Patrick Macnee has a legendary face along with an ever more legendary voice. Today is his birthday, and here he is shown in a scene from the original Battlestar Galactica television series where he appeared as the mysterious Count Iblis. Though he's no longer with us, Macnee was born on this day in 1922.
It isn't every day that Science Fiction gets to celebrate the beauty that is Zsa Zsa Gabor, but today's her birthday. Zsa Zsa appeared in the 60's sci fi b-film, Queen of Outer Space. In case you don't believe me, then here's a quick clip. Don't blink, or you'll miss it!
http://youtu.be/jtqa-tHvBDQ Though she's no longer with us, Gabor was born on this day in 1917.
http://youtu.be/jtqa-tHvBDQ Though she's no longer with us, Gabor was born on this day in 1917.
HubbaHubba Alert! The voluptuous Mamie Van Doren lent her considerable assets to the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy with appearances aboard The Navy Vs. The Night Monsters (1966) and Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women (1968). Van Doren was born on this day in 1931. [Source: IMDB.com]
I grew to love Rip Torn from his work on HBO's The Larry Sanders Show, where he displayed pure comic brilliance as a yes-man TV producer, but Rip -- who celebrates a birthday today -- was also phenomenal in a supporting role from the Men In Black films. Though he's no longer with us, Torn was born on this day in 1931.
Legendary French film director Francois Truffaut celebrates his birthday today. You may remember him as the scientist hoping to establish contact with the aliens in Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Though he's no longer with us, Truffaut was born on this day in 1932.
Actor Mike Farrell has gone down in television history for his work in CBS's long-running M*A*S*H. He has some SciFi credentials to his name, however, including work in Doomsday Machine (1972), The Questor Tapes (1974), The Six Million Dollar Man, and voicework as Jonathan Kent aboard several DC Comics animated properties. Farrell was born on this day in 1939.
Though critics (and even the novelist!) pretty much panned NBC's adaptation of Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles, I liked it quite well, though I'll admit it had some slow parts. In any event, Gayle Hunnicutt had a small role in the miniseries as the wife of serie's lead Rock Hudson. Hunnicutt was born on this day in 1943. [Source: IMDB.com]
Science Fiction doesn't often reach the cinematic heights as the campy Dr. Goldfoot and the Girl Bombs (1966), but kudos to teen idol Fabian for helping to make all of it palatable. Fabian was born on this day in 1943. [Source: IMDB.com]
Science Fiction and Fantasy author Eric Flint certainly has built a resume rich for those wishing to explore strange new worlds and new civilizations. The Joe's World series. The Belisarius series. The Jao Empire series. And there's much, much more. You can check out his web presence right here, and Flint was born on this day in 1947. [Source: ISFDB.org]
Long before The CW's Black Lightning brought superhero style into the 'hood, Robert Townsend did it -- albeit with more humor -- with The Meteor Man (1993). Townsend was born on this day in 1957. [Source: IMDB.com]
One of Cecily Adams' last screen appearances was as the Ferengi 'Ishka' aboard the fondly remembered Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Though she's no longer with us, Adams was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
Barry Miller joined Kathleen Turner aboard the Fantasy Peggy Sue Got Married (1986). He's also visited the worlds of Shazam, The Six Million Dollar Man, Wonder Woman, and The Twilight Zone. Miller was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
The immeasurably lovely Megan Gallagher -- whose done terrific genre work in Millennium, as well as having wonderful bit roles in Warehouse 13, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine -- also turns another year lovelier today. Gallagher was born on this day in 1960.
The talented Josh Stewart continues to build a name for himself with each and every property. Thus far, genre fans have appreciated what he's brought to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), Ghost Whisperer, No Ordinary Family, The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Transcendence (2014), and Interstellar (2014). Stewart was born on this day in 1977.
Coming full circle back to our beloved Star Trek, the actress Alice Eve (pictured above in her Starfleet-approved 'After Hours' uniform) celebrates a birthday today. Perhaps proving once and for all that "the human adventure" Gene Roddenberry hinted at long ago was truly dead, JJ Abrams cast the scantily-clad Alice to appear in the most unnecessary scene in all of Trek. She played Dr. Carol Marcus in Star Trek Into Darkness alongside returning regulars Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto. Eve was born on this day in 1982.
