Director Paul Verhoeven has a pretty solid track record when it comes to putting together some top notch sci-fi flicks. He did RoboCop. He did Total Recall (the Schwarzenegger version). And, on this day in 1997, he served up his interpretation of Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers to theatres. Purists kinda/sorta dismissed it, saying it wasn't true to Heinlein's vision (which it wasn't), but I still enjoyed it quite a bit.
After reading so much praise for 1936's Things To Come in my lifetime, can you imagine my disappointment when I finally watched it and was bored silly? It isn't a bad film; it's just that its sensibilities were of a different time and era than I grew up in, so I'll just have to politely say it just wasn't for me. In any event, the lovely Pearl Argyle made a splash in the flick. In her lifetime, she was a fairly renowned ballet -- no small feat (pun intended) -- but then tragically left our world in what appears to have been a fatal automobile accident. Though she's no longer with us, Argyle was born on this day in 1910.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
John Stratton was afforded the opportunity to play in the greater world of the BBC's long-running Doctor Who during its twenty-second season on the Boob Tube. Kudos to him for seizing such a prize. He also enjoyed a guest appearance to Gerry Anderson's UFO. Though he's no longer with us, Stratton was born on this day in 1925.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Though Lila Kaye did far more work in mainstream fare, she did put in appearances aboard The Invisible Man (1984), a highly regarded BBC adaptation of the H.G. Wells' novel. Though she's no longer with us, Kaye was born on this day in 1929.
Wendy Williams joined Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen aboard "The Ark In Space," a 1975-era serial of Doctor Who. Williams was born on this day in 1934.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Billy Green Bush's resume boasts a number of quirky and slight-off-center flicks from several genres including (thankfully) Science Fiction. SciFi fans probably know him best from appearances on The Incredible Hulk and Critters (1986). Bush was born on this day in 1935.
Dakin Matthews is a seasoned character actor who shows up all over the place, occasionally even taking roles in quality genre entertainment. SciFi fans might recognize him from work aboard Eve of Destruction (1991), Star Trek: Voyager, and CBS's BrainDead. Matthews was born on this day in 1940.
Peter Straker enjoyed a prominent supporting role aboard "Destiny Of The Daleks," a 1979 era serial of the BBC's long-running Doctor Who. Straker was born on this day in 1943.
[Source: Doctor Who Online Guide]
[Source: Doctor Who Online Guide]
Garn Stephens joined Tom Atkins aboard Halloween III: Season Of The Witch (1982), a decidedly SciFi twist for the otherwise committed Horror franchise. She also paid a visit to the world of NBC's popular Quantum Leap. Stephens was born on this day in 1944.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Julian Christopher has made a variety of genre-related appearances throughout his four decades in the entertainment business. Anyone remember Bill Bixby's magician-turned-detective program from the early 1970's called The Magician? Christopher was a regular in that. He had guest-starring turns aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (voicework only), The Outer Limits, Stargate: SG-1, The 4400, Smallville, Masters of Science Fiction, Bionic Woman, Fringe, Continuum, and Elysium. Christopher was born on this day in 1944.
Late actor John Aylward leaves behind a resume in mainstream fare that's very impressive, but let's not forget what he brought to some fabulous genre projects, shall we? Fans wishing to check out his gifts can do so in such properties as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1993), Armageddon (1998), The X-Files, Fringe, and Stargate SG-1. Though he's no longer with us, Aylward was born on this day in 1946.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
I penned a few words on the actor's passing from natural causes in 2022. Interested readers can find the announcement right here.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
I penned a few words on the actor's passing from natural causes in 2022. Interested readers can find the announcement right here.
Holmes Osborne is another one of those great secondary talents who always turns in a great performance no matter what the property. Personally, I've always remember him as President Robert Maxwell from UPN's underrated Seven Days. Osborne was born on this day in 1947.
Garrett M. Brown (above, in the tuxedo) had a recurring role aboard Roswell during the program's run. Brown was born on this day in 1948.
