Buck Rogers (an unusually phlegmatic Gil Gerard) subjects himself to a mind probe in order to find out who is responsible for the mysterious objects being sent to the Defense Directorate's building. Director David G. Phinney, working from a talky and uninspired script by Dick Nelson, crucially fails to generate any tension or momentum, thereby ensuring that this show is a real tedious slog from limp start to lame finish. Worse yet, the blah story ain't much of a grabber and the whole thing just reeks of cheapness. The use of clips from previous better episodes makes this insipid affair come across like a cut-rate "greatest hits" compilation done by K-Tel. The silly big surprise ending doesn't help matters any. On the plus side, the always gorgeous Erin Gray looks quite yummy in a tight'n'clingy red spandex jumpsuit and Gary Coleman briefly enlivens the dull proceedings with a last reel appearance as precocious child genius Heironymous Fox, but overall this one rates as a definite low point of the first season.
8 Reviews
Buck Rogers: "A Blast for Buck"
Wuchakk17 August 2017
PLOT: When an unknown entity starts transporting curious objects into the Defense Directorate, Huer, Buck & Wilma discern that it's linked to someone in Buck's past; so they probe his memories to see if they can discover who the mysterious culprit is.
COMMENTARY: This is one of those cut-rate "clip shows" where a story frame is established for the purpose of the characters recalling events from previous episodes. There's probably about 12-15 minutes of new material with everything else consisting of excerpts from past installments. The good news is that Wilma looks fabulous in her skintight red spandex uniform and the three protagonists possess their usual heartwarming camaraderie (along with the guest star at the end). Also, the episode creates anticipation regarding who's responsible for what's happening (I'm not gonna give it away). Sure, the trip down memory lane is fine, but it's pretty useless if you're already familiar with those segments.
COMMENTARY: This is one of those cut-rate "clip shows" where a story frame is established for the purpose of the characters recalling events from previous episodes. There's probably about 12-15 minutes of new material with everything else consisting of excerpts from past installments. The good news is that Wilma looks fabulous in her skintight red spandex uniform and the three protagonists possess their usual heartwarming camaraderie (along with the guest star at the end). Also, the episode creates anticipation regarding who's responsible for what's happening (I'm not gonna give it away). Sure, the trip down memory lane is fine, but it's pretty useless if you're already familiar with those segments.
Ok recap show
coltras351 April 2022
Basically this is a recap, showing segments from other episodes, and this is mildly enjoyable, mainly because you want to know who is sending the riddle, but towards the end you know it can't be anyone villainous doing this.
One of the worst episodes of the series, if not THE worst.
BA_Harrison29 November 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Buck, Wilma, Dr. Huer and Twiki attempt to solve the riddle presented to them by a strange object that mysteriously appears in Huer's office. Taking it in turns, they use a mind probe device to search their memories for clues that may help them discover the meaning of the riddle and the identity of whoever sent it.
Only 16 episodes into the first season, and it's one of those awful 'clip shows' which consists mainly of flashbacks from earlier adventures. If, like me, you have recently watched these shows (I'm working my way through them all on DVD), the result is extremely tedious. And to rub salt in the wound, the writers of this awful episode not only bring back one of the most annoying characters to ever inhabit the 25th centurychubby cheeked Hieronymous Foxbut also have the nerve to alter the history of the show, by stating that two villains that were killed in previous episodes are, in fact, still alive.
Wilma looks sexy (as always) in a burgundy Spandex outfit, but otherwise this episode is completely worthless.
Only 16 episodes into the first season, and it's one of those awful 'clip shows' which consists mainly of flashbacks from earlier adventures. If, like me, you have recently watched these shows (I'm working my way through them all on DVD), the result is extremely tedious. And to rub salt in the wound, the writers of this awful episode not only bring back one of the most annoying characters to ever inhabit the 25th centurychubby cheeked Hieronymous Foxbut also have the nerve to alter the history of the show, by stating that two villains that were killed in previous episodes are, in fact, still alive.
Wilma looks sexy (as always) in a burgundy Spandex outfit, but otherwise this episode is completely worthless.
A clip episode.....
darthquincunx18 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
A clip episode just pass midway through the first season means either the writers were struggling with ideas or the episode was made to save money...or maybe even both. Whatever the reason, it is a poor episode made even worse by the fact that the writer of this episode didn't even research properly! An example is Buck remembering himself posing as a criminal in the episode of "Plot to Kill a City". They dismiss the possibility that the leader of the criminal gang from this episode, Kellogg, is responsible. Well there is a very good reason why he couldn't be responsible.....he was killed when his spacecraft was blown up by one of the Earth Directive spacecraft! Corliss and Trent, the villains from the episode "Return of the Fighting 69th" are considered as candidates.....once again....they were killed! Even the persistent android Hugo from "Unchained Woman" is considered! Poor all round episode, most clip episodes are.....
Bad recap episode
edblackham8 September 2019
clip show that underscores two facts about Buck Rogers
localbum24-17 February 2021
1. Gil Gerrard was a lumbering dinosaur of a physical actor. With this clip show cherry-picking fight scenes throughout the first 16 episodes of the series and stacking them up in relative succession, you're constantly reminded how ungraceful and downright unathletic he was. Gerrard was in good cosmetic shape, and that's about it. I can't think of another macho-stereotype-lead from the era that looked more awkward throwing a punch or, god forbid, trying to kick.
2. Erin Gray steals every moment of every scene she's in. Period. What beauty, poise and style. It's a damn shame she wasn't cast in a stronger sci-fi series during this same time frame.
2. Erin Gray steals every moment of every scene she's in. Period. What beauty, poise and style. It's a damn shame she wasn't cast in a stronger sci-fi series during this same time frame.
Waste of Time
claudio_carvalho28 November 2023
When Dr. Huer, Buck Rogers and Wilma receive a tele transported artifact, Buck guesses that it might be a communication device. Buck is right and the object transmits a riddle to Buck that he must resolve; otherwise, a satellite in the orbit of Earth will destroy the planet. Buck is probed by Dr. Huer looking for the answer of the riddle and who might be the enemy. Out of the blue, a hour glass appears in the room with the time Buck has to solve the riddle.
"A Blast for Buck" is a recap annoying episode of "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century". The plot is a complete waste of time, with the recap of scenes from the previous episodes. The only good thing to see is the festival of beautiful and hot women that Buck Rogers has interacted along the episodes. My vote is three.
Title (Brazil): "A Blast for Buck"
"A Blast for Buck" is a recap annoying episode of "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century". The plot is a complete waste of time, with the recap of scenes from the previous episodes. The only good thing to see is the festival of beautiful and hot women that Buck Rogers has interacted along the episodes. My vote is three.
Title (Brazil): "A Blast for Buck"
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