Crystal Reed helped brave the alien phenomenon at the heart of 2010's critically drubbed Skyline. Still, that work paved the way for a regular gig on Teen Wolf. Reed was born on this day in 1985.
Actor Dane Dehaan -- who appeared in the rather good SciFi-themed superhero flick Chronicle -- also celebrates his birthday today. He'll soon be soon in Luc Besson's Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. He was born on this day in 1987.
In the realm of genre entertainment, Anna Diop is definitely on the rise. She's been seen in the short-lived Fantasy/Drama The Messengers and is slated to appeared on the forthcoming Titans for DC Entertainment. Diop was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
Charlie Heaton is one of the talented young actors whose work helped to make Netflix's streaming phenomenon Stranger Things so popular. Heaton was born on this day in 1994. [Source: IMDB.com]
A star is born! On this day in 1947 (in the U.S.), Jack Armstrong enjoyed its first theatrical engagement. Directed by Wallace Fox, this 15-part SciFi/Action serial starred John Hart, Rosemary La Planche, and Claire James; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy, battles the evil Dr. Grood, who has placed a death ray aboard his spaceship orbiting Earth."
"Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy, battles the evil Dr. Grood, who has placed a death ray aboard his spaceship orbiting Earth."
On this day in 1964 (in Italy), the SciFi/Comedy Omicron played for audiences in attendance of the Bordighera Film Festival. Written and directed by Ugo Gregoretti, the feature starred Renato Salvatori, Rosemary Dexter, and Franco Luzzi; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An alien takes over the body of an Earthman in order to learn about the planet so his race can take it over."
"An alien takes over the body of an Earthman in order to learn about the planet so his race can take it over."
A star is born! 1974's Zardoz premiered on this day theatrically, and it gave a hunky Sean Connery the chance to put his particular charisma at work in pulpy Science Fiction. Written and directed by John Boorman, here's the feature's plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"In the distant future, a savage trained only to kill finds a way into the community of bored immortals that alone preserves humanity's achievements."
For the record:
Ay carumba! It's hard to make something of the curious oddity that is so much of Zardoz. Boorman's script kinda/sorta rambles through this bizarre Dystopian setting, and the film's visuals never quite suggested anything that would smooth the narrative out for viewers. Perhaps it's best to just point out that the film -- despite its flaws -- was nominated for the Best Dramatic Presentation for the 1975 Hugo Awards.
"In the distant future, a savage trained only to kill finds a way into the community of bored immortals that alone preserves humanity's achievements."
For the record:
Ay carumba! It's hard to make something of the curious oddity that is so much of Zardoz. Boorman's script kinda/sorta rambles through this bizarre Dystopian setting, and the film's visuals never quite suggested anything that would smooth the narrative out for viewers. Perhaps it's best to just point out that the film -- despite its flaws -- was nominated for the Best Dramatic Presentation for the 1975 Hugo Awards.
A star is born! On this day in 1975, Walt Disney's The Strongest Man In The World serves up some SciFi for the young-at-heart. The SciFi/Comedy starred Kurt Russell and Eve Arden, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Dexter Riley and his friends accidently discover a new chemical mixed with a cereal seems to give anyone temporary superhuman strength."
"Dexter Riley and his friends accidently discover a new chemical mixed with a cereal seems to give anyone temporary superhuman strength."
A star is born ... or is that ... transformed?! On this day in 1976 (in the U.S.), the good people of Atlanta, Georgia were treated to the silver screen premiere of Dr. Black And Mr. Hyde. Directed by William Crain from a script by Larry LeBron and Lawrence Woolner, the SciFi/Horror starred Bernie Casey, Rosalind Cash, and Marie O'Henry. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When a scientist develops a formula to regenerate dying liver cells, it accidentally turns him into an albino vampire with a taste for prostitutes."
"When a scientist develops a formula to regenerate dying liver cells, it accidentally turns him into an albino vampire with a taste for prostitutes."
On this day in 1982, The Secret Of Steel City dished a few secrets on the infamous Steel City. Written (in part) and directed by Ludvík Ráza, the SciFi/Thriller starred Jaromír Hanzlík, Martin Ruzek, and Josef Vinklár; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Two scientists use their inherited fortune differently. One designs a beautiful town called Fortuna, while the second builds huge factories to make munitions known as Steel City."
