The Powers of Matthew Star
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The Powers of Matthew Star was a prime-time television program from the 1982-1983 season, on NBC.
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[edit] Summary of Series
D'Hai/Walter Shepherd's (Louis Gossett, Jr.) dialogue over the opening theme tells the tale of E'Hawke/Matthew Star (Peter Barton):
"Quadris, twelve light years across the galaxy from Earth. It was home for us until an intergalactic armada conquered it. I fought by the royal family's side, but in vain. Even their remarkable powers weren't enough. The crown prince and I escaped to the nearest planet on which we could survive and further his powers in order to some day return to free his people.
Here on Earth, the prince is known as Matthew Star. He's a typical American teenager. He has friends; people who love him. And me, his guardian. I'm the only one who knows how special he is. Life for us is a series of joys and dangers. Enemy assassins constantly come to destroy us. Alone, we must survive."
[edit] History of Series
Originally titled, "The Powers of Daniel Star," the pilot dealt with teenaged Daniel Star, who lived with the school janitor, Max (Gerald S. O'Loughlin), who had a secret he was not sharing. Daniel had no idea who he was, but began to understand that he was different when his powers began to surface. Hot on their trail was the FBI.
Legend holds that Peter Barton and Amy Steel beat out Tom Cruise and Heather Locklear for the roles.
The program, originally slated to debut in 1981 under the new title and storyline changes, was delayed by an on-set accident when the star, actor (Peter Barton), fell backward onto pyrotechnics and was badly burned, while co-star (Louis Gossett Jr.), tied to a chair, had fallen on top of Barton, but managed to rescue Peter. After spending months in the hospital, Peter and the other cast members resumed shooting.
[edit] Episode List
- Starr Knight (Pilot)
- Jackal
- Accused
- Daredevil
- Genius
- Prediction
- Italian Caper
- Winning
- Endurance (AKA Survival)
- The Triangle
- Mother
- Experiment
- Fugitives
- Matthew Star, DOA
- Racer's Edge
- Dead Man's Hand
- Thirty-Six Hours
- Quadrian Caper
- Brain Drain
- Great Waldo Shepherd
- Road Rebels
- Swords & Quests
[edit] The Powers
The powers possessed by E'Hawke/Matthew were inherited from his parents, and only the royal family on Quadris has them. The powers as displayed by Matthew consist of telekinesis, telepathy and clairvoyance in the earlier episodes, and telekinesis, transmutation and astral projection in later episodes. The powers of Matthew's parents are unspecified; it is assumed they are simliar in nature to Matthew's albeit far more highly developed.
Much of the plotline deal with Matthew honing his powers, which are naturally weak and undisciplined given his young age. He must practice his "art" in secret, obviously, and is continually resisting the temptation to use them against bullies and other frivolities. Matthew is forced to use his powers at times to save his and Walt's lives.
D'Hai/Walt does not have any powers, being not of royal blood. He does appear to have great strength, although this may be merely a product of excellent physique.
[edit] First half of series
The first half of the series' run dealt with Matthew Star attending Crestridge High School and trying to survive his teenage years while dodging assassins, all under the watchful eye of his guardian, Walter Shepherd, who stayed nearby as a science teacher at the school. Those in their lives who had no idea about the truth were girlfriend Pam Elliot (Amy Steel), friend Bob Alexander (Chip Frye), and merry principal, Mr. Heller (Michael Fairman).
General Tucker (John Crawford), an Air Force officer specializing in extraterrestrial investigations, had tracked the two of them across the country as they evaded alien agents intent on exterminating them. From time to time, he enlisted their specialized aid in solving momumental problems.
The first dozen episodes dealt with the daily troubles of high school students, although in the episode, "The Triangle," a chance trip to the Bermuda Triangle resulted in the discovery of messengers from Quadris, who advised of the execution of the king and thereafter coronated E'Hawke/Matthew as the new king in the humble surroundings of a torch-lit cave.
In the episode, "Mother," a strange encounter with a carnival gypsy turned out to be Matthew's mother Nadra, who had been traveling the galaxy and hiding from assassins. This reunion was bittersweet because of Nadra's health problems and she was forced to leave Crestridge for an undisclosed location with a higher elevation.
Finally, in the episode, "Fugitives," Walt's contact with a substance in the hospital produces a deadly allergic reaction, while at the same time being chased by a nosy doctor and Matthew being booked into the jail. At the last minute, Matthew managed to rescue Walt -- again -- and bring his beloved guardian back from the brink of death.
[edit] Second half of series
The series took a sudden turn from a dramatic adventure series to a by-the-book adventure series, with Walt and Matthew having to deal with government assignments. Major Wymore (James Karen) replaced General Tucker (John Crawford) and met with the Quadrians in all sorts of strange locations where he briefed them on the missions. Gone were Pam and Bob and references to the high school. Matthew was being portrayed as older, and not much was said about their true mission: which was returning to Quadris to take back their world from the enemy.
Matthew had used the name "Shep" for his guardian, but with the sudden format change, Matthew started calling him Walt.
The series was cancelled after one season.
[edit] Miscellaneous
The concept had a second life on Saturday morning television in 1983 with a British-produced live action program, Benji, Zax and the Alien Prince. Young Prince Yubi (age 8 or so) arrived on Earth alone, no guardian, other than a droid, and no truly evident super powers. He survived as a young hobo as two enemy agents representing the conquerors of his planet were chasing him. The famous dog character Benji was also a star, referred to by the droid as a "quadruped". In one episode, Prince Yubi is hired by the director of a NASA facility where Yubi's ship has been impounded since it was found.
[edit] Main Cast
- Peter Barton - Matthew Star/E'Hawke
- Louis Gossett, Jr. - Walter Shepherd/D'Hai
- Amy Steel - Pamela Elliot
- Chip Frye - Bob Alexander
- Michael Fairman - Principal Heller
- John Crawford - General Tucker
- James Karen - Major Wymore
[edit] Main Crew
- Creator: Steven E. De Souza
- Executive Producers: Daniel Wilson/Harve Bennett/Bruce Lansbury
- Developers: Robert Earll/Allan Balter
