The Powers of Matthew Star
Encyclopedia
The Powers of Matthew Star is an American
sci-fi
television series that aired from September 17, 1982 through April 8, 1983, on NBC
. It starred Peter Barton (Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
, Burke's Law
, Sunset Beach
as the title character of alien prince Matthew ‘E’Hawke’ Star of the planet Quadris. Also starring in this show were Amy Steel
(Friday the 13th Part 2, For Love and Honor
) as Matthew’s girlfriend at Crestridge High Pam Elliot, and Louis Gossett Jr. (Iron Eagle
, Roots
, Stargate SG-1
) as Matthew’s guardian Walt ‘D’hai’ Shepherd, charged by Matthew’s father to protect his son until such time as Matthew’s powers were at a level that they were developed enough so that he could return to Quadris and liberate it from the alien armada that conquered it for reasons of their own.
The series was originally called The Powers of David Star. With this title and a somewhat altered premise, the original pilot was to deal with teenaged David Star, who lived with the school janitor, Max (Gerald S. O'Loughlin
). Max had a secret he was not sharing with David, who had no idea that he and Max were from another planet. As his powers began to surface, David started to understand who he was. Hot on their trail was the FBI. The original pilot was aired as the last episode of the series. TV Guide's
1981 Fall Preview issue's network schedule grid lists the original series title as The Powers of Daniel Star.
The program, originally slated to debut in 1981 with the new title and storyline, was delayed when Peter Barton fell backward onto pyrotechnics
and was badly burned, while co-star Louis Gossett, Jr.
, tied to a chair, had fallen on top of Barton but managed to rescue him. After months in the hospital, Barton was released, and the show resumed shooting.
) dialogue over the opening theme tells the tale of E'Hawke/Matthew Star (Peter Barton):
and Jeff Corey
) had power to cast powerful illusions in an effort to test Matthew when he went with Pam to find her uncle in the episode ‘Triangle’. Quadrians may also have the ability to delay death, if the two Quadrians in the episode ‘Triangle’ are any indication. But it is very painful of them to do so apparently.
The powers as displayed by Matthew consist of telekinesis, telepathy and clairvoyance in the earlier episodes, and telekinesis, transmutation and astral projection in later episodes. The powers of Matthew's parents are unspecified; it is assumed they are similar in nature to Matthew's albeit far more highly developed.
Much of the plotline deals with Matthew honing his powers, which are naturally weak and undisciplined given his young age. He must practice his "art" in secret, obviously, and is continually resisting the temptation to use them against bullies and other frivolities. Matthew is forced to use his powers at times to save his and Walt's lives.
D'Hai/Walt does not have any powers, being not of royal blood. He does appear to have great strength, although this may be merely a product of excellent physique.
(Star Trek II, he Phoenix]), mentioned someone named ‘Olan’ who gave them chemicals to feel pleasure. We never find out who ‘Olan’ is on the show.
), friend Bob Alexander (Chip Frye), and the merry principal, Mr. Heller (Michael Fairman).
General Tucker (John Crawford
), an Air Force officer specializing in extraterrestrial investigations, had tracked the two of them across the country as they evaded alien agents intent on exterminating them. From time to time, he enlisted their specialized aid in solving monumental problems.
The first dozen episodes dealt with the daily troubles of high school students, although in the episode "The Triangle," a chance trip to the Bermuda Triangle resulted in the discovery of messengers from Quadris, who told the pair that the king had been executed. E'Hawke/Matthew was crowned the new king in a torch-lit cave.
In the episode "Mother," a strange carnival gypsy turned out to be Matthew's mother Nadra, who had been traveling the galaxy and hiding from assassins. This reunion was bittersweet because, due to Nadra's health problems, she was forced to leave Crestridge for an undisclosed location with a higher elevation.
Finally, in the "Fugitives" episode, Walt, trying to elude a nosy doctor, comes into contact with a substance in the hospital that causes him to have a deadly allergic reaction. At the same time, Matthew is being booked into jail and needs Walt to bail him out. At the last minute, Matthew manages to save Walt, as he has done many times throughout the series.
) replaced General Tucker (John Crawford
) and met with the Quadrians in all sorts of strange locations where he briefed them on the missions. Gone were Pam and Bob and references to the high school. Matthew was being portrayed as older, and not much was said about their true mission: which was returning to Quadris to take back their world from the enemy.
Matthew had used the name "Shep" for his guardian, but with the sudden format change, Matthew started calling him Walt.
The series was cancelled after one season. The show ended ironically with the first pilot with Barton as ‘David Star’ being the final episode.
