As I understand it, NBC executives were wanting to make sure that Gene Roddenberry's second pilot for his proposed Star Trek had plenty of adventure and was less cerebral than "The Cage." Thinking outside the box, Roddenberry contacted renowned toy designer and inventor Reuben Klamer and contracted him to create a 'big gun' that could be used in the episode "Where No Many Has Gone Before," and the phaser rifle -- used only once in the entire run of the series to, perhaps, trick studio suits into believing the show would be action-based -- was born! (I've even read that once the episode filming was completed, said rifle was returned to the inventor.) Though he's no longer with us, Klamer was born on this day in 1922.
[Memory Alpha]
[Memory Alpha]
Wow. When you think about it, screen veteran Martin Landau has been part of some impressive television and motion picture franchises. He played Rollin Hand as part of the ensemble at the core of TV's original Mission: Impossible team. He played Commander John Koenig as part of the team thrown away from Earth in Space: 1999 (pictured above with costars). And he even had a solid contribution, however brief, to the burgeoning mythology that fueled so much of Fox TV's The X-Files. Fandom has been immeasurably blessed by his participation in sci-fi. Though he's no longer with us, Mr. Landau was born on this day back in 1928.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
With a career spanning over six decades in the entertainment industry, screen veteran Bonnie Bartlett has probably done everything. Still, what matters most to those of us who love our Science Fiction are those appearances near and dear to our fandom, and she's given us a handful, most notably work in Salem's Lot (1979), the original V (1983), SeaQuest 2032 (1994), Stargate: SG-1, and Firefly (2002). Bartlett was born on this day in 1929.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
John Wheeler (he's the Tellarite Ambassador 'Gav' in the center from Star Trek's "Journey To Babel" episode) is a character actor who has turned up from time to time in some quality genre roles. Wheeler was born on this day in 1930.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
It's amazing what appearing in even a small role in one of the best, biggest sci-fi comedies of all times can do to a career, and veteran character actor James Tolkan can attest to that. He's built a career out of playing fiercely committed men on the big and small screen, so signing aboard to play Mr. Strickland was not so much inspired as it was a stroke of genius. Seriously, could you imagine anyone else playing that part in the Back to the Future trilogy? Tolkan was born on this day in 1931.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Yes, indeed, that there is a face that could launch a thousand ships to war, and it belongs to the lovely Rossana Podestà, the key player in the Robert Wise directed Helen Of Troy (1956) for Warner Bros. Want to go bigger than Helen of Troy? Then how about taking the role of 'Hera' herself aboard the 1983 version of Hercules? Yowza! Though she's no longer with us, Podestà was born on this day in 1934.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
To its credit, Star Trek: Voyager did introduce viewers to another whole galaxy of alien lifeforms to appreciate, but -- sadly -- we're likely to never see so many of them ever again, including the Ambassador Treen played by the late Terrence Evans. Though he's no longer with us, Evans was born on this day in 1934.
The venerable John Mahoney (above center, in the military uniform) hasn't done much Science Fiction, but he has appeared in The Manhattan Project (1986). He also provided the voice for 'General Robard' in the popular SciFi/Children's feature The Iron Giant (1999). Though he's no longer with us, Mahoney was born on this day in 1940.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran actor John McCook is probably more well known for his work in the television soap industry than he is remembered for voicing 'Howard Stark' aboard The Invincible Iron Man (2007) direct-to-DVD release for Marvel Studios. However, he has another interesting linkage to the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy: he's been married to Battlestar Galactica's Laurette Spang for approaching an incredible four decades of marital bliss. Nice catch, John! Nice catch! McCook was born on this day in 1944.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Early in her career, the young Candy Clark helped David Bowie in bringing the vision that was The Man Who Fell To Earth to the big screen; and -- for those who've seen it -- the actress brought vocals to the English-dubbed track as Stella Star in Starcrash. Clark was born on this day in 1947.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Her flirtation with the entertainment industry as an actress was reasonably brief -- a few decades across twenty-eight different screen roles -- but Nancy DeCarl certainly leaves an impression. Genre fans might know her best from appearances aboard Batman, Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers In The 25th Century, and A Man Called Sloane. DeCarl was born on this day in 1948.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
You may not know the face but you've most likely heard the voice of the lovely Tress MacNeille: she's the brilliant voice actress behind too many characters to mention. SciFi fans arguably know her best from her work aboard Futurama. MacNeille was born on this day in 1951.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Screen veteran John Goodman finally gave Science Fiction a dabble with a role in the JJ Abrams vehicle 10 Cloverfield Lane, a kinda/sorta sequel to the original Cloverfield. Goodman was born on this day in 1952.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Miles O'Keeffe hasn't appeared in anything in a short while, but he's definitely left a mark on the world of genre entertainment. Besides being one of the few actors blessed with the chance to play Tarzan The Ape Man (1981), he dabbled in Fantasy playing 'Sir Gawain' himself in 1984's Sword of the Valiant: The Legend of Sir Gawain and The Green Knight. He's also appeared in Ator The Fighting Eagle (1982), The Blade Master (1984), and Iron Warrior (1987). O'Keeffe was born on this day in 1954.
