In the summer of 1977, a little movie called Star Wars captivated audiences and sparked a wide interest in sci-fi adventures that put technobabble and hard sci-fi concepts on the back burner. While Star Wars is often frivolously cited as completely renewing public interest in sci-fi, producer Glen A. Larson was obviously inspired by its high adventure. His first and more blatant attempt at capturing the same spirit was Battlestar Galactica. While still loved to this day, it was expensive and not renewed by the network.
Not ready to give up, Larson thawed out the character Buck Rogers for a show that mixed sci-fi adventure and James Bond-style plots in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Ironically, Buck Rogers is one of the oldest sci-fi heroes, first appearing in the novella, "Armageddon 2419 A.D.," in 1928, and directly or indirectly inspired characters like Flash Gordon, and Star Wars as a result. With a new Buck Rogers show being produced by George Clooney, this is the perfect time to revisit the best episodes of the 1979 series, which can currently be streamed on Tubi.
Flight Of The War Witch - 7.1
A mysterious orb brings an invitation to Earth from another universe. Buck travels through a black hole and discovers a peaceful planet that's under attack from an evil space Empress with a fleet of ships. Ardala and the Draconians, Earth's greatest enemy, steal the secret and follows him through.
The two-part season 1 finale, taken as a whole on IMDb, is one of the best episodes according to fans and shows obvious inspiration from Star Wars.
Ardala Returns - 7.1
The Draconians are developing a new fighter to destroy Earth's Defense Directorate, and Princess Ardala wants Buck Rogers to test the craft that has killed every pilot so far. They kidnap Buck and use his unique flying techniques to train android clones of himself to fly the fighters.
Ardala doesn't just want Buck for his piloting skills, but also for her own romantic pursuits. Buck goes full super spy in this fan-favorite, to stop Ardala's evil plan and save Earth.
Unchained Woman - 7.1
Jamie Lee Curtis guest-starred in this episode that reminds fans of The Terminator. Buck gets arrested on a prison planet in order to rescue Jen Burton, who took the fall for her boyfriend.
Buck must get to her boyfriend to expose a corrupt businessman on Earth. Complicating matters is a damaged android who will stop at nothing to kill the escaped prisoners, and appears to be indestructible.
Return Of The Fighting 69th - 7.2
A notorious gunrunner and his wife plan to release a 20th-century nerve agent on Earth to seek revenge for their injuries from Wilma's previous attempt to bring them to justice. The "fighting 69th" is brought out of retirement, against Wilma's wishes, as they're the only ones who can navigate the asteroid field to their secret base.
Buster Crabbe, best known for playing Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers in the Univeral serials of the late '30s, appears as a retired starfighter.
Planet Of The Slave Girls - 7.2
This great two-parter, also listed as one episode in IMDb, guest-starred Jack Palance and Roddy McDowall (Planet of the Apes). A slave trader has secretly infiltrated Earth's food production facility on another planet, poisoning Earth's pilots and crippling their defenses.
Slave trader Kaleel has mysterious powers he uses to control people in order to carry out the attack on Earth. Buck and Wilma must stop Kaleel, his slave army, and his fleet of space fighters.
Space Vampire - 7.3
This episode broke the show's usual episode format and the gamble made for one of the show's best episodes, and only horror-themed episode. Buck and Wilma stop at a space station to have Twiki serviced, a space freighter hits the station and the crew all appear to have died of a virus.
A mysterious presence haunts the quarantined station, and especially Wilma's dreams. While the monster make up isn't the best, the limited screen time it gets and the horror atmosphere work to the episode's advantage.
The Plot To Kill A City: Part 2 - 7.3
Buck has gone undercover as a criminal to stop a plot to destroy New Chicago, Buck's new home, and the heads of Earth's Defense Directorate. An old girlfriend of the assassin that Buck is disguised as is staying at the same hotel.
For reasons unknown, she decides to go along with Buck's rouse, but his identity is revealed anyway and New Chicago is in more danger than ever. This is the dramatic and tense conclusion to one of the show's best stories.
Testimony Of A Traitor - 7.4
In General, fans regard the second season as lesser, due to the drastic changes to the format. They changed the entire premise of the show to a spaceship called The Searcher, and it was more like Star Trek or Battlestar Galactica.
This episode, however, still ranks among the best episodes of the show for good reason. The Searcher returns to Earth, where Buck is put on trial for helping a group that appears to be responsible for the nuclear devastation that destroyed Buck's world and loved ones.
The Plot To Kill A City: Part 1 - 7.4
The deadliest group of criminals in the Universe are planning to destroy New Chicago and Earth's Defense Directorate. "The Legion of Death" is initiating a new member, so Buck captures him and assumes his identity to gain their trust.
Buck and Col. Wilma Deering, commanding officer of the Defense Directorate, must find a way to defeat them and their deadly powers. The best example of the show's mix of super-spy antics with sci-fi tropes, this episode has genuine tension and twists.
Awakening - 7.4
Captain William "Buck" Rogers, a NASA astronaut, is frozen in a space shuttle during a five-month test flight. He avoids a devastating nuclear war and awakens nearly 500 years later aboard a massive ship heading to Earth for peace talks. On Earth, he is met with both interest and suspicion. Can he save the Earth from the space pirates threatening Earth before he's locked up for piracy?
The two-hour pilot is still considered to be the height of the series. If you watch the theatrical cut, you will also be treated to a hilarious lyrical song describing Buck's story.