I know people who hate Space: Above & Beyond because, as they say, "it's nothing more than a war show in space." Usually, I respond with "Well, duh! That's exactly why I like it!" I can easily agree that it would've been nicer to see more space-based combat sequences, but back in the mid-90's I suspect that would've made the program cost-prohibitive. One of the great talents to emerge from S:AaB was actor James Morrison (as T.C. McQueen), who went on to play a terrific role in Fox TV's 24 over the course of a few seasons. Morrison was born on this day in 1954.
T.C. McQueen's finest hour from "The Angriest Angel"
T.C. McQueen's finest hour from "The Angriest Angel"
Sidney Clute is yet another one of those character actors hired to fill out smaller background roles in television and films. He scored appearances aboard Adventures of Superman, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Amazing Spider-Man (TV), and Battlestar Galactica (ABC). Though he's no longer with us, Clute was born on this day in 1914.
With only twenty-two screen credits to her name, Dee Hartford still managed to squeeze in some incredible genre appearances. She enjoyed roles aboard The Outer Limits, The Twilight Zone, The Time Tunnel, Batman, Lost In Space, and Land of the Giants. Hartford was born on this day in 1928.
Rod Loomis played Sigmund Freud in the 1989 cult SciFi comedy Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. As far as other science fiction projects go, he's enjoyed appearances in Jason of Star Command, Quantum Leap, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Stargate: SG-1. Loomis was born on this day in 1942.
The bright and vivacious Lisa Darr joined Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell in a fourth season episode of Quantum Leap. The actress has also made appearances in such properties as The Flash (CBS), The X-Files, FlashForward, and Constantine. Darr was born on this day in 1963.
Actress and stuntwoman Kathy Long knew a little something about kicking SciFi butt and taking SciFi name in her role aboard Knights (1993). Long was born on this day in 1964.
In The Machine, actor Toby Stephens played Vincent McCarthy, a brilliant A.I. specialist intent upon perfecting a sentient robotic killer; as often happens in those situations, it goes horribly wrong. The flick is available on home video, and I'd encourage interested folks check it out. Stephens was born on this day in 1969.
Jennifer Blanc has enjoyed an incredibly diverse career, appearing in an amazing number of projects in her over two decades of work in the entertainment business. SciFi fans probably recognize her best from her work alongside Jessica Alba in Fox TV's Dark Angel. Blanc was born on this day in 1974.
Prissy Brit James McAvoy may not think much of America or Americans, but he's still happy to appear as part of an American franchise as powerful as the X-Men. He headlined X-Men: First Class, a rowdy 60's inspired origins film for Charles Xavier and his band of mutant strongmen (and strongwomen!). Mr. McAvoy was born on this day back in 1979.
As Paul Dierden on the BBC's popular clone drama Orphan Black, he goes to whatever lengths necessary to keep the conspiracy alive. In real life, he's known as Dylan Bruce, and he was born on this day in 1980.
One of Hadley Fraser's first professional gigs was aboard "Army of Ghosts," an episode of the BBC's long-running Doctor Who. Fraser was born on this day in 1980.
The luscious Gugu Mbatha-Raw dolled herself up real exotic-like for the Wachowskis' mega-failure, Jupiter Ascending (2015), though we certainly won't fault her for that. Mbatha-Raw was born on this day in 1983.
Robbie Amell immersed himself deeply into the fantastical waters of The X-Files when the show came back onto the airwaves compliments of Fox TV in 2016. He's also appeared on the CW's version of The Flash as Deathstorm as well as serving as one of the regulars for the short-lived The Tomorrow People. Amell was born on this day in 1988.
Young Valerie Tian has filled out background and supporting roles aboard X-Men 2 (2003), Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), Bionic Woman, Arrow, The 100, and The Magicians. Tian was born on this day in 1989.
On this day in 1968 (across the United Kingdom), the original Planet Of The Apes enjoyed its theatrical release. The SciFi feature starred Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowall, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet in the distant future where intelligent talking apes are the dominant species, and humans are the oppressed and enslaved."
"An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet in the distant future where intelligent talking apes are the dominant species, and humans are the oppressed and enslaved."
On this day in 2012, the SciFi/Telefilm Alien Tornado (aka Tornado Warning) spooked audiences into believing the unimaginable. It starred Stacey Asaro and Claire Conti, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Extraterrestrials appear as destructive "electrical tornadoes" on Earth."
"Extraterrestrials appear as destructive "electrical tornadoes" on Earth."
On this day in 1978, The Incredible Hulk aired "The Hulk Breaks Las Vegas." This served as the eighth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"David is working as a card shill in Vegas when he learns his Casino owning boss is crooked. To complicate matters, the people holding the evidence are acquaintances of Jack McGee."
"David is working as a card shill in Vegas when he learns his Casino owning boss is crooked. To complicate matters, the people holding the evidence are acquaintances of Jack McGee."
