The Star Trek: The Next Generation two-parter "Redemption" gets an awful lot of credit for igniting a frenzy amongst Trek fans to further study on the Klingon race, but, for my tastes, there was no better highwater mark than third season's "Sins of the Father."
The episode first aired on this day (in syndication) back in 1990. The original screenplay was submitted by Drew Deighan, but it was re-crafted into a teleplay credited to Ron Moore and W. Reed Moran. The story dealt with the Enterprise-D's Klingon officer Worf confronting a possible family shame. Despite things not being quite what they seemed, Worf did what he thought best to preserve the future of a warrior class that inevitably reject him over the falsehood.
Brilliantly written and brilliantly directed by the already-Trek veteran Les Landau, "Sins of the Father" remains an eminently watchable hour even to this day.
The episode first aired on this day (in syndication) back in 1990. The original screenplay was submitted by Drew Deighan, but it was re-crafted into a teleplay credited to Ron Moore and W. Reed Moran. The story dealt with the Enterprise-D's Klingon officer Worf confronting a possible family shame. Despite things not being quite what they seemed, Worf did what he thought best to preserve the future of a warrior class that inevitably reject him over the falsehood.
Brilliantly written and brilliantly directed by the already-Trek veteran Les Landau, "Sins of the Father" remains an eminently watchable hour even to this day.
Heck, I'm not even sure that Metropolis (1927) could even have been made without actress Brigitte Helm's participation. She appeared in no less than five different but related roles within the film, and it was only her first motion picture experience! (Tip: she's even the women beneath the film's signature robot; you can Google the web to find pictures of her in the garb with the faceplate removed.) Though she's no longer with us, Helm was born on this day in 1906.
You don't get more 'Fantasy' than the James Bond films, long known for combining elements of Science Fiction with international espionage along with stunningly beautiful women. The late Eunice Gayson was revered as being one of the very first 'Bond girls,' and she deserves our praise for filling in so winningly opposite Sean Connery. Though she's no longer with us, Gayson was born on this day in 1928. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Tanya Lemani played a certain belly-dancer who was smitten with a certain ship's engineer aboard a certain space classic (Star Trek) in "Wolf In The Fold." Lemani was born on this day in 1945.
Though his dip into sci-fi was relatively short-lived, Patrick Duffy headlined Man From Atlantis with the kind of quiet grace one would expect of a man gifted with amphibious abilities. He went on to even greater fame with a starring role in TV's Dallas soap opera, but I fondly remember him as a hero from the deep. Duffy was born on this day in 1949.
All right, sci-fi fans! I've got two words for you today: Kurt Russell. In the 80's, Russell gave us the wonderful sci-fi two-fer as he headlined John Carpenter's The Thing and Escape From New York. (We'll forgive him for Escape From L.A.) The immortal Snake Plissken is a character Russell has said many times that he'd love to revisit, but I guess a solid script keeps escaping him.
But twice is never enough, and Russell went on to other leading sci-fi roles in the original Stargate movie as well as the underrated sci-fi thriller Soldier. Were I a betting man, I'd always put money on Kurt. And take my word for it: he's never too old to bring Plissken back to life. After all, I heard he was dead?
Russell was born on this day in 1951.
But twice is never enough, and Russell went on to other leading sci-fi roles in the original Stargate movie as well as the underrated sci-fi thriller Soldier. Were I a betting man, I'd always put money on Kurt. And take my word for it: he's never too old to bring Plissken back to life. After all, I heard he was dead?
Russell was born on this day in 1951.
Back in 1996, the always lovely Lesley-Anne Down jumped into Fantasy in a big way opposite Marc Singer aboard Beastmaster III: The Eye of Braxus. Down was born on this day in 1954.
The talented Mark Boone Junior has made a few appearances in the realm of Science Fiction. He's been seen in Quantum Leap; had an uncredited role in Armageddon (1998); and provided voicework for the short-lived TRON: Uprising in 2012. Junior was born on this day in 1955.
Actor Gary Sinise went to the Red Planet (fictionally) compliments of Brian De Palma's rather lukewarm Mission To Mars (2000). SciFiHistory.Net also gives the man a shout for doing all of the good he does in support of America's troops. Sinise was born on this day in 1955.
I ask you: what male among us could resist braving what remains after the Nuclear Apocalypse if we get damsels like the lovely Laurene Landon by our side? I'm okay with it, and such was the devastation that was America 3000. Landon was born on this day in 1957.
