Episode 18: Tar Pit

[Professor]

After at least two times through the rotation of season one episodes during the winter, spring, and summer of 1975, I remember anxiously awaiting the debut of season two. I can still remember sitting in front of the TV, about 6 ½ years old, visions of Sleestak and time doorways in my head. But instead I got “Tar Pit.” There’s really nothing wrong with “Tar Pit” as a working story – it’s got some dinosaur action and gives us a glimpse into Paku culture – but it’s not a powerful season opener. It’s one of those stories that really could have taken place on any show – a pet is trapped, and it must be saved with the help of some dubious allies. There really are very few elements of this episode that make it something that could only happen in the Land of the Lost, and although “Tar Pit” does begin the season two theme of Cha-ka growing up into a responsible young Paku man, it’s an otherwise relatively unmemorable entry.

As with some of similarly sci-fi-thin stories of the first season, including “Dopey” and “Tag-Team,” the simplicity of the plot helps keep “Tar Pit” from falling into the trap of bizarre plots that cannot realistically be explained and resolved in the allotted time. In fact, the beginning of the story plods along somewhat slowly and appears a bit padded by extensive Paku chitchat concerning Cha-ka’s nascent chiaroscuro portrait of Ta on the monolith. Cha-ka is torn between his duties to Ta and his concern and guilty feelings about Dopey’s sticky predicament, and that foreshadows a lot to come in season two, which is in fact heavily focused on the development of the Cha-ka character. There’s a lot of engineering education going on in this story, with demonstrations of the pulleys and the block and tackle, and that’s nice. And the resolution, with Cha-ka luring Emily to the tar pit to save Dopey, is endearing without being over the top. It’s really not a bad story, but it’s just a rewrite of Lassie with the names changed.

Although the tar pit itself is well-realized, numerous elements of the production are sub-par. There are flubbed lines from Dad, Will, Holly, and, more difficult to tell (but I can because I’m good), Cha-ka and Ta. Part of the problem with the extensive Pakuni dialogue is what appears to me to be far less (or perhaps no) supervision of the Paku language as compared with the first season. Emphasis is often placed on the wrong words, because the actors don’t really seem to understand which words actually mean what (I could give you examples, but won’t you just trust me?). Lines get messed up (in both English and Paku) and no one cares. “Cha-ka ban Ta – iban Ta” was supposed to be “Cha-ka ban iban Ta” – Cha-ka was painting a painting of Ta. “Why couldn’t have he have been a rabbit?” asks Holly. There’s plenty more. Folks, compared to season one, it really seems like no one is watching for these details. But the most egregious part of all this is that the Pakuni have acquired the letter “l,” whose absence is the very reason our young heroes are known to Cha-ka as “Wira” and “Ari.” Now Cha-ka and Ta can very comfortably say “Emily,” and Cha-ka repeats “lasso” and “help” with only a slight accent. Victoria Fromkin, wherefore hast thou forsaken us? This will continue to manifest itself throughout the season.

Aside from Will’s single, ill-placed and ill-spoken connection to season one (“That’s about as easy as finding our way back to our own universe”), there are some problems with continuity. As Holly points out, it is principally Dopey’s curiosity that leads to his near-demise; but despite her assertion that curiosity is always his bane, the fact is that Dopey has never demonstrated curiosity about anything, instead always having been driven by the need for either food or Holly’s companionship. Another continuity error, albeit an improvement, is that Emily’s voice in this episode is distinctly different from her voice in “Stone Soup,” which might be the only other time we’ve heard her. It’s an improvement because in that episode it was partly the same as Big Alice’s. And finally, “the old flyswatter trick,” which used to involve a big stick shoved down Grumpy’s throat, is reinvented as the waving of torches.

Like I said, the tar pit itself, including the action with Spot and Dopey, is very well-done – it looks for all the world like what it claims to be. However, when Holly is trying to give Dopey leaves to eat, her feet clearly appear to be hovering over the pit, and Dopey’s head, a foot or two away, looks very much as though it’s over solid ground. In other words, there is a failure to convey the gap between Dopey’s head and the edge of the tar pit, which makes it look pretty silly for Dad to be throwing that lasso over Dopey’s head from so far away.

