Flash remembers the Nitron Gun in the nick of time and blasts his way out of the chamber. That's an entirely acceptable way out of a cliffhanger, so no cheating on this episode.
However, Team Flash's problems are far from over, as the Martian guards have now plucked up the courage to enter the caves where the Clay People live. As a result, they now have two groups of people after them.
We get that same effects shot of the Clay People emerging from the walls again, followed by a fight. However, a form of gas seeps into the caves and Dale collapses. Poor old Dale, always the first to pass out.
After that, everyone else starts passing out too. Flash seems to have better lung capacity than the others because he tries to rescue everyone but eventually he sinks to the ground, a victim of the Sleep Mist.
When they awake, they find that they are all mysteriously dressed in space costumes. Dale's is particularly impressive. That means the Clay People undressed every member of Team Flash, which is a little bit weird. Probably best not to think about it too much. At least the Clay People have good taste in clothes, because they've picked out what is essentially the classic Flash Gordon costume.
After everyone wakes up, they find themselves in an audience with none other than the Clay King. Flash explains that they are also enemies of Ming and His Royal Clayness tells them that Azura's magic keeps them as men of clay and can return them to normal. He tells Flash that her power comes from a jewel worn round her neck. He then says he's going to keep Dale and Happy hostage until Flash and Zarkov break into the palace and bring Azura to the Clay Kingdom. Flash says “Well, Queen Azura, here we come” and actually looks quite happy about it.
Flash and Zarkov board a Strato-sled, dressed as Martian guards. They head for Azura's palace. They're chased and fired on by a guard in another ship, but nothing really comes of that. When they land, Flash pretends he's captured Zarkov and tells Azura via the intercom that he has a special message for her ears only. We also get this model shot of Azura's Martian kingdom, which seems a little...sparse.
On their way to Azura's palace, Flash and Zarkov have to cross a Light Bridge. That's going to be important for later, just wait and see. One of the guards scoffs, “These Earth men must be a stupid lot – he's evidently never seen a Light Bridge before”.
Once in Azura's throne room, a still-in-disguise Flash hams it up a treat for an audience of scantily-clad handmaidens. “Flash Gordon is on his way here now!”, he says, clearly enjoying himself.
In fact, he gets a little carried away, telling Azura that her guards will be no match for Flash Gordon because the Clay King has rendered him invisible and he could be standing right beside her as they speak.
Anyway, it does the trick. Azura puts her hand to the jewel and Flash seizes his moment, grabbing it off her and revealing who he is. Flash and Zarkov escape with Azura as their hostage.
Meanwhile, Ming has been watching everything and he orders a guard to destroy the landing tower with the Oscillator, just as Flash, Zarkov and Azura cross the Light Bridge. Why he didn't just turn off the Light Bridge when they were halfway across isn't entirely clear. Maybe he's saving that for a future episode. Anyway, the building collapses around them, with Flash heroically trying to protect Azura as it does so. He's nothing if not a gentleman, after all.
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