Think what you may, sci-fi fans, but there's never been a better 'Part 1' in all of sci-fi television than Star Trek: The Next Generation's third season finale, "The Best of Both Worlds." (It aired in syndication on this day back in 1990.) Could they stakes have been any higher? Riker in personal and professional crisis? Picard seized by the Borg? Starfleet facing possible eradication? Audiences were left on the edge of their seats all summer thanks to this winning script by writer Michael Piller.
History shows that there are far too many Science Fiction authors out there for any of us to try them all in a single lifetime, but one of those who should be on everyone's bucket list is Murray Leinster. Somewhere within the volumes of material he penned, I suspect there will be something to each of our liking. Though he's no longer with us, Leinster was born on this day in 1896.
The lovely Faith Domergue played Dr. Ruth Adams as part of the scientific ensemble at the middle of 1955's sci-fi classic This Island Earth. In fact, she practically ruled cinema sci-fi that year as she also headlined The Atomic Man and It Came From Beneath The Sea for willing audiences. Though she's no longer with us, Domergue was born on this day in 1924.
Bill Cobbs is an actor who maintains an incredible body of work. SciFi fans probably recognize him best from guest roles in such properties as Demolition Man (1993), The Outer Limits, and Star Trek: Enterprise. Cobbs was born on this day in 1934.
Ah, you never forget your first doctor, do you? Doctor Who, that is! Carole Ann Ford was there at the beginning of the seminal Time Traveling opus in the role of Susan Foreman, aka the Doctor's granddaughter. The veteran actress clocked in an amazing fifty-two episodes of the program, and she still found time to make appearances in other properties, including 1963's The Day of the Triffids. Ford was born on this day in 1940.
During her time "in the business," the lovely Suzan Farmer turned up in a few wonderful guest spots, including work aboard Gerry Anderson's UFO and Blakes 7. Though she's no longer with us, Farmer was born on this day in 1942.
The lovely Joan Van Ark has turned up in a few SciFi-specific roles, checking aboard The Six Million Dollar Man, Wonder Woman, and the cult favorite SciFi comedy, Quark. Van Ark was born on this day in 1943.
Anyone in the market for a good Ginger? Well, then how about a great one? The lovely Valerie Mahaffey looks even lovelier every time we see her, but I wish she did more Science Fiction. She had a great guest role aboard the popular Quantum Leap, so I guess I should be thankful for that. Mahaffey was born on this day in 1953.
To me, Ian Buchanan has one of those faces that practically screams, "For God's sake, man, I'm an actor!" Those stylish good looks helped him land a guest role aboard Syfy's Stargate: SG-1. That's for sure! Buchanan was born on this day in 1957.
Though I'm sure I'll probably always remember John Balma for his brilliant comic turn on NBC's Parks and Recreation, I'm glad he had an appearance on Star Trek: Enterprise so that I can feature his talent here. Balma was born on this day in 1959.
Playing a mayor? No big deal. Playing Mayor Kuzak in Robocop 2 (1990)? Well, that definitely deserves a mention in these parts of cyberspace. Willard Pugh did just that! The actor was born on this day in 1959.
Legendary screen heavy Arnold Vosloo might just be this generation's Peter Cushing. Or maybe even Christopher Lee. Typically, he's cast as the villain, and I suspect the actor has forgotten more about playing a bad dude than most of his age have ever learned. He's often most recognized from his work in The Mummy series of films, but SciFi fans might recall his work in Gor, Steel Dawn, Darkman II: The Return of Durant, Progeny, Strange World, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, and Grimm. Always a pleasure to watch, Vosloo was born on this day in 1962.
Clifton Collins Jr. has one of those familiar faces, and that's largely because he's been a part of so many interesting programs. He was manipulating a conspiracy on NBC's The Event. He was a Romulan baddie as part of JJ Abrams' Star Trek reboot (2009). He was also part of the team ridding the Earth of monsters in Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim (2013). Collins was born on this day in 1970.
Long before James Patrick Stuart turned up in a hilariously memorable role on NBC's Seinfeld, he was helping to lead the remaining Galacticans to that shining star known as Earth aboard Galactica 1980 as the mysterious Dr. Zee. Stuart was born on this day in 1970.
John Cho. Star Trek. Mr. Sulu. Need I say more? Well, I will. While I'll admit I haven't been all that enamored with the current cinematic incarnation of the Gene Roddenberry creation, I do enjoy the work of several key players, John Cho definitely being one of them. Cho was born on this day in 1972.
With 20th Century Fox's The Martian currently screening popularly on home video, why not take a moment to pick up author Andy Weir's novel that inspired the flick? Weir was born on this day in 1972.
As I've often said, "Science Fiction loves the bit players." For without these bit players -- without these talented actors and actresses toiling away in the background turning in some quality work -- SciFi would have no flavor indeed. Today's smiler is the lovely Enid-Raye Adams. Fans might recognize her in the role of Firell from the Babylon 5 telefilm, The Legend of the Rangers: To Live and Die In Starlight (insert photo left), but she's also booked roles on The Lone Gunmen, The Outer Limits, The Dead Zone, Stargate: SG-1, Taken, The Twilight Zone, Jake 2.0, Jeremiah, Fringe, and iZombie. Adams was born on this day in 1973.
I totally missed ABC's Invasion when it aired originally, but I think I have a copy around the house on DVD that I need to screen for myself sometime. In any event, star Eddie Cibrian played one of the principles on the program, and I've been told he did some good work. Cibrian was born on this day in 1973.
Fred Koehler is an immensely talented character actor who turns up all over the place, including great guest roles aboard ABC TV's Lost and, more recently, Torchwood: Miracle Day, for the Starz Network. Koehler was born on this day in 1975.
Daniel Brühl is relatively new to the Marvel Movie Universe, recently turning up as Zemo in Captain America: Civil War (2016). Brühl was born on this day in 1978.
I've seen fresh-faced Missy Peregrym in a handful of mainstream fare, but I'd completely forgotten that she'd dabbled in some quality Science Fiction. She had a bit part in Dark Angel as a small screen debut, and since then she's also appeared in Jake 2.0, Smallville, Andromeda, and Heroes. Peregrym was born on this day in 1982.
As a young one, Olivia Hack turned up briefly aboard Star Trek: Generations (1994) as one of Captain Picard's children, and she's since gone one to some impressive voice work including appearances aboard one of my favorite programs, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Hack was born on this day in 1983.
Think what you like, but -- for my tastes -- I still think Ed Norton played the best theatrical version of Bruce Banner to date. One of his co-stars from The Incredible Hulk (2008) was the fetching Débora Nascimento, who was born on this day in 1985.
Kelly Blatz has a couple of what I'd call SciFi-lite properties under his acting belt, including work for Walt Disney's Aaron Stone and their telefilm, Skyrunners (2009). Blatz was born on this day in 1987.
How (oh how!) does SciFi get so many curious creature features? Piranhaconda is a telefilm that was spawned on TV audiences first on this day back in 2012, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"Two piranha/anaconda hybrid creatures hunt down the scientist who stole their egg and a film crew; making a slasher film in the jungle."
"Two piranha/anaconda hybrid creatures hunt down the scientist who stole their egg and a film crew; making a slasher film in the jungle."
On this day in 2000, Farscape aired "Home on the Remains," the seventh episode of the program's second season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The crew needs food. Zahn needs to eat meat, she starts spewing spores. Only Aeryn seems to have an tolerance for the spores. While she's on Moya with Zahn, the others find a Budong to get some food."
"The crew needs food. Zahn needs to eat meat, she starts spewing spores. Only Aeryn seems to have an tolerance for the spores. While she's on Moya with Zahn, the others find a Budong to get some food."
On this day in 2013, Falling Skies aired the third episode of its third season. It was an hour titled "Badlands," and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The two-year anniversary of the alien invasion is fast approaching as the people of Charleston prepare for another potentially devastating offensive. A sniper attack by an unlikely gunman creates questions and doubts within the new government."
"The two-year anniversary of the alien invasion is fast approaching as the people of Charleston prepare for another potentially devastating offensive. A sniper attack by an unlikely gunman creates questions and doubts within the new government."
