I made the mistake of believing the pre-release press materials involved TV's Crusade series -- the Babylon 5 spin-off program -- namely that one didn't have to be fully aware of Babylon's mythology to enjoy the show. Excited, I tuned in when it premiered on this day in back in 1999, and I was utterly confused (FYI: I hadn't yet partaken of Babylon 5 except in small doses). The character and circumstances didn't quite make sense to me, though I enjoyed much of what I saw. As a consequence, I didn't stick with it, but I did pick it up on DVD later. True story.
This is another one of those Science Fiction series whose pre-promotion just wasn't all that interesting: I mean ... another incarnation of The Invisible Man? What for? Are you bringing anything new to the idea, or is this just another attempt to bring viewers to a network? Well, it premiered on this day in 2000, and I eventually caught it in reruns ... and it was quite smart! The series struck a solid comic tone with its characters and situations, and I think it still deserves to be discovered today. If you're looking for it, find a way to stream it or maybe even purchase the DVDs. I think you'll be surprised.
I've said it before (recently on these pages, in fact), and even today I stand my it: sci-fi comedies are not easy to accomplish. You need an absolute winning combination of ideas, emotion, and talent. Back to the Future excelled in all of those requirements, and much its success was do to the affable big-screen charm of its leading man: Michael J. Fox. Fox was born on this day in 1961.
Late in her acting career, Herta Ware embraced Science Fiction by appearing in Cocoon and Cocoon: The Return as well as taking on the role of playing Yvette Picard, the mother to Starfleet's Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Though she's no longer with us, Ware was born on this day in 1917.
It was once said about SciFi and Fantasy author Lin Carter that he just couldn't resist the urge to write. In his years as an author, poet, editor, and critic, he weaved his way in and around many, many realms of the imagination. Though he's no longer with us, Carter was born on this day in 1930.
The lovely Joan Marshall squared off legally against no less than 'Captain James T. Kirk' himself aboard a popular episode of Star Trek during its original run on television. The actress also made appearances on The Twilight Zone and The Munsters. Though she's no longer with us, Marshall was born on this day in 1931. [Source: Memory Alpha]
She's been a secretary, a Vegas showgirl, a pin-up model, a Playboy Playmate, and a silver screen actress! Her name is Marilyn Hanold, and fans were able to bask in her loveliness is such genre products as Space Ship Sappy (with the Three Stooges), The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962), Frankenstein Meets The Space Monster (1965), and TV's Batman. Hanold was born on this day in 1938. [Source: IMDB.com]
Hugo and Nebula Awarding winning SciFi author Joe Haldeman is best known for his work, The Forever War, a military/SciFi novel about Earthmen battling in an interstellar war. He's also a SFWA Grand Master as well as a member of the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. Haldeman was born on this day in 1943.
Among many other distinguished appearances, David Troughton assumed a guest role aboard an episode of the BBC's Doctor Who. Troughton was born on this day in 1950.
Hollywood leading man Johnny Depp has struggled to capitalize on the success of the Pirates of the Caribbean films, so maybe he ought to stick with what he does best: pirates. 2014's Transcendence was a particularly brutal box office failure (on the heels of an equally curious debacle that was The Lone Ranger), but I suspect his future remains bright. Depp was born on this day in 1963.
As a screenwriter, David Koepp has contributed to some of the most popular franchises of the modern generation of cinema, including Jurassic Park (1993), Mission: Impossible (1996), Spider-Man (2002), and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008). Koepp was born on this day in 1963.
After giving genre fans something to crow about in the 1990/91 series of The Flash, actress Gloria Reuben crossed over onto the big screen with a small role in Jean Claude Van Damme's Timecop (1994). Recently, she joined up with the resistance fighting the alien invasion on TNT's Falling Skies. Reuben was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
Wow. Eddie Marsan is a bit of a theatrical chameleon: audiences have enjoyed his work in dramas, comedies, and the like. The talented, award-winning actor has the chops to appear is just about any genre, though we do tend to celebrate only SciFi and Fantasy in these parts. In that respect, he's been recognized as part of V For Vendetta (2005), Hancock (2008), The Sarah Jane Adventures, Snow White And The Huntsman (2012), Jack The Giant Slayer (2013), The World's End (2013), Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Galavant, and Deadpool 2 (2018). Marsan was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
In 2013's Dark Skies, Josh Hamilton found himself as the head of the Barret family fighting the encroachment of otherworldly, extraterrestrial forces. Hamilton was born on this day in 1969.
