The Archons are coming! The Archons are coming! "The Return of the Archons" sees the Enterprise traveling to Beta III to uncover the fate of the USS Archon, a Federation spaceship that went missing a century ago. Lo and behold, things aren't quite what they seem when Kirk and crew beam down and find that 'the Archons' have earned quite a reputation. This Star Trek program aired on this day back in 1967.
I've said it before to some controversy, but I think it occasionally bears repeating: the seventh season of the fondly remembered Star Trek: The Next Generation really showed that the program was kinda/sorta winding down on original ideas involving the current cast as the stories grew a bit more fantastical, almost even experimental at times. Still, the hours gave some terrific guest stars a chance to occasionally shine, including the late Ronnie Claire Edwards in the role of 'Talur' aboard "Thine Own Self." Though she's no longer with us, Edwards was born on this day in 1933.
The late Clive Swift leaves behind a resume rich with over one hundred different screen credits. Certainly his career leaned heavily toward more conventional mainstream stuff, but he did have a few appearances of note for genre fans: namely, he enjoyed a role in John Boorman's popular adaptation of the King Arthur story named Excalibur (1981) as well as a visit to the world of Doctor Who. Though he's no longer with us, Swift was born on this day in 1936. [Source: IMDB.com]
Award-winning screenwriter David Webb Peoples has a track record with storytelling that each of us should be thankful for. With his time in the business, he's worked on such projects as Blade Runner (1982), Ladyhawke (1985), Leviathan (1989), and Twelve Monkeys (1995). Peoples was born on this day in 1940. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Marianna Hill gave a terrific performance aboard "Dagger Of The Mind," an episode of Star Trek's first season. Hill was born on this day in 1942.
In 1984's theatrical version of Supergirl, Mia Farrow (above left) starred briefly as Alura, Supergirl's Kryptonian mother. Farrow was born on this day in 1945.
Ah, is there anything better than a lady in uniform? Yes, that would be a lady in a space uniform, and Sally Knyvette suited up quite nicely in the guise of 'Jenna Stannis' aboard Blake's 7 for its run. Knyvette was born on this day in 1951. [Source: IMDB.com]
I don't know about you, but I absolutely love it when an actor with tremendous gravitas comes aboard any SciFi project, even if it's a small role. That's what happened for award-winning actor Ciaran Hinds (above left) gave his clout to Disney's John Carter. Sadly, it didn't save the picture, but it certainly didn't harm it, either. Hinds was born on this day in 1953.
The affable Jim J. Bullock played 'Prince Valium' aboard the Mel Brooks' SciFi/Farce Spaceballs (1987) for MGM. He also appeared several times aboard the SciFi/Sitcom ALF for good measure. Bullock was born on this day in 1955. [Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable Charles Shaughnessy has dabbled in the realm of Science Fiction with appearances aboard Stargate: SG-1 and Moontrap Target Earth (2017). Shaughnessy was born on this day in 1955.
Every red-blooded male swooned over the lovely Julie Warner when she appeared as the small-town-savvy galpal to Michael J. Fox in Doc Hollywood ... and anyone who tells you differently is lying! Even better, she had a brief stint on Star Trek: The Next Generation as Christy Henshaw, the girl with which Geordi LaForge proved how inept he was at picking up women. Warner was born on this day in 1965.
With only fourteen credits to her professional career, kudos to Linda Carol for squeezing in some work aboard Future Hunters (1988) for Lightning Pictures. Carol was born on this day in 1970. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the guest role as 'Jolan' aboard Stargate: SG-1, the hunky Jason George kicked butt and took no prisoners. George was born on this day in 1972.
Back in 2006, the great Shaun Parkes had two appearances aboard the BBC's long-running Doctor Who. More recently, he's turned up aboard The Aliens TV series. Parkes was born on this day in 1973.
Sexy-beyond-compare Amber Valletta helped deliver some much needed feminine wiles to the Gerard Butler SciFi actioner, Gamer, when it hit the silver screen back in 2009. Valletta was born on this day in 1974.
As I've mentioned previously, I've had the good fortune to view the first season of Real Humans, the Swedish television SciFi original that spawned AMC TV's Humans remake; and it's quite good. André Sjöberg played one of the central synthetics in the drama, and Sjöberg was born on this day in 1974. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman Charlie Day helped deliver the laughs (what few there were) in famed director Guillermo del Toro's disappointing Pacific Rim. Day was born on this day in 1976.
