I'm not kidding myself: I know that I'm one of the rare few who actually enjoyed TRON: Legacy. (Actually, I quite loved it!) I'm okay with being one of the few and the proud. What I liked was that I thought it was an effective continuation of the character journey of Kevin Flynn. And Flynn was played in both the first film and its sequel by veteran actor Jeff Bridges.
For those who don't know, the original Tron wasn't Bridges only significant foray in Science Fiction. A few years after the first flick, he starred in John Carpenter's Starman (1984) as a space traveler who becomes marooned on Earth and, in order to have a shot at being returned to his people, needs to 'generate' a human body to transport his consciousness. From a lock of hair, he commandeers the cells of a recently deceased husband; and, thus, the love story and the cautionary SciFi themes were merged.
Mr. Bridges was born on this day back in 1949.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
For those who don't know, the original Tron wasn't Bridges only significant foray in Science Fiction. A few years after the first flick, he starred in John Carpenter's Starman (1984) as a space traveler who becomes marooned on Earth and, in order to have a shot at being returned to his people, needs to 'generate' a human body to transport his consciousness. From a lock of hair, he commandeers the cells of a recently deceased husband; and, thus, the love story and the cautionary SciFi themes were merged.
Mr. Bridges was born on this day back in 1949.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
- In 1985, Bridges enjoyed an Academy Award nomination in the category of 'Best Actor' for his work aboard Starman (1984). While he lost out on taking home this honor, he did take home the Saturn Award in the category of 'Best Actor' for the same.
- When it comes to the Saturn Awards, Bridges has been no slouch, indeed, as he's garnered an incredible amount of attention for his work in genre properties. In 1992, he was nominated in the category of 'Best Actor' for his work in The Fisher King (1991). In 1994, he was nominated in the category of 'Best Actor' for his work aboard The Vanishing (1993). In 2009, he was nominated in the category of 'Best Supporting Actor' for his work aboard Iron Man (2008). In 2011, he took home the Saturn Award for 'Best Actor' with his work in TRON: Legacy (2010).
Ned Romero has certainly been around the genre block. In a career spanning four decades, he's enjoyed screen time aboard such SciFi properties as Star Trek, The Six Million Dollar Man, Land of the Lost, The Incredible Hulk, Galactica 1980, StarTrek: The Next Generation, Seven Days, Star Trek: Voyager, Roswell, and The Invisible Man. Though he's no longer with us, Romero was born on this day in 1926.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Aboard the 1978 telefilm, The Amazing Captain Nemo (aka The Return of Captain Nemo), the great Horst Buchholz played King Tibor, one of Nemo's many allies. IMDB.com also cites that he made an appearance in the television series adaptation of Logan's Run. Though he's no longer with us, Buchholz was born on this day in 1933.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable David Bailie played 'Dask' in the four-part Doctor Who serial, "The Robots of Death," with Tom Baker back in 1977. Younger fans might recognize him from his work in the popular Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise from the Walt Disney Company. Bailie was born on this day in 1937.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Aboard Syfy retooled Battlestar Galactica, the great Donnelly Rhodes played Dr. Cottle, delivering the kind of gravitas one with his background and resume deserves. Though he's no longer with us, Rhodes was born on this day in 1937.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Why, it's no wonder that the character Katherine Woodville played in Star Trek's "For The World Is Hollow and I Have Touched The Sky" ended up seducing Dr. McCoy! Just look at those bedroom eyes! The talented actress also appeared on such programs as The Avengers, Mission: Impossible, Gemini Man, Wonder Woman, and Salvage 1. Though she's no longer with us, Woodville was born on this day in 1938.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
She's got her eye on you! Juli Erickson has built a solid career on making the best of some great characters. She hasn't done much in the realm of Science Fiction, but she has appeared aboard Upstream Color (2013) and Bigfoot Wars (2014), as well as providing voice work to a variety of interesting anime projects. Erickson was born on this day in 1939.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Why, isn't it amazing how in the world of Science Fiction universes tend to collide? The young sprite in the picture above right is none other than Jimmy Hunt from Invaders from Mars (1953). Curiously, he appeared in a remake of the same name -- Invaders from Mars (1986) -- as the town's sheriff. Hunt was born on this day in 1939.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2023, I was fortunate to received a complimentary Blu-ray of 1953's Invaders From Mars celebrating the project's 70th anniversary. Interested in knowing my thoughts of the film? Readers can find my review right here.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2023, I was fortunate to received a complimentary Blu-ray of 1953's Invaders From Mars celebrating the project's 70th anniversary. Interested in knowing my thoughts of the film? Readers can find my review right here.
