The entire blood-letting scene in the tower is not shown in the TV version.phantom train said:* The second half of "Masks of Evil" (Transylvania 1918) really blew me away -I had never seen this before, since this episode had never been broadcast in the U.S. This episode was a lot gorier than would have been allowed on network U.S. TV in the '90's, so I can see why it was never shown here.
Well, guess what? Both “Mystery of the Blues” and “Masks of Evil” are crashing bores.
The Ford segments are embarrassing, which could explain why the press release below makes no mention of the actor. I found the rest of “Mystery of the Blues,” packed silly with jazz numbers, dullsville, man.
It’s absurd how easily Indy’s crew manages to outwit Dracula, and one wonders how the bloodsucker managed to last four months against his countless enemies, let alone 400 years.
It bears noting that series writer Frank Darabont, who went on to mastermind such projects as “The Shawshank Redeption,” “The Green Mile” and “The Mist,” does not contribute to this third and final volume. Jule Selbo, who went to write “Models Inc.” and “Melrose Place,” contributed heavily to these final seven “movies.” So did Jonathan Hales, who would go on to co-write “Attack of the Clones.”
I remain vexed by how much more boring Indy is in his youth. The series is bathed in a sense that big-deal filmmaker Lucas looked upon that era of television with little more than condescension. I could see him stumbling across “Murder She Wrote” and “Knots Landing” and thinking, “How could I not make something better than this?” Unfortunately, he probably wasn’t stumbling across better shows like “Northern Exposure,” “Picket Fences” and “The Simpsons.” Fans moan about how the “Star Wars” prequels soured childhood memories, but I think an argument could be made that the TV version of Indiana Jones was an enterprise rather more injurious to its franchise. Let’s hope Lucas does a better job with his two fast-approaching “Star Wars” series.
AICN=Moedred said:AICN's take is brutal.
Agent Spalko said:It really is too bad this show never continued into a 3rd season. It sounds like that could have been the best episodes of the Chronicles.
Agent Spalko said:I have to admit, when I try to watch season 1 I always fall asleep. The War Years are the best episodes of the show but Years of Change puts me to sleep again.
Agent Spalko said:Mystery of the Blues is really dull and the bookended Harrison Ford scenes just look tacked on like the network had demanded that Lucas put Harrison in there somewhere to boost ratings.
The Tingler said:It is just a shame that Lucas insisted on the series being more educational and less Indiana Jones.
Crack that whip said:"Atrocious"? Oh hardly. Please! They're solid drama, with a wonderfully realistic look at how the more fanciful adult character we see in the movies might have come to be; that they serve a double purpose as educational historical drama is just icing on the cake (even if that was the impetus of the whole project).
The only "problem" with them is that they're undeniably so different in tone from the feature films, but I don't see that as a problem at all. Personally, I think it enhances the believability and richness of the films; the show and the movies complement one another beautifully.
Just my opinion, of course...
Adamwankenobi said:I'm sure they would have been great episodes just like the first two seasons, but I don't understand how a few Raidersreferences/over-the-top adventure elements would have made them overall better episodes.
Agent Spalko said:And you're right, I want more adventure with my Indiana Jones. If I wanted a history lesson I'd watch the Discovery channel.
Agent Spalko said:Says who? Lucas? Bah! Audiences wanted to see the early years of Young Indiana Jones the archeologist as a student of Abner Ravenwood and the relationships with Marion. There's so much that could have been explored and could have kept with the adventurous spirit of the films instead of Indy coincidentally meeting every famous historical person early from early 20th century.
Adamwankenobi said:I think what you mean to say is that you would have preferred the series to be more action-oriented.
The Tingler said:Call something 'Indiana Jones' and that sets an image in people's minds of excitement, adventure and really wild things (like Zaphod Beeblebrox).