During Star Trek: The Next Generation's seventh (and final) season, actor Michael Corbett joined the program in a guest role aboard "Force of Nature." Corbett was born on this day in 1956.
While it's been implied by many that Nicole Kidman might very well be a science experiment all of her own, I'll give such snarkiness a pass (except for mentioning it here). She certainly could bring that lovely face into the world of SciFi and Fantasy a bit more often, though she did have a nice turn in 2007's The Invasion. Kidman was born on this day in 1967.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
It always grand to spotlight the actors and actresses who make a visit to the growing world of the BBC's long-running Doctor Who; and -- back in 2017 -- Samantha Spiro stopped in to visit the time traveller in the episode titled "The Doctor Falls." She also enjoyed a guest spot aboard HBO's Game Of Thrones. Spiro was born on this day in 1968.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
I have to confess that, as a viewer, I've never been all that impressed with the work of director Robert Rodriguez. However, he did fashioned the best part of Quentin Tarantino's GrindHouse experiment: Rodriguez wrote and directed Planet Terror ... and I do so love that flick. Still, after seeing what he did to Star Wars' legendary Original Trilogy character 'Boba Fett' in The Book Of Boba Fett, I'm inclined to wish he gets nowhere near that space fantasy again. Rodriguez was born on this day in 1968.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Israeli-born model and actress Mira Tzur has a few genre credentials worth mentioning in this space. First, she appeared as one of the co-opted wives part of The Stepford Wives (2004) remake for Paramount Pictures. A few years later, she made a guest appearance aboard TV's popular SciFi series Fringe. Tzur was born on this day in 1971.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Josh Lucas had a role in director Ang Lee's horrifically awful take on Marvel's the Incredible Hulk in the singularly titled Hulk (2003). Lucas was born on this day in 1971.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
I've yet to see the BBC's SciFi underwater miniseries, The Deep, though it's fallen onto my radar quite a few times. Unfortunately, there isn't a DVD release for the U.S. as of yet, so my opportunities have been limited. In any event, actor Tom Wlaschiha played a role in the program, though I suspect his run on HBO's Game of Thrones will win him even more fans. Wlaschiha was born on this day in 1973.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
German-born Kate Kelton showed up packing heat and ready-for-business aboard Syfy's Haven during that program's run on the network. Kelton was born on this day in 1978.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The sultry Kim Engelbrecht -- seen aboard Syfy's Dominion -- played a role in the direct-to-video release of Death Race: Inferno (2013). Engelbrecht was born on this day in 1980.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Talk about your bad hairs days! Or is that a good one? Whatever the case, actress and cosplay maiden Jobeth Wagner continues to delight audiences whenever given ample opportunity. Wagner was born on this day in 1985.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
For some reason, the CW's SciFi program The 100 has really escaped most people's radar. I couldn't say why exactly ... except for the fact that maybe it's on The CW? Whatever the case, it's a shame really as the program is quite good. Young Eve Harlow played 'Maya' on the show, and Harlow was born on this day in 1989.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Popular young actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse gave the superhero genre a serious look in the guise of 'Red Mist' in the Kick-Ass franchise. Mintz-Plasse was born on this day in 1989.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Monia Ayachi's star is only just starting to climb, so there's plenty of time for her to get work in the field of genre entertainment. But kudos to the young lady for lending her pipes to a character aboard the video game property Wolfenstein: Youngblood (2019) for MachineGames. Ayachi was born on this day in 1993.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Early in his acting career, the young Adam Taylor Gordon had a few appearances aboard Star Trek: Enterprise, showing viewers what a li'l Charles Tucker would've looked like. Gordon was born on this day in 1993.
