One could debate the strengths and weaknesses of the JJ Abrams' Star Trek films for, quite probably, the length of an entire film. God knows fans have, and God knows they'll continue to do so in the days, months, and years ahead of us. One point I've always tried to make is that, despite what you may think of those films, Star Trek (2009), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), and Star Trek Beyond (2016) have boasted some excellent performances of the main players ... and I have to give kudos to Chris Pine.
After all, who would relish the chance to step into a role made famous by the likes of Bill Shatner (or should I say "the legendary Bill Shatner")? Arguably, it would have to be someone with enough chutzpah to actually (A) want to do it justice and (B) want to inevitably attempt to make the man and the myth as much his very own as he could. For that, I have to give Pine an appreciable nod. He's brought a youthful vigor to Kirk. He's even delivered a bit of a swagger, at times. He may not eventually be remembered for the role, but it's hard to fault him for trying.
Mr. Pine was born on this day back in 1980. Happy birthday, Chris. Go boldly. [Source: IMDB.com]
After all, who would relish the chance to step into a role made famous by the likes of Bill Shatner (or should I say "the legendary Bill Shatner")? Arguably, it would have to be someone with enough chutzpah to actually (A) want to do it justice and (B) want to inevitably attempt to make the man and the myth as much his very own as he could. For that, I have to give Pine an appreciable nod. He's brought a youthful vigor to Kirk. He's even delivered a bit of a swagger, at times. He may not eventually be remembered for the role, but it's hard to fault him for trying.
Mr. Pine was born on this day back in 1980. Happy birthday, Chris. Go boldly. [Source: IMDB.com]
Truth be told, most professional work in a failed TV pilot would be lost to history ... but when that failed pilot is none other than Star Trek's "The Cage" it becomes a cause for celebration 'round these parts. Today's evidence: Georgia Schmidt played one of those devilishly manipulative Talosians, and she's been forever enshrined in the anals of SciFi for her brief role. The actress also enjoyed work aboard The Andromeda Strain (1971), The Incredible Hulk, Knight Rider, and the mid-80's incarnation of The Twilight Zone for CBS. Though she's no longer with us, Schmidt was born on this day in 1904. [Source: IMDB.com]
Those who frequent these pages know of my fondness for the ladies who play dress-up. In costume, they add so very much to the mystique of genre entertainment, and it certainly doesn't hurt that they're quite fetching as well. One of the loveliest remains Francine York, a talented actress who has made appearances aboard Batman, Lost In Space, Land of the Giants, and Jason of Star Command, to name but a few. York was born on this day in 1938. [Source: IMDB.com]
Whoa there! If my eyes don't deceive me, then it looks like Alison Steadman (above right) is about to plant a kitchen knife in Orphan Black's Tatiana Maslany! I'm guessing that development doesn't end well. For Ms. Steadman's character, I mean. Steadman was born on this day in 1943.
Brainy and confident Louise Marleau used her brains and confidence in playing Col. Stella Holmes, the woman tasked with stopped an all-out Contamination of the planet Earth of an alien virus in the 1982 cult film. Marleau was born on this day in 1944.
Actor Stephen Greif enjoyed a solid five-episode run in the world of the BBC's other Science Fiction serial Blake's 7. Leaving behind a legacy of well over one hundred different projects, the man proved that -- when it came to creating characters -- he was no slouch. Genre fans might recognize his name in such projects -- both live acting or voice appearances -- as Thriller, Tales Of The Unexpected, Space Precinct, Crime Traveller, Judge Dredd: The Killing Zone (animated), Doctor Who: The Infinite Quest (animated), and much more. Though he's no longer with us, Greif was born on this day in 1944. [Source: IMDB.com]
With well over two hundred different collections to his name, there's little doubt that you've stumbled at one time or another across the music of Mark Snow. Perhaps genre fans know him best for his work scoring countless hours of Fox TV's popular The X-Files or The WB's long-running Smallville. Snow was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
The seemingly tireless Annette Badland apparently works around the clock: with over one hundred and fifty credits to her name, she's managed to gain traction in the realm of SciFi and Fantasy with roles aboard Doctor Who, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Wizards Vs. Aliens, and The Sparticle Mystery. Badland was born on this day in 1950. [Source: IMDB.com]
Michael Jeter (above right) was an exceptionally gifted character actor who turned up in a variety of popular projects, even the oft-maligned Kevin Costner waterlogged Waterworld. He also appeared in 2001's Jurassic Park III. Though he's no longer with us, Jeter was born on this day in 1952.
