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Most men of my generation can speak endlessly about their unabashed love for all things Fletch, but no film -- and I do mean no film -- owns a place in my heart, mind, and soul in quite the same way John Carpenter's seminal Escape from New York.  (FYI: it premiered theatrically on this day in 1981 for those of you keeping score.)  So pardon me if I gush like a schoolgirl (and also pardon me, ladies, for even having typed that phrase) about my love for dystopian drama with an attitude 'cause that's precisely what Escape is to me and the countless others who worship the film.  Sure, maybe it ain't SciFi like Brazil or Gravity or Gattaca, but that's because all of those films would've been a frak of a lot shorter had Snake Plissken been called into action.

You thought he was dead?  Think again.

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Late in her professional career, Jeff Donnell filled out the shoes of 'Aunt May' aboard the late 1970's TV incarnation of The Amazing Spider-Man.  Though she's no longer with us Donnell was born on this day in 1921.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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William Smithers has a face that was popping up all over the place during the days of my television youth.  The talented character actor has been a part of such properties as Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Invaders, Star Trek, The Six Million Dollar Man, Deathsport (1978), and The Amazing Spider-Man.  Smithers was born on this day in 1927.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Susan Cummings proved herself a tasty morsel (pun intended) with her work aboard "To Serve Man," one of the more memorable visits to Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone.  Though she's no longer with us, Cummings was born on this day in 1930.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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The esteemed Bruce Boa enjoyed a bit of screen time opposite Carrie Fisher herself aboard George Lucas's The Empire Strikes Back (1980) for Twentieth Century Fox.  Though he's no longer with us, Boa was born on this day in 1930.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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In his short thirty-six years on this planet, Nick Adams still managed to rack up an impressive 65 screen credits.  Fans might know him from work in The Outer Limits, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965), Monster of Terror (1965), Invasion of the Astro-Monster (1965), and Mission Mars (1968).  Though he's no longer with us, Adams was born on this day in 1931.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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If film careers are any indication, then the lovely Tura Satana (above right) certainly turned heads in her lifetime.  Mostly, she starred in a handful of B-Pictures, the least memorable of which may just have been The Astro-Zombies (1968).  Though she's no longer with us, Satana was born on this day in 1938.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Lawrence Pressman owns the distinction of appearing aboard Star Trek: Deep Space Nine not once but three times ... in the guise of three completely different characters.  He's also appeared on The X-Files and Dark Angel.  Pressman was born on this day in 1939.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Screen veteran Robert Pine had a role in 1996's alien invasion adventure, Independence Day (pictured above).  The actor has also enjoyed appearances in such projects as Quantum Leap, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, Journeyman, and The Event.  Pine was born on this day in 1941.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Actor Ron Glass was part of the very talented ensemble at the heart of Joss Whedon's kinda/sorta Western kinda/sorta Sci-Fi program Firefly that went on to become the blockbuster motion picture (not!) Serenity.  (Sorry, folks, wasn't a fan of the program, but I do agree it had an immensely talented cast.)  Though he's no longer with us, Glass was born on this day in 1945.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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The luminous Sue Lyon is best remembered as the young temptress aboard Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Lolita (1962), but she has a few interesting SciFi credits to her name.  She appeared in End of the World (1977), The Astral Factor (1978), and Alligator (1980), each having a bit of a cult following for completely different reasons.  Lyon was born on this day in 1946.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Though her resume may only contain a scant thirty-two citations, the lovely Mindi Miller still retains some solid genre credentials, including work aboard Westworld (1973), Monster Squad, Quark, Hercules (1983), Knight Rider, V, Amazons (1986), and Batman Returns (1992).  Miller was born on this day in 1950.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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The multi-talented Hans Beimler is just one of the many people who helped to bring Star Trek: Deep Space Nine to life in TV syndication.  He's also worked on such programs as Star Trek: The Next Generation, TekWar, The Dresden Files, and The Middleman.  Beimler was born on this day in 1953.  [Source: Memory Alpha]

