jaybabb

This episode is one of my top ten favs from season one. It is known as a crossover episode-in which a character from another show(in this case-Gary Coleman's character "arnold Jackson" from different Strokes)appears in another show. Here, Arnold is a reporter for his school newspaper "the PS 89 weekly woodpecker" Who has somehow found out about his top notch computer skills{keep in mind that this was 1982-Windows and the Internet as know it today was years away}and that he has won an award at a computer camp.

Ricky uses a rather complex code-consisting of a series of numbers and letters-to hack into a military computer file that has blueprints of a fighter jet. Arnold then publishes them in his paper-and is paid a visit by the FBI. They then stow away on a ship that is helm-ed by caption Stark{John Anderson}-he tells them what's it like on the high seas and they decide to go home and face the music-see episode to see how things work out.

This episode is an example of why Ricky Stratton is one of my favorite characters in any TV show-Even though he is very smart-he is not portrayed as a nerd nor a smart Alec know it all. I can not tell you how many TV shows and movies portray computer whiz kids as computer geeks or nerds. This show is a refreshing departure from that.

note: This review is based on the first season as it's the only season currently on DVD.

Prior to this show, Ricky Schroder was known for dramatic roles-like the champ, the earthling and the last flight of Noah's ark. Yet it was this show that made him a household name.

Ricky Stratton(Schroder)is a Rich kid who decides after being in military school-to move in with rather goofy father-Edward Stratton the third(Joel Higgins)who owns a toy factory. His "Living room" is equipped with toys, Video arcade games, a computerized chess set-and a mini-freight train! You could call it "The home version of Coney Island" Even the front door is operated by remote control! Ricky has the face of an angel-but don't let that fool ya-he is a regular kid who gets into situations any kid gets into. He can be obnoxious, devious and even sometimes rude-but Ricky is a real charmer! And has the most infectious smile to ever grace the small screen. It's really hard not to like this kid.

The supporting cast includes Jason Bateman-who plays Ricky's arrogant pal Derek and my favorite John Houseman-who plays Edward Stratton the second the cynical father of Edward the third. Also Erin Gray plays Edward's loyal secretary-who he eventually marries.

Ricky Shrorder is the star of this show! He never gets annoying at all. Though I like him in the films I listed earlier-He really shines here.

The show is set in Long Island-and though they live in a mansion, we only see three or 4 rooms.

This show is really funny-with a few dramatic moments here and there. Some of it maybe cheesy-but that is the real charm of this show-it was made before the more gritty "Reality" sitcoms that came in the 90's.

About the first season DVDS: There are no special features at all-and they crammed it all on 3 discs-unless you have a surround system, it can be hard to hear-because of compression. However, at least they didn't put them on duel sided discs which are worse. There are 22 episodes including the pilot. Not the best in Quality sound or picture wise-but I've seen worse. I do have this to Say to Sony-Bring on the rest of the seasons! This set was released in 2007 and so far the first season's been released. If Sony doesn't want to release them Fine, License another company like Shout factory, MPI or Mill creek to release them.