Starcom: The U.S. Space Force is an animated syndicated series in the 1980s that spawned a successful motorized toy line franchise in Europe and Asia for Mattel, despite its failures to succeed in its U.S. domestic market. The plot was based on the adventures of an American astronaut brigade as they fought off attempted invasions by Shadow Force, a nasty collection of aliens and robots led by the nefarious Emperor Dark. The show was developed with the help of the Young Astronauts’ Council with the original intention of sparking young viewers’ interest in the U.S. NASA Space Program. However, Starcom did not get much of a chance to make kids want to join the space program as it was cancelled off the air after one brief season. It was revived for a short run in the early 1990s, but no new episodes were aired. It was produced by DiC Enterprises and distributed by Access Syndication. The plot was classic Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers fare. The evil members of Shadow Force, led by Emperor Dark, were trying to take over the cosmos, and it was up to Starcom to stop them. Young hero Col. James “Dash” Derringer, an ace Starcom pilot, was the star of the series, and several of his teammates were family members. He was also backed up by the resourceful ace pilot John “Slim” Griffin, whose niece was yet another Starcom pilot. Other heroes on the Starcom side included Col. Paul “Crowbar” Corbin and Admiral Franklin Brinkley. The show had very high quality production, with top notch animation and relatively mature subject matter and dialog.
In the second season opener, the Bundys go to a sleazy, dumpy motel in Dumpwater Florida. Trouble head their way when an axe murderer, who hates tourists, arrives.
Peg is kidnapped by the axe murderer and it's up to Al to save her.
An Egyptologist working on a sarcophogus ignores a curse and meets a horrific fate when he ignores it.
Alan impersonates Sir Steven, leader of the Campaign for Moral Regeneration.
Michael insists the family move to his uptown apartment, which has no playmates for Nicole and no life as Joey knows it.
Hanson and Hoffs go undercover in order to put a crack ring out of business. Penhall, working on the same case, returns to squad car and becomes convinced that his new partner killed a drug pusher.
While Nick entertains the Keatons with a demonstration of the ""salesmanship"" he's using in his new job selling lightbulbs over the phone, an impatient Andrew waits for Alex to come home so they can watch a special edition of ""Wall Street Week"" together. When Alex finally arrives, Andy is depressed to see that he has brought his new love, Lauren Miller. To make matters worse, Alex forgoes watching ""Wall Street Week"" in favor of spending time with Lauren, which only adds to Andy's frustration.
A walk down memory lane is anything but pleasant for Jessica when she re-examines a 20 year-old case involving her close friends and former students.
Cowntess, just back from a world cruise, is showing some of her home movies from the trip. Globey teaches Pee-wee how to say "hello, my name is Pee-wee" in French and Chinese! When a lost puppy appears at the Playhouse door, no one can figure out who the owner is. Pee-wee develops a strong case of puppy love and decides to keep him and name him Aloysius. However, Reba comes "over," and it's obvious just whose dog it is.
The boys have to paint the garage after they got spray paint on the walls while repainting their bicycles. Simon and Theodore feels bad because they always have problems with Alvin's ideas. Later Alvin have them to go to a mansion of a now dead criminal. Alvin is convinced that a never found loot from a bankrobbery is still hidden there. They go because Alvin promises to paint all the garage if he's wrong, but they feel a little bad with Alvin.
While Dave is out of town, Miss Miller babysits the boys and they go to a movie about killer space squids attacking the earth. Accidentally miss Miller breaks Simon's glasses. When they get out a telescope that evening, Simon thinks he sees killer squids coming toward earth, just like in the movie.
Sophia's latest get rich quick scheme prompts the girls to recall other various get rich quick schemes they've had over the years including, catering, a dance marathon and a memory of Sophia's from 1954.
After an almost deadly fall off the World Trade Center, Egon's fears start to get the better of him. So much so that the Boogeyman manages to tap into his fear and escape from his realm.
When Bubba has trouble in high school, it's revealed that Mama failed to graduate as well.
Boober obtains a lucky rag doll made by Mokey until Wembley accidentally drops it down a pit.
Pa Gorg has Junior Gorg replace all the radishes with Banoony Berries and placed all the radishes in the shed. Inspired by one of Uncle Traveling Matt's postcards, the Fraggles plan to use cowboy hats to lure the radishes back to them.
When The Owls Men's Club is giving Lester an award, Mary is excited until she finds out that women are not allowed in the club. Mary decides to dress up like a man (and Sandra has the same idea) and go to the ceremony. After Lester gives his speech, Mary (still disguised as a man) runs up and kisses Lester! That's when she reveals who she is. Before she is escorted out, she gives a speech that says they should allow women into the club on special occasions like that one. They vote and agree on it.