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If you wear the uniform, then you deserve a citation: Marco Rodriguez appeared aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation's "The Arsenal of Freedom" late in its first season.  He's also shown up in such properties as Street Hawk, Werewolf, The Adventures Of Brisco County Jr., NightMan, Sliders, and Seven Days.  Rodriguez was born on this day in 1953.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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I honestly did watch this particular season of Syfy's Channel Zero, but I don't recall the fate Fiona Shaw (as her character) suffered, though I'm guessing it didn't end well.  However, this talented actress deserves all of the accolades I can muster for time spent aboard HBO's True Blood and the greater Harry Potter series of films.  Shaw was born on this day in 1958.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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The lovely Janet Julian (aka Janet Louise Johnson) enjoyed a little screen time as 'Lieutenant Brie' aboard the original Battlestar Galactica.  So far as genre credits go, she's also appeared in Ghost Warrior (1986), Knight Rider, and TV's Swamp Thing.  Julian was born on this day in 1959.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Gina Bellman dipped her toes into the realm of Fantasy with a role aboard the short-lived Emerald City.  Bellman was born on this day in 1966.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Pretty Emma Fielding provided the voice for 'Kisar' aboard an episode of Doctor Who in the re-launched program's uneven 11th season.  Fielding was born on this day in 1966.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Alexandra Hedison doesn't appear in projects all too often as of late, but that didn't stop her from securing roles in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, NightMan, Prey, and UPN's Seven Days.  Hedison was born on this day in 1969.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Gale Harold (above center) continues to turn in performances that fall onto SciFiHistory.Net's radar.  Of particular note, he's been seen aboard Syfy's Defiance as well as the SciFi feature film Andron (2015).  Harold was born on this day in 1969.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Actor John Simm had a brilliant breakthrough performance in the BBC's Life On Mars (which I highly recommend to those who haven't seen) ... and, of course, he was 'The Master,' a grand foil to face no less than David Tennant's incarnation of the legendary Doctor Who.  Simm was born on this day in 1970, and he continues to impress with every project that he undertakes ... as 'The Master' would.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Erika Jayne brought both smarts and great looks to her work aboard the seemingly never-ending Syfy juggernaut Sharknado with a role in Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens.  Jayne was born on this day in 1971.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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The stunning Sofía Vergara lent her considerable pipes to the role of 'Gabby Babblebrock' in the animated Escape From Planet Earth (2013).  Vergara was born on this day in 1972.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Peter Serafinowicz appeared in a small role in 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy (pictured above).  The talented actor has also enjoyed roles and voicework in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.  Serafinowicz was born on this day in 1972.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Critical darling Chiwetel Ejiofor (pictured above right) wasn't so much of a "critical darling" when he appeared in Roland Emmerich's epic disaster movie, 2012, back in 2009.  Ejiofor was born on this day in 1977.  [Source: IMDB.com]
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Lucy Gaskell may not be a household name, but she's certainly earned her stripes in some quality genre projects, including roles in Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of the Dragon God (2005), Doctor Who, Vampire Killers (2009), Paradox, Being Human, and Misfits.  Gaskell was born on this day in 1980.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Being blonde and famous didn't keep Jessica Simpson from taking a trip into TV's The Twilight Zone back in 2003.  One could argue that she's been living there ever since!  Simpson was born on this day in 1980.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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It may not count for much, but we at SciFiHistory.Net take 'em where we get 'em: the lovely Aviva Baumann enjoyed a role in the SciFi/ShortFilm Earthbound (2011).  Baumann was born on this day in 1984.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Heather Hemmens is just one of the many players involved in The CW's politically-suspect reboot of the fondly remembered Roswell series.  Hemmens was born on this day in 1988.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Sadly, the fresh-faced Haley Pullos hasn't done much by way of traditional genre roles, but she did appear in an episode of Joss Whedon's SciFi-lite Dollhouse.  Pullos was born on this day in 1998.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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The delightful Isabela Moner proved she was woman enough to step into a big role aboard Transformers: The Last Knight (2017).  Moner was born on this day in 2001.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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On this day in 1925, Chapter 11 of the SciFi serial The Power God was released to theaters.  According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the premise behind the serial:

"Professor Sturgess invents a miraculous engine which can draw unlimited power from the atoms of the air. When the professor is killed, his daughter and her fiance must fight to keep the secret of the power engine out of the hands of evil Weston Dore and his henchmen."

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On this day in 1951 (in West Germany), audiences went a little bit 'lunar' with the release of Destination Moon.  According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:

"After their latest rocket fails, Dr. Charles Cargraves and retired General Thayer have to start over again. This time, Gen. Thayer approaches Jim Barnes, the head of his own aviation construction firms to help build a rocket that will take them to the moon. Together they gather the captains of industry and all pledge to support the goals of having the United States be the first to put a man on the moon. They build their rocket and successfully leave the Earth's gravitational pull and make the landing as scheduled. Barnes has miscalculated their fuel consumption however and after stripping the ship bare, they are still 100 lbs too heavy meaning that one of them will have to stay behind."

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On this day in 1959 (in Finland), The Colossus of New York sets his sights on the Big Apple.  The feature starred Mala Powers and John Baragrey, and here's the premise on IMDB.com:

"A brilliant surgeon encases his dead son's brain in a large robot body, with unintended results..."

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A star is born!  On this day in 1966 (in Italy), The Wild Wild Planet propelled audiences into that wild wild frontier!  Directed by Antonio Margheriti, the SciFi/Thriller starred Tony Russel, Lisa Gastoni, and Massimo Serato.  According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:

"A deranged scientist is using his employer's top-secret bio-laboratory to engage in clandestine experiments. When he starts kidnapping leading citizens for use in his twisted tests, it's up to rogue cop Mike Halstead to come to the rescue."

​For the record:
Interestingly enough, director Antonio Margheriti delivered four films to the silver screen during 1966-1967, and all of these who the basis of a loose Science Fiction saga I've seen called the 'Gamma One Quadrilogy' in articles online.  While costumes and sets were re-used -- the chief setting for these flicks was the Gamma One Space Station -- different casts were involved.  For those wanting to explore the titles separately -- and in the proper order -- they are Wild, Wild Planet (1966), War Of The Planets (1966), War Between The Planets (1966), and Snow Devils (1967).

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On this day back in 1970, one of the more underrated but occasionally maligned entries in Sci-Fi (I hate it when that happens) Colossus: The Forbin Project opened theatrically ... in West Germany of all places.  (Maybe East Germany cinemas were already booked?)  In any event, here's the film's plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:

"Forbin is the designer of an incredibly sophisticated computer that will run all of America's nuclear defenses. Shortly after being turned on, it detects the existence of Guardian, the Soviet counterpart, previously unknown to US Planners. Both computers insist that they be linked, and after taking safeguards to preserve confidential material, each side agrees to allow it. As soon as the link is established the two become a new Super computer and threaten the world with the immediate launch of nuclear weapons if they are detached. Colossus begins to give its plans for the management of the world under its guidance. Forbin and the other scientists form a technological resistance to Colossus which must operate underground."

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A star is born!  Oh, no, they didn't!  Oh, yes, they did!  The good people of India decided to cash in on the Superhero business when on this day in back in 1980 Lakshmi Productions released their version of (ahem) Superman, complete with (as you may've guessed) musical numbers.  Written and directed by V. Madhusudan Rao, the feature starred Taraka Rama Rao Nandamuri as the Indian man of steel, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"An alien orphan is sent to earth where he becomes a superhero."

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On this day in 1982 (in Japan), Megaforce roared onto the silver screen with its campy SciFi goodness.  Directed by Hal Needham, the feature starred Barry Bostwick and Michael Beck, and here's the plot summary as provided by Google.com:

"A high-tech soldier with a flying motorcycle leads troops to the rescue of a ruler and her people."

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Remember a time when Mad Max really wasn't dwarfed by Mad Mel?  On this day back in 1985, the Mad Max franchise grew by one more flick when Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome roared into theatres.  It wasn't a total failure -- some critics today look back on it much more fondly than I do.  I just thought its central storyline was way too similar to what had come before (in The Road Warrior, no less) with much stronger direction.  Oh, well ... it'll have to do until the impending Max reboot screens.  Go, Tom Hardy!  Those are some pretty big sand-battered boots to fill.

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On this day in 1987 (in Spain, Ireland, and Sweden), Walt Disney's Flight Of The Navigator took to the cinematic skies.  Directed by Randal Kleiser, the SciFi feature starred Joey Cramer and Paul Reubens, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"A 12-year-old boy goes missing in 1978, only to reappear once more in 1986. In the eight years that have passed, he hasn't aged. It is no coincidence that at the time he "comes back", a flying saucer is found, entangled in power lines."