As I've said many times before, we here at SciFiHistory.Net have a special appreciation for SciFi's bit players: those actors and actresses simply working in the background trying to 'eek' out a living in the dog-eat-dog world of genre entertainment. In that respect, say 'Happy Birthday' to Jennifer Kitchen, a lovely talent who has enjoyed small roles in such properties as Smallville, The Dead Zone, Battlestar Galactica, Kyle XY, The 4400, Fringe, Alcatraz, Eve of Destruction, and The Flash. Kitchen was born on this day in 1971.
The lovely Michaela Conlin went where no man had gone before (well, where no woman had gone before anyway) with her work aboard Apple TV's For All Mankind. Conlin was born on this day in 1978. [Source: IMDB.com]
Former beauty queen turned actress Shandi Finnessey braved the SciFi mutation better known as Piranhaconda (2012) in a direct-to-TV release. Finnessey was born on this day in 1978.
Tough guy Brian Patrick Wade made things tough for the smilers in the Marvel TV universe with several guest appearances aboard Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Wade was born on this day in 1978.
It's true: if you had to judge whether or not actress Natalie Portman could in fact act based on the work she did in the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, then you might be forced to conclude that she couldn't. For my tastes, I thought she did fine, considering the weaknesses inherent in the material. Whatever the case, she did show us her midriff in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, and, for that, male fandom will be forever thankful. Portman was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
Mae Whitman has certainly come a long way from playing the President's daughter in Roland Emmerich's Independence Day (1996). She did a great comic turn on Arrested Development, and she continues to be one of the most sought after young actresses in demand today. Whitman was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
I'll go to my grave singing the praises for Humans. I watched this one as it aired on AMC (in the US), and I was thrilled with it from start to finish as I found it one of the smartest and most compellingly watchable SciFi/Dramas of its kind. Sadly, it only lasted three seasons, but I'm not sure what more they could've done with it. In any event, Dino Fetscher enjoyed a role as a synthetic person in the show, and Fetscher was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
Lo and behold, easy-on-the-eyes Logan Browning went and found herself some Powers. On the program Powers, she plays 'Zora,' a superhuman who joins forces with humans in order to fight crime. Browning was born on this day in 1989. [Source: IMDB.com]
Russian-language Science Fiction and Fantasy films have been hit-or-miss with me. (Many, many more misses than hits, honestly.) Still, I'm willing to give them a try when they offer up talent the likes of Lukerya Ilyashenko. She's given genre a try with features like Dance To Death (2017) and The Blackout (2019). Ilyashenko was born on this day in 1989. [Source: IMDB.com]
I watched a good handful of episodes of the Brit's kinda/sorta superhero program, Misfits, and I'd have to say that Lauren Socha was definitely a bright spot in the show (so far as I cared). Socha was born on this day in 1990. [Source: IMDB.com]
As part of the film Survivor (2014), luscious Danielle Chuchran played 'Kate Mitra,' a young space traveler who finds herself battling against bloodthirsty aliens and post-Apocalyptic warriors. Chuchran was born on this day in 1993. [Source: IMDB.com]
Cobra Kai regular Xolo Maridueña hung up his fighting shoes (albeit briefly) to give something else a try, namely serving as the voice actor behind one of the characters aboard for the ride that was Cleopatra In Space. Maridueña was born on this day in 2001. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1922 (in France), Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde enjoyed its cinematic transformation. Directed by John S. Robertson, the SciFi/Horror starred John Barrymore and Martha Mansfield, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Dr. Henry Jekyll experiments with scientific means of revealing the hidden, dark side of man and releases a murderer from within himself."
"Dr. Henry Jekyll experiments with scientific means of revealing the hidden, dark side of man and releases a murderer from within himself."
On this day in 1950 (in Australia), Unknown Island appeared curiously in theaters. Directed by Jack Bernhard, the Fantasy starred Virginia Reed and Richard Denning, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An adventure seeker and his fiancée visit an uncharted island, only to find that it is inhabited by deadly dinosaurs and other creatures ready to attack."
