Retro Review #31: “Is This Burning an Eternal Flame?”
FANDOM ENTANGLEMENT is back with another retro review of the 90s sci-fi series SLIDERS. This time, we’re burning the bottom of the barrel as we take a look at Season 3, Episode 8, “The Fire Within” (original airdate: November 15, 1996 on Fox).
After barely escaping a world engulfed in flames, the Sliders now find themselves in a Los Angeles dependent on the sale and production of oil. Unfortunately, they learn they’ve brought along a piece of the fire from the last world and that it has a mind of its own.
Hey, we didn’t make that up…that is the official synopsis of the episode! Don’t set the messenger on flames!
This episode was written by Josef Anderson and directed by Jefery Levy.
Co-hosts Damon Sugameli & Mike Bloxam are joined again by Damon’s sister Devin to sit down for a fireside chat of epic proportions. Because we’ve got…drumroll…a TALKING FLAME!!! The most awesome-est, bestest episode of any sci-fi show of all time!!! A flame that can communicate through the use of sound waves…and then conveniently doesn’t even need it! From an entire world ON FIRE! Because…it’s so awesome, right? We even get a villain with the last name Ashton…because they were so clever…see?
And also, some character development that comes out of nowhere…Wade wants to have a BABY…someday! Which Mike reminds us, to our horrific realization, that after this season, her wish fulfillment will be manifested about a thousandfold. How’s that for foreshadowing?!
Yeah… We went there…
Oy vey! This episode sucks…the oxygen right out of the room.
Hope you enjoy our analysis and review. Analysis…review…ha, that’s funny… 🙄
Next up: “The Prince of Slides,” with new guest Suzanne Smiley.
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Check out these resources for a veritable who’s who and in-depth information about the series:
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Recorded on November 1, 2025.
Episode edited by Damon Sugameli.
Opening narration by Mike Bloxam.
Main theme produced and composed by Danny Lux.
Screen captures provided by slidecage.com and Albie Burdge.
No copyright infringement is intended.
Episode main cast:
- Jerry O’Connell (Quinn Mallory)
- Sabrina Lloyd (Wade Welles)
- Cleavant Derricks (Rembrandt “Crying Man” Brown)
- and John Rhys-Davies as (Professor Maximilian) Arturo
Episode guest cast:
- Anthony Tyler Quinn (J.C. Ashton)
- Brigitta Dau (Amanda)
- Lynn Clark (Diana Sylvius)
- Terry Markwell (TV Reporter/Tess Martin)
- Ferdinand Carangelo (Foreman)
- Veronica Cartwright as The Voice of the Flame