But amid all this is a reasonable story and, in some small way, the beginning of big changes in Cha-ka’s life. “Tar Pit” is still disappointing 30 years later, but we can live with it because now we know that some of the best stories in the series are coming up.

[Galilee55]

It's late, so I will not say too much now, but I have a few thoughts.

First of all, I think this is one of the least eventful episodes of the first 2 seasons. I don't know if I have watched it more than once since I got the DVD's.

Chaka's development is a key to this episode, as well as Holly "releasing" Dopey (am I right that Dopey neve r shows up again?). Some character development, anyway.

I don't want to get ahead of the game, but I must interject this: As good an episode as "The Zarn" was, I am glad it was not the first episode of Season Two. Had it been, my reaction (even back then) would have been "Oh, no, they are going to change everything. It's not even really going to be the same show."

So, while the character development is indeed weak, and there are some continuality problems, at least the first episode sticks with things and characters that people who watched the first season are familiar with.

[Beauregard]

I like this episode for the fact that it does introduce something new...the tar pit. I think it is a good homage to the La Brea Tar Pits in LA. It is also the last time we really see Dopey significantly featured. We briefly see him in "The Longest Day" with recycled footage, and we see him shivering in "Black Out", so this is really his last hurrah. I agree with the Professor on a few of the continuity issues: Emily's voice and the flyswatter trick. I can, however, tolerate the Paku's ability to pick up English more rapidly simply by expecting they would with repeated exposure to the humans. I also think the outside cave set looks a bit different from season 1. The color of the rocks are different and it seems a bit sleeker. I don't believe it is a rebuild of the set that burned since Season 3 doesn't feature it at all. It makes sense that this episode would be the opener with the dinosaur action and it somewhat resumes the life the Marshalls have been living since the first season.

[emwhy]

This episode didn't do much for me either, and I have to agree with Professor, it was a bit of a disapointment after waiting for an entire summer. There were some good sci-fi stories in season 2, but this one & "A Nice Day" dragged the whole season down a bit. As for the difference in the high bluff set, remember that the set was redressed (and repainted) for "Elsewhen", that coupled with time=off between the 2 seasons probably contributed to it's looking different. One other thing, the sets for LOTL were not part of the fire, that was during Sigmund & the Seamonsters season 2 at Goldwyn studios. LOTL was filmed at General Service Studios for it's first & second year (because of the fire). The show then switched to Goldwyn studios for season 3, thus the change in sets.

[Son of Enik]

I agree with the fact that this was a weak opener for Season 2, but I have to admit, it didn't even occur to me that this was Dopey's last "starring" episode.
Oh well...we got Junior in this season!!
Anyway, Season 2 has some great stories, but I feel the loss of David Gerrold as story editor was a significant and noticeable one. (Taking nothing away from Dick Morgan, who stepped up nicely for Season 2).
I'm really looking forwars to hearing Professor's thoughts on "The Zarn".
Keep up the excellent work Professor!!

[Rick_66]

Firsts in “Tar Pit”:
First second season appearance of a Spot
First appearance of other clothing- Will’s new shirt and home-made vest.
First appearance of Scutter McCay as Ta.
First appearance of tar pit.
First second season appearance of Dopey.
New exterior cave set (seen most clearly at 6:36).
First second-season appearance of Emily.

Speaking of the Flyswatter, I'm not sure, because I wasn't really looking for it, but it could be that the Marshalls never once use it in season 2. I'm up to the "The Musician", which I watched yesterday, and can't recall its use so far this season; and I'm pretty sure there are no such scenes in either "Split Personality" or "Blackout."

Rick

[Professor]

Originally Posted by Rick_66

Speaking of the Flyswatter, I'm not sure, because I wasn't really looking for it, but it could be that the Marshalls never once use it in season 2.

Indeed, the "real" flyswatter trick is never to be seen again. The danger from dinosaurs is less emphasized in general in season two (but returns to some extent in the third season).

Originally Posted by Beauregard

I can, however, tolerate the Paku's ability to pick up English more rapidly simply by expecting they would with repeated exposure to the humans.

