Think what you may, sci-fi fans, but there's never been a better 'Part 1' in all of sci-fi television than Star Trek: The Next Generation's third season finale, "The Best of Both Worlds." (It aired in syndication on this day back in 1990.) Could the stakes have been raised any higher? Riker in a personal and a professional crisis? Picard seized by the Borg? Starfleet facing possible galactic eradication? Audiences were left on the edge of their seats all summer thanks to this winning script by the late screenwriter Michael Piller. The lovely Faith Domergue played Dr. Ruth Adams as part of the scientific ensemble at the middle of 1955's sci-fi classic This Island Earth. In fact, she practically ruled cinema sci-fi that year as she also headlined The Atomic Man and It Came From Beneath The Sea for willing audiences. What a glorious, glorious year! Though she's no longer with us, Domergue was born on this day in 1924. Clifton Collins Jr. has one of those familiar faces, and that's largely because he's been a part of so many interesting programs. He was manipulating a conspiracy on NBC's The Event. He was a Romulan baddie as part of JJ Abrams' Star Trek reboot (2009). He was also part of the team ridding the Earth of monsters in Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim (2013). Collins was born on this day in 1970. And speaking about the Star Trek reboot, one actor on the front lines of the action is none other than John Cho. His take on Hikaru Sulu might lack the charismatic charm that Takei brought to the small screen, but I, for one, hope he gets more to do in the subsequent cinematic adventures. Cho was born on this day in 1972.
Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn was one of those characters who -- despite a truly awful script -- truly lit up the screen when given the chance to throw down opposite Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. I'm not one of those fair-weather-fans who hated all things about the Prequel Trilogy, but I'll be the first to admit the narrative had problems. Think what you may, the gravitas actor Liam Neeson helped stabilize even the weakest of those films. As much as he could, Neeson emboldened Jinn with the right amounts of nobility and (dare I say?) cynicism as the Jedi who sees the fate of the galaxy within his grasp while the Jedi Council wastes time fracturing over every possible mention of Anakin Skywalker bringing "balance" to the Force. (Whatever that was!) Neeson was born on this day back in 1952. Birthdays Late in her incredible career, Jessica Tandy was given the opportunity to appear on-screen not once but three times with her real-life hubby Hume Cronyn in sci-fi-themed films: first was in Ron Howard's Cocoon (1985), second was Matthew Robbins' Batteries Not Included (1987), and last was Daniel Petrie's Cocoon: The Return (1988). Though she's no longer with us, Tandy was born on this day in 1909. I know more people who flat-out hated Mars Attacks! when it premiered in theatres, but what I honestly don't understand is why. To be honest, I enjoyed its good-time shtick from start-to-finish, and, yes, I even loved it when legendary crooner and ladies' panties collector Tom Jones showed up in an absurd role. Jones was born on this day in 1940. Still, George Lucas's Star Wars isn't the only franchise who had a warrior born on June 7: back in 1969, Anthony Simcoe was brought into this world by way of birth. His face sans make-up is probably not all that recognizable to genre fans, but, once he's properly done up in the guise, he played Ka D'Argo on Syfy's absolutely stellar Farscape. Happy birthday, indeed! Star Trek (2009). Star Trek Into Darkness. Fox TV's Almost Human. Dredd. Need I go on, or do you get the point? I penned an article for UnrealityMag.com not all that long ago about how Karl Urban had indeed become 'the Man' to watch in sci-fi. Although JJ's Trek films haven't exactly grown on me and although Almost Human didn't make it past its first season, I for one am holding out hope that someone greenlights a Dredd sequel for this man. Urban was born on this day in 1972. The equally incomparable and delicious Anna Torv is what made watching Fox TV's Fringe such a delight. She put a human face on some otherwise inhuman science, and the opportunity to play both good and evil versions of one single persona gave her a chance to display her acting gifts. Torv was born on this day in 1979. And that's all I have for today, folks. In the meantime: May the Force Be With You, Live Long & Prosper, So Say We All! |
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