The Day the Sky Fell In

I recalled THE TIME TUNNEL after watching the first episode of TIMELESS (2016), which seems basically like a remake.

Watching THE TIME TUNNEL during the summer vacation as a kid during the 80's was nothing less than a tradition. The good old days of series like THE TIME TUNNEL and THE PRISONER. Here in Israel viewers had to call the TV line and vote which series they want to watch that day, so I don't think I ever watched any series completely or in sequence.

Anyway, in Episode 4 Doug and Tony are traveling in time to 1941, just before the Pearl Harbor attack. Tony meets his younger self and his father who died in the attack.

Admittedly, the series shows its age. The episode is a bit slow and acting is a bit wooden. But all in all, it was and still is a great series and gives a fuzzy feeling of nostalgia. Although made in the 60's, for me it takes me back to the 80's and brings very strong memories. Good score, too.

I think that one of the key differences between TIMELESS and THE TIME TUNNEL is that in the former they can change history events, while in the latter they can't (IIRC).

Doug and Tony are transported to the Japanese Consulate in Pearl Harbor on 06 December 1941, the day before the massive Japanese attack. They are surprised by a trio of Japanese that are destroying documents and they tell that they are tourists that had got lost. Tony recalls that this was the last day he saw his father Lt. Commander Tony Newman Sr. that was considered missing in the American base after the bombing. Tony decides to warn his father about the near attack but he does not succeed. Meanwhile the Japanese agents are hunting the scientist to know how far they know about their plans.

Despite the flaws and inconsistencies, "The Day the Sky Fell In" is an engaging episode of this fantastic series. The paradox of Tony meeting Tony is strange, but everything is possible in a sci-fi with the theme of time travel. However, in "Rendezvous with Yesterday" Tony tells that he was born in 1938; therefore he would be only three years old in the attack of Pearl Harbor and the boy is older than that. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O Túnel do Tempo" ("The Time Tunnel")

Ours friends now just arrived on Japan's Embassy a day before Pearl Harbor' attack, but it wasn't enough to Irwin Allen, quite often he introduce some relatives on the plot, this times is Tony' father who was there, a bit contrived to start, then the travellers have to struggles against Japanese spies and try convince US' Naval command at harbor through Tony's father who has a closer relationship with Admiral Brandt, in hope to warning them over upcoming deadly events, at Time Tunnel General Kirk fears that the young Tony could be die on this fatal day, he might cease to exist, here we have a paradox where two person itself living in the same time, any complaints please address to Irwin Allen's writers, for the first time a famous prop appears in the show a Steel beam used several times in many episodes, unless noticed by myself possible was made by polystyrene or any lightweight wood...let's waiting for the next adventure!!!

Resume:

First watch: 1971 / How many: 4 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 7.5

Another good episode of TT. This is the fourth episode I've watched so far, and they all have good action as well as interesting situations for our heroes. Susan Flannery is very good as a young service wife and mom. I'm watching on the Blu-ray release, which looks great! I will say, I grade this a 7 instead of an 8, because to me, James Darren overplays his role. So far I've never seen him underplay. It's as if with Darren, the volume and the intensity is always turned way up. I mean, in this episode, his character seems like he's veering towards a nervous breakdown. I hope that in subsequent episodes Darren toned it down some, but I don't feel confident that will be the case. I identify more with Robert Colbert, who is calm and assured, more my idea of a scientist.

The corridors of time must have a wash room and a launderette because when Tony and Doug arrive in Honolulu, 1941, they're no longer covered in the dirt and grime from the mine in the previous episode. Another thing I've noticed is that, of all the infinite possibilities, the pair have so far landed in the 20th century four times in a row - what are the odds?

This time the time-traveling scientists arrive at Pearl Harbour on the day before the Japanese attack. Once again, they attempt to alter history by warning the Americans, but also reveal to the Japanese details of the bombing of Hiroshima, displaying a staggering level of stupidity for men so well educated.

Packed with parodoxical issues and huge plot-holes, this episode is extremely problematic and consequently thoroughly frustrating. It ends with a touching scene in which Tony finally discovers what happened to his father, who mysteriously disappeared when he was young, but all that goes before is quite preposterous. Only four episodes in and I already understand why this show only ran for one season: it doesn't make sense.