Voltron: Defender of the Universe
Episode Summary
001 - Space Explorers Captured
Episode Summary
001 - Space Explorers Captured
EPISODE ONE: SPACE EXPLORERS CAPTURED
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: SEPTEMBER 10, 1984
Synopsis (from the DVD tin set): A crack team of pilots are selected by the Galaxy Alliance to travel to Planet Arus and uncover the secret weapon from ancient times - Voltron! Keith, Lance, Sven, Hunk and Pidge arrive too late, the planet has already been completely devastated by the evil forces of King Zarkon. They engage in battle with Zarkon’s general, Yurak, only to be captured and thrown into the dungeons on Planet Doom.
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: SEPTEMBER 10, 1984
Synopsis (from the DVD tin set): A crack team of pilots are selected by the Galaxy Alliance to travel to Planet Arus and uncover the secret weapon from ancient times - Voltron! Keith, Lance, Sven, Hunk and Pidge arrive too late, the planet has already been completely devastated by the evil forces of King Zarkon. They engage in battle with Zarkon’s general, Yurak, only to be captured and thrown into the dungeons on Planet Doom.
Please Note: The following section contains lots of screencaps - this may cause slow loading time.
These are my personal notes, taken as I watched this episode, along with coinciding screen caps.
They give a basic summary of the episode.
At the end of the summary, I've listed details I found important or interesting, along with notes explaining my thoughts on its relevance.
They give a basic summary of the episode.
At the end of the summary, I've listed details I found important or interesting, along with notes explaining my thoughts on its relevance.
Ep 001 - Space Explorers Captured
Hunk breaks in. "Wait Keith, look at that!"
Keith - "Yeah, I think the planet's being hit by an asteroid shower!"
Hunk - "I don't know what's goin' on! It could be volcanic! Maybe the planet's erupting!"
Keith - "Something's wrong. . ."
Hunk - "Arus is under attack!"
Keith - "Yeah, I think the planet's being hit by an asteroid shower!"
Hunk - "I don't know what's goin' on! It could be volcanic! Maybe the planet's erupting!"
Keith - "Something's wrong. . ."
Hunk - "Arus is under attack!"
Doom Soldiers and Doom fighter ships are attacking Arus. Hunk and Keith surmise that it's King Zarkon's forces taking over Arus. They go in for a closer look and it cuts to the planet being bombed, burning buildings, everything collapsing. They mention that it looks like most Arusians made it to their underground shelters.
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The scene changes to Galaxy Garrison. At first we see two men, Space Marshall Graham (with white hair) and Commander Steele, walking and discussing what's going on with the space explorers and Arus. They enter a meeting room and are seated at a conference table with other men dressed in the same style clothing (assuming they are all "higher-ups" in the Galaxy Garrison). |
The group is discussing the team of 5 space explorers trying to reach Arus by breaking through Zarkon's forces, and being captured. They are debating sending help for a rescue (of the space explorers).
They say Zarkon's planet is over 2,000 light years away - they'll never make it in time. Their best hope is to try to escape.
One man rises and says - "Don't forget Marshall, that the space explorers are thoroughly trained in survival and self defense. This isn't the first time they've been in a tight spot."
Another makes the point that "as usual, Zarkon's reptilian ambassadors are refusing to cooperate and denying any knowledge" of an attack on Arus.
They discuss the legend of the Castle of Lions and Voltron.
They say Zarkon's planet is over 2,000 light years away - they'll never make it in time. Their best hope is to try to escape.
One man rises and says - "Don't forget Marshall, that the space explorers are thoroughly trained in survival and self defense. This isn't the first time they've been in a tight spot."
Another makes the point that "as usual, Zarkon's reptilian ambassadors are refusing to cooperate and denying any knowledge" of an attack on Arus.
They discuss the legend of the Castle of Lions and Voltron.
The scene changes to on board the Doom prison ship. A Doom soldier's speaking: - "Prison ship to Planet Doom Headquarters. We've got a full load of captives from Planet Arus for your slave force and an extra added prize! Five space explorers! We're returning now. Over."
The scene changes to cells with slaves, Doom soldiers whipping slaves, and Yurak is heard telling them that new slaves are coming and to tell them (old slaves tell new slaves) escape is impossible. |
Zarkon commands Haggar to be silent, and says "Voltron's no match for me!"
Zarkon and Haggar go on to discuss their excitement over the captured space explorers, Zarkon orders the new slaves sent to the arena.
Zarkon and Haggar go on to discuss their excitement over the captured space explorers, Zarkon orders the new slaves sent to the arena.