Newcomer Abi Monterey announced her presence with more than a bit of authority when she wowwed fandom with her work aboard HBO Max's streaming property Doom Patrol in its 2020-2021 season. Monterey was born on this day in 2000.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1966 (in the United Kingdom), Island Of Terror delivered an island full of terror to unsuspecting audiences. Directed by Terence Fisher from a story by Edward Mann and Al Ramsen, the SciFi/Horror starred Peter Cushing, Edward Judd, and Carole Gray. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A small, isolated island community's terrorised from a horde of creeping, blobbish, tentacled monsters which liquefy and digest the bones from living creatures. The community struggles to fight back, against these horrors."
"A small, isolated island community's terrorised from a horde of creeping, blobbish, tentacled monsters which liquefy and digest the bones from living creatures. The community struggles to fight back, against these horrors."
On this day in 1970 (in Spain), Space Probe Taurus unveiled its magic to home audiences with its broadcast airing on television. Written and directed by Leonard Katzman, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Francine York, James Brown, and Baynes Barron. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the year 2000, the spaceship Hope One sets off to find new galaxies for colonization. However, an encounter with an alien being and a swarm of meteorites sends the ship streaking off course into a sea of monsters on an uncharted world."
"In the year 2000, the spaceship Hope One sets off to find new galaxies for colonization. However, an encounter with an alien being and a swarm of meteorites sends the ship streaking off course into a sea of monsters on an uncharted world."
A star is born! On this day in 1973 (in the U.S.), the good people of Chicago, Illinois were treated to the silver screen premiere of Invasion Of The Bee Girls. Directed by Denis Sanders from a story by Nicholas Meyer, the SciFi/Fantasy starred William Smith, Anitra Ford, and Victoria Vetri. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A powerful cosmic force is turning Earth women into queen bees who kill men by wearing them out sexually."
"A powerful cosmic force is turning Earth women into queen bees who kill men by wearing them out sexually."
On this day in 1980, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back enjoyed its full US theatrical release. Directed by Irvin Kershner, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After the Rebels are brutally overpowered by the Empire on the ice planet Hoth, Luke Skywalker begins Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued by Darth Vader and a bounty hunter named Boba Fett all over the galaxy."
For the record:
At the 1981 Academy Awards, The Empire Strikes Back took home top honors in the categories of 'Best Sound' along with a Special Achievement Oscar for 'Visual Effects.' At the 1981 Saturn Awards, the film took home trophies in the categories of 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Actor,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.' Also in 1981, it took home the Hugo Award in the category of 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
"After the Rebels are brutally overpowered by the Empire on the ice planet Hoth, Luke Skywalker begins Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued by Darth Vader and a bounty hunter named Boba Fett all over the galaxy."
For the record:
At the 1981 Academy Awards, The Empire Strikes Back took home top honors in the categories of 'Best Sound' along with a Special Achievement Oscar for 'Visual Effects.' At the 1981 Saturn Awards, the film took home trophies in the categories of 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Actor,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.' Also in 1981, it took home the Hugo Award in the category of 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
On this day in 1985 (in Mexico), The Last Starfighter soared onto the silver screen. Directed by Nick Castle from a story by Jonathan R. Betuel, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Lance Guest, Robert Preston, and Kay E. Kuter. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Video game expert Alex Rogan finds himself transported to another planet after conquering The Last Starfighter video game only to find out it was just a test. He was recruited to join the team of best starfighters to defend their world from the attack."
For the record:
I could be wrong, but I think The Last Starfighter is one of the more celebrated Science Fiction releases to come out of the 1980's. At the 1985 Saturn Awards, actor Robert Preston received a nomination for 'Best Supporting Actor.' At the 1985 Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival, director Nick Castle received a nomination for their 'Grand Prize' for his work on the film. Lastly, the feature was nominated for the 'Best Dramatic Presentation' from the 1985 Hugo Awards.