"Two scientists use their inherited fortune differently. One designs a beautiful town called Fortuna, while the second builds huge factories to make munitions known as Steel City."
On this day in 1985 (in France), the Animated/Fantasy titled Gwen, The Book Of Sand was first released. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Gwen is a young girl adopted by a nomad tribe in a desert post-apocalyptic world. When Gwen's friend is kidnapped, she and an old woman called Roseline embark on a trip to bring him back."
"Gwen is a young girl adopted by a nomad tribe in a desert post-apocalyptic world. When Gwen's friend is kidnapped, she and an old woman called Roseline embark on a trip to bring him back."
On this day in 1987, Alien Predators (aka The Falling) sunk its teeth into whomever showed up. The feature starred Dennis Christopher and Lynn-Holly Johnson, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Three friends encounter a malevolent alien."
"Three friends encounter a malevolent alien."
A star is born! On this day in 1988 (in Japan), My Conquest Is A Sea Of Stars (aka Legend Of The Galactic Heroes: My Conquest Is A Sea Of Stars) enjoyed its first theatrical exhibition ever. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Two interstellar armies continue their 150-year-long war. On both sides, mid-ranking soldiers question the judgment of their superior officers and worry about the future."
"Two interstellar armies continue their 150-year-long war. On both sides, mid-ranking soldiers question the judgment of their superior officers and worry about the future."
A star is born! On this day in 1996 (in Germany), Nemesis III: Time Lapse enjoyed its debut on home video. Written (in part) and directed by Albert Pyun, the SciFi/Thriller starred Sue Price, Tim Thomerson, and Norbert Weisser; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Alex again fighting the cyborg mercenaries in 1998 East Africa. This time, Alex finds that she has 20 half sisters who are waiting for her to return to 2077. Central Command wants Alex captured alive and scanned to see if her DNA is a strong and more powerful strain than the normal. But Alex may be too tough for Farnsworth to capture."
"Alex again fighting the cyborg mercenaries in 1998 East Africa. This time, Alex finds that she has 20 half sisters who are waiting for her to return to 2077. Central Command wants Alex captured alive and scanned to see if her DNA is a strong and more powerful strain than the normal. But Alex may be too tough for Farnsworth to capture."
On this day in 2009 (in Canada, Romania, Vietnam, and the U.S.), Push shoved its way through the competition onto the silver screen. The SciFi-lite thriller starred Chris Evans and Dakota Fanning, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Two young Americans with special abilities must race to find a girl in Hong Kong before a shadowy government organization called Division does."
"Two young Americans with special abilities must race to find a girl in Hong Kong before a shadowy government organization called Division does."
A star is born! On this day in 2014, Amazon Studios streamed the Chris Carter property, The After. (FYI: the pilot episode remains the only work completed; as the project wasn't picked up by Amazon due to a lack of popularity, it's been 'rebranded' as a telefilm.) According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the premise:
"Eight strangers are thrown together by mysterious forces and must help each other survive in a violent world that defies explanation."
"Eight strangers are thrown together by mysterious forces and must help each other survive in a violent world that defies explanation."
On this day in 2015, those wisecracking knuckleheads over at Rifftrax fashioned up their release of Alien Outlaw (released in 1985 theatrically) for the web-based masses-at-large. According to IMDB.com, here's the premise behind the original film:
"Aliens land in a small town where Jesse Jamison is about to have a gun show and bullets fly after the aliens start killing people."
"Aliens land in a small town where Jesse Jamison is about to have a gun show and bullets fly after the aliens start killing people."
Funny. That's probably the exact same face Warner Bros. executives had when they saw Jupiter Ascending's box office returns. The truth here is that fanboys probably saw this ultra-big-budget extravaganza compliments of 'The Wachowskis' as having stink all over it when it was unceremoniously pulled from its much-hyped 2014 summer release and dumped unceremoniously in February of 2015. (In case you missed it, that's when it opened on this day.) Plus, it had Channing Tatum cast as its brainy lead. Get it? Brainy lead. Let me tell you: Channing Tatum is no Keanu Reeves. Word up. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A young woman discovers her destiny as an heiress of intergalactic nobility and must fight to protect the inhabitants of Earth from an ancient and destructive industry."
