I’m not nearly as familiar with these comics as with the TV version, so I can’t go into this aspect in that great a detail. For
anyone wanting to know more about this aspect of the character there are some good web sites devoted to the comics, as mentioned in the Links
section of this site. I’m only intending to give a very brief introduction and outline into them here, which applies equally to the movie versions which
I’ll deal with next.
THE MOVIES
Comics were only the first medium Swampy appeared in. The rights to the character were bought from DC by Benjamin
Melniker and Michael E. Uslan; and in 1982 a movie was made, loosely based on the early comics (rated PG, with a
running time of 91 mins and released by United Artists), who produced the movie under the name BATFILMS, in the
hopes that they could use it to pull enough money together to finance a Batman movie (which they later did.) It starred
actor and stuntman Dick Durock as Swamp Thing, Ray Wise as Alec Holland, Louis Jourdan as Dr. Anton Arcane and
Adrienne Barbeau as Alice Cable (loosely based on a character who was originally male in the comics (Matt Cable))
Shot on location in South Carolina, the movie was produced by Melniker and Uslan, written by Wes Craven, and
Directed by Wes Craven and Walter Von Huene (also a key Director in the TV series). The movie wasn't entirely bad,
at least to begin with. Unfortunately, as soon as the plot got going and Swampy was created, it started going downhill.
The special effects and 
Swamp Thing/mutant costumes were very basic to the point of being laughable. Considering he's supposed to be a plant,
he never came across as anything other than an actor in a bad rubber suit. It was also predominantly played straight:
Another reason I found it hard to take it even remotely seriously. For some reason, for the purposes of the movie,
Linda had become Alec’s sister rather than his wife (presumably so he could feel affection for the main female
protagonist: Cable.) There were a couple of decent lines in the movie, but far too few to redeem it. Arcane was so
one dimensional (as were the other characters for that matter) to the point where you couldn't care less what
happened to any of them. The movie culminated in Arcane turning himself into a very silly mutant and engaging in an
even sillier swordfight to the death with Alec (see picture opposite). The movie did show Swampy exhibiting powers
that were carried through to the TV series, but very little else was (thank goodness!) All in all, not a good example of Swamp Thing being adapted
to the big screen.
This didn’t deter Messrs Uslan and Melniker, and 1989 saw the release of a second Swamp Thing movie entitled ‘The
Return of Swamp Thing’ (rated PG-13). It was Directed by Jim Wynorski, and Dick Durock reprised his role as Swamp
Thing, as did Louis Jourdan as Arcane. This time they were joined by Heather Locklear as Abigail Arcane, Dr. Arcane’s
stepdaughter; a major character from the comics (although in the comics she was his niece). She was to provide Swampy
with romantic interest. Well, to be fair, Human/Vegetable sex was commonplace in the comics, although not done as a
parody like in this movie (Abby and Alec even producing a child: Tefe.) The plot saw her visiting her step father in his
mansion to find out what happened to her mother. Arcane's up to no good and plans to use and do away with Abby (a
plot concerning his late wife, who died under mysterious circumstances, and to rejuvenate himself after his near demise in
the first movie.) Of course, Abby is rescued by Alec, and romance blossoms (literally, I guess!) This movie was
considerably different to the first and was played very much for laughs; but despite the difference in style, is a direct
sequel. It's closer to the series in feel, although it was more action orientated, and the humour was far more camp. Some
of it did work, but a lot was too over the top. It drew heavily from the Alan Moore comics in concept, if not in style, and
was a better attempt than the first movie, but too silly in parts. It lacked the depth and qualities that made the series endearing. This movie seemed
to serve as a blueprint for the series more than the first. Certain elements were carried through, at least either in style or basic concept, rather than
actual events. There were too many inconsistencies and contradictory events for it to be an actual prequel to the series. The idea of Tatania
(although she's never named or any real detail on her given) was in the movie. Arcane's home may have been a grand mansion rather than an
industrial complex, but the look of it complete with patrolling armed guards, elevator and female servants had a feel of the series' complex. The
Swamp Thing bodysuit was modified and created by Carl Fullerton and Neal Martz (who also designed the suit for the TV series), and was much
improved upon the one from the first movie. It looked far more plantlike, rather than just a 
rubber suit as in the first movie. It's very reminiscent of
the one used in the series, although the facial prostheses are very different. The mutants were done much better than in the first
movie. At least they seemed remotely dangerous rather than merely worthy of a giggle or two. Unfortunately, the movie's main
fault was too much action orientation. There was a positive fanfare of music everytime Swampy arrived on the scene to save
the day; and too much reliance on him physically fighting either Arcane's goons or mutants. The children used for yet more
comic relief were too irritating for any description to do justice to (suffice to say I'll *never* criticise another Jim episode of the
series again!... well, at least not for a little while :-)) In this movie, Alec was pretty much used to being what he is, and actually
jolly! -- a scary concept, to say the least! -- Arcane was closer to the series version in that he had developed more of a
cynical and ironic sense of humour. Unfortunately, Louis Jourdan's portrayal was only marginally less boring than in the first
movie. One still felt that when he was killed at the end, it was a mercy both for him and the audience. There was one nice
throwaway where he refers to his pet parrot as "Gigi" (one of Mr. Jourdan's most famous movies.) A little less of the camp and fight scenes, and
more characterisation, and this movie could have been halfway decent.
