Misfits of Science

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.

It was an enjoyable series while it lasted. Though some powers seem more potent than others (the electricity guy), each episode seeks to explore more of all the other powers, and when used in combination, boy, it's fantastic. Talk about wishing you had some of those powers and then imagining what you can do with them.

I was really into the show when it first aired. I remember being quite disappointed when the show got cancelled and was hoping for an eventual revival. But then one year later Dean Paul Martin met an untimely end in a plane accident, and then Kevin Peter Hall later died due to his medical condition. So much for that idea.

A couple of years ago I saw some episodes on TV Land. They hadn't aged quite as well but I still quite enjoyed them. I don't know if I could really recommend the show to someone coming in cold and who didn't have any childhood affection for the series, but it still has its moments.

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

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.) :-)