Classic Jonny Quest
Real Adventures of Jonny Quest: Episode Comments

The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest

Information and comments

© Craig Fuqua, 1998
Jonny Quest and distinctive likenesses © Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc.

Introduction: In all but a few cases, the comments below are my reactions to my first viewings of the episodes. I've made few attempts to go back and revise what I wrote, even where I know I'm incorrect or probably unfair. These are the thoughts of someone who was seeing these shows when they first came on, only able to compare an episode with the ones before it.
Times: Premiered in late August 1996 weekdays at 8 a.m. (Eastern) on TNT, 4:35 p.m. on TBS and 8 and midnight on Cartoon Network (an 8 p.m. Saturday showing was added later). Starting Monday, Oct. 28, TNT moved the show to 7 a.m. On Monday, Dec. 16, TBS moved the show to 3:35 p.m. It was later rescheduled to 3:05 p.m. On Monday, Jan. 6, Cartoon Network moved the 8 p.m. show to 7:30 p.m.

In March, Toon moved the 7:30 p.m. show to 5:30 p.m. After the series debuted, the three stations almost always showed the same episode each day until sometime in October during the first prolonged repeat period. Airdates in the listings below are for TNT except where noted. Few attempts were made to determine showings on the other stations.
Overall Comments: My biggest fears for the new series were that the characters would change so much as to be unrecognizable, that Bandit would continue to be a clown to provide unneeded comic relief, that Hadji would continue to perform "real" magic and Mrs. Quest would somehow turn up alive in Zin's clutches (as was set up in the second telemovie). I've been fairly relieved, although the Lawrence team introduced an alternate-universe Race and the Doi team sometimes returned Bandit to his clownish state. Questworld Adventure: During the week of Feb. 10-14, 1997, Cartoon Network viewers were invited to enter the Questworld Adventure by sending in the name of each day's RAJQ "destination" to: Questworld Adventure, c/o Cartoon Network, P.O. Box 7610, Atlanta, GA, 30309; or to send an e-mail from www.questworld.com. Prizes were 10 trips for four to a "secret island to carry out their assignment" and 100 "Questworld Adventure Packs."

Production Numbers: Thanks to RAJQ second season writer Lance Falk for providing production numbers. The full codes are 11 digits long, but I've abbreviated them down to their last two. Each code is in the format: "H00616-940nn" where "nn" is the number listed below. Lance said there appears to be no logic to the numerical order.
A Discussion of Flubs: I'm not sure how to define a flub other than to say I'll know it when I see it. Even then, some "flubs" can get the benefit of the doubt. For instance, the globe at the start of some episodes revolves the wrong way. Apparently, though, this animation is intended to help illustrate the movement of the team, not the movement of the Earth. Also, I don't consider foreigners talking English a flub because that is really just a film convention. It eliminates the need for translators and subtitles. Note on the HTML version: This file is extremely long but I will break it up into smaller segments once I've completed all my reviews. If you spot a possible flub, please let Craig know. I'll verify it and include it here then give you a credit. Tell me whether I can include your e-mail address in the credit.

Jan.21,1998: After a long period without updates, I've finally returned to this file. It's still not complete, but it's getting there.

06-30-2010: Some additional updates pertaining to character appearances were recently suggested by Corey Law.

The Darkest Fathoms

Production No. 04

Monday, Aug. 26, 1996
Repeated Saturday, Aug. 31, 1996, on TNT; Friday, Sept. 20, 1996; Saturday, Oct. 12, 1996; Thursday, Oct. 31, 1996; Thursday, Dec. 5, 1996; Friday, Feb. 7, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, Feb. 8, 1997 (Toon only, midnight)

The Quest team investigates the wreck of The Ivory Web in Bermuda after an oil exploration rig is attacked by the ghosts of its crew and captain, Black Jack Lee.

Comments:

  • Although it has a Scooby-Doo plot, this was a very good start to the series. "Men in costumes try to frighten people away from a part of the ocean so their plot won't be discovered." Sounds like "Mystery of the Lizard Men."
  • Great animation. The changes to the character models are vast improvements to the 1980s series and the telemovies, with the exception of Race Bannon's hair. The biggest flaw is George Segal's uninspired voice for Dr. Quest. Bring back Don Messick!

Flubs:

  • The portrait of Lee shown to Lacey looks nothing like the "ghost," but Lacey recognizes him anyway.
  • The ghost clinging to the foremast is shown wielding a full axe in a long view but the blade is gone in a close-up.
  • The helium-oxygen mixture affects Jonny and Race's voice for only one line each.

Notes:

  • The Quests are on the Quest Compound off the coast of Maine instead of at Palm Key, Fla.
  • Many deaths including two ships-full of pirates and two deep-sea divers. Jonny leads a boat of pirates to their apparent deaths.
  • Bandit does not appear.

Escape to Questworld

Production No. 21

Tuesday, Aug. 27, 1996
Repeated Saturday, Aug. 31, 1996, on TNT; Friday, Sept. 27, 1996; Saturday, Oct. 19, 1996; Monday, Nov. 4, 1996; Saturday, Nov. 9, 1996; Dec. 6, 1996; Monday, Jan. 6, 1997 on Cartoon Network 11 p.m.

Jeremiah Surd, a crippled scientist with a grudge against Race, takes control of Questworld while Race and Dr. Quest try to prevent his nerve gas from being released in Chicago.

Comments:

  • Fairly lame. The Questworld scenes might have been impressive four years earlier, when the series went into production. The world has moved on, and the "Reboot" series probably has better computer animation.
  • Note to Dr. Quest: Tune up the QW program—the lip-synch has problems.

