3001: The Final Odyssey (1997) – Arthur C. Clarke

  The final installment of Clarke’s Odyssey series is a stronger read than the previous entry, and features yet another character from the first novel. The solar system is easier to move around in now with advancements in engineering and spacecraft, and a ship recovers a body spinning in space, that of astronaut Frank Poole……

2010: Odyssey Two (1982) – Arthur C. Clarke

  The mystery of the monolith in orbit around Jupiter grows as a new mission is launched from Earth to hopefully discover what happened on that fateful mission in 2001. Taking its cue more from Kubrick’s film version than his own novel, though parts of that have been incorporated, the setting for mankind’s next encounter…

Doctor Who (William Hartnell) – The Daleks’ Master Plan

The Daleks return in this epic 12 part story written by Terry Nation and Dennis Spooner. The story ran from 13 November 1965 through to 29 January 1966. It featured a couple of stand out moments, including the first death of a companion, the Doctor breaking the fourth wall to wish viewers a happy Christmas,…

Leviathan Wakes (2011) – James S.A. Corey

I love a good science fiction movie or television series, but oft-times I have a hard time digging into science fiction books, the exception being Arthur C. Clarke, Star Wars and Star Trek novels with occasional deviance into other titles if they catch my attention. I’ll read all manner of books, they just have to hold my…

Doctor Who (William Hartnell) – Planet of the Giants

  Season 2 of Doctor Who begins with this three-part story that was written by Louis Marks, and aired from 31 October to 14 November, 1964. The TARDIS returns to Earth, but when a fault occurs during materialization, the doors open too early, and cause a problem for our stalwart travellers. Through the course of…

Doctor Who (William Hartnell) – The Reign of Terror

  “Have you met the French?” The final story of the first season of Doctor Who was written by Dennis Spooner and aired its six parts from 8 August to 12 September, 1964. The TARDIS arrives back on Earth, and The Doctor (Hartnell) seems eager to finally be rid of Ian Chesterton (William Russell) and Barbara…

Battlestar Galactica (1979) – Greetings From Earth

In this two-hour special presentation Glen Larson’s writing hints that the fleet may be closer to earth, but things may not be as they seem in this episode that aired 25 February, 1979! The cylons have begun to fall behind, the fleet has grown safer, but Earth is still just a distant hope, until Starbuck…

Masters of the Universe (1987) – Gary Goddard

  Sometimes you just want to disconnect your mind, and enjoy some fromage that just melts around your brain, and Masters of the Universe is 80s cheese that is just oh-so-bad, and not in the fun cult way that Flash Gordon is. In the long run, I think the only really good thing to come out…

Battlestar Galactica (1979) – War of the Gods Parts 1 & 2

Trouble comes to the fleet in two forms in this two-part episode written by series creator Glen A. Larson in the form of mysterious white orbs and some spectral looking beings, and the deceptive Count Iblis (Patrick Macnee). This of all the series so far, has the most religious overtones with mentions of good and…

Battlestar Galactica (1978) – The Lost Warrior & The Long Patrol

  This week’s Battlestar Galactica sees two stand alone episodes before we plunge into another two parter. The art used to illustrate this installment of the Bellasrio & Cannell comes from Ralph McQuarrie’s preproduction art and book cover art from the episode’s novel adaption by David Shleinkofer. First up is The Lost Warrior, which aired October 8,…