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On this day in 1988 (in Peru), Cherry 2000 delivered love and laughs to the cinema.  According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:

"In 2017, a successful businessman travels to the ends of the earth to find that the perfect woman is always under his nose. He hires a sexy renegade tracker to find an exact duplicate of his android wife."

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A star is born!  On this day in 1990 (in the United Kingdom), Deceit enjoyed its debut in the home video marketplace.  Written and directed by Albert Pyun, the SciFi/Comedy starred Norbert Weisser and Samantha Phillips, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"Two outer-space aliens visit Earth with the intention of blowing it up, but they meet a hot blonde and decide to postpone the planet's destruction in order to try to score with her."

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On this day back in 1992, the Universal Soldier franchise became the phenomenon it is as earnestly as it could, bringing together Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundren for the first time.  I didn't think the film was a complete disaster, though I'll admit I wasn't all that enamored of it.  Here's the plot summary, compliments of IMDB.com:

"Luc and Scott were killed in Vietnam, but the army has a secret project for reanimating dead people as near-perfect soldiers."
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On this day in 1998 (in Canada), Tale Of The Mummy played for audiences in attendance of the Fantasia Film Festival.  Directed by Russell Mulcahy, the Fantasy featured starred Jason Scott Lee and Louise Lombard, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"Centuries ago, under the sands of ancient Egypt, a Prince was buried and his tomb eternally cursed so that no man would ever again suffer from his evil ways. But hundreds of years later on a greedy search for treasure, a group of archaeologists break the cursed seal of the tomb. Every man vanishes without a trace, leaving behind only a log book, and a deadly warning of the legend of the bloodthursty Talos. Fifty years later, the log book ends up in the hands of the granddaughter of the head archaeologist, and she defiantly sets out to retrace his steps. Discovering the forbidden treasure, she recovers a sacred amulet and once again unleashes the savage power of the tomb. Racing through the streets of London, and against the force of a rare interplanetary line-up, she, along with the help of her original dig team and an American detective, desperately try to turn back the inhuman curse and to keep Talos from destroying all in his path in an attempt to gain immortal power."

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A star is born!  On this day in 2000 (in Singapore), Starforce roared onto the silver screen.  The SciFi/Actioner starred Michael Bergin and Amy Weber, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"A warrior and a beautiful ex-convict are left to fight the galaxy's most fearsome commandos in an alien wasteland."

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On this day in 2002 (in Finland), audiences learned How To Make A Monster when the Fantasy/Telefilm premiered on home video.  According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:

"The CEO of Clayton Software, Faye Clayton, lays off her development team after their latest game project, called "Evilution", receives numerous disastrous test previews, and begins her search for a new team. During this search, she selected a team of renowned game designers, Bug, Hardcore, Sol, led by Peter Drummond as replacements. At the same time, they are informed that a bonus of a million dollars would be awarded to those who make the game the most scariest, through innovation means. Despite the rivalry among them, they work together to make a game scary enough to scare the kids in four weeks. Just as Sol adds his powerful AI chip into the hard drive, the lightning strike causes a power surge which brings "Evilution" to life. The programmers are soon confined in the building, becoming targets of their killer game they've created and the virtual nightmare begins."

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On this day in 2006 (in France), Alien Hunter enjoyed its premiere on broadcast television.  Directed by Ron Krauss, the SciFi feature starred James Spader and Janine Eser, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"An alien black box is found in the South Pole, where a government agency is conducting botanical experiments."

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On this day in 2017 (in the United Kingdom), the SciFi/Drama Anti Matter enjoyed its home video release.  Written and directed by Keir Burrows, the feature starred Yaiza Figueroa and Philippa Carson, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"A scientist faces the question of what makes us whole and if there is a part of us that is not part of this physical world when she discovers how to travel through a worm hole."

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On this day in 1965 (in Australia), Astroboy aired "The Birth Of Astroboy."  Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's time on television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"A robot named Astro Boy is built. He replaces Dr. Boynton's dead son. Realizing he's not a real boy, Dr. Boynton sells him to the circus. After saving the circus owner's life, Astro Boy gets his freedom and Elefun as mentor."

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On this day in 1965, Doctor Who aired "The Meddling Monk."  This served as the thirty-seventh episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"The Doctor is being held prisoner by the Monk and Steven and Vicki's search for him brings them to the Saxon village.But a greater danger threatens when a Viking raiding party arrives."

