Swamp Thing

I enjoyed the first SWAMP THING film for what it was, and despise the second for what it was. I had read the comics for many years but didn't know what to expect of a weekly show that would have a small budget. Looking back, I feel the series succeeded as often as it failed.

The best episodes were those that focused on Swamp Thing (or 'Alec' as he was referred to by the people who knew him). The series started out on shaky footing, and had Swampy act out of character. In the first episode he turns a bad guy into a tree until the writers establish that he would never take a human life. Any episode that had him turn back human was well done.

Most of the episodes made him a Rod Serling of the swamp, taking a back seat to the action. A lot of these weren't too bad, but the bad ones were terrible. These boiled down to two plots: bad guys hide out in the swamp, only to have to face their crimes in a nightmare-ish way, or people with problems wander in the swamp, to become better by facing their fears. The best of these was when Ray Wise (Dr. Holland from the original movie) guest starred as someone who might be an alien and almost kills Swamp Thing.

In my opinion far too many episodes chronicled Arcane's (Swamp Thing's enemy) foul adventures. I realize that there is a fan base of women (and some men) who found the character/actor too sexy for words and wanted even less of Swamp Thing in each episode. Be that as it may, I feel the series as a whole suffered for it, and that will keep people from rediscovering it.

The series lacked truly dramatic episodes, the ones that would get the media's attention (like how 'The Best of Both Worlds' episodes of Star Trek:TNG did). There wasn't a single two-part episode throughout the run, which would've allowed the writers to develop a deeper story. Plotlines were never adequately ended, such as the disappearance of Tressa's son.

In the face of all these detriments, I enjoyed the show (and have almost every episode on tape; doubtful there will be a DVD release). Although it could have been so much more, it was certainly better than many other shows or movies based on comic books.

I have to say I really enjoyed the cartoon and this show. I'm still a fan of this show because of the intro. I was such a fan of swamp thing because he was different, he's not the usual superhero, and he's a scientist/monster. Dick Durock gave Swamp Thing his heart and soul. He was so good, as a kid there were times seeing him in pain really made me cry. Mark Lindsay Chapman was very good too as Arcane. He didn't play Arcane like a cliche supervillain, he played him as a man who is obsessed with immortality. Either way, I liked the stories and yeah there were some corny ones but it did last three seasons. So for any of you who are haters of this show, you can't deny it lasted three seasons.

I am surprised that I am only the second person to write a review for this series, (which may simply be a testament to the fact that it is indeed an obscure one).

I love the Swamp Thing. Both Len Wein's and Alan Morre's manifestations of him... and I find that this series approaches the character with great affection, and attention to his most important traits of compassion and wisdom. His moral code is complex, and his diplomacy restrained. He does not intervene in forceful and demanding ways, (as many super heros do), but rather works his miracles from the background, all but anonymously.

Now, it is possible this series was a victim of viewers' unfulfilled expectations of watching an entity of fury and unstoppable, unrelenting force demolish evil in every episode. It is true that he has such power, and he does indeed flex it when necessary... but what is most essential to his character is his remarkable ability to heal, care for, support, protect, console, and love all things alive. In this respect this series is a complete success.

Beyond the refinement of character, the series is also endlessly imaginative, and profoundly moral. The plots are original, and the script couldn't be any other way. Sometimes The Swamp Thing will say something, a bit of advice or an observational musing maybe, and it will just hit you hard for some reason, deep within.

I give this series 10 stars for it's painstaking attention to the things that make Swamp Thing so endearing and fascinating. I strongly recommend it, and this is coming from an avid fan of the graphic novels.

Let's be honest, the pilot episode probably won't win anyone over right away.

I am a complete newcomer to the character Swamp Thing, but this won me over completely. Despite the first episode being repulsive with a meaninglessly vile ending, "Swamp Thing: The Series" is Definitive Swamp Thing for me. After the valiant effort that was the Wes Craven movie followed by the intentionally hokey "Return of Swamp Thing," this was the product that made Swamp Thing as he was meant to be, lovely, dark, and deep.

Dick Durock IS Swamp Thing for me, even under pounds of makeup, he has this presence and can emote with only his eyes and stance. His voice is perfect, the exact guttural and unearthly voice you would imagine reading in the green word bubles the comics present his voice in.

Mark Lindsay Chapman as Anton Arcane is PERFECT as his foil. Despite starting out as an irredeemable psychopath, he eventually evolves into a baddie who you cannot help to enjoy watching. Though villainous and slimy, Chapman plays the character with gravitas and finesse, almost making him an almost secondary protagonist of the series later on.

Another good additionis that of Janet Julian, who plays as Swamp Thing's love interest and link to humanity in a professional and heartfelt way. Despite being mean-spirited at times and with many horror elements, this series is ultimately a tale of good versus evil. The first few episodes are mean-spirited and the best episodes of the series for me are found in later seasons (examples include "Night of the Dying," "Better Angels," "Love Lost," "Sonata," and "A Nightmare on Jackson Street" to name a few),

The series is many things; dark but not brooding, sad but not depressing, adult but still family-friendly. It tackles such mature topics as Voodoo, self-harm, murder, grief, and redemption, areas most subjects of this premise wouldn't dare trod. In conclusion this is a highly underrated and forgotten mature series not of a superhero, but a man who has transcended with pain into an (almost) all powerful embodiment of nature with a deep hold upon humanity. And at 20 minutes per episode, it does not waste your time.

1990 was my first year of high school the running gag was how ridiculous the fight scenes were where he would grab onto a car door and yank on it and it would just fly off screen. Apparently one of swamp things many powers is to violate the laws of physics. You'd be at somebody's house and be on TV and did you like what show is this simply be apologetic about how he was just some stupid show but it was worth watching for laughs why are there not more reviews if this show? "Cultural Abyss" now that's a poetic.