ended and the story never got continued.

If you are also a fan of the best decade so far, watch it and love it!

This like any of the science projects at a science fair is another under the radar gem that got passed by, though this show isn't totally forgotten as is was mentioned in the book "Ready Player One". It's not exactly a sci-fi classic but it could have been worked on a little more.

I really like the concept which is a nifty idea you sort of a combo of both "Scorpion" and "X-Men", this show also technically the first live action super team super hero show which in a way makes the show predate some of the other that came after like "Doom Patrol", "The Defenders", and "Legends of Tomorrow". But what makes this super team unique is the fact it consists of people that are considers geeks, nerd, and outsiders to the public eye; and I really like that because it makes them people easy to emphasize and relate to since I'm one that falls into one or all those three titles. But also, the fact is all the members are underdogs that despite not getting all the breaks in life are going to do what is right to the best of their ability.

I really like the theme song which is an honorable mention in favorite themes in my book, it just has that cool 80's vibe. There is some pretty decent action as we see the character utilize some powers as well as scientific knowledge and plain common sense which to me I think makes a good combo; I always like seeing that in the super team stories showing them actually exercising intelligence which really helps the team actually act as a team but also actually solve the problem, where in most super team comics/stories it just seem like the answer comes instantly without much effort put in.

The characters are all solid, I really bought all of them are friends as they support and help each other out through thick and thin. I really like is Johnny whom is a cool character in both personal and power wise. He's probably the most powerful of the bunch as this guy has two powers to wield. From super speed like "The Flash" really like the effect which is like the one in the 90's flash. As well as electricity much like "Static Shock". His character is pretty much the bronze of the group as he is the one that takes the most action. But I also like the guy's persona as he's a guy that is a rocker with big dreams but has streets smarts and an aggressiveness, from romance but just the willingness to do what's right as well as help his friends.

Billy Hayes is the second character I really like, he's the leader and the brains of the bunch though his character is powerless. But he doesn't really need them, you can say he's already got one which is his brain as he has scientific knowledge which helps in deduction of the current case but also is sometimes inventive. His character is also a bit of a comic relief as he has some pretty good and comical lines and scenes. Though this guy has an Achilles heel which is being incredibly naïve and optimistic on a terrible scale, not always grounded with the real world, let alone doesn't always know when to shut up. Though these things can also be a bit of an advantage as those things really help point the team in the right direction, motives the team into doing what must be done. And we even see as he's involved in the situations, he's building up his own confidence and helps him exercise action; this slightly proves why being the hero/superhero business can be good for your health.

Gloria played well by Cortney Cox this was one of her debut roles and this was a pretty good start. She is also the bronze of the group, she's sort of like Jean Grey from "X-Men" as she has telekinesis which is utilized in a strobe effect; she can move things or even blow things up with her mind. But I really like her persona which is spunky, rebellious, but also just down to Earth, I like how she sometimes reacts to certain things, and really like how she always is doing what must be done despite disagreeing with whatever her friends (mainly Billy) drag her into.

My only real problem with the show is despite how much fun this show is, it's just not that memorable. The main problem is really in some of the writing and plotlines are by their nature kind of generic situation of the week fare. Though same could be said about a lot of other action and superhero shows out there with an episode or two. Though in those kinds of shows we're more focused and concerned about what the characters do so I can't complain too much. But the other problem is I don't feel the misfits get to kick much ass, the powers are just a tad underutilized, most of the time they use it at the most convent time or convenience that's there.

I wouldn't mind if this gets a revival, from having a bigger budget where we can crack it up in effects, better explanation as to how the misfits inherited their powers. But also have some stronger plotlines and arcs to really up the ante and just get tested more with those powers along with the scientific knowledge; like have them fight an evil science organization that also has people with superpowers. Maybe even have Cortney Cox back though it would have to be a different role maybe the Max Wright role where she is both the boss but also mentor figure for the Misfits sort of like who Zordon is to the "Power Rangers", but that would be a nice nod to the original show. Well like any scientific theory it's a least a though to consider.

Like any science project in a science fair this show is worth a watch.

Rating: 3 stars

Not only this drama is excellent and full of suspense, I had a major crush on Gloria played by Courteney Cox when I watched this as a kid. Man she was beautiful at that time and it was like a dream come true to watch her appear on the screen every time. Great storyline does help too. After more than a decade now she doesn't seem to be that "dreamy" anymore. Those were the good old days.

I particularly liked the guy who can create fireballs and lightning bolts. Not to mention the tall guy who can turn into a mini-dwarf. I forgot what kind of powers the last guy possesses, but I'm gonna find out soon after I look up the title in YouTube.

Great action drama of the 80s and an overall fun film to watch.

I hated it when Misfits of Science ended. However, I did hear that it was because Dean Paul Martin died in an airplane accident. (He was, IIRC, a member of the Air National Guard.) It wasn't just cancelled.

(And I agree. I also had a crush on Courtney Cox.) :-)

Courteney was totally, totally hot. The show was really good too (hey, I was 15) but who am I kidding, I only watched it for Courteney.

From what I remember, the team was made up of Dr. Billy Hayes who was the organiser and fast talker, Dr. Elvin 'El' Lincoln who was really tall (and didn't like it) but after 'modifying' himself to be smaller could press a gland at the back of his neck and shrink to only a few inches tall for a short time, John 'Johnny B' Bukowski, a rock musician who could draw charge from batteries etc and discharge them as lightning bolts from his hands (but would get burned by water), Gloria Dinallo (Courteney 'sigh') who was a telekinetic and troubled teen, all Carrie-like in the pilot.