Gerry Lopez earned himself a spot in Fantasy Film history with a top role aboard Conan The Barbarian (1982) for Universal Pictures. Lopez was born on this day in 1948.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Bennet Guillory enjoyed a pair of small appearances aboard the big world of TV's Babylon 5. He also found guest work aboard The Kindred (1987), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Charmed. Guillory was born on this day in 1949.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Lindsay Duncan is a lovely Scottish lady who can often be found in mainstream dramas and period pieces (she cleans up wonderfully in period garb). She has blessed Science Fiction with a few contributions, including a terrific guest role on the BBC's Doctor Who, Black Mirror, and some voice work in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Duncan was born on this day in 1950.
According to IMDB.com, the dreamy Alonna Shaw got her start aboard an episode of TV's Superboy. She went on to enjoy some screen time aboard Cyborg Cop (1993). Shaw was born on this day in 1964.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The fetching Shannon Whirry joined SciFi's popular Rutger Hauer in Albert Pyun's Omega Doom (1996), a tale of Earth surviving robot rule. Whirry was born on this day in 1964.
Michael Papajohn is one of those great background players caught stealing scenes in a whole slew of great projects. He's had screen time in Predator 2 (1990), Spider-Man (2002), Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003), CBS's short-lived Threshold, Spider-Man 3 (2007), Terminator Salvation (2009), and Jurassic World (2015). Papajohn was born on this day in 1964.
Actor Jason London has certainly enjoyed an eclectic career, one which occasionally brings him into the realm of SciFi. He's had roles aboard Alien Cargo (1999), Showdown at Area 51 (2007), and Shark Island (2015) to name but a few. London was born on this day in 1972.
Jeremy London (above left) joined Brian Brown and Treat Williams in 1999's TV adapation of Jules Verne's novel, Journey to the Center of the Earth. London was born on this day in 1972.
She played the lovely but mysterious Sun Kwon on ABC's Lost. Actress Yunjin Kim was born on this day in 1973 ... let's all be glad she was eventually 'found' for fandom's sake!
When he was but a young lad, Carl Steven brought Spock back from the beyond in Star Trek: The Search For Spock. Though he's no longer with us, Steven was born on this day in 1974.
When filmdom's most famous slasher went into space for Jason X (2001), Canadian-born Melyssa Ade signed aboard for the wild ride. The actress also enjoyed some attention aboard PSI Factor: Chronicles Of The Paranormal and Mutant X. Ade was born on this day in 1976.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Adult film temptress Yurizan Beltran went where no one had gone before with a starring role aboard an Avatar porn parody. Though she's no longer with us, Beltran was born on this day in 1986.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Arguably, one of the best sequences in Iron Man 2 (2010) -- sorry, folks, wasn't a fan of the Iron Man flicks -- included the Ironette Dancers, of which the lovely Rachele Brooke Smith strutted her stuff. She also had a prominent role in 2016's Atomic Shark for good measure. Smith was born on this day in 1987.
Bless your warrior's heart, Mary Chieffo! Under all of that latex and general Klingon badassery you're in there, and you made a solid impact in fandom with your work aboard CBS's streaming entity, Star Trek: Discovery. Chieffo was born on this day in 1992.
[Source: Memory Alpha]
[Source: Memory Alpha]
A star is born! On this day in 1951, Flight To Mars enjoyed its very first theatrical release ever when it played for audiences in the city of Los Angeles, California. (Full U.S. theatrical release would follow shortly.) Written by Arthur Strawn and directed by Lesley Selander, the SciFi film starred Marguerite Chapman and Cameron Mitchell, and here's the plot summary that's been provided by the always reliable IMDB.com:
"A newspaper reporter and a bunch of scientists fly a rocket to Mars just to find out that Martians look exactly like us. Mars is running low on one of their natural resources (Corium), and plan to steal the Earth astronauts' rocket and conquer Earth. The Martian underground helps the Earthmen stop the insidious plan."
For the record:
In 2021, I had the good fortune of receiving a complimentary 4K restoration Blu-ray disk from the good people at The Film Detective, a release complete with some incredible extras. Want to know more? Then how about checking out my review of the flick right here.
"A newspaper reporter and a bunch of scientists fly a rocket to Mars just to find out that Martians look exactly like us. Mars is running low on one of their natural resources (Corium), and plan to steal the Earth astronauts' rocket and conquer Earth. The Martian underground helps the Earthmen stop the insidious plan."
