User Reviews

The story is fairly typical of a Hogan storyline: The Germans store a secret weapon at Stalag 13 (in this case a barrel of heavy water) and Hogan manages to convince Klink that it's magic water from a fountain of youth in Norway. It follows the usual Hogan formula where Hogan tricks Klink into doing what he wants him to do (and look very foolish while doing it) without him realizing what Hogan's motive is.

The heavy water comes from a special plant located in Norway, the only one of it's kind in Europe. Heavy water differs from tap water in that it contains a neutron (which therefore makes it heavier than normal water). The heavy water is useful to produce enriched plutonium, a superior alternative to uranium. The US managed to produce enough plutonium to make its Nagasaki bomb using a much more difficult process. The Hiroshima bomb used the more conventional enriched uranium.

Contrary to popular belief, the Germans never tried to make an atomic bomb. (A high level conference after the war started ruled out the possibility of making one, so that vital resources were not wasted on a potentially fruitless project.) They did engage in basic research and explored the use of nuclear power to supply electricity for civilian uses but they never did anything like the American Manhattan Project, correctly realizing such a program was beyond their industrial capacity.

Hardly any of the heavy water from Norway made it to Germany. Allied saboteurs managed to destroy the plant and most of the stockpiled heavy water was sunk before it left Norway. But then Hogan's Heroes never really let historical facts get in their way. Nor should they have.

Definition; Power of Suggestion. The process by which a physical or mental state is influenced by a thought or idea. Convincing someone that what they claim is true when it isn't worth the parchment it's written on. I recall a spring morning , well actually it was about 4 am and pitch black outside. My older sister played a nasty trick on my younger sister Lori. My parents were asleep and my older sister Donna wanted to get even with my younger sister over a dispute which to my memory is lost. Donna woke up my little sister. Lori was disoriented and confused . Who wouldn't be, being wakened out of a deep sleep. My sister convinced her she was late for school. Donna dressed her, combed her hair while Lori was bleary eyed and wondering why it's so dark outside. Regardless my sister told Lori to get a move on or she'll be late for school. Lori despite her exhaustion was convinced. Donna helped her put on her coat and sent her off to school on a dark empty street. Go Light On The Heavy Water is a unique comedy which centers around a barrel of water. The comedic writing of Arthur Julian and Bernard Fein is unparalleled as this episode tickled my funny bone at every turn. The plot is simple, a truck pulls into Stalag 13 which a mysterious cargo. Hogan (Bob Crane) and his men can't see what's inside . Sargent Schultz (John Banner) wants to borrow some after shave lotion. This lotion comes at a price as Hogan wants to know what's in the truck. Schultz tells Hogan that it's water. The prisoners are not convinced as they parade around the truck. Corporal Peter Newkirk (Richard Dawson) smokes a cigarette near the truck thinking it's some sort of flammable jet fuel. The armed guard says it's water. The gang sneaks inside the vehicle and takes a sample. House chemist and arsonist Sargent Andrew Carter (Larry Hovis) is ordered to drink the liquid. To his amazement says "It's Water!" Hogan learns from his London headquarters that the water comes from Norway. This water is needed for nuclear experiments. It must be destroyed. Hogan slips into his creative mode, The power of Suggestion), as he enters Colonel Klink's (Werner Klemperer) office. Hogan concocts a story about the water having healing powers reversing the aging process. French royalty would visit that very spring in Norway to drink the fountain of youth. Colonel Klink being the most gullible Nazi of all time buys into that story as he can't wait to sample the fountain of youth in that truck along with his chubby Sargent Shultz by his side. The next day Hogan visits Klink in his office. Hogan gives Klink a look of amazement and takes a double take at Klink noticing a spring in his step a youthful change in his hair line. Klink continues to take his daily stroll over to the truck for that magic elixir (The Heavy Water). Bob Crane's timing is priceless as he spies on Klink who looks in the mirror admiring with his hair. A hilarious episode even for viewers who loathe the series due to it's Nazi narrative. Another words my daughter hates the premise of the show and finds Hogan' Heroes offensive and unrealistic in nature. Despite her personal views about Nazi's, she enjoyed this episode. As for my sister, She walked to the end of the street and made a u-turn back to the house where hell was to pay.