A summer rerun was erroneously broadcast for several minutes during the 1983 live broadcast of the U.S. Open tennis match. Reports at the time indicated that a technical error was made at a television swiching center in Chicago.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sci-fi
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television series that aired from September 17, 1982 through April 8, 1983, on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. It starred Peter Barton (Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter is a 1984 slasher film. It is the fourth film in the Friday the 13th film series. Though it was billed as "The Final Chapter," there have been many further sequels in the franchise. The popularity and financial success of the film, which grossed over $32 million,...
, Burke's Law
Burke's Law
Burke's Law is a detective series that ran on ABC from 1963 to 1965 and was revived on CBS in the 1990s. The show starred Gene Barry as Amos Burke, millionaire captain of Los Angeles police homicide division, who was chauffeured around to solve crimes in his Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud...
, Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach (TV series)
Sunset Beach was an American television soap opera, first broadcast in the United States on NBC on January 6, 1997, and last airing on December 31, 1999. The show followed the loves and lives of the people living in a fictional coastal city named Sunset Beach, on the coast of California...
as the title character of alien prince Matthew ‘E’Hawke’ Star of the planet Quadris. Also starring in this show were Amy Steel
Amy Steel
Amy Steel is an American film and television actress, also credited as Amy Steel Pulitzer.-Biography:She is perhaps best known for her role as Ginny Field in the 1981 horror film Friday the 13th Part 2. She was offered the chance to reprise the role for the third film in the long-running series,...
(Friday the 13th Part 2, For Love and Honor
For Love and Honor
For Love and Honor is a 2007 Turkish drama film, written by Yavuz Turgul and directed by Ömer Vargı, starring Şener Şen as a retired gangster who learns that he has a son in need of protection...
) as Matthew’s girlfriend at Crestridge High Pam Elliot, and Louis Gossett Jr. (Iron Eagle
Iron Eagle
Iron Eagle is a 1986 action film directed by Sidney J. Furie and starring Jason Gedrick and Louis Gossett, Jr. While it received mixed reviews, the film earned US$24,159,872 at the U.S. box office. Iron Eagle was followed by three sequels: Iron Eagle II, Aces: Iron Eagle III and Iron Eagle on the...
, Roots
Roots (TV miniseries)
Roots is a 1977 American television miniseries based on Alex Haley's fictional novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family. Roots received 36 Emmy Award nominations, winning nine. It also won a Golden Globe and a Peabody Award. It received unprecedented Nielsen ratings with the finale still...
, Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1 is a Canadian-American adventure and military science fiction television series and part of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Stargate franchise. The show, created by Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner, is based on the 1994 feature film Stargate by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich...
) as Matthew’s guardian Walt ‘D’hai’ Shepherd, charged by Matthew’s father to protect his son until such time as Matthew’s powers were at a level that they were developed enough so that he could return to Quadris and liberate it from the alien armada that conquered it for reasons of their own.
Main cast
- Peter Barton - Matthew Star/E'Hawke
- Louis Gossett, Jr.Louis Gossett, Jr.Louis Cameron Gossett, Jr. is an American actor best known for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman and Fiddler in the 1970s television miniseries Roots...
- Walter (Walt) Shepherd/D'Hai - Amy SteelAmy SteelAmy Steel is an American film and television actress, also credited as Amy Steel Pulitzer.-Biography:She is perhaps best known for her role as Ginny Field in the 1981 horror film Friday the 13th Part 2. She was offered the chance to reprise the role for the third film in the long-running series,...
- Pamela Elliot - Chip Frye - Bob Alexander
- Michael FairmanMichael FairmanMichael Fairman is an American actor, and writer best known for his various roles during his long career, which started when he was 31 years old...
- Principal Heller - John CrawfordJohn Crawford (actor)John Crawford was an American actor.Crawford was born Cleve Allen Richardson in Colfax, Washington. In films from the 1940s, Crawford appeared in bit parts for many years before playing leads in several films in the UK in the late 1950s and early 1960s...
- General Tucker - James KarenJames KarenJames Karen is an American character actor of Broadway, film and television.-Life and career:Karen was born Jacob Karnofsky in Wilkes-Barre, in northeastern Pennsylvania, the son of Russian-born Jewish immigrants Mae and Joseph H. Karnofsky, a produce dealer. As a young man, Karen was encouraged...
- Major Wymore
Series history
The show was created by Steven E. De Souza, and was executive produced by Daniel Wilson, Harve Bennett (Star Trek’s II-V), and Bruce Lansbury (well known for many series produced in the 80’s). It also boasted of an episode directed by Leonard (Spock) Nimoy called ‘Triangle’ and an episode written by Walter (Pavel Checkov, Alfred Bester) Koenig called ‘Mother’. It also should be noted that both Peter Barton and Amy Steel beat out actors Tom Cruise and Heather Locklear for the roles of Matthew Star and Pam Elliot, respectively. So there has been some star power (no pun intended), connected with this show.The series was originally called The Powers of David Star. With this title and a somewhat altered premise, the original pilot was to deal with teenaged David Star, who lived with the school janitor, Max (Gerald S. O'Loughlin
Gerald S. O'Loughlin
Gerald Stuart O'Loughlin, Jr. is an American television, stage, and film actor and director who was primarily known for playing tough-talking and rough-looking characters.-Career:...