A.J. Buckley has dabbled in genre entertainment with some quality work aboard The X-Files, Millennium, Doomsday Prophecy (2011) and the long-running Supernatural. Buckley was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actress and stuntwoman Heidi Moneymaker has proven she has the right stuff with work aboard such projects as The Host (2013), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Jupiter Ascending (2015), and Avengers: Infinity War (2018). Moneymaker was born on this day in 1978. [Source: IMDB.com]
I only watched a handful of episodes of Person Of Interest, a SciFi-lite variation on high-tech computers predicating the fates of folks, but kudos to the lovely Gloria Votsis for booking a role on the program. The actress also enjoyed a pair of appearances to the world of Beauty And The Beast. Votsis was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
International sensation Ziyi Zhang stepped into the future as the leading lady aboard Kar-Wai Wong's 2046 (2004). Zhang was born on this day in 1979.
Think what you may about the Marvel cinematic universe (I'm 'iffy' on it), but I believe one of the brighter additions has to be Tom Hiddleston. His particular take on Loki in Thor, Thor II, and The Avengers has given those films the kind of clout needed for a terrific theatrical villain. Hiddleston was born on this day in 1981.
Matty Cardarople showed up for a small role aboard Jurassic World (2015) and a bigger one on Netflix's A Series of Unfortunate Events. Cardarople was born on this day in 1983.
Fresh-faced Stefanie Butler enjoyed a visit to the very strange world indeed of Netflix's popular SciFi/Fantasy series Stranger Things. Butler was born on this day in 1984. [Source: IMDB.com]
Young and pretty Rachel Melvin has built a career out of some pretty respectable appearances in genre, including work on Heroes, Zombeavers (2014), and Fox TV's Sleepy Hollow. Melvin was born on this day in 1985.
Super 8 (2011) is the kind of film that should've ruined a writer/director's career, but not JJ Abrams'; somehow his fractured storytelling escapes any kind of criticism. David Gallagher had a role in the film, and Gallagher was born on this day in 1985.
The delicious Rose Leslie stepped into the big leagues with her role aboard HBO's Games Of Thrones, and she recently turned up aboard the SciFi/Thriller Morgan (2016). Leslie was born on this day in 1987.
Young actor Michael B. Jordan's star is on the rise. He found big screen acclaim for his portrayal as a budding superhero in Chronicle, and he may've squandered it by appearing as Johnny Storm in the critically-drubbed Fantastic Four reboot. Jordan was born on this day in 1987.
Ahem. Adult actress Alanah Rae brought her considerable assets (ahem) to bare (ahem) aboard the Adult-themed Supergirl XXX (2011) for Extreme Comixxx. Rae was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
I've only seen a few episodes of the Battlestar Galactica follow-up, Caprica, and I wasn't sure what all of the fuss was about. I guess it had some promise, but it just never seemed to go anywhere all that fast. Young Avan Jogia had a recurring role as Ben Stark for a short time, so he definitely deserves a mention. Jogia was born on this day in 1992.
The young Kelli Berglund wore the appropriate uniform to serve as one of the team of Walt Disney's Lab Rats and Lab Rats: Elite Force for the shows respectively. Berglund was born on this day in 1996. [Source: IMDB.com]
Kudos and birthday greetings go out today to Jimmy Bennett, the youngster tasked with portraying the youngest and most brash version of James T. Kirk yet aboard JJ Abrams' Star Trek (2009) reboot. Bennett was born on this day in 1996.
On this day in 1978 (in West Germany), the original Star Wars enjoyed its theatrical debut. Written and directed by George Lucas, the SciFi/Fantasy/Classic starred Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader."
"Luke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader."
On this day in 1983 (in France), Battletruck roared onto the silver screen. Directed by Harley Cokeliss, the SciFi feature starred Michael Beck and Annie McEnroe, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Post World War III futuristic tale of collapsed governments & bankrupt countries heralding a new lawless age."
"Post World War III futuristic tale of collapsed governments & bankrupt countries heralding a new lawless age."
