Lightning Force

The late '80s and early '90s spawned same great first run syndicated shows and "Lightning Force" was one of them. This was an era when independent stations still had time to show syndicated re-runs or first run shows. "Lightning Force" had a lot of decent action and stories. Apparently it wasn't marketed and advertised as well, otherwise, MAYBE more people would comment here or the show might have lasted more than one season. More people would remember it. "Lightning Force" unfortunately was aired when most people weren't tuned in to their TVs like late night or Saturday afternoon (like where I grew up). It appears that era of first rate syndicated shows are gone. "Lightning Force" could have had a following and/or longer life had it had a good marketing campaign. Now most of those stations that showed these first run syndicated shows seem to lack the time, money, interest or all to air a "Lightning Force" or other quality syndicated show. But then again, Fox, UPN (now defunct), WB (also defunct), and the CB bought out all these stations and hogged all the air time. May the memories of this show and others from the same era stay alive.

"Don't you know how he got his name 'Lightning...One day we were drunk. It was raining. He went to the roof and started swinging on the antenna. I told him to get down. Ligtning struck him and he fell down. I went to see if he was alright. Do you know what he said?...'Lightnin' What you don't believe me? Well it makes a good story anyway." "Then its decided." -LIGHTNING FORCE- Basic dialog from lines at end of pilot. Premise: A military strike leader is captured. Forced to read a false statement, he refuses and is executed. His former team go after the man responsible for his death. The show revolves around a world-wide team of anti-terrorists. "Lightning Force was on sydicated channels. My home station of WDCA-20 (Wash DC) showed it before Superboy: the Series.

The story is basically about a group of anti terrorists in Canada ,BC who get called on for various tasks such as rescuing Nazi's and M.I.A's or capturing various law breakers.The members are all highly skilled professionals. Trane (Wings Hauser) , the leader of the group is an American, Church (David Stratton) is a younger member from canada , and then there is Zeke , and a woman from France played by guylaine

St. Onge which i'm am not sure of. General Bill McHugh (Matthew Walker) assigns the tasks and gives them additional help. The show is actually

quite good compared to most sleazy canadian shows , even though it only lasted 1.5 seasons. Their weren't many SPECIAL guest stars , but a couple showed up , perhaps the biggest stars to make an appearance we're George Takei as a commissioner , and Meat Loaf (Rock Star) as an M.I.A in a 2 part special. Overall a pretty good show , I give it 7.5 out of 10 stars.

This is another under the radar gem. This show came out at a time by the end of the 80's and the very beginning of the 90's. I was as kid in both decades and a big action movie and TV show fan, having this show as part of my personal roster was a real treat for it. Personally, I felt the show was right on target but unfortunately didn't hit the bullseye, which was too bad I really wanted to see more seasons of this show but also could have been another action TV show classic.

To me this was the closest to a live action TV version of "G. I. Joe" I could have, heck I'll take this show over the three live action "G. I. Joe" films anytime (ok, they're not that bad but could be so much better). Like with that franchise it was simply about an ensemble of people whose job is to simply go on missions and kick the ass of evil doers. Pretty straightforward and simple but that's a good thing because it means no bull crap subplots or any think else to overcomplicate things who needs it, the show knows exactly what it is and shoots straight.

The ensemble cast is solid and look like they work well together. Wing Hauser who is a honorable mention in favorite actors of mine is really good in the lead role, in fact this show was sort of my first intro to him way before I even knew him being an alumni of the cult and B movies, one of them being the under the radar gem (and story for another time) "Vice Squad".

This is a different role from him where it's one of those times he gets to play the hero as most of the time he's know for playing fun over the top villains. His character is He's really cool as he's pretty much who Duke on "G. I. Joe" is the leader of the bunch. He's a down to Earth levelheaded leader who has sort of a passive aggressiveness to him, where he's really calm but when someone crosses that line or presses that wrong button, the calm is gone.

Guylaine St. Onge who unfortunately is no longer with us, she is another one of those celeb crushes I've had, she is fraking hot and a capable actress, shame she wasn't on the silver screen much. Really like her character Marie Joan Jacquard who is my favorite in the show, to me reminded me a bit of Lady Jaye from "G. I. Joe she even physically looks like her, which proves a live action film of "G. I. Joe" in the 90's could have been made. Anyway, really like here character as there is that feistiness and energy to her as well as some sharp quick-witted ness, but I also like she has sort of this spunky charisma to her.

And there are the other two from David Stanton as Lt. Winston Churchill (ironic historical reference) he's cool as he's the typical hotheaded soldier who is constantly aggressive but doesn't let it cloud his judgement. Marc Gomes as Col. Zaid who is the experienced all serious type that watches everyone's back and makes sure everything goes alright.

The action is solid the choreography is spot on from the gunplay and fist a cuff, really like seeing the weapons the team must work with and each of them working as a unit. Each of the episodes are always something different, it's true there really aren't many episode arcs in the show, never got to have any as the show didn't have any more seasons.

But despite this, I honestly didn't mind because it meant each mission the team was on was always different, there was always a different danger scenario which really gave the show's suspense element because you're always wondering how the team is going to win this one, let alone survive.

Also, I like that they don't always shoot their way out sometime each of them or all must use their wits to win, which makes the team slightly grounded in reality because it's true.

It would be awesome if this had a revival but this most likely won't happen as the fanbase for this show isn't that big; though strangely I'm glad that won't happen from the recent number of revivals that have been a string of disappointment, let alone we've had more than enough of those for now.

Though if anything I would love for this show to be released on Blu Ray and DVD may 'be from "Mill Creek" or any other company, if possible, I know that the fanbase for this show as I stated before is small however there are fans of the actor Wings Hauser (I myself one of them) it would be fun to see what more he's done and this show is one of them.

"Lighting Force" crackles and strikes on target.

Rating: 3 stars.