). Max had a secret he was not sharing with David, who had no idea that he and Max were from another planet. As his powers began to surface, David started to understand who he was. Hot on their trail was the FBI. The original pilot was aired as the last episode of the series. TV Guide's
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
1981 Fall Preview issue's network schedule grid lists the original series title as The Powers of Daniel Star.
The program, originally slated to debut in 1981 with the new title and storyline, was delayed when Peter Barton fell backward onto pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics is the science of using materials capable of undergoing self-contained and self-sustained exothermic chemical reactions for the production of heat, light, gas, smoke and/or sound...
and was badly burned, while co-star Louis Gossett, Jr.
Louis Gossett, Jr.
Louis Cameron Gossett, Jr. is an American actor best known for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman and Fiddler in the 1970s television miniseries Roots...
, tied to a chair, had fallen on top of Barton but managed to rescue him. After months in the hospital, Barton was released, and the show resumed shooting.
Plot
D'Hai/Walter Shepherd's (Louis Gossett, Jr.Louis Gossett, Jr.
Louis Cameron Gossett, Jr. is an American actor best known for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman and Fiddler in the 1970s television miniseries Roots...
) dialogue over the opening theme tells the tale of E'Hawke/Matthew Star (Peter Barton):
"Quadris, a planet of the (Tau Ceti
Tau CetiTau Ceti is a star in the constellation Cetus that is spectrally similar to the Sun, although it has only about 78% of the Sun's mass. At a distance of just under 12 light-years from the Solar System, it is a relatively close star. Tau Ceti is metal-deficient and so is thought to be less likely to...
) system, twelve light years across the galaxy from Earth. It was home for us until an intergalactic armada conquered it. I fought by the royal family's side, but in vain. Even their remarkable powers weren't enough. The crown prince and I escaped to the nearest planet on which we could survive and further his powers in order to some day return to free his people.
"Here on Earth, the prince is known as Matthew Star. He's a typical American teenager. He has friends; people who love him. And me, his guardian. I'm the only one who knows how special he is. Life for us is a series of joys and dangers. Enemy assassins constantly come to destroy us. Alone, we must survive."
Powers
The powers possessed by E'Hawke/Matthew were inherited from his parents, and only the royal family on Quadris has them. Other Quadrians may have powers of their own. The two that presided over Matthew’s coronation in the cave (played by Julie NewmarJulie Newmar
Julie Newmar is an American actress, dancer and singer. Her most famous role is Catwoman in the Batman television series.-Early life:...
and Jeff Corey
Jeff Corey
Jeff Corey was an American stage and screen actor and director who became a well-respected acting teacher after being blacklisted in the 1950s.-Biography:...
) had power to cast powerful illusions in an effort to test Matthew when he went with Pam to find her uncle in the episode ‘Triangle’. Quadrians may also have the ability to delay death, if the two Quadrians in the episode ‘Triangle’ are any indication. But it is very painful of them to do so apparently.
The powers as displayed by Matthew consist of telekinesis, telepathy and clairvoyance in the earlier episodes, and telekinesis, transmutation and astral projection in later episodes. The powers of Matthew's parents are unspecified; it is assumed they are similar in nature to Matthew's albeit far more highly developed.
Much of the plotline deals with Matthew honing his powers, which are naturally weak and undisciplined given his young age. He must practice his "art" in secret, obviously, and is continually resisting the temptation to use them against bullies and other frivolities. Matthew is forced to use his powers at times to save his and Walt's lives.
D'Hai/Walt does not have any powers, being not of royal blood. He does appear to have great strength, although this may be merely a product of excellent physique.
Enemies of Quadris
The name of the Marauding species that attacked Quadris is unrevealed. They seem human enough but they tend to explode when they hit water. Then again these ‘human replicants’ may just be service drones working for a real enemy, an image of which may have been seen in the first pilot (when "Matthew" was "David"). As to why the Marauders would invade, that, too, is not known. But it may have to do with powers the Quadrians possess. They do seem to have incredible strength, and the Marauder in the second pilot, played by Judson ScottJudson Scott
Judson Earney Scott is an American stage, film and television actor. He has appeared in a number of science fiction productions, especially within the Star Trek franchise, as well as V and three episodes of The X-Files....
(Star Trek II, he Phoenix]), mentioned someone named ‘Olan’ who gave them chemicals to feel pleasure. We never find out who ‘Olan’ is on the show.