Flubs:

  • The protective suits are supposed to expire in 22 hours with almost 24 hours left on the timebomb clock. This clock ticks down to one second, which means the suits have been ineffective for about two hours.
  • In the struggle on Surd's semi, a second truck is shown following.

Useless plot points:

  • Surd is believed dead for only about a minute before the teens locate him. And why was a phony death certificate issued for someone sent to an asylum?
  • The expiration date on Race and Benton's suits is mentioned only once.

Notes:

  • We learn Hadji's last name is Singh, not Quest (his adopted father's name).
  • Bandit does not appear.
  • Is the name of Surd's ship the same as the name of the asylum, Belle Isle?

In the Realm of the Condor

Production No. 02

Wednesday, Aug. 28, 1996
Repeated Monday, Sept. 30, 1996; Tuesday, Nov. 5, 1996; Monday, Dec. 9, 1996; Tuesday, Jan. 7, 1997 (also on TBS and Toon)

A woman asks the team's help in finding her missing grandfather in Peru but instead wants to discover Eldorado, the hidden city of gold.

Comments:

  • Beautiful forest scenery and the sequence of the raft on the rapids is very well done.
  • Fully outlined lips look weird.
  • A woman's fall to her death may be upsetting to young viewers.
  • Bandit's first appearance in the series is promising: He's being a real dog, not a clown.

Notes:

  • Jessie does not appear.
  • Dr. Quest has dark hair and matching beard with no signs of gray.

Rage's Burning Wheel

Production No. 18

Thursday, Aug. 29, 1996
Repeated Tuesday, Oct. 1, 1996; Wednesday, Nov. 6, 1996; Jan. 8, 1997 (also on Toon)

Ezikial Rage captures a space shuttle to execute his mad plan to destroy the world's ozone layer.

Comments:

  • Somewhat far-fetched to think Hadji would get on a shuttle. Hadji isn't even used here. It was almost like this was written before Jessie was included in the team, so they gave Hadji's role to her.
  • Race's Southern-fried sayings and accent are really getting annoying.
  • Rage obviously survives, but apparently decided to leave the space station without his mask.

Notes:

  • Bandit does not appear.

Ndovu's Last Journey

Production No. 16

Friday, Aug. 30, 1996
Repeated Wednesday, Oct. 2, 1996; Thursday, Nov. 7, 1996; Thursday, Jan. 9, 1997 (also on Toon); Tuesday, March 25, 1997 (TBS only)

While on a photo safari in Tanzania, Jonny receives a mystic summons to protect an elephant on its way to the Elephants Graveyard.

Comments:

  • More violent deaths: an elephant shot by poachers; a poacher stomped by an elephant; another poacher impaled on tusks.

Flubs:

  • The "Objects Are Closer Than They Appear" message in the mirror is written backwards, like you'd need to look at it in another mirror to read it.
  • Jonny's facial paint disappears almost instantly.
  • After the river crossing, a gray elephant's legs are shown for Ndovu, a brown elephant.
  • The Quest Rover is "done" until the danger is over, then it suddenly works again.

Notes:

  • Bandit does not appear.

Manhattan Maneater

Production No. 13

Monday, Sept. 2, 1996
Repeated Thursday, Oct. 3, 1996; Friday, Nov. 8, 1996; Friday, Jan. 10, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, Jan. 11, 1997 (at midnight on Toon)

A white tiger menaces New Yorkers from its subterranean home.

Comments:

  • Animation is top-quality here, with a lot of effort given to creating depth. No surprises in the story, but very easy to watch.

Notes:

  • Dr. Quest dies his hair red-brown. Bandit does not appear.

Flubs:

  • (Apparent flub) The grating the kids drop into the pit is back out of it afterward. We could be seeing a second grating.

East of Zanzibar

Production No. 01

Tuesday, Sept. 3, 1996
Repeated Saturday, Sept. 7, 1996, on TNT; Friday, Oct. 4, 1996; Monday, Nov. 11, 1996 (and on TBS); Saturday, Nov. 16, 1996; Saturday, Nov. 23, 1996; Tuesday, Dec. 24, 1996; Monday, Jan. 13, 1997 (also on TBS and Toon); Saturday, Jan. 18, 1997

Near Christie Island in the Republic of Sheychelles, Jonny and Hadji battle an enormous squid—and its human protectors.

Comments:

  • Nice computer-generated ocean waves at times. Just a couple of shots where it's used—check the sequence where the squid attacks the boys.
  • The animation is a disappointing follow-up to Manhattan Maneater, but the pace is still better than about anything else. Very nice colors.
  • Very tired of the team deciding not to tell anyone about their adventure.

Flubs:

  • The name on the whaling ship's bow changes from "Donger" to "Donder."
  • Are the whales that rescue the sub out of scale with it? They seem awfully small.
  • Would Hadji divide his turban?

Notes:

  • Again, no Bandit.
  • Jessie does not appear.
  • Hadji wears his hair in a knot.

Assault on Questworld

Production No. 36

Wednesday, Sept. 4, 1996
Repeated Saturday, Sept. 7, 1996, on TNT; Monday, Oct. 7, 1996; Tuesday, Nov. 12, 1996; Tuesday, Jan. 14, 1997 (also on Toon)

Surd lures the adults to Nepal, and keeps the teen-agers busy while his assault team invades the Quest Compound at Lighthouse Point, Maine.

Comments:

  • Much better use of the Questworld environment. Fewer tunnels and enclosing spaces.