Though he most recently can be scene aboard CBS's Under The Dome (above left), veteran character actor Brett Cullen has been a part of many projects. He's booked roles in The Incredible Hulk, V, Tales from the Crypt, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Outer Limits, and Lost. Cullen was born on this day in 1956.
As Science Fiction flicks go, we've been blessed as fans to have enjoyed the performances of so many tough females ... so when you're tough enough to have even Robocop's back -- as did the lovely Wanda De Jesus in Robocop 2 -- we're gonna give you a shout! She's also appeared aboard SeaQuest 2032, Babylon 5, and Ghosts of Mars (2001). De Jesus was born on this day in 1958.
In Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, singer Shirley Manson (pictured) put on her acting shoes in taking the part of Catherine Weaver, a mysterious force with ties to the future Apocalypse. Manson was born on this day in 1966.
Oleg Taktarov (pictured) was only one of the many duped into believing 2010's kinda/sorta Predator reboot -- Predators -- was going to reinvigorate the ailing franchise. Unfortunately, it didn't, no fault of the man's. Taktarov was born on this day in 1967.
Aboard John Milius' silver screen adaptation of Conan The Barbarian (1982), a young Jorge Sanz suited up as the youngest version of the central character for the film. Sanz was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ahem. Melissa McCarthy and a crew of unfunny ladies delivered a Ghostbusters (2016) reboot that neither Ghostbusters fans nor audiences-in-general wanted to see, and the film deservedly tanked at the box office. Shameful what Hollywood will do to a winning franchise if and when it gets the chance. McCarthy was born on this day in 1970. [Source: IMDB.com]
Screenwriter John Cabrera helped craft and sustain the web-based SciFi drama H+ throughout its run on the internet, and it's a dark tale about an Apocalyse of a much different sort. Cabrera was born on this day in 1975.
I'm not one of these aging fanboys who invests much time in following the gaming business, but I've read enough about it to know that the Halo franchise is pretty popular. I had the good fortune of reviewing one of its direct-to-DVD releases recently, and actor Mike Colter made for an impressive action star in Halo: Nightfall (2014). Rumor has it that audiences will be seeing more of him as he's playing the character of Luke Cage in a handful of Marvel's streaming properties in the near future. Colter was born on this day in 1976.
Embracing Science Fiction in a big way, lovely Amanda Schull rocketed to the top on Syfy by playing Dr. Cassandra Railly on the network's serialized adaptation of the time-travel yarn 12 Monkeys. Schull was born on this day in 1978.
Nanzeen Contractor had a small but critical role in setting the events in motion for JJ Abrams' gloriously nonsensical space fantasy, Star Trek Into Darkness. Contractor was born on this day in 1982.
Barbarella is a name well known to Science Fiction junkies, and kudos to the (ahem) adult film industry for keeping interest in the property alive with their adult-themed Barbarella XXX: An Axel Braun Parody. Headlining the (ahem) flick is none other than adult film star, Riley Steele, and the lovely Ms. Steele was born on this day in 1987.
"Save the cheerleader, save the world" is one thing, but "Give your fellow cheerleader a hard time" seems to be Danielle Savre's modus operandi. That's her -- above right -- from NBC's Heroes back in its day. Savre was born on this day in 1988.
He plays the warrior Massalla (pictured above) as part of the wildly popular The Hunger Games film franchise. His name is Evan Ross, and he was born on this day back in 1988.