Ugh. Sounds like somebody crossed The Chronicles of Riddick with Downton Abbey.
"A young woman discovers her destiny as an heiress of intergalactic nobility and must fight to protect the inhabitants of Earth from an ancient and destructive industry."
Ugh. Sounds like somebody crossed The Chronicles of Riddick with Downton Abbey.
On this day in 2015 (in Canada, Iceland, Pakistan, and the U.S.), the cinematic Fantasy known as Seventh Son pretty much tanked at the box office. The feature starred Ben Barnes and Jeff Bridges, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Mother Malkin, the queen of evil witches, escapes the pit she was imprisoned in by professional monster hunter Spook decades ago and kills his apprentice, he recruits young Tom, the seventh son of the seventh son, to help him."
"When Mother Malkin, the queen of evil witches, escapes the pit she was imprisoned in by professional monster hunter Spook decades ago and kills his apprentice, he recruits young Tom, the seventh son of the seventh son, to help him."
On this day in 2017 (in the United Kingdom), the futuristic Teleios (aka Beyond The Trek) found its audience on home video. The feature starred Sunny Mabrey and Lance Broadway, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A deep space mining vessel has been adrift for two years. It is suspected the crew brutally killed each other, but the reason for the bloodbath is unknown. A rescue crew is sent to find if there are any survivors, what happened and why."
"A deep space mining vessel has been adrift for two years. It is suspected the crew brutally killed each other, but the reason for the bloodbath is unknown. A rescue crew is sent to find if there are any survivors, what happened and why."
On this day in 1953, Adventures Of Superman aired "The Human Bomb." This served as the twenty-first episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
""Bet A Million" Butler, who will "bet on anything," wages $100,000 he can keep Superman under his control for 30 minutes. He shows up at the Daily Planet and abducts Lois Lane, forcing her onto the ledge of the newspaper's office building. Butler, calling himself only the "human bomb," has strapped dynamite to himself. After Superman arrives, the "human bomb" says he'll detonate the explosive unless Superman agrees to stay put for 30 minutes while a robbery takes place. Superman agrees but has no intention of allowing the robbery to take place."
""Bet A Million" Butler, who will "bet on anything," wages $100,000 he can keep Superman under his control for 30 minutes. He shows up at the Daily Planet and abducts Lois Lane, forcing her onto the ledge of the newspaper's office building. Butler, calling himself only the "human bomb," has strapped dynamite to himself. After Superman arrives, the "human bomb" says he'll detonate the explosive unless Superman agrees to stay put for 30 minutes while a robbery takes place. Superman agrees but has no intention of allowing the robbery to take place."
On this day in 1965, Doctor Who aired "Inferno." This served as the fifteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Ian and Delos manage to escape from Sevcheria and Tavius agrees to help Barbara rejoin them.The Doctor's attempts to avoid being thrown to the lions inadvertently result in Nero deciding to burn down Rome."
"Ian and Delos manage to escape from Sevcheria and Tavius agrees to help Barbara rejoin them.The Doctor's attempts to avoid being thrown to the lions inadvertently result in Nero deciding to burn down Rome."
On this day in 1971, Doctor Who aired "The Mind of Evil, Part 2." This served as the sixth episode of the program's eighth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor is recalled by UNIT to help investigate Cheng-Tiek's murder but is unaware that Chin-Lee is under the control of the Master."
"The Doctor is recalled by UNIT to help investigate Cheng-Tiek's murder but is unaware that Chin-Lee is under the control of the Master."
Aliens? On Earth?! Say it isn't so, but that's what the final episode of Logan's Run dealt with. On this day in 1978, the action saw Logan's robot companion Rem being sought by some alien invaders who intended to use the droid as spare parts to repair their damaged spacecraft.