Ezekiel Rage

Production No. 15

Thursday, Sept. 5, 1996
Repeated Tuesday, Oct. 8, 1996; Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1996; Saturday, Dec. 7, 1996; Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1997 (also on Toon)

Investigating the report of a giant bat, the Quests find a disfigured former government spy on a mission to rid the world of evil and the people who let his family die..

Comments:

  • This apparently takes place before the events of Rage's Burning Wheel.
  • A good story, although the animation at the front is still pretty jerky.
  • A good start for a new villain.
  • Some good action scenes, particularly with the VTOL cargo plane.

Notes:

  • Bandit does not appear.

Alien in Washington

Production No. 17

Friday, Sept. 6, 1996
Repeated Wednesday, Oct. 9, 1996; Thursday, Nov. 14, 1996; Saturday, Dec. 14, 1996; Tuesday, Feb. 25, 1997 (TBS only)

The Questworld system intercepts a warning from aliens about the United States' space arsenal.

Comments:

  • Very good Questworld scenes.
  • The use of painted cells for Jonny's face in Questworld is much more satisfying than the computer-generated version.
  • Why don't the aliens just use their powers to destroy the space-based defense system itself?

Return of the Anasazi

Production No. 03

Monday, Sept. 9, 1996
Repeated Thursday, Oct. 10, 1996; Saturday, Dec. 21, 1996; Thursday, Jan. 16, 1997 (also on Toon)

Government agents want a quartz rod that is a beacon to summon alien visitors.

Comments:

  • Excellent animation, especially for the figures. Could be a characteristic of one team.
  • The scene in the room with the compass rose on the floor is especially good in terms of mood and direction.
  • Bandit is actually likeable in this series.

Flubs:

  • The design of the 1947-era jet planes is possibly wrong.
  • Quinlan, Okla., is shown in the wrong place on the map. It's actually a small community in the western part of the state. (I've been there!)

Notes:

  • At some point in the '60s perhaps, Dr. Quest had a beard but no mustache.
  • Mrs. Evans makes her only appearance.
  • The Rockport Police answer emergency calls to the Quest Compound.
  • The nearest Amtrak station is at Lewiston.
  • Is that a drunken Indian Jonny steals a plane from?

The Alchemist

Production No. 14

Tuesday, Sept. 10, 1996
Repeated Saturday, Sept. 21, 1996 on TNT; Friday, Oct. 11, 1996; Monday, Nov. 18, 1996 (also on TBS); Friday, Jan. 17, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, Jan. 18, 1997 (midnight, Toon only)

A scientist steals the Philsopher's Stone and kidnaps the Quest teens when he needs someone pure of heart to use it to turn base metals into gold.

Comments:

  • Pedestrian animation compared to other shows, although the eagle splitting into smaller birds was well done.
  • Burglars with colored mohawks wouldn't be worth hiring.
  • Marc Singer does a nice job as Dr. Montegue.
  • Dr. Faust could wager his "lost soul" all day long. He doesn't have it to lose.

Flubs:

  • If the great eagle carries the Philosopher's Stone away, why is it found on the ground 1,000 years later?

Notes:

  • Hadji wears his hair in a pony tail.

Trouble on the Colorado

Production No. 40

Wednesday, Sept. 11, 1996
Repeated Monday, Oct. 14, 1996; Tuesday, Nov. 19, 1996; Saturday, Jan. 4, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, Jan. 11, 1997 (at 12:30 a.m. on Toon); Monday, Jan. 20, 1997 (also on Toon)

Surd attacks the team on the Colorado River in Utah in order to get secrets from Alice Starseer, the woman who has been traveling through space with the aliens from "Return of the Anasazi."

Comments:

  • Good scenes in Questworld.
  • The release of Surd at the end is believable.

Flubs:

  • Bad editing creates a split-second of blackness during the fight between Race and Lorenzo in the Anasazi granary.

In the Wake of Mary Celeste

Production No. 07

Thursday, Sept. 12, 1996
Repeated Tuesday, Oct. 15, 1996; Wednesday, Nov. 20, 1996; Saturday, Jan. 11, 1997 (on Toon); Saturday, Jan. 18, 1997 (on Toon); Tuesday, Jan. 21, 1997 (also on TBS and Toon)

An unscrupulous man uses the Quests to trace the mystery ship Mary Celeste — and its cargo of gold.

Comments:

  • A relatively good story, but with a sudden end.
  • No one even guesses at the power behind the glowing lights under the sea.

Flubs:

  • As it lowers, the lifeboat has "Mary Celeste" painted on it. In the water, the name is gone.
  • If the only other person who knew about Race killing a man in an alley is dead, how did the fake psychic know it?
  • How did he imitate Dr. Quest's voice?

Notes:

  • Jessie and Bandit do not appear.

Amok

Production No. 44

Friday, Sept. 13, 1996
Repeated Wednesday, Oct. 16, 1996; Thursday, Nov. 21, 1996; Saturday, Jan. 18, 1997 (Toon only); Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, Jan. 25, 1997 (Toon only, 12:30 a.m.)

Mercenaries hunt down a tribe in Borneo but find the legendary Amok creatures instead.

Comments:

  • Marc Singer returns and uses the same voice as in Alchemist. Thumbs down, Siskel.
  • A little similar to Monster of the Monastery, but not too bad.

Flubs:

  • In one shot on the trail, Stramm looks like he's gliding instead of walking.
  • Hadji mentions the Amok legend like they'd already introduced it to us.

Notes:

  • Bandit does not appear.

