In order to fully appreciate this series, you have to remember the context of the times. 1976 was the year the Viking II landed on Mars and gave us our first closeup pictures of another planet. In 1976, West Point admitted its first female cadets. Legendary punk rock group The Ramones released their first album. America was on the cusp of a technological, sexual and artistic turning point. Why then was TV still dominated by archaic shows like "Donny & Marie" and "Happy Days"? Who knows, but "The Bionic Woman" changed all that.
For one thing, it was the first action series to feature a no-nonsense, independent female lead. Sure there had been "Police Woman" in 1974, but in that show her male partner handled all the rough stuff. There was also "Wonder Woman" in 1975, but come on, Lynda Carter prancing around in a bikini? I sure didn't take her seriously. Same went for "Charlie's Angels" in late '76 (although big kudos go to Kate Jackson who refused to do the bikini prance). For my money, it was Lindsay Wagner who first gripped American audiences for her brains, talents & humour, not for her legs & cleavage.
For this, I tip my hat to the greatest TV writer of the day: Kenneth Johnson. He's the guy who brought us "The Incredible Hulk" and the groundbreaking miniseries "V" ...shows that focused less on rockem-sockem action and more on the human story behind it all. There's a certain sensitivity to his work that was far ahead of its time. Whereas the networks wanted to portray their heroes as infallible tough guys, Kenneth wasn't afraid to show them buckle on occasion, paving the way for more realistic, emotional and powerful stories.
"The Bionic Woman" is a fine example of his work, and Lindsay Wagner was the one & only actor for the job. Charming yet old-fashioned (a 27-year-old schoolteacher who lives above her adoptive parents' garage), she was actually something of a nerd despite her classic beauty and stubborn personality. She really reminds me of a 1970s version of Katherine Hepburn: quick witted, never to be "put in her place" by anyone, but with a sweetness & feminine grace that's undeniable. (Uh... that is until you see the bloopers on the DVD where Lindsay swears like a sailor in heat! Haha, but nevermind that.)
As for the action, there's a good bit of it, but mostly she saved the day with her smarts. And it's a real treat to see how much passion & emotion Lindsay put into the role ...again, breaking from the traditional "infallible tough guy" heroics.
There's a lot of playful humour in the series, and the other regulars (Oscar & Rudy) are fleshed out to become more human than any other action sidekicks I can think of. In short, this was a landmark series which holds up today--if not surpasses--almost 40 years later, due to its progressive, human edge. Do NOT miss the opportunity to watch this show. Also check out the Kenneth Johnson series I mentioned: "The Incredible Hulk" and "V - the miniseries". And at the same time on the other side of the Atlantic, check out the work of Gerry & Sylvia Anderson: "Space 1999" and "UFO". If you know where to look, the 70s really rocked!
For one thing, it was the first action series to feature a no-nonsense, independent female lead. Sure there had been "Police Woman" in 1974, but in that show her male partner handled all the rough stuff. There was also "Wonder Woman" in 1975, but come on, Lynda Carter prancing around in a bikini? I sure didn't take her seriously. Same went for "Charlie's Angels" in late '76 (although big kudos go to Kate Jackson who refused to do the bikini prance). For my money, it was Lindsay Wagner who first gripped American audiences for her brains, talents & humour, not for her legs & cleavage.
For this, I tip my hat to the greatest TV writer of the day: Kenneth Johnson. He's the guy who brought us "The Incredible Hulk" and the groundbreaking miniseries "V" ...shows that focused less on rockem-sockem action and more on the human story behind it all. There's a certain sensitivity to his work that was far ahead of its time. Whereas the networks wanted to portray their heroes as infallible tough guys, Kenneth wasn't afraid to show them buckle on occasion, paving the way for more realistic, emotional and powerful stories.
"The Bionic Woman" is a fine example of his work, and Lindsay Wagner was the one & only actor for the job. Charming yet old-fashioned (a 27-year-old schoolteacher who lives above her adoptive parents' garage), she was actually something of a nerd despite her classic beauty and stubborn personality. She really reminds me of a 1970s version of Katherine Hepburn: quick witted, never to be "put in her place" by anyone, but with a sweetness & feminine grace that's undeniable. (Uh... that is until you see the bloopers on the DVD where Lindsay swears like a sailor in heat! Haha, but nevermind that.)
As for the action, there's a good bit of it, but mostly she saved the day with her smarts. And it's a real treat to see how much passion & emotion Lindsay put into the role ...again, breaking from the traditional "infallible tough guy" heroics.
There's a lot of playful humour in the series, and the other regulars (Oscar & Rudy) are fleshed out to become more human than any other action sidekicks I can think of. In short, this was a landmark series which holds up today--if not surpasses--almost 40 years later, due to its progressive, human edge. Do NOT miss the opportunity to watch this show. Also check out the Kenneth Johnson series I mentioned: "The Incredible Hulk" and "V - the miniseries". And at the same time on the other side of the Atlantic, check out the work of Gerry & Sylvia Anderson: "Space 1999" and "UFO". If you know where to look, the 70s really rocked!