Both movies have been released on video (the second one having been re-released for rental in the UK, on the 24th of February 1997), and
although difficult to find, are both available as novelisations: The first by Tor Books and DC Comics; and the second by Putnam Berkley.
TELEVISION
Next in the history comes the TV series, to which I’ll devote a lot more time; but I’ll skip this for last because of that. The other TV aspect of
Swampy is the animated series that was inaugurated on October 1990. This consisted of a 5 part mini series, beginning with a pilot episode called
‘The Un-Men Unleashed’. The series is currently starting it's run on The Children's Channel, in the UK. When finished, I'll provide all the episode
titles for the FAQ. This series was primarily -- not to mention very blatantly -- a five part commercial for the Kenner range of toys that were being
brought out. The theme music for the series was ‘Wild Thing’, which merely had the word ‘wild’ substituted with ‘swamp’, and included lines such
as "You fight everything....nasty". It all went even further downhill from here. It comes across as any other churned out cartoon series, with
hideously stereotyped characters. New characters were introduced -- from the toy range of course -- not to mention the toy vehicles etc. Some
elements from the second movie were brought in, such as Abby and Arcane's mansion. It's a shame that quality so often goes down the drain
because a series is animated. Plots are simplified, characters just walking stereotypes (I think I'll scream if I hear one more villain with a maniacal
laugh and a demonic voice!) It doesn't have to be that way. Disney's "Gargoyles" managed to contain adult appeal and decent characters, while still
remaining appealing to younger age groups. So few do though, and Swamp Thing was no exception. My advice to all but the die-hard Swampy fan
is to avoid this series like the plague!
Well, finally onto what this website’s really about: The live action TV Series. First produced in 1990 by BBK Productions (a production company
based in Universal Studios, Florida), in association with MCA TV, Batfilm Productions (Melniker and Uslan) and DIC Enterprises (Andy
Heyward) and for the USA Network, the series was developed for television by Joseph Stefano, a veteran of film and television, and the man
behind ‘The Outer Limits’. USA wanted a series to appeal to the type of audience that followed their other genre series: ‘Alfred Hitchcock
Presents’ and ‘Ray Bradbury Theater’. Pre-production began in the previous fall, but started coming together in March 1990, when Stefano
stepped in.
The series originally had just a seven week deadline to produce all 13 episodes in the first series (meaning a working schedule of 16 hours a day, six
days a week to shoot each episode in just three days, in conditions of up to 104 degrees and 90% humidity in Florida); but this was delayed for a
fall start, allowing extra time.
