Ep 1. The Planet of Peril

Flash Gordon (1936) is a sci-fi adventure series featuring the titular character as he battles against the evil Emperor Ming and his minions. The first episode, titled "The Planet of Peril," begins with a mysterious cataclysmic event that threatens Earth. Flash Gordon, a well-known athlete and adventurer, is selected by Dr. Hans Zarkov to join him on a dangerous mission to prevent the world from being destroyed.

The duo launch themselves into space in a rocket, unaware of the adventure that awaits them. After days of travel, they crash onto the planet Mongo, where they are captured by the planet's ruler, Emperor Ming the Merciless. Ming has his sights set on conquering Earth and will stop at nothing to achieve his goal.

Flash and Hans are separated from each other and taken to different parts of the planet. Flash is taken to the palace of Emperor Ming, where he meets the beautiful Princess Aura, who attempts to seduce him. However, Flash remains loyal to his girlfriend, Dale Arden, who was left behind on Earth during the mission.

Meanwhile, Hans is taken to the city of Arboria, where he meets the Tree People, who have been enslaved by Ming's forces. He convinces them to join him and work together to overthrow Ming's rule. With the help of the Tree People, they embark on a daring mission to rescue Flash and Dale from the clutches of Ming.

As the episode progresses, Flash discovers that the planet is full of dangerous creatures and treacherous terrain. He also learns of Ming's evil plan to destroy Earth with a cloak of invisibility, which he plans to steal from the planet Arboria. It is up to Flash, Dale, and Hans to stop Ming and save their world from destruction.

The first episode of Flash Gordon (1936) sets the stage for an exciting and action-packed adventure. It introduces the main characters, the planet Mongo, and the formidable enemy that they must face. The episode also sets up the ongoing struggle between the heroes and villains, as well as the romantic tension between Flash and Princess Aura.

Overall, "The Planet of Peril" is an excellent start to the series, with its thrilling action, stunning visuals, and memorable characters. It successfully establishes the tone and style of the show, and leaves audiences hungry for more. Fans of sci-fi and adventure will find much to enjoy in Flash Gordon (1936), a classic series that has stood the test of time.