More for the record:
In 2020, I was privileged to receive a complimentary Blu-ray of Arrow Video's release in exchange for a review on SciFiHistory.Net. Folks interested in checking out what I thought can do so right here.
"Video game expert Alex Rogan finds himself transported to another planet after conquering The Last Starfighter video game only to find out it was just a test. He was recruited to join the team of best starfighters to defend their world from the attack."
For the record:
I could be wrong, but I think The Last Starfighter is one of the more celebrated Science Fiction releases to come out of the 1980's. At the 1985 Saturn Awards, actor Robert Preston received a nomination for 'Best Supporting Actor.' At the 1985 Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival, director Nick Castle received a nomination for their 'Grand Prize' for his work on the film. Lastly, the feature was nominated for the 'Best Dramatic Presentation' from the 1985 Hugo Awards.
More for the record:
In 2020, I was privileged to receive a complimentary Blu-ray of Arrow Video's release in exchange for a review on SciFiHistory.Net. Folks interested in checking out what I thought can do so right here.
On this day in 1990 (in France), The Handmaid's Tale gave audiences something to think about. Directed by Victor Volker Schlondorff from a story by Margaret Atwood and Harold Pinter, the SciFi/Drama starred Natasha Richardson, Faye Dunaway, and Aidan Quinn. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Under a dystopian religious tyranny, most women cannot conceive children. Those young women who can live in a form of sexual slavery to provide children for influential families."
"Under a dystopian religious tyranny, most women cannot conceive children. Those young women who can live in a form of sexual slavery to provide children for influential families."
A star is born! On this day in 1992 (in Japan and South Korea), Project Shadowchaser launched a whole new B-Movie franchise for interested fans. Directed by John Eyres from a story by Stephen Lister, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Martin Kove, Meg Foster, and Frank Zagarino. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Terrorists with an indestructible robot take over a high-rise hospital in order to kidnap the president's daughter."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Project Shadowchaser enjoyed a 1993 Saturn Award nomination in the category of 'Best Genre Video Release.'
"Terrorists with an indestructible robot take over a high-rise hospital in order to kidnap the president's daughter."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Project Shadowchaser enjoyed a 1993 Saturn Award nomination in the category of 'Best Genre Video Release.'
On this day in 1995, the 1980-produced Be Forever Yamato enjoyed its release in the US home video market. Directed by the team of Toshio Masuda, Leiji Matsumoto, and Tomoharu Katsumata, the animated project starred the voices of Kei Tomiyama, Yôko Asagami, and Shûsei Nakamura. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Earth has been attacked by the Black Nebula Empire and is threatening to blow up the planet if they are counterattacked, The Yamato crew try to defuse the bomb."
"Earth has been attacked by the Black Nebula Empire and is threatening to blow up the planet if they are counterattacked, The Yamato crew try to defuse the bomb."
On this day in 2006, the direct-to-video Hollow Man II graced the shelves for interested audiences. Directed by Claudio Fah, the film starred Christian Slater, Peter Facinelli, and Laura Regan. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A Seattle detective and a biologist are on the run from a dangerous invisible assassin gone rogue."
"A Seattle detective and a biologist are on the run from a dangerous invisible assassin gone rogue."
A star is born! On this day in 2015 (in the United Kingdom), Identicals played for audiences in attendance of the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Written and directed by Simon Pummell, the SciFi/Thriller starred Lachlan Nieboer and Nora-Jane Noone, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The organization Brand New-U identifies networks of IDENTICALS - people who walk like you, talk like you, but are walking through different, better lives - and helps their customers make a life upgrade: eliminating the better-life donor, and relocating their client to that brand new life. Slater seems to have the perfect life, the perfect job and the perfect girlfriend. But when Slater's girlfriend is abducted by Brand New-U, and a corpse left in her place, he is forced to become an Identical. As he moves through a series of parallel lives, he becomes more and more obsessed with finding his girlfriend, but what he must find in the end is himself."
"The organization Brand New-U identifies networks of IDENTICALS - people who walk like you, talk like you, but are walking through different, better lives - and helps their customers make a life upgrade: eliminating the better-life donor, and relocating their client to that brand new life. Slater seems to have the perfect life, the perfect job and the perfect girlfriend. But when Slater's girlfriend is abducted by Brand New-U, and a corpse left in her place, he is forced to become an Identical. As he moves through a series of parallel lives, he becomes more and more obsessed with finding his girlfriend, but what he must find in the end is himself."