"An adventure seeker and his fiancée visit an uncharted island, only to find that it is inhabited by deadly dinosaurs and other creatures ready to attack."
Mmmm, delicious! On this day in 1973 (in Japan), Soylent Green was added to mankind cinematic diet. Directed by Richard Fleischer, the SciFi/Drama starred Charlton Heston and Edward G. Robinson, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the world ravaged by the greenhouse effect and overpopulation, an NYPD detective investigates the murder of a big company CEO."
"In the world ravaged by the greenhouse effect and overpopulation, an NYPD detective investigates the murder of a big company CEO."
A star is born! Being as old as I am, I've often found it difficult to impress upon younger viewers -- say today's youth -- what science fiction was like back in the day when the first episode of Star Wars set the movie industry on fire. Everyone -- and I do mean "everyone" -- wanted in on that action, even when that meant greenlighting G-rated films to bring in the masses. Case in point: Walt Disney's The Cat From Outer Space premiered theatrically on this day in 1978. And where's the reboot, Hollywood? Huh? Where's that reboot? Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Three scientists help an Alien feline, stranded on Earth, to repair its damaged spacecraft in order to return home but their efforts are hampered by inept army officials and foreign spies."
"Three scientists help an Alien feline, stranded on Earth, to repair its damaged spacecraft in order to return home but their efforts are hampered by inept army officials and foreign spies."
On this day in 1984, Panic enjoyed its U.S. broadcast television premiere. Directed by Tonino Ricci, the SciFi/Horror starred David Warbeck and Janet Agren, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A scientist's experiment with a deadly bacteria goes awry and leaves him horribly deformed. The monstrous man then runs amok in his town."
"A scientist's experiment with a deadly bacteria goes awry and leaves him horribly deformed. The monstrous man then runs amok in his town."
A star is born! On this day in 1984 (in the Philippines), the Fantasy-themed Sword of the Valiant opened in theatres. (It wouldn't open inside the United States for a few months more.) The feature starred Miles O'Keeffe and Sean Connery, and here's the plot summary as listed on IMDB.com:
"Gawain was a squire in King Arthur's court when the Green Knight burst in and offered to play a game with a brave knight. No knights stand to defend their king's honor. Except for the valiant Gawain. After being quickly knighted Gawain plays the game, but learns that it's all a trick, and he has lost. But the Green Knight shows mercy, letting Gawain grow a year older before having to face the consequences. Gawain journeys across the land, learning about life, saving damsels, and solving the Green Knight's riddle."
"Gawain was a squire in King Arthur's court when the Green Knight burst in and offered to play a game with a brave knight. No knights stand to defend their king's honor. Except for the valiant Gawain. After being quickly knighted Gawain plays the game, but learns that it's all a trick, and he has lost. But the Green Knight shows mercy, letting Gawain grow a year older before having to face the consequences. Gawain journeys across the land, learning about life, saving damsels, and solving the Green Knight's riddle."
A star is born! I'll agree with most that it's hard to figure out what to make out of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, which premiered on this day theatrically back in 1989. Sure, the plot left audiences kinda/sorta scratching their head, but -- for all its blemishes -- Trek V has some of the best character moments (i.e. the campfire scene, Sybok discovering Spock's and Bones' respective 'pains,' etc.) in the entire film series. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Captain Kirk and his crew must deal with Mr. Spock's long-lost half-brother who hijacks the Enterprise for an obsessive search for God at the center of the galaxy."
For the record:
I penned a feature article on what I felt was The Final Frontier's biggest creative mistake, and interested readers can check it out right here.
"Captain Kirk and his crew must deal with Mr. Spock's long-lost half-brother who hijacks the Enterprise for an obsessive search for God at the center of the galaxy."
For the record:
I penned a feature article on what I felt was The Final Frontier's biggest creative mistake, and interested readers can check it out right here.
On this day in 2000 (in Denmark and Mexico), Supernova exploded on silver screens. Directed by Walter Hill, the SciFi/Drama starred James Spader and Angela Bassett, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Supernova chronicles the search and rescue patrol of a medical ship in deep space in the early 22nd century and its six-member crew which includes a captain and pilot, a co-pilot, a medical officer, a medical technician, a search and rescue."
