Join host Patrick Cadigan as he discusses episode six of Defenders of the Earth, "The Root of Evil," where a scientist’s breakthrough accidentally reveals a terrifying side effect. When Ming the Merciless learns of the formula, he kidnaps the scientist and sets into motion a plan to use the invention as a weapon against the Earth. As the Defenders of the Earth race against time, they must combine science, strategy, and teamwork to stop Ming before humanity is consumed forever. So strap in, flash forward (and back) again!

Links:
The Root of Evil Resource (page)

Support the show

Visit the Flash Forward Companion site for more information from all over the web.
Defenders of the Earth (Flash Gordon) Wiki.
Defenders of the Earth Unaired Pilot - YouTube (link).
Defenders of the Earth Series Playlist on YouTube from Comics Kingdom.
Intro/Outro music by EpicMotionSounds from Pixabay.

This is Flash Forward: A Defenders of the Earth Retrospective. Join me in one week's time as I cover episode 06: The Root of Evil! Until then…

Support the show

Visit the Flash Forward Companion site for more information from all over the web.
Defenders of the Earth (Flash Gordon) Wiki.
Defenders of the Earth Unaired Pilot - YouTube (link).
Defenders of the Earth Series Playlist on YouTube from Comics Kingdom.
Intro/Outro music by EpicMotionSounds from Pixabay.

Join host Patrick Cadigan as he discusses episode five of Defenders of the Earth, "Bits and Chips," where Ming lures the team to a chess tournament in Paris to infect their computer ally Dynak X with a digital virus, gaining access to Earth's weapons data and turning Monitor's own defenses against the team. To save Dynak X, Rick shrinks himself, LJ, and Jedda inside the computer using his Micronizer invention. After battling the virus and resisting Ming's deceptions, they destroy it and restore Dynak X. The Phantom and Flash then strike Ming's island base, forcing him to retreat. So strap in, flash forward (and back) again!

Links:
Bits and Chips Resource (page)
Toy Collectors Guide - DotE Swordship (Link)
RCA Capacitance Electronic Disc (link)

Support the show

Visit the Flash Forward Companion site for more information from all over the web.
Defenders of the Earth (Flash Gordon) Wiki.
Defenders of the Earth Unaired Pilot - YouTube (link).
Defenders of the Earth Series Playlist on YouTube from Comics Kingdom.
Intro/Outro music by EpicMotionSounds from Pixabay.

This is Flash Forward: A Defenders of the Earth Retrospective. Join me in one week's time as I cover episode 05: Bits and Chips! Until then…

Support the show

Visit the Flash Forward Companion site for more information from all over the web.
Defenders of the Earth (Flash Gordon) Wiki.
Defenders of the Earth Unaired Pilot - YouTube (link).
Defenders of the Earth Series Playlist on YouTube from Comics Kingdom.
Intro/Outro music by EpicMotionSounds from Pixabay.

Join host Patrick Cadigan as he discusses episode 4 of Defenders of the Earth "A House Divided." Written by Jeremy Griffin and Dave Weathers, the story introduces Kurt Walker, the Phantom's brother, who seeks to usurp the Phantom's mantle with Ming the Merciless's help. The Phantom faces off against his brother and ultimately wins through skill and teamwork. So strap in, flash forward (and back) again!

Links:
A House Divided Resource (page)
A House Divided - Flash Gordon Wiki (link)

Support the show

Visit the Flash Forward Companion site for more information from all over the web.
Defenders of the Earth (Flash Gordon) Wiki.
Defenders of the Earth Unaired Pilot - YouTube (link).
Defenders of the Earth Series Playlist on YouTube from Comics Kingdom.
Intro/Outro music by EpicMotionSounds from Pixabay.

This is Flash Forward: A Defenders of the Earth Retrospective. Join me in one week's time as I cover episode 04: A House Divided! Until then…

Support the show

Visit the Flash Forward Companion site for more information from all over the web.
Defenders of the Earth (Flash Gordon) Wiki.
Defenders of the Earth Unaired Pilot - YouTube (link).
Defenders of the Earth Series Playlist on YouTube from Comics Kingdom.
Intro/Outro music by EpicMotionSounds from Pixabay.

