Ep 1. Space Travelers
- June 6, 1992
In Mystery Science Theater 3000 season 4 episode 1, the show's host Joel and his robot companions Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot are forced to watch a cheesy sci-fi movie called Space Travelers. The film follows a group of astronauts on board a spacecraft called the Astarion who are sent on a mission to retrieve a capsule that was launched into space by the Soviet Union. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles such as dangerous radiation levels, malfunctioning equipment, and hostile alien creatures.
As the crew of the Astarion faces one peril after another, Joel and the robots provide their trademark commentary and wisecracks, poking fun at the film's plot holes, cheap special effects, and wooden acting. The jokes range from wry observations on the film's outdated technology and fashion choices to absurd one-liners and running gags.
At one point, during a particularly tedious scene, Joel and the bots start performing a musical number called "Moon 14 Mesozoic Ranch Dinosaur BBQ," which features absurd lyrics and catchy melodies. This and other interludes help break up the monotony of the movie and keep the audience entertained.
As the film nears its climax, Joel and the robots give their final summation, packing in as many jokes as possible and delivering a hilarious send-off to one of the worst movies they have ever seen. Space Travelers may be a forgettable film on its own, but with the addition of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 crew's commentary, it becomes a must-watch for fans of bad movies and snarky humor.