"Supernova chronicles the search and rescue patrol of a medical ship in deep space in the early 22nd century and its six-member crew which includes a captain and pilot, a co-pilot, a medical officer, a medical technician, a search and rescue."
On this day in 2016 (in Australia), Arrowhead (aka Alien Arrival) arrived in theaters. Written and directed by Jesse O'Brien, the SciFi feature starred Dan Mor and Aleisha Rose, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A tech is sprung from prison by a revolutionary leader who promises him an opportunity to save his father from a scheduled execution if he completes a data-stealing mission. But it goes awry, stranding him on a strange alien moon."
"A tech is sprung from prison by a revolutionary leader who promises him an opportunity to save his father from a scheduled execution if he completes a data-stealing mission. But it goes awry, stranding him on a strange alien moon."
On this day in 1956, Adventures Of Superman aired "The Phantom Ring." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Clark looks into joining a gang whose members possess special coins that allow them to perform crimes while invisible."
"Clark looks into joining a gang whose members possess special coins that allow them to perform crimes while invisible."
On this day in 1963 (in the United Kingdom), Fireball XL5 aired "The Day The Earth Froze." Officially, this served as the thirty-fifth episode in the program's only season on television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The crew of Fireball XL27 arrives to Space City on a coma status. A note indicates that Planet Zavia is a threat to Earth and Steve, Venus and the Professor take Fireball XL5 to this icy planet. However, the inhabitants of this planet are planning a revenge on Earth men by sending a ray powerful enough to block Sun rays on Earth and start a new Ice Age..."
"The crew of Fireball XL27 arrives to Space City on a coma status. A note indicates that Planet Zavia is a threat to Earth and Steve, Venus and the Professor take Fireball XL5 to this icy planet. However, the inhabitants of this planet are planning a revenge on Earth men by sending a ray powerful enough to block Sun rays on Earth and start a new Ice Age..."
On this day in 1992, Mann & Machine aired "Torch Song." This served as the fifth episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Eve's capacity for emotion expands when she makes friends with a singer fearful of a music executive suspected of killing her sister."
"Eve's capacity for emotion expands when she makes friends with a singer fearful of a music executive suspected of killing her sister."
It all came down to this: on this day in 1996, SeaQuest 2032 aired "Weapons Of War." Officially, this served as the thirteenth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"As seaQuest patrols a free trade zone between the UEO and Macronesia, Lieutenant O'Neill's online romance turns out to be a defector from an elusive Asian power known as the Chaodai, a power that attacks both the UEO and Macronesia with its impressive sub-fighter capability. In this final adventure, one member of SeaQuest's crew will not live to see another day."
"As seaQuest patrols a free trade zone between the UEO and Macronesia, Lieutenant O'Neill's online romance turns out to be a defector from an elusive Asian power known as the Chaodai, a power that attacks both the UEO and Macronesia with its impressive sub-fighter capability. In this final adventure, one member of SeaQuest's crew will not live to see another day."
On this day in 1997, Babylon 5 aired "The Face Of The Enemy." Officially, this served as the seventeenth episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Garibaldi sets up Sheridan who is promptly taken into custody by Clark's men. The reason behind Garibaldi's behavior and what happened to him when he disappeared in his Starfury is revealed."
"Garibaldi sets up Sheridan who is promptly taken into custody by Clark's men. The reason behind Garibaldi's behavior and what happened to him when he disappeared in his Starfury is revealed."
On this day in 1997, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "In The Cards." Officially, this served as the twenty-fifth episode in the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Jake and Nog go through hell and high water, from participating in an auction to dealing with the Dominion, to receiving a Willie Mays baseball card, all in order to cheer up the war-fatigued Captain Sisko."
"Jake and Nog go through hell and high water, from participating in an auction to dealing with the Dominion, to receiving a Willie Mays baseball card, all in order to cheer up the war-fatigued Captain Sisko."
It all began right here: on this day in 1999, Crusade aired "War Zone." Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Capt. Matthew Gideon assembles the crew that will be with him on the experimental starship Excalibur. Their mission: explore the reaches of space to find a cure for the deadly Drakh virus that will overrun Earth in five years."
"Capt. Matthew Gideon assembles the crew that will be with him on the experimental starship Excalibur. Their mission: explore the reaches of space to find a cure for the deadly Drakh virus that will overrun Earth in five years."