Join host Patrick Cadigan as he discusses "A Demon in His Pocket," episode 3 of Defenders of the Earth. Written by Chuck Lorre (Two and a Half Men & The Big Bang Theory) this story finds Kshin summoning the demon Shogoth to deal with school bullies. Obvious havoc ensues, prompting Ming the Merciless to see a potential ally. The Defenders confront Shogoth and Kshin learns a lesson about trust and responsibility. So strap in, flash forward (and back) again!

Links:
A Demon in His Pocket Resource (page)
A Demon in His Pocket - Flash Gordon Wiki (link) 

Support the show

Visit the Flash Forward Companion site for more information from all over the web.
Defenders of the Earth (Flash Gordon) Wiki.
Defenders of the Earth Unaired Pilot - YouTube (link).
Defenders of the Earth Series Playlist on YouTube from Comics Kingdom.
Intro/Outro music by EpicMotionSounds from Pixabay.

This is Flash Forward: A Defenders of the Earth Retrospective. Join me in one week's time as I cover episode 03: A Demon in his Pocket! Until then…

Support the show

Visit the Flash Forward Companion site for more information from all over the web.
Defenders of the Earth (Flash Gordon) Wiki.
Defenders of the Earth Unaired Pilot - YouTube (link).
Defenders of the Earth Series Playlist on YouTube from Comics Kingdom.
Intro/Outro music by EpicMotionSounds from Pixabay.

Join host Patrick Cadigan as he discusses "The Creation of Monitor," episode 2 of Defenders of the Earth. Patrick covers characters like Flash Gordon, the Phantom, and Lothar, and the introduction Dynak X, a computer with the essence of Flash's dead wife. The episode highlights the quick pace of the storytelling, early 80's ideas involving AI and ecological messaging. So strap in, flash forward (and back) again!

Links:
The Creation of Monitor Resource (page)
Toy Collectors Guide - Defenders of the Earth (link)
Forbidden Planet film - 1956 (link) 

Support the show

Visit the Flash Forward Companion site for more information from all over the web.
Defenders of the Earth (Flash Gordon) Wiki.
Defenders of the Earth Unaired Pilot - YouTube (link).
Defenders of the Earth Series Playlist on YouTube from Comics Kingdom.
Intro/Outro music by EpicMotionSounds from Pixabay.

This is Flash Forward: A Defenders of the Earth Retrospective. Join me in one week's time as I cover episode 02: The Creation of Monitor! Until then…

Support the show

Visit the Flash Forward Companion site for more information from all over the web.
Defenders of the Earth (Flash Gordon) Wiki.
Defenders of the Earth Unaired Pilot - YouTube (link).
Defenders of the Earth Series Playlist on YouTube from Comics Kingdom.
Intro/Outro music by EpicMotionSounds from Pixabay.

Join host Patrick Cadigan as he covers the pilot episode “Escape from Mongo,” providing a structured breakdown of the story, characters, and themes while offering context about the show’s origins and production. Patrick walks through the episode’s plot and analyzes broader themes such as the blending of science fiction and mysticism, the modernization of classic pulp heroes for a younger 1980s audience, and the introduction of the heroes’ children as a narrative bridge. Alongside the recap, the discussion includes character overviews, production trivia, and reflections on what makes the series stand out within the landscape of 80s animated television. So flash forward (and back) again!

Links:
Escape from Mongo - YouTube (link)
Episode DVD Commentary (text)
🍎Freeform Episode DVD Commentary Notes (link) 

Support the show

Visit the Flash Forward Companion site for more information from all over the web.
Defenders of the Earth (Flash Gordon) Wiki.
Defenders of the Earth Unaired Pilot - YouTube (link).
Defenders of the Earth Series Playlist on YouTube from Comics Kingdom.
Intro/Outro music by EpicMotionSounds from Pixabay.

Introducing Flash Forward: A Defenders of the Earth Retrospective. I'll review each episode of the series, breaking down the stories, characters, themes, and digging (just a bit) into the lore that gave this series its' moment in 80s animated television. 

Join us in one week's time as I cover the pilot episode of Defenders of the Earth: Escape from Mongo. Until then...

Support the show

Visit the Flash Forward Companion site for more information from all over the web.
Defenders of the Earth (Flash Gordon) Wiki.
Defenders of the Earth Unaired Pilot - YouTube (link).
Defenders of the Earth Series Playlist on YouTube from Comics Kingdom.
Intro/Outro music by EpicMotionSounds from Pixabay.