Ep 1. Hercules
- July 17, 1993
In the first episode of season 5 of Mystery Science Theater 3000, the crew of the Satellite of Love sets their sights on the classic 1958 Italian sword and sandal film, Hercules. The episode begins with Joel and the robots eagerly anticipating the cheesy goodness that awaits them in the film. As the movie starts, the gang gets to work mocking everything from the poor quality special effects to the silly dialogue.
As they watch the film, Joel and his robot companions, Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot, make hilarious comments and observations about the action on-screen. They poke fun at the absurdity of the plot, the over-the-top acting of the cast, and the inconsistent pacing of the film. At one point, Tom Servo jokes that the movie seems like a "training video for how not to make a film."
As the film progresses, Joel and the robots take aim at the film's poor production values. They mock the shoddy costumes, the cardboard sets, and the low-budget special effects. They also take time to point out some of the film's more bizarre elements, such as the giant robot that appears out of nowhere and the scene in which Hercules wrestles a live bear.
As always, the gang intersperses their snarky comments with witty pop culture references and puns. At one point, Joel recounts a charming story about Mickey Rooney and the Marx Brothers, inspiring the robots to sing a rendition of "Lydia, The Tattooed Lady." Later, Tom Servo observes that the film's characters all seem to be "dreaming of electric sheep," a reference to the classic science fiction novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Despite the chaos of the satellite of love, the jokes and the wise-cracks never stop and the crew continues to mock the film with enthusiasm. The crew never fails to point out all the flaws, including the nonsensical plot, the inconsistent characters. Nothing is spared, not even the cheesy special effects or the mediocre scriptwriting. It's all set to a whimsical soundtrack of musical numbers and witty quips, making the episode an entertaining and engaging viewing experience.
In the end, the Mystery Science Theater 3000 crew delivers another hilarious and unforgettable episode that is sure to delight fans of the show. With their quick-wit and constant stream of jokes and puns, Joel and his robot companions once again prove their wit and charm in their quest to riff on some of the worst movies ever made. Whether you are a longtime fan of the show or a newcomer, season 5 episode 1 of Mystery Science Theater 3000 is a must-see episode that will have you laughing out loud from start to finish.
