Did you know there is an Indiana Jones spin-off series that no one remembers now? Details explored

Indiana Jones has been at the center of some all-time great films (and some all-time very bad films). At the end of it all, Jones is a complex protagonist, and his globe-trotting adventures are one for the ages. Yet there's one spin-off series featuring the epic character that is on the verge of being forgotten.

The series being referred to is titled The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, and it is a criminally underappreciated show that ran for four years from 1992 to 1996. As the title suggests, it follows a young Indiana through his childhood and his teen years, and the show was shot on location. This made it a globe-trotting adventure that took Jones to more than twenty different countries, including the UK, Russia, and India.

Here's why you need to watch this almost forgotten television series.

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, a forgotten spin-off series that you need to watch

If other prequels are taken as examples, one would expect that The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles finds a young and a teen Jones, played by Corey Carrier and Sean Patrick Flanery, respectively. They would be doing some of the same things that we've already seen an adult Jones do in the films. However, this is where George Lucas' creation takes a turn for the better.

By starting out as an educational project meant to get kids interested in history through a younger version of Indy and his time during World War I, the show had a unique benefit in terms of its storytelling. This allowed for the narrative to have incredible historical accuracy in the events it chose to place Indy in. Every episode centered around a different adventure from Indy, bringing together a nonlinear narrative for its viewers. This kept them in suspense and on the edge of their seats the whole time.

The historical accuracy doesn't make The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles a dull watch either, for Sean Patrick Flanery has his ways of bringing forth the charm and comedy of Indiana. He also brings out the curiosity, compassion, and naivety that one can expect from a young teen. Jones' characterization is exceptionally compelling, and pairing that with the production of the spin-off, where Indy interacts with real-life figures, makes for an adventurous watch.

Additionally, there is a distinct writer-focused uniqueness to the spin-off as it has been created, developed, and executive-produced by George Lucas. He collaborated with a talented team of writers, including Carrie Fisher, Frank Darabont, Gavin Scott, and Rosemary Anne Sisson, to bring the episodes to life. This gave The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles a unique perspective with each episode.

Most of all, the non-chronological narrative of the show keeps the audience in a constant state of suspense, making it an incredibly riveting watch. It also offers a real depiction of the brutality and atrocities of war as Indy grapples with them. The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles does a great job at developing the unique personality that we go on to see in the adult version of the iconic character.

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles is available to watch on Disney+ (but make sure you stream it in the originally intended non-chronological format).

Trending

Keep reading Soap Central for more such interesting insights into your favorite shows!

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback