On this day in 1993, Rick Berman went back to the well -- dipped himself in it quite nicely, if I may say so myself -- when he and other creative types boldly went where Star Trek hadn't quite been before when Star Trek: Deep Space Nine premiered in television syndication.
That first episode -- a two-parter called "The Emissary" -- introduced Commander Benjamin Sisko as the Federation officer assigned to a distant space station truly on the edge of the galactic frontier. The assortment of characters joining him aboard the station including a feisty Bajoran liaison officer named Kira Nerys, and shapeshifting security chief named Odo, and an always mischievous barkeep named Quark. I'm only naming a few, but there were so very many others that contributed to DS9's richness in tone, so much so that many Trek enthusiasts secretly count its characters among some of the best ever in the entire Alpha Quadrant.
Sadly, DS9 never quite performed the way Star Trek had before -- the original crew were getting long in the tooth, and rumors were starting to spin that the Next Generation crew would eventually cross over onto the silver screen -- and, once the show came to an end, it's never truly been revisited visually (though there have been some continuation of its stories in book format).
We miss you, DS9, but thank you for coming to life when you did!
That first episode -- a two-parter called "The Emissary" -- introduced Commander Benjamin Sisko as the Federation officer assigned to a distant space station truly on the edge of the galactic frontier. The assortment of characters joining him aboard the station including a feisty Bajoran liaison officer named Kira Nerys, and shapeshifting security chief named Odo, and an always mischievous barkeep named Quark. I'm only naming a few, but there were so very many others that contributed to DS9's richness in tone, so much so that many Trek enthusiasts secretly count its characters among some of the best ever in the entire Alpha Quadrant.
Sadly, DS9 never quite performed the way Star Trek had before -- the original crew were getting long in the tooth, and rumors were starting to spin that the Next Generation crew would eventually cross over onto the silver screen -- and, once the show came to an end, it's never truly been revisited visually (though there have been some continuation of its stories in book format).
We miss you, DS9, but thank you for coming to life when you did!
The BBC's Demons -- which premiered on this day back in 2009 -- was another television attempt to further explore the greater mythology surrounding the Van Helsing bloodline (from what I've read), and if audience reviews are any indication this one was found middling at best. There's nothing wrong with riding down the center of the road critically, but the Fantasy just didn't have enough teeth to last beyond a single season on the Boob Tube, making it a one-hit-wonder at best. Still, I'll always give kudos for an honest attempt.
In the realms of Fantasy literature, there are few names as world-renowned as J.R.R. Tolkien's. His The Hobbit set the stage for one of the greatest fantasies of all time -- The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy -- as well as the supporting works exploring the greater mythology of Middle-Earth. Though he's no longer with us, Tolkien was born on this day in 1892. [Source: IMDB.com]
Screen legend Ray Milland brought his considerable gravitas to the original debut feature of the last 1970's Star Wars' clone, Battlestar Galactica, playing the duplicitous Sire Uri with accomplished ease. Though he's no longer with us, Milland was born on this day in 1907.
William Boyett was one of Hollywood's great character actors. With over 200 screen credits to his name, genre fans probably recognize him from appearances aboard Space Raiders (1983), Knight Rider, Amazing Stories, The Hidden (1987), The Rocketeer (1991), and Star Trek: The Next Generation ("The Big Goodbye"). Though he's no longer with us, Boyett was born on this day in 1927. [Source: IMDB.com]
A dreamy Mara Corday did most of her work throughout the cinema of the 1950's, appearing in such flicks as Tarantula (1955), The Giant Claw (1957), and The Black Scorpion (1957), before seguing into TV work. Corday was born on this day in 1930.
Go back and look at Independence Day, and you'll see one great SciFi popcorn flick that actually employed a helluva lot of terrific actors even in small roles. Case-in-point: Robert Loggia did a great turn as Gen. William Grey, advisor to the President. Though he's no longer with us, Loggia was born on this day in 1930.
Dabney Coleman is a terrific character actor who largely found himself typecast in roles of self-absorbed professionals with perhaps a bit of a cynical side. Personally, I thought he was terrific in 1983's WarGames, the first real cyber-terror film for a whole generation of moviegoers. Coleman was born on this day in 1932.
The venerable Jeremy Kemp turned in a sterling performance as the elder Picard brother Robert in a wonderful episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation; "Family" saw Captain Jean-Luc Picard returning home to 'find himself' after being recruited by the Borg to attack his homeworld. Though he's no longer with us, Kemp -- also seen in an episode of Space:1999 -- was born on this day in 1935. [Source: IMDB.com]
Those of us who were around to experience television in first-runs throughout the late 1970's and 1980's owe much of that nostalgia to master storytelling Glen A. Larson. While he gets 'knocked' about quite a bit for shamelessly pilfering ideas of others, I personal thought he did quite well for himself. Larson was involved in some measure of capacity with such programs as The Six Million Dollar Man, (the original) Battlestar Galactica, Galactica 1980, Magnum P.I., Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and many many more. He was even involved as a 'consulting producer' on nuBSG and Caprica.
