From Beyond Television: Ultraseven Episode #5

Episode Five: THE LOST HOURS (KESARETA JIKAN) ***

aka: THE ERASED TIME

Directed by Hajime Tsuburaya

A supersonic jet leaves the Ultra Guard Science Center in Antarctica with renowned scientist, Dr. Yushima. aboard. Heading for Japan to the Ultra Garrison command center, the jet inexplicably freezes in the air; momentarily caught in some bizarre beam. Upon his arrival, agent Furuhashi is assigned as Dr. Yushima's bodyguard. What's unknown to the Ultra crew is that Dr. Yushima is being used as a vassal for the Biran Seijin, a race of beings with the intent of conquering the entire universe.

Virtually a remake of episode one, the script for this show explores some engaging themes for the time allowed in this 25 minute format. This prize plot device being the mind controlled Dr. Yushima attempting to get Dan Moroboshi out of the way. He does this by accusing him of sabotaging his electronic gizmo that will greatly enhance the Ultra Garrison's radar capabilities. 

Of course, otherworldly, and sneaky alien threats can't have humans learning of their plans ahead of time. The script here gets a bit more time to play around with this play on the well worn "body snatcher" motif. The placing of blame for the radar sabotage on Moroboshi is a bit far-fetched, but it succeeds in providing a brief bit of cliffhanger candy till the big monster fight at the end.

There's a great moment where Dan is imprisoned for this alleged treachery while an invading fleet of Birian war ships (a cluster of saucers akin to the Kuuru ships in episode 1) attack the Earth.

The main monster, a stingray-like creature with tendrils and arachnid style appendages recalls the similar floating beast of episode one as well. Unlike that premiere show, Ultraseven actually engages the monster in giant form, and amidst a set with miniature homes as opposed to the traditional mountainous, or countryside regions that save on miniature building construction.

Ultraseven shows off some different abilities during the concluding moments of this episode. One is some sort of energy shield that repels an enemies attack. The other is where his hand is pointed towards the monster with the index and middle finger extended. A rapid fire stream of laser bullets are shot from his fingers.

Vastly similar to the first episode, this version is much better. A little less action, but a nice balance of slight story and effects. 

MONSTERS: Bira; Villa
WEAPONS: Ultra Hawk #1 and #3

To be continued in Episode Six: THE DARK ZONE!!!