Young Dylan O'Brien currently headlines the Young Adult novel inspired SciFi franchise, The Maze Runner, for Twentieth Century Fox. If you haven't seen it, then you've no idea what you're missing. O'Brien was born on this day in 1991.
Seriously, there are far too many incarnations of the Power Rangers universe for me to keep track of. When they pop up in my research, then I'm happy to list them here ... such as today's lovely young smiler -- Claire Blackwelder -- who's dressed up for business until evil shows its ugly mug and then she becomes no less than the Purple Dino Charge Ranger aboard Power Rangers Dino Charge! Blackwelder was born on this day in 1993.
Never count out the resourceful woman: though she may get herself into a tough spot, she'll always get herself out! Such is the case for the fetching Gracie Dzienny, whose has found gainful employment in such projects as CBS's Zoo and the big screen's Bumblebee (2018). Dzienny was born on this day in 1996. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1920, The Invisible Ray released the ninth chapter of its ongoing serial into U.S. theaters. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the premise for the entire serial:
"A scientist discovers a death ray and locks it in a box, giving the key to his daughter, who soon finds herself hunted by criminals looking to steal the deadly mineral."
"A scientist discovers a death ray and locks it in a box, giving the key to his daughter, who soon finds herself hunted by criminals looking to steal the deadly mineral."
On this day in 1932 (in Ireland), Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde brought a bit of gothic melodrama to the world of Science Fiction and Fantasy. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Based on the story by Robert Louis Stevenson, Dr. Henry Jekyll believes that there are two distinct sides to men - a good and an evil side. He believes that by separating the two man can become liberated. He succeeds in his experiments with chemicals to accomplish this and transforms into Hyde to commit horrendous crimes. When he discontinues use of the drug it is already too late..."
"Based on the story by Robert Louis Stevenson, Dr. Henry Jekyll believes that there are two distinct sides to men - a good and an evil side. He believes that by separating the two man can become liberated. He succeeds in his experiments with chemicals to accomplish this and transforms into Hyde to commit horrendous crimes. When he discontinues use of the drug it is already too late..."
On this day in 1938 (in Belgium), Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars took audiences to Earth's closest neighbor. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Flash, Dale, and Dr. Zarkov return from their former space adventures only to find that their enemy, Ming the Merciless of planet Mongo, has a new weapon: a deadly ray that crosses space to wreak havoc on earth. Earth's only hope is for our heroes to take off again and stop the ray at its source on Mars, where they (and a stowaway) must battle Ming's ally, Queen Azura, who turns her enemies into lumpish clay people."
"Flash, Dale, and Dr. Zarkov return from their former space adventures only to find that their enemy, Ming the Merciless of planet Mongo, has a new weapon: a deadly ray that crosses space to wreak havoc on earth. Earth's only hope is for our heroes to take off again and stop the ray at its source on Mars, where they (and a stowaway) must battle Ming's ally, Queen Azura, who turns her enemies into lumpish clay people."
I have absolutely no problem admitting that much of my youth was spent channel-surfing for movies with spaceships, aliens, or ray guns. While I probably watched hundreds of them, there are only two that I remember going back to again and again whenever they were airing. The first was The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951), and the second was this one pictured above: 1953's The War of the Worlds. Loved it. Still love it today. H.G. Wells' tale about Martians invading Earth gets tweaked every generation (or so), but this original remains my favorite.
A star is born! On this day in 1955 (in the United Kingdom), the good people of London, England were treated to the big screen premiere of The Quatermass Xperiment (aka The Creeping Unknown). Written (in part) and directed by Val Guest (and based on the Nigel Kneale script for the original BBC serial), the film starred Brian Donlevy, Jack Warner, and Margia Dean. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Professor Bernard Quatermass' manned rocket ship returns to Earth, but two of the astronauts are missing and the survivor seems ill and unable to communicate."
"Professor Bernard Quatermass' manned rocket ship returns to Earth, but two of the astronauts are missing and the survivor seems ill and unable to communicate."
On this day in 1966 (in Czechoslovakia), Who Wants To Kill Jessie? opened in theatres. The SciFi/Comedy starred Dana Medrická and Jirí Sovák, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
""What if someone had an absurd dream and the visions ran out in the street?" a scientist asks Rose, a researcher who discovers a way to engender beneficial dreams (to produce contented, productive workers). There's a problem: after an injection of her elixir, dream elements become real. Rose learns this after dosing her husband Henry to stop his dreaming about Jessie, a curvaceous comic-book heroine who has anti-gravitational gloves he needs to study so he can solve a problem at the factory where he's chief engineer: Henry wakes up with Jessie asleep next to him pursued by a cowboy and a super hero. Jealousy consumes Rose. All this plus satire aimed at the Czechoslovak state."
""What if someone had an absurd dream and the visions ran out in the street?" a scientist asks Rose, a researcher who discovers a way to engender beneficial dreams (to produce contented, productive workers). There's a problem: after an injection of her elixir, dream elements become real. Rose learns this after dosing her husband Henry to stop his dreaming about Jessie, a curvaceous comic-book heroine who has anti-gravitational gloves he needs to study so he can solve a problem at the factory where he's chief engineer: Henry wakes up with Jessie asleep next to him pursued by a cowboy and a super hero. Jealousy consumes Rose. All this plus satire aimed at the Czechoslovak state."
On this day in 1982 (in Argentina and the United Kingdom), John Carpenter's remake of The Thing enjoyed its theatrical release. The feature starred Kurt Russell and Wilford Brimley, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims."
"A research team in Antarctica is hunted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of its victims."
On this day in 1983 (in Portugal), Arrebato gave audiences something to think about. Written and directed by Iván Zulueta, the Horror/Fantasy starred Eusebio Poncela, Cecilia Roth, and Will More. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A low budget horror filmmaker gets in touch with an eccentric who is trying to film his consciousness during drug abuse."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Arrebato enjoyed a good amount of praise on the film festival circuit.
"A low budget horror filmmaker gets in touch with an eccentric who is trying to film his consciousness during drug abuse."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Arrebato enjoyed a good amount of praise on the film festival circuit.
On this day in 1983, Hercules enjoyed its U.S. theatrical debut. Directed by Luigi Cozzi (as Lewis Coates), the Fantasy feature starred TV's Incredible Hulk Lou Ferrigno as the lead as well as the lovely Sybil Danning and Ingrid Anderson, and here's the plot summary that's listed on IMDB.com:
"King Minos and sorceress Adriana plan to conquer the world with her magic and his giant robots. To make matters worse, they also plan to sacrifice Hercules' love interest Cassiopeia. Hercules teams up with sorceress Circe and tries to save both his girl and the world."
"King Minos and sorceress Adriana plan to conquer the world with her magic and his giant robots. To make matters worse, they also plan to sacrifice Hercules' love interest Cassiopeia. Hercules teams up with sorceress Circe and tries to save both his girl and the world."
A star is born! On this day in 1983 (in the U.S.), the good people of New York City, New York were treated to a special advance preview screening of Nightmares. Directed by Joseph Sargent, the SciFi/Horror starred Cristina Raines, Joe Lambie, and Anthony James. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Anthology of four horror tales with a supernatural twist based on urban legends."
For the record:
At the 1984 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), Nightmares enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Make-Up.' Additionally, director Joseph Sargent enjoyed a festival circuit win for his work in bringing the picture to life.
"Anthology of four horror tales with a supernatural twist based on urban legends."
For the record:
At the 1984 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), Nightmares enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Make-Up.' Additionally, director Joseph Sargent enjoyed a festival circuit win for his work in bringing the picture to life.
On this day in 1985 (in Spain), Hercules II (aka The Adventures Of Hercules) sent the immortal strongman on another quest. Written and directed by Luigi Cozzi, the Fantasy film starred Lou Ferrigno, Milly Carlucci, and Sonia Viviani. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Hercules searches for the Seven Thunderbolts of Zeus, which have been stolen by renegade gods."