Though he's no longer with us, Larson was born on this day back in 1937.
Though he's no longer with us, Larson was born on this day back in 1937.
Roberto Bisacco's name is one I stumbled across in some various research into lesser known genre entries. While much of his work was done in his native Italy, he did appear aboard the cult film Hands of Steel (1986) on our side of the pond. Bisacco was born on this day in 1938. [Source: IMDB.com]
Born on this day in 1947, Patricia Anthony was a science fiction author whose novels and short stories tended more often than not to combine sci-fi elements with other prominent genres including politics and religion. Though she's no longer with us, her work remains and continues to draw the interest of Hollywood including James Cameron (who reportedly acquired the movie rights to her book, Brother Termite). If it interests you more, then feel free to peruse the following links for more information on Ms. Anthony:
Before he went all 'hate mankind' and all that jazz, Mel Gibson was a huge box office sensation throughout the better part of his theatrical career. He caught the interest of a generation starring as the 'lone cop of the Apocalypse' in the Mad Max series of films, the best of which I personally believe has always been Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981). He's trying hard to make a comeback, but so much of what he said was so vile I wonder how many folks will truly work with him in the years ahead. Whatever the case may be, mad Mel was born on this day in 1956. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the early to mid-1990's, the lovely Kerry Armstrong had a key role aboard the SciFi/Family-friendly comedy Halfway Across the Galaxy and Turn Left. Armstrong was born on this day in 1958.
I've no doubt that the venerable Jewel Shepard is well known for her work in the realm of Horror motion pictures, but she's packed in a few SciFi flicks for good measure, including work aboard Zapped (1982), Scanner Cop II (1995), and the SciFi short film Nanoblood (2016). Shepard was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
As I've said before, you'll never hear me complain about any Science Fiction film featuring a tough female lead ... much like the case of the lovely Shannon Sturges in 1997's campy space thriller Convict 762. Sturges was born on this day in 1968.
Actor/director Matt Ross braved the Apocalypse at the heart of TV's short-lived Revolution before turning his sights to more conventional projects. Ross was born on this day in 1970. [Source: IMDB.com]
Now, now, now ... it'll take more than a bad hair day to scare all of the boys away from the pretty Sarah Alexander. Still, her make-up from the Fantasy-themed Stardust was a good start. Alexander was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
Before dreaming up and executing the mainstream comedy Community, funnyman Dan Harmon dreamed up and executed a little something he called Laser Fart. Classy, Dan. Classy. Harmon was born on this day in 1973.
Most people know Danica McKellar (shown above in 'Total Hot' mode from her role aboard Syfy's Tasmanian Devils flick) from her work as Winnie Cooper on the family comedy The Wonder Years, but she has graced Science Fiction with some work as well. She's appeared on Babylon 5, and -- in the voicework department -- she's worked on Justice League, Static Shock, and Young Justice. McKellar was born on this day in 1975.
You may not know his face, but odds are very good that genre fans know Jason Marsden by his voice. Approaching an incredible 200 citations on IMDB.com (check it right here), this talented actor has given voice to characters aboard such franchises as Justice League, Space Guys In Space, Generator Rex, and Transformers: Rescue Bots to name but a few. Marsden was born on this day in 1975.
Not enough of you smilers watched SGU: Stargate Universe to save it. Personally, I loved it, but I'll also admit I struggled with finding interest in the other Stargate shows, so maybe I'm a little biased. However, one of the players who had a solid run on SG:U was the lovely Alisen Down. She's also enjoyed screen time in such sci-fi properties as The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008), Lost Girl, the rebooted Battlestar Galactica, and the TV adaptation of 12 Monkeys. That kind of commitment to our favorite genre deserves our modest praise. Down was born on this day in 1976.
Actor Nicholas Gonzalez joined the cast of The Flash with a recurring guest spot during its popular run on the CW. Gonzalez was born on this day in 1976.
I've said before that The CW's The 100 is one of the greatest SciFi B-series on the Tube today, and the talented Zak Santiago has enjoyed some exposure on the program. He's also appeared on Seven Days, Dark Angel, Jeremiah, Stargate: SG-1, and Continuum, to name but a few others. Santiago was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ah, Brooke Williams! Audiences fell in love with you aboard Syfy's 12 Monkeys and they happily followed you over to MTV and Spike TV's The Shannara Chronicles. Williams was born on this day in 1984. [Source: IMDB.com]
A yummy Jeananne Goossen had a recurring role aboard JJ Abrams' short-lived (and somewhat confusing) Alcatraz series on Fox TV. She also turned up in the SciFi/Thriller Debug (2014). Goossen was born on this day in 1985.