On this day in 2015 (in Chile), the 1984-produced SciFi/Classic The Terminator from James Cameron enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release. Written (in part) and directed by Cameron, the film starred Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, and Arnold "Screw Your Freedom" Schwarzenegger. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A human soldier is sent from 2029 to 1984 to stop an almost indestructible cyborg killing machine, sent from the same year, which has been programmed to execute a young woman whose unborn son is the key to humanity's future salvation."
For the record:
It's impossible to deny the clout James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger earned with the release of this little gem. Yes, it gave them a franchise in the broader scheme of things, but it's an enduring property that continues to produce iterations in film, television, and print which give fans more to consume, if not think about. As for the original flick? The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films was smitten, giving the feature an incredible three Saturn Awards ('Best Make-up,' 'Best Writing,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film') while having to settle for nominations only in four other categories ('Best Music,' 'Best Director,' 'Best Actress,' and 'Best Actor'). Like that unstoppable machine of the title, the franchise refuses to go down for the fight, and I suspect we'll see more of the same in the years ahead.
"A human soldier is sent from 2029 to 1984 to stop an almost indestructible cyborg killing machine, sent from the same year, which has been programmed to execute a young woman whose unborn son is the key to humanity's future salvation."
For the record:
It's impossible to deny the clout James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger earned with the release of this little gem. Yes, it gave them a franchise in the broader scheme of things, but it's an enduring property that continues to produce iterations in film, television, and print which give fans more to consume, if not think about. As for the original flick? The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films was smitten, giving the feature an incredible three Saturn Awards ('Best Make-up,' 'Best Writing,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film') while having to settle for nominations only in four other categories ('Best Music,' 'Best Director,' 'Best Actress,' and 'Best Actor'). Like that unstoppable machine of the title, the franchise refuses to go down for the fight, and I suspect we'll see more of the same in the years ahead.
A star is born! On this day in 2016 (in the U.S.), the good people of Los Angeles, California were first in line to return to the world created about two decades earlier when Independence Day: Resurgence saw our fragile planet invaded again. Directed by Roland Emmerich, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, and Bill Pullman. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Two decades after the first Independence Day invasion, Earth is faced with a new extra-Solar threat. But will mankind's new space defenses be enough?"
For the record:
At the 2017 Razzie Awards, Independence Day: Resurgence enjoyed an incredible five nominations -- but no wins -- in the categories of 'Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-Off Or Sequel,' 'Worst Screenplay,' 'Worst Supporting Actress,' 'Worst Director,' and 'Worst Picture.'
"Two decades after the first Independence Day invasion, Earth is faced with a new extra-Solar threat. But will mankind's new space defenses be enough?"
For the record:
At the 2017 Razzie Awards, Independence Day: Resurgence enjoyed an incredible five nominations -- but no wins -- in the categories of 'Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-Off Or Sequel,' 'Worst Screenplay,' 'Worst Supporting Actress,' 'Worst Director,' and 'Worst Picture.'
On this day in 1952 (in the U.S.), Tales Of Tomorrow aired "The Miraculous Serum." Officially, this served as the thirty-eighth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"A physician invents a serum allowing animals to overcome any illness or injury, by magnifying their adaptability. He tests it on an impoverished young woman, who's moments from death. Becoming healthier than she's ever been, she thanks him for "giving her the world," which for her is much more than a figure of speech."
"A physician invents a serum allowing animals to overcome any illness or injury, by magnifying their adaptability. He tests it on an impoverished young woman, who's moments from death. Becoming healthier than she's ever been, she thanks him for "giving her the world," which for her is much more than a figure of speech."
On this day in 1964 (in the United Kingdom), "Strangers in Space" aired as part of Doctor Who's first season. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"The TARDIS arrives aboard a spaceship that has been captured by the Sensorites, a hearing-sensitive alien race. The Sensorites are dying, and the Doctor finds himself forced to investigate the origin of the mysterious illness."
"The TARDIS arrives aboard a spaceship that has been captured by the Sensorites, a hearing-sensitive alien race. The Sensorites are dying, and the Doctor finds himself forced to investigate the origin of the mysterious illness."