"Hercules searches for the Seven Thunderbolts of Zeus, which have been stolen by renegade gods."
On this day in 1988 (in Italy), Remote Control took control with an alien-sponsored 'Manchurian Candidate'-style premise. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A video store clerk stumbles onto an alien plot to take over Earth by brain-washing people with a bad '50s science fiction movie. He and his friend must find a way to stop the aliens before the tapes can be distributed worldwide."
"A video store clerk stumbles onto an alien plot to take over Earth by brain-washing people with a bad '50s science fiction movie. He and his friend must find a way to stop the aliens before the tapes can be distributed worldwide."
A star is born! On this day in 1997 (in Canada), audiences trapped behind the 'Maple Curtain' were treated to the theatrical release of 2103: The Deadly Wake. Directed by Philip Jackson, the SciFi/Thriller starred Malcolm McDowell, Heidi von Palleske, and Michael Paré; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Proxate Corporation recruits a boozy former ship captain and offers him a new identity: Sean Murdoch. His job: to take charge of large ship on one voyage. Once aboard, Murdoch realizes that the ship is a prison ship, and the cargo are criminally insane inmates. Murdoch's other problem: someone has planted bombs aboard the vessel. Murdoch's acrimonious relationship with the prison warden lends extra drama to the story."
For the record:
To the film's credit, 2103: The Deadly Wake enjoyed a bit of praise on the film festival circuit.
"Proxate Corporation recruits a boozy former ship captain and offers him a new identity: Sean Murdoch. His job: to take charge of large ship on one voyage. Once aboard, Murdoch realizes that the ship is a prison ship, and the cargo are criminally insane inmates. Murdoch's other problem: someone has planted bombs aboard the vessel. Murdoch's acrimonious relationship with the prison warden lends extra drama to the story."
For the record:
To the film's credit, 2103: The Deadly Wake enjoyed a bit of praise on the film festival circuit.
On this day in 1999 (in Greece), consumers were treated to the home video release of Starship Troopers. Paul Verhoeven directed this cinematic adaptation of the Robert Heinlein novel, and the film starred Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer, and Denise Richards. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the distant future high school kids are encouraged to become citizens by joining the military. What they don't know is that they'll soon be engaged in a full scale war against a planet of alien insects. The fight is on to ensure the safety of humanity."
"In the distant future high school kids are encouraged to become citizens by joining the military. What they don't know is that they'll soon be engaged in a full scale war against a planet of alien insects. The fight is on to ensure the safety of humanity."
A star is born! On this day in 2005 (in Spain), audiences heard A Sound Of Thunder in its theatrical debut. Based on a story by Ray Bradbury, the SciFi/Thriller was directed by Peter Hyams and starred Edward Burns, Ben Kingsley, and Catherine McCormack. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A single mistake in the past, by a time travel company in the future, has devastating and unforeseen consequences."
"A single mistake in the past, by a time travel company in the future, has devastating and unforeseen consequences."
On this day in 2008 (in Germany), Citizen Toxie: The Toxie Avenger IV premiered to unsuspecting audiences. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's what all of the fuss was about:
"The Toxic Avenger must defend his friends from his own evil alternate universe doppelgänger, The Noxious Offender."
"The Toxic Avenger must defend his friends from his own evil alternate universe doppelgänger, The Noxious Offender."
On this day in 2008 (in the Netherlands), the guns were blazing -- theatrically, that is -- with the home video release of Showdown At Area 51. Directed by C. Roma, the SciFi/Thriller starred Jason London, Gigi Edgley, and Christa Campbell. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Two aliens who crash on Earth must find a buried weapon that will destroy the planet and their own society if not stopped."
"Two aliens who crash on Earth must find a buried weapon that will destroy the planet and their own society if not stopped."
