UPN | 13 episodes | Sci-Fi, fantasy
WHO'S IN IT? Christopher Lloyd, Cynthia Gibb, James Calvert
SYNOPSIS: From Executive Producer Leonard Nimoy, Deadly Games focuses on the battle between Dr. Gus Lloyd and the evil characters in his homemade video game. Bursting into the real world after an antimatter experiment goes awry, these characters are programmed to destroy anyone or anything that gets in their way, including their inventor. Gus must confront the immediate problem of "playing" each round of the game to keep the bad guys from achieving their programmed goals, which include the annihilation of love, laughter and life on earth.
VERDICT: The episode starts with Christopher Lloyd's character, Sebastian Jackal (the main villain of the show), holding a damsel in distress hostage in his bunker, while his henchman wanders around like some half quarterback, half Frankenstein's monster. It's soon revealed that this is a video game played by James Calvert's character, Dr. Gus Lloyd, and all the characters are based on people in his life. Problem is, he's having a hard time to successfully complete the game. The "game" footage is odd - although it is cartoony and over-the-top, it's not distinguishable from other footage, so you're not instantly aware that these sections are part of the game. Gus' accelerator then explodes (causing his vat of liquid to overflow - normal in video game production?), allowing the characters to come to life (they step out of the TV and just look the same as in the "game"). His villainous characters are let loose in the real world and Gus doesn't really seem overly concerned at first but later barges into his ex-wife Lauren's house with a gun, (don't worry, it was just a water gun, which can repel his characters), because the damsel character is based on her, so naturally the characters will go after her first. Later on Gus says to Jackal: "The game isn't over yet, Jackal! There's always next time!" a catchphrase perhaps? Gus and Lauren must then work together to battle the villain of the week.
Odd concept, but interesting. Very cable TV, low budget, although perhaps that was intentional? If this was made today it would be on SyFy for sure.
CANCELLED BEFORE ITS TIME? Well..maybe? All 13 episodes are available on DVD.
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