As we inch closer to the end of the first season, we can see how the series is coming into its own. Stories have been up and own thus far, with some science fiction oddities mixed in with a straightforward western or two. “The Night of the Burning Diamond” marks he shift to a more science fiction/occasion horror series that just happens to be set in the Old West.Jim and Artie are assigned to protect a foreign diamond exhibit because there has been a rash of unexplainable diamond thefts at major galleries and museums around the world. A Serbian national treasure is stolen literally right out from under Jim’s nose, so the two have their work cut out for them in protecting the exhibit.
It turns out a scientist named Morgan Midas--why name him Midas when no gold is involved is anyone’s guess--has developed an elixir that allows hi to move so fat, he cannot be seen. Unfortunately, is is made by burnig diamonds.
Which leads us to two problems. One, Midas never reveals his big plan. We can only assume whatever he wants to do with his abilities is worth more than the expensive diamonds he is destroying in order to make his elixir. Two, burning a diamond at 1,000 degrees would turn it into graphite, so Midas could save a lot of time and effort, not to mention he would avoid grand larceny, if he would just use pencil lead I hi formula. I suppose that would not be nearly as romantic.
I am skeptical aspects of having one’s body sped up so fat versus the reaction of the people and objects frozen I time around Midas, Jim, and Artie (when they are given the elixir) are always accurately depicted. Not all moving or dropped objects have the correct momentum. I would think one would injure his hand touching certain objects. I am inclined to think also Midas would leave a corpse when he burned up due to air friction in his final fist fight with Jim. A grown man would leave about five pounds of ashes if burned at 1,000 degrees. It would take about two hours, too, not instantaneously. Ah, Hollywood logic. How I love thee!
In spite of the problems, I do like “The Night of the Burning Diamond.” It has a lot of actions, a decent plot, good villain, some mystery, and a couple instances of cool gadgetry. Fans of Firefly and Castle should take note Midas is played by Robert Drivas, who bares a striking resemblance to Nathan Fillion:
Sadly, Drivas died in 1986 at the young age of 47 from AIDS related complications.Rating: *** (out of 5)