Beseiged in Paradise

Production No. 38

Saturday, Sept. 14, 1996 on TNT
Repeated on Monday, Sept. 16, 1996, Thursday, Oct. 17, 1996; Friday, Nov. 22, 1996; Thursday, Jan. 23, 1997; Saturday, Jan. 25, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, Feb. 1, 1997 (Toon only, 12:30 a.m.)

Surd discovers a "cetacean Internet" and uses it to strike at the Quests.

Comments:

  • The smiling whale at the end is unbearably stupid. The smiling dolphins were easier to stomach.
  • More good use of Quest World.

Flubs:

  • Surd's helicopter is at first smaller than the cargo containers then larger.

The Spectre of the Pine Barrens

Production No. 05

Tuesday, Sept. 17, 1996
Repeated Friday, Oct. 18, 1996; Monday, Nov. 25, 1996 (and on TBS); reportedly also on Saturday, Nov. 30, 1996; Friday, Jan. 24, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, Jan. 25, 1997 (midnight on Toon); Saturday, Feb. 1, 1997 (Toon, probably on TNT); Saturday, Feb. 8, 1997 (Toon only, 12:30 a.m.)

The Quests encounter Redcoats and Minutemen—and the New Jersey Devil—in the Pine Barrens.

Comments:

  • Very good animation, particularly the figures and the computer-generated materials. As with Manhattan Maneater, lots of efforts at creating depth.
  • Like Amok, someone imitates a mythical beast and we discover it's real after all.
  • Very good use of Bandit.

Notes:

  • The Bannons do not appear.
  • Clips from 1960s Jonny Quest episodes are shown during the Quest World segment at the end.
  • The team's RV is called the Quest Stream.

Flubs:

  • When Dr. Quest says the people can continue living in the woods like they have for the past 200 years, he's forgetting they did so by kidnapping children to breed with them.
  • After Hadji pulls Jonny back up of the cliff, Dr. Quest turns around and his right eye (the viewer's right) twitches, reports LoisL34153@aol.com.

The Mummies of Malenque

Production No. 49

Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1996
Repeated Thursday, Oct. 24, 1996 (?) on TBS; Wednesday, Dec. 11, 1996; Saturday, Feb. 8, 1997 (also on Toon); Monday, Feb. 17, 1997 (also on Toon; TBS did not show JQ because of President's Day); Tuesday, March 25, 1997 (also on Toon); Friday, May 2, 1997

The team stops a man from unleashing the virus that destroyed his ancestors.

Comments:

  • Too much effort spent on making this action-packed and not interesting.
  • The first show from the second production effort displays a much-improved Race in both form and voice.
  • Bandit's character reverts to clown and he once again inspires thoughts of dogicide.
  • The new Dr. Quest model is good, but DeLancie's voice is even less convincing than Segall's.
  • The kids look several years younger than they should.
  • It looked like Hadji was attempting a magical feat.
  • Good morphing animation.
  • Overall, not a promising start.

Flubs:

  • The medallion disappears from the unconscious guy's hand after Jessie looks at it, even though she did not get it from him.
  • The message on the medallion translates to rhymed English.

Notes:

  • Bandit's dogtag is shaped like the JQ logo.
  • Jessie's mother has changed from Jezebel Jade to a woman who was actually married to Race.

Heroes

Production No. 25

Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1996 on Cartoon Network only.
Repeated Monday, Oct. 21, 1996, on TNT; Saturday, Oct. 26, 1996; Tuesday, Nov. 26, 1996; Monday, Jan. 27, 1997 (also on TBS and Toon); Friday, April 4, 1997 (TBS only)

Comments:

  • Great Questworld story.
  • Computer animation is very impressive, although the reuse of some shots is pretty obvious.
  • How can the Quests build the best computer system in the world with the worst firewall? A guy out of touch with the outside world since the 1970s gets in whenever he wants.
  • The idea that the statue has some sort of supernatural power is pretty lame and underdeveloped. It's not a very good hook to hang this story on.

The Ballad of Belle Bonnet

Production No. 11

Thursday, Sept. 19, 1996
Repeated Tuesday, Oct. 22, 1996 on TNT; Monday, Oct. 28, 1996, on TBS; Nov. 27, 1996; Tuesday, Jan. 28, 1997 (also on Toon)

The ghost of a thieving cowgirl leads Jonny to a treasure chest in an underground lake.

Comments:

  • Great, dramatic images of the flaming horses and carriage. Memorable in the way the Invisible Monster, mummy and Robot Spy were from the 1960s series.
  • Good parallel images of Race and the skeleton.
  • Jonny's psychic link to Belle's ghost is unneccessary.
  • Good editing in the flash-back sequence.
  • The spread of the fire is a little too exaggerated. "I've become that predictable" is a nice moment.

Flubs:

  • Why would an Indian school be paying taxes? If it's not on a reservation, why not—and why would it be on taxable land?
  • Why would a man capable of loaning a large sum of money be working as a guide?
  • $500,000 won't build very many school buildings.
  • If Belle never got the money to the school, how did it stay open? (Thanks to Michelle Fleming <oneshadow@msn.com>.)

Notes:

  • Jessie and Bandit do not appear.

In the Darkness of the Moon

Production No.20

Monday, Sept. 23, 1996
Repeated Thursday, Oct. 24, 1996 on TNT; Tuesday, Oct. 29, 1996 on TBS; Monday, Dec. 2, 1996 (also on TBS); Thursday, Jan. 30, 1997 (also on Toon)

In Canada, the Quests cure a werewolf.

Comments:

  • Fairly dull story.
  • Animation is lackluster.

