Space Academy

I must agree with the first part of the last reviewer's comments, regarding the budget and props of the show. However, I believe that the reviewer missed the point entirely regarding sending the kid's on missions; this was a kid's show, directed at a younger audience, and the hero's of the show were other kids. The audience could imagine themselves having those adventures and saving the day. What would the point be if adults gave the orders and were the ones who set things right? Realistically speaking, it never made sense on Star Trek that the captain and first officer went on the landing parties/away teams, but they were the lead actors. That does not happen in our modern military. Space Academy was a TV show.

Funny thing is, always thought it was 'My Favorite Martian' Ray Walston as the head here, not Jonathon Harris. Ah the things ya learn at IMDB! It was typical 70s TV Filmation fare-moralistic, hokey, low budget, had cutsie kids, robots, etc. Have not seen it since it's run.

And yes, Pam Ferdyn was in about everything there ala Ike Eisenmann, sure.

This was NOT a bad little show, by the way-those here who heap the criticsm of it, c'mon. It was okay for what it was.

**1/2 outta ****

I remember watching this in my PJs around age 5 but for some odd reason I thought I remembered it running on Saturday late afternoons rather than Saturday mornings. A lot of things I only remember bits and pieces of from that period of time.

Of this show, I only remember a few things with any certainty. One is me thinking "hey, the mean guy from Lost In Space is on the show" and "hey, Scotty is on this show". I also remember thinking why the engine on their ship looked like a television set with an orange screen. And the kids all having some special powers---they'd all get in a circle holding hands and chanting "concentrate, concentrate".

I can remember being well entertained by this show. I'm sure it was cheesy as hell, but hey...what in the 1970s wasn't?

I liked the show! It was fun with excitement in the scripts. For the longest time, I thought Meeno Peluce played Loki. It was one of those post Star Wars tv shows that was thrown together to address the Star Wars craze. Don't try and over analyze a show. The effects weren't great, but in retrospect, neither were Star Trek's but people are still fans. I remember this one episode that Loki stole a ship as a childish prank. I liked how Loki was disciplined. I remember another episode with a living asteroid. The telepathy of the twins was the first time I had been introduced to the concept of telepathy. They weren't goody goody. I loved Jason of Star Command. It was a fun serial for kids.

The character of Issac Gampu is almost a polar opposite to Jonathan Harris's earlier role in Lost in Space. Whereas Dr. Smith was a foolish ,selfish coward, who often caused whatever predicament the Robinsons had to solve that week, Cmdr. Isaac Gampu was wise, studious and brave. It is my opinion that the memory of this character was lingering in the back of the minds of the writers for Star trek, the Next generation, when they were writing for Capt. Picard. There are strong similarities in both characters. It could also be that the archetype of a wise, noble leader inspired both sets of writers. It is a testament to Harris' talent as an actor that he could play both characters so memorably.