We cut to a new scene, the space explorers in the dungeon cell. (Clockwise from the left:) Sven (navy blue), Hunk (yellow/brown), Lance (brown/tan), Pidge (green), and Keith (red). They are discussing how Zarkon is staging one of his tournaments and that they are all invited to be the final contestants. |
Back to the dungeon and the space explorers. They are angry and scared about being made into slaves. Pidge asks Lance if his arm was tattooed (Pidge says his was), and as Lance pulls up his sleeve, we see it was tattooed, but Hunk breaks in before Lance can speak. Hunk rolls up his sleeve and says they got him too. Hunk is furious and says - "Zarkon will pay for this tattoo." |
Hunk says he wants to get Zarkon before they escape. Lance cuts in and says they're in a tight spot, but they've gotten out of worse before. Keith agrees.
They discuss how best to escape. Sven suggests rushing the guards and overtaking them. Lance (sarcastically) says "that's a real clever idea, we could all use a laugh" and Keith puts a reassuring hand on Lance's shoulder, saying they could all use a laugh, but they've got to use their heads and they can't panic. They'll find a way out. |
Back to Zarkon, who is announcing that they will be rid of the space explorers any minute.
Back to the cell. They are on the lookout for soldiers/guards and realize they are running out of time and need to do something now. They discuss - if Hunk could just reach the bars (on the window), he could bend them. Keith tells Hunk to get to work quickly and quietly; tells Sven and Lance to take turns standing guard; and tells Pidge to get the rope they were bound with.
The scene cuts to the outside of Castle Doom, before we see a guard approach the cell asking, "are the space explorers ready to be taken to the arena?" He looks into the cell and finds they are all (faking) asleep. He decides to inform Zarkon that they will fight better tomorrow. As soon as the guard is gone, they put their plan in motion.
Pidge and Hunk climb up to the window and Hunk bends the bars so they can fit through. But they are nearly caught in the act when a guard passes by their cell. Lance grabs a couple of rocks, hands on to Keith and says "don't miss" - but luck is on their side and the guard keeps walking without looking in their cell.
As soon as the Guard disappears from view, the others hurry up the rope to the window. With Hunk and Pidge waiting on the ledge as the others climb up, Hunk looks down and begins to panic! He grabs Pidge and admits that he's afraid of heights. Lance climbs out the window and makes a joke about imagining a space explorer afraid of heights (Lance is always a smart-ass).
Pidge and Hunk climb up to the window and Hunk bends the bars so they can fit through. But they are nearly caught in the act when a guard passes by their cell. Lance grabs a couple of rocks, hands on to Keith and says "don't miss" - but luck is on their side and the guard keeps walking without looking in their cell.
As soon as the Guard disappears from view, the others hurry up the rope to the window. With Hunk and Pidge waiting on the ledge as the others climb up, Hunk looks down and begins to panic! He grabs Pidge and admits that he's afraid of heights. Lance climbs out the window and makes a joke about imagining a space explorer afraid of heights (Lance is always a smart-ass).
Once outside on the ledge, they try to figure out their next move. They begin to drop down the castle's walls, level by level with the explanation that their rope is only long enough to scale the wall this way. As they drop, these huge vulture-looking birds keep circling, and eventually dive toward the team. |
As the birds come nearer the team grabs onto their legs (1 pilot per bird) and uses them something like a hang glider to escape. But Hunk is somehow dropped - Pidge tries to grab his hand to save his friend, but they both end up falling into a pile of human bones (the Pit of Skulls). |
Hunk and Pidge have a creepy/humorous moment where they tell the skulls not to look at them. The others land in the pile of bones and seem to say a prayer. They then decide to get out of there fast!
They have a quick moment to say the vultures are creepy/ugly but they have to be thankful because they saved them. Sven makes a remark about how he will always think they're beautiful.
They have a quick moment to say the vultures are creepy/ugly but they have to be thankful because they saved them. Sven makes a remark about how he will always think they're beautiful.
Once inside they begin to search for the slave ship that brought them to Doom. Just as they see the ship, gates/doors all around them begin to close and they have to make a mad dash for the last gate before it shuts. Just inside, they see the ship, but as they head toward it, they are attacked by Doom soldiers and have to fight their way free. Once they've dispatched the soldiers, they make a run for the ship, only to have dozens more Doom soldiers come running into the room and give chase.
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We see Zarkon and Haggar inside the castle with rubble falling all around them. Zarkon thinks that they've been hit by a bomb! But Yurak rushes in and tells Zarkon what happened. Zarkon is furious and commands Yurak to go after them and not to come back without them. Yurak agrees and gives chase. |
Yurak attempts to overtake the prison ship, attacking it with all lasers. The team loses control and as Yurak continues to attack, the prison ship fails and begins to fall from the sky. But as it gets closer to crash landing on the planet (Arus) below, a strange glowing light envelops the ship and cushions its fall. The beam is coming from the lion statue in front of the Castle of Lions! |
Keith explains (as he tells the story, we see it happening).