I'm not objecting to the Pakuni and the Marshalls understanding each other better; I'm talking about the Pakuni's speech system changing one of its defining characteristics. Like Japanese and many other languages, there's not supposed to be an "L" sound, with speakers substituting "R." Witness "Ari," "Wira," "Sarisataka," "Marashara": these words were created in the first season to illustrate this (and the absence of "H" and most types of consonant clusters). There were never any words with the "L" sound because that was a feature of the language as defined by its creator, Dr. Fromkin. In the second season, though, attention to this detail, which is one of the things that made the Paku language seem so authentic, is sharply reduced. And let's not even talk about the third season!

[Crawford]

I agree with the general consensus that this was an OK but rather weak entry for Season 2. I never really cared for the Paku (please don't throw fruit at me for this). Cha-ka however is quite a prodigy, his portrait of Ta is very well done for fingers and berry juice. Ta becomes very dictatorial and unpleasant in this Season. I can recall wishing Grumpy or Alice would eat him (again, no nasty e-mails my way).

The acting does vary in quality but Spencer, Wesley and Kathy all give decent performances. After all, Dopey is pretty much a pet and they are doing their best to save him. It would have been hard to see him sink below the surface of the tar. As far as his future appearances, other than those mentioned, I think it is safe to say he probably fell victim to Grumpy at some point.

I think it was a bold step to include an episode like this into a Season that was full of sci-fi and strong stories. It is more of a "day in the life" of the Marshalls. I wonder what Will used to make his vest?

[beowulf921]

Another first: The first time we see a dinosaur wave to someone. (Spot seems to wave "goodbye" to Cha-ka in the opening minutes when Cha-ka tries to get him to leave the Pakuni alone)

[cal92471]

Spot also escapes from the tar pit, Dopey time to get in shape. Drink 8 gallons of water a day, walk or jog and don't eat after 6, it sticks (tar-pit pun intended).

I guess Spot is in better shape after having to run away from Grumpy all the time, I can't recall but in one episode Spot actually snaps back at Grumpy. What surprises me is that Dopey is still alive, a slow moving fat & plump juicy target won't last long in the jungle, would of been a snack to Grumpy a long time ago had the producers not been so wimpy.

Oh wake me up it's a Saturday morning 5-10 year old show, but "what in the world" (Dad's words) were they thinking when they tried to sneak a Zarn past us sci-fi freaks, ha ha I caught em, Black-Out ha ha stay tuned guys.

PLT, does Grumpy take Pickles Lettuce and Tomato on his Spot sandwiches? I hope all is well with the Eulogy, I don't suppose that was for the Season 1 Marshalls? sorry to hear

hsssss hsssssss hsssssssssssssssssssssss Sarisataka Sarisataka dona kosa nichi (sp?) all right guys enough hiberating, get your crossbows & back to the pit, the god is growing hungry, bring me a Marshall, preferably Rick or a pig, and if one of you guards lets that slick Enik through to the Library, you're fired, Dopey can't pull a cart, "You're Fired" (Dad, season 1)

[Galilee55]

A couple more firsts in Tar Pit.

1) First time Philip Paley's name is spelled correctly.
2) First time Sharon Baird gets in the opening credits.

[Rick_66]

Originally Posted by Galilee55

A couple more firsts in Tar Pit.

1) First time Philip Paley's name is spelled correctly.
2) First time Sharon Baird gets in the opening credits.

Sharon Baird was in the opening credits in those season 1 episodes in which she appeared. In fact, it's rather curious to note that Joe Giamalva, Sharon and Philip not only had credits in the opening of "Cha-Ka", but also of "Sleestak God"- despite the fact that Cha-Ka is the only Pakuni to appear in that latter episode. I'm guessing they just re-used the exact same credits, since the two episodes had been filmed as a one-hour pilot.

Or maybe a Ta and Sa scene got cut at the last minute.

One other thing about Sharon Baird, she never appeared as either the only Pakuni in an episode, or as one of just two. Cha-Ka appeared by himself on several occasions, including, of course, the entire run of season 3. Ta (Scutter McCay) appeared solo once or twice; and a few times Cha-Ka and Ta appeared sans Sa. However, You'll never see just Sa and Ta or just Sa and Cha-Ka, or Sa by her lonesome.