The series again got Dick Durock to reprise the role of Swamp Thing. This time, however, Arcane was played by Englishman Mark Lindsay
Chapman (and *very* much an improvement on Mr. Jourdan.) The Arcane of the TV series was very different to the Arcane of the comics. They
can, for all intents and purposes, be considered completely separate characters barring the name. The comics Arcane was an old man, who was
killed off (numerous times), eventually escaping Hell and becoming a hideous, fly infested spider demon into incest and necrophilia (not the empathic
type, really; although in the final story arc there was the interesting turnabout that he became human again, redeemed, and was actually a good guy
trying to save the world from Swampy!) TV Arcane was also very different to the Arcane of the movies (despite having similar goals and ego
problems.) The TV Arcane was a much younger and vain man; stylish, and with a sardonic sense of humour (and no doubt intended to appeal to the
female element of the audience), and a very charismatic character. For the purposes of the series he was the one responsible for the destruction of
Alec Holland’s lab and the ensuing accident that caused the creation of Swamp Thing. His motivations are an obsessive desire to obtain Holland’s
bio-restorative formula, not to mention destroying Holland himself. These were somewhat two dimensional motivations for a major character, and
were expanded on and modified later, as the character evolved. He alternated between corrupt businessman, evil scientist, a lonely and tragic victim
himself, sardonic funny guy, and the ultimate lounge lizard! The role of Arcane was originally desired by actor Anthony Perkins until he discovered
that the filming schedule clashed with that of his own movie: ‘Psycho IV’. Although Alec was the title character, without whom the show would not
exist, Arcane was very much the pivotal one that the series derived most of its strength from. Alec seemed deliberately played down and not
overused; which helped keep him something of an enigma. New characters were also created specifically for the TV series, notably the Kipp family:
Jim (an 11 year old boy) and Tressa (Jim’s recently divorced mother), who had moved to the Houma to visit Tressa’s mother, Savannah Langford.
The plots revolved around all these characters, bringing Alec in where necessary. Since Alec wasn’t a character of many words, concentrating on
him more wouldn’t have worked for the series. As it turns out, he works well when he is used for the plot devices, and superbly fulfils the role of
‘straight man’ for any humour flying around in the dialogue (even occasionally surprising with the odd quip himself, which always comes as a nice
change.) Alec himself was a sort of amalgam between the Swamp Thing of the early and later comics. He was the human Alec Holland who had
been turned into a plant. However, the series had him fused with the swamp’s environment, and empathically linked to it. i.e. he is the Swamp, and
therefore the plant elemental like that of the Alan Moore comics. The best of both worlds, really.
Several episodes were filmed, along with the pilot episode, which aired on the 27th of July 1990 at 10.30 pm. However,
the Network wasn’t happy and wanted the series delayed for re-tooling. Several episodes had already been shot, and
these were mixed in with the newly shot ones that were darker in tone. This is no doubt the reason for so many continuity
hiccups in the early running order. There were noticeable differences in style between the pilot and these early episodes to
the later ones. The pilot was there mainly to establish Swampy’s powers (healing, resurrection, being part of the swamp,
mastery over plant material etc.) and introduce the characters to the viewers and each other. The early ones captured
more of the mythic feel of the comic, whereas the later ones used more character driven plotlines. Swamp Thing’s
character was also toned down considerably. A scene in the pilot episode has him turning a man into a tree. It must have
been quite rightly decided that a Swamp Thing that could ruthlessly deal with his enemies would be too powerful. Since
he couldn’t be limited in terms of that power, he had to limit himself morally. Swamp Thing mk 2 was considerably more
benign. My own personal preference is for what appear to be the later filmed episodes. It could be argued that constantly
letting your enemies go (well, Arcane anyway), and even helping them; knowing that they’d continually try to reek havoc
was unrealistic; but let’s face it, the series never intended such realism. What ensued made for better entertainment; and came across as very
endearing. The feel that despite being mortal enemies, Arcane and Alec came across like feuding neighbours made for infinitely more enjoyable plot
lines. And when all’s said and done, Swampy isn’t real life: It’s a fantasy SF show based on a comic book. The purpose of a TV show (from a
viewer’s perspective that is) is to entertain. No more. No less. And Swamp Thing did this admirably.