"And according to the legend, Voltron was the most powerful defender of justice in the far universe. He was invincible! Voltron was terrific. He put those evil robots out of business for good! But Zarkon had one last trick up his sleeve. He's got this witch, Haggar, and she disguised herself as a beautiful goddess and went up into space. When Voltron came near her, she placed a curse on him, but she couldn't destroy him completely. . . |
. . . The old witch broke Voltron up into 5 parts. Each part a robot lion. If we could discover the secret of the Lions, we could bring those 5 lions out of their hidden dens, they'd all come together and attach somehow, just like the legend says - 2 would make the legs, 2 the arms and body, and 1 lion would become the robot's head. Then we'd have Voltron, Defender of the Universe to help us! And to help the people of Arus fight the evil Zarkon! I don't know where we're gonna land, but if we can find our way back to that palace and locate Voltron, we got it made. Planet Arus, here we come!"
|
Important Info:
They say Zarkon's planet is over 2,000 light years away - they'll never make it in time. Their best hope is to try to escape.
What It Means:
1 - Doom is over 2,000 light years from Earth/Terra.
2 - The Galaxy Alliance doesn't have any troops/ships near Doom/Arus.
3 - The space explorers are on their own.
Important Info:
One man rises and says - "Don't forget Marshall, that the space explorers are thoroughly trained in survival and self defense. This isn't the first time they've been in a tight spot."
What It Means:
1 - The space explorers are experts in survival and self defense.
2 - This isn't their first mission.
3 - They've been in dangerous situations before.
Important Info:
Another makes the point that "as usual, Zarkon's reptilian ambassadors are refusing to cooperate and denying any knowledge" of an attack on Arus.
What It Means:
1 - Zarkon has "reptilian" ambassadors on Earth/Terra.
2 - They [Zarkon's ambassadors] are known to be difficult, uncooperative, and dishonest.
3 - This begs the question - why does Zarkon have ambassadors on Earth/Terra if the Galaxy Alliance was formed with the intent on fighting his forces?
Important Info:
He [Zarkon] also says that with the capture of the space explorers, he needs "no longer fear the Galaxy Alliance"
What It Means:
1 - Is it only the space explorers that Zarkon is fearful of?
2 - Does he plan on using the space explorers as leverage against the Galaxy Alliance?
3 - What is it about the Galaxy Alliance and space explorers that would leave Zarkon fearful to begin with?
Important Info:
He [Hunk] grabs Pidge and admits that he's afraid of heights.
What It Means:
Hunk is afraid of heights.
ADDENDUM:
I didn't think to add this into the important info section when I first made this post. I think that because I am so familiar with the DotU version of Voltron, I simply overlooked the need to point this info out.
Important Info:
And according to the legend, Voltron was the most powerful defender of justice in the far universe. He was invincible! Voltron was terrific. He put those evil robots out of business for good! But Zarkon had one last trick up his sleeve. He's got this witch, Haggar, and she disguised herself as a beautiful goddess and went up into space. When Voltron came near her, she placed a curse on him, but she couldn't destroy him completely. The old witch broke Voltron up into 5 parts. Each part a robot lion. If we could discover the secret of the Lions, we could bring those 5 lions out of their hidden dens, they'd all come together and attach somehow, just like the legend says - 2 would make the legs, 2 the arms and body, and 1 lion would become the robot's head. Then we'd have Voltron, Defender of the Universe to help us!
What It Means: (because there are multiple statements, let's break it down a bit)
(A) And according to the legend, Voltron was the most powerful defender of justice in the far universe. He was invincible! Voltron was terrific. He put those evil robots out of business for good!
1 - Voltron is/was extremely powerful
2 - No one and nothing can/could beat Voltron.
3 - Voltron is/was held in awe and reverence.
4 - Voltron fights/fought against evil = Voltron is/was innately good.
(B) But Zarkon had one last trick up his sleeve.
1 - Zarkon is sneaky and not above using tricks against his enemies.
(C) He's got this witch, Haggar, and she disguised herself as a beautiful goddess and went up into space. When Voltron came near her, she placed a curse on him, but she couldn't destroy him completely.
1 - Haggar is able to disguise herself, presumably by using magic, as a deity.
2 - Haggar is able to travel in space without using a ship.
3 - As powerful as Haggar is, she was not powerful enough to completely destroy Voltron = Voltron is more powerful than Haggar.
(D) The old witch broke Voltron up into 5 parts. Each part a robot lion.
1 - Haggar broke Voltron up into 5 robot lions.