Though she's yet to land a franchise, Nicole LaPlaca has turned in guest and supporting roles aboard such properties as The Dead Zone, Supernatural, Alcatraz, and Falling Skies. LaPlaca was born on this day in 1986.
On this day in 1958 (in West Germany), the 1951-produced Rocketship X-M blasted off in theatres. Directed by Kurt Neumann, the film starred Lloyd Bridges and Ona Massen, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Astronauts (Lloyd Bridges, Osa Massen, John Emery, Noah Beery, Jr., and Hugh O'Brien) blast off to explore the moon. Because of craft malfunction and some fuel calculations, they end up landing on Mars. On Mars, evidence of a once powerful civilization is found. The scientists determine that an atomic war destroyed most of the Martians (who surprisingly look like humans). Those that survived reverted to a caveman-like existence."
"Astronauts (Lloyd Bridges, Osa Massen, John Emery, Noah Beery, Jr., and Hugh O'Brien) blast off to explore the moon. Because of craft malfunction and some fuel calculations, they end up landing on Mars. On Mars, evidence of a once powerful civilization is found. The scientists determine that an atomic war destroyed most of the Martians (who surprisingly look like humans). Those that survived reverted to a caveman-like existence."
On this day in 1962 (in the former Soviet Union), Amphibian Man surfaced from the cinematic depths! The SciFi feature starred Vladimir Korenev and Anastasiya Vertinskaya, and here's the plot summary that's been provided by IMDB.com:
"People living in a seaside town are frightened by reports about an unknown creature in the ocean. Nobody knows what it is, but it's really the son of Doctor Salvator. The doctor performed surgery on his son and now young Ichtiandr can live underwater. This gives him certain advantages, but creates a lot of problems."
"People living in a seaside town are frightened by reports about an unknown creature in the ocean. Nobody knows what it is, but it's really the son of Doctor Salvator. The doctor performed surgery on his son and now young Ichtiandr can live underwater. This gives him certain advantages, but creates a lot of problems."
On this day in 1980 (in Argentina), Walt Disney's The Black Hole defied gravity at the box office. Directed by Gary Nelson, the SciFi feature starred Robert Forster and Anthony Perkins, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A research vessel finds a missing ship, commanded by a mysterious scientist, on the edge of a black hole."
"A research vessel finds a missing ship, commanded by a mysterious scientist, on the edge of a black hole."
On this day in 1965 (in the United Kingdom), Gerry Anderson's Stingray aired "The Ghost Of The Sea." Officially, this served as the fourteenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Commander Shore keeps having nightmares about the time when he was crippled in a sea battle with an underwater craft five years ago and rescued by a mysterious stranger."
"Commander Shore keeps having nightmares about the time when he was crippled in a sea battle with an underwater craft five years ago and rescued by a mysterious stranger."
Worst beauty pagent ever! And we were promised a swimsuit competition! On this day in 1968, Irwin Allen's Lost In Space aired "Target: Earth." Officially, this served as the sixteenth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Landing on a planet some shapeless beings duplicate the Robinsons and take the Jupiter 2 with the intent of conquering Earth. Will gets aboard to stop them."
"Landing on a planet some shapeless beings duplicate the Robinsons and take the Jupiter 2 with the intent of conquering Earth. Will gets aboard to stop them."
Capt. Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise find themselves captives to a former starship captain named Garth, a lunatic who's managed to seize control of an asylum and its inmates in "Whom Gods Destroy," an episode of Star Trek that first aired on this day back in 1969.
On this day in 1970, Doctor Who returned to the airwaves with the premiere of its seventh season, "Spearhead From Space, Part 1." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"As the newly-regenerated Doctor arrives on Earth, so does the Nestene too."
"As the newly-regenerated Doctor arrives on Earth, so does the Nestene too."
On this day in 1976, Doctor Who aired "The Brain Of Morbius, Part 1." This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's thirteenth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Tardis lands on the bleak planet Karn, in a spaceship graveyard, where The Doctor and Sarah find a evil scientist called Doctor Solon is constructing a new body for the brain of a evil time lord known as Morbius, whom The Doctor thought was executed by the high council on Gallifrey. Where Morbius with his new body plots to rule the galaxy."
"The Tardis lands on the bleak planet Karn, in a spaceship graveyard, where The Doctor and Sarah find a evil scientist called Doctor Solon is constructing a new body for the brain of a evil time lord known as Morbius, whom The Doctor thought was executed by the high council on Gallifrey. Where Morbius with his new body plots to rule the galaxy."