The second movie made use of child characters; and it is very probable that this prompted the decision to have a lead character in the series as a
child. Jim Kipp was an 11 year old boy with a problem making friends due to his compulsive lying. He’s brought to the old family home by the
Houma bayous by his mother, Tressa, in order to make him happy and help him. Jim meets Swampy and their relationship provides many of the
earlier plots. In retrospect, it’s an odd decision for a series aimed at a 10.30 PM (& therefore adult) audience to have a child as a main character. It
also limited the plots a great deal. Jim proved to be a very unpopular character. Fortunately, this was obviously realised early on and Jim was soon
written out, to be replaced by his adult step brother, Will Kipp (played by Scott Garrison.) The combination of Will and Alec worked much better,
and allowed for deeper, and certainly more humorous interaction between Will and both Alec, Tressa and Arcane; not to mention romantic scenes
with Abigail. While there was nothing technically wrong with the Jim stories; and Jim was certainly not a poor character (he actually got some fairly
decent lines, although the actor portraying him tended to be very wooden most of the time); having a child as a main protagonist was far too limiting,
not to mention lacking in interest and empathy to an adult audience. Oboe Hardison was a character also introduced and confined toin the first
series. He was intended as a companion for Jim, and perhaps another element to appeal to the female audience (young, blonde pretty boy type etc.)
It was odd that they chose an adult companion for Jim, and this never really worked out either. He had little connection to the other characters, and
never got truly involved in the plots. Little, if anything was made of his character; and when Jim was written out, he simply disappeared into a gaping
plot hole, never to be heard of again. Arcane was to spend much of this series working out of a secret cave in the swamp. Sheriff Andrews was also
introduced as the local law around Houma (seen below, with Arcane from 'The Shipment')
The ratings for the series were good, with a 2.9 for "Living Image', then averaging 2.2 for the rest of the run (reaching an
estimated 2 million homes.) It was the USA Network’s top rated show for a while, and the series was renewed for the
full 22 episode run. For this second season (arguably, it might have really been season one: The second half, but since
there was a time break, a modification of production staff, and formula changes I’ll continue to refer to it as season 2), a
new Executive Producer, Tom Greene, was brought on board to improve things... a task which he worked hard to
achieve and succeeded in admirably. Changes to the series’ look and feel saw Arcane move out of his swamp cave lair
he’d been working in, and into a large industrial/laboratory complex: 'Arcane Industries'. New characters were brought in as well. Arcane was
discovered to have been working for the sinister Sunderland Corporation, headed by General Sunderland (also a character from the comics, and
created for the actor William Whitehead who portrayed Dr. Hollister as well.) we learn that Arcane is married:, or rather WAS married since his
wife, Tatania, died testing a formula of his (one of the things that drove him over the edge.) He keeps her body at the complex in a glass tube of
oxygen and cryonic acid; and is using Sunderland’s funding to finance his attempts to bring her back to life. Although Tatania was hardly a major
character (lying in a glass tube is hardly conducive to dialogue and interaction), she was nonetheless a main driving force behind Arcane’s character.
Will is now firmly established as Alec’s protégé in place of Jim. Arcane gets a new henchman, Graham (a very welcome addition to the series,
nicely played by Kevin Quigley, and a great foil for Arcane.) Mr. Quigley played one of Arcane’s thugs in a very early episode of the first season:
“Death of Dr. Arcane”, although it's been stated officially that this character was NOT Graham. Graham/Kevin Quigley was written into the first
show of the second series, and was so good that his role was expanded on and he became a main character from then on because of the great
chemistry between he and Dr. Arcane. Another new cast member introduced was Kari Wuhrer as Abigail. She was brought in as eye candy to
attract younger male viewers to the series (since Tressa was considered more appealing to the older male audience); and her character had an
interesting premise. She was an artificially created human; the product of one of Arcane’s rivals: Dr. Woodrue (again, another character from the
comics (and supposedly the one seen dying recently in 'Batman and Robin'), although he never actually made an appearance in the series.) There
began a build up of romance between Abigail and Will. Despite her name, Abigail had no connection to the Abigail from the comics or second
movie, although her name was deliberately chosen because of this. Tressa’s character, although not actually changed per se, was given more to do.
In the very early episodes she never got to do anything more than be maternal to Jim, scream and be a perpetual victim in need of rescue. Towards
the end of the first season and more into the second she became stronger and more diverse. Although still not completely free from the stereotyped
mother of the early episodes, her roll was being improved.
Many of the plots of this second series concentrated on Arcane creating super weapons for General Sunderland. Plots revolving around his mutant
creation experiments were considerably reduced, and the series had much less of the older comics feel. The humour was also stepped up
considerably; although not descending into camp. The characters were predominantly played straight, which made the humour much better.
