GC-161 is the pinnacle development of the Paradise Valley Chemical Plant, a wonderdrug initially synthesized and created by Charles "Chappy" Furnell in 1978, that would greatly improve the human body's physique by reducing their weight drastically. However, from what can be seen in the show, the chemical has severe unintended side effects on most living beings it comes into contact with (either through ingestion or through skin absorbtion of its liquid form) and drastically changed the lives of two human beings (the chemical's creator - Chappy Furnell, and the titular protagonist of the show - Alexandra Louise Mack).
Intended use and side effects[]
The GC-161 compound caused anyone who took it to instantly reduce weight, easily solving obesity problems. However, the compound had not been fully refined and was still highly experimental. Though the compound's actual ability to reduce weight was unclear, it was known to give those exposed to it a set of powers that were usually consistent with every subject: Telekinesis, Energy projection and the ability to morph into a liquid. Chappy claimed, in his personal tests of the chemical on himself, that the powers eventually wore off after a while. This indicates that an earlier version of the chemical's formula with weaker properties had previously existed. However, when Alex and later Dave Watt's pet chimpanzee, Oscar, were exposed to the chemical, theirs did not. In fact, Alex's powers stayed with her from the beginning of junior high all the way up to high school, and kept evolving over time. Alex's father, George, while heading research and development of the GC-161 Project, discovered that the chemical had the power to "alter human genetic structure". After making this discovery, he began working on formulating an antidote to counter the unintended side effects of the chemical, behind plant authorities backs.
Legacy[]
Because of the unintended side effects of the project, Danielle Atron attempted to either experiment on or "eliminate" anyone who had been personally exposed to the chemical. This drastically changed the lives of those affected by by the chemical, namely Alex. Chappy went into exile knowing that Danielle would want him killed to erase any trace of evidence of her plant being involved in human test subjects, and Alex kept her powers hidden from everyone save for a very select few. The repeated failures of trying to capture Alex infuriated Danielle and her cohorts (namely Vince Carter, and Lars Frederickson), driving them to turn to some rather drastic, and legally questionable measures in an attempt to find and capture her.
In the closing episodes of the series, Danielle attempted to sell the so-called "refined" drug to the U.S. over-the-counter health and beauty market, despite all the side effects. In order to cover up her tracks, Danielle trapped Alex and her parents in the plant, and prepared to blow it up in an attempt to erase all evidence of her corporate evil. Meanwhile, Danielle's intentions were to escape with her fortune to a tropical banana republic, far out of the reach of U.S. Federal jurisdiction or extradition. This was foiled thanks to Alex, her friends and family (including Ray Alvarado, and Hunter Reeves), Dave Watt (the truck driver who contaminated Alex, who later had become somewhat of an amateur detective working to stop Danielle), and Geno Lawless (a former plant security officer turned United States Food & Drug Administration Agent).
A drum of GC-161 compound ends up leaking into a drain after the blast, its effects are at this time unknown. After escaping the destruction of the plant, and Danielle's arrest by Geno and the FDA, George gave Alex a vial of the GC-161 antidote. Whether or not she takes the antidote is left up to speculation. Also up to speculation is whether George's antidote merely counters the unintended side effects of the chemical, or whether it is able to change human DNA back to its previously unaltered state after exposure.
Members[]
- Charles "Chappy" Furnell - Creator
- Robert Dekam
- Jonathan Pollock
- Edwin Bloom
- Donald Gold
- Hunter Reeves' father
- Danielle Atron - Plant CEO
- George Mack - Head of the GC-161 Research and Development Team from Alex's 8th Grade year until the cessation of plant operations during Alex's high school years
- Gordon "Scooter" Kramer - George's chief assistant
- Annie Mack - Plant intern in her later high school years
Subjects[]
- Charles "Chappy" Furnell - Tested chemical on himself after developing the initial formula
- Alex Mack - Exposed in The Accident
- Oscar Watt (Chimpanzee) - Exposed after being accidentally released in the plant by Dave Watt