On this day in 1987, Max Headroom's "Security Systems" -- the fourth episode of its inaugural season -- aired on the boob tube. Here's the episode summary, compliments of IMDB.com:
"The CEO of Security Systems, the world's largest security center, fears there may be danger behind the possible purchase of her company by an unknown buyer."
"The CEO of Security Systems, the world's largest security center, fears there may be danger behind the possible purchase of her company by an unknown buyer."
On this day in 1989, Quantum Leap aired "Double Identity." This served as the sixth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Sam leaps into a mafia hit-man who may not live long since he is romancing the godfather's girlfriend. Also an attempt to bring Sam home causes the 1965 east coast blackout."
"Sam leaps into a mafia hit-man who may not live long since he is romancing the godfather's girlfriend. Also an attempt to bring Sam home causes the 1965 east coast blackout."
On this day in 1990, Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "Tin Man." This served as the twentieth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Enterprise reaches out to an alien being, while dancing around with the Romulans, who want to attack it in an act of vengeance."
"The Enterprise reaches out to an alien being, while dancing around with the Romulans, who want to attack it in an act of vengeance."
On this day in 1992, Super Force aired "A Rainbow At Midnight." This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Zach gets help from Zander while investigating the apparition of a cop who was killed 20 years earlier."
"Zach gets help from Zander while investigating the apparition of a cop who was killed 20 years earlier."
On this day back in 1995, Fox TV aired "Simon's Choice," the eighth episode in VR5's only season. Here's the plot summary, compliments of our friends at TV.com:
"Sydney enters VR to probe the mind of a self-confessed traitor scheduled for execution, to find out why he did it. She discovers he was being blackmailed by people who held his son hostage, and in the process, Syndey must come to terms with her anger towards her own father. The bank is foreclosing on Sydney's childhood home and she asks the Committee for money to save it."
"Sydney enters VR to probe the mind of a self-confessed traitor scheduled for execution, to find out why he did it. She discovers he was being blackmailed by people who held his son hostage, and in the process, Syndey must come to terms with her anger towards her own father. The bank is foreclosing on Sydney's childhood home and she asks the Committee for money to save it."
On this day in 1997, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "Ferengi Love Songs." This served as the twentieth episode to the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at TrekCore.com:
"Quark visits his mother - but is shocked to learn that she has become romantically involved with none other than Grand Nagus Zek. Brunt offers Quark a deal he can't refuse: he will reinstate Quark's license in exchange for Quark breaking up the lovers. When he does, he learns that his actions may have just spelled disaster for Ferengi society."
"Quark visits his mother - but is shocked to learn that she has become romantically involved with none other than Grand Nagus Zek. Brunt offers Quark a deal he can't refuse: he will reinstate Quark's license in exchange for Quark breaking up the lovers. When he does, he learns that his actions may have just spelled disaster for Ferengi society."
On this day in 1997, Babylon 5 aired "Racing Mars" as the tenth episode of the program's fourth season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Sheridan clashes with Garibaldi. Franklin and Marcus encounter trouble near the Mars resistance camp."
"Sheridan clashes with Garibaldi. Franklin and Marcus encounter trouble near the Mars resistance camp."
On this day in 1999, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "Strange Bedfellows." This served as the nineteenth episode to the program's seventh (and final) season, and here's the plot summary compliments of TrekCore.com:
"Worf and Ezri are beamed aboard a Jem'Hadar ship, where the Female Shapeshifter and Thot Gor, the respective leaders of the new Dominion-Breen alliance, prepare to sign a treaty designed to destroy the Federation and end the war. However, Damar objects to signing it because of concessions, made to Thot Gor."
"Worf and Ezri are beamed aboard a Jem'Hadar ship, where the Female Shapeshifter and Thot Gor, the respective leaders of the new Dominion-Breen alliance, prepare to sign a treaty designed to destroy the Federation and end the war. However, Damar objects to signing it because of concessions, made to Thot Gor."
On this day in 2000, Farscape aired "Picture If You Will," the sixth episode of its second season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Chiana buys a picture in a store, which is more than it seems. The picture is changes and shows Chiana what will happen to her, when it shows she is on fire, the crew must discover the origins of the picture, and find an old enemy."
"Chiana buys a picture in a store, which is more than it seems. The picture is changes and shows Chiana what will happen to her, when it shows she is on fire, the crew must discover the origins of the picture, and find an old enemy."
On this day in 2003, Mutant X aired "One Step Closer." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The team wrestle to contain Brennan's out-of-control mutant powers when he puts the mission to protect a senator's daughter in danger."
"The team wrestle to contain Brennan's out-of-control mutant powers when he puts the mission to protect a senator's daughter in danger."
On this day in 2012, Green Lantern: The Animated Series aired the eighth episode of its first and only season, an adventure curiously titled "Fear Itself." According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"While searching for food, Hal and Kilowog are caught between two warring factions of aliens."
"While searching for food, Hal and Kilowog are caught between two warring factions of aliens."