Although still established firmly in the roll of the series’ resident total bastard, Arcane was rounded out and given more depth. He was beginning to
come across as a guy with problems: A greedy and acquisitive businessman, amorally ruthless...even sadistic, where his science was concerned; but
not exactly the cartoonish “Ultimate force of Evil” type from the early episodes of the first series (the early shot ones, rather than the early aired that
is.) Viewers were given more insight through his dialogue with both Graham, Tatania and Alec. What was mostly interesting about Arcane's
character is that rather than coming across as a cliché ridden, over the top comic book villain; he really did come across like a real person, albeit a
somewhat larger than life one; with natural dialogue, mannerisms, traits etc. Only the plots/goals/scenarios went over the top, but Arcane himself
retained natural human traits for a vast majority of the time. This is incredibly rare, even in bigger budget shows with more time, let alone a little 20
min cable show; and a credit to the writing team, directors, and the acting of Mark Lindsay Chapman. Mr. Chapman may not have been the first, or
even second incarnation of Arcane to be published or hit the screen, but after his portrayal, he made the role his own to the point where it would be
impossible to imagine anyone else ever being Arcane, no matter how good an actor.
Dr. Hollister was a character used a lot in the second series. The town Doctor: He served as a father figure to the Kipp family, and whose purpose
in life, it seems, was to get Tressa married off or otherwise romantically involved. Dr. Hollister was played by William Whitehead (the same W.M.
Whitehead that wrote many of the second season episode.) Also, at the end of the first series and beginning of the second, Houma’s Sheriff, 'Andy'
Andrews was revealed to be in Arcane’s pay (as was the majority of the law in the area.) A good excuse for why Arcane got away with so much.
Another trademark of this second series was the habit at the end of each episode of Alec submerging into the waters of the swamp to revitalise
himself, delivering a philosophical comment pertaining to the events that had occurred in the episode. These varied: Some appearing corny and
preaching, while others were quite touching and poignant. This may have been due to the fact that although Tom Greene wrote all the tags, they
were actually added in final post production, after Mr. Greene left the series, and several were re-written (accounting for the unevenness of the
style)
Plans for the second season were considerably different to the versions of the stories that finally got aired. many plot themes, ideas and new
characters were intended for it and for the stories beyond. (Tatania was to be revived, Jim was to be actually killed, There was to be a dramatic
revelation about Alec and Arcane, another Duchamp episode, Sherriff Andrews was to be killed as the mutant from 'Dark Side of the Mirror', as
well as major changes to Alec's powers, and many other things.) However, radical changes were made to these plans. Some elements were still
kept, but others lost or incorporated in a different way. Other elements were flatly contradicted by what proceeded, after the change of production
staff for the third season (and some changes contradicting events from the first season.) For a lot more information on what was intended for the
second series, a highly detailed series bible was written by Tom Greene, who has very kindly given permission for it to be used (and I think you'll be
pretty amazed at the thought and effort that got put into it, and some of the plotlines that never got to be filmed; and the differences between the
proposed episodes and the final filmed versions!... just get a load of that proposed last episode!!)
Note: October 23, 1990 SWAMP THING BIBLE - TOM GREENE PRODUCTIONS, INC. - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - USED BY PERMISSION - DUPLICATING OF THIS MATERIAL
IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN - FOR INFORMATIONAL USE ONLY - SWAMP THING IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF DC COMICS WHICH HOLDS ALL RIGHTS
It could be argued about the strengths of the second season (usually as compared to the third rather than the first), and many people feel that
individually, probably the best episodes came from the third (which I certainly won't argue with!). However, it's clear that the first and third also
contained many of the worst episodes as well. What is in little doubt is that the second season had a strongly defined style, helped immeasurably by
splendid art and photographic direction, and was probably the most consistent, quality-wise, with not a single episode that wasn't highly entertaining,
or was regarded as a wasted opportunity. Certainly it had its failings, like all three seasons, but it knew its strengths and played to them. Its aim was
to improve the series to the point that it would be renewed... and with 50 more episodes granted because of it, I'd say that was a definite success!