First half of series
The first half of the series' run dealt with Matthew Star attending Crestridge High School and trying to survive his teenage years while dodging assassins, all under the watchful eye of his guardian, Walter Shepherd, who stayed nearby as a science teacher at the school. Those in their lives who had no idea about the truth were girlfriend Pam Elliot (Amy SteelAmy Steel
Amy Steel is an American film and television actress, also credited as Amy Steel Pulitzer.-Biography:She is perhaps best known for her role as Ginny Field in the 1981 horror film Friday the 13th Part 2. She was offered the chance to reprise the role for the third film in the long-running series,...
), friend Bob Alexander (Chip Frye), and the merry principal, Mr. Heller (Michael Fairman).
General Tucker (John Crawford
John Crawford (actor)
John Crawford was an American actor.Crawford was born Cleve Allen Richardson in Colfax, Washington. In films from the 1940s, Crawford appeared in bit parts for many years before playing leads in several films in the UK in the late 1950s and early 1960s...
), an Air Force officer specializing in extraterrestrial investigations, had tracked the two of them across the country as they evaded alien agents intent on exterminating them. From time to time, he enlisted their specialized aid in solving monumental problems.
The first dozen episodes dealt with the daily troubles of high school students, although in the episode "The Triangle," a chance trip to the Bermuda Triangle resulted in the discovery of messengers from Quadris, who told the pair that the king had been executed. E'Hawke/Matthew was crowned the new king in a torch-lit cave.
In the episode "Mother," a strange carnival gypsy turned out to be Matthew's mother Nadra, who had been traveling the galaxy and hiding from assassins. This reunion was bittersweet because, due to Nadra's health problems, she was forced to leave Crestridge for an undisclosed location with a higher elevation.
Finally, in the "Fugitives" episode, Walt, trying to elude a nosy doctor, comes into contact with a substance in the hospital that causes him to have a deadly allergic reaction. At the same time, Matthew is being booked into jail and needs Walt to bail him out. At the last minute, Matthew manages to save Walt, as he has done many times throughout the series.
Second half of series
The series took a sudden turn from a dramatic adventure series to a by-the-book adventure series, with Walt and Matthew having to deal with government assignments. Major Wymore (James KarenJames Karen
James Karen is an American character actor of Broadway, film and television.-Life and career:Karen was born Jacob Karnofsky in Wilkes-Barre, in northeastern Pennsylvania, the son of Russian-born Jewish immigrants Mae and Joseph H. Karnofsky, a produce dealer. As a young man, Karen was encouraged...
) replaced General Tucker (John Crawford
John Crawford
John Crawford may refer to:* John Crawford , Australian economist* John Crawford , American actor* John Crawford , Canadian hockey player...
) and met with the Quadrians in all sorts of strange locations where he briefed them on the missions. Gone were Pam and Bob and references to the high school. Matthew was being portrayed as older, and not much was said about their true mission: which was returning to Quadris to take back their world from the enemy.
Matthew had used the name "Shep" for his guardian, but with the sudden format change, Matthew started calling him Walt.
The series was cancelled after one season. The show ended ironically with the first pilot with Barton as ‘David Star’ being the final episode.
A summer rerun was erroneously broadcast for several minutes during the 1983 live broadcast of the U.S. Open tennis match. Reports at the time indicated that a technical error was made at a television swiching center in Chicago.
Episode list
| № | Title | Airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Jackal" | 1982·Sep·17 |
| 2 | "Accused" | 1982·Sep·24 |
| 3 | "Daredevil" | 1982·Oct·01 |
| 4 | "Genius" | 1982·Oct·08 |
| 5 | "Prediction" | 1982·Oct·15 |
| 6 | "Italian Caper" | 1982·Oct·29 |
| 7 | "Winning" | 1982·Nov·05 |
| 8 | "Endurance" (a.k.a. "Survival") |
1982·Nov·12 |
| 9 | "The Triangle" | 1982·Nov·19 |
| 10 | "Mother" | 1982·Nov·26 |
| 11 | "Experiment" | 1982·Dec·10 |
| 12 | "Fugitives" | 1982·Dec·17 |
| 13 | "Matthew Star, D.O.A." | 1983·Jan·21 |
| 14 | "The Racer's Edge" | 1983·Jan·28 |
| 15 | "Dead Man's Hand" | 1983·Feb·11 |
| 16 | "36 Hours" | 1983·Feb·18 |
| 17 | "The Quadrian Caper" | 1983·Feb·25 |
| 18 | "Brain Drain" | 1983·Mar·04 |
| 19 | "The Great Waldo Shepherd" | 1983·Mar·11 |
| 20 | "Road Rebels" | 1983·Mar·25 |
| 21 | "Swords & Quests" | 1983·Apr·08 |
| 22 | "Starr Knight" | 1983·Apr·15 |
Main crew
- Creator: Steven E. De Souza
- Executive Producers: Daniel Wilson/Harve Bennett/Bruce Lansbury
- Developers: Robert Earll/Allan Balter