For the record:
In 2021, I had the good fortune of receiving a complimentary 4K restoration Blu-ray disk from the good people at The Film Detective, a release complete with some incredible extras. Want to know more? Then how about checking out my review of the flick right here.
On this day in 1954, Target Earth found its way into the fabric of SciFi entertainment. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Giant robots from Venus invade Chicago. Stranded in the deserted city are strangers Frank and Nora."
"Giant robots from Venus invade Chicago. Stranded in the deserted city are strangers Frank and Nora."
A star is born! On this day in 1957 (in the former Soviet Union), Doroga K Zvezdam enjoyed its original theatrical premiere in the city of Leningrad. The SciFi feature starred Georgi Solovyov and Leonid Khmara, and here's the plot summary that's listed on IMDB.com:
"A groundbreaking popular science fiction film about the past and future of astronautics, from the first experiments by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky to the manned spaceflight and colonization of the Moon."
"A groundbreaking popular science fiction film about the past and future of astronautics, from the first experiments by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky to the manned spaceflight and colonization of the Moon."
On this day in 1977, the always magical Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope opened in the nation of Spain. The feature starred Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, and here's the plot summary as listed on IMDB.com:
"Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee, and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle-station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the evil Darth Vader."
"Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee, and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle-station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the evil Darth Vader."
A star is born! On this day in 1984 (in the United Kingdom), Trancers enjoyed its first theatrical presentation ever. Directed by genre master Charles Band, the SciFi/Thriller starred Tim Thomerson, Helen Hunt, and Art LaFleur. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A gruff bounty hunter travels back in time to 1980s Los Angeles to stop a twisted criminal who can transform people into zombie-like creatures."
"A gruff bounty hunter travels back in time to 1980s Los Angeles to stop a twisted criminal who can transform people into zombie-like creatures."
On this day in 1996 (in New Zealand), audiences were treated theatrically to Pamela Anderson's big guns with the silver screen adaptation of the Dark Horse comic book property Barb Wire. According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the early 21st century, the USA is in the wake of the Second Civil War. The whole country is in a constant state of emergency. What was formerly called the American Congress now rules the country with fascistic methods. There is only one free city left, Steel Harbor, a coastal California industrial town which is headquarters for the resistance. This is the home town of Barb Wire, owner of the Hammerhead nightclub. As times aren't good, Barb has a second job. She's a bounty hunter and you probably wouldn't want her after you. Barb's credo is to never take sides for anybody and that's the only way to survive these days in the crime-ridden streets of Steel Harbor. One evening, her former lover Axel Hood appears at the club asking for a favor to help him and his lover Cora D flee the country to Canada, Barb suddenly finds herself to be key player on high political stage. Now she has to take sides."
"In the early 21st century, the USA is in the wake of the Second Civil War. The whole country is in a constant state of emergency. What was formerly called the American Congress now rules the country with fascistic methods. There is only one free city left, Steel Harbor, a coastal California industrial town which is headquarters for the resistance. This is the home town of Barb Wire, owner of the Hammerhead nightclub. As times aren't good, Barb has a second job. She's a bounty hunter and you probably wouldn't want her after you. Barb's credo is to never take sides for anybody and that's the only way to survive these days in the crime-ridden streets of Steel Harbor. One evening, her former lover Axel Hood appears at the club asking for a favor to help him and his lover Cora D flee the country to Canada, Barb suddenly finds herself to be key player on high political stage. Now she has to take sides."
A star is born! On this day in 2009 (in the United Kingdom), The 7th Dimension (aka Beacon 77) enjoyed its theatrical debut when it played for audiences in attendance of the Leeds International Film Festival. Written (in part) and directed by Brad Watson, the film starred Kelly Adams, Jonathan Rhodes, and Lucy Evans. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Two young women arrive at a curious penthouse apartment, led by one's crush on her tutor. However, her love interest doesn't live alone. He's part of a trio of computer hackers about to embark on the ultimate job on the world's most mysterious mainframe. Whilst doing so, they unlock more than they bargain for with supernatural and ultimately fatal results. Can this seemingly insignificant chain of events, which have thrown this group together, be construed as fate? Can the beacon provide a signal of hope or is it a web of manipulation, paranoia and ultimately... murder?"