For those daring enough to want to know more, check out the preview over at YouTube.com!
http://youtu.be/1gnvnOXya8c
For those daring enough to want to know more, check out the preview over at YouTube.com!
http://youtu.be/1gnvnOXya8c
On this day in 1984, the United Kingdom was treated to the fifth episode of the first season of Chocky. According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"Matthew saves Polly's life and Dad is shocked, because Matthew could not swim. Matthew explains that it was Chocky that made him swim. Colonel Summers who helped rescue him has put him forward for a medal. Matthew is asked about his experience by a stranger. He turns out to be a reporter and Matthew is in the newspaper and on the radio. When Matthew gave away the information, he spoke of a 'guardian angel'. Mum is not happy when she discovers that one of Matthew's strange paintings has been but forward for an art competition. It wins first prize. On Landis' request, Matthew is taken to see Sir William Thorbe. He examines Matthew, but afterwards Chocky suspects danger and leaves immediately."
"Matthew saves Polly's life and Dad is shocked, because Matthew could not swim. Matthew explains that it was Chocky that made him swim. Colonel Summers who helped rescue him has put him forward for a medal. Matthew is asked about his experience by a stranger. He turns out to be a reporter and Matthew is in the newspaper and on the radio. When Matthew gave away the information, he spoke of a 'guardian angel'. Mum is not happy when she discovers that one of Matthew's strange paintings has been but forward for an art competition. It wins first prize. On Landis' request, Matthew is taken to see Sir William Thorbe. He examines Matthew, but afterwards Chocky suspects danger and leaves immediately."
On this day in 1987, Starman aired "Dusty." This served as the fifteenth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While in Las Vegas Paul and Scott pick up a hitchhiker who takes off with their car. They later go to a hotel that Paul Forrester frequented and are taken in. They find the woman who they discover is a compulsive gambler. They try to get back the spheres but discover she sold their things. They try to help her."
"While in Las Vegas Paul and Scott pick up a hitchhiker who takes off with their car. They later go to a hotel that Paul Forrester frequented and are taken in. They find the woman who they discover is a compulsive gambler. They try to get back the spheres but discover she sold their things. They try to help her."
On this day in 1988, Star Trek: The Next Generation kept plugging away at its first and largely forgettable season with the airing of "Too Short A Season." Here's the episode summary, compliments of IMDB.com:
"The Enterprise transports an elderly Starfleet Admiral to negotiate a hostage crisis. When the Admiral takes a de-aging drug, he endangers both his life and the mission."
"The Enterprise transports an elderly Starfleet Admiral to negotiate a hostage crisis. When the Admiral takes a de-aging drug, he endangers both his life and the mission."
On this day in 1989, War of the Worlds aired "The Prodigal Son." This served as the fifteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by TV.com:
"Just before he and the rest of the team are to attend a United Nations meeting on their progress, Harrison is invited to meet hermit artist Quinn, who is actually an alien left over from the 1953 invasion trapped in a body bacteria-free ever since. As the aliens are tracking Quinn down in order to learn the secret of his immunity, he kidnaps Blackwood with plans to have him deliver his personal ultimatum to the U.N. as a means for his own conquest over the Earth."
"Just before he and the rest of the team are to attend a United Nations meeting on their progress, Harrison is invited to meet hermit artist Quinn, who is actually an alien left over from the 1953 invasion trapped in a body bacteria-free ever since. As the aliens are tracking Quinn down in order to learn the secret of his immunity, he kidnaps Blackwood with plans to have him deliver his personal ultimatum to the U.N. as a means for his own conquest over the Earth."
Counselor Deanna Troi's character kinda/sorta took an awful lot of flack from fandom. Let's face facts: she pretty much sat on the bridge basically telling us everything we had already guessed for ourselves. Still, every now and then, the writers managed to dust that character off and give her something grand to do. Case in point: Star Trek: The Next Generation's stellar "Face of the Enemy," an hour that saw her waking up as a Romulan as part of the program's sixth season. The episode first aired on this day in 1993.
On this day in 1994, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman aired "The Ides of Metropolis." This served as the fifteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Eugene Laderman, convicted of murdering Henry Harrison, escapes. Then he kidnaps Lois at gunpoint and convinces her he did not commit murder. But if Laderman didn't kill Harrison, who did? The answer lies in a sinister piece of software called The Ides of Metropolis, and in the curious change of personality Harrison's wife experienced after Laderman's conviction."
