Time TraxTime Trax is an American/Australian co-produced science fiction television series that first aired in 1993. A police officer, sent through time into the past, has to track down and return convicted criminals who have escaped prison in the future. This was the last new production from Lorimar Television.
CreatorsGrant Rosenberg, Harve Bennett, Ruel Fischmann
A Stranger in Time (1)
Jan 20, 1993
In the future, honest cop Darien Lambert is discredited when several criminals he has been tracking disappear. Lambert however soon finds out that Nobel prize winning scientist, Mordecai Sahmbi, has been sending the bad guys back in time, to 1992. When Lambert's love interest is killed by Sahmbi in a shoot-out, Lambert decides to follow Sahmbi back in time and catch him. He's equipped a portable holographic database, SELMA, and sent on his way...
A Stranger in Time (2)
Jan 20, 1993
As Lambert enters our time, he is discovered by a woman who looks exactly like his now dead girlfriend from the future. Lambert learns that she's a cop too. Together, but with many secrets between them, they pursue a would-be presidential assassain.
To Kill a Billionaire
Feb 3, 1993
Sahmbi's new operation is a method to eradicate radioactive materials. But Lambert suspects foul play and discovers that Sahmbi sends the radioactive waste into the future. He manages to get evidence and tries to take Sahmbi to court. Then he finds out that the judge is also from the future - and that he is a fugitive. He aquits Sahmbi. So Lambert decides it's time to take matters into his own hands. But Sahmbi didn't win his Nobel prize for nothing and surprises Lambert with a shield that protects him from being sent back.
Fire and Ice
Feb 10, 1993
Two expert thieves, known as Fire and Ice, has come back in time, and when they use a paralysing beam from the future, no guard can stop them. Soon Lambert is on to them, but even he doesn't have any protection against their weapon. And if Lambert sends the thieves back to 2192, he may never find Sahmbi.
Showdown
Feb 17, 1993
Lambert is ready to kick himself when he picks up a hitch-hiker in the middle of the desert, and the hitch-hiker steals his car, leaving him without transportation. He starts to walk, but the sun is killing him slowly. Just when he thinks that he's found water, a cowboy stops him. Poisonous water... The cowboy becomes Lambert's mentor, during the trip to wherever the criminal went. They find a ghost town in the desert, but the owner, a young woman, turns out to be on the criminal's side, locking them up in the jail...
The Prodigy
Feb 24, 1993
The whole world is baffled when a little boy breaks the world short distance record. Lambert suspects that the boy comes from the future, but he is stopped by the boy's father, a criminal, who has Lambert's speed and strength.
Death Takes a Holiday
Mar 3, 1993
Lambert takes on a mafia family in New Orleans, whose boss uses his knowledge of future drugs to keep his employees at bay. When the family clashes against another crime family, Lambert gets caught in the middle. And then a drug-taking woman becomes his companion...
The Contender
Mar 10, 1993
One day, a man comes to Lambert, claiming he's also from the future. He explains that he worked for Sambhi, and that he came back in time to stop his son, a world-famous boxer, from killing a man in the ring. But the son refuses to listen, and Lambert is forced into the ring to fight it out.
Night of the Savage
Mar 17, 1993
In London, a Jack the Ripper-type killer is on the loose. Lambert discovers evidence that suggests that the killer is from the future. Befriending a journalist, he starts to unravel the mystery of the killer's identity. But can Lambert stop him before The Savage commits his next murder?
Treasure of the Ages
Mar 31, 1993
Lambert comes to Florida in search for a treasure hunter who will stop at nothing to find a sunken ship. But a storm is closing in. The treasure hunter captures Lambert in a motel, where they are forced to wait the weather out. To make things worse, the treasure hunter's girlfriend is due to deliver her baby very soon.
The Price of Honor
Apr 7, 1993
A blackmailer from the future uses his knowledge of things to come - and high ranking people's secrets - to get his money. When he extorts a man who's destined to become president, Lambert takes notice of the event and tries to stop him. But the blackmailer seems to have his back covered. And the future president desperately wants to keep his dirty secret from interfering with an ongoing peace process. Can Lambert stop the secret from getting out? And what is the secret?
Face of Death
Apr 14, 1993
A criminal from the future whom Lambert has been chasing for some time, has his appearence altered. Lambert finds a trace, and sets out in the jungle to find him. But how do you find a person, when you don't know how they look or sound? And what do you do if you find out who he is, when you're in the middle of nowhere?
Revenge
May 5, 1993
SELMA detects something odd on TV - a group of racists carrying the Shrek mark, which isn't due to be invented for another 150 years. Lambert goes to Hawaii and talks to the journalist who got the attack on film. But Lambert is in for a surprise when he discovers who is behind it all, and what the true objective is...
Darien Comes Home
May 12, 1993
When Lambert discovers that two computer genius brothers from the future has come to the present, he goes undercover as a computer expert. He soon finds that the secretary of one of the brothers saw her boss killing a government agent. She can't say why, though. Lambert digs some more, and finds that he's really hired to hack into a federal computer to steal a fortune. But before he can something about it, the brothers leave with the secretary's brother as hostage. How can Lambert hope to catch them without harming the hostage?
Two Beans in a Wheel
May 19, 1993
Darien gets a new partner, a policewoman from the future named Eve Thorne. Together they track Sahmbi, who they believe is after the Holy Grail.
Little Boy Lost
May 26, 1993
A man sends his deaf and mute boy trekking in the forests. When the boy has gone the man loses consciousness. A search party finds the man, but not the boy. The man turns out to be Lambert's former sergeant, so Lambert heads out into the wilderness, and has to find the boy before the weather turns very bad. But how do you find a deaf person?
