In 2003, Eric Kripke was eager to get a project into production, years before Supernatural would make his name a household one. His pitch for a modernized Tarzan — reimagining Jane as a New York police detective and placing Tarzan on the run from a sinister uncle — was enough to secure a green light. The problem was that beyond the central concept and a strong pilot idea, there wasn’t much of a roadmap for a full season. What followed was a series that struggled to justify its premise week to week, ultimately stumbling through just eight episodes before being cancelled. Even Kripke himself would later reflect on the show with brutal honesty, calling it “a piece of crap.”
As a lifelong fan of all things Tarzan, there was no way I was going to let this 2003 television experiment pass me by, no matter how questionable its reputation. Curiosity got the better of me, and after watching all eight episodes of this short-lived series, I can report that the results are… mixed, to put it kindly. At its worst, the show is a baffling reimagining that strands the King of the Jungle in the concrete wilderness of New York City, saddled with clunky dialogue, uneven performances, and storylines that never quite figure out what they want to be. And yet, every so often, something clicks. A moment of genuine charm, a flicker of chemistry, or a brief return to the mythic roots of the character reminds you why Tarzan has endured for over a century. It’s not enough to save the series, but it is enough to make the experience strangely watchable.
Below you’ll find my reviews for all eight episodes of this curious, short-lived show. Just click the links and follow Officer Jane Porter into the mean streets of New York City, where she crosses paths with her most unusual case yet… and her very unconventional partner, Tarzan.
The Pilot
In The Pilot, Detective Jane Porter meets a hunky Tarzan amongst the dangers of the concrete jungle. Tarzan himself is on the run from his evil Uncle.
Episode Two: Secrets and Lies
In Secrets and Lies, we get Tarzan facing a bunch of thrill junkies and Jane’s insanely jealous boyfriend. Also, Lucy Lawless shows up as Tarzan’s aunt. So that’s nice.
Episode Three: Wages of Sin
In Wages of Sin, Jane gets all angsty about her relationship with Tarzan, and only takes a break from worrying about her loins long enough to look for a kidnapped child.
Episode Four: Rules of Engagement
In Rules of Engagement, a vigilante sniper is prowling the rooftops of New York City, but he makes a big mistake when he puts Tarzan’s girlfriend in his sights.
Episode Five: Emotional Rescue
In Emotional Rescue, Jane’s sister gets Tarzan to help free her best friend from the clutches of a serial killer.
Episode Six: Surrender
In Surrender, the police find out Jane and Tarzan were involved in Detective Foster’s death, and now they are on the run from friends and foes alike.
Episode Seven: For Love of Country
In For Love of Country, Tarzan and Jane decide to flee to the countryside while two obsessed cops try to track them down. Sadly, Jason Vorhees does not make an appearance
Episode Eight: The End of the Beginning
In The End of the Beginning, Tarzan and Jane return to the city to face Richard Clayton and the murder charges they’ve been running from.
An updated version of Tarzan could have worked – having everyone’s favourite hero using his skills in the concrete jungle in aid of a Jane, who is now a police detective, is not a terrible idea – but a decent premise and the talented cast of actors could not save this show. Without a clear idea in what direction to take the show, creator Eric Kripke’s venture into the worlds of Edgar Rice Burroughs was doomed from the outset.
To see how Tarzan fared over the years on the Big Screen, you can check out my other reviews here: Tarzan at the Movies: From Weissmuller to Disney