[ljacone]

Ultraman Episode 29 -- A Challenge to the Underground. I guess Tsuburaya and company knew the last episode was kinda weak because this one is non-stop science and technology, with the monster Goldon showing up literally within seconds of the start of the episode. He's an interesting monster, so of like a golden Brontosaurus (as they were called at the time) but with a pretty nasty tail.

The big draw in this episode for me was Ide's drill tank, named Pelucidar. What a great name for a drill tank! There's some neat effects of Pelucidar burrowing through the Earth but sadly it never stops looking like a model. Still, it's a classic Golden Age style drill tank and it is rather quaint and charming.

Also get good characterization from Cap, Ide, AND Hayata, which is always nice.

Ultraman Episode 30 -- The Phantom Snow Mountain. Eiji Tsuburaya once said that Mighty Jack was his favorite of his TV shows because it focused on the people much more so than the monsters, aliens, or technology. I think that mentality is on display in this episode. The monster, Woo, is secondary to the story of a young woman who is an outcast in her village, hounded and tormented by everyone else. It also deals with the metatextual rationale for the existence of the Science Patrol itself, and why they fight monsters.

One of the strongest installments in the series, I think.