Episode Review: "The Power Pirate"

"The Power Pirate" aired September 8, 1973 and was the premiere episode of the inaugural SUPER FRIENDS season. As with all the first season episodes, "The Power Pirate" was an hour-long (45 minute single story, broken up by commercials). The pointy-eared chap pictured above is named Anthro from the planet Traum. More on him in a moment...

SYNOPSIS: The Super Friends must stop various power outage disasters caused by an alien who is draining Earth's energy for his own energy-starved planet. In order to walk among humans, the alien disguises himself as Special Inspector with Scotland Yard, Sir Cedric Cedric. The Super Friends figure out the disguise and help the alien provide energy to his planet by turning its moon into a power plant.


NOTES & OBSERVATIONS:

• The Justice League hold weekly meetings

• First appearance of Wendy, Marvin and Wonder Dog...and the ONLY time Marvin showcases his apparent super power of air-running/awkward floating

Marvin running into the air

Marvin helplessly floating

• The Invisible Jet is referred to as Wonder Woman's "Transparent Plane" in this episode and for most of Season One. It can fly at 5000 mph and is thought-powered

Wonder Woman's telepathy

• The Hall of Justice has an elevator to a lower level, some sort of cave-like hangar underneath the headquarters that holds, at least in this episode, the Invisible Jet

Hall of Justice

Aquaman and Wonder Woman exiting Hangar elevator

Invisible Jet moving out of back door of Hangar

• There is also mention of a "scan report from our Big Eye", likely referring to the Justice League Satellite, seen in later seasons. The Big Eye is mentioned a few more times this season.
• Aquatic Telepathy: 4 octopi, some whales
• Aquaman is proficient in semaphore, a 19th Century Maritime signaling method

Semaphore Code

 Aquaman standing on a whale in the middle of a storm. You wish you were this cool.

Aquaman uses 4 octopi to release him from a hungry sea Anemone, instead of just telling the anemone to let him go. Maybe they're minds are too primitive?

• Bat-Gadgets: Bat-Grapple Hooks, Batradio, Bat-Lights
• Bat-Vehicles : Batmobile I
• Other Planets: Traum

 Bat-Grapple Hooks

Apparently everyone called 'Shotgun" at the exact same time

 The "TroubAlert" in season one, was later just called "Trouble Alert" in all other seasons

 Something about superheroes sitting around a table that is very pleasing

 Awkward laughing

 Sir Cedric Cedric and his cool hat

 Why? Why is this happening? Get in the Batplane for God's sake! Where are Superman's hands? Where is Batman's underwear? Why is Wendy on Batman's lap? This is wrong!

 Wonder Dog VS Light Bulb

 Anthro from the planet Traum

 Anthro's flying saucer

Anthro's Energy-Stealing Umbrella