So having caught episodes on very late night TV, episodes that suck really badly, it made me wonder why I ever even like this show as a kid. Was it a case of "it hasn't stood the test of time"? There had to be a better explanation, and here it is: I never ever saw those final seasons! (In fact, I have yet to see Mr. Belvedere making a butler appearance, here, replacing Tattoo and the very dull Julie).
I will never understand why reviewers feel the need to recount the entire episode. This isn't the synopsis nor summary page! I'll assume the reader has already read the blurb in the front page (or watched the show) and no need for spoilers or a recap. This isn't the place, I'm not Siskel & Ebert. Anyway, this is the reason I watched as a kid. Everything is done with strong production values, here. The lighting is great (FINALLY!!! The island greeting and farewell are done oudoors and not in a studio with triple shadows on the ground!), the decor for Mr. Roarke's office is splendid and the writing is tight and the stories are really good. The only boring part was the car chases but it thankfully didn't go on and on. (Thankfully, this isn't the A-Team!)
One story has this goofy actress, with a very gummy smile and she laughs a lot. She actually made that story watchable. I'd never seen her in anything before. The other, as someone else mentioned, has a very moody and atmospheric scene, a seance, with Stefan Gierasch conducting it. Besides the atmosphere, we get to see Mr. Roarke interfering and the cut to commercial leaves us with Mr. Roarke proclaiming that the old lady doesn't deserve to have her fantasy fulfilled. Whoa! Talk about "moody"! There is a later scene that is a throwback to The Fantastic Journey, when Ike Eisenmann lies down to go on his own mind trip. There's a similar scene in TFJ.
Well, we have occult atmosphere and comic relief and nobody bored us with romance, so that's always a plus in my book. Mr. Roarke AND Tattoo have plenty to do in their hosting and sidekick duties. BONUS: I really loved the final scene, interaction between Roarke and Tattoo that nobody has mentioned. In all the final seasons titles that I've watched, he is always exasperated at the little guy. Not here. They are buddies. A cross between Starsky & Hutch and Laurel & Hardy type of buddies. This was very nice to see, and Mr. Roarke delivers his comic lines with a deadpan style. (See what he answers when Tattoo asks him "for my birthday?"... Priceless. A solid 9/10 and I almost rated it 10/10 but there's even better out there. This was, however, top of the line when you compare to the dreadful final seasons, so let's be generous here.
Now! If somebody could tell me why Mr. Roarke has switched from drinking fruit cocktails with the little umbrellas or citrus slices on them, and tell me why he only drinks white wine? If you know, please visit the show's FAQ, very few users visit those pages! Thanks for reading.
