Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) – George P. Cosmatos

It had been a while since I settled in for any of the Rambo films and thought it would be fun to take a look at the sequels. So I was excited to settle in for Rambo: First Blood Part II, the first of four sequels to 1982’s First Blood. The second film eschews some…

The X-Files (1997) – Unrequited, and Tempus Fugit

Howard Gordon and series creator Chris Carter pen the teleplay for this episode from a story developed by Gordon to show that even in the late 90s the horror and worry over Vietnam POWs was still with us and haunting American society. With an original airdate of 23 February, 1997, Mulder (David Duchovny), Scully (Gillian…

Uncommon Valor (1983) – Ted Kotcheff

Before Chuck Norris and Sylvester Stallone did it, while it was still a bit of a taboo subject for American society, Gene Hackman, to the strains of a James Horner score gathered to him Robert Stack, Patrick Swayze, Harold Sylvester, Fred Ward, Tim Thomerson, Randall Cobb, Reb Brown and Kwan Hi Lim to his side,…

M*A*S*H (1972) – I Hate a Mystery, Germ Warfare, Dear Dad

Hawkeye (Alan Alda) plays detective after he’s apparently framed for a rash of thefts across the camp in I Hate a Mystery. Written by Hal Dresner, and first airing on 26 November, 1972, the story is rather light-hearted, though there is a real issue at heart behind the crimes. Knick knacks from all over the…

The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones (1993/1995) – Masks of Evil

Indy’s (Sean Patrick Flanery) adventures continue this week, as his time with French Intelligence during the Great War continues, and brings him face to face with some real evil. The movie combines two episodes, and changes the canon order of when they originally happened to facilitate a comprehensive story. Istanbul, September 1918 Airing on 17…

Quantum Leap (1991) – Shock Theater, and The Leap Back

Season 3 of Quantum Leap comes to an end this week with the stellar episode, Shock Theater. Written by Deborah Pratt (surprise, surprise, seeing how good it is), the season finale aired 22 May, 1991. And oh, boy… is it good. It’s 3 October, 1954 and Sam (Scott Bakula) finds himself in the body of…

Magnum, P.I. (1981) – Memories are Forever

  This two-parter originally aired as a single full-length feature episode, and gave Thomas (Tom Selleck) even more background for his character. It originally aired 5 November, 1981 and was written by Bellisario. While working on a divorce case, Magnum thinks he spots someone from his past on a passing yacht, and it shakes him to…