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On this day in 1971, UFO aired "Confetti Check A-OK."  This served as the twenty-second episode in the program's only season on the tube, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:

"When the wife of a SHADO officer, Lieutenant Grey, gives birth, Straker's put in mind of events from a decade earlier, when he was still with his wife Mary. Having recently established SHADO, the responsibility and degree of commitment put a heavy strain on the marriage. Mary saw him visiting another woman but it was professional, not sexual, and due to the secret nature of SHADO, he was unable to tell her the truth without jeopardising the organisation."

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On this day in 1972, Doomwatch aired "Hair Trigger."  This served as the sixth episode of the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"A radical new procedure has been developed for treating violent criminals. The results are extremely positive, but Anne Tarrant is not convinced of its ethics."

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On this day in 1995, Gerry Anderson's Space Precinct aired "The Forever Beetle."  This served as the twenty-second episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"Pteronarcys Eternicum, a rare beetle capable of cell regeneration, is stolen from Dexkor Laboratories. Brogan and Haldane are assigned to the case and suspect that the theft may be an inside job. But Brogan is preoccupied with nailing drugs dealer Amory Wolf whom he believes is responsible for the death of Tommy Murphy, his oldest friend. Meanwhile, Jane and Took have a run-in with local hero Thunder Cole."

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On this day in 1998, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Prisoners."  This served as the third episode of the long-running program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"SG1 inadvertently help a desperate criminal and is charged and sentenced as accessories to his crime. They are banished to a desolate, brutal penal colony and strike a deal with a powerful female prisoner to help them escape. But is this prisoner hiding something from them?"

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On this day in 1998, The Outer Limits aired "Monster."  This served as the eighteenth episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:

"A group of talented psychics are gathered together in an underground bunker for a military project. But then some kind of mysterious assailant begins to murder them one by one."


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On this day in 2005, USA Network's The 4400 aired "As Fate Would Have It."  This served as the fifth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:

"Maia has a vision that frightens her and causes the NTAC serious concerns. Heidi visits her mother which makes Isabelle cry in despair. Collier sees Isabelle to get some crucial advice."

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On this day in 2009 (in the United Kingdom), Torchwood aired "Children of Earth: Day Five."  This served as the fifth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"With little choice now but to give in to their demands, the British authorities begin to round up the children under the pretense of giving them inoculations. Panic begins to set in as parents begin to wonder what is happening to their children. Captain Jack is released as are his daughter and grandson and he tries to find a way fight the 456. Gwen and her husband return home to tell Ianto's sister what has happened but they arrive to find a house full of children, whom they try to save from the arriving soldiers. With Fobisher no longer available, Col. Oduya becomes the intermediary and the 456 reveal the reason they need the children. For Captain Jack his finding a way to fight the 456 forces him to make an incredible sacrifice."

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On this day in 2011, TNT's Falling Skies aired "Silent Kill."  This served as the fifth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed on IMDB.com:

"Hal comes up with a risky new plan to rescue captured teenagers from the aliens, but it might require putting someone at risk."
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On this day in 2014, Syfy's Defiance aired "Beasts Of Burden."  This served as the fourth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"After his caravan is viciously attacked in the badlands, a badly shaken Pottinger orders Nolan to hunt down and destroy those responsible. Nolan's manhunt implicates one of Rafe's miners causing tensions to explode. Meanwhile, a vengeful Datak is determined to reclaim control over the family business."

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On this day in 2015, Syfy's Defiance aired "Where The Apples Fell."  This served as the sixth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:

"Nolan and Berlin pursue the Tarrs, their connection to the Votanis Collective exposed; Alak faces his future as a father."

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On this day in 2015, Syfy's Killjoys aired "Vessel."  This served as the fourth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"The Killjoys find their real rhythm as a trio while protecting a group of gorgeous Surrogates under siege in a badlands fortress. It's a manic, bullet-riddled ride to get to safety, while negotiating the ugly side of Qreshi politics."

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On this day in 2017, Stitchers aired "Paternis."  This served as the fifth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"When Cameron's incarcerated father is accused of murdering a prison guard, the team breaks protocol to stitch into the guard, all while dealing with memories of their own father figures."
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