All right then:
1. "Secret" Star Sheriffs?
In "Starsheriff Round-Up" it's mentioned that April and Saber belong to "the secret Star Sheriffs." However, Saber Rider is already quite famous and well-known as evidenced by his intervention in the hostage situation. Also, Colt has "always wanted one of those shiny silver stars" that the Star Sheriffs wear. Plus, throughout the rest of the series EVERYONE knows that they are Star Sheriffs. Now, this could be because they became famous because of their exploits, but GAPING holes are still left in this assertion of them being a "secret organization."
My interpretation: At the time of the first episode, the RAMROD project and its team were what was top-secret not the actual Star Sheriff organization. Therefore, when April and Saber referr to themselves as part of a secret organization, they are referring to their part in the Ramrod project.
2. Cavalry Command Headquarters a.
All right, this one really has me confused and is related to the previous entry. Cavalry Command Headquarters is apparently where star sheriffs receive their training. A good portion of it seems to be the "academy" that Jesse, Buck, and the other young cadets attend. Saber ALSO referrs to Cavalry Command as their "secret headquarters from the entire galaxy." This not ONLY seems rather far-fetched but also HIGHLY unlikely. After all, it raises the question of what happens to cadets who a) are expelled or suspended (i.e. Jesse Blue) b) fail c) later defect or d) are spies? Well, gee, I guess they've blown the location of their secret headquarters to the enemy.
My theory: All right, let's assume that only the elite, the cream of the crop, the absolute best members of Cavalry Command are selected to train to be "star sheriffs" (since I refuse to believe that EVERY member of Cavalry Command is a star sheriff - that makes no sense), which is plausible since there seem to only be a few hundred cadets. Obviously these cadets would have to undergo rigorous training and background checks before being accepted into the academy. Let's say this weeds out 99% spies and potential deserters. That still leaves that pesky 1%. Furthermore let's say they take precautions by flying in the cadets on secure spaceships with the coordinates of the planet only known to the trusted pilots. Then the cadets would not know where in the galaxy they were to begin with. HOWEVER, there would still be clues and upon LEAVING the planet, doubtless it would be fairly easy to discover one's location unless transported out in the same way they were transported in. All right, fine, this all checks out except they're risking a MAJOR security leak AND they didn't account for the likes of Mr. Blue.
3. Cavalry Command Headquarters b.
That STILL does NOT explain why they are sharing the planet and area with a group of OUTLAWS (Wolf and his gang) who not only know about the location of Cavalry Command but are allowed to run rampant. Plus, there is NO WAY that Wolf and co. can be placed under the strict regulations that the cadets must follow. ALSO, Cavalry Command Headquarters receives supplies from transports which means that OTHER people on the planet also know where the base is and what its purpose is. Does it not occur to these people that Wolf and gang can, if they get in contact with the Outriders, reveal their "secret" headquarter's location?
My interpretation: WEP did NOT think this one through and screwed up BIG TIME.
4. Cavalry Command Headquarters c.
What kind of security do they have exactly? When Ramrod flies through the canyon on its way to Cavalry Command a cadet with a shotgun can clearly be seen watching them. It was always my assumption that he was a (rather ineffective) security guard. The only possible use I can see for him is if he called base to inform them of an aircraft passing a certain checkpoint or to report a crash (since the passageways seems to be a bit of a tight squeeze for a ship Ramrod's size). He certainly could NOT shoot down an Outrider battalion or more than one or two fighter-size enemy ships with that shotgun.
Also, when the Star Sheriffs arrive they are asked to present their EBUs. I assume that this is ceremonial and just a matter of procedure, but what if the Star Sheriffs were UNABLE to present their EBUs. Then it would have to be assumed that they were fakes. What measures can they take in this instance? Shoot them once they are unable to provide proper identification? In this case it might be too late. What if a ship with proper identification was commandeered by Outriders? I can only assume they have more stringent security measures in place . . . like checking the number of lifeforms on board Ramrod, DNA and voiceprint checks, that sort of thing, before allowing them to touchdown.
My thoughts: See last response.
5. Why would Vanquo and Greyson target such small towns?
I ask you . . . what is the POINT?
6. The Attack on the Highlands, Part Trap, Part Psychological Warfare, Part Plain Stupidity
7. "I give him every opportunity to lead"
NOT.
8. Mandarin
In the original series the character of Mandarin first appeared in a different episode but this episode was left out of the SRATSS line-up so Mandarin appears as a bit of an enigma. This much can be gleaned from the conversation in which she appears. Mandarin is (currently) the commander of a Starfighter squadron. The boys know her to be extremely reckless and gung-ho . . . but in a good way. Fireball, Colt, and Saber Rider appear to be familiar with her, Fireball especially. It can be concluded that they encountered her or worked together with her (probably her and Fireball the most closely) on a mission in the past that April was either excluded from or included in some other capacity (manning Ramrod, cracking codes, etc.). This can also be corroborated with the fact that she is unaware of Fireball and April's relationship so either this occurred a) before they got together b) while they were together but since April was not there Mandarin was unaware of it or c) while they were together but it was just not mentioned or talked about since it wasn't professional (though I find this last highly unlikely since Mandarin very quickly came to the conclusion that Fireball was taken when talking to via Vid-screen). She is very sweet on Fireball and the fact that he already has a girlfriend is extremely disappointing to her.
My thoughts: Wish they'd left in some background info about her. I always wondered. >_< But then, it's also nice they left in evidence that the Star Sheriffs had some other, less well-documented, adventures. It leaves room for invention.
9. April's Martial Arts and Gun Use
10. What's a Vapor Burger?
11. The Vapor Chambers
12. "We" Don't Know How to Have Fun? Nemesis's Reign of Boredom
13. Todd and Tina - Left on Their Own?
14. Ramrod's Mechanics - Contradictions in Use
Back to the Vapor Zone!
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