The Starlost – Garth

Sometimes terrible science fiction is better than good science fiction, and sometimes, it becomes something in it’s own realm. For me, the Starlost belongs in the latter.

One of the more entertaining parts of the Starlost is the character Garth, portrayed by former Toronto Weatherman Robin Ward. Growing up in Ontario meant seeing him forecast the weather weekday evenings and then finding his way through an interstellar maze each Saturday.

Garth originally was the blacksmith of Cypress Corners, and would most likely have spent his days there happily if it wasn’t for Devon and Rachel running off. In order to retrieve his wife (as bestowed by the Creator, in reality a computerized voice), Garth volunteered to pursue Devon into the great unknown.  It wasn’t much of a pursuit as Garth caught up with them early on and became part of their mission to save Earthship Ark from certain destruction.

One notable thing about Garth was that in the early episodes, it usually looks as if he is having a hard time not laughing at the dialogue. As mentioned in an earlier post, the Starlost was written by some of the greatest scifi luminaries of the day. Unfortunately, this didn’t transcribe over to good dialogue and often the actors find themselves saying the goofiest things.

One notable thing about Garth is that he had the most rocking mullet this side of Drake Hogestyn which meant, of course he had to be the alternate romantic lead. The funny thing about Garth is over the time he becomes the most watchable of the three protagonists, with Devon showing questionable ethics (and acting by Keir Dullea) and Rachel, well she doesn’t really do much throughout the series.

The best Garth episode of the Starlost has to be Space Precinct. What better role would an amish blacksmith in space be suited for other than as an intergalactic police officer. Never being one to shy away from authority, Garth takes on the role, and some fancy new duds eagerly but in the end finds himself back on the quest to save the Ark from a collision with a star and cancellation.

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