“Alliances”

Finally..Flash Gordon takes a step out of dreadful and actually even manages to be above average in this episode.

Why?

1. The majority of the episode is on Mongo – Flash Gordon needs to be on Mongo.
2. There is no freak/rift event of the week
3. More insight into the politics of Ming/Mongo
4. The slow formation of an overall arc.

We begin with Ming’s meeting with Barin, leader of the Verden. We know of the Verden through Baylin formerly being of the Verden. Ming wants the Verden to fly his flag above their own, as all the Cantons are being asked to do in a show of solidarity. It’s an affront to Barin who at first refuses, especially due to the fact that his blood line can be traced back to the old royalty on Mongo.

Ming isn’t happy and Rankol suggests just blasting them into submission, but Ming wants them to do it voluntarily.

Back on Earth, Flash wants to go back to Mongo to follow up on the lead he discovered earlier from the Hawkmen that a ‘man from the stars’ had lived with the Verden for a bit. Baylin is wont to return to her people but won’t let him go alone. They go through the rift still open from the black widow of last episode.

Zarkov, tiring of staying behind rushes through to Flash’s disbelief…Hmmm…think he’ll come in handy?

They must find their way through Nighthunter territory, which is kind of Mongo’s version of vampires. They hunt and drink blood afterall. They find Barin cutting down some dead Verden to bring back for proper burial. After Baylin vouches for them, they are all allowed into the Verden camp.

As they make it back to Verden territory Flash quickly discovers that while they definitely know something about his father, none will talk about it. The water situation is grave in the camp, and Barin is considering flying the flag so they can get source water from Ming, even though he hates it. The alternative is presented by Naia. The lottery.

The lottery is when all the village picks from a bag, and those who get the black stone are exiled. We learn that that is what happened to Baylin’s family long ago and why she was exiled.

Flash, tires of being lied to follows Quin, the Verden tinkerer who maintains the machinery. He finds him at a water machine that was supposedly built by his father. Baylin interferes and tells Flash that his father destroyed the Verden by making them depend on the machine and then it broke and he’s no longer around to fix it.

Flash vows to help fix it with Zarkov, although Barin is not hopeful. The Lottery is decided upon and the families, including Naia are called upon.

Barin makes a singular decision to fly Ming’s flag so he can prevent the Lottery.

At the same time Zarkov works hurriedly to fix the machine. After sending Flash to get his father’s calculator which was the original source of power to the machine, he and Quin are captured by Nighthunters. Flash has a frank discussion with Naia, who turns out to have had a relationship with Flash’s father.

Flash seems even more determined to help. Upon return he and Baylin discover their missing comrades. Baylin finally shows fear at something and we discover that as a child she was taken by Nighthunters and saved only by the sacrifice of her parents. It’s a great look into Baylin’s character although she still plays it fairly monotone…not a lot of depth, but it’s a good attempt by the show to dig beneath the surface.

Of course Baylin overcomes her fear and the scientists are saved and are able to fix the machine…but is it too late? Barin agrees to fly the flag and is shocked when Ming offers Barin Aura as a bride to showcase their unity. Both Barin and Aura are shocked, but Barin eventually agrees claiming it to be an honor.

Flash and company attempt to make it back to Earth and discover that the rift has closed, trapping them on Mongo.

It’s a great look into the Verden, slowly built since the beginning and it’s great to see Ming’s machinations at work. I don’t have much to complain about in this episode. Some shoddy production values, some lackluster performances from Baylin…and maybe Barin.

On the other hand, it was a good sign from the show and as always a great performance from Jody Racicot as Zarkov.

Things are beginning to look up.

B-

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Next – 1.08