"Eugene Laderman, convicted of murdering Henry Harrison, escapes. Then he kidnaps Lois at gunpoint and convinces her he did not commit murder. But if Laderman didn't kill Harrison, who did? The answer lies in a sinister piece of software called The Ides of Metropolis, and in the curious change of personality Harrison's wife experienced after Laderman's conviction."
On this day in 1994, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "Whispers" as part of its second season. Here's what IMDB.com has to say about this hour:
"Chief O'Brien's world is turned upside down when for no reason whatsoever he is being ignored by his family and friends and is being closed out of every essential job on the station."
"Chief O'Brien's world is turned upside down when for no reason whatsoever he is being ignored by his family and friends and is being closed out of every essential job on the station."
On this day in 1995, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine really began tinkering more openly with Odo's affections when it aired "Heart of Stone" as part of its third season. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"After chasing a fugitive into a cave, Kira gets stuck and is slowly encapsulated by a growing crystal stone while Odo tries to figure out how to free her."
"After chasing a fugitive into a cave, Kira gets stuck and is slowly encapsulated by a growing crystal stone while Odo tries to figure out how to free her."
On this day in 1995, Star Trek: Voyager aired "Phage." This served as the fourth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Searching to replenish their dilithium supplies, Voyager encounters the Viidans who assault other races for their organs. Neelix is attacked and his lungs taken. Now it's a race against time to retrieve the stolen lungs and save his life."
"Searching to replenish their dilithium supplies, Voyager encounters the Viidans who assault other races for their organs. Neelix is attacked and his lungs taken. Now it's a race against time to retrieve the stolen lungs and save his life."
On this day in 1998, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Solitudes." This served as the seventeenth episode of the long-running program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Following a Stargate technical defect, O'Neill and Carter are stranded next to a Stargate in a cave on an icy wasteland. O'Neill is severely wounded and both are freezing. Will the SGC find and rescue them in time?"
"Following a Stargate technical defect, O'Neill and Carter are stranded next to a Stargate in a cave on an icy wasteland. O'Neill is severely wounded and both are freezing. Will the SGC find and rescue them in time?"
On this day in 2002, Star Trek: Enterprise aired "Shadows of P'Jem." This served as the fifteenth episode as part of the first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"T'Pol is being recalled because of Enterprise's involvement in the destruction of the P'Jem sanctuary. She and Captain Archer are later kidnapped while visiting the planet Coridan."
"T'Pol is being recalled because of Enterprise's involvement in the destruction of the P'Jem sanctuary. She and Captain Archer are later kidnapped while visiting the planet Coridan."
On this day in 2008, Torchwood aired "Meat." This served as the fourth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary that's been provided by IMDB.com:
"Conflicts abound when a truck owned by Rhys's trucking company is investigated by Torchwood... and Rhys is there to see it. The meat it carries is tainted, or is it even meat at all? Rhys does a little investigating of his own, and might have something to contribute to the team this time around. But he's no longer sure who he can trust anymore. And can Gwen and the team trust him?"
"Conflicts abound when a truck owned by Rhys's trucking company is investigated by Torchwood... and Rhys is there to see it. The meat it carries is tainted, or is it even meat at all? Rhys does a little investigating of his own, and might have something to contribute to the team this time around. But he's no longer sure who he can trust anymore. And can Gwen and the team trust him?"
On this day in 2009, the stakes were raised on Syfy's Battlestar Galactica in an hour from its fourth season titled "Blood On The Scales." Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Now safely aboard the rebel Cylon Basestar, President Roslin reasserts her authority and finds a way to broadcast a message to the fleet. The Cylons also agree to move their ship in among the other ships making it impossible for the Galactica to fire on them. Zarek wants to have Adama face a court martial and forces Romo Lampkin to act as defense attorney. When the Quorum of Twelve disagrees with him, he has a solution to that as well. There is some resistance aboard the Galactica including Apollo, Anders, and Starbuck. They manage to free Adama and as their numbers begin to grow, he leads them to retake the CIC. Chief Tyrol meanwhile works his way to the engine to disabled the FTL drive. He finds something else however."
