Return to the Planet of the Apes "Screaming Wings" #1.6 (1975) (TV)

An ape with wings?, 14 April 2008

As far as the story is concerned, "Screaming Wings" is one of the best episodes I've seen so far. In this episode, Urko has acquired an operational, vintage, WWII airplane. Jeff, Bill, and Judy realize that with an airplane, the humanoids do not stand a chance. They've got to steal Urko's plane and do so before his big unveiling.

This is a really interesting episode. It includes lots of action (that the animation is unfortunately unable to keep up with), some suspense, and a nice bit of comedy at the end. "Screaming Wings" is also a very PC episode in that Judy finally gets the chance to shine. My only complaint (beside the ever worsening animation) is how readily Urko is to accept the plane and his willingness to use it. What I mean is that the plane obviously came from an advanced civilization that existed prior to the apes. Such a notion in the ape world would be considered heresy. I don't care what military advantage the plane might have given the apes – they would have destroyed it for going against their beliefs.

7/10