Episode
Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Deadly Mantis
Overview
In the theater, the crew watches as a praying mantis is exposed to atomic radiation and attacks the North Pole in "The Deadly Mantis" (1957). Meanwhile, on Earth, Pearl, Bobo, and Dr. Peanut accidentally (with help from Mike) detonate a bomb that destroys the planet. The crew holds a memorial service for Pearl only for her to call them and vow to hunt them down across space.
Details
- Series
- Mystery Science Theater 3000
- Season
- Season 8
- Episode
- Episode 4
- Air date
- 1997-02-22
- Runtime
- 91 min
Episode context
The Deadly Mantis is Episode 4 in Season 8 of Mystery Science Theater 3000. It aired on 1997-02-22. The runtime is 91 min.
Previous / Next
Episode 3: The Mole People
In the theater, the crew watches an archeological encounter an underground civilization in "The Mole People" (1956).
Meanwhile, on the SOL, Crow tries to enslave Gypsy, Mike, and Servo, and later conducts an archaeological dig through the SOL.
On Earth, Pearl demands a parade in her honor.
Episode 5: The Thing That Couldn't Die
The SOL is pulled into orbit over a strange planet of the Observers. The Observers insist on observing the crew watch "The Thing That Couldn't Die" (1958) where the decapitated head of a dead Spaniard curses a household of farmers and leads to senseless deaths. On the SOL, an Observer appears, but Mike and the bots are annoyed to the point that they throw him off the ship.
More episodes from this season
Episode 2: Leech Woman
In the theater, the crew watches a sordid tale about the fountain of youth and a woman who wishes to be younger in "Leech Woman" (1960).
Meanwhile, on the SOL, Crow rids the SOL of a prairie dog problem, the Nanites go on strike, Servo and Crow attack Mike to extract eternal youth from him, Servo demands that Crow and Mike play "Beverly Hillbillies."
On Earth, Mike convinces the apes to revert to their monkey nature, which causes Pearl to get upset.
Episode 6: The Undead
In the theater, the crew watches as a hypnotist sends a woman from the present back into the distant past in "The Undead" (1957).
Meanwhile, on the SOL, Servo's invitation to join the Observers doesn't go well.
Episode 1: Revenge of the Creature
Mike, Servo, and Gypsy return to the SOL to find the year is now 2525, Crow has been there alone for a VERY long time, and the earth is being ruled by apes. Following orders from their Lawgiver, the apes force the crew to watch a mutant fish-man escape from captivity at a Florida aquarium in "Revenge of the Creature" (1955).
Episode 7: Terror from the Year 5000
In the theater, the crew watches a scientist use a time machine to bring back a creature from the year 5000. On the SOL, the crew samples some of the Observers' food, Crow goes back in time to visit Mike's family, and Mike summons the Terror from the Year 5000 to be Crow's blind date.
Episode 8: The She-Creature
In the theater, the crew watches as a hypnotist's beautiful assistant is transformed into a primeval creature and sent out on a killing spree in "The She-Creature" (1956).
Meanwhile, on the SOL, Mike creeps everyone out with his custom Tickle-Me-Carlo-Lombari doll.
Episode 9: I Was a Teenage Werewolf
In the theater, the crew watches a teenager becomes a werewolf in "I Was a Teenage Werewolf" (1956).
Meanwhile, on the SOL, Servo declines the position of SOL commander, Pearl leaves the SOL functioning only on battery power, the crew deals with the aliens attacking the ship, and Crow opens a breakfast place.
Episode 10: The Giant Spider Invasion
In the theater, the crew watches as hillbillies and scientists join forces to protect their town from a giant alien spider in "The Giant Spider Invasion" (1975).
Meanwhile, on the SOL, Mike and the bots fight off an infestation of mind-controlling alien pods.
Episode 11: Parts: The Clonus Horror
In the theater, the crew watches as a young man discovers he and his friends only exist to be harvested for their 'spare parts' in "Parts: The Clonus Horror" (1979).
Meanwhile, Pearl, Professor Bobo, and Brain Guy find themselves reluctantly babysitting a trio of all-powerful Space Children.
Episode 12: The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies
In the theater, the crew watches as a carnival fortune teller turns men into mindless zombies to go out and kill for her in "The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies" (1964).
Meanwhile, on the SOL, Mike gets a new hairstyle from Shelli the Nanite.
Episode 13: Jack Frost
In the theater, the crew watches as a young man attempts to break a curse, and a young woman works for her wicked stepmother in "Jack Frost" (1965).
Meanwhile, on the SOL, Russian-American comic Yakov Smirnoff visits via the Hexfield Viewscreen.