Superman III is one of those flicks that probably deserves most of the raspberries it receives, but that's not necessarily any fault of Pamela Stephenson. In it, she played Lorelei, a temptation for the Big Blue if there ever were one. Stephenson was born on this day in 1949.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2024, I caught a streaming of Tales Of The Unexpected's "The Man From The South," a very solid episode of the anthology series in which Stephenson played a role. Interested readers can find my review right here.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2024, I caught a streaming of Tales Of The Unexpected's "The Man From The South," a very solid episode of the anthology series in which Stephenson played a role. Interested readers can find my review right here.
I do agree with those who suggest that V -- the original, not the fancy pants reboot that relatively recently aired on ABC -- remains one of the last great unexplored franchises for episodic television. The original contained for more subversive ideas -- the kind of which SciFi fans often cling to -- and I'd love to see those ideas revisited the next time the show gets 'rediscovered.' The lovely Denise Galik played Maggie Blodgett in V: The Final Battle. I was already familiar with her work from The Incredible Hulk and Roger Corman's Humanoids from the Deep (1980). Galik was born on this day in 1950.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Karen Landry played a role in "Captain's Holiday," a fan-favorite episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Though she's no longer with us, Landry was born on this day in 1950.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Back in 1995, Patricia Wettig (fourth from left above) was one of the passengers aboard an airplane mysteriously trapped within a pocket universe of Stephen King's creation in the TV miniseries adaptation of The Langoliers. Wettig was born on this day in 1951.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Robin Dearden doesn't work as much as she used to, but she still found time in her career to slip in performances aboard The Incredible Hulk, Earthlings, Knight Rider, and Airwolf. Dearden was born on this day in 1953.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Tony Todd has long been a bit player in the world of Star Trek: he played Kurn, a Klingon officer who happened to be Worf's brother, on Star Trek: The Next Generation. But he really made a lasting impact when he appeared aboard Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as the older version of Jake Sisko. "The Visitor" is the heartbreaking story of what li'l Jake endured after losing his father in a terrible starship accident, and it's often been voted among the top episodes in all of Trek. Todd was born on this day in 1954.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
Tony Todd has an incredible resume playing a variety of great characters across all worlds of the Fantastic. Be it Horror, Fantasy, or Science Fiction, you can bet any player the actor has inhabited was definitely one for the ages.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
Tony Todd has an incredible resume playing a variety of great characters across all worlds of the Fantastic. Be it Horror, Fantasy, or Science Fiction, you can bet any player the actor has inhabited was definitely one for the ages.
- In 1992, Todd enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Actor' from the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards for his work aboard the groundbreaking Horror feature Candyman (1992).
- In 2017, the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards presented Todd with a well-deserved trophy in the category of Lifetime Achievement Award.
- In the years 2006 and 2018, the New York City Horror Film Festival recognized Todd -- on both occasions -- with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
In his youth, newcomer Mark Robert Brown (above left) played a troubled urchin with a secret ability in "And The Children Shall Lead," a third season episode of the classic Star Trek. Brown was born on this day in 1958.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Rochelle Swanson managed to squeeze in a few quality genre appearances aboard Sorceress (1995), Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman, and Droid Gunner (1995). Swanson was born on this day in 1963.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Chelsea Noble stood beside real-life hubby Kirk Cameron in their cinematic exploration of Biblical End Times with her work aboard Left Behind (2000) and its sequels. Noble was born on this day in 1964.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Check this out, film trivia nerds: Marisa Tomei -- one of the most delicious creatures known to man -- actually got her big screen debut in an uncredited role (as "Health Club Girl") in The Toxic Avenger (1984) -- arguably one of the most gruesome creatures known to man. Go figure. Tomei was born on this day in 1964.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
In 2022, Tomei received a Saturn Awards nomination in the category of 'Best Supporting Actress' for her work in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021).
