Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future:

Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future: Retribution (2)

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Dread lures the team into an ambush, and launches an attack on the base with only Pilot left to defend it. Add a recap »

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Writers:: J. Michael Straczynski

Director:: Jorge Montesi

Stars:: Jessica Steen (Corporal Jennifer 'Pilot' Chase); David Hemblen (Lord Dread/Lyman Taggart); Sven-Ole Thorsen (Lieutenant Michael 'Tank' Ellis); Peter MacNeill (Major Matthew 'Hawk' Masterson); Maurice Dean Wint (Sgt. Robert 'Scout' Baker); Bruce Gray (Dr Stuart Power); Tim Dunigan (Captain Jonathan Power)

Recurring Role:: Tedd Dillon (Voice of Overmind); Bruce Gray (Mentor); John Davies (IV) (Voice of Blastarr)

Guest Star:: Todd Waite (Overunit Gerber); Paul Humphrey (Locke); Tom Quinn (Overunit)

Nitpick
Blastarr orders Pilot to surrender, in spite of Dread's orders for him to destroy everyone and everything. This gave her enough time to hit the destruct button, and defeat Dread, even as she died. edit »

A post on Usenet by Straczynski sheds some personal insight into just how and why this episode is so effective emotionally:

"I've never talked about this before -- said I was in a thoughtful mood --
but I've known several people, friends, who've taken their own lives. In one
case, I spoke to her just beforehand. Tried, through the phone lines, to
reach her one more time, pull her back from the edge. I couldn't. Years
pass. Time comes for me to write the last filmed episode of Power. Jennifer
Chase is going to die, partly of her injuries, partly of her own volition.
Part of my life went into that scene, in the way it was constructed, and what
was said. And what was not said, what never had the chance to be said, and
thus still burns. I knew that, at the crucial moment of that scene, he
couldn't be near her, as I wasn't near my friend... it had to be long-distance,
hearing but not seeing her, and the terrible pain of arriving too late. I cannot watch that episode without crying. Ever." edit »
Some other known story elements that would have followed on from "Retribution" into Season 2:

the addition of a new Bio-Dread, Xenon, who was basically a living, robot nuclear reactor, as well as a new type of robot, the Hunter-Seekers: basically, gigantic energy spheres. Other characters to be introduced:

in a two parter called "Vendetta", Chris O'Connor, who would join the Power Team as Ranger.

"Andy Jackson" from the first season episode, "The Intruder", was to return and reveal his name as Chip Morrow. After receiving the other of the two remaining extra Power Suits, Chip would join the team as TNT.

Dread starts up a new plan after the failure of the New Order phases, Project: Rebirth, to perfect the human to machine digitization process. Doctor Severius, a scientist creating mutant humans, is working for Dread, for some reason. He's basically a Dr. Moreau character working with humans and animals.

One final new character is introduced: Morganna II, a strange new Bio-Dread who is not entirely a Bio-Dread... let's just say that Project: Rebirth has something to do with it: an experiment to restore a human mind into a robot body. Whose mind? Well, remember how we were introduced to Captain Power's father; ever questioned what happened to his mother? edit »
There is a sequence near the end where the Overmind tells Dread the cryogenic freezing chambers are ready for his body, so that his mind can be transferred into a new completely mechanical one. This was to have been Dread's new body for the series starting in "The Archers", the first story arc for Season 2, that scripts were written for. Only his human mind would have remained in an entirely new robot body. edit »
The tele-movie has a slightly extended version of the scene where Locke punches out the Overunit after it was revealed he had lied to Captain Power. edit »
The entire series is unintentionally left open ended. Scripts had been written for Season 2, and, in fact, basic story arc ideas for an entire 4 year show had already been set into motion. After disappointing toy sales, Mattel pulled funding for the series. Without its major producer, Landmark could not find anyone else to help pay the near million dollars an episode budget. Despite high ratings, the series was cancelled. edit »

Lord Dread: (addressing his human followers) Our finest hour is upon us. From this moment, all air, ground and strategic forces are operating under my direct supervision. For the first time we have the chance to smash our opposition once and for all. And we shall take it! And so, I call you to battle, I summon you to greatness in the name of the Machine, for the sake of the world that is to come, for glory and for honor! edit »
Captain Power: I'm glad you're here with us. Sometimes I think I don't tell you that enough. How much you're needed, how much you're appreciated.
Pilot: I couldn't have done it without you. You and the rest, you're my family. Jon, I've wanted to tell you something for such a long time...
Scout: (speaking over the com unit) Captain? Scout here. You said I should remind you when it was time to head out. Well, it's time.
Captain Power: We're on our way. (to Pilot) You were saying?
Pilot: Later. It can wait. edit »
Captain Power: (before he sends Pilot back to Base alone) One more thing. When we get back to the Base I'd very much like to finish our conversation. I think we have a lot to talk about.
Pilot: Right. edit »
Blastarr: Surrender, by order of Lord Dread.
Pilot: (pushing the destruct button for the Power Base) Go to hell. edit »
Captain Power: Jennifer, hold on! Hold on, we're going to come.
Pilot: No! Stay clear! The auto destruct is no good. I have to blow, I have to blow the power... power source. It's the only way.
Captain Power: (interrupting) We're on our way to get you, right now. There's another way to do it!
Pilot: It's too late! I'm all broken up inside... stay clear. I'm sorry we never got to finish our talk.
Captain Power: Jennifer, don't.
Pilot: I love you Jon... so much. Goodbye. You think of me sometimes. Goodbye. edit »

After Lord Dread tricks Laccki into electrocuting himself and as the robots are carrying the Bio-Dread off, he screams out, "I'm not dead yet!"

This is a tribute to Monty Python and the Holy Grail. edit »

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jessicasteenfan
member since: Aug 5, 2007
Retribution (2)
The Bottom Line: "Exactly why I watch this series"
They haven't lost Pilot only... ...Continue »
08/05/07 07:54am | report abuse