"Now safely aboard the rebel Cylon Basestar, President Roslin reasserts her authority and finds a way to broadcast a message to the fleet. The Cylons also agree to move their ship in among the other ships making it impossible for the Galactica to fire on them. Zarek wants to have Adama face a court martial and forces Romo Lampkin to act as defense attorney. When the Quorum of Twelve disagrees with him, he has a solution to that as well. There is some resistance aboard the Galactica including Apollo, Anders, and Starbuck. They manage to free Adama and as their numbers begin to grow, he leads them to retake the CIC. Chief Tyrol meanwhile works his way to the engine to disabled the FTL drive. He finds something else however."
On this day in 2018, Alex Wells' Blood Binds The Pack served as a SciFi sequel to the previous installment, Hunger Makes The Wolf. According to our friends at Amazon.com, here's the premise:
"War is coming to Hob Ravani's world. The company that holds it in monopoly, TransRift Inc, has at last found what they're looking for--the source of the power that enables their Weathermen to rip holes in space and time, allowing the interstellar travel all of human society now takes for granted. And they will mine every last grain of it from Tanegawa's World no matter the cost. Since Hob Ravani used her witchy powers to pull a massive train job and destroy TransRift Inc’s control on this part of the planet, the Ghost Wolves aren’t just outlaws, they’re the resistance. Mag's miner collective grows restless as TransRift pushes them ever harder to strip the world of its strange, blue mineral. Now Shige Rollins has returned with a new charge--Mr Yellow, the most advanced model of Weatherman, infused with the recovered mineral samples and made into something stranger, stronger, and deadlier than before. And Mr Yellow is very, very hungry."
"War is coming to Hob Ravani's world. The company that holds it in monopoly, TransRift Inc, has at last found what they're looking for--the source of the power that enables their Weathermen to rip holes in space and time, allowing the interstellar travel all of human society now takes for granted. And they will mine every last grain of it from Tanegawa's World no matter the cost. Since Hob Ravani used her witchy powers to pull a massive train job and destroy TransRift Inc’s control on this part of the planet, the Ghost Wolves aren’t just outlaws, they’re the resistance. Mag's miner collective grows restless as TransRift pushes them ever harder to strip the world of its strange, blue mineral. Now Shige Rollins has returned with a new charge--Mr Yellow, the most advanced model of Weatherman, infused with the recovered mineral samples and made into something stranger, stronger, and deadlier than before. And Mr Yellow is very, very hungry."
On this day in 2018, Matt Haig's How To Stop Time enjoyed its release to the delight of Fantasy fans. According to our friends at Amazon.com, here's the premise behind the novel:
"Tom Hazard has a dangerous secret. He may look like an ordinary 41-year-old, but owing to a rare condition, he's been alive for centuries. Tom has lived history--performing with Shakespeare, exploring the high seas with Captain Cook, and sharing cocktails with Fitzgerald. Now, he just wants an ordinary life. So Tom moves back his to London, his old home, to become a high school history teacher--the perfect job for someone who has witnessed the city's history first hand. Better yet, a captivating French teacher at his school seems fascinated by him. But the Albatross Society, the secretive group which protects people like Tom, has one rule: Never fall in love. As painful memories of his past and the erratic behavior of the Society's watchful leader threaten to derail his new life and romance, the one thing he can't have just happens to be the one thing that might save him. Tom will have to decide once and for all whether to remain stuck in the past, or finally begin living in the present."
"Tom Hazard has a dangerous secret. He may look like an ordinary 41-year-old, but owing to a rare condition, he's been alive for centuries. Tom has lived history--performing with Shakespeare, exploring the high seas with Captain Cook, and sharing cocktails with Fitzgerald. Now, he just wants an ordinary life. So Tom moves back his to London, his old home, to become a high school history teacher--the perfect job for someone who has witnessed the city's history first hand. Better yet, a captivating French teacher at his school seems fascinated by him. But the Albatross Society, the secretive group which protects people like Tom, has one rule: Never fall in love. As painful memories of his past and the erratic behavior of the Society's watchful leader threaten to derail his new life and romance, the one thing he can't have just happens to be the one thing that might save him. Tom will have to decide once and for all whether to remain stuck in the past, or finally begin living in the present."
