Saturday Morning Cult-TV Blogging: Land of the Lost (1992): "Opah" (September 26, 1992)

In “Opah,” the Porters and Stink unexpectedly encounter Stink’s long-lost father, who was believed to have been killed while working as a slave in the Sleestak mines.

This old Pakuni, Opah, quickly gets on Kevin’s nerves, both for his messy and loud nature.

However, when Scarface attacks the Porter compound, the old Pakuni -- and his noise-making flute – more than prove their worth.

There’s a very clear message in Land of the Lost’s (1991 – 1992) “Opah:” Be good to your elders.  Even if your elders are strange and off-putting, they are still worthy of your respect.

Land of the Lost is not the first Saturday morning series to transmit this message. In Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973 – 1974), for instance, the final episode was titled “The Counter-Clock Incident” and show-cased two senior citizens -- Captain April and his wife -- who were forcibly being retired from Starfleet. 

When crisis struck, it was only these two experienced individuals who could save the Enterprise for impending doom. The message was that when you write off older people, you are also writing off a world-view and skill-set that could have relevance and value.

“Opah” is a very similar tale.  Old Opah is easy to laugh at, and promptly becomes Kevin’s nemesis, but finally he is the one who understands Scarface’s dislike of loud sounds, hence the flute. 

At the same time, Stink sees his old father in a new way, and doesn’t feel the need to apologize for his behavior (or smell…).

Just two more brief notes about this particular story:

First, Kevin Porter is again cast as an impatient, intolerant brat in “Opah.”  He is downright rude to Opah, and given Kevin’s behavior in the first season episode, “Thief,” it would be no surprise if Stink never spoke to him again. 

In the original series, Will was also often a thorn-in-the-side for Holly Marshall, but he was rarely so cruel and harsh as Kevin is in “Thief” and “Opah.” Something is off-balance here. I don’t know if it’s the weak writing, which requires Kevin to “move” or “push” the story into a harsher direction, or it’s the intense performances by the actor, which tend to make Kevin seem thoroughly unlikable. 

Secondly, there’s no compelling reason for Opah to continue on his wandering at episode’s end.  He’s found a home with his son (and the Porters), and has gained acceptance.  It’s his choice, of course, to continue his independent life in the jungle, but still “Opah’s” ending feels phoned in.  Opah leaves because the character simply isn’t a “regular.”

So Opah decides to leave, but it’s clear he’s safer and better off with his son, and with the Porters.

Next week: “The Gladiators.”