Welcome to February 17th ... the day many Trek fans truly credit Star Trek: The Next Generation for becoming something special! On this day back in 1990, the ultimate-super-fantastic episode "Yesterday's Enterprise" aired in TV syndication, and fans were treated to a temporal event throwing the 24th century into chaos. The story also brought back fan favorite Tasha Yar onto the bridge of the Enterprise-D, and that development certainly sent shock waves that were felt for seasons to come. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Enterprise C enters the Enterprise D's time and space continuum, where they find Picard and crew in a constant state of war with the Klingons, and only Guinan knows it."
"The Enterprise C enters the Enterprise D's time and space continuum, where they find Picard and crew in a constant state of war with the Klingons, and only Guinan knows it."
Actor/Writer Kenne Duncan (above left) enjoyed a long career in the entertainment business, building a resume of nearly three hundred different film roles. SciFi fans might recognize him from work in Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars (1938), Adventures of Captain Marvel (1941), and Batman (1943). Though he's no longer with us, Duncan was born on this day in 1903.
The great Marc Lawrence leaves behind a resume of well over two hundred different screen credits. To name but a few? How about King Of Kong Island (1968), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), The Man With The Golden Gun (1974), Wonder Woman, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and End Of Days (1999). Though he's no longer with us, Lawrence was born on this day in 1910. [Source: IMDB.com]
Capricorn One (1977) is a fantastic little SciFi/Conspiracy yarn about a faked moon landing and the astronauts who try to expose it, and the venerable Hal Holbrook plays one of the sleazy bigwigs lurking behind it all. Though he's no longer with us, Holbrook was born on this day in 1925. [Source: IMDB.com]
Visionary storyteller Alejandro Jodorowsky almost gave audiences one more look at a visually rich adaptation of Frank Herbert's Dune ... but, alas, it wasn't meant to be. Still, he's contributed scripts to Metal Hurlant Chronicles, and that has to count for something, no? Jodorowsky was born on this day in 1929. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ed McCready -- shown above as the barber from his appearance in Star Trek's "Spectre of the Gun" -- had the good fortune of making multiple contributions to the original incarnation of our beloved franchise. He also had the luck to appear in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Batman: The Movie (1966), Wonder Woman, Voyagers!, The Powers of Matthew Star, Knight Rider, Airwolf, and Dick Tracy (1990). Though he's no longer with us, McCready was born on this day in 1930.
Though she's probably recognized more often as being Ross and Monica's mother on NBC's popular Friends sitcom, the lovely Christina Pickles should also be remembered as the Sorceress of Castle Grayskull from Masters of the Universe (1987). Pickles was born on this day in 1935.
Besides being one of the greatest players in the history of the National Football League, Jim Brown is recognized by SciFi fans as 'Fireball,' one of the many contestants battling against Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Running Man (1987). He also had a great role in Mars Attacks (1996). Brown was born on this day in 1936.
Becky Ann Baker has certainly dabbled in the worlds of Science Fiction and Fantasy. She's enjoyed screen time aboard Star Trek: Voyager, Men In Black (1997), and Spider-Man 3 (2007). Baker was born on this day in 1953. [Source: IMDB.com]
I'll take any chance I can get to celebrate the beauty that is Rene Russo. Sadly, she hasn't done all that much Science Fiction, but she has turned in wonderful work in Thor and Thor: The Dark World. Also -- back in the crazy 90's -- she paired up with Emilio Estevez in a little thing called Freejack. (It was awful.) Russo was born on this day in 1954.
I get it that most longtime Stargate fans weren't all that interested with Stargate: Universe, but -- as someone who didn't much care for Stargate: SG-1 nor Stargate: Atlantis -- I took to Universe quite well. Of course, it helped that I absolutely loved the cast, especially the much underrated veteran character actor Lou Diamond Phillips. He was great there, and he was even terrific when he came back down-to-earth in the much more conventional crime drama, Longmire. Phillips was born on this day in 1962.
Basketball great Michael Jordan entered the world of cinematic Fantasy with a starring role aboard Warner Bros.' Space Jam (1996). Jordan was born on this day in 1963. [Source: IMDB.com]
To put it bluntly, I realize that director Michael Bay isn't exactly everyone's favorite storyteller, but you have to give the man props for pushing a vision of high-gloss and explosions that tends to bring out the masses. His take on the Transformers franchise has been particularly successful, though his forays into more legitimate Science Fiction -- Armageddon and The Island come to mind -- have had mixed results. Bay was born on this day in 1965.
