Prince of Wails

Season 1
Airdate: 4/12/95
Rating: 3.5/5

“And remember, the reason why the sun never sets on the British Empire is because God doesn’t trust the British in the dark.” – Professor Arturo

The Sliders land on a world where the United States is actually the British States of America. What if the world as we know it in America was like British rule? Do you think you’d have enough American knowledge to change the course of that country? I dare say most of us wouldn’t. If we don’t perhaps we should study more of America’s historical beginnings.

While “Prince of Wails” gives a brief resolution to the previous episode the “Summer of Love”, the Sliders promise not to become involved with the locals on the next world. Hanging from atop of the Transamerica Pyramid the Sliders are surrounded by water from the polar ice caps that have flooded San Francisco. It’s important to note however that at the end of The Summer of Love they saw a tsunami coming. I would imagine polar ice caps melting would not account for that. But after all we are dealing with Rembrandt’s rantings. Sharks circle them as the timer counts down. I think it’s great they wore the same clothes from one episode to the next as it brings in a sense of continuity. We’ll see in later seasons that this notion of continuity of clothing is throw out.

After the Sliders escape the world they immediately land in a fountain square. Arturo is suddenly mistaken for his double, who is none other than the Sheriff of San Francisco. They live it up when they’re treated to the royal suite at a local hotel. They’ll live it up while they can. You’ll see in future seasons Rembrandt takes advantage of his double’s ATM account. Arturo explains that on this world Americans lost the Revolutionary War to Britain, and they continue to be ruled by a monarchy. The Sliders seem to discuss the historical events of this world habitually. Sure there’s a need to explain a brief history of the world they’re on, but I tend to feel they go a little too in-depth in the process. Nevertheless perhaps its necessary as Britain’s form of government is somewhat difficult to understand even for myself. This episode becomes the 1776 of America’s rule of law and liberty that was brought to the land.

The army spots the group in the middle of road in the forest. Of all people the leader of the group is Hurley. A know-it-all double, if you remember he was Quinn and Wade’s boss in the electronics store in the Pilot. As Arturo continues to be mistaken as the Sheriff, the Sliders discover Prince Harold of Great Britain, who is being targeted for murder. You see, the Arturo of this world is intent on killing the Prince in order to obtain the throne. The Sliders end up in this odd situation of Hurley and his gang working for the Sheriff to assassinate the Prince while hunting. When the Sliders discover this, their promise to stay uninvolved in the affairs of this world is quickly forgotten.

Meanwhile, Professor Arturo and the Prince are taken hostage by the Oakland Raiders. No not the football team, but a group of rebels destined to bring freedom to their homeland. One of the most humorous parts of this episode is the Sheriff (Arturo’s double) trying to sell his political book “Everything I Say is Right.” It’s a skit that resembles a book of the conservative political commentator Rush Limbaugh. The set the Sheriff is on is sort of a news propaganda establishment. Something similar to what we’re seeing today. It’s nothing but smoke and mirrors.

Quinn goes on a rambunctious speech to the Oakland Raiders by quoting famous political figures and philosophers. Robbing the rich and giving to the poor. Not only that but other mottos such as; give a a man a fish he’ll eat for a day, teach a man to fish he’ll eat for the rest of his life. Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country. Quinn tries to locate the runaway Prince and in the process is captured by the police for doing what he just proclaimed. He’s considered the main leader of the group.

In essence if your society is oppressed your government will see most any uprising as terrorism. And that’s exactly what happened during the early days of the establishment of America. I encourage you to carefully read the Declaration of Independence document and you will understand this episode even better. The Sliders eventually enlighten Prince Harold of the marvelous Bill of Rights, and try to discover a way to stop Quinn’s execution sentence. The Sliders and Raiders have no time for a civil war so they have to make a decisive maneuver to stop his execution. It’s a smart one at that and I applaud this episode for the most ingenious way they freed Quinn.

The Professor and Rembrandt go over the several of the main amendments in the Constitution for Prince Harold. They include, freedom of speech, religion and assembly. There’s a few amusing remarks from Rembrandt, especially when he goes on to say the 6th amendment is “equal rights for all regardless of race, religion or ‘musical’ preference.” It’s later noted in a proclamation by Rembrandt that James Brown is “The Godfather of Soul”. Sliders still retains it’s a scifi/black satire status and I would almost label is as a historical genre for this particular episode.

I do feel this episode will be confusing for most simply because history is being forgotten. Also for many those outside of the United States too as this intertwines Britain and America’s different forms of government. If you have an interest in the history of the United States or Great Britain, this episode is most definitely for you.