Review: Wonder Woman 1×03 – “Fausta, The Nazi Wonder Woman“
[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers]
Director: Barry Crane
Writers: Bruce Shelly & David Ketchum
Starring: Lynda Carter, Lyle Waggoner, Richard Eastham & Beatrice Colen
Reviewed by: Sean Blumenshine
Summary
A Nazi spy travels to America to learn Wonder Woman’s secrets. In the process, she poses as a second Wonder Woman and kidnaps Diana.
Positives
It is genuinely hilarious how the lead villain, a Nazi colonel played by Bo Brundin, essentially defeats himself. His stupidity and close minded nature are why he loses. He had Wonder Woman powerless in captivity and all he had to do was a keep a belt away from her. The conflict between Fausta and Colonel Kesselman is fun. He refuses to take her seriously even though she is right and it dooms him.
I also appreciate that Fausta is allowed redemption. Obviously, it’s overly optimistic. Fausta is a Nazi which makes it all the more admirable that Diana believes in her reformation. Most people would not. In a fictional setting, this kind of hope is endearing.
I love how the episode plays out in terms of Wonder Woman’s capture. The obvious choice would be to be have Steve save her which he does try to do. She escapes by herself and then Steve gets himself captured. So Wonder Woman has to go back and save him. It’s a fun play on expectations and there still isn’t any real kind of formula to the show outside of Steve being a damsel in stress. In terms of plot and structure, each episode feels distinct.
Negatives
While I do think the episodes aren’t too repetitive, Steve is always getting captured. He has nearly died half a dozen times just in these first three episodes. I’m not entirely sure how he managed before he met Diana.
The fight scenes are unconvincing. I understand that it’s a television show from the 1970s but it still feels awkward. Everyone looks like they’re too afraid to hurt each other. They’re all too stiff.
Verdict
This episode is fine. It’s the first one in which the plot is motivated by Diana which is nice. I like these villains; they ride the line of being over the top without ever crossing it. The show’s biggest strength is how well it understands Diana as a character and how great Lynda Carter is in the role. It’s a little stiff and cheesy in certain places especially the action scenes but Wonder Woman 1×03 works.
