Spider-Man TV (1967) - Season 3, Episode 12

Background

Down to the second to last episode in this season, we are left to wonder if they have any surprises for us. We shall see...

Story 'Down to Earth'

The media-dubbed "Rabbit-Ear" Metoeor - because it has antennae sticking out of it's body - has captured the worlds attention. To deepen the mystery, it is broadcasting an as-yet undecipherable code. Nobody knows its origin or purpose.

At the Daily Bugle, Jonah knows that the secrets of this meteor would be a much needed boost to in circulation. One of his reporters - Osa Olsen - calls in with a hot news tip. The meteor has crashed landed near the North Pole. Jameson quickly dispatches Peter to the airport to meet up with Olsen to fly North to get the scoop of the century. They board the Daily Bugle's plane and depart.

At this point it becomes painfully obvious that this is another recycled episode. This time, it's "Neptune's Nosecone". Peter and the red-headed pilot fly to an uncharted frozen area to recover/photograph an important object. The pilot is captured by green cavemen/tribesmen to be sacrificed to their volcano god - Ferno in this case - along with the McGuffin device.

However they have made one significant change this time. Osa isn't captured; she's helps Spider-Man prevent the radioactive meteor from being chucked into old Red Eye.

The heat from the volcano activates the meteor - now revealed to be an alien spaceship - and sets it back on its original trajectory.

On the plane ride back to New York, Peter realizes that he doesn't have any pictures for Jonah.

General Comments

Grrrr... this ... how do you expect anyone to really believe that there's a tribe living at the North Pole - or South Pole - worshiping a volcano god, yet speaking perfect English? It doesn't make sense.

To add to the list of problems, they actually leave in the original footage from "Neptune's Nosecone" in this episode. You know, where the pilot is part of the sacrifice. They alternately show her tied up and then cut to her standing next to Spider-Man. Very confusing but not unexpected.

The constant cycling through the backgrounds and other impossible settings just pad the episode so much it could serve as an attack dog suit. This particular practice makes for poor viewing and is less coherent that the worst "SpongeBob Squarepants" episode.

Overall Rating

1/2 web. The only thing that I like from this episode is that they didn't make Osa the damsel in distress.