Ep 2. Universal Remote

Weird Science season 1 episode 2, titled "Universal Remote," follows the misadventures of two teenage boys, Gary and Wyatt, who use their advanced computer equipment to create a beautiful woman named Lisa. In this episode, the boys acquire a universal remote control that has the power to manipulate time and space. They soon discover that this remote is not as benign as they had thought.

Gary and Wyatt first experiment with the remote by pausing time and visiting their school's forbidden basement. They find a machine that they activate, only to discover that it's a nuclear reactor with the capability to destroy the entire town. Terrified, the boys quickly hurry back and unpause time, leaving the deadly machine behind.

Meanwhile, Lisa discovers the remote and begins using it irresponsibly, changing channels on the TV and creating chaos in the house. She also causes a mix-up with Gary's love interest, who is accidentally sent 20 years into the future.

The boys become increasingly alarmed by Lisa's behavior and try to take the remote away from her, but she refuses to give it up. The situation escalates when Lisa starts using the remote to manipulate people's emotions and desires. She creates a perfect match for Wyatt, but this leads to unexpected consequences as the boy realizes he's falling for a clone of himself.

As the chaos intensifies, Gary and Wyatt realize that they need to stop Lisa before she causes irreversible damage. They come up with a plan to disrupt the remote's signal by building a "reverse remote" - a device that cancels out the effects of the universal remote. They manage to sneak it into Lisa's purse, but she discovers it and switches it with a fake.

Finally, the boys realize that the only way to stop Lisa is to confront her directly. They persuade her to return the remote, convincing her that she's out of control. She agrees, but not before activating the remote one final time, creating a shocking twist that sets up the next episode's storyline.

Overall, "Universal Remote" is an action-packed episode full of humor and sci-fi twists. It explores ethical questions about how technology can be used for both good and bad purposes, and the potential consequences of giving too much power to one person. The actors give strong performances, with special praise for Vanessa Angel as Lisa, who brings depth and complexity to a character who could easily become a caricature. Fans of 80s and 90s pop culture will appreciate the show's references to classic movies and TV shows, making for a fun and nostalgic viewing experience.