"Two young women arrive at a curious penthouse apartment, led by one's crush on her tutor. However, her love interest doesn't live alone. He's part of a trio of computer hackers about to embark on the ultimate job on the world's most mysterious mainframe. Whilst doing so, they unlock more than they bargain for with supernatural and ultimately fatal results. Can this seemingly insignificant chain of events, which have thrown this group together, be construed as fate? Can the beacon provide a signal of hope or is it a web of manipulation, paranoia and ultimately... murder?"
A star is born! On this day in 2014 (in Andorra), 54 Days played for audiences in attendance of the 30 Dies Film Festival. Written and directed by Tim R. Lea, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Michela Carattini, Dianna La Grassa, and Michael Drysdale. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A well-to-do Sydney party disintegrates into chaos and panic when a bomb goes off, forcing 5 friends into a 1960s nuclear shelter. As food and water runs out, they are forced to make an impossible decision: either one dies or they all die."
For the record:
To the film's credit, 54 Days earned a good amount of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit.
"A well-to-do Sydney party disintegrates into chaos and panic when a bomb goes off, forcing 5 friends into a 1960s nuclear shelter. As food and water runs out, they are forced to make an impossible decision: either one dies or they all die."
For the record:
To the film's credit, 54 Days earned a good amount of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit.
A star is born! On this day in 2014 (in Australia), Australiens gave audiences something to think about with its silver screen premiere held in on screens is Brisbane. Written (in part) and directed by Joe Bauer, the SciFi/Comedy starred Rita Artmann, Tamara McLaughlin, and Lawrence Silver. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Extra-terrestrials launch a nation-wide assault on Australia, much to the bafflement of the rest of the world."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Australiens enjoyed a good amount of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit.
ExtraExtra Alert:
I had the good fortune in 2023 to receive a complimentary stream of Australiens in exchange for a review. Interested in my thoughts on the project? Readers can find my review right here.
"Extra-terrestrials launch a nation-wide assault on Australia, much to the bafflement of the rest of the world."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Australiens enjoyed a good amount of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit.
ExtraExtra Alert:
I had the good fortune in 2023 to receive a complimentary stream of Australiens in exchange for a review. Interested in my thoughts on the project? Readers can find my review right here.
A star is born! On this day in 2018 (in the Philippines), Time Freak delivered audiences a dose of romance with its Science Fiction 'time travel' premise. Written and directed by Andrew Bowler, the motion picture starred Asa Butterfield, Sophie Turner, and Skyler Gisondo. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A genius teenage boy is in love with a girl who breaks up with him after a year. He invents a time machine and tries to fix the breakup repeatedly. He finally goes a year back with his friend to fix the bad days."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Time Freak enjoyed a 2019 Saturn Award nomination in the category of 'Best Blu-ray/DVD Release.'
"A genius teenage boy is in love with a girl who breaks up with him after a year. He invents a time machine and tries to fix the breakup repeatedly. He finally goes a year back with his friend to fix the bad days."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Time Freak enjoyed a 2019 Saturn Award nomination in the category of 'Best Blu-ray/DVD Release.'
On this day in 2019 (in the U.S.), the good people of Los Angeles, California were treated to the big screen theatrical debut of Cosmos. Written and directed by the team of Elliot Weaver and Zander Weaver, the SciFi/Thriller starred Tom England, Joshua Ford, and Arjun Singh Panam. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Three amateur astronomers are perplexed when the newest member of their team intercepts radio signals of seemingly impossible origin."
"Three amateur astronomers are perplexed when the newest member of their team intercepts radio signals of seemingly impossible origin."
On this day in 1952, Adventures of Superman aired "The Mind Machine." This served as the eighth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A mobster kidnaps a scientist and takes possession of his invention. The crook uses the device to damage the minds of people testifying before an investigative committee. The victims die a short time later. Superman races to find the mobster before Lois Lane testifies before the committee."
"A mobster kidnaps a scientist and takes possession of his invention. The crook uses the device to damage the minds of people testifying before an investigative committee. The victims die a short time later. Superman races to find the mobster before Lois Lane testifies before the committee."
