New uniforms, additions to the cast, and the unmentioned disappearance of other cast members propels Moonbase Alpha into its second season. The changes aren’t discussed, and we’re thrown into the new season with a brand new theme and opening credits which introduces new cast member Catherine Schell before her character is even introduced in the…
Tag: computer
Space: 1999 (1976) – Space Brain, and The Troubled Spirit
A Christopher Penfold script takes us farther out into the universe this week with Moonbase Alpha, in this story that first aired on 29 January, 1976. And in what seems to be a recurring theme throughout the first season, a member of Alpha is taken over by an alien presence, one that is a big…
Space: 1999 (1976) – Ring Around the Moon, and Missing Link
Ring Around the Moon is the first episode up this week, as I continue my travels with Moonbase Alpha. Written by Edward di Lorenzo this story first debuted on 15 January, 1976. A strange yellow energy field has an adverse effect on one of the Alphan techs, as a strange planet pulls it into temporary…
Space: 1999 (1976) – The Last Sunset, and The Infernal Machine
Christopher Penfold penned this adventure for Moonbase Alpha that first debuted on 1 January, 1976. The moon draw close to a planet they refer to as Ariel, but as Alan (Nick Tate) approaches in an eagle, some form of device attaches itself to the ship. Upon emergency return to Alpha, the device generates a breathable…
Space: 1999 (1975/1976) – Matter of Life and Death, and Earthbound
Doctor Helena Russell’s (Barbara Bain) presumed dead husband, Lee Russell (Richard Johnson) mysteriously appears on a planet christened Terra Nova in this episode penned by Art Wallace and Johnny Byrne. This one first debuted on 27 November, 1975, and honestly, is a bit of a low point for the first season. It’s obvious that Lee…
Space: 1999 (1975) – Guardian of Piri, and End of Eternity
Computer is causing problems, and Moonbase Alpha has drawn close to a strange planet which is having adverse effects on the Alphans. Guardian of Piri was written by Christopher Penfold, and first debuted on 13 November, 1975. As the moon draws closer to a odd world, computer’s data, and mechanical instruments become increasingly unreliable, Eagle…
POPnology at the Ontario Science Centre
It’s summer vacation, time for camps, bike rides, beaches, family trips, seemingly endless days spread out before the young to enjoy, to forget the long reach of scholastic achievement, teachers, and books. So how can you make learning fun, and ensure that the entire family is entertained? Combine education with entertainment, with movies, and pop…
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) – The Forsaken, and Dramatis Personae
Station log: stardate 46925.1 The Forsaken, written by Don Carlos Dunaway and Michael Piller from a story by Jim Trombella, first aired on 23 May 1993, and sees Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett) arriving on the station. She and another number of Federation ambassadors have arrived to have a look at the wormhole as well as…
The Twilight Zone (1964) – The Encounter, Mr. Garrity and the Graves, and The Brain Center at Whipple’s
Our penultimate trip to the Twilight Zone gets underway this week, with The Encounter as I draw to the end of The Complete Series on blu-ray from Paramount Pictures. Written by Martin Goldsmith, this episode first debuted on 1 May, 1964. It stars George Takei and Neville Brand. After World War II, prejudices and hatred…
The Twilight Zone (1964) – Night Call, From Agnes – With Love, and Spur of the Moment
It’s back into the depths of The Twilight Zone as I continue my exploration of The Complete Series, now on blu-ray from Paramount Pictures. Up first this week is Night Call. This episode originally aired on 7 February, 1964, and was penned by the legendary Richard Matheson. Elva Keene (Gladys Cooper) is living a nightmare,…
The Mind Reels 