Mind the Leap (Time Tunnel, The)

Member Name: shroud

Product:	Time Tunnel, The
Date:	25/04/07 (75 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: interesting premise, engaging storylines, occasionally thought provoking

Disadvantages: series ends before the story thread is complete

~~~Background~~~
Seeing as the Sci Fi Channel is currently in preproduction for a remake of this iconic 60's series, I thought it would be timely to do a review of this cult series. Like its new reincarnation, Time Tunnel is one of several productions by legendary producer Irwin Allen, also famous for such shows as The Poseidon Adventure, land of the Giants, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, and the iconic love it or hate it series Lost in Space.

It was the 1960's and pulp sci fi had made long leap from its cheaply printed pages to radio and film, and then onto TV. TV was still in its infancy, and a large pool of its actors and writers were drawn from radio, with film stars and cinematic screen writers then seeing TV as a step down. As a consequence, many of the programmes of the era were based upon radio, bringing the actors forwards from the airwaves, or else were basically broadcast radio shows with film type sets. The sets often would be mock ups in a small studio, and outside locations the same lot dolled up with different papier mache rocks and building facades. The acting could seem wooden, as actors adapted to radio played their roles with same expression again and again. This could work for or against a show, depending on what it was about, and who the character was.

~~~~Premise~~~

It is 1968, and brilliant young scientists Tim Newman and Doug Philips are heads of a top secret government project, code named "Tic Toc". Located in a $7 billion dollar facility buried far out in the desert, the aim of this project is to allow a person to travel anywhere in time via the Time Tunnel device. Having spent a decade on research and development, the team is eager to prove to a visiting senator that continued funding would not be a waste. The senator demands to see it at work, now, or else he will axe any further funds. Eager to garner the funds, Tony newman decides to take a risk, and turns the device on, taking himself back to 1912. Personnel back in the facility can see what is happening, and become alarmed when it becomes evident it is 1912, and he is aboard the ill fated Titanic. on the fateful eve of its demise. Doug Philips leaps into the tunnel to render assistance to his friend, but something goes wrong, and both are catapulted yet again to another era in history. The weekly series then went on to showcase the various eras and adventures they got into, and the short vignettes of the staff at the Time Tunnel headquarters frantically working to fix the problem with the machine.

~~~My Thoughts~~~
The storyline probably sounds a bit familiar, and it is my personal guess that this series provided a bit of inspiration to the creator of the Quantum Leap concept. That aside, this show has its own unique flavour. Tim and Doug are not the emotional scientist of the 1990's, but rather the suave, dressed in well pressed suits and ties, serious faced scientists of the 60's. This is not to say they did not get emotionally involved at times with the situation at hand, but it was always with the 1960's decorous detachment hand in hand. The roles are played with dignity, and none of the Shakespearean space opera antics of Captain Kirk of Star Trek, which also appeared on television screens for the first time in that same year of 1966. The nature of the characters served the actors well, as they tend to be slightly wooden by today's standard, but very typical of the 50's and 60's portrayal of "the serious scientist".

It is science fiction of a near future, taking place only in two years time from its present, with research happening "now", that grabbed the attention of the masses and which still intrigues today. It is the notion that scientists TODAY are dreaming up and researching fascinating advances in science, that can propel man to a fantastic future, and the very danger of too much haste and its consequences that drive the idea behind the show onto towards timelessness. Each show ended with a cliff-hanger, so the viewer never knew if they would ever get home, and sadly, the show ended abruptly before we ever found out. Lasting only two seasons and thirty episodes, while the programme held out much promise, it was not quite realised.

For what it was, and the limited budget and available special effects, the quality was fantastic. Being able to travel back in time meant very few futuristic effects were needed, and old props and costumes from other shows could be made use of. It also meant that the storylines could be practically anything from a western to an ancient battle so long as the two travellers were there and then catapulted elsewhere at the appropriate moment. It is a little gem of a show, occasionally shown on repeats on the Sci Fi Channel, and one that should make for an interesting remake. Amazon also offer the first season of this show on DVD as a region 1 import, so if you have a mutliregion player and like classic sci fi, you have the excellent opportunity of being able to view this at your leisure.

Summary: Before Quantum Leap, two young scientists are marooned in time via the Time Tunnel.