A star is born! On this day in 2015 (in Chile), 6 Horas (aka 6 Hours) blazed onto the silver screen. Written and directed by Diego Ayala, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Jocelyn Anfossy, Paulina Cuevas, and Andres Cesar Gonzalez. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A young man has a mere six hours to escape with his best friend from their hometown before a nuclear reactor explodes."
"A young man has a mere six hours to escape with his best friend from their hometown before a nuclear reactor explodes."
A star is born! On this day in 2016 (in the United Kingdom), Zombie Spring Breakers (aka Ibiza Undead) played for audiences in attendance of FrightFest, making that its first theatrical exhibition ever. Written and directed by Andy Edwards, the Horror/Comedy starred Marcia Do Vales, Matt King, and Seb Castang. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A group of young people head to Ibiza for the holiday of a lifetime - all the sun, sea, and sex, they can handle. If only there wasn't a zombie outbreak getting in the way."
"A group of young people head to Ibiza for the holiday of a lifetime - all the sun, sea, and sex, they can handle. If only there wasn't a zombie outbreak getting in the way."
A star is born! On this day in 2017 (in the United Kingdom), Canaries enjoyed its first screening ever for audiences of the Horror Channel FrightFest. Directed and written by Peter Stray, the SciFi/Horror starred Hannah Daniel and Robert Pugh, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"The first wave of an alien invasion coincides with a New Years Eve party in a Welsh valley."
"The first wave of an alien invasion coincides with a New Years Eve party in a Welsh valley."
On this day in 2017 (in Lithuania), the 1984-produced SciFi/Classic The Terminator enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Sent back from a dystopian 2029--where the cold machines have conquered the entire world--to 1984 Los Angeles, the indestructible cyborg-assassin known as the "Terminator" commences his deadly mission to kill humankind's most important woman: the unsuspecting Sarah Connor. However, from the same war-torn post-apocalyptic future comes a battle-scarred defender--Kyle Reese, a brave soldier of the human Resistance Army--bent on stopping the cybernetic killer from eliminating the world's last hope. But, the Terminator has no feelings, he doesn't sleep, and above all, he won't stop until he carries out his grim task. Does our future lie in our past?"
"Sent back from a dystopian 2029--where the cold machines have conquered the entire world--to 1984 Los Angeles, the indestructible cyborg-assassin known as the "Terminator" commences his deadly mission to kill humankind's most important woman: the unsuspecting Sarah Connor. However, from the same war-torn post-apocalyptic future comes a battle-scarred defender--Kyle Reese, a brave soldier of the human Resistance Army--bent on stopping the cybernetic killer from eliminating the world's last hope. But, the Terminator has no feelings, he doesn't sleep, and above all, he won't stop until he carries out his grim task. Does our future lie in our past?"
A star is born! On this day in 2019 (in the United Kingdom), Black Ops played for audiences in attendance of Frightfest. Written and directed by Tom Paton, the SciFi/Horror starred Shayne Ward, Bentley Kalu, and Samantha Schnitzler; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Special ops squad "Hell's Bastards" are sent to infiltrate a civil war to retrieve intel. The unit soon find themselves trapped on a never-ending stairwell forced to climb or die. To survive, they must revisit their past sins if they ever want to get off."
"Special ops squad "Hell's Bastards" are sent to infiltrate a civil war to retrieve intel. The unit soon find themselves trapped on a never-ending stairwell forced to climb or die. To survive, they must revisit their past sins if they ever want to get off."
On this day in 1970, Ace Of Wands aired "The Mind Robbers: Part 3." This served as the sixth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Zandar uses the unwitting Lulli to lure Tarot into a trap."
"Zandar uses the unwitting Lulli to lure Tarot into a trap."
On this day in 1994, M.A.N.T.I.S. morphed from its telefilm into a weekly series on the Fox television channel. The first episode was titled "First Steps," and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"MANTIS must stop an evil crime lord who has stolen a deadly virus."
"MANTIS must stop an evil crime lord who has stolen a deadly virus."