Flubs:

  • Jonny and Hadji switch eye colors in one shot during the line: "isolating the female recessive gene ..." Thanks to Michelle Fleming <oneshadow@msn.com>!
  • The lady's necklace reappears around her neck after the final attack by the werewolf.

The Secret of the Moai

Production No. 46

Tuesday, Sept. 24, 1996
Repeated Friday, Oct. 25, 1996; Tuesday, Dec. 3, 1996; Friday, Jan. 31, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, Feb. 1, 1997 (Toon midnight showing only)

On Easter Island, the Quests discover the remains of an alien capable of causing evolutionary acceleration through sound—and have to deal with Surd.

Comments:

  • Will they never learn to stop using Questworld?
  • I have to admit George Segall has gotten a handle on Dr. Quest, although he still doesn't match Don Messick.
  • A decent story, and a believable way to keep the secret once it's over.
  • Character movement in Questworld is much better, or I'm getting used to it. Character movement in the rest isn't. One of Surd's soldiers appears to be mime-walking.

Flaws:

  • The ape-men shown look nothing like our homind ancestors.

Flubs:

  • Wouldn't bodies in a sealed environment, like a closed sphere covered by lava, become mummified, not turn to skeletons?
  • Hadji tests the grass DNA rather quickly. In fact, before he gets a sample.

Expedition to Khumbu

Production No. 06

Wednesday, Sept. 25, 1996
Repeated Wednesday, Dec. 4, 1996 (and on TBS); Monday, Feb. 3, 1997 (also on Toon)

An explorer attempts to kill Dr. Quest as part of a scheme to bring back a real yeti alive.

Comments:

  • One of the best shows of the series, although it's a retread of "Monster in the Monastery."
  • The character movement was a lot slicker, like they had filmed people then copied the frames. It called attention to itself, but was better than the awkward movements in other eps.
  • Excellent multi-plane scenery at the start.
  • Very good performance by George Segall -- all 2-1/2 minutes of it. He's got Dr. Quest's egg-headedness down here.

Notes:

  • Bandit does not appear.

Ice Will Burn

Production No. 28

Thursday, Sept. 26, 1996
Repeated Wednesday, Oct. 23, 1996; Friday, Nov. 1, 1996, on TBS; Thursday, Nov. 28, 1996; Friday, Dec. 27, 1996; Wednesday, Jan. 29, 1997 (also on Toon)

Jessie discovers people who live inside an ice fissure.

Comments:

  • Imaginative twist on the hidden people story.
  • Good plane crash.
  • Jessie can build a hot-air balloon from toothpicks and bubble game in under five minutes.

Notes:

  • Bandit does not appear.

Rock of Rages

Production No. 51

Saturday, Sept. 28, 1996
Repeated Saturday, Oct. 5, 1996; Thursday, Dec. 12, 1996; Saturday, Dec. 15, 1997; Tuesday, Feb. 18, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, Feb. 22, 1997 (Toon 12:30 a.m. only); Wednesday, March 19, 1997; Wednesday, March 26, 1997 (not on Toon)

A Communist takes control of a golem to assassinate the president of the Czech Republic.

Comments:

  • Another second-team story full of action but no mystery. The action scenes are pretty good, though.
  • The flight through clouds is not as well done as on the original series.
  • The barrage to halt the golem's advance on the president's manion is similar to the Robot Spy's departure from the military base.
  • Bandit the Clown appears.

Notes:

  • Dr. Quest's line, "And not a moment too soon," after the helicopter crashes into the golem, was spoken by Don Messick. This was one of a handful of episodes he recorded before ill-health prompted him to retire. He died in late October 1997.

Flubs:

  • From Michelle Fleming <oneshadow@msn.com>: The golem's legs are apart in the shot right after he is unveiled, but together in the next shot.

Future Rage

Production No. 19

Tuesday, Oct. 29, 1996
Repeated Friday, Nov. 29, 1996; Tuesday, Feb. 4, 1997 (also on Toon)

Rage plots to melt the polar ice cap.

Comments:

  • Good animation, particularly the colors and with the Aurora Borealis. The faces are especially good. They're getting their money's worth here.
  • Great direction of the action sequences, at least at the first.
  • Good premise for story.
  • They missed a chance to compare the Questworld cycle scene with the snowmobile race.
  • Love Bandit's attack on Rage.
  • Rage's flash-back is way too long.

Alligators And Okeechobee Vikings

Production No. 10

Friday, Nov. 1, 1996
Repeated Tuesday, Dec. 10, 1996; Friday, Jan. 3, 1996 (also on Cartoon Network); Thursday, Feb. 6, 1997 (also on Toon)

A community of Vikings hidden in the Florida Evergaldes fights a polluting oil company.

Comments:

  • Great animation, fun story.
  • Probably the best show of the series.
  • Race gets to fight another alligator!
  • Good action scenes with Jonny and Hadji.

Bloodlines

Production No. 50

Friday, Dec. 13, 1996
Repeated Monday, Feb. 10, 1997 (TBS only); Wednesday, Feb. 19, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, Feb. 22, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, March 1, 1997 (Toon 12:30 a.m. showing only); Thursday, March 27, 1997 (also on Toon)

Hadji seeks Pasha Peddler and discovers his childhood — and his future.

Comments:

  • The first of a new spate of second-team stories (third overall).
  • May be too tied to the '60s series.
  • The fat guy at the table looks like the guy from "Riddle of the Gold."
  • The original Pasha would never have been an assassin.

Flubs:

  • Hadji calls Pasha "my adopted father." Actually, he would be "adoptive" father, if he was, which he wasn't. Pasha raised Hadji and arranged for Dr. Quest to adopt him.