It all began right here: on this day in 2000, television delivered audiences yet one more incarnation of The Invisible Man. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Facing life without parole for a crime he ultimately didn't commit, crook Darien Fawkes is offered a pardon if he'll agree to participate in his brother's medical experiment: the insertion into his brain of a synthetic gland which secretes a light-bending substance called Quicksilver, which renders whoever or whatever is cloaked in it invisible. But Quicksilver also breaks down Darien's sanity without the regular injection of a counter-agent, and when terrorists gun down everyone involved in the project and steal all the relevant information, Darien is recruited by the experiment's backers, an ultra-secret and under-funded intelligence agency subsidized by the Department of Fish and Game, to stop the terrorists, avenge his brother's death, and get a fresh hit of the counter-agent."
"Facing life without parole for a crime he ultimately didn't commit, crook Darien Fawkes is offered a pardon if he'll agree to participate in his brother's medical experiment: the insertion into his brain of a synthetic gland which secretes a light-bending substance called Quicksilver, which renders whoever or whatever is cloaked in it invisible. But Quicksilver also breaks down Darien's sanity without the regular injection of a counter-agent, and when terrorists gun down everyone involved in the project and steal all the relevant information, Darien is recruited by the experiment's backers, an ultra-secret and under-funded intelligence agency subsidized by the Department of Fish and Game, to stop the terrorists, avenge his brother's death, and get a fresh hit of the counter-agent."
On this day in 2013 (in Canada), Continuum aired 'Second Degree." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Kiera visits her friend Elena's grave only to find that someone has removed her body. She assumes it has to have been taken by someone who knew she was from the future. She learns that an Agent Warren from "Section 6" has already retrieved the two Liber8 bodies from the morgue and shipped them to an unknown destination. Meanwhile, Julian Randol's trial is set to begin. Kiera sees Sonya at the courthouse but she manages to elude. Kiera detects that one of the jurors is acting strangely and thinks Sonya may have gotten to him. Alec is upset when his mother lies on the witness stand. He's scheduled to testify the next day and must now choose between lying for his family or telling the truth. Jim Martin gets a visit from Travis who threatens and reminds him of what they expect from him when he becomes mayor. After sleeping with Alec, Emily receives a visitor. She's quite adept at taking care of herself."
"Kiera visits her friend Elena's grave only to find that someone has removed her body. She assumes it has to have been taken by someone who knew she was from the future. She learns that an Agent Warren from "Section 6" has already retrieved the two Liber8 bodies from the morgue and shipped them to an unknown destination. Meanwhile, Julian Randol's trial is set to begin. Kiera sees Sonya at the courthouse but she manages to elude. Kiera detects that one of the jurors is acting strangely and thinks Sonya may have gotten to him. Alec is upset when his mother lies on the witness stand. He's scheduled to testify the next day and must now choose between lying for his family or telling the truth. Jim Martin gets a visit from Travis who threatens and reminds him of what they expect from him when he becomes mayor. After sleeping with Alec, Emily receives a visitor. She's quite adept at taking care of herself."
So far as this viewer is concerned, TNT's Falling Skies finally found a story worth telling when writers gave up on all of the 'wandering tales' of Earth's survivors, placed them at a single location, and started to actually develop a resistance against the alien invaders. The show opened its third season on this day in 2013. The first installment was titled "On Thin Ice," and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Season three of Falling Skies opens seven months after the 2nd Mass arrived in Charleston. In the interim, Tom has been elected to political office, but he has his hands full as the resistance continues to battle the alien invaders."
"Season three of Falling Skies opens seven months after the 2nd Mass arrived in Charleston. In the interim, Tom has been elected to political office, but he has his hands full as the resistance continues to battle the alien invaders."
On this day in 2013, Falling Skies aired "Collateral Damage." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Volm discover a power source for Espheni weapons and encourage Tom to seek its destruction. Hal has nightmares involving his relationship with Karen. The loyalty of the Volm is questioned. The team also discover a mole is among them."
"The Volm discover a power source for Espheni weapons and encourage Tom to seek its destruction. Hal has nightmares involving his relationship with Karen. The loyalty of the Volm is questioned. The team also discover a mole is among them."