On this day in 1977 (in the U.S.), Man From Atlantis aired "The Disappearances." Officially, this served as the fourth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Elizabeth is kidnapped, one of dozens of scientists held prisoner on the island of Felicitos, controlled by special mineral springs that render their victims completely happy and compliant. Dr. Smith is using them to build a rocket to take her away from our troubled planet in search of some better world, and Mark must find a way to counter the brain-washing and free the captives."
"Elizabeth is kidnapped, one of dozens of scientists held prisoner on the island of Felicitos, controlled by special mineral springs that render their victims completely happy and compliant. Dr. Smith is using them to build a rocket to take her away from our troubled planet in search of some better world, and Mark must find a way to counter the brain-washing and free the captives."
First seasons of TV shows can be extraordinarily difficult. Writers are establishing the world, actors are still getting to know their characters, and the audience is just getting their feet wet with all of it. Imagine how much more difficult that task can be with a science fiction show! There isn't all that much I recall about Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's first season -- the pilot was terrific, and so was the season finale. "In the Hands of the Prophets" very much crystallized the political volatility at work amongst the Bajoran people, and it set the stage for an even more terrific three-parter that would open up the program's second season. The episode first aired in TV syndication on this day in 1993.
On this day in 1998, TV's incarnation of Timecop aired "Alternate World." Officially, this served as the sixth episode of the program's short-lived, single-season existence, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A time deviation is detected in 1989 in Jack's hometown, and when they pinpoint the date, Jack says it's of great significance to him. When he goes back, he finds the person from the future, a TEC cop whom he turned in for trying to make his own time sled. While there, Jack may have crossed paths with his younger self. When he returns to the future, everyone who knows him believes he is a criminal and arrest him, and the guy he brought back is with TEC. Jack tries to convince them that history was changed but is unable to. He takes Hemmings hostage and when he reveals to know intimate details about her and TEC, she thinks he could be telling the truth. So he has to go back and correct history but how will he do that since TEC is the only one who has time travel technology."
"A time deviation is detected in 1989 in Jack's hometown, and when they pinpoint the date, Jack says it's of great significance to him. When he goes back, he finds the person from the future, a TEC cop whom he turned in for trying to make his own time sled. While there, Jack may have crossed paths with his younger self. When he returns to the future, everyone who knows him believes he is a criminal and arrest him, and the guy he brought back is with TEC. Jack tries to convince them that history was changed but is unable to. He takes Hemmings hostage and when he reveals to know intimate details about her and TEC, she thinks he could be telling the truth. So he has to go back and correct history but how will he do that since TEC is the only one who has time travel technology."
On this day in 2003 (in the U.S.), Stargate SG-1 aired "Fragile Balance." Officially, this served as the third episode of the program's seventh season, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"A teenage boy shows up at the SGC claiming to be Jack O'Neill. He recalls a dream in which an Asgard was studying him. They determine that they must find this Asgard to fix what has been done to Jack."
"A teenage boy shows up at the SGC claiming to be Jack O'Neill. He recalls a dream in which an Asgard was studying him. They determine that they must find this Asgard to fix what has been done to Jack."
On this day in 2003, Tremors: The Series aired "A Little Paranoia Among Friends." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Burt and Tyler travel to Toluca, New Mexico to investigate a possible Graboid problem. However, the townsfolk believe extra-terrestrials are to blame."
"Burt and Tyler travel to Toluca, New Mexico to investigate a possible Graboid problem. However, the townsfolk believe extra-terrestrials are to blame."
On this day in 2018 (in the U.S.), The Expanse aired "Fallen World." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Drummer and Ashford find themselves trapped with few options for survival; Anna tends to the wounded masses as Melba continues to hunt down her prey; the Rocinante crew struggles to survive as Naomi reunites with her true family."
"Drummer and Ashford find themselves trapped with few options for survival; Anna tends to the wounded masses as Melba continues to hunt down her prey; the Rocinante crew struggles to survive as Naomi reunites with her true family."
On this day in 1954, The Shadow radio serial aired "Death Paints A Picture." According to our friends at The Shadow Wiki, it appears that the details involving this tale have sadly been lost to history. Not even The Shadow knows!
