Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills

Did You Know?

• The series aired on the USA Network beginning September 19, 1994, Mondays through Thursdays at 6:00 p.m.
• Reruns aired on This TV's Cookie Jar Toons block at 9:00 a.m., right before Liberty's Kids.

Synopsis

Set in Beverly Hills, California, the series follows four teenagers recruited by a gelatinous alien named Nimbar to battle monsters dispatched by the evil Emperor Gorganus of the planet Meleculah. Gorganus aims to conquer Earth because it serves as the central hub for a network of Power Portals, which would allow him to dominate the galaxy. In the premiere, Nimbar selects the four high school students and bestows upon each a unique tattoo corresponding to a constellation. When these tattoos glow, it signals that Nimbar requires their assistance, and a portal opens for them to enter his chamber. The teens travel via Transo Discs to the site of a monster attack, where they transform into masked Galactic Sentinels. By placing their hands together in an interlocking square, they can summon a more powerful Sentinel named Knightron. After Laurie is severely injured by the Predaraptor, a temporary replacement named Rick joins the team; in his sentinel form, he is called Orion, as his true name is unpronounceable to humans. The group often gathers at Cafe Maison, a coffee shop where Drew works as a waitress and cashier. Drew’s aunt, soap opera star Nicole Nash, once tried to buy the coffee house but backed out after encountering various problems, which were actually fabricated by the Sentinels to prevent her from discovering a bomb. Unlike similar shows, people in this series notice the heroes’ absences; when Drew’s aunt confronts her, Drew reveals her secret and is taken to a psychiatrist for her supposed delusions. The heroes are not close friends and frequently struggle to get along. One episode satirizes the monster-of-the-week format by demonstrating its tactical flaws: Emperor Gorganus goes on vacation, and his dim-witted pet purple bird Lechner attempts to conquer Earth, repeatedly sending and recalling a monster, which confuses Nimbar so severely that he regresses mentally, nearly resulting in victory.

Characters

The Galactic Sentinels are champions of Nimbar who can be summoned when their tattoos flash. Laurie Foster, portrayed by Leslie Danon, is the leader: smart, sensible, and organized, she is a cheerleader and the most popular girl in school. As Scorpio the Scorpion, performed by Teresa Fahl, she wields a slim-bladed sword that fires energy blasts. Gordon Henley, portrayed by Richard Nason, initially has a preppy obsession with money and status but earns his title. As Taurus the Bull, performed by John Wilson, he wields a staff. Drew Vincent, portrayed by Jill Urbach (credited as K. Jill Sorgen), is a smart tough girl who works at the coffee shop and wants to be a poet or performance artist. As Centaurus the Centaur, performed by Teresa Davis, she sports a purple outfit and wields a combination trident and battle axe. Swinton Sawyer, portrayed by Rugg Williams, is the shy, hyperintelligent brains of the group. He wears a yellow suit and holds the power of the Roman God Apollo, performed by William Glenn; his weapon is an unnamed double-bladed weapon. Rick, portrayed by Kevin Castro, is an alien warrior working with Nimbar and the sole survivor of his planet, making him cold and angry. He holds the power of Orion the Hunter; his name is too complicated for humans to speak, so he insists on being called Rick. His suit is silver, and his fellow Sentinels were Leo the Lion, Draco the Dragon, and Ursa the Great Bear, who were badly defeated by Predaraptor. Knightron is a silver-armored knight formed by any four Galactic Sentinels, the Ultimate Galactic Sentinel wielding a sword and shield. His power is finite, and the Sentinels only form him as a last resort. Stunt actors Jim Kratt and Deron McBee alternated wearing the armor, both uncredited.

Episodes

In the Beginning.... – Emperor Gorganus plans to conquer Earth and sends Ninjabot to attack. Nimbar selects four teens to become Galactic Sentinels. The Note – Drew writes a note to make Gordon think Laurie likes him to prove he just follows rules; Emperor Gorganus sends Neuragula to Earth. How Time Flies – Emperor Gorganus sends the Sorcerer to speed up time on Earth, causing problems for the Sentinels. Switch – The Sentinels accidentally switch genders, changing bodies and lives during their fight with Voldek. Perceptions – Swinton gets advice on talking to a pretty girl; Emperor Gorganus sends Slaygar to pollute Earth. Three Cheats to the Wind – Drew works on her essay of Les Misérables; Emperor Gorganus sends Octodroid to change Earth's freshwater into saltwater. The Quitter – Neuragala turns Laurie into a selfish brat, causing her to quit the Sentinels and leaving them powerless. Commitments – Drew and Gordon pose as a couple using Gordon's mom's bracelet to save the world. Mind Games – The Sentinels bring the Sorcerer's wand, causing Nimbar to act strangely and disband them; Swinton tells the others his parents plan to transfer him to Billwood Academy. The Spy – Emperor Gorganus sends Isolus to Earth disguised as a foreign exchange student named Ilse Lang. The Brain Drain – Gorganus sends Neuragula to drain people's minds. A Nightmare on Rodeo Drive – Emperor Gorganus sends the Sorcerer to bring the Sentinels' nightmares to life. The Rat – Gordon's mind is transmodified into Swinton's mouse Darwin upon going through the Power Portal with him; Emperor Gorganus sends Culebra to raise Earth's temperature. The Cover-Up – Emperor Gorganus sends Octodroid to capture a Sentinel; Swinton is captured, and the others must rescue him while covering up his absence from his father. Bully For You – An attempt to restore Swinton's confidence by disguising Gordon as Culebra backfires when the real Culebra appears. Trust – Laurie, Gordon, and Swinton read from Drew's diary about her family life; Emperor Gorganus sends Voldek to knock out Earth's electrical grid.

Critical reception

A Syfy Wire video positively reviewed the show's campy tone, comparing it to The Room of Power Rangers copycats as a compliment. Comic Book Resources stated the writing was comparable to Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and occasionally exceeded it, giving a well-rounded view of the protagonists' backgrounds and shortcomings, but noted the low budget restricted its place in the genre.