On this day in 1952, Tales Of Tomorrow aired "The Window." This served as the twelfth episode in the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A live telecast of Tales of Tomorrow keeps being broken into by a phantom broadcast of a cheating couple preparing to launch her soused husband out a window. The Tales of Tomorrow crew scramble to investigate if the caper's real and if so, how can they interrupt the murder already in progress?"
"A live telecast of Tales of Tomorrow keeps being broken into by a phantom broadcast of a cheating couple preparing to launch her soused husband out a window. The Tales of Tomorrow crew scramble to investigate if the caper's real and if so, how can they interrupt the murder already in progress?"
On this day in 1953, Adventures Of Superman aired "A Ghost For Scotland Yard." This served as the eighth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Brockhurst, a famous magician, has been dead for a number of years. Yet, he his ghost is supposed to be returning. Clark Kent, while in England on assignment for the Daily Planet with Jimmy Olsen, is a skeptic. However, Sir Arthur McCredy, an old friend of Perry White's, is involved and Clark and Jimmy are assigned to stay over and work up a story about Brockhurst's supposed return. As Superman, Clark narrowly saves Sir Arthur's life after he has fainted while driving. It turns out he has seen a giant image of Brockhurst's face in the sky. Now, Clark is determined to find out the truth."
"Brockhurst, a famous magician, has been dead for a number of years. Yet, he his ghost is supposed to be returning. Clark Kent, while in England on assignment for the Daily Planet with Jimmy Olsen, is a skeptic. However, Sir Arthur McCredy, an old friend of Perry White's, is involved and Clark and Jimmy are assigned to stay over and work up a story about Brockhurst's supposed return. As Superman, Clark narrowly saves Sir Arthur's life after he has fainted while driving. It turns out he has seen a giant image of Brockhurst's face in the sky. Now, Clark is determined to find out the truth."
On this day in 1953, Johnny Jupiter aired "Historical Reenactment." This served as the tenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Ernest, Kathy and everyone else in Clayville dress up for a Revolutionary War reenactment."
"Ernest, Kathy and everyone else in Clayville dress up for a Revolutionary War reenactment."
On this day in 1953, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet aired "The Ghost Ship." This was an episode of the program's kinda/sorta third season, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"Tom and his men investigate when an apparently abandoned spaceship causes a series of crashes."
"Tom and his men investigate when an apparently abandoned spaceship causes a series of crashes."
On this day in 1959, World Of Giants aired "The Smugglers." This served as the tenth episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by Wikipedia.org:
"Bill and Mel goes after smugglers who are smuggling people out of China."
"Bill and Mel goes after smugglers who are smuggling people out of China."
On this day in 1961, A For Andromeda aired "The Face of the Tiger." This served as the sixth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"Together Andromeda and the computer provide plans to the government to construct a missile capable of intercepting and destroying any foreign rockets which are fired upon Britain. Everyone is delighted with this except Fleming, who sees the teaming up of Andromeda and the computer as a menace. Fleming tries to destroy the computer, which retaliates, but its blow falls on Dawnay."
"Together Andromeda and the computer provide plans to the government to construct a missile capable of intercepting and destroying any foreign rockets which are fired upon Britain. Everyone is delighted with this except Fleming, who sees the teaming up of Andromeda and the computer as a menace. Fleming tries to destroy the computer, which retaliates, but its blow falls on Dawnay."
On this day in 1964, Doctor Who aired "Dangerous Journey." This served as the second episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Ian and Barbara are accidentally taken into Smithers' laboratory and, while the Doctor and Susan face a hazardous journey to reach them, they witness the deadly effects of DN6 first hand."
"Ian and Barbara are accidentally taken into Smithers' laboratory and, while the Doctor and Susan face a hazardous journey to reach them, they witness the deadly effects of DN6 first hand."
On this day in 1977, Logan and Jessica found an underground facility housing six cryogenically frozen humans on Logan's Run. A series of small earthquakes continues to make rescue difficult for the team.