(E) If we could discover the secret of the Lions, we could bring those 5 lions out of their hidden dens, they'd all come together and attach somehow, just like the legend says - 2 would make the legs, 2 the arms and body, and 1 lion would become the robot's head. Then we'd have Voltron, Defender of the Universe to help us!
1 - The space explorers know the Legend of Voltron, but they do not know how to get the Lions out of their dens, nor do they understand how the Lions form Voltron.
2 - The Lions are hidden.
3 - The Lions each have a den.
4 - Together, the Lions form Voltron.
They say Zarkon's planet is over 2,000 light years away - they'll never make it in time. Their best hope is to try to escape.
What It Means:
1 - Doom is over 2,000 light years from Earth/Terra.
2 - The Galaxy Alliance doesn't have any troops/ships near Doom/Arus.
3 - The space explorers are on their own.
Important Info:
One man rises and says - "Don't forget Marshall, that the space explorers are thoroughly trained in survival and self defense. This isn't the first time they've been in a tight spot."
What It Means:
1 - The space explorers are experts in survival and self defense.
2 - This isn't their first mission.
3 - They've been in dangerous situations before.
Important Info:
Another makes the point that "as usual, Zarkon's reptilian ambassadors are refusing to cooperate and denying any knowledge" of an attack on Arus.
What It Means:
1 - Zarkon has "reptilian" ambassadors on Earth/Terra.
2 - They [Zarkon's ambassadors] are known to be difficult, uncooperative, and dishonest.
3 - This begs the question - why does Zarkon have ambassadors on Earth/Terra if the Galaxy Alliance was formed with the intent on fighting his forces?
Important Info:
He [Zarkon] also says that with the capture of the space explorers, he needs "no longer fear the Galaxy Alliance"
What It Means:
1 - Is it only the space explorers that Zarkon is fearful of?
2 - Does he plan on using the space explorers as leverage against the Galaxy Alliance?
3 - What is it about the Galaxy Alliance and space explorers that would leave Zarkon fearful to begin with?
Important Info:
He [Hunk] grabs Pidge and admits that he's afraid of heights.
What It Means:
Hunk is afraid of heights.
ADDENDUM:
I didn't think to add this into the important info section when I first made this post. I think that because I am so familiar with the DotU version of Voltron, I simply overlooked the need to point this info out.
Important Info:
And according to the legend, Voltron was the most powerful defender of justice in the far universe. He was invincible! Voltron was terrific. He put those evil robots out of business for good! But Zarkon had one last trick up his sleeve. He's got this witch, Haggar, and she disguised herself as a beautiful goddess and went up into space. When Voltron came near her, she placed a curse on him, but she couldn't destroy him completely. The old witch broke Voltron up into 5 parts. Each part a robot lion. If we could discover the secret of the Lions, we could bring those 5 lions out of their hidden dens, they'd all come together and attach somehow, just like the legend says - 2 would make the legs, 2 the arms and body, and 1 lion would become the robot's head. Then we'd have Voltron, Defender of the Universe to help us!
What It Means: (because there are multiple statements, let's break it down a bit)
(A) And according to the legend, Voltron was the most powerful defender of justice in the far universe. He was invincible! Voltron was terrific. He put those evil robots out of business for good!
1 - Voltron is/was extremely powerful
2 - No one and nothing can/could beat Voltron.
3 - Voltron is/was held in awe and reverence.
4 - Voltron fights/fought against evil = Voltron is/was innately good.
(B) But Zarkon had one last trick up his sleeve.
1 - Zarkon is sneaky and not above using tricks against his enemies.
(C) He's got this witch, Haggar, and she disguised herself as a beautiful goddess and went up into space. When Voltron came near her, she placed a curse on him, but she couldn't destroy him completely.
1 - Haggar is able to disguise herself, presumably by using magic, as a deity.
2 - Haggar is able to travel in space without using a ship.
3 - As powerful as Haggar is, she was not powerful enough to completely destroy Voltron = Voltron is more powerful than Haggar.
(D) The old witch broke Voltron up into 5 parts. Each part a robot lion.
1 - Haggar broke Voltron up into 5 robot lions.
(E) If we could discover the secret of the Lions, we could bring those 5 lions out of their hidden dens, they'd all come together and attach somehow, just like the legend says - 2 would make the legs, 2 the arms and body, and 1 lion would become the robot's head. Then we'd have Voltron, Defender of the Universe to help us!
1 - The space explorers know the Legend of Voltron, but they do not know how to get the Lions out of their dens, nor do they understand how the Lions form Voltron.
2 - The Lions are hidden.
3 - The Lions each have a den.
4 - Together, the Lions form Voltron.
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