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
In 2022, Tomei received a Saturn Awards nomination in the category of 'Best Supporting Actress' for her work in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021).
In his youth, the talented Marcus D'Amico had a small role in Superman II (1980), playing a young boy being menaced by the three Kryptonian invaders. D'Amico was born on this day in 1965.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Mars is all the rage. Heck, even comedian Fred Armisen's been there. Well, theatrically. And musically. As part of the cast of 2008's SciFi/Musical Christmas on Mars. Armisen was born on this day in 1966.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The delicious Antonia Dorian has strutted her stuff through such genre entries as Dinosaur Island (1994), Munchie Strikes Back (1994), Ghoulies IV (1994), Sorceress (1995), The Wasp Woman (1995), and even a few more. Dorian was born on this day in 1967.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman Kevin Sussman "yucked it up" as part of the ensemble for The Big Bang Theory (definitely a SciFi-friendly program); in the past, he appeared albeit briefly in Steven Spielberg's A.I. Artificial Intelligence. Furthermore, he voiced a character for the SciFi/Animated Dark Minions (2013) for a stalled Amazon series turned into a telefilm. Sussman was born on this day in 1970.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Make no mistake: Hilary Cruz is probably not your typical SciFi actress. Granted, she did have a role in a little something called Sand Sharks (2012), and that has to count for something. Cruz was born on this day in 1988.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Nafessa Williams dispenses her particular form of justice by way of her work aboard The CW's Superhero/Drama Black Lightning. Williams was born on this day in 1989.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
A star is born! On this day in 1953 (in the U.S.), Killer Ape enjoyed a limited theatrical premiere on the silver screen. Directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet from a story by Carroll Young, Arthur Hoerl, and Alex Raymond, the Fantasy/Thriller starred Johnny Weissmuller, Carol Thurston, and Max Palmer. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Nasty white hunters are testing out their germ warfare weapons using wild animals in Africa ... until they run into Jungle Jim."
"Nasty white hunters are testing out their germ warfare weapons using wild animals in Africa ... until they run into Jungle Jim."
On this day in 1957 (in France), The Monster That Challenged The World came down to terrestrial theatres. The feature starred Tim Holt and Audrey Dalton, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Giant mollusk monsters attack California."
"Giant mollusk monsters attack California."
On this day in 1967 (in the former Soviet Union), the Russian-language SciFi/Romance Andromeda Nebula enjoyed its theatrical debut. The feature starred Vija Artmane and Sergey Stolyarov, and here's the premise that's listed on IMDB.com:
"A spaceship from Earth is trapped on the unknown planet."
"A spaceship from Earth is trapped on the unknown planet."
On this day in 1970, the Japanese-produced Latitude Zero enjoyed a limited release in New York City. The SciFi feature starred Joseph Cotten and Cesar Romero, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"A journalist is saved by a giant submarine captained by a 200 year old man who takes him to an underwater paradise city where no one ages. That's when monsters and mutants sent by the captain's rival, a 200 year old scientist, attack."
"A journalist is saved by a giant submarine captained by a 200 year old man who takes him to an underwater paradise city where no one ages. That's when monsters and mutants sent by the captain's rival, a 200 year old scientist, attack."
On this day in 1971 (in Japan), the 1963-produced SciFi/Comedy Son Of Flubber enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When Professor Brainard experiments further on Flubber derivatives, he gets in trouble and only his students can help."
"When Professor Brainard experiments further on Flubber derivatives, he gets in trouble and only his students can help."
A star is born! On this day in 1971 (in the U.S.), Satan got a little bit more than he bargained for with the television broadcast airing of The Devil And Miss Sarah. Directed by Michael Caffey from a story by Calvin Clements Jr., the Horror/Western starred Gene Barry, Janice Rule, and James Drury. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A notorious outlaw being escorted to prison by a homesteader and his wife turns out to have satanic powers. He uses them on the man's wife to try to possess her and help him escape."
"A notorious outlaw being escorted to prison by a homesteader and his wife turns out to have satanic powers. He uses them on the man's wife to try to possess her and help him escape."
On this day in 1980 (in Portugal), Simon premiered in theatres. The SciFi/Comedy starred Alan Arkin and Madeline Kahn, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A group of scientist take Simon, a psychology professor, as a test person for a brainwash experiment. After that they try to convince him that he was a living-being from another planet."