On this day in 1979, Quatermass aired "What Lies Beneath." This served as the third episode of its only season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Quatermass is rescued by a group of elderly people living in a scrap yard. At the hospital, the doctors are shocked when Isabel levitates off her bed and explodes in a cloud of dust. Elsewhere, the devastated Kapp is left alone in the ruins of his cottage and observatory. More and more young people are joining the Planet People, including the gangs that have been terrorising the cities and the soldiers assigned to keep them away from the Megalithic sites. Contact is restored with Chuck Marshall and with the Russians in the form of Gurov. Quatermass theorises that this..."
"Quatermass is rescued by a group of elderly people living in a scrap yard. At the hospital, the doctors are shocked when Isabel levitates off her bed and explodes in a cloud of dust. Elsewhere, the devastated Kapp is left alone in the ruins of his cottage and observatory. More and more young people are joining the Planet People, including the gangs that have been terrorising the cities and the soldiers assigned to keep them away from the Megalithic sites. Contact is restored with Chuck Marshall and with the Russians in the form of Gurov. Quatermass theorises that this..."
On this day in 1980 (in the United Kingdom), The Boy From Space aired "The Hunt For The Car." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While Dan and Helen tell a confused Tom all about what's been going on, Mr Bunting and Peep-peep encounter trouble."
(NOTE: For the record, The Boy From Space was originally first broadcast in the 1971 television season; however, it's popularity at the time encouraged the programmers to repackage it with some new footage and dialogue for re-airing in 1980.)
"While Dan and Helen tell a confused Tom all about what's been going on, Mr Bunting and Peep-peep encounter trouble."
(NOTE: For the record, The Boy From Space was originally first broadcast in the 1971 television season; however, it's popularity at the time encouraged the programmers to repackage it with some new footage and dialogue for re-airing in 1980.)
On this day in 1986, Starman aired "One for the Road." This served as the seventh episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Weary of their life on the run, Paul and Scott start to enjoy staying in one place for a while, but when Paul sees that they must move on, Scott rebels."
"Weary of their life on the run, Paul and Scott start to enjoy staying in one place for a while, but when Paul sees that they must move on, Scott rebels."
On this day in 1986, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers aired "Aces and Apes." This (technically) served as the program's forty-fourth episode (they were aired wildly out of sequence), and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Rangers test a new engine for the Andorians. An object crashes into the ship, the Rangers are forced to abandon the ship. As they try to recover the ship, Scarecrow and Slade team up."
"The Rangers test a new engine for the Andorians. An object crashes into the ship, the Rangers are forced to abandon the ship. As they try to recover the ship, Scarecrow and Slade team up."
Wesley, trust me: Wesley Crusher's face above is the same expression most of us Trek enthusiasts make when we're asked what we thought about Star Trek: The Next Generation's first season. "Justice" aired on this day in 1987, and the story involved a planet of pretty people who truly knew no conflict. Breaking their laws? Why, that would be met with the death penalty!
On this day in 1988, War of the Worlds aired "The Second Seal." This served as the sixth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Martians attempt to take over a military base that has been used as a secure storage area for much of the information regarding the 1953 invasion. In particular they are seeking the location of Martians who are still in hibernation waiting to rejoin the invasion."
"The Martians attempt to take over a military base that has been used as a secure storage area for much of the information regarding the 1953 invasion. In particular they are seeking the location of Martians who are still in hibernation waiting to rejoin the invasion."
Star Trek: The Next Generation's "A Fistful of Datas" is one of those episodes that an awful lot of fans love but I've never quite been able to figure out why. (FYI: it first aired in syndication on this day in 1992.) Sure, it was fun to see our regulars in another environment, even another genre, but TNG had already done this kind of 'thing' with the vastly more entertaining episode "QPid." Otherwise, I'll concede that while it was great to see Marina Sirtis in leather chaps, this one just left me cold.
On this day in 1993, SeaQuest aired "Bad Water." This served as the eighth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A French submarine with school children has been sucked into a fresh water hole, sea quest rushes to save them before their air runs out."
"A French submarine with school children has been sucked into a fresh water hole, sea quest rushes to save them before their air runs out."
On this day in 1993, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "Rules Of Acquisition." This served as the seventh episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A female Ferengi named Pel, posing as a male so that she can engage in business, falls for Quark during very important negotiations between the Ferengi and a Gamma Quadrant race."