The Mysterious Stranger
Oct 27, 1993
Lambert is called to Mexico by a personal ad ""if you want to find professor Alwyn"". Alwyn, a fugitive from the future, disappeared after being convicted for making deadly drugs. When Lambert comes to Mexico, he discovers Alwyn directly, but it turns out not to be Alwyn, but a private investigator from the future, who wants to find Alwyn as well. Lambert doesn't want the PI to tag along, but it seems he has no choice. However, when they find Alwyn's hideout, the lawyer tries to kill him, resulting only in a severe head wound on Lambert. The lawyer discloses that he's really a doctor whose wife was killed by Alwyn's drugs. But soon Lambert learns that the doctor is not a doctor either, but a policeman. Or an actor... And Lambert can't even be sure of that. But he has to find Alwyn before his new batch of drugs is completed and shipped out.
Framed
Nov 3, 1993
Charlie Burke, an agent in the future, has used his wits to return to a place in power, after the previous encounter with Lambert. This time his mission is to find a mole in the ISA, the International Security Agency, and he chooses Lambert as the fall guy. First he places a dead body in Lambert's bathroom, with Lambert's fingerprints all over it. Then another one. Lambert manage to get away, and decides that the best way is to attack from the inside. Burke's security system detects this, and Lambert has to run again. This time he meets a wild woman, who turns out to be a federal accountant. Lambert uses her skills to try to find Burke's ultimate goal, and is surprised to find that it's to kill the head of the ISA. Will Lambert get there in time to save his life?
Beautiful Songbird
Nov 10, 1993
The daylight-saving time makes Lambert miss his plane. Instead he meets one of his idols: a country singer whose music has been popular for 200 years. Naturally Lambert takes the chance to get to know her before her debut on television. Soon Lambert finds out that she has one more fan, an anonymous protector who only sends jet black gifts. When she finally meet him, Lambert discover that it's a madman from the future, who wants to guide the young girl through all rough periods. And he doesn't take kindly to Lambert's presence. The love triangle get even more complicated, when the singer doesn't believe Lambert's warnings, and Lambert may have to disclose his origin to save her life.
Photo Finish
Nov 17, 1993
SELMA has discovered that history has been changed in several horse races in Australia. Lambert investigates, and finds that the winning horse has been injected with a stimulant from the future. As if the burden of proof isn't hard enough, the next big race is starting soon, and Lambert's jockey friend could be in danger.
Darrow for the Defense
Nov 24, 1993
While Lambert finally gets a lead on Sambhi through one of his accomplices and prepares to zoom in on Sambhi's last known location, a lawyer from the 22nd century, Laura Darrow, shows up on his doorstep. Lambert is less than thrilled about her being there, as she has freed many of his convicts in the past (future). But since Sambhi gets away once again, Lambert is forced to cooperate with her in finding her client, whom she has freed from all charges. Through SELMA, Lambert tracks Darrows client, and they give him 24 hours to take care of everything before being sent home. But once Lambert and Darrow leave, the client (who is a plastic surgeon) calls Sambhi. Meanwhile, Lambert and Darrow continue their rows, until we suddenly learn that they once had a fling. Soon they are friends again, and lovers. As the 24 hours are up, Lambert and Darrow meet her client, but are confronted with Sambhi, who puts them in straight-jackets in a cell...
One on One
Dec 1, 1993
Sahmbi's latest invention involves mind control, but his sponsors demand a demonstration with hard evidence. So he captures Lambert and injects him with a TXP variant and tries to manipulate his thoughts. Lambert soon exhibits signs of believing Sahmbi's story and understanding his motives, to the point where he seems ready to give Sahmbi his PPT. This turns out to be a clever trick from Lambert, and it results in Sambhi's assistants being killed, when the tunnel collapses. Now it's Lambert vs Sahmbi - one on one. But Sahmbi has the upper hand, with the mind controlling drug. Lambert starts questioning his mission, and distances himself from SELMA. Then Sahmbi orders Lambert to kill himself...
misubisu
@misubisu
## **Time Trax (1993) Review: A Timeless, Story-Driven Sci-Fi Gem - 10/10** In an era increasingly dominated by CGI spectacle, *Time Trax* stands as a powerful reminder that the heart of great science-fiction is a compelling character and a well-told story. This series is a perfect, polished gem from the early 90s, and its quality has not diminished with time. Every episode is a masterclass in compact, engaging storytelling, weaving together elements of police procedural, sci-fi adventure, and fish-out-of-water comedy into a consistently entertaining package. The show's brilliance rests on two pillars. First, the irresistible premise: Darien Lambert, a 22nd-century police officer, is sent back to the 1990s to track down and capture fugitives from his own time who are hiding in our past. Second, and most importantly, is the man himself. **Darien Lambert is a fantastic character, played with immense charm and believable authority by Dale Midkiff.** He is the perfect hero—resourceful, intelligent, and armed with clever 22nd-century gadgets like his photon-emitting pistol and his holographic AI companion, SELMA. Midkiff sells the role completely, making Darien's awe, frustration, and determination feel genuine. The show's production proves that ingenuity trumps budget. **The lack of extensive special effects is not noticed because the actual stories are so well written.** The writers crafted clever puzzles for Darien to solve each week, relying on wit and suspense over visual bombast. This focus on character and plot makes the series feel timeless, not dated. ### The Verdict **10/10 - A Masterpiece of Classic Television Sci-Fi** *Time Trax* is a near-flawless execution of a high-concept idea. It’s a series built on a rock-solid foundation of a charismatic lead, intelligent scripts, and boundless creative energy. It is a genuine **pity it only went for two seasons**, as the world and character were rich with potential for many more adventures. For those who remember it fondly or are discovering it for the first time, *Time Trax* remains a brilliantly fun and endlessly re-watchable classic. An absolute triumph.