The third season also brought more major changes. Tom Greene had moved onto other projects and was no longer involved. In his place, as a
writer and Executive Producer came Tom Blomquist. Also introduced was Co-Producer Steven L. Sears. Between them, they wrote some of the
best of the third season episodes, as well as introducing changes and evolution that greatly enhanced the show in aspects of characterisation,
carrying on the tone for greater depth so nicely set by the second season (other changes weren't as successful, although this may have been due to
further restrictions of budget, time and external pressures on plot limitations.)
The first thing to note about the third season changes was that the characters were given even more rounded out motivations. There were some
downsides to the third season though. One was that less episodes featured Arcane in, the theory being that using him too much and too predictably
would make him lose his edge. While I agree with the latter statement entirely (despite my obvious Arcane bias, which I’m trying my best to tone
down for writing this), and the former may well have been true in theory... unfortunately, in practice many of the non-Arcane episodes just lacked
something (many, not all though.) What was nice to see was that many of the episodes that he was in didn’t always rely on him being the main
danger, or even a danger at all. Some merely had him in as an incidental character. Some even revolved around him as the virtually sole character
for the episode, and in a victim position himself. The poor man spent more time suffering than causing said suffering!! His character was never
actually redeemed (fortunately), but he did become far more humanised; and his motivations much more credible. Destruction for a higher purpose
and financial acquisition, and achieving fame/notoriety and is a much more believable motive. Senseless destruction just for evil’s sake isn’t. This
was definitely addressed for this season. He became something of a pathetic, tragic figure (displayed wonderfully in ‘Most Bitter Pill’ by Tom
Blomquist), while still retaining those lovely nasty qualities that were never lost. The characters weren’t so much changed, as expanded on and
evolved.
The trademark of Swampy submerging at the end of the episodes was kept, although greatly reduced and not in many episodes. Also added to
some episodes were nice twists of fate at the end. The series definitely was developing more irony to it. This was beautifully handled in an episode
called ‘Dead and Married’ (a wonderful little ghost story written by Steven L. Sears) I won’t go too much into specific episodes here (unless good
examples spring to mind), since these will be dealt with in much more detail in the episode guide and linked summary pages.
Also, the storyline was developing an arc. Most were totally self contained, although some key episodes followed on from others, continuing and
evolving the overall picture. It alternated between episodic and serial. This was a good thing. However, there weren’t, in my opinion, quite enough
of the serial arc episodes. One problem that occurred with the serial episodes is that because they were shown out of order, major continuity
glitches occurred. Alternatively, one annoying feature of too much accent on episodic style though was that several very major incidents that
occurred were never, or only rarely referred back to, especially when they were of the type that should have been (‘Patient Zero’, ‘Hide in the
Night’, ‘Tatania’ and ‘Cross- Fired’ being the obvious ones in this category.)
Another fault that was obvious was that each story only had 23 mins to tell its plot (over 2 of which were just credits.)
This is less than many children’s cartoons get. The fact that the writers did manage to finish the plots in such a short time
was a major miracle in itself, not to mention succeeding in character development. However, I can’t help feeling that an
extra 4 or 5 minutes of story would have made some of the endings less obviously rushed than they were, and could have
meant that the scenes that were cut out (and some of these were obviously missing) could have been left in (this applies
equally to all three series.) Budget constraints would have made a 45 min episode* unlikely, however desirable, but that
extra 4 or 5 minutes could have made all the difference. However, this wasn't possible since the episodes couldn't be that
length for advertising restrictions. The answer would have been to have some 2 or 3 part episodes, but for some reason,
this didn't happen. It is interesting to note that the episodes were planned to be released to video with extra footage in, cut out for transmission; but
this never happened. A great pity.
* refers to actual on screen episode footage time, not slot. This would mean an hour slot.
The other main drawback more noticable in the third season was that some episodes attempted a serious look at real issues (often non-Arcane ones
utilising various guest stars). While the theory of this was most applaudable, execution was somewhat different. Most of these came across as very
preaching and clichéd, and whatever message was intended was lost (‘Smoke and Mirrors’ probably being the worst example of this). Again, the
limited time format didn’t help. Far fewer pretentious, moralistic episodes would have greatly helped the third season. An audience doesn't
appreciate being talked down to as these episodes did (show the evidence, but don't tell the viewer what he or she should be thinking!) Episodes
with a message are fine, but not when they are at the expense of entertainment, which is why people watch a series such as this. However, of the
episodes that didn't fall into this category, the third season simply excelled, with moments of great comedy, pathos and irony (not that this statement
doesn't apply to first and second seasons, which definitely had very good highlights too.)
