Love Gods

Seasons 1 & 2
DVD Box Set
Region 1 NTSC

Seasons 1 & 2
DVD Box Set
Region 2 PAL
(Sliders Story No. 11, starring Jerry O'Connell)
  • written by Tony Blake and Paul Jackson
  • directed by John McPherson
  • music by Stephen Graziano
  • produced by Tim Iacofano (and Jon Povill, Tony Blake and Paul Jackson)
  • Production # K0807 (same as the previous episode)
Story: The Sliders arrive on a world where nearly all men have recently disappeared leaving a global population of 99% women. Quinn, Rembrandt, and Arturo are rare commodities, much sought-after by the romantically-starved female public, and Wade soon needs to rescue them from the "Bureau of Re-Population".

Buyers' Guide Review

by Martin Izsak

(A more in-depth analysis, containing "SPOILERS" and intended for those who have already seen the program, can be accessed here.)


The premise for this episode's world is one of the most infamous of the entire show, which isn't too surprising considering the ease with which it triggers the male fantasy of lack of competition. However, scene for scene, this story fails to capitalize on male fantasy to any significant degree, crutching itself on old over-used government rebellion themes for its substance and dramatic draw.


The episode opens with the most classic example ever of doing the wormhole effect on the cheap. If I had a nickel for every time I tuned into the show hoping for a new episode, only to be greeted by a disappointing re-run of this opening.....

The four sliders are in exploration mode at the beginning of this one, which is where most of the best material is. The story's hook and first interior scene work very well, but ultimately build anticipation of story angles that the episode won't go near to delivering. Out from under Klingon make-up is actress Gwynyth Walsh, previously famous for playing one of the Duras sisters on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Walsh breathes far more life into the role of Chief Police Detective here than was on the page. Good one.

Sadly the dialogue is pretty painful during her first conversation with the sliders. Exactly what story of theirs is it that she finds unbelievable? Did they tell her the complete truth about sliding? Did they give her a half-baked version that leaves out all the scientifically challenging bits? Or did they completely make something up? The audience is left to guess, as this undermotivated bit of overdramatics is interrupted by another which is full of prickly preening for jurisdiction. Although the episode does pick itself up from this lowpoint, it never really does head in an interesting direction afterward.

The promise of the premise of course, is that the men should have far more scope and success than normal in being able to select the mate(s) they want, and that they should enjoy their rare status for a while. Without giving away too much about the story's structure here, let's just say that certain turning points occur too prematurely.

"Love Gods" does pull a few surprise turns though, including a few bizarre sub-plots. Quinn's probably leaves the biggest lasting impression, and no doubt the fans are still debating exactly how far things went, which is at least left open for the viewer to decide.

Wardrobe doesn't really help this episode's fantasy prospects though, with regulars and guests dressed for cold, wet Vancouver weather, and stark, tense, political/military situations. Warm and cosy apparently didn't occur to the production staff. Perhaps this episode might have benefitted somewhat from season three's Southern California settings, but again, without knowing how to take advantage of that, it might not work any better either.

Stephen Graziano makes his Sliders musical scoring debut on this episode and immediately makes an impression by creating much livelier, more interesting music than his alternate Anthony Marinelli did for most of "Into the Mystic" (story no. 10). Good stuff.

The story's conclusion is a bit hokey.... Only in fiction can a plan with that many holes and variables go off without a hitch. Ho hum.

Well, although this episode's producing writing team of Tony Blake and Paul Jackson will go on to script some of the show's finest episodes, they certainly haven't made a very impressive debut for themselves here. Not to worry though, for their redemption is swift indeed....


While the premise of this story is very memorable, the story itself is not, and "Love Gods" turns out to be one of the weaker episodes of the second season.



This story has become available on DVD. Click on the Amazon symbol for the location nearest you for pricing and availability:

Seasons 1 & 2
DVD Box Set
Region 1 NTSC
for the North American market:
in the U.S.
in Canada
Seasons 1 & 2
DVD Box Set
Region 2 PAL
for the U.K.
Season 2 DVD Box Set
Region 1 NTSC - new for 2012
for the North American market:
U.S.
Canada 1
Canada 2


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Read the Buyers' Guide Review for the next story: "Gillian of the Spirits"



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