Swamp Thing: the TV Series

So, what is the Swamp Thing TV series?
I can't do much better than quote from the highly informative and hugely enjoyable Arcane Knowledge website:

"Swamp Thing is a half hour cable TV series by MCA/Universal, and made by BBK Productions that aired on the USA Network between 1990 and 1993 [and was subsequently re-run on the UK Sci Fi Channel, which is where I saw it back in the early 90s]. The series follows the adventures of Dr. Alec Holland, a scientist who was disfigured and transformed in a laboratory accident caused by his arch enemy, Dr. Anton Arcane. Alec seems to have a full time job on his hands as he has to constantly contend with Arcane's demented schemes of acquisition and destruction which invariably threaten Alec and his friends. Well, usually: After a little while it seemed to be decided that this was getting old and having poor Arcane do his best to find more and ingenious ways to finish himself off instead seemed to be the more usual plot (and a lot of fun it was too!)

     Of course, not every episode has Arcane as the threat, or even in it (although the ones with him in are by far the most fun, in most viewers' opinions.) Though Alec - or 'Swampy' as he is affectionately known - is the title character, the series spends more time concentrating on the other characters, notably his nemesis, Arcane, and others created specifically for the TV show, such as the Kipp family. Anyone expecting a standard superhero show with said hero constantly flexing the old muscles and saving the day, with everyone else pretty much in the background isn't going to get that with this show. The other characters were concentrated on more, and the show was more of an ensemble one than dealing with just one main person. By not overusing or formularising Swamp Thing, his mystique and enigma are preserved throughout the series (well, mostly. He had his moments!)

     One thing to be said about 'Swamp Thing' is that it is not a series that takes itself too seriously. Let's face it, when your hero is a seven foot tall talking plant, it's a tad difficult to be taken seriously... so the series often doesn't try! (& when it does, oh boy, does it regret it!!) It contains a lot of humour (more dialogue driven than visual) and isn't afraid to stand back and take a good laugh at itself, and only very rarely descends into off-putting camp. That isn't to say that it's shallow. Far from it. For such a low budget and often cheezy show, the characters are amazingly well defined and have strong depth and motivation (well, at least after first season, anyway.)"



Me, I'm just addicted to Arcane, probably one of the prettiest - and certainly one of the sexiest - villains ever. As was the man who played him, Mark Lindsay Chapman - for more information about this talented but underrated actor please see Antonia's wonderful Fans of MLC website. There's also a FaceBook group, and a YouTube page for those who want still more...

The owner of the Arcane Knowledge site is, sadly, no longer with us (if I've understood the news page aright) and the site is no longer being updated - which is a pity, as the episode summaries are very useful, and scattered with rather nice screen caps (with wickedly funny captions). The code on the epguide index is corrupted too, making all but the first few guides inaccessible from the main page. Except for me, because I'm a genius... *ahem* sorry, chanelling Arcane there for a moment... You can access the eps here:

... or rather, you can't - the website is no more, alas... (I saved them all to my hard drive - thorough, not obsessive - but I'm not at all sure about the legality of reposting them here...)

To date I've been unable to find what I believe is the last summary, Touch of Death, but rest asssured when I find it I will include it in the list. After all, I do so love a challenge - and I hate being beaten...


Shout!Factory have released all of the Swamp Thing episodes in boxed sets!



Naturally, my main interest is fiction, and to that end there are a handful of 'adult' fics safely tucked away in the password access only section - for instructions, see below.

Adult fiction, fanfiction and anime fanfic are in password-protected sections of this site. For details on joining, go to the Access page,
or if you are already a member, login here.


Lastly, the image used for the background tile here, and the Swamp Thing logo at the top, were scanned by me from the cover of the DVD case and are not my property. Credit must go to Shout! Factory and whoever created them in the first place.





© 2009 Nov 19th Joules




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