Tag: BQ Field Guide

(Episode: “The Robot Spy”)

Synopsis: A strange aircraft near Dr. Quest’s lab is not an X-File—just Dr. Zin’s latest scheme. The craft contains a spidery robot that can stun people, spy on them, and (Zin hopes) steal an invention intended to harmlessly disarm people. In my opinion, that’s the kind of thing you want supervillains to have, but hey, it’s not my story.

Tip 37: Destroying a robot spy? It takes a village.

Mostly it takes Benton Quest’s invention, though.

 

Next time: Still a mystery to me.

Next time on TQfM!: It’s (the female) sex, drugs, monkeys & doppelgangers in “Double Danger.”

Sadly, the timeline doesn’t allow me to line up the Fourth of July with a Jonny Quest explosion.

(Episode: “The Robot Spy”)

Synopsis: A strange aircraft lands near Dr. Quest’s lab, but it’s not an X-File—just Dr. Zin’s latest scheme. The craft contains a spidery robot sent to steal an invention intended to harmlessly disarm people. In my opinion, that’s the kind of thing you want supervillains to have, but hey, it’s not my story.

Tip 36: In praise of multitools.

This episode’s titular robot is wonderfully efficient, especially for the time period in which it was made. It moves about on its own, disarms enemies with a bonk to the head, sports a built-in webcam…

…diagnostic probes…

…and, best of all, an ability to hide from children and small dogs.

Happy holiday, everyone!

 

Next time: Say what you will about the Frankenstein monster, at least I knew what I’d be writing about on Fridays…

Next time on TQfM!: The inventor’s process.

 

(Episode: “The Robot Spy”)

Synopsis: A strange aircraft that lands near Dr. Quest’s lab isn’t an X-File—just Dr. Zin’s latest scheme. The craft contains a spidery robot that can stun people, spy on them, and (Zin hopes) steal an invention intended to harmlessly disarm people. In my opinion, that’s the kind of thing you want supervillains to have, but hey, it’s not my story.

Today’s tip is something I routinely yell at my television screen because I watch a lot of action movies… and horror movies… and action-horror movies:

Tip 35: DUCK!

Ducking is one of the most valuable skills you can learn, whether you’re facing down a robot spy or a monster or an ennui-filled immortal guy with a sword. Trust me on this.

 

Next time: Possibly a horror movie. Yay!

Next time on TQfM!: It’s a multitool! And I’m not even referring to Dr. Quest!

(Episode: “The Robot Spy”)

Synopsis: A strange aircraft that lands near Dr. Quest’s lab isn’t an X-File—just Dr. Zin’s latest scheme. The craft contains a spidery robot that can stun people, spy on them, and (Zin hopes) steal an invention intended to harmlessly disarm people. In my opinion, that’s the kind of thing you want supervillains to have, but hey, it’s not my story.

This week we’re going to be a little more lit-crit than usual and point out that…

Tip 34: Sometimes it’s what isn’t said that is most interesting.

Here’s exhibit A. Whether deliberately or for ease of use, evil Dr. Zin has made his robot in the shape of one of the most common objects of phobia: a spider. We know at least one member of Team Quest has a little problem with those, yet no one really mentions it as this big guy scuttles around doing his dirty work. I think that’s a shame.

Speaking of things nobody discusses directly, Hadji continues to have powers beyond the ken of mortal man.

Next time: For the first time in a long time, I genuinely have no idea.

Next time on TQfM!: More spindly-legged goodness.

Welcome back, campers!

(Episode: “The Robot Spy”)

Synopsis: When a strange aircraft lands near Dr. Quest’s lab, it’s not an X-File—just Dr. Zin’s latest scheme. The craft contains a spidery robot that can stun people, spy on them, and (Zin hopes) steal an invention intended to harmlessly disarm people. In my opinion, that’s the kind of thing you want supervillains to have instead of the engines of destruction they so often do, but hey, it’s not my story.

Tip 33: With perseverance, you can achieve your goals.

This episode also gives us the unofficial motto of Jonny Quest:

 

Next time: I’ve put it off as long as I can, but this week I combine two of my reluctant interests and watch Kenneth Branagh’s Frankenstein.

Next time on TQfM!: We see the robot spy—and it probably sees us right back.

(Episode: “Calcutta Adventure”)

Synopsis: It’s Hadji’s origin story! The awesome orphan meets the Quests for the first time and helps foil a plot to manufacture nerve gas. Also on the scene is Hadji’s friend, the greedy Pasha Peddler, who has a knack for making timely rescues profitable—in theory, anyway.

So you’ve foiled the bad guys in a splashy way that, in another time and place, would become an environmental disaster of impressive proportions, then buried the whole shebang under an avalanche:

 

Tip 32: Even if you can’t pay the whole bill, at least throw the guy a bone.

Don’t be a jerk, even if your favorite multitalented scientist is.

 

Next time: We finish up with the Hardy Boys.

Next time on TQfM!: Next episode! “The Robot Spy.”

(Episode: “Calcutta Adventure”)

Synopsis: It’s Hadji’s origin story! The awesome orphan meets the Quests for the first time and helps foil a plot to manufacture nerve gas. Also on the scene is Hadji’s friend, the greedy Pasha Peddler, who has a knack for making timely rescues profitable. Also known as “The One That Made J.A. Type The Words ‘Nerve-Gas Factory’ A Thousand Times.”

You can’t always choose your own escapes from trouble, but in general:

Tip 31: Things not to do around chemical weapons.

And one that maybe you should if you get the chance…

 

 

Next time: In keeping with the inherent dignity of Our Cynical Omelet, a humorous musical interlude. I thought so, anyway.

Next time on TQFM!: We should be wrapping this up.

(Episode: “Calcutta Adventure”)

Synopsis: It’s Hadji’s origin story! The awesome orphan meets the Quests for the first time and helps foil a plot to manufacture nerve gas. Also on the scene is Hadji’s friend, the greedy Pasha Peddler, who has a knack for making timely rescues profitable.

Tip 29: Sometimes, you get what you pay for.

…if that.

 

Next time: I manage to watch something gothic that doesn’t start with the syllable “Frank.”

Next time on TQfM!: Of all the nerve (gas).

(Episode: “Calcutta Adventure”)

Synopsis: It’s Hadji’s origin story! The awesome orphan meets the Quests for the first time and helps foil a plot to manufacture nerve gas. Also on the scene is Hadji’s friend, the greedy Pasha Peddler, who has a knack for making timely rescues profitable.

Tip 28: Sometimes you just need to slow down…

 

…and one of those times is when you are being chased by an airplane.

(Yes, this does add yet another fatality to whatever the Jonny Quest death rolls are by now. Low double digits, I think.)

 

Next time: We’ll be back with the Hardy Boys.

Next time on TQfM!: Low friends in high places.

(Episode: “Calcutta Adventure”)

Synopsis: It’s Hadji’s origin story! The awesome orphan meets the Quests for the first time and helps foil a plot to manufacture nerve gas. Also on the scene is Hadji’s friend, the greedy Pasha Peddler, who has a knack for making timely rescues profitable.

Tip 27: Safety is more important than etiquette.

Eavesdropping is wrong; eavesdropping on the people trying to kill you might, however, be necessary.

Astute campers will notice that Jonny is helped by a version of the legendary Indian rope trick. Alas, the mind-blowing knowledge that this not only is real but can be done by a ten-year-old boy is of  as much interest to scientist Benton Quest as that mummy from a while back.

Special bonus screenshot: Dr. Quest forgets all kinds of Indian history.

Next time on TQfM!: Into the mountains.