On this day in 1984 (in Peru), Krull enjoyed its theatrical release. Directed by Peter Yates, the SciFi/Fantasy 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."
On this day in 1985 (in the Philippines), The Terminator came back through time to change the future. Written and directed by James Cameron, the SciFi feature starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In 1984, a human soldier is tasked to stop an indestructible cyborg killing machine, both sent from 2029, from executing a young woman, whose unborn son is the key to humanity's future salvation."
"In 1984, a human soldier is tasked to stop an indestructible cyborg killing machine, both sent from 2029, from executing a young woman, whose unborn son is the key to humanity's future salvation."
On this day in 1987 (in West Germany), the 1977-produced The Brain Machine enjoyed its release on home video. The SciFi/Thriller starred James Best and Barbara Burgess, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Several people volunteer for a scientific experiment about mind-reading and memory, but the experiment goes horribly wrong."
"Several people volunteer for a scientific experiment about mind-reading and memory, but the experiment goes horribly wrong."
On this day in 1991 (in El Salvador), Paul Verhoeven's Total Recall enjoyed making memories at the box office. The SciFi/Fantasy starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sharon Stone, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When a man goes for virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real - or does he?"
"When a man goes for virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real - or does he?"
On this day in 1994, Cyborg Cop enjoyed its release on U.S. home video. Directed by Sam Firstenberg, the SciFi feature starred David Bradley and Todd Jensen, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Ex-D.E.A. Agent Jack receives an emergency message from his brother Phillip, whose team was ambushed on the Caribbean island of St. Keith. Jack goes to St. Keith to find his brother, who has been turned into a cyborg by the drug runner he was after."
"Ex-D.E.A. Agent Jack receives an emergency message from his brother Phillip, whose team was ambushed on the Caribbean island of St. Keith. Jack goes to St. Keith to find his brother, who has been turned into a cyborg by the drug runner he was after."
On this day in 2007 (in Hungary), Gargoyle enjoyed its debut on broadcast television. Directed by Jim Wynorski, the Fantasy feature starred genre-favorite Michael Paré and Sandra Hess, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Two CIA agents are sent to Bucharest, Romania to solve a high profile kidnapping. But what they discover is something inexplicable. An evil gargoyle, once thought dead and banished forever, has returned with a vengeance."
"Two CIA agents are sent to Bucharest, Romania to solve a high profile kidnapping. But what they discover is something inexplicable. An evil gargoyle, once thought dead and banished forever, has returned with a vengeance."
On this day in 2008, the SciFi/Horror/Telefilm known as Bone Eater enjoyed its small screen debut. The feature starred Bruce Boxleitner and Michael Horse, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Ancient Native American legend of the Bone Eater rises up and begins terrorizing the local townspeople."
"Ancient Native American legend of the Bone Eater rises up and begins terrorizing the local townspeople."
On this day in 2009 (in Estonia), Dark Planet enjoyed its run on the silver screen. Directed by Fedor Bondarchuk, the SciFi feature starred Vasiliy Stepanov and Yulia Snigir, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"A space traveler from the Earth of the 22th century - without wars, poverty and oppression - crashes on an unknown planet. Politically and economically that planet similar to the totalitarian human states of the 20th century."
"A space traveler from the Earth of the 22th century - without wars, poverty and oppression - crashes on an unknown planet. Politically and economically that planet similar to the totalitarian human states of the 20th century."
On this day in 2018, Time Trap played for audiences in attendance of the Mammoth Film Festival. Written and directed by Mark Dennis, the SciFi feature starred Andrew Wilson and Cassidy Gifford, and here's the plot summary provided by IMDB.com:
"A group of students venture into the deep caves of remote Texas to locate a favorite archaeology professor who inexplicably has gone missing while searching for the Fountain of Youth. In the course of their pursuit, the group unwittingly rappels into a break in the space-time continuum, where time passes much slower than on the surface. With no hope for rescue, they descend further into the cave and uncover the most coveted urban legend in history and find themselves in the crossfire for its control."
"A group of students venture into the deep caves of remote Texas to locate a favorite archaeology professor who inexplicably has gone missing while searching for the Fountain of Youth. In the course of their pursuit, the group unwittingly rappels into a break in the space-time continuum, where time passes much slower than on the surface. With no hope for rescue, they descend further into the cave and uncover the most coveted urban legend in history and find themselves in the crossfire for its control."