I've always had a soft spot for Monster Movies, and the original Jeepers Creepers (2001) was one of the very best of the past few decades. Actor Jonathan Breck brought the Creeper to life in the franchise, though the second and third installments aren't nearly as interesting as the first. Breck was born on this day in 1965. [Source: IMDB.com]
Major kudos today go out to tough guy Dominic Purcell: he's brought his charisma to life aboard The CW's Legends Of Tomorrow after great introduction on The Flash. Purcell was born on this day in 1970.
Some days, it just doesn't pay to get out of bed ... but when that bed is filled with the lovely Denise Richards -- better known to sci-fi fans worldwide as the 'former Mrs. Charlie Sheen' AND Lt. Carmen Ibanez from Paul Verhoeven's stellar Starship Troopers -- I can understand the desire to stay under the covers! It's Denise's birthday, Trek enthusiasts, so feel free to celebrate on her behalf. Richards was born on this day in 1971.
Funny lady Lucy Davis provided some of the key laughs to the DC Comics and Warner Bros. blockbuster adaptation of Wonder Woman (2017). Davis was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sliders was a pretty nifty show in its heyday, but -- sadly -- heydays never last. A young Jerry O'Connell helped bring much of the show's wide-eyed optimism to life, and -- for that -- he deserves fandom's thanks. O'Connell was born on this day in 1974.
The sexier-than-mankind-deserves Kelly Carlson suited up and took a stand against the alien bugs in Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation (2004). Carlson was born on this day in 1976.
The fresh-faced Ashton Holmes braved the Apocalypse at the center of The Divide (2011) for Instinctive Film. Holmes was born on this day in 1978.
Jason Ritter did what he could to help elevate NBC's SciFi conspiracy yarn The Event to untold heights; unfortunately, the story never really materialized in any relevant way, confusing regular viewers and disengaging those who tried to join the program in progress. Ritter was born on this day in 1980.
One could barely recognize young Joseph Gordon-Levitt from the SciFi time travel yarn, Looper. Rumor has it he was heavily shrouded in make-up so that he would better resemble his character's aged version who was played by Bruce Willis. Gordon-Levitt was born on this day in 1981.
The lovely Sasha Pieterse enjoyed a small role aboard X-Men: First Class (2011), but she's definitely built a solid genre background fleshing out characters aboard Stargate: SG-1 and NBC's Heroes. Pieterse was born on this day in 1996.
A star is born! On this day in 1959, The Cosmic Man landed in Earth theatres. Directed by Herbert S. Greene, the SciFi feature starred John Carradine and Angela Greene, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The latest UFO, a white globe levitating in a California canyon, is investigated by the Air Force, aided by physicist Karl Sorensen. Just big enough for one "man", the object seems impenetrable, but that night a half-invisible being visits the town, and a strange bundled-up man takes a room at Angela Green's mountain lodge, the investigators' headquarters. Sorensen thinks the Cosmic Man is benevolent, but to the colonel he represents either danger...or military advantage."
"The latest UFO, a white globe levitating in a California canyon, is investigated by the Air Force, aided by physicist Karl Sorensen. Just big enough for one "man", the object seems impenetrable, but that night a half-invisible being visits the town, and a strange bundled-up man takes a room at Angela Green's mountain lodge, the investigators' headquarters. Sorensen thinks the Cosmic Man is benevolent, but to the colonel he represents either danger...or military advantage."
On this day in 1967 (in Ireland), The Projected Man enjoyed its theatrical release. The feature starred Mary Peach and Norman Wooland, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A scientist experimenting with matter transmission from place to place by means of a laser beam suddenly decides to use himself as a test specimen. But the process goes awry, and one side of his body becomes hideously deformed and instantly lethal to anyone it touches."
"A scientist experimenting with matter transmission from place to place by means of a laser beam suddenly decides to use himself as a test specimen. But the process goes awry, and one side of his body becomes hideously deformed and instantly lethal to anyone it touches."
On this day in 1984 (in Finland), the SciFi/Fantasy film Krull enjoyed its run in theatres. Directed by Peter Yates, the feature starred Ken Marshall and Lysette Anthony, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A prince and a fellowship of companions set out to rescue his bride from a fortress of alien invaders who have arrived on their home planet."
"A prince and a fellowship of companions set out to rescue his bride from a fortress of alien invaders who have arrived on their home planet."
A star is born! On this day in 1989, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure turned up the laughs in Science Fiction and Fantasy. Directed by Stephen Herek, the feature gave Keanu Reeves one of the earliest hits, pairing him up with a goofy Alex Winter in the winning premise of two dudes just trying to get through high school and maybe even save the world. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Two seemingly dumb teens set off on a quest to prepare the ultimate historical presentation with the help of a time machine."
