Carstairs Considers....: TV Show Review: Wonder Woman

Thursday, March 14, 2013

TV Show Review: Wonder Woman - Season 2

Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: Better acting, exciting stories

Cons: 70's culture and cheese

The Bottom Line:

Completely 70's

But if you can get past cheese

You'll really have fun

Wonder Woman Moves to a Difference Network and Time and Becomes Better for the Experience

The first season of the TV version of Wonder Woman found our super heroine fighting the Nazis during World War II. The show was struggling in the ratings, and ABC, it's network at the time, decided to cancel it. CBS saved the day and picked up the show. They decided the show would do better if were set in the present day. So the writers moved her from the 1940's to the 1970's.

The writers even set her up with a new pilot. In it, we find Diana Prince (Lynda Carter) back on Paradise Island. But it's not long before a face from her past crash lands on the island. It's Steve Trevor, Jr. (Lyle Waggoner), son of her friend from the 1940's, and Diana soon realized that she must once again become Wonder Woman to help fight for peace and justice against the evil geniuses and terrorists still in the world. Rejoining the world of men, she teams up with Steve working for the IADC (Inter Agency Defense Command).

And what a collection of them we have in this season. Someone has cloned Hitler. A hypnotist is controlling his young fans. A queen's jewels are in danger. Someone can control volcanoes. Aliens are stealing brains. Someone steals IRAC, the IADC's computer who knows everything, including Wonder Woman's secret identity. And a strange girl from another dimension appears.

Personally, I always thought the "modern" episodes of the show were better. Part of it is because Diana/Wonder Woman truly comes into her own here. About the time they let Diana take off those hideous glasses, they also let her develop a personality and a great sense of humor. Suddenly, she isn't this naive woman, but a confident modern woman. It makes for a better series. I think the chance also comes as Lynda Carter is getting more comfortable with the role. She seems more relaxed this year, which allows the character to be more charming and less stiff.

There are other things I love about the 70's shows. IRAC is a hoot, and any time he is getting to show off his non-personality personality you are almost guaranteed a laugh. While there is no recurring villain at all, the variety strengths the show. I got very tired of knowing it was the Nazis every week in the first season. And if I've forgotten an episode, I find myself glued to the screen from start to finish. The special effects are decent. Some of them are dated, but they still do a good job of fooling the eye.

Now that's not to say the show is perfect. Far from it. Let's start with the cheese factor. While not as bad as season one, this show is still cheesy. A little bit of it was done on purpose since the producer liked the camp factor. Some of the guest stars especially really over act. Not too far into the season, Steve Trevor is promoted, and he and Wonder Woman have less screen time together. Their new boss/employee relationship works, but I like them in the field together better. Finally, there is the computer/sci-fi element of the show. They're supposed to look cool and cutting edge. And back in the late 70's they probably did. Today, however, they are laughably dated. Amazing just how far we've come in the last 30 years.

So what about this set? It contains 22 episodes, including the extended second pilot, on four double sided DVDs. The picture has been restored and looks nice, but there are annoying bits of grain and dust in it. Could be better, but it's still good for a thirty year old show. The only thing in the way of bonus features is an eleven minute documentary on how the comics influenced the show and the show influenced the comics. It's okay, but nothing spectacular.

This show is definitely a guilty pleasure because it's very cheesy. In fact, I try not to inflict it on my roommates but watch it alone because I still absolutely love it. It's got some great humor and fun adventures. If you can stand the cheese, you'll enjoy watching the second season of Wonder Woman.

Season 2 Episodes:

1. The Return of Wonder Woman

2. Anschluss '77

3. The Man Who Could Move the World

4. The Bermuda Triangle Crisis

5. Knockout

6. The Pied Piper

7. The Queen and the Thief

8. I Do, I Do

9. The Man Who Made Volcanoes

10. Mind Stealers from Outer Space Part 1

11. Mind Stealers from Outer Space Part 2