On this day in 1952, Space Patrol aired "Hit By A Meteorite." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A boring day in the spaces lanes above Terra quickly turn to terror when Commander Corry's spacecraft is disabled after being struck by a meteorite and plummets out of control towards the artificial planet's spaceport."
"A boring day in the spaces lanes above Terra quickly turn to terror when Commander Corry's spacecraft is disabled after being struck by a meteorite and plummets out of control towards the artificial planet's spaceport."
"Return to Tomorrow" -- a part of Star Trek's second season -- aired on this day in 1968. A long-dead race seeks one more chance at life, so they lure the Enterprise to their planet in hopes of inhabiting the bodies of Kirk, Spock, and crewmember Ann Mulhall (played by Diana Muldaur) for another go at it. Much jealousy and foul play ensues!
On this day in 1974 (in West Germany), Star Trek aired "Charlie X." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Captain Kirk must learn the limits to the power of a 17-year-old boy with the psychic ability to create anything and destroy anyone."
"Captain Kirk must learn the limits to the power of a 17-year-old boy with the psychic ability to create anything and destroy anyone."
On this day in 1991, "Clues" aired as part of Star Trek: The Next Generation's fourth season. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Effects of passing through a wormhole give the Enterprise crew a sense that they were unconscious for more than the thirty seconds they've been led to believe."
"Effects of passing through a wormhole give the Enterprise crew a sense that they were unconscious for more than the thirty seconds they've been led to believe."
On this day in 1991, Super Force aired "A Hundred Share." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Using subliminal messages, a reporter plans on getting the entire world to watch her broadcast."
"Using subliminal messages, a reporter plans on getting the entire world to watch her broadcast."
On this day in 1992 (in Australia), The Girl From Tomorrow aired "Computer Games." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Once again in Mr Rooney's class the girls draw a little attention as they hack into the police database with the help of PJ to find out who the car is registered to."
"Once again in Mr Rooney's class the girls draw a little attention as they hack into the police database with the help of PJ to find out who the car is registered to."
On this day as part of Babylon 5's first season in 1994, the hour titled "Born to the Purple" first aired. (In fact, it was the program's third episode ever.) Here's the episode summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Londo falls for a beautiful slave, whose owner wants to steal sensitive information. Garibaldi discovers that someone is using a restricted communications channel."
"Londo falls for a beautiful slave, whose owner wants to steal sensitive information. Garibaldi discovers that someone is using a restricted communications channel."
On this day in 1997, Dark Skies aired "Shades of Gray." This served as the fourteenth episode of the cult program's first and only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"John and Kim help draw an alien Gray into a Majestic trap."
"John and Kim help draw an alien Gray into a Majestic trap."
On this day in 2004, Mutant X aired "Art of Attraction." 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:
"As the Mutant X team fights to retrieve a formula hidden in a collection of artwork, Shalimar is given vital information from a mysterious source."
"As the Mutant X team fights to retrieve a formula hidden in a collection of artwork, Shalimar is given vital information from a mysterious source."
On this day in 2018 (in the United Kingdom), Requiem aired "The Blue Room." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary provided by IMDB.com:
"Matilda is convinced that she is Carys and was held captive in Ewan's house as a small child, though she keeps this from the police. Rose is unhelpful as to Janice's interest in Penllynith but is plainly keeping secrets from Matilda and her husband Aron. More strange noises and the discovery of an empty, long-locked room increase Matilda's desire but she gets no answers from the villagers. Then she encounters a ragged man, Sean Howell, father of the missing girl who vanished some time after Carys, who gives her a present before running off. Back at the house she discovers shelves of old tape recordings."
"Matilda is convinced that she is Carys and was held captive in Ewan's house as a small child, though she keeps this from the police. Rose is unhelpful as to Janice's interest in Penllynith but is plainly keeping secrets from Matilda and her husband Aron. More strange noises and the discovery of an empty, long-locked room increase Matilda's desire but she gets no answers from the villagers. Then she encounters a ragged man, Sean Howell, father of the missing girl who vanished some time after Carys, who gives her a present before running off. Back at the house she discovers shelves of old tape recordings."