For the record: I've always been pleased as punch to consider Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure one of SciFi and Fantasy's smaller franchises. And, yes, it certainly is a franchise as it gave birth to not only a popular animated television series as well as a short-lived live action one but also a pair of big screen sequels: Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991) and Bill & Ted Face The Music (2020). That's no small affair in the modern era of filmmaking. Though the quality of the content has varied, I think the original maintains its charm even today.
"Two seemingly dumb teens set off on a quest to prepare the ultimate historical presentation with the help of a time machine."
For the record: I've always been pleased as punch to consider Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure one of SciFi and Fantasy's smaller franchises. And, yes, it certainly is a franchise as it gave birth to not only a popular animated television series as well as a short-lived live action one but also a pair of big screen sequels: Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991) and Bill & Ted Face The Music (2020). That's no small affair in the modern era of filmmaking. Though the quality of the content has varied, I think the original maintains its charm even today.
On this day in 1998, Star Hunter premiered on home video. The flick starred Roddy McDowall, Stella Stevens, and Rebecca Budig, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Star hunters are the space monsters who hunt helpless creatures for pleasure. One night couple of high school football players and their cheerleaders are returning home after the lost game. But, when their bus makes the wrong turn, they are going to meet those creatures, and the real game will begin."
"Star hunters are the space monsters who hunt helpless creatures for pleasure. One night couple of high school football players and their cheerleaders are returning home after the lost game. But, when their bus makes the wrong turn, they are going to meet those creatures, and the real game will begin."
On this day in 2003 (in Greece), 1980-produced The Final Countdown enjoyed its release on home video. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A modern aircraft carrier is thrown back in time to 1941 near Hawaii, just hours before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor."
"A modern aircraft carrier is thrown back in time to 1941 near Hawaii, just hours before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor."
On this day in 2009 (in Russia), Millennium Crisis enjoyed its release on home video. Written and directed by Andrew Bellware, the SciFi feature starred Clare Stevenson and Ted Raimi, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A violent alien species, the Kluduthu, kidnap Aurora and take her to their desert home planet because she holds a secret power which could wipe out all of humanity. But she escapes, only to find herself in the middle of a war which has been going on for millions of years. Can she fight them, or will she become one of them?"
"A violent alien species, the Kluduthu, kidnap Aurora and take her to their desert home planet because she holds a secret power which could wipe out all of humanity. But she escapes, only to find herself in the middle of a war which has been going on for millions of years. Can she fight them, or will she become one of them?"
On this day in 2018 (in Japan), Juarez 2045 took audiences slightly into the future. Written and directed by Chris Le, the SciFi feature starred Danny Trejo and Blake Webb, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Its the year 2045. War on drugs in Mexico has escalated as a ruthless drug Cartel use robots to enforce their operations."
"Its the year 2045. War on drugs in Mexico has escalated as a ruthless drug Cartel use robots to enforce their operations."
On this day in 1951, Space Patrol aired "Cosmic Debris Warning." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by Solarguard.com:
"Major Robertson, at Space Control on Earth, receives a report from the Chief Astronomer that a planetoid has exploded nearby and all spaceships in that vicinity should watch for danger from cosmic debris. Commander Corry, Cadet Happy, and Carol are returning to Terra from Earth when they are hit by a meteor. They are rendered helpless in space, rapidly losing oxygen, and unable to communicate."
"Major Robertson, at Space Control on Earth, receives a report from the Chief Astronomer that a planetoid has exploded nearby and all spaceships in that vicinity should watch for danger from cosmic debris. Commander Corry, Cadet Happy, and Carol are returning to Terra from Earth when they are hit by a meteor. They are rendered helpless in space, rapidly losing oxygen, and unable to communicate."
On this day in 1958, Adventures Of Superman aired "Divide And Conquer." Officially, this served as the third episode in the program's sixth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Superman stretches the laws of physics to the breaking, or rather splitting, point to prevent a coup in a Latin American country."
"Superman stretches the laws of physics to the breaking, or rather splitting, point to prevent a coup in a Latin American country."
On this day in 1960, Men Into Space aired "Moon Cloud." This served as the twentieth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A scientist's wife warns McCauley that her husband Perry's's co-worker Hal Carter is jealous of his success. McCauley doesn't believe her, but when Perry's theory about radioactive gas on the moon prove correct, Hal plots to kill Perry."