One of the slickest single-season SciFi comedies to come out of the 1990's was Fox TV's poorly received The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. As part of the cast, Christian Clemenson (above middle) played Socrates Poole, the occasionally nervous busybody who sometimes gave Brisco (fan favorite Bruce Campbell) his marching orders. Clemenson was born on this day in 1958.
Though she's no doubt far more well known for her work in comic circles, the lovely Vicki Lewis turned up as a brainy scientist trying to stop Godzilla (1998) from destroying mankind. Lewis was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
The great Arye Gross even managed to steal a little scenery as the near-criminal in an early exchange with Tom Cruise from Steven Spielberg's Minority Report (2002). Gross was born on this day in 1960.
Character actor Casey Siemaszko (above left, with the 3D glasses on) turned up as one of the trio supporting the nefarious Biff in Robert Zemeckis's Back to the Future (1985). Siemaszko was born on this day in 1961.
Earlier in her professional career, the lovely Clare Grogan (above center) had a recurring spot aboard the BBC's Red Dwarf. Grogan was born on this day in 1962.
In 1997, Rob Lowe joined Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey for Contact, the big screen adaptation of the Carl Sagan novel. Lowe was born on this day in 1964.
Mathew St. Patrick did what he could to take on some Alien Raiders back in 2008, a B-movie with some respectable practical effects. The talented Thespian was born on this day in 1968.
A bubbly and vivacious Marisa Coughlan lent her considerable bubblyness and vivaciousness to the deliciously retro Space Station 76, a SciFi comedy that came and went faster than Warp 10 from the cinemas in 2014. The talented actress has also booked appearances on The Burning Zone and The Twilight Zone previously. Coughlan was born on this day in 1974.
Gina Holden is one of those actresses audiences always tend to root for. She's a rare talent who bounces around from franchise to franchise though never seems to come out with one of her own. Hopefully that'll change for her some day. In the meantime, she's built a fan base with her work in Stephen King's Dead Zone, Supernatural, Final Destination 3, The Butterfly Effect 2, Aliens Vs. Predator 2: Requiem, the ill-fated Flash Gordon TV series, Smallville, Fringe, Dracano, and much more. Holden was born on this day in 1975.
The lovely Natalie Zea shows up more and more on the prime-time dial but, sadly, never seems to have true staying power. (As can happen, shows get cancelled or her character suffers some grisly fate.) Genre fans might recognize her from a few appearances aboard CBS's Under The Dome. Zea was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
Brittany Daniel had a lot to worry about, staring down the alien invasion at the heart of the ill-received Skyline (2010). Daniel was born on this day in 1976. [Source: IMDB.com]
Adult film temptress Katie Morgan have given SciFi fans something to look at with work in such genre properties as Space Nuts (2003) and Vixens From Venus (2016). Morgan was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though I've been repeatedly told that superheroes have very little to do with Science Fiction, I tend to disagree. In fact, I'd argue that an awful lot of hero-based tales flirt with quality SciFi ideas, especially up-close-and-personal tales of origins that often tend to involve cutting edge science. Right now, the lovely Russkie Olesya Rulin is making waves as part of the ensemble cast that is the comic-inspired property Powers. Rulin was born on this day in 1986.
The young and dreamy Eliza Bennett enjoyed an early role aboard Supernova (2005), and she's since appeared in more fantasy-style properties on occasion. Bennett was born on this day in 1992.
John Boyega. Aka Finn. Stormtrooper. Sanitation. A little something called Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. 'Nuff said? If not, you can add to that The Last Jedi and The Rise Of Skywalker for good measure. Boyega was born on this day in 1992.
On this day in 1983 (in the Netherlands), TRON opened the door to the digital age of Science Fiction. Written and directed by Steven Lisberger, the SciFi/Thriller starred Jeff Bridges and Bruce Boxleitner, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A computer hacker is abducted into the digital world and forced to participate in gladiatorial games where his only chance of escape is with the help of a heroic security program."
"A computer hacker is abducted into the digital world and forced to participate in gladiatorial games where his only chance of escape is with the help of a heroic security program."
On this day in 1984 (in Japan), Bye Bye Jupiter (aka Sayonara Jupiter) enjoyed its theatrical release. Written and directed by Sakyo Komatsu, the SciFi/Drama starred Tomokazu Miura and Dangely Diane, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While extracting water from the Martian polar ice caps, ancient carvings are uncovered describing an alien spacecraft crashing into Jupiter, postponing plans to turn Jupiter into a second Sun."
