I have to agree. Most of the programming in the US revolves around police dramas, situation-comedies, game shows, and sports. Part of TLW's charm is that it takes itself seriously as an adventure show, but at the same time manages to incorporate enough of the fun of old-time superhero serials. At times, the writing is atrocious and has more holes in the plot than Swiss cheese, but there are a few golden gems in the series that make it worth coming back each week to watch.

: On the darker side of things, the scriptwriting was variable, to put it mildly. We've had a significant number of episodes which were, by and large, just poorly written. To be fair, it's not easy when one has to work with new characters and a show that is just beginning to find its place. Still, a writing lapse such as the infamous "Veronica-stabs-Roxton-and-the-episode-ends-without-any-resolution" cannot really be excused. Just to name some of the weak spots in the writing:

: - lack of character development

The writers/directors/producers really should develop Summerlee, Veronica, and Challenger a bit more. Roxton and Marge are the only ones that seem to have any depth to them. Malone just seems to be another mouth to feed.

: - lack of originality (Vikings, Medieval Knights, Samurai, Goths, Egyptians, Gypsies, Aliens...oops, sorry, that's next season ;-)

The writers almost - almost - had some originality in "Cave of Fear". I thought those native villagers were some of the scariest-looking ones the explorers have come across. I'd like to see them brought back as a recurring element to the show.

: - the growing disregard for Challenger and Summerlee over the course of season one (though some blame probably has to go to the producers for this)

Like most here, I think Summerlee should be more involved as "the voice of reason" in the action/adventure storyline.

: - illogical plot devices (anyone remember how they killed the Pharao in "Birthright"?)

Don't remind me!

: - an inability to accomodate the large main cast (just remember some of the "divided cast" episodes)

Sometimes it helps to have a 2nd storyline, other times it just takes show time away from the better story causing it to be truncated and its dramatic appeal lessened.

: On the other hand, a number of episodes clearly showed that things can be done differently (=better). All the other elements are usually in place (acting, direction, camerawork, music etc.), so when a good script comes along, we get a very entertaining whole.

"Time After Time", "Nectar" (except for the scenes with the witchdoctor), and "Barbarians At The Gate" were pretty good examples of a storyline done right.

: So, what should the TLW producers and writers do to improve the show next season? Here's a list of things that might help, most of them have been mentioned on this board before, some as early as late last year (Hey Michael and Fred, do you still remember? :-).

: 1. Introduce some original TLW coherence and continuity. Create a world in itself with recurring original tribes and characters, get rid of that wildly peculiar mixture of cultures from different places and times we saw in season one (Vikings, Egyptians...... you get the picture).

As I mentioned earlier, the villagers from "Cave of Fear", the Saurian Empire from "More Than Human", and the Raiders, all have potential for a recurring role that would work on the plateau. The gypsies, the Vikings, the knock-off Nile-dwellers...just didn't work.

: 2. Introduce a recurring nemesis for the group. This would give the show more direction and depth. That doesn't exclude a wide variety of different villains, of course.

I agree wholeheartedly. A recurring nemesis would work very well. Ming of Mongo, the Klingons, C.H.A.O.S., Lex Luthor, The Joker...all good serial heroes need an equally evil nemesis.

: 3. Define some of the characters more clearly (Challenger, Malone and, to a lesser degree, Veronica). Have some temporary friction occur within the group in order to help bring the characters into better focus.

I disagree here. Friction in a group may be normal, but TLW isn't normal :) Only 2 sets of characters are qualified to bicker - Marge/Roxton ("You two bicker as if you were married!") and Summerlee/Challenger (at an intellectual level) - but the infighting shouldn't lead to a divided cast nor should it act to a disharmonious course of action in a storyline. A good quarrel should be somewhat entertaining, perhaps even comical, but should not be done every week.

:Get Challenger and Summerlee(!) more involved in the storylines than they used to be in the second part of season one.

Summerlee certainly has more to contribute than what's been presented up to now. I think that character could be so much more than the writers are giving him.

:Don't turn Veronica into some kind of invincible "Xena of the jungle". She and Roxton should remain vulnerable in order not to become too detached.

Veronica and Roxton have both been captured at one point or another, so they haven't become invincible yet. But still, the writers have to be careful not to make them the heroes each week or those two characters won't have the same appeal. Nobody likes a superhuman.

: 4. Keep up the cheesecake. (Don't complain, I know at least Troy behind me) :-)

Yes! Yes! I noticed a significant drop in cheesecake in the last 4 or 5 episodes. What's up with that? Red-blooded males like a good tease at least twice per show (every 20 minutes would be nice). Plots are good and action is nice, but cheesecake is the "secret ingredient" to a good show.

: These are just some suggestions to start the discussion. I'm looking for many more to come from the rest of you. Maybe it would be a good idea to e-mail the TLW producers some sort of summary of what we eventually come up with, in case they don't follow this board. OK, now it's your time!

You know, if you keep emailing TLW producers, eventually they'll stop reading your mail :) I suspect word will get back to them, via a focus group somewhere, about the things we're pointing out here.

Enjoy!