Buck Rogers (Gil Gerard, likable as usual) and company visit the planet Phibocetes in order to gather thurbidian crystals for the Searcher. While on the planet Buck stumbles across a ferocious mummy monster (Hubie Kerns Jr. in a gnarly nylon outfit) and a lovely young lass with amnesia whom he names Laura (well played with disarmingly sweet and vibrant charm by the foxy Amanda Wyss; Freddy Krueger's first victim in "A Nightmare on Elm Street"). However, the mummy makes off with said crystals. Director John Patterson, working from an intriguing script by Bob and Esther Mitchell, relates the absorbing story at a snappy pace, makes good use of the misty-covered sylvan location, creates a reasonable amount of spooky atmosphere, and tosses in a few nice touches of humor. The mysterious link between the mummy and Laura is especially odd and compelling. Wyss' touching and impressive portrayal of Laura constitutes as a major plus; she makes a Laura a hugely sympathetic character who you can't but care about. Moreover, Erin Gray is in fine appealing form as Wilma and Thom Christopher does well as Hawk. A neat show.
Review of The Crystals