"While extracting water from the Martian polar ice caps, ancient carvings are uncovered describing an alien spacecraft crashing into Jupiter, postponing plans to turn Jupiter into a second Sun."
When you do a little research, you find that actor Peter Weller has actually made several significant dips into the realm of SciFi. One of the small visits: 1989's Leviathan (which premiered on this day back then). Here's the plot summary, compliments of IMDB.com (with a few edits by me for clarity):
"Underwater deep-sea miners encounter a Soviet wreck and bring back a dangerous cargo to their base on the ocean floor with horrifying results. In a story owing a lot to Alien and The Thing, the crew of the mining base must fight to survive against a genetic mutation that hunts them down one by one. Part of a wave of underwater movies including The Abyss and Deep Star Six."
"Underwater deep-sea miners encounter a Soviet wreck and bring back a dangerous cargo to their base on the ocean floor with horrifying results. In a story owing a lot to Alien and The Thing, the crew of the mining base must fight to survive against a genetic mutation that hunts them down one by one. Part of a wave of underwater movies including The Abyss and Deep Star Six."
On this day in 1999 (in the Netherlands), Cybermaster (aka Shepherd II) crept its way into the home video market. Directed by Eli Necakov, the SciFi feature starred C. Thomas Howell and Heidi von Palleske, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a post-apocalyptic world survivors live underground organized in powerful cults. On of the Shepherds, a code name for assassin, has escaped to the surface with his targets and the cult leader who hired him can't allow that."
"In a post-apocalyptic world survivors live underground organized in powerful cults. On of the Shepherds, a code name for assassin, has escaped to the surface with his targets and the cult leader who hired him can't allow that."
On this day in 2009, an Alien Presence was sensed in theaters. Directed by David DeCoteau, the SciFi/Drama starred Krista Allen and Avalon Barrie, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An alien teenager is apparently kept in a coma at a government compound with handsome medical students, but strange disturbances start to occur."
"An alien teenager is apparently kept in a coma at a government compound with handsome medical students, but strange disturbances start to occur."
On this day in 2010, Slime City Massacre oozed its way into U.S. theaters. Written and directed by Gregory Lamberson, the SciFi feature starred Jennifer Bihl and Debbie Rochon, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the wake of a "dirty bomb" attack, a New York City neighborhood known as "Slime City" has been evacuated, except for the homeless ("displaced refugees"). Four squatters searching for food in the ruins of the Zachary Devon Soup Kitchen discover a supply of Zachary Devon's Home Brewed Elixir and Himalayan Yogurt. When they drink the elixir and eat the yogurt, they are transformed into hideous slime creatures driven to murder - an intermediate step as they are possessed by the spirits of Zachary Devon and the members of his Coven of Flesh, who committed suicide years earlier. When a greedy developer sets his sites on Slime City, he hires a team of mercenaries to wipe out the homeless population. It's a battle royal between the Slime Heads, the mercenaries, and bloodthirsty mutant cannibals!"
"In the wake of a "dirty bomb" attack, a New York City neighborhood known as "Slime City" has been evacuated, except for the homeless ("displaced refugees"). Four squatters searching for food in the ruins of the Zachary Devon Soup Kitchen discover a supply of Zachary Devon's Home Brewed Elixir and Himalayan Yogurt. When they drink the elixir and eat the yogurt, they are transformed into hideous slime creatures driven to murder - an intermediate step as they are possessed by the spirits of Zachary Devon and the members of his Coven of Flesh, who committed suicide years earlier. When a greedy developer sets his sites on Slime City, he hires a team of mercenaries to wipe out the homeless population. It's a battle royal between the Slime Heads, the mercenaries, and bloodthirsty mutant cannibals!"
On this day in 2011 (in Australia, Croatia, Hungary, Malaysia, Singapore, and Ukraine), Battle Los Angeles waged its way into theaters. Directed by Jonathan Liebesman, the SciFi feature starred Aaron Eckhart and Michelle Rodriguez, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Los Angeles and other cities around the world are being bombarded by meteors that seem to be slowing down once they hit the earth's atmosphere. The earth is suddenly being invaded by space aliens that have landed off the shore of LA, and who begin killing everybody along the beach. The military is ordered into action. Marine Staff Sergeant Nantz (Aaron Eckhart), who was about to retire, is reassigned to a new platoon. The platoon, flown by chopper to the forward operating base at Santa Monica Airport, is being led by a new 2nd Lt. Martinez (Ramon Rodriguez). They are sent on a mission to rescue some civilians who are trapped at the police station within alien territory. They only have 3 hours to complete their mission and get out before the Air Force bombs that zone."
