ARK II

 Print This Article |  Email This Article

I have no idea why, but today I suddenly had a memory of a show I watched in the 70’s with wide-eyed amazement and sent me running off to construct my own jetpack. Sure it was only a jetpack made from a cardboard box and electrical tape, but it still took me to many places invented in my imagination.

Let me introduce you to…ARK II.

Sure it was for kids, but in travelling the post-apocalyptic world of the 25th Century, the Ark II promoted the messages of peace, understanding others, and defending those who couldn’t defend themselves. The future was a world of people recovering and others who lived only to prey on the weak.

The intro said it all:

“For millions of years the Earth was fertile and rich. Then pollution and waste began to take their toll. Civilization fell into ruin. This is the world of the 25th Century. Only a handful of scientists remain. Men, who have vowed to rebuild what has been destroyed… This is their achievement: Ark II, a mobile storehouse of scientific knowledge, manned by a highly-trained crew of young people. Their mission: to bring the hope of a new future to mankind.

Ark II log, entry #1: I, Jonah, Ruth, Samuel and Adam are fully aware of the dangers we face as we venture into unknown, maybe even hostile areas. But, we’re determined to bring the promise of a new civilization to our people and our planet.”

There was the ARK Roamer, a smaller vehicle used to race around the open lands doing survey work or some other desparate mission, but it was the once a week flight that always was the highlight for me. Their leader Jonah (played by Terry Lester) would go to his special closet in the ARK and remove his jetpack and protective flying gear, suit up, and then blast off to save the day. What was amazing was…this wasn’t special effects. This was a real working jetpack!

It only was on one season in 1976 with the following episodes:

1. The Flies
2. The Slaves
3. The Wild Boy
4. The Robot
5. Omega
6. The Tank
7. The Cryogenic Man
8. The Rule
9. Robin Hood
10. The Drought
11. The Lottery
12. The Mind Group
13. The Balloon
14. Don Quixote
15. Orkus

It was cutting edge inspiration being shown on mainstream television each week. I know for me, it was one of those small building blocks that turned me into forever a scifi fan.

In the meantime, I say bring it back with a remake of new writing and new technology. That would be cool.

Share, Promote and Bookmark to:

No related posts.