"A group of scientist take Simon, a psychology professor, as a test person for a brainwash experiment. After that they try to convince him that he was a living-being from another planet."
A star is born! On this day in 1980 (in Australia), the man in blue himself returned to the silver screen with the theatrical premiere of Superman II. Directed by Richard Lester, the film starred Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, and Gene Hackman; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth."
For the record:
While the second installment in the screen Superman saga was plagued with some behind-the-scenes issues regarding its original director and the producers, the film still managed to win top honors at the 1982 Saturn Awards, taking home the trophy for 'Best Science Fiction Film.' It did miss out on winning statues in the categories of 'Best Music,' 'Best Actress,' and 'Best Actor.'
"Superman agrees to sacrifice his powers to start a relationship with Lois Lane, unaware that three Kryptonian criminals he inadvertently released are conquering Earth."
For the record:
While the second installment in the screen Superman saga was plagued with some behind-the-scenes issues regarding its original director and the producers, the film still managed to win top honors at the 1982 Saturn Awards, taking home the trophy for 'Best Science Fiction Film.' It did miss out on winning statues in the categories of 'Best Music,' 'Best Actress,' and 'Best Actor.'
On this day in 1981 (in Greece), Sam Plissken raced against time to save himself and the President of the United States in John Carpenter's Escape From New York. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In 1997, when the U.S. president crashes into Manhattan, now a giant maximum security prison, a convicted bank robber is sent in to rescue him."
"In 1997, when the U.S. president crashes into Manhattan, now a giant maximum security prison, a convicted bank robber is sent in to rescue him."
On this day in 1985 (in the United Kingdom and Ireland), Back To The Future traveled through time on the silver screen. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Marty McFly, a typical American teenager of the Eighties, is accidentally sent back to 1955 in a plutonium-powered DeLorean "time machine" invented by a slightly mad scientist. During his often hysterical, always amazing trip back in time, Marty must make certain his teenage parents-to-be meet and fall in love - so he can get back to the future."
"Marty McFly, a typical American teenager of the Eighties, is accidentally sent back to 1955 in a plutonium-powered DeLorean "time machine" invented by a slightly mad scientist. During his often hysterical, always amazing trip back in time, Marty must make certain his teenage parents-to-be meet and fall in love - so he can get back to the future."
On this day in 1987 (in Sweden), Innerspace took audiences inside the human body for a SciFi/Comedy escape. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A test pilot is miniaturized in a secret experiment, and accidentally injected into a hapless store clerk."
"A test pilot is miniaturized in a secret experiment, and accidentally injected into a hapless store clerk."
On this day in 1989, the indispensable Robot Ninja enjoyed its premiere on home video. The feature starred Michael Todd and Maria Markovic, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A scientist helps a comic-book artist to become the superhero he has created in order to battle a vicious gang of rapists."
"A scientist helps a comic-book artist to become the superhero he has created in order to battle a vicious gang of rapists."
On this day in 1997 (in Hungary, Rwanda, and Slovenia), Event Horizon started its dark spiral into Horror. Scripted by Philip Eisner and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, the SciFi feature starred Sam Neill, Laurence Fishburne, and Kathleen Quinlan; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the year 2047 a group of astronauts are sent to investigate and salvage the long lost starship "Event Horizon". The ship disappeared mysteriously 7 years before on its maiden voyage and with its return comes even more mystery as the crew of the "Lewis and Clark" discover the real truth behind its disappearance and something even more terrifying."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Event Horizon enjoyed a modest bit of praise while playing on the film festival circuit.
"In the year 2047 a group of astronauts are sent to investigate and salvage the long lost starship "Event Horizon". The ship disappeared mysteriously 7 years before on its maiden voyage and with its return comes even more mystery as the crew of the "Lewis and Clark" discover the real truth behind its disappearance and something even more terrifying."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Event Horizon enjoyed a modest bit of praise while playing on the film festival circuit.
On this day in 2002 (in Norway), Antibody enjoyed its release on home video. Sounding an awful lot like Fantastic Voyage (1966), the SciFi/Adventure starred Lance Henriksen and Robin Givens, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"After a terrorist with an implanted nuclear detonator gets shot, a team of scientists must defuse the bomb by miniaturizing themselves and going into his bloodstream. His organism's antibodies start to mass against them."
