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

Model Sheet Monday #2- Aquaman

The Marine Marvel! The King of the Seven Seas! Look---its AQUAMAN!

1973 "Super Friends" Commercial

"Meet Super Friends! Superman! Wonder Woman! Aquaman! Batman! Together for the first time with three new friends, Wendy, Marvin and Wonder Dog! Super Friends!"

So proclaimed the announcer in this vintage 1973 commercial for Season One on ABC. Go get your pajamas on, grab a bowl of cereal, and give it a watch!

Super Friends: Season One

"Super Friends" first premiered on ABC on September 8th, 1973 with a 16-episode run. New episodes would drop Saturdays at 9:00 am for a 60 minute time slot. These episodes ran as reruns on and off after the show's cancellation in 1974, including airing each hour episode as 2-part half hours. Below is a guide to the Season One episodes with original airdates...

1. THE POWER PIRATE (9/8/73)
2. THE BAFFLES PUZZLE (9/15/73)
3. PROFESSOR GOODFELLOW'S G.E.E.C. (9/22/73)
4. THE WEATHER MAKER (9/29/73)
5. DR. PELAGIAN'S WAR (10/6/73)
6. THE SHAMON "U" (10/13/73)
7. TOO HOT TO HANDLE (10/20/73)
8. THE ANDROIDS (10/27/73)
9. THE BALLOON PEOPLE (11/3/73)
10. THE FANTASTIC FRERPS (11/10/73)
11. THE ULTRA BEAM (11/17/73)
12. THE MENACE OF THE WHITE DWARF (11/24/73)
13. THE MYSTERIOUS MOLES (12/1/73)
14. GULLIVER'S GIGANTIC GOOF (12/8/73)
15. THE PLANET SPLITTER (12/15/73)
16. THE WATERMEN (12/22/73)

Over the course of the next couple of months, I'll be providing written commentary and notes on each episode, rather than lengthy tedious reviews. There's dozens of those already out there, and quite frankly, these hour long episodes often drag and are at times boring, I don't want to put you guys, or myself, to sleep with that kind of write-up...that just isn't my style. I hope to make them fun and interesting and celebrate the show, becuz that's what this blog is all about, dammit! Stay Tuned!