On other note, regarding the Pakuni language, I'd have to go back and listen to David Gerrold's commentary in either "Cha-Ka" or "Sleestak God" (I'm pretty sure it's in one of those places), but I think he said that Dr. Fromkin had said that Pakuni cannot pronounce the letters L and H. If that's the case, if the Pakuni were physiologically incapable of uttering those sounds, then there's no way third season Cha-Ka can say, "Cha-Ka learn to talk like you, now Cha-Ka learn to eat like you." Not unless you accept that his gift of musical ability in "The Musician" also altered his vocal cords.

On the other hand, if Dr. Fromkin meant the Pakuni had never encountered the L and H sounds before (but weren't incapable of uttering them, once they learned them, then season 3 Cha-Ka's vocabulary is a bit more acceptable.

Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure Fromkin meant that the Pakuni could not pronounce the L and H sounds at all. Which makes season 3 Cha-Ka hard to explain, unless you wanna buy the "fix his vocal cords, too," explanation.


Rick

[Professor]

Originally Posted by Rick_66

On other note, regarding the Pakuni language, I'd have to go back and listen to David Gerrold's commentary in either "Cha-Ka" or "Sleestak God" (I'm pretty sure it's in one of those places), but I think he said that Dr. Fromkin had said that Pakuni cannot pronounce the letters L and H. If that's the case, if the Pakuni were physiologically incapable of uttering those sounds, then there's no way third season Cha-Ka can say, "Cha-Ka learn to talk like you, now Cha-Ka learn to eat like you." Not unless you accept that his gift of musical ability in "The Musician" also altered his vocal cords.

On the other hand, if Dr. Fromkin meant the Pakuni had never encountered the L and H sounds before (but weren't incapable of uttering them, once they learned them, then season 3 Cha-Ka's vocabulary is a bit more acceptable.

Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure Fromkin meant that the Pakuni could not pronounce the L and H sounds at all. Which makes season 3 Cha-Ka hard to explain, unless you wanna buy the "fix his vocal cords, too," explanation.

I personally am inclined not to believe that the Pakuni were intended to be physically incapable of producing the sounds in question. It's simply that those sounds are not part of the inventory of their language, much as "L" is not part of the inventory of the Japanese language, as a familiar and easily illustrated example. Certainly Japanese people are physically capable of producing an "L" sound, as evidenced by people of Japanese descent raised in environments in which that sound is part of the inventory of the native language (like the USA), who sound like anyone else. Japanese people who acquire English as an adult or learn it in school can produce the "L" sound with varying, but typically limited success.

I have less problem with Cha-ka producing the "L" and "H" sounds in the third season, in which he could perhaps be described as having acquired English sound inventory as a child, than with the "L" sound being incorporated readily into the Paku language (albeit in non-native words) and pronounced by all Pakuni in the second season. It was clear in the first season that this was not an option.

[borgwoman]

I saw a PBS program about babies learning to talk. In their first year they are listening to everything, and they learn which sounds are important and which sounds are not. So if the baby is someplace where people don't use the L sound and then they hear the L sound once or twice on the television or something like that, the L sound is filed under "not important" or "not language" and they don't try to make that sound. Later, if they try to learn English or some other language that uses the L sound they really have a hard time with it.

There are these people in the movie "The Gods Must Be Crazy" or something like that, and their language is so different from everyone else's that we can't even use our alphabet to spell most of their words. But I would think that they still have the same vocal cords as the rest of us.

[Professor]

Originally Posted by borgwoman

I saw a PBS program about babies learning to talk. In their first year they are listening to everything, and they learn which sounds are important and which sounds are not. So if the baby is someplace where people don't use the L sound and then they hear the L sound once or twice on the television or something like that, the L sound is filed under "not important" or "not language" and they don't try to make that sound. Later, if they try to learn English or some other language that uses the L sound they really have a hard time with it.

It's principally a question of language acquisition and accent. Generally speaking, if you acquire a language before puberty, you will have no accent (that is to say, you can pronounce all the sounds you hear in that language reliably), whereas after puberty is too late. Consider my grandmother, who came to America at the age of 8, and had no accent in her English, and her older sister, who was 12, and spoke with an accent all her life. Indeed, babies sort out native and non-native sounds early, as borgwoman learned from PBS, but they still have until about puberty to add new sounds to their spoken inventory.