"A scientist's wife warns McCauley that her husband Perry's's co-worker Hal Carter is jealous of his success. McCauley doesn't believe her, but when Perry's theory about radioactive gas on the moon prove correct, Hal plots to kill Perry."
On this day in 1964, The Outer Limits aired "The Children of Spider County." This served as the twenty-first episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"A government agent seizes young supermen, who are all originally from the same small county in Maryland. All are captured, except one; Ethan, who's facing trumped-up murder charges. Ethan's the only one who wasn't hounded out of Spider County by suspicious locals. The spooks believe the boys had the same father, though each was born to a different mother. Ethan's plotting to escape from the clutches of beady-eyed Sheriff, to avoid an old-fashioned execution."
"A government agent seizes young supermen, who are all originally from the same small county in Maryland. All are captured, except one; Ethan, who's facing trumped-up murder charges. Ethan's the only one who wasn't hounded out of Spider County by suspicious locals. The spooks believe the boys had the same father, though each was born to a different mother. Ethan's plotting to escape from the clutches of beady-eyed Sheriff, to avoid an old-fashioned execution."
On this day in 1966 (in the United Kingdom), Thunderbirds aired "The Duchess Assignment." Officially, this served as the twenty-first episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Lady Penelope discovers her friend, the Duchess of Roysten is in need of financial assistance. Penelope helps the Dutchess to loan out her prized portrait of a gazelle to a New York tycoon. However, the Duchess is kidnapped by crooks who want the painting and the money owed to her."
"Lady Penelope discovers her friend, the Duchess of Roysten is in need of financial assistance. Penelope helps the Dutchess to loan out her prized portrait of a gazelle to a New York tycoon. However, the Duchess is kidnapped by crooks who want the painting and the money owed to her."
On this day in 1971 (in the United Kingdom), UFO aired "Timelash." Officially, this served as the eighteenth episode in the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Cmdr Ed Straker and Col Virginia Lake disappear and are discovered unconscious near the dead body of a Shado operative (Turner). Col Foster and co. try to understand what has happened."
"Cmdr Ed Straker and Col Virginia Lake disappear and are discovered unconscious near the dead body of a Shado operative (Turner). Col Foster and co. try to understand what has happened."
On this day in 1975 (in the United Kingdom), The Changes aired "Heartsease." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's only season on television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Nicky and Jonathon escape from the village but the witch-finder and enraged villagers are in hot pursuit!"
"Nicky and Jonathon escape from the village but the witch-finder and enraged villagers are in hot pursuit!"
On this day in 1978, Wonder Woman aired "IRAC Is Missing." Officially, this served as the seventeenth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The world's most powerful computers are being drained of their information by Bernard Havitol who plans to use the information to become ruler of the entire world. I.R.A.C. is next on his wish list and Diana is on the case to stop him with a little help from Rover the roving computer."
"The world's most powerful computers are being drained of their information by Bernard Havitol who plans to use the information to become ruler of the entire world. I.R.A.C. is next on his wish list and Diana is on the case to stop him with a little help from Rover the roving computer."
On this day in 1982, The Greatest American Hero aired "A Chicken In Every Plot." This served as the fourteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Ralph, Pam and the kids fly to a Caribbean to visit a friend of Bill Maxwell's. When they arrive they find Bill's friend murdered and island racked by a voodoo-driven revolt against the government."
"Ralph, Pam and the kids fly to a Caribbean to visit a friend of Bill Maxwell's. When they arrive they find Bill's friend murdered and island racked by a voodoo-driven revolt against the government."
On this day in 1997, Babylon 5 aired "The Illusion Of Truth." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"ISN reporters come to Babylon 5 to interview the Command staff, and film them for a documentary. The staff is reluctant at first, but they finally agree."
"ISN reporters come to Babylon 5 to interview the Command staff, and film them for a documentary. The staff is reluctant at first, but they finally agree."
On this day in 1997, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine began playing some of its 'trump cards' by way of episodes that showed this whole battle with the Dominion was only getting started. The fifteenth episode of the fifth season was called "By Inferno's Light," and here's the episode summary provided by IMDB.com:
"The station readies for a Dominion attack. Worf and Garak meet some unexpected friends in a Dominion Prison camp."
"The station readies for a Dominion attack. Worf and Garak meet some unexpected friends in a Dominion Prison camp."
On this day in 1999, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine continued winding down its final season with the airing of "Chimera." Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"After searching out and finding Odo, another changeling asks him to leave DS9 with him, even though the rest of the crew aren't convinced the new changeling is not part of the Founders."
