Space 1999, Set 4

Space 1999 was a diverse series that had it all and then some. It was fun like Doctor Who, as abstract as the Prisoner, as explorational as Star Trek, as light as Lost In Space, as philosophical as 2001, as dark and claustophobic as the most entertaining horror movies and disaster films, as funny as Plan 9, and it even featured pre-Star Wars space battles that were truly a blast. On it's own merit it was also quite a unique series. It was never locked down into just one pattern so it never got sterile. There are episodes for every mood and mindset. One can enjoy the serious episodes or the just plain fun escapism. The setting of 1999 only adds to the fun and the out of control moon idea was certainly original. Many episodes allow the viewer to come to one's own conclusions and there's little clear continuity after the first episode which also allows creativity on the part of the veiwer. It's a very expansive and wonderous universe that's explored in different ways. The diversity of styles and ideas are it's greatest strength. It's always a wild ride.

The breakdown: due to storing too much volatile nuclear material on the moon, and a freak increase of magnetic activity (to the point where beams of lightning get shot across the moonscape) the nuclear waste is ignited and the subsequent massive explosion shoots the moon out of orbit and on an uncharted journey through the far reaches of space. If you can get past this "scientifically impossible" (as Asimov called it) premise, then Space: 1999 is the show for you. Now in the fourth set, some of the finest episodes of the series. Without a doubt, "The Troubled Spirit" represents some of the creepiest and finest writing of this or any series pre-X-Files. Although on the surface a seeming attempt to cash in on the Exorcist hoopla still going strong at the time, this episode raises the bar considerably with the idea of a spirit coming back in time to haunt the present for a crime not committed yet. The opening musical score for the episode is just plain fantastic! "Space Brain" is the notorious episode with all the foam and bubbles. The title pretty much explains the plot. The effects of the brain itself are pretty creative (and minimalist!) and Barry Gray's special score for this episode is particularly engaging. The "Infernal Machine" is a bit more pedestrian with the alien visiting the moonbase. Two unusuals for this episode: the always excellent Leo McKern and the very nice set design inside of Gwent's spaceship. "Mission of the Darians" (with guest Joan Collins) is another notorious episode (with another great set design!) that took its cue from the Soylent Green movie-`nuff said on that. "Dragon's Domain" is the one episode that everyone remembers from when they watched this series as young children. It is still a truly frightening episode to behold. Also, one of the problems that dogged this series, plot and continuity problems, is evident here unfortunately. "Testament of Arkadia" was the final episode for the first season. As the story unwinds slowly, you will see why this was a great way to end the season. Again, the music is very engaging. There would be a second season of Space: 1999 with many drastic changes, most notably the departure of three major characters and the addition of two more.

This is my favorite set of the entire series. Volume seven is good, but volume eight has some of the best episodes of the series. I love the first season, but I always wished the characters could have evolved more. It always seemed like we would have an episode where characters would show some life, but then that life would gone in the next episode. Here is my breakdown of the episodes on this set.
The troubled spirit- Another one of those episodes about some kind of possession that causes an Alphan to go off or at least a part of them goes off and terrorizes the base. This is one of those gothic horrors set in space that Space 1999 could do so very well. This episode is predictable, but well paced and interesting.
Space brain- Yeah, I know, everyone is walking through soap suds pretending they are being attacked by an alien entity. If you can look past the suds then it really is a fair episode.
Infernal machine- An immensely powerful machine loses it's companion and now it needs another. A bit slow at first, but it eventually develops into a very strong episode.
Now we come to the final three episodes of season one and all three of these would be in my top five favorite episodes of the entire show.
Mission of the Darians- The Alphans discover a huge spaceship and we discover cannibalism, sacrifices, false gods and two entirely different societies living on the same ship. Joan Collins is perfect as Kara, an arrogant member of the dominating society of the ship. This episode is solid from start to finish. Not entirely original, but a fine story with some good performances. This episode is maybe more of a standard Space 1999 episode than the last two and I love some of the sets in this episode.
Dragon's domain- Often considered to be the best episode of the series, and I believe that title should go to either this episode or Black sun. That may be a bit hard to believe when you consider the main character is not a regular and that the bulk of the story is told through flashbacks. Tony Cellini swears a monster killed the rest of the crew of a mission he was on and now he feels the monster has returned and he must confront it. Great story, very grim at times with solid performances from all involved.
Testement of arkadia- The first season comes to a close with an episode that like Dragon's domain seems very different from the rest of the season, but it is still one of the best. Alpha is drawn to a planet and the base is losing power. On the planet, they discover links that indicate that humans may have come from this planet and two crewmembers believe this is where they should settle. We have an episode where crewmembers are creating a problem, but becuase they felt it is their fate rather than the usual plot where we crewmembers are driven by possession of alien force. We have the absense of any tangible alien force, some different music and even some voice over by Koenig all of these things give this episode very different, but almost stylish feel. It's much more a thinking episode than a visual episode.
And so the first season comes to an end and makes me wish we could have had a second season that picked where this one ended and then season two may have been great. Instead ratings were not good enough and the Andersons got divorced. The only way to get a second season was to hand the reins over to Fred Freiberger and he had to promise a number of changes that he thought could help the ratings. Paul, Kano and Victor (my favorite) were all gone (without explanation) and they were replaced my Maya and Tony. Uniforms, the theme an main mission were changed. Helena and Koenig's relationship jumped ahead several notches and the whole feel of the show changed. Sandra only appeared ina few episodes, Alan was never quite the same and most of the other secondary characters would change every couple of episodes. It did have it's share of good episodes, but season one ruled.

Wasn't this a fun show to watch, especially as a kid? I remember being fascinated by the Eagles and always wishing I could fly one to school! Yes, this show could get a little heavy into the cheese, but who cares, it was great fodder for a young imagination. And now, it is a great stroll down memory lane, which sometimes takes a turn down escapism street.

The episode in this set that effected me most, even out of the whole series, was "Dragon's Domain". Oh man, that tentacled monster blob oneeyed thing caused me more nightmares than I care to remember. But, I had to watch it everytime it came on. I love that one. It is such a creepy episode and really quite horrifying, having to deal with the fact that yes, we are not always on top of the food chain.

The other episodes in this set are pretty good also. What a kick to see Rumpole of the Bailey!

This is a timeless and cool scifi show. Way ahead of its time in many aspects. Funny how it hasn't really been matched by the shows of today.

I still think Carter was the coolest charachter on that show.

I remember this series as a child. Two major stars from the "Mission Impossible" tv series went after Star Trek--"Holy Shatner!" and gave Star Trek a good run for their money. Good series. If you like SciFi, you will love this series of dvd's.