"A female Ferengi named Pel, posing as a male so that she can engage in business, falls for Quark during very important negotiations between the Ferengi and a Gamma Quadrant race."
On this day in 1994, Robocop: The Series aired "Corporate Raiders." This served as the twenty-first episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"The city's rocked by anti-corporate violence as RoboCop and Officer Madigan are assigned to bring in a charming ex-terrorist, but a corrupt union leader and his sultry secretary have other plans."
"The city's rocked by anti-corporate violence as RoboCop and Officer Madigan are assigned to bring in a charming ex-terrorist, but a corrupt union leader and his sultry secretary have other plans."
On this day in 1994, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "Civil Defense." This served as the seventh episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The station goes into lockdown and the crew is endangered when an old Cardassian security program is accidentally activated."
"The station goes into lockdown and the crew is endangered when an old Cardassian security program is accidentally activated."
On this day in 1999, The X-Files launched its seventh season with the airing of "The Sixth Extinction." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Scully and a colleague try to decipher the symbols on the spaceship beached in Africa before their rival can take over the dig, but the ship starts recreating the Plagues of Egypt. Skinner and Kritschgau test Mulder's telepathic ability."
"Scully and a colleague try to decipher the symbols on the spaceship beached in Africa before their rival can take over the dig, but the ship starts recreating the Plagues of Egypt. Skinner and Kritschgau test Mulder's telepathic ability."
On this day in 2001, Cybergirl (in Australia), Cybergirl aired the fifteenth episode of its only season on television. According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"When Rick and Honey Fontaine threaten to get rid of Ahab when he misbehaves, it is imperetive that Kat can get him to behave during a dinner party with Mayor Buxton. Ashley helps out, but she is also keen to find out what Rhyss is up to, and stop him..."
"When Rick and Honey Fontaine threaten to get rid of Ahab when he misbehaves, it is imperetive that Kat can get him to behave during a dinner party with Mayor Buxton. Ashley helps out, but she is also keen to find out what Rhyss is up to, and stop him..."
Think what you might, but adventures early in any new television programs run are exceedingly difficult to 'get right,' and there are many, many reasons for this. The most important of which -- so far as I'm concerned -- is that actors are still trying to fit into character while the writers are struggling to serve up incidents and circumstances significant enough for everyone's attention. I was no fan of Star Trek: Enterprise, but one hour they did 'get right' in their first season was "Breaking the Ice." It aired as the eighth outing in the first season on this day in 2001, and here's the plot summary from Trekcore.com:
"While the Enterprise crew researches a newly discovered comet, Archer tries to deal diplomatically with a Vulcan ship that is suspiciously watching them."
"While the Enterprise crew researches a newly discovered comet, Archer tries to deal diplomatically with a Vulcan ship that is suspiciously watching them."
On this day in 2008, Anakin Skywalker thought he had lost his favorite astromech companion as the beloved droid, R2-D2, went missing-in-action during the adventure titled "Downfall of a Droid." It was the sixth episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars first season. (Don't worry, kids! R2 came back unscathed in not too long!)
On this day in 2015, Doctor Who aired "The Zygon Inversion." This served as the eighth episode in the relaunched program's ninth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"With the Zygons invading England, and UNIT neutralized, the Doctor stands alone to stop the Zygons from taking over the entire planet. But how can he stop the Zygons? And how can he save his friends?"
"With the Zygons invading England, and UNIT neutralized, the Doctor stands alone to stop the Zygons from taking over the entire planet. But how can he stop the Zygons? And how can he save his friends?"
Sorry, folks, but I don't "game." Still, I can appreciate a quality genre release, and on this day in 2016 the entertaining Planet Explorers explored its release to the worldwide marketplace. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the premise:
"In Planet Explorers, it is the year 2287, one of the first colony ships sent out by Earth arrives at the planet Maria, in the Epsilon Indi Star System. During its landing sequence, something appears in front of the massive ship that causes it to lose control and crash into the planet."
"In Planet Explorers, it is the year 2287, one of the first colony ships sent out by Earth arrives at the planet Maria, in the Epsilon Indi Star System. During its landing sequence, something appears in front of the massive ship that causes it to lose control and crash into the planet."