The third live-action TV series based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' immortal "King of the Jungle" (there had also been a few cartoon series and innumerable theatrical features), the WB network's Tarzan offered a few new up-to-date spins on the classic canon. Orphaned in the jungle as an infant, John Clayton (played by male model Travis Fimmel) was raised by apes and came to maturity as the resourceful Tarzan. All this changed when John/Tarzan was captured by his uncle, billionaire industrialist Richard Clayton (Mitch Pileggi), and flown to New York City, there to take his rightful place as the heir apparent of the vast Greystoke business enterprises. As uncomfortable as Tarzan felt in his new civilized surroundings, it was nothing compared to the discomfiture expressed by Richard Clayton's sister, acid-tongued publisher Katherine Clayton (Lucy Lawless), who wished that Tarzan would return whence he came so that she could take over Greystoke. At last fed up by all the inter-family squabbling and backstabbing, Tarzan escaped to the concrete jungle known as Manhattan, where he befriended feisty female NYPD detective Jane Porter (Sarah Wayne Callies). Ultimately, Me-Tarzan teamed with You-Jane to track down elusive criminals, while Jane's detective boyfriend, Michael Foster (Johnny Messner), and her official partner, Sam Sullivan (Miguel Nunez Jr.), expressed dismay at the girl's newfound bravado -- and while Jane's younger sister, aspiring actress Nicki Porter (Leighton Meester), lolled around awaiting her next "damsel in distress" assignment. The new Tarzan swung into view on October 5, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Greg Beale - Art Director, Mark Saks - Casting, Tina Gerussi - Casting, Elezabeth Lang Fedrick - Casting, David Nutter - Director, Stephen Mark - Editor, Laura Ziskin - Executive Producer, David Gerber - Executive Producer, Molly Newman - Executive Producer, Eric Kripke - Executive Producer, P.K. Simonds - Executive Producer, Jon Ehrlich - Composer (Music Score), Gavin Mitchell - Production Designer, Robert McLachlan - Cinematographer, Peter R. McIntosh - Producer, Pamela Williams - Producer, Leonard Dick - Producer, Dan Lerner - Supervisor/Manager, Eric Kripke - Screenwriter
02011-10-05October 5 – November 23, 2003 (2003-11-23)
Tarzan is an American television series that premiered on October 5, 2003 on The WB. Based on the Tarzan series by Edgar Rice Burroughs, this TV series was set in New York City, depicting a modern-day adaptation on Burroughs' characters. The series was canceled after eight episodes.
A NYPD detective, Jane Porter's ordinary life is disrupted when a routine case unexpectedly leads her to John Clayton, who prefers to be called Tarzan. After being proclaimed dead for 20 years, John Clayton was found in the jungles of Africa by his billionaire uncle, Richard Clayton, who is the CEO of powerful Greystoke Industries. Held against his will at his uncle's home, Tarzan escapes & prowls all over the city, helping others in need. Upon meeting Jane, he begins to follow her from her home to crime scenes, simultaneously assisting her with her police cases.
Detective Jane Porter meets John Clayton who escaped from his billionaire uncle's confinement at the headquarters of Greystoke Industries. Porter and her partner, Sam Sullivan involve themselves in a homicide case.
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"Secrets and Lies"
David Nutter
Eric Kripke
October 12, 2003 (2003-10-12)
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Tarzan assists Jane with a police case, helping her find a group of men responsible for attacking a young woman in Central Park. After discovering Tarzan is still alive, Jane's fiance, Michael negotiates with Tarzan's uncle to capture him. Meanwhile, Jane contacts Tarzan's aunt, Kathleen Clayton who she hopes will protect Tarzan from his uncle.
Jane enlists Tarzan's help to aid her investigation by using his extraordinary tracking skills to find a child who has disappeared. Sam learns of Tarzan's involvement and his role in Michael's death, and becomes conflicted with the decision of turning Tarzan in.
Richard Clayton discovers that his estranged sister Kathleen has been sheltering Tarzan from him. Meanwhile, Jane meets the sole witness to Michael's death. Sam disagrees with her actions as she attempts to prevent the witness from testifying and possibly incriminating Tarzan before Richard can get to him.
Nicki worries over her friend's disappearance. Jane and Sam suspect a man who Nicki's friend met over the internet. As the investigation on Michael's killer continues, Jane pleads to Tarzan to stay hidden at his aunt's house. However, Nicki enlists Tarzan's help to make sure her friend is safe.
Coerced by Richard, the lone witness to Michael's death, Donald falsely names Tarzan as the one responsible for the crime and in the process, incriminating Jane as well. In exchange for Tarzan's safety, Kathleen contemplates on giving up her entire shares of Greystoke Industries to Richard. Tarzan considers returning to the jungle.
Tarzan and Jane flee into the mountains to escape the vengeful cops seeking to arrest them. Jane places her trust in Tarzan, relying on his jungle skills to survive in the woods.
The police arrest Jane and in exchange for Jane's safety and freedom, Tarzan surrenders himself to Richard. Richard attempts to have Tarzan declared legally insane so that he can claim legal custody of him and his Greystoke shares. In the meantime, Kathleen fights to free them both.
Barton Werper:Tarzan and the Silver Globe (1964) • Tarzan and the Cave City (1964) • Tarzan and the Snake People (1964) • Tarzan and the Abominable Snowmen (1965) • Tarzan and the Winged Invaders (1965) Philip José Farmer:Tarzan Alive (1972) • Time's Last Gift (1972) • The Adventures of the Peerless Peer (1974) Others:Tarzan Presley by Nigel Cox (2004)
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