On this day in 2018, the world of Star Trek: Discovery was fleshed out a big more with the release of Dayton Ward's Drastic Measures. According to our friends at Amazon.com, here's the plot summary:
"An original novel based upon the explosive new Star Trek TV series on CBS All Access! It is 2246, ten years prior to the Battle at the Binary Stars, and an aggressive contagion is ravaging the food supplies of the remote Federation colony Tarsus IV and the eight thousand people who call it home. Distress signals have been sent, but any meaningful assistance is weeks away. Lieutenant Commander Gabriel Lorca and a small team assigned to a Starfleet monitoring outpost are caught up in the escalating crisis, and bear witness as the colony’s governor, Adrian Kodos, employs an unimaginable solution in order to prevent mass starvation. While awaiting transfer to her next assignment, Commander Philippa Georgiou is tasked with leading to Tarsus IV a small, hastily assembled group of first responders. It’s hoped this advance party can help stabilize the situation until more aid arrives, but Georgiou and her team discover that they‘re too late—Governor Kodos has already implemented his heinous strategy for extending the colony’s besieged food stores and safeguarding the community’s long-term survival. In the midst of their rescue mission, Georgiou and Lorca must now hunt for the architect of this horrific tragedy and the man whom history will one day brand “Kodos the Executioner”…."
"An original novel based upon the explosive new Star Trek TV series on CBS All Access! It is 2246, ten years prior to the Battle at the Binary Stars, and an aggressive contagion is ravaging the food supplies of the remote Federation colony Tarsus IV and the eight thousand people who call it home. Distress signals have been sent, but any meaningful assistance is weeks away. Lieutenant Commander Gabriel Lorca and a small team assigned to a Starfleet monitoring outpost are caught up in the escalating crisis, and bear witness as the colony’s governor, Adrian Kodos, employs an unimaginable solution in order to prevent mass starvation. While awaiting transfer to her next assignment, Commander Philippa Georgiou is tasked with leading to Tarsus IV a small, hastily assembled group of first responders. It’s hoped this advance party can help stabilize the situation until more aid arrives, but Georgiou and her team discover that they‘re too late—Governor Kodos has already implemented his heinous strategy for extending the colony’s besieged food stores and safeguarding the community’s long-term survival. In the midst of their rescue mission, Georgiou and Lorca must now hunt for the architect of this horrific tragedy and the man whom history will one day brand “Kodos the Executioner”…."
On this day in 2018, Tom Sweterlitsch's The Gone World took readers into a place where Science Fiction meets deductive reasoning. According to our friends at Amazon.com, here's the plot summary:
"Shannon Moss is part of a clandestine division within the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. In western Pennsylvania, 1997, she is assigned to solve the murder of a Navy SEAL's family--and to locate his vanished teenage daughter. Though she can't share the information with conventional law enforcement, Moss discovers that the missing SEAL was an astronaut aboard the spaceship U.S.S. Libra--a ship assumed lost to the currents of Deep Time. Moss knows first-hand the mental trauma of time-travel and believes the SEAL's experience with the future has triggered this violence. Determined to find the missing girl and driven by a troubling connection from her own past, Moss travels ahead in time to explore possible versions of the future, seeking evidence to crack the present-day case. To her horror, the future reveals that it's not only the fate of a family that hinges on her work, for what she witnesses rising over time's horizon and hurtling toward the present is the Terminus: the terrifying and cataclysmic end of humanity itself. Luminous and unsettling, The Gone World bristles with world-shattering ideas yet remains at its heart an intensely human story."
"Shannon Moss is part of a clandestine division within the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. In western Pennsylvania, 1997, she is assigned to solve the murder of a Navy SEAL's family--and to locate his vanished teenage daughter. Though she can't share the information with conventional law enforcement, Moss discovers that the missing SEAL was an astronaut aboard the spaceship U.S.S. Libra--a ship assumed lost to the currents of Deep Time. Moss knows first-hand the mental trauma of time-travel and believes the SEAL's experience with the future has triggered this violence. Determined to find the missing girl and driven by a troubling connection from her own past, Moss travels ahead in time to explore possible versions of the future, seeking evidence to crack the present-day case. To her horror, the future reveals that it's not only the fate of a family that hinges on her work, for what she witnesses rising over time's horizon and hurtling toward the present is the Terminus: the terrifying and cataclysmic end of humanity itself. Luminous and unsettling, The Gone World bristles with world-shattering ideas yet remains at its heart an intensely human story."