One thing that came as a blessed relief in the third season was the conscious decision to treat Alec more as part human, and as such, he was never
referred to as "Swamp Thing", but by his real name, Alec. Far more realistic and less 'comicky' in its style. 'Swampy' was still used as a nickname,
but always intended as such, and this didn't jar on the credibility tolerance of the dialogue between the characters. This is a purely personal opinion,
of course, since I like character driven stories best; but it would be easy to see how someone liking that distant, mythic feel to 'Swamp Thing' as a
character and series would find this a drawback. The third series was far more 'human' and accessible in that sense.
In season 3, Will was developing nicely as well. He got more coverage and better dialogue, finally becoming a full student and protégé of Alec’s.
His lines were improved and contained more cynical humour indicative to his character. His troubled background in Philadelphia was also gone into
in detail. Tressa was no longer a regular character, but a recurring one. She periodically left the series as her character kept flying to South America
in search of Jim (in one of the slave labour camps Arcane shipped him off to). When she is in it though, her character has been vastly improved. Her
cynicism and independence are enhanced. She’s quite a strong character and atypical for many female characters in fantasy shows. Some nice
turnabouts had her being the one to rescue Alec on many occasions instead of the other way round. If attacked by something, the old Tressa from
season 1 would have screamed and run. The new improved Tressa would give a quick kick to the happy sacks and hit the attacker squarely in the
face. A very welcome change of character.
Abigail was written out very shortly into the series (at Kari Wuhrer's request as she left to do another show), and any one-on-one romance intended
for Will became toned down and more widely distributed amongst varying guest female characters. There was a possibility of bringing her back into
it for one episode (she was killed off) through a flashback and fantasy story involving Will having a new girlfriend, but imagining Abigail and seeing
her; his unresolved feelings for her still fresh in his mind... but this never happened.
Graham really came to the fore in this series. His role was expanded too, becoming more than just another assistant to Arcane. He became more of
a loyal henchman and confidante. Perhaps rather more so than intended! His motivations are beautifully described in "Night of the Dying", but it
becomes very obvious as the series progressed, his relationship and devotion to Arcane was becoming more and more over the top, and going
beyond the reasons given in this episode (not intended in any way as a criticism. This was something of a highlight of the series.) To say that his
devotion came across as more ‘personal’ than that of even the most loyal of lackeys is something of an understatement. Arcane and Graham
seemed to have that lovely dysfunctional type of villain/henchman relationship vaguely reminiscent (although more toned down) of Burns and
Smithers from ‘The Simpsons’; or Frank and Dr. Forrester from Mystery Science Theatre 3000. How much of this was intended is unclear, but it
definitely worked superbly for both the characters and the series. If anything, more of this would have been welcome.
Alec was fairly similar throughout all the series, although there was a slow evolution there as well. The early Alec would have killed Arcane (pilot
and first few episodes); the intermediate one -- if he was feeling *very* uncharitable -- would have given a mild slap on the wrist and a request to
leave; whereas Alec mk3 would sigh wearily, and with resignation, make it his life's work to actually help save Arcane every time his nemesis did
something recklessly self destructive.) His Swamp suit varied throughout though, and seemed to change with each series. It was also decided to
tone his powers down. Rather than limit what he could actually do (he was actually given extra abilities, depending on what was needed for specific
plots), it was made that using those powers weakened and tired him; killing something of the human left in him. Not using his powers strengthened
the human side to him. The third season also sees him seeking to regain his humanity more, rather than being happy and resigned to being a
swamp/plant elemental. Out of the first two seasons, only the submerging tags, and plotwise, perhaps only ‘Dark Side of the Mirror’ really showed
the anguish he must have been feeling. The third series contained a number of episodes featuring the Human Alec Holland, both for real, or through
flashbacks or illusions. This was a very welcome addition.