"After a terrorist with an implanted nuclear detonator gets shot, a team of scientists must defuse the bomb by miniaturizing themselves and going into his bloodstream. His organism's antibodies start to mass against them."
A star is born! On this day in 2013 (in Australia), Poseiden Rex submerged from the depths for its release on home video. Directed by Mark L. Lester from a story by Rafael Jordan, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Brian Krause, Anne McDaniels, and Steven Helmkamp. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A small, secluded island off the coast of Belize suddenly finds itself terrorized by a deadly predator from the planet's distant past when deep sea divers accidentally awaken an ancient evil."
"A small, secluded island off the coast of Belize suddenly finds itself terrorized by a deadly predator from the planet's distant past when deep sea divers accidentally awaken an ancient evil."
On this day in 2014 (in Australia), Turkey Shoot presented audiences with the ultimate competition of life and death. Directed by Jon Hewitt, the Fantasy/Thriller starred Dominic Purcell, Viva Bianca, and Robert Taylor. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the wake of a shocking civilian massacre in a foreign war zone, disgraced Navy SEAL Rick Tyler is sentenced to rot in a maximum security military prison until he is offered the opportunity to put his life on the line to win his freedom. A one-man force of nature, Tyler will have to take-on and take-down some of the world's most ruthless killers in some of the world's most brutal locations to win the game, obtain his freedom and find out why he was set up. The question is, can he accomplish all of this before Game On is Game Over?"
"In the wake of a shocking civilian massacre in a foreign war zone, disgraced Navy SEAL Rick Tyler is sentenced to rot in a maximum security military prison until he is offered the opportunity to put his life on the line to win his freedom. A one-man force of nature, Tyler will have to take-on and take-down some of the world's most ruthless killers in some of the world's most brutal locations to win the game, obtain his freedom and find out why he was set up. The question is, can he accomplish all of this before Game On is Game Over?"
A star is born! On this day in 2015 (in the U.S.), audiences in attendance of the Other Worlds Austin were treated to an exclusive theatrical engagement of Robot World. Written and directed by Neil Rowe, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Ian Rowe, Tamsyn Pickford, and Paul Soper. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A pilot is sent across the galaxy through a new device. His mission is to orbit and reconnoiter a planet before returning home. The planet is known to be populated by intelligent life. Once at his destination the pilot becomes marooned on the alien planet and soon discovers the planets only inhabitants are predatory machines."
"A pilot is sent across the galaxy through a new device. His mission is to orbit and reconnoiter a planet before returning home. The planet is known to be populated by intelligent life. Once at his destination the pilot becomes marooned on the alien planet and soon discovers the planets only inhabitants are predatory machines."
On this day in 2016, the Adult-themed SciFi/Comedy Cosmic Calendar Girls enjoyed it U.S. television debut. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Ilya, the galaxy's hottest model, travels to Earth in search of an exciting new location for her next calendar photo shoot. However, she accidentally becomes trapped in Earth's atmosphere and begins to transform into a hideous monster."
"Ilya, the galaxy's hottest model, travels to Earth in search of an exciting new location for her next calendar photo shoot. However, she accidentally becomes trapped in Earth's atmosphere and begins to transform into a hideous monster."
A star is born! On this day in 2016 (in the U.S.), the audiences of the Other Worlds Austin Film Festival were treated to an exclusive theatrical engagement -- the first ever -- of Domain. Written and directed by Nathaniel Atcheson, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Britt Lower, Ryan Merriman, and William Gregory Lee. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After a deadly virus wipes out most of humanity, the survivors are forced to wait in self-sustaining bunkers with a networked video interface for communication, but one by one, they start mysteriously disappearing."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Domain earned an extra bit of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit.
"After a deadly virus wipes out most of humanity, the survivors are forced to wait in self-sustaining bunkers with a networked video interface for communication, but one by one, they start mysteriously disappearing."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Domain earned an extra bit of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit.
On this day in 1959, The Twilight Zone aired "Judgment Night." Officially, this served as the tenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"It's 1942, and a man finds himself on a ship in the Atlantic, not knowing who he is, nor how he got there. He does know the ship will soon be attacked by a German U-boat."