And speaking of Glen Larson's Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, on this day back in 1980 the curiously named "Space Vampire" episode aired. The action saw (you guessed it!) an energy-draining space vampire by the name of Vorvon terrorizing Theta Station. Who shows up to save them? (You guessed it again!) Buck does, that's who!
On this day in 1981, Doctor Who aired "Warriors' Gate: Part 1." This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's eighteenth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While the Doctor and Romana desperately rack their brains over how to escape E-Space, Time Winds strike the TARDIS, damaging it and K-9. Strangest of all, it allows Biroc, a hurt and hunted lion-man, to enter, phased in time, and set the control coordinates at zero-zero, sending the TARDIS into a milk-white void. Before running off, he warns of others who will be soon following."
"While the Doctor and Romana desperately rack their brains over how to escape E-Space, Time Winds strike the TARDIS, damaging it and K-9. Strangest of all, it allows Biroc, a hurt and hunted lion-man, to enter, phased in time, and set the control coordinates at zero-zero, sending the TARDIS into a milk-white void. Before running off, he warns of others who will be soon following."
On this day in 1983, Doctor Who returned to the airwaves with the premiere of its twentieth season. The adventure was titled "Arc of Infinity: Part 1," and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"On Gallifrey, someone on the high council is perpetrating a treasonous act - transmitting the Doctor's bio-extract from the space/time matrix to an anti-matter being. On Earth, two English lads spend their last night in Amsterdam sleeping in a crypt where they're attacked by an alien creature under the same anti-matter being's control."
"On Gallifrey, someone on the high council is perpetrating a treasonous act - transmitting the Doctor's bio-extract from the space/time matrix to an anti-matter being. On Earth, two English lads spend their last night in Amsterdam sleeping in a crypt where they're attacked by an alien creature under the same anti-matter being's control."
On this day in 1990, NBC's Quantum Leap aired "Animal Frat." This served as the twelfth episode of the popular program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Finding himself the king of an "Animal House" fraternity, Sam must win the confidence of a beautiful female activist and prevent the bombing of a school building."
"Finding himself the king of an "Animal House" fraternity, Sam must win the confidence of a beautiful female activist and prevent the bombing of a school building."
On this day in 2000, Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles aired an episode titled "Heart." According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"Still in the tank, Rico grows increasingly angry and frustrated that no one is taking his claims that the bugs are coming seriously. Can Rico convince anyone before it's too late?"
"Still in the tank, Rico grows increasingly angry and frustrated that no one is taking his claims that the bugs are coming seriously. Can Rico convince anyone before it's too late?"
On this day in 2001, Starhunter aired the tenth episode of its first season. The adventure was titled "Cell Game," and here's the plot summary as provided by Wikipedia.org:
"As Dante brings a prisoner to the Oberon orbital station, he's ambushed by a rival bounty hunter named Rex who tries to steal his prisoner. Percy manages to stun one of Rex's thugs, but he happens to be a hired Oberon operative and she is arrested by the station guards for assaulting one of their own. With Percy facing a five-year prison sentence, Dante works out a deal with Rex to spring her brother Goran from a maximum security prison on Nereid in return for Percy's release."
"As Dante brings a prisoner to the Oberon orbital station, he's ambushed by a rival bounty hunter named Rex who tries to steal his prisoner. Percy manages to stun one of Rex's thugs, but he happens to be a hired Oberon operative and she is arrested by the station guards for assaulting one of their own. With Percy facing a five-year prison sentence, Dante works out a deal with Rex to spring her brother Goran from a maximum security prison on Nereid in return for Percy's release."
It all began right here: on this day in 2009 (in the United Kingdom), Demons enjoyed its television premiere. The first installment was titled "They Bite," and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Luke Rutherford is an average teenager - until his dead father's best friend, Rupert Galvin, enters his life, and a small hideous creature attacks him. Galvin has come to tell Luke that he is the great-grandson of the legendary Abraham Van Helsing. Luke's destiny is to fight against the supernatural entities swarming the earth after he fights a small demon. But half-life Gladiolus Thrip (Mackenzie Crook) has discovered Luke's secret as well. He kidnaps Ruby, imprisoning her in a tomb and gagging her with duct tape, before his apparent destruction."
"Luke Rutherford is an average teenager - until his dead father's best friend, Rupert Galvin, enters his life, and a small hideous creature attacks him. Galvin has come to tell Luke that he is the great-grandson of the legendary Abraham Van Helsing. Luke's destiny is to fight against the supernatural entities swarming the earth after he fights a small demon. But half-life Gladiolus Thrip (Mackenzie Crook) has discovered Luke's secret as well. He kidnaps Ruby, imprisoning her in a tomb and gagging her with duct tape, before his apparent destruction."