Notes:

  • Bandit and Dr. Quest do not appear. Perhaps they're visiting Bandit's mother.
  • Although it's implied at the end Hadji will be absent, he is in every episode that follows.
  • "Bangalore Falcon" may follow this episode in the series' continuity.

Race Against Danger

Production No. 52

Monday, Dec. 16, 1996
Repeated Thursday, Feb. 20, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, March 1, 1997 (probably TBS; definitely Toon); Friday, March 28, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, March 29, 1997 (Toon midnight show only)

Race and Jonny must run a deadly obstacle course set up by an old enemy.

Comments:

  • We can now dread Jonny calling Race "Racer." Several violent deaths.

Notes:

  • Jessie does not appear.
  • Hadji is already back from India.

The Dark Mountain

Production No. 08

Tuesday, Dec. 17, 1996
Repeated Friday, Feb. 21, 1997 (also on Toon but not on TBS); Saturday, Feb. 22, 1997 (Toon midnight showing); Saturday, March 8, 1997 (scheduled); Saturday, March 15, 1997 (Toon 12:30 a.m. showing only); Monday, March 31, 1997 (also on Toon)

Bigfoot steals one of Dr. Quest's inventions and the group tracks him to a spaceship inside Mount Washington.

Comments:

  • The animation is not smooth.
  • The story is fairly good, although they should not be surprised at the appearance of Bigfoot having already met Yetis.

Cyberswitch

Production No. 09

Wednesday, Dec. 18, 1996
Repeated Monday, Feb. 24, 1997; Saturday, March 15, 1997 (probably on Toon also); Saturday, March 22, 1997 (Toon 12:30 a.m. only); Wednesday, April 2, 1997 (also on Toon)

Surd uses Questworld to switch bodies with Race.

Comments:

  • Fairly good body-switching story, although the technology for the switch isn't shown. Surd apparently uses an altered Questworld.
  • Good to see more of the Quest compound.
  • Not sure if I like the new Surd model. Also, I thought the blue lighting in the Lawrence episodes was a nice detail.

Flubs:

  • The Racemobile is shown moving while Hadji and Jessie gawk, but when we cut to a two-shot of Jonny and Race in the car, it's not moving.

Undersea Urgency

Production No. 12

Thursday, Dec. 19, 1996
Repeated Tuesday, Feb. 25, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, March 22, 1997; Saturday, March 29, 1997 (Toon 12:30 a.m. only); Thursday, April 3, 1997 (also on Toon)

An observatory on the ocean floor unleashes vicious amphibious beasts during an inspection by Dr. Quest.

Comments:

  • Some frightening situations as the beasts bite people to death; also, Jonny sets up a spear-gun booby trap that kills several creatures.
  • We're as surprised as Jessie that she's claustrophobic. And probably more disappointed.
  • Since when does Race get infections?
  • Constant movement by the characters while they speak is annoying after awhile. Not as awkward as in Cyberswitch.
  • Clean lines on the faces.

Notes:

  • Race does not appear due to an inner-ear infection; Bandit does not appear.
  • Verne Research Center and "20,000 leagues under the sea" are references to Jules Verne and his famous novel.

Nemesis

Production No. 22

Friday, Dec. 20, 1996
Repeated Wednesday, Feb. 26, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, March 29, 1997 (also on Toon); Friday, April 4, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, April 5, 1997 (Toon midnight showing only)

Dr. Zin takes over a Malaysian satellite and attmpets to use its destructive power to extort money from the world.

Comments:

  • Better model for Zin than in the telemovies.
  • The team finally meets Dr. Zin. A good acknowledgment of something not obvious from the original shows, but they didn't really have to meet now or at any time. "At last we meet face-to-face" removes some '80s appearances and the telemovies out of the Jonny Quest canon.

Notes:

  • Jessie does not appear.

DNA Doomsday

Production No. 24

Monday, Dec. 23, 1996
Repeated Saturday, Dec. 28, 1996; Thursday, Feb. 27, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, April 5, 1997 (also on Toon); Monday, April 7, 1997 (also on Toon; TBS did not show an episode); Saturday, April 12, 1997 (Toon 12:30 a.m. only)

A DNA-based computer takes on a life of its own.

Comments:

  • Great to hear Dean Jones.
  • Vehicles have terribly jerky movement.
  • Classic sci-fi yarn.
  • Faces look better, or I'm getting used to them.

Notes:

  • Jessie does not appear.

Ghost Quest

Production No. 26

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 1996
Repeated Friday, Feb. 28, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, March 1, 1997 (Toon midnight showing only); Tuesday, April 8, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, April 12, 1997 (also on Toon)

The teens encounter a spooky case of revenge on a mysterious island.

Comments:

  • Nice story for the teens.
  • Predictable surprise at the end.
  • I liked the ghost cat.

Notes:

  • Dr. Quest and Race do not appear.

Nuclear Netherworld

Production No. 23

Thursday, Dec. 26, 1996
Repeated Monday, March 3, 1997 (also on Toon); Wednesday, April 9, 1997 (also on Toon)

A disreputable businessman secretly mines uranium near Jonny's grandfather's ranch.

Comments:

  • Again, vehicle movement looks like it's less than 12 fps.
  • Glad to see the dedication to Doug Wildey.

Notes:

  • Jessie, Dr. Quest and Race do not appear.
  • First appearance of Jonny's grandfather, Doug Wildey.

Flubs:

  • The camera's focus spot is out of focus.

