Shark Bytes

I just saw rhe 4 episodes that were this series when they aired on SciFi channel. Like most sci-fi, good or bad, the public just doesn't get it, so it died before its time. File this one with The Others, Dark Skies, Harsh Realm, etc. under "Never had a chance."

For me, the problem why the series didn't do good like the pilot is because they changed the whole concept of what Bennu's real issues were and who he was trying to avoid. In the pilot, he was resisting being returned to Peru by the government agent they had sent to bring him back from California (the Incan descendant, DeVarga). Bennu had no "partner" who was still supposed to be in suspended animation somewhere in America. He just wanted his freedom to stay outside the control of either the U.S. or Peruvian government. At the end of the pilot, after DeVarga had accidentally killed Noel by chasing her off a bridge, DeVarga warned Bennu that he would never give up trying to bring him home to "the people who believe in what you are" that is to say, DeVarga believed Bennu was an ancient deity. Bennu just wanted to keep away from that and have time and freedom to figure out what he wanted to do in the modern world.
In the series episodes, they changed everything. Suddenly Bennu has this beautiful woman partner from his home world he's looking for (way too familiar plot line) and now it's two men from the U.S. gov't hunting him down and DeVarga is just gone. DeVarga was a very interesting character and they should not have dropped him to effectively replace him with boring white guys. This mistake was made years later in the 90's with the sci-fi show "MANTIS". In the pilot movie, it was an all black cast and that's what made it so unusual and interesting. When it became a series, they yanked off two young African kids who assisted MANTIS and replaced them with a boring white guy. The show aired a month or two and died.

I just finished watching the last three episodes of THE PHOENIX. It has been almost 26 years since I saw these. This show could have been soo awesome if it was ever given the chance. Back then there were only 3 channels and it was tough for a show to make it. I remember this vividly as a child and it had the chance of being a great show. Unfortunately it is hardly a sidenote in tv\film history.

Decent performances and a great storyline. I even saw Tracey Gold in one of the episodes.

Never jumped - with one movie and only four episodes (and four more scripted but never filmed) it never even had a chance to swim. Yes, Bennu is alien from another world sent to help but is awakened too soon with incomplete mission instructions. He's dependant on the sun for his strength and survival which he harnesses through his Phoenix medallion. He's chased by the government - never allowed to stay in one place so he had to help and run. He's searching for his partner, Mira, who is still buried somewhere in North America and he's being countered by a vicious enemy of his own race called Yago who remained rather mysterious since the series was so short.
The special effects were decent for the time. I enjoyed the stories (although I admit there was room for improvment), however, what I remember most clearly about the show, as short as it was, was that it carried a powerful message of hope and perseverence for a young girl dealing with a her parent's divorce and for that I will always be grateful.

I only saw 2 episodes of this 4 episode show and it seemed a little boring to me. However, the alien was hot and I also liked the FBI agent that was chasing him. He was gorgeous too, even w/the dorky 80's glasses.

when Noelle died.

This show never really got the chance to jump the shark since it only aired for 4 episodes. The premise of the Phoenix seems really interesting, though.

I loved it as a kid, but I'm pretty certain they showed the episodes out of order, and there was only one season.

I got a bit of a laugh (even as a seven year old kid) that he needed $10k of cash to build whatever it was he had to make, and this chick just happened to have that much...

I agree with the reviewer who said this show never had a chance. For cryin' out loud it only lasted 4 episodes so there wasn't even an OCEAN to put the shark for Pete's sake! This program was one of my favorite sci-fi shows of that era, skillfully blending drama, action, and sci-fi. Think 'Kung-Fu' (minus the martial arts) and 'Starman' and you pretty much have the premise of the show. In other words an alien on the run who uses his special powers to cope with his environment and adversaries. Like Caine, Bennu had a peaceful demeanor and higher perceptive abilities, though Caine's wasn't nearly as developed as Bennu's, and when faced with danger instead of resorting to kung-fu kicks and chops, Bennu used his trusty medallion to bust a move on his opponents. This may have been the appeal of the show: a non-violent alien with supernormal powers who helps people. Why it sank after only 4 episodes is still a mystery. I remember reading an interview not long afterwards with Judson Scott where the actor felt the show never allowed Bennu to develop relationships with people as he was always on the run, and that were he to get the program back on the air it would allow for this kind of development. Finally, I thought Judson Scott did an excellent job in the short time this show was on the air. He was definitely a talented actor.