On this day in 1995 (in Ireland), Michael J. Straczynski's Babylon 5 enjoyed its premiere with the airing of "Midnight On The Firing Line." Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Narn attack a Centauri colony, while Raiders attack transport ships. Talia Winters arrives at the station."
"The Narn attack a Centauri colony, while Raiders attack transport ships. Talia Winters arrives at the station."
It all came down to this: on this day in 2002, Witchblade aired "Ubique," the very last episode in its two-season existence on television. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Sara awakens from a nightmare to discover the Witchblade bracelet gone from her wrist and New York City in chaos after a bizarre homicidal spree. When she finds that the killers recently accessed Cyberfaust.net, a Web site run by someone who knows about the Witchblade, Sara suspects Kenneth Irons. Risking her sanity, she peruses the site and becomes helpless due to Cyberfaust's spell. Sara is forced to battle against the Witchblade and its diabolical new wielder, whom is under Irons employment, but without her special abilities."
"Sara awakens from a nightmare to discover the Witchblade bracelet gone from her wrist and New York City in chaos after a bizarre homicidal spree. When she finds that the killers recently accessed Cyberfaust.net, a Web site run by someone who knows about the Witchblade, Sara suspects Kenneth Irons. Risking her sanity, she peruses the site and becomes helpless due to Cyberfaust's spell. Sara is forced to battle against the Witchblade and its diabolical new wielder, whom is under Irons employment, but without her special abilities."
On this day in 2005, Syfy's incarnation of Battlestar Galactica aired "Home: Part 2." This served as the seventh episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While Commander Adama tries to join Roslin's team on Kobol, Dr. Baltar's Number Six tells him he's crazy."
"While Commander Adama tries to join Roslin's team on Kobol, Dr. Baltar's Number Six tells him he's crazy."
On this day in 2005, Stargate: Atlantis aired "Instinct." This served as the seventh episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"The team find a hidden Wraith girl, cared for by a man with a serum stilling her hunger. Beckett wants to perfect a retrovirus turning Wraith into Humans."
"The team find a hidden Wraith girl, cared for by a man with a serum stilling her hunger. Beckett wants to perfect a retrovirus turning Wraith into Humans."
On this day in 2005, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Ex Deus Machina." This served as the seventh episode of the long-running program's ninth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Following the death of a Jaffa on Earth and the disappearance of a prominent businessman, SG-1 starts an investigation into what remains of the Trust and into the actions of the Jaffa Nation. They discover that Baal is hiding on Earth after losing his forces to the Jaffa and that the Jaffa are secretly attempting his capture."
"Following the death of a Jaffa on Earth and the disappearance of a prominent businessman, SG-1 starts an investigation into what remains of the Trust and into the actions of the Jaffa Nation. They discover that Baal is hiding on Earth after losing his forces to the Jaffa and that the Jaffa are secretly attempting his capture."
On this day in 2005 (in Australia), Wicked Science aired "Sweet Dreams." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Elizabeth's experimenting ends up making Sasha's teeth fall out in the bathroom sink. Thinking Garth will leave her as her sidekick Elizabeth causes him to grow breasts until he joins her for good. Will Elizabeth ever learn?"
"Elizabeth's experimenting ends up making Sasha's teeth fall out in the bathroom sink. Thinking Garth will leave her as her sidekick Elizabeth causes him to grow breasts until he joins her for good. Will Elizabeth ever learn?"
On this day in 2006 (in Australia), Doctor Who aired "The Idiot's Lantern." This served as the seventh episode in the re-launched program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"As the coronation of Elizabeth II nears, the streets of London live in fear. Faceless people are stolen from their homes in the night and something evil is lurking in the television."
"As the coronation of Elizabeth II nears, the streets of London live in fear. Faceless people are stolen from their homes in the night and something evil is lurking in the television."
