First of all, let's concentrate on that opening sequence. Starts in space with a suitably epic narration. Not only does this help convey a sense of mystery, but also firmly places the series in a sci-fi Chariot of the Gods style context.
The journey through space closes in on the earth and zooms in to the land and a pyramid (probably having an affect on the mind of Russell T Davies as a young man) which then, somehow, becomes the stargate sequence from 2001!
It's after this sequence that things settle down with the most blinging logo seen on TV outside of Saturday night entertainment. The theme becomes less about space and more about Holiday 92. Pan pipes meet Spanish guitar and choral signing. We'll go in to the lyrics in another post. Now, each of the main characters are introduced: Esteban in sandal-flipping, jazz-hands, mid-air pose. Zia, wipes tear from the eye, smiles weakly. Tao in invisible-trampoline star jump.
The golden condor is our final surprise and whets the appetite of the young viewer, the promise of which is not delivered until, well, WEEKS AWAY.
Episode one begins in rain-drenched Barcelona, a fact confirmed by the narrator who says "Barcelona, Spain. In the rain." as if she's accidentally started reading the stage directions.
The set-up is a promising one. Esteban, a restless twelve year old living as a novice in a monastery enjoys listening to the tales of sailors. In the pub two such sailors Sancho and Pedro are trying to convince others to sail for the New World in search of gold. However most of the sailors prefer the idea of getting a ransom for the missing Esteban, who can, apparently control the Sun.
We learn that Esteban is not Spanish, but was in fact rescued by a sailor aboard Magellan's own ship, a man named Mendoza. Mendoza gave Esteban to the Monastery but kept part of his gold medallion. Mendoza asks Esteban to come with him on his journey to the New World.
It's only the impending death of Esteban's mentor Father Rodriguez that inspires the lad to go with Mendoza. Mendoza smuggles him aboard the boat only for Esteban to discover that he is not alone, in a brilliant cliffhanger, Esteban discovers that Zia, an Incan girl who was a gift for the royal family, is tied and gagged in the hold.
So - that's pagan sun worship, bereavement, Magellan and child-kidnapping all in episode one. This is a kid's show, right?
It's also worth pointing out that each episode ends with a short documentary. The first one involves virgin sacrifice, no, really. I can't remember these being broadcast with the cartoon on the BBC, can anyone else?
EPISODE TWO - CROSSING THE ATLANTIC
On board the Esperanza, Zia and Esteban compare medallions, they're identical, though Esteban's still has the centre piece missing, Mendoza has it. We learn that Mendoza is only the ship's navigator, the Esperanza is in fact a military vessel transporting troops to the New World for plunder and conquest. Captain Perez and Commander Gomez ordered Mendoza to kidnap Zia thinking she could provide the correct route through to the cities of gold for them. This is good, because it places Mendoza as an uncertainty, whose loyalties are questionable. It's certainly more character development than most kids cartoons of this time.
Another notable feature of this episode is Esteban's tendency to hallucinate. Here he has a full-on psychedelic vision of him flying over the temples of the ancients. Trippy it certainly is. Later, Mendoza gives the kids (on board and in front of the telly) a lesson in oceanography, namely the meeting of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans through the Magellanic Straits. Well, I learned something.
EPISODE THREE - HEROES AGAIN
Mendoza proves he is a complete bad-ass by navigating the Esperanza through the Magellanic Straits for four days and four nights without sleep. Esteban trips-out looking at the rocks again. But - bad news! The ship is beset with flying fish and a storm approaches. This is lucky as the Captain and Commander have had just about enough Mendoza and his crazy cities-of-gold-plundering-with-children scheme.
This episode was one of the first that actually rang a bell with me. The flying fish. Weird.