Eclipse

Production No. 30

Friday, Dec. 27, 1996 (Toon only)
Repeated Friday, Feb. 21, 1997 (TBS only); Tuesday, March 4, 1997 (also on Toon); Thursday, April 10, 1997 (also on Toon)

Hadji falls under the spell of a succubus in New Orleans.

Comments:

  • The lady-to-bat transformation sequence in the hallway is ridiculous.
  • Hadji's voice sounds strange throughout.
  • Jessie's jealousy is handled OK, but Jonny's a little too clueless.

Flubs:

  • You hear the sound of a phone hanging up, then the person on the other end hears the caller being killed. Thanks to Jeff Toschlog (toschlog@houston.Geco-Prakla.slb.com) for this flub plus the original airdate.
  • After Hadji and Elise's meeting in the park, he gives her his heirloom jewel, and she leaves, yet you see him wearing it in the reflection on her limo window as she and Andrew drive away, says LoisL34153@aol.com.

Notes:

  • The adults appear only briefly and do not speak.

Without A Trace

Production No. 34

Dec. 30, 1996
Repeated Wednesday, March 5, 1997 (also on Toon); Friday, April 11, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, April 12, 1997 (Toon midnight only)

Surd kidnaps the president and frames the Quest team.

Comments:

  • The Questworld scenes are not computer-animated and the overlay on the flight-simulator is not only annoying but makes the shots look like they're under water.
  • My wife says, "I'm tired of Surd and I don't even watch this show."
  • The escape from the clothing store is sub-standard.

Village of the Doomed

Production No. 31

Tuesday, Dec. 31, 1996 (on Cartoon Network only)
Repeated Thursday, March 6, 1997 (also on Toon); Thursday, March 20, 1997 (also on Toon)

On a fishing trip in England, Dr. Quest and Jonny encounter a village under computerized mind control.

Comments:

  • Animation is still jerky.
  • The superhuman strength parts (ripping doors off) were unbelievable and not neccessary.
  • Race, Hadji, Bandit, and Jessie do not appear.

Flubs:

  • Dr. Quest's injury disappears by the time he walks across the street from the doctor's office.
  • Dr. Quest's control chip is not visible when the back of his neck is first shown. If they didn't want to give it away, why didn't they just use another angle?
  • The steering wheels are on the wrong sides of the cars! <g>

To Bardo and Back

Production No. 39

Jan. 2, 1997
Repeated Monday, Jan. 6, 1997; Saturday, Jan. 11, 1997; Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, April 5, 1997 (Toon 12:30 a.m. only)

Race is put into Questworld to heal a serious injury but Surd interferes.

Comments:

  • The combination of the Lawrence team's storyboards and the Doi team's animation might have been more satisfying with a better story.
  • The Questworld lip-synch is worse than usual.
  • At last! They're trying to keep Surd out of Questworld. Why not unplug the outside lines?
  • Good to see Race didn't hesitate to kill Surd by pushing him into Bardo.
  • If there was a bridge across the river, would it have been the Bridge at Bardo?

Dark Sentinel

Production No. 29

Monday, Feb. 10, 1997 (also on Toon; not on TBS)
Repeated Friday, March 7, 1997 (also on Toon); Friday, March 21, 1997 (also on Toon); Saturday, March 22, 1997 (Toon midnight show only)

The Quest team is present when a monster drives a logging team from an African forest.

Comments:

  • Why is Jonny wearing whiteface?
  • The simple plot allows for more action, but a less satisfying experience. The beast shows up in the teaser and we spend the rest of the episode dealing with it.
  • Big thanks to whomever gave Jonny's laptop a real keyboard instead of just rectangles for keys.
  • The Invisible Monster meets Predator and The Rancor. Did I mention Godzilla? Godzilla, too.
  • Good use of Questworld, if you can believe it affects the outside world.
  • As Jonny prepares to enter Hadji's consciousness (or whatever), there is a very effective use of the introduction to the theme song. Too brief, though.

Notes:

  • Jessie does not appear.
  • Today's Questworld Adventure contest destination was Cameroon, Africa.

Other Space

Production No. 27

Tuesday, Feb. 11, 1997
Repeated Monday, March 10, 1997; Monday, March 24, 1997 (also on Toon)

A research facility accidentally opens up a gateway to a dimension with hostile beings.

Comments:

  • Good scenery at the lab.
  • Gateway concept from Stargate.
  • Does the colonel look like O.J. Simpson on purpose?
  • Cool blast effects.

Notes:

  • Bandit does not appear.
  • The location of this adventure, "Bayou Near New Orleans," was an entry phrase for the Questworld Adventure contest.

Flubs:

  • The return trip from the other dimension isn't the reverse of the journey there.

Digital Double Cross

Production No. 35

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 1997
Repeated Tuesday, March 11, 1997 (also on Toon)

Jonny and Jesse are sucked into a deadly game while playing in Surdworld.

Comments:

  • They still haven't learned to stop using Questworld. Surd shows up about 90 percent of the time. It's really tiresome.
  • Great landscapes. Also, the figures seem to move a little better, although they still remind you of the Thunderbird marionettes.

Notes:

  • Today's destination was Quest Compound, Maine.

Thoughtscape

Production No. 33

Thursday, Feb.13, 1997 (also on Toon)
Repeated Wednesday, March 12, 1997 (also on Toon)

Surd traps Jessie's mind in her fantasies via Questworld.

Comments:

  • The ending qualifies for a "'Bout Time" award.
  • DeLancie turns in a good performance here.
  • Good panic in Jonny's voice as he de-rezes.
  • Cheesy explanation for using traditional animation during a Questworld segment. The knights were obviously intended for computer-generation.