On this day in 2007 (in Hungary), Firefly aired "Objects In Space." Officially, this served as the tenth episode in the program's only season on original broadcast television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"River has a daydream and holds one of Jayne's weapon believing it was a tree branch; suddenly she awakes and sees Mal and the crew scary. River overhears Mal and the crew discussing about her and she feels rejected. Meanwhile, the ruthless bounty hunter Jubal Early, who has tracked down River, boards the Serenity while everybody is sleeping. He subdues Mal and locks the crew in the cabins; ties Kaylee up in the engine room; hits Shepherd Book on the head; and he finally captures Simon to force him to deliver his sister. However River is missing and out of the blue, she tells through the communication system that she felt rejected and had melted away becoming part of Serenity. The skeptical Early does not believe first, but soon she is convinced she is telling the truth. What will happen to River?"
"River has a daydream and holds one of Jayne's weapon believing it was a tree branch; suddenly she awakes and sees Mal and the crew scary. River overhears Mal and the crew discussing about her and she feels rejected. Meanwhile, the ruthless bounty hunter Jubal Early, who has tracked down River, boards the Serenity while everybody is sleeping. He subdues Mal and locks the crew in the cabins; ties Kaylee up in the engine room; hits Shepherd Book on the head; and he finally captures Simon to force him to deliver his sister. However River is missing and out of the blue, she tells through the communication system that she felt rejected and had melted away becoming part of Serenity. The skeptical Early does not believe first, but soon she is convinced she is telling the truth. What will happen to River?"
On this day in 2007, The 4400 aired "Ghost In The Machine." This served as the eleventh episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Malfunctioning ATMs lead Agents Baldwin & Skouris to a man who made threats against a large tech firm. The Marked make appearances."
"Malfunctioning ATMs lead Agents Baldwin & Skouris to a man who made threats against a large tech firm. The Marked make appearances."
On this day in 2011, Torchwood: Miracle Day aired "End of the Road." This served as the eighth episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"The team is taken to see Olivia Colisanto, in whose house her grandfather, Angelo, ancient and comatose, lies on a life support machine. She explains that in 1928 three mobster families, named Ablemarch, Costerdane and Frines, tapped Jack's blood to gain immortality - the Blessing. Those families have now disappeared but seem to hold the key to Miracle Day. Angelo dies, baffling new CIA boss Shapiro, who deports Gwen. Jack finds a link between Angelo's death and a plate containing a mysterious force field under his floor. He gets Esther to take it and him to safety whilst Jilly tells Danes that he is expendable."
"The team is taken to see Olivia Colisanto, in whose house her grandfather, Angelo, ancient and comatose, lies on a life support machine. She explains that in 1928 three mobster families, named Ablemarch, Costerdane and Frines, tapped Jack's blood to gain immortality - the Blessing. Those families have now disappeared but seem to hold the key to Miracle Day. Angelo dies, baffling new CIA boss Shapiro, who deports Gwen. Jack finds a link between Angelo's death and a plate containing a mysterious force field under his floor. He gets Esther to take it and him to safety whilst Jilly tells Danes that he is expendable."
On this day in 2013, Under The Dome aired "Let The Games Begin." Officially, this served as the tenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Maxine extends her reach in Chester's Mills by opening a bar where people can gamble on bare-knuckled fights. Big Jim pays a visit to a lake island home hoping to find the information Maxine has on him and Barbie. After Linda finds a safe-deposit box key in Duke's hat, she and Julia head off to the bank. Duke left some incriminating information. Julia checks her husband's box leading her to understand better what happened to her husband. Dodee finds the mini dome but is injured when she touches it. After speaking to a nurse at the hospital, Angie is certain she know the identity of the fourth hand."
"Maxine extends her reach in Chester's Mills by opening a bar where people can gamble on bare-knuckled fights. Big Jim pays a visit to a lake island home hoping to find the information Maxine has on him and Barbie. After Linda finds a safe-deposit box key in Duke's hat, she and Julia head off to the bank. Duke left some incriminating information. Julia checks her husband's box leading her to understand better what happened to her husband. Dodee finds the mini dome but is injured when she touches it. After speaking to a nurse at the hospital, Angie is certain she know the identity of the fourth hand."
