Flash Gordon

I watched the pilot and, frankly, thought this series was plain bad. HOWEVER a funny thing happened over the months. Around October I tuned back in with a friend to show them how weak a show "Flash" was...turns out it was much better. Still not fantastic but watchable. Some of the characters were interesting, the plot was more action oriented and set on Mongo (rather than Flash's Mom's house). It made me re-evaluate it. Another few weeks passed and I tuned in again...turns out the show isn't that bad after all.

So the question begs itself, can you write off a show that starts poorly or should it be judged in its entirety? I think, all things considered, the show is better than it was and might well become a quality show. There are a few episodes left in the season so I'm adopting a wait and see attitude. But the most recent episodes are far better than previous ones and I think the show deserves a second season...assuming they up the budget and tweak the writing.

When I first watched the pilot episode of this show I was fairly appalled, it seemed boring and like it wasn't going anywhere. I turned it off less than halfway through. Then a few weeks later I was really bored and had nothing to watch so I decided to give it a go and I discovered that it actually gets a lot better after the pilot (God knows who gave the series the go-ahead with that piece of crap for a pilot!). As a fan of the original film its fun to find out which Mongo(lian?!) race you meet from the film each episode and how the different parts of the film are translated to form different stories. The series, in my opinion has definitely done what remakes are supposed to do, because although the original is a cult-classic, it is seriously dated and this show makes the story accessible to a new generation, using more modern ideas and FX like travelling between dimensions through a rift doorway, as opposed to the old fashioned traditional comic-book space rocket with circular windows down one side, from the film! It is definitely a series which grows on you as the relationships between characters develop and change. I definitely agree with the general consensus that Ming the Merciless could be more menacing, but the hotness of his daughter (and all the other female leads for that matter) definitely makes up for this! In fact if you're looking for eye-candy, this is you're show.

I don't think this is as bad as some reviewers seem to believe. I do think that this is NOT Flash Gordon. I'm getting sick and tired of Hollywood re-imagining or re-inventing stuff. I mean, what's the point of naming your show Flash Gordon and then taking it as far away from it's origins as you can get. In my humble opinion you will just disappoint people. And when you read the majority of the reviews here, they have!! It's too bad for the lead character, because Eric Johnson is great!! He can act and he is great as an action hero. The actor who plays Zarkoff is also great. He actually made me laugh out loud several times. The great let down (besides the SFX and very mediocre writing) of this show is Ming! He is certainly not merciless, he is just...well...less. He is not scary nor is he even interesting. Damn I want Max von Sydow back!! I mean what's next?? A re-invention of Star Wars where Darth Vader is actually a Russian ballet dancer?? I mean come on!! If you name your show Flash Gordon then give us Flash Gordon and NOT the sequel to Sliders where the main character just happen to listen to the name Flash Gordon.

This show appeals to a certain type of audience - it's not particularly clever but it's enjoyable to watch if not taken so seriously.

This is one of those shows that will age well given time - it feels like the actors/writers haven't quite settled into the show yet. Buffy the Vampire Slayer had a disastrous first season with terrible, cheesy writing, low brow plot lines and terrible acting... yet it went on to have a huge cult following and seven seasons. I think this series deserves a chance.

The characters are endearing and it has a clear direction that I'm interested in. I hope we see a second season.

This was simply a great show. I glanced through some of the many comments which savage this show, and frankly, I don't really get it. This program has a typical sci fi premise, with the twist of adding a slick, insidious dictator along the lines of a self righteous Ayn Rand villain. The special effects and action are a bit cheesy, but the show play it tongue in cheek ("laser whip, really?"). The plot and character interaction steadily improves throughout the show and Flash's allies on Mongo are portrayed as a lesser of two evils instead of being self righteous freedom fighters. Each of the individual cantons has a unique look and culture. The plot steadily builds and the final five episodes are amazing: inevitable, yet soundly executed. Man, I really have no ides why people did not love this show.