Notes:

  • Today's Questworld Adventure destination was Quest Compound, Maine.

Flubs:

  • The Questworld monitor in the lighthouse shows "real" images instead of computer-generated ones -- like it had an actual camera in their heads.
  • As Dr. Quest raises his sword when confronting Surd, a black quadrangle appears across the blade. It looks like the monitor view showing Surd near the end.

The Bangalore Falcon

Production No. 37

Friday, Feb. 14, 1997
Repeated Thursday, March 6, 1997 (TBS only); Thursday, March 13, 1997 (also on Toon); Tuesday, April 1, 1997 (TNT only; Toon did not show JQTRA today because of special April Fool's programming)

Zin's twin daughters track a falcon to the legendary city of Shambala to find waters that bestow immortality.

Comments:

  • Good approximation of Jesse White's original Pasha voice.
  • Hadji's rapport with the falcon is nice, as was its decision in the end.
  • Good tension in the rope ladder scene.
  • Wow! An enjoyable Bandit comedy routine (with the falcon).
  • Three-horned golden orangutang??
  • Glad to see Zin restored to holograms only.
  • Race and Dr. Quest do not appear.

Notes:

  • Today's Questworld Adventure destination was Bangalore, India.
  • This may take place directly after "Bloodlines."
  • Jessie's crush on Hadji reappears.

Diamonds and Jade

Production No. 32

Friday, March 14, 1997
Repeated Saturday, March 15 (Toon midnight showing only); Wednesday, April 23, 1997

Race helps Jade track down a cursed gem.

Comments:

  • Dr. Quest and Hadji do not appear.

More to come!

The Edge of Yesterday

Production No. 41

Monday, March 17, 1997 (also on Toon)
Repeated Thursday, April 24, 1997

Jonny and Jessie must use time-travel to prevent Rage from detonating a bomb inside the deepest hole in the Earth.

Comments:

  • A good Rage story.
  • It's doubtful scientists would send humans that deep into the Earth. They'd use robot cameras.
  • Dropping the guys down the shaft seems awfully cruel for a cartoon.
  • Great dinosaur; great movement in Questworld all around.
  • The ending was rewarding.
  • The story could stand on its own if there had been a little background on Rage's character.
  • The time-travel plot device was not believable.

The Haunted Sonata

Production No. 42

Tuesday, March 18, 1997 (also on Toon)
Repeated Friday, April 25, 1997

The ghost of a composer haunts the man getting rich by an old family secret.

Comments:

  • Not very engaging.
  • Some nice colors.
  • Nice interplay between Jonny and Jessie.
  • His "ghost-written" line seems out-of-character with the teen-age Jonny.
  • The spider in the skeleton was unimaginative and derivative of about any skeleton shot from the past 10 years.
  • Nicely horrible end to the bad guy. A classic come-uppance.
  • Dr. Quest, Race, and Hadji do not appear.

Flubs:

  • Michelle Fleming reports: When the girl is playing the sonota the camera pans back to an above view and the paper dissapears from the holder.
  • She also asks: Where did that letter come from when they find the bones in the wall? It wasn't there when that guy buried her.
  • I ask: Why would she have had the sonata manuscript stuffed inside her dress in the first place?

General Winter

Production No. 43

Wednesday, March 26, 1997 (Toon only) (Originally Scheduled Wednesday, March 19, 1997)
Repeated Monday, April 28, 1997

That diehard Commie Vostok forces Dr. Quest to perfect a freeze bomb.

Comments:

  • Great animation, although the Aurora is a bit disappointing.
  • Great story and very well-paced. Dare I say it? Chilling!
  • It seemed to run short. The 11 p.m. showing ended by 11:25, credits, commercials and all.
  • Mark Hamill does a remarkable job as Vostok.
  • All in all, one of the best of the new series.

Notes:

  • Jessie does not appear.

Night of the Zinja

Production No. 45

Monday, April 14, 1997
Repeated Tuesday, April 29, 1997

Dr. Zin's daughters use deadly robots to steal a prototype invention from the Quests.

Comments:

  • Overall, a good Jonny Quest-style story, particularly the plot device of stealing a Dr. Quest invention. "Pirates from Japan"?
  • Good, clean artwork -- occasionally nice use of ink.
  • At least Jonny only saves the president twice in the season.
  • Dr. Quest does not appear.

Flubs:

  • Are packages really X-rayed at the destination?
  • Also, why wasn't the complicated electronic equipment inside inspected after the X-ray?
  • The cliffhanger with the jet is puzzling -- it looks like it was supposed to be a commercial break.

The Robot Spies

Production No. 48

Tuesday, April 15, 1997
Repeated Wednesday, April 30, 1997

Review to come!

More Than Zero

Production No. 47

Wednesday, April 16, 1997
Repeated Thursday, May 1, 1997

Scientists unleash the supernatural spirit in a Venetian mansion.

Comments:

  • The scientists remind me of the Chameleon Bros. in "Rocko's Modern Life."
  • Nice wall effects but nothing ground-breaking.
  • There are really nice touches to the Questworld scenes -- lightning in particular-- although Hadji's mouth looks like Charlie McCarthy's.
  • The flashback in the last act really slows down the story.
  • In sum, it's a disappointment in two ways: First, it's not a good send-off to the series; second, it could have been a great story with some pacing changes and the replacement of the comical scientists.
  • Race actually says "hai-yah!" before kicking out a window.
  • Michael Gough's voice is almost unrecognizable as Jacobi.
  • Bandit and Jessie do not appear.

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