Ep 4. The Deadly Mantis
- February 22, 1997
In season 8, episode 4 of Mystery Science Theater 3000, the host Joel Robinson and his robot companions Crow T. Robot and Tom Servo make their way through a new sci-fi B-movie titled The Deadly Mantis. This episode was first aired on June 27, 1997, and was directed by Kevin Murphy.
The Deadly Mantis is a 1957 monster movie directed by Nathan Juran. The story focuses on a prehistoric praying mantis which is accidentally freed from Arctic ice by a military drilling operation. The Mantis turns out to be a ferocious threat to humanity, killing people and causing destruction wherever it goes. The military forces, led by Colonel Joe Parkman, do everything in their power to track and neutralize the monstrous insect. Meanwhile, the scientific community is busy trying to figure out the best way to remove the threat from the world once and for all.
The Mystery Science Theater 3000 crew takes on this B-movie with their trademark humor and wit. Joel, Crow, and Tom Servo poke fun at the cheesy special effects, the wooden acting, and the clumsy dialogue. They also provide sarcastic commentary on the plot and the scientific inconsistencies in the story. For example, they mock how the scientists in the movie seem to have unlimited resources and technology at their disposal, yet cannot seem to come up with an effective strategy to stop the mantis.
The team also delivers some hilarious one-liners, pop culture references, and puns throughout the episode. They riff on the military jargon, the stereotypes of the characters, and the absurdity of the Mantis' behavior. Fans of Mystery Science Theater 3000 appreciate the show's unique ability to turn a bad B-movie into a comedic masterpiece.
As usual, Joel, Crow, and Tom Servo are watching the movie from the Satellite of Love, a spacecraft controlled by Dr. Clayton Forrester and his assistant, TV's Frank. Dr. Forrester and TV's Frank are trying to take over the world by subjecting Joel to bad movies, hoping to drive him insane. However, Joel's irreverent humor and his robot companions' support keep him sane and able to withstand the ordeal.
The Deadly Mantis is a classic example of the monster movie genre, and the crew of Mystery Science Theater 3000 milk every ounce of humor they can out of the ridiculous storyline. With their witty commentary and hilarious jokes, they make the viewing experience of this obscure B-movie a delight for fans of the show. While the premise is absurd, the fun-loving and irreverent approach of the MST3K crew makes for a highly entertaining episode.
