Generally I hated this when I saw it as a child. It's pantomime atmosphere detracts from an important sociological comment on society. Am I being too serious about it? Well I think Liz would agree with me that the situation was not funny at all. The scene which reveals the darker side to the story is where Liz is aboard 'Ship' and is talking directly to the camera as if she is pathing to the audience. She says that they do not control the ship but it controls them! Beware of technology is the first point to be made.

Secondly, the aliens come from a very different society whose customs are totally different to the TP's. Liz shows the most understanding for the aliens, but John and Stephen seem to act in a typical chauvinistic way. Just because males are considered lower citizens and treated somewhat like slaves seems so abhorrent to them that they are totally intolerant and bent on interfering. It is a shame that the TP's don't have a prime directive!!!

The feminist perspective is unfortunately overshadowed by the ridiculous cowboy outfits and chase scenes, but this story does turn the tables on the traditional male/female role models. Whether Roger Price intended to make a feminist point or to ridicule feminists of the day is not clear but the story does have some merit.

Additionally there are some great scenes which give Tyso the opportunity to mimic John's rather stuffy attitudes and this draws the watcher into the general 'family' feeling shared by the TP's.