remember loving this show as a kid. Just to fil in some blank spots - yes, it was Judson Scott in the lead role. He was an alien who was sent to help out the Maya indians build their civilization. His job done, he was put into "hibernation" in a secret tomb. His tomb in the Central American jungle was discovered before he anticipated and the archaeologist who discovered him also managed to damage the computer systems that had also lain dormant while Benu was asleep. So, when Benu was revived he only had an imperfect memory of who he was and what he was supposed to do next, except that I remember him being really irritated that he was awoken too early. Several episodes in they introduced his nemesis, a woman who had come to earth as well and also been "asleep" basically waiting for him to wake up. The awakening of him caused her to wake up, only she didn't have the problem of having her supporting computer banks broken. Benu wandered about, doing good things, trying to find his place in the world, almost allowing himself to die because of his disappointment in how mankind treated the environment. That's the episode that stays with me, though, and unfortunately, in retrospect, causes a jump. I don't recall him looking for his love, I recall him running from a threatening woman.

Never Jumped. The show didn't have a chance. It was a cool show with Judson Scott, I believe, in the lead (Yes, Khan's son). But it could have been better, and might have been if it had lasted longer. The premise of the alien with special powers wasn't particularly new, but it had a good look, and he was definitely worth looking at! I loved the show, even thought, yes, it was a little slow at times. Again, given a little of time they might have got the pace right.

Since other voters are having a hard time, let me just give a quick synopsis of this bizarre show from the early 80's. This guy, 'Benu' is some mystical warrior. He gets all his powers from the 'Phoenix', which is a bird-shaped medallion he wears around his neck. It works the usual sci-fi magic, moves objects, heals, etc. For a reason stated in the opening sequence, but I can't recall, he pissed SOMEONE OFF and got himself imprisoned for a thousand years. Now, he is set loose upon California, seeking out his true love from way back when, who is alive, well and living somewhere on the West Coast of the United States (how bout THEM odds!!). Like all serials with the 'searching' formula, he regularly encounters bikers, criminals and people who need saving. But no enemy is any match for that golden chachki around his neck!! This show was actually pretty enjoyable. It just went before its time. It would have been nice to see him re-unite with his lady. Imagine the Rodgering she would have gotten from that poor schmo, locked up for 1000 years? But the show didn't have a large enough audience, or enough friends at the network for anyone to care about what the hell happened to the son of Khan. I SHALL AVENGE YOU!!!!

this show never jumped the shark... alien comes to town... gov't wants him... some weirdass alien bounty hunter is after him... alien helps people ala the fugitive... weird symbolism.. decent special effects... the actor that played kahns son in 'star trek II' looks like he kept the same outfit for star trek too. this was a wonderful 12 episode series... one of my favorites as a child. it had the spiritual edge that Shazam! missed... it wasn't kid stuff... it was mystery... and wonder... the members of the cast and writers must have had some GOOOOOOOOOOOD f**king trips.

I remember this show because that blond guy was hot, hot, hot! My mom and I used to watch it every week. I didn't care about the plot, which was rather silly, or anything else for that matter, but I sure liked the eye candy. I seem to recall that the plot line gave him an excuse to be scantily clad fairly often, something that you didn't see much back then. So, it never jumped the shark for me. The blond hunk also played Khan's son in the movie "Wrath of "Khan." I had a celebrity sighting of him about five years ago, when I lived in Hollywood and was driving home from work through Beverly Hills. He was one of the few people I'd ever seen in that neighborhood driving a 15+ year old economy car that was even worse than mine (!) and he sure looked like his best days were far behind him. Rather depressing.

My memories of this show are so hazy I could not specify when it jumped. Actually, maybe it never got a chance - I think it was only on for one season. All I recall is the guy was either from another planet or an android or something - and he couldn't die (would be reborn from the flames??) these are guesses since all I clearly remember was the Phoenix's golden feathered hair, swarthy early 80's good looks and the fact that my friend Ruthie would make me watch it because she thought he was hot.