As with the first season, there are some noticeable continuity glitches because the episodes were not transmitted in the story timeline order. Why this
happened is unclear, but very noticeable. It’s quite unforgiveable to have Alec and Tressa chatting together when they don’t actually meet until 10
episodes later!....or characters being alive AFTER they've been killed off. There were several examples of this type of thing. Only the second
season seemed to escape unscathed from this treatment, for some reason (no doubt helped by its episodic rather than serial nature, although minor
background details still showed a distinct order to some.)
Plotlines in the third season had a more supernatural feel to them, in general (not that the early ones avoided it totally). They covered subjects such
as Voodoo, Wicca (Witchcraft), Clairvoyance, Mythology, Aliens, etc. They also had plotlines revolving around human weaknesses and
psychology: lust, revenge, hate, greed etc. While still having many pure science fiction storylines, fantasy ones also featured predominantly.
Naturally, some of these stories were researched and executed much better than others (Greek Mythology stories should NOT have used Roman
Gods.) some were condemning, some sympathetic; and some definitely better than others.
Another trademark of this third series is what I call affectionately the ‘Twilight Zone’ episodes: Very often, to teach someone a lesson, Alec would
use the powers of the swamp to create quasi-real illusions and alternate realities and scenarios to plunge the recipient into; since he rarely resorted
to physical violence to win the day. These came across very much like episodes from ‘Twilight Zone’ in style. The Swamp itself becomes a
character, in fact, firmly given sentience and purpose, in accordance with the Gaia theory.
A major new character was also introduced (although only in four actual episodes, which is a pity): Ann Fisk (played by Janet Julian). She was a
Doctor that Alec had previously known when he was Human. Alec clearly has romantic feelings for her. She’s also there to provide a means for him
to become Human again for some plotlines (albeit temporarily.) She was a good character that greatly added to the series, and perhaps more should
have been done with her. Another character introduced (sadly though, very briefly for just two episodes and a mention in a third) was Arcane’s
other assistant, Stella. A definite turnaround in that Arcane has a sweet, nice person working for him. A pity more use wasn’t made of her character.
All in all, many of the changes made to the third season were an improvement. Perhaps a few throwbacks to the earlier episodes, without losing the
gained feel of the new ones, might have been nice (although ‘Hide in the Night’ did this admirably.) More Arcane episodes were very badly needed;
if the writing were good enough to avoid the pitfalls of this that were mentioned earlier. The vast majority of those where he was missing (and there
were far too many of these) detracted from the series greatly. In my opinion, a waste of 23 mins that could have been spent on a better episode, or
one pertaining to the arc plot. My biases aside, he was the series' best asset, like it or not (If this were just my point of view I wouldn't even mention
it; but the general consensus of opinion from others interested in the series -- & not just us females :-) -- is that he *was* the series, despite Alec
being the title character. That's no detriment to other characters in it, particularly Alec, but mostly they did come across as foils for Arcane. Still, at
least the ones where he was in made him a much deeper character, which was most welcome. And the other characters were greatly improved as
well.
Although Dick Durock was contracted for six seasons and the series for at least 100 episodes, the decision by either the Studio or the Network to
pull the plug came after the third season; after 72 episodes. The reason for this is unclear; ratings were still steady. There were a lot of loose ends
that were left unresolved that should have been cleared up, although it was a good thing that the series was left open-ended. I would not have
wanted to see it rounded off and finished; merely some little odds and ends tidying up a bit. Whether this was because it was uncertain that there
might be more episodes made at a future date; or whether finishing the story simply wasn’t wanted is unknown to me (I would hope that both
apply). The series displayed a great deal of affection for all the characters, and finishing it off with a final feel would have been out of character and,
frankly, downright depressing an end to an otherwise really fun series.
Swamp Thing first began back in June of 1971, in issue #92 of "House of Secrets", with a cover devoted to him and an 8
page story. There was such a tremendous fan reaction to the story that DC Comics convinced creators Len Wein and
Berni Wrightson to make an ongoing series of it in 1972. After this initial series that ran for 24 issues until 1976, there was
a break, followed by a second series in 1982. From issue 21of this second run of ‘Saga of the Swamp Thing’, the series
achieved what is probably it’s most famous creative team and concept; that of Alan Moore, Steve Bissette and John
Tottleben (still edited by Len Wein). The changes they made put Swamp Thing firmly on the map of comics icons. 