"After searching out and finding Odo, another changeling asks him to leave DS9 with him, even though the rest of the crew aren't convinced the new changeling is not part of the Founders."
On this day in 1999 (in the United States), Star Trek: Voyager aired both installments of "Dark Frontier." Officially, this served as the fifteenth and sixteenth episodes in the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Members of the Voyager crew train on the holodeck for a raid on a Borg ship. Should they be successful, they will steal the Borg trans-warp coil in hopes of integrating the technology into Voyager's systems. The Borg seem to be one step ahead when the Borg Queen communicates with Seven of Nine."
"Members of the Voyager crew train on the holodeck for a raid on a Borg ship. Should they be successful, they will steal the Borg trans-warp coil in hopes of integrating the technology into Voyager's systems. The Borg seem to be one step ahead when the Borg Queen communicates with Seven of Nine."
On this day in 2000, Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles aired an episode of its first and only season, a tale going under the name "D-Day." According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"S.I.C.O.N. prepares for the D-Day invasion of the bug home planet of Klendathu and before they are to head to the surface, Flores gets a letter stating that her brother was lost when the medivac ship he was on was hit and crashed. Can Flores recover from the shock or will Razak and Rico be forced to take her off the line?"
"S.I.C.O.N. prepares for the D-Day invasion of the bug home planet of Klendathu and before they are to head to the surface, Flores gets a letter stating that her brother was lost when the medivac ship he was on was hit and crashed. Can Flores recover from the shock or will Razak and Rico be forced to take her off the line?"
On this day in 2003 (in Australia and the United Kingdom), the stage was effectively set by Farscape when the show aired the eighteenth episode of its fourth season. "Prayer" saw Aeryn Sun captured by the Scarrans, and her abduction set in motion of series of events that would culminate in a big three-part spectacular for the crew of Moya and their friends, enemies, and general riff-raff. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Crichton and Scorpius travel to one of the 'unrealized realities' where Crichton believes he heard Stark say "Katratzi." Meanwhile on a Scarran ship, Aeryn resists torture."
"Crichton and Scorpius travel to one of the 'unrealized realities' where Crichton believes he heard Stark say "Katratzi." Meanwhile on a Scarran ship, Aeryn resists torture."
On this day in 2003 (in Canada), Mutant X aired "Under The Cloak Of War." This served as the fifteenth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Someone tries to kill Adam but the team saves him. The person who killed him was part of a group of assassins. So Adam sends Shalimar to join them and find out who wants to kill him. She learns that it's a man whom Adam knows. Shalimar convinces the leader to let her kill Adam."
"Someone tries to kill Adam but the team saves him. The person who killed him was part of a group of assassins. So Adam sends Shalimar to join them and find out who wants to kill him. She learns that it's a man whom Adam knows. Shalimar convinces the leader to let her kill Adam."
On this day in 2006, Stargate: SG-1 aired "The Scourge." This served as the seventeenth episode of the long-running program's ninth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"SG-1 is tasked to accompany members of the International Oversight Advisory, including Richard Woolsey, on a tour of the Gamma site. The visitors are suitably impressed but everyone is put in danger when a carnivorous insect escapes from the lab. The base is locked down and no one is allowed to travel through the gate. The bug is linked to the Ori - it's appeared on several planets that they've visited - and Daniel thinks it may be their follow-up to the virus."
"SG-1 is tasked to accompany members of the International Oversight Advisory, including Richard Woolsey, on a tour of the Gamma site. The visitors are suitably impressed but everyone is put in danger when a carnivorous insect escapes from the lab. The base is locked down and no one is allowed to travel through the gate. The bug is linked to the Ori - it's appeared on several planets that they've visited - and Daniel thinks it may be their follow-up to the virus."
On this day in 2007 (in the United States), the remastered version of Star Trek's "Amok Time" enjoyed its debut on television. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the throes of his Pon Farr mating period, Spock must return to Vulcan to meet his intended future wife, betrothed from childhood."
"In the throes of his Pon Farr mating period, Spock must return to Vulcan to meet his intended future wife, betrothed from childhood."
On this day in 2014, Almost Human aired the eleventh episode of its first and only season, an hour titled "Disrupt." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A deadly crime from the future occurs when a "smart home" goes terribly bad and turns on its occupants. Detective Kennex and Dorian lead the investigation that forces them to interface with a house that is represented by a mysterious hologram character."
"A deadly crime from the future occurs when a "smart home" goes terribly bad and turns on its occupants. Detective Kennex and Dorian lead the investigation that forces them to interface with a house that is represented by a mysterious hologram character."