"It's 1942, and a man finds himself on a ship in the Atlantic, not knowing who he is, nor how he got there. He does know the ship will soon be attacked by a German U-boat."
On this day in 1964 (in the U.S.), Jonny Quest aired "The Dreadful Doll." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode in the program's only season in original broadcast existence. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Voodooism is held responsible for all but one last owner deserting plantations on Tanaiga Island, but Dr. Quest believes drugs are more responsible than mysticism."
"Voodooism is held responsible for all but one last owner deserting plantations on Tanaiga Island, but Dr. Quest believes drugs are more responsible than mysticism."
On this day in 1975 (in the United Kingdom), Space:1999 aired "Earthbound." Officially, this served as the fourteenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A vessel of alien pacifists, bound for Earth, lands on the moon. They are greeted as friends by all- except Commissioner Simmons who sees their vessel as way to return home."
"A vessel of alien pacifists, bound for Earth, lands on the moon. They are greeted as friends by all- except Commissioner Simmons who sees their vessel as way to return home."
On this day in 1976, Ark II aired "The Balloon." This served as the thirteenth episode in the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Red balloons bring word of an epidemic sweeping an isolated community, but its xenophobic leader is resistant to allowing the Ark to enter with a vaccine."
"Red balloons bring word of an epidemic sweeping an isolated community, but its xenophobic leader is resistant to allowing the Ark to enter with a vaccine."
On this day in 1976, Land Of The Lost aired "Medicine Man." Officially, this served as the thirteenth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Marshalls get caught in the middle when a feuding soldier and Indian wander into the Land of the Lost."
"The Marshalls get caught in the middle when a feuding soldier and Indian wander into the Land of the Lost."
On this day in 1978, Battle of the Planets aired "Beast with a Sweet Tooth." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"G-Force has to track down a giant beetle mecha, that is eating up whole fields of sugar cane crops, depleting the worlds supply of sugar."
"G-Force has to track down a giant beetle mecha, that is eating up whole fields of sugar cane crops, depleting the worlds supply of sugar."
- If you're interested in knowing more about this particular episode, then you can click here to check out SciFi guru Kenneth Muir's reflections on it.
- Also for those wanting a bit more depth, you can review the episode information available right here.
On this day in 1986, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers aired "Tortuna Rock." This (technically) served as the program's sixtieth episode (they were aired wildly out of sequence), and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Senator Weiner's daughter, an aspiring Rock Star, secretly goes to Tortuna to shoot a music video. The Senator asks Walsh to send the Galaxy Rangers to get his daughter back before the Queen or anyone else get her."
"Senator Weiner's daughter, an aspiring Rock Star, secretly goes to Tortuna to shoot a music video. The Senator asks Walsh to send the Galaxy Rangers to get his daughter back before the Queen or anyone else get her."
On this day in 1994, Earth 2 aired "A Memory Play." This served as the fifth hour of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary compliments of our friends at IMDB.com:
"With narration by Adair, the colonists find other crew members dead or gravely ill. As Dr. Heller searches for the cause and cure for the illness, Adair considers whether the ship was sabotaged."
"With narration by Adair, the colonists find other crew members dead or gravely ill. As Dr. Heller searches for the cause and cure for the illness, Adair considers whether the ship was sabotaged."
On this day in 1994, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman aired "Season's Greedings." Officially, this served as the ninth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After Mr. Schott is fired from his toy making job, he decides to get revenge and make a lot of money by creating Atomic Space Rats, which spray a substance that causes everyone to be more greedy. It also makes adults, including Clark, act like children."
"After Mr. Schott is fired from his toy making job, he decides to get revenge and make a lot of money by creating Atomic Space Rats, which spray a substance that causes everyone to be more greedy. It also makes adults, including Clark, act like children."
On this day in 1994 (in Romania), Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "Who Watches The Watchers." Officially, this served as the fourth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A proto-Vulcan culture worships Captain Picard and prepares to offer Counselor Troi as a sacrifice."
"A proto-Vulcan culture worships Captain Picard and prepares to offer Counselor Troi as a sacrifice."
On this day in 1999, Batman Beyond aired "Mind Games." This served as the tenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A young girl with telepathic powers calls to Batman for help."
"A young girl with telepathic powers calls to Batman for help."
On this day in 2004, Justice League aired "Ultimatum." This served as the ninth episode to the popular program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A team of too-good-to-be-true superheroes find out the truth about their origins and go on the rampage."
"A team of too-good-to-be-true superheroes find out the truth about their origins and go on the rampage."
On this day in 2009, Fox TV's Dollhouse aired two episodes in a special event. The first hour -- which served as the fifth episode of the second season -- was titled "The Public Eye," and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"Senator Daniel Perrin breaks new ground in his attempt to expose the Dollhouse's secrets - by recruiting Madeline/November to testify before a Senate subcommittee. Rossum states that they will handle the situation, leading Ballard and DeWitt to fear for Madeline's safety, so Echo is sent to stop him, in hopes that that will keep Rossum from harming her. But all is not as it appears - Rossum has a hidden agenda, and the tension between the LA Dollhouse and its parent company increases. Meanwhile, in the Washington DC Dollhouse, we meet genius programmer, Bennett Halverson, a woman with a mysterious past connection to Echo/Caroline."
"Senator Daniel Perrin breaks new ground in his attempt to expose the Dollhouse's secrets - by recruiting Madeline/November to testify before a Senate subcommittee. Rossum states that they will handle the situation, leading Ballard and DeWitt to fear for Madeline's safety, so Echo is sent to stop him, in hopes that that will keep Rossum from harming her. But all is not as it appears - Rossum has a hidden agenda, and the tension between the LA Dollhouse and its parent company increases. Meanwhile, in the Washington DC Dollhouse, we meet genius programmer, Bennett Halverson, a woman with a mysterious past connection to Echo/Caroline."
On this day in 2009, Fox TV's Dollhouse aired two episodes in a special event. The second hour -- which served as the sixth episode of the program's second season -- was titled "The Left Hand," and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"Echo and Bennett have a shocking confrontation in which she reveals the reason for her grudge against Echo, while Adelle goes head-to-head with Stuart Lipman, the ruthless head of the Washington, D.C. Dollhouse, to lobby for Echo's safe return. Meanwhile, Topher sees double when he involves Victor in his espionage plans to hack into the D.C. Dollhouse computer to locate both Echo and Senator Perrin as they try to run from Perrin's wife Cindy."
"Echo and Bennett have a shocking confrontation in which she reveals the reason for her grudge against Echo, while Adelle goes head-to-head with Stuart Lipman, the ruthless head of the Washington, D.C. Dollhouse, to lobby for Echo's safe return. Meanwhile, Topher sees double when he involves Victor in his espionage plans to hack into the D.C. Dollhouse computer to locate both Echo and Senator Perrin as they try to run from Perrin's wife Cindy."
On this day in 2009, Sanctuary aired "Next Tuesday." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While transporting a usually docile abnormal, Magnus's helicopter crashes, leaving her and Will stranded in the shaft of an abandoned oil rig. They soon find they are not alone in the water."
"While transporting a usually docile abnormal, Magnus's helicopter crashes, leaving her and Will stranded in the shaft of an abandoned oil rig. They soon find they are not alone in the water."
On this day in 209, Stargate Universe aired "Justice." Officially, this served as the tenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Sgt. Spencer is found shot in his quarters, Lt. Scott conducts a room-to-room search for any evidence. It looks bad for Col. Young when Scott and Eli find the murder weapon in the Colonel's room. He asks Chloe to represent him at a hearing that will be held on board. The military members of the crew are prepared to back-up their commanding officer with force if necessary but Young insists they all calm down and let the process continue. Eli manages to find conclusive evidence about what exactly happened to Spencer and who put the gun in Young's room. Knowing who is behind the deception, Young takes action."
"When Sgt. Spencer is found shot in his quarters, Lt. Scott conducts a room-to-room search for any evidence. It looks bad for Col. Young when Scott and Eli find the murder weapon in the Colonel's room. He asks Chloe to represent him at a hearing that will be held on board. The military members of the crew are prepared to back-up their commanding officer with force if necessary but Young insists they all calm down and let the process continue. Eli manages to find conclusive evidence about what exactly happened to Spencer and who put the gun in Young's room. Knowing who is behind the deception, Young takes action."