"Los Angeles and other cities around the world are being bombarded by meteors that seem to be slowing down once they hit the earth's atmosphere. The earth is suddenly being invaded by space aliens that have landed off the shore of LA, and who begin killing everybody along the beach. The military is ordered into action. Marine Staff Sergeant Nantz (Aaron Eckhart), who was about to retire, is reassigned to a new platoon. The platoon, flown by chopper to the forward operating base at Santa Monica Airport, is being led by a new 2nd Lt. Martinez (Ramon Rodriguez). They are sent on a mission to rescue some civilians who are trapped at the police station within alien territory. They only have 3 hours to complete their mission and get out before the Air Force bombs that zone."
On this day in 2012 (in Japan), Bloodrayne: The Third Reich invaded theaters. Directed by Uwe Boll, the SciFi/Fantasy film starred Natassia Malthe and Brendan Fletcher, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Rayne fights against the Nazis in Europe during World War II, encountering Ekart Brand, a Nazi leader whose target is to inject Adolf Hitler with Rayne's blood in an attempt to transform him into a dhampir and attain immortality."
"Rayne fights against the Nazis in Europe during World War II, encountering Ekart Brand, a Nazi leader whose target is to inject Adolf Hitler with Rayne's blood in an attempt to transform him into a dhampir and attain immortality."
On this day in 2016 (in South Korea), Quarantine L.A. gave audiences another look at mankind's impending demise. Written and directed by Filip Maciejewicz, the SciFi/Thriller starred Bo Linton and Eugenia Kuzmina, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A group of seven strangers try to survive and escape from isolated Los Angeles that has been infected by a strange, human changing virus."
"A group of seven strangers try to survive and escape from isolated Los Angeles that has been infected by a strange, human changing virus."
On this day in 2017, Atomica enjoyed its U.S. theatrical premiere. Directed by Dagen Merrill, the SciFi/Thriller starred Sarah Habel and Dominic Monaghan, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the near future, when communications go offline at a remote nuclear power plant isolated in the desert, a young safety inspector, Abby Dixon, is forced to fly out to bring them back online. Once inside the facility, mysterious clues and strange behaviors cause Abby to have doubts about the sanity, and perhaps identities, of the two employees onsite."
"In the near future, when communications go offline at a remote nuclear power plant isolated in the desert, a young safety inspector, Abby Dixon, is forced to fly out to bring them back online. Once inside the facility, mysterious clues and strange behaviors cause Abby to have doubts about the sanity, and perhaps identities, of the two employees onsite."
On this day in 2017, Interstellar Civil War: Shadows Of The Empire enjoyed its U.S.theatrical debut. Written and directed by Albert Pyun (with some assistance from Cynthia Curnan), the SciFi/Thriller starred Kenzie Phillips and Brad Thornton, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Imperial Empire is attacked by an Alliance of rebels led by fanatical mystics. The ruler, Empress Nobu, the 8th generation of her family, wants to execute a bold plan to rescue a cyborg, Leah C6, trapped on the battle ravaged planet Endor. The Empress believes Leah C6 holds the secret to destroying the Alliance of Rebels before their insurgency can kill millions of citizens of the Empire. She recruits her heroic fleet commander, Lord General Luka Raan and asks him to gather a team from the Empire's elite soldiers, the Galactic Rangers. Raan assembles the team in the ruins of Endor which was attacked by depraved Rebels and outlaws led by, Kindo-Ker, a fanatical mystic in Dark Energy. The Galactic Rangers begin a desperate search to find and rescue Leah C6 before the Alliance Rebels can."
"The Imperial Empire is attacked by an Alliance of rebels led by fanatical mystics. The ruler, Empress Nobu, the 8th generation of her family, wants to execute a bold plan to rescue a cyborg, Leah C6, trapped on the battle ravaged planet Endor. The Empress believes Leah C6 holds the secret to destroying the Alliance of Rebels before their insurgency can kill millions of citizens of the Empire. She recruits her heroic fleet commander, Lord General Luka Raan and asks him to gather a team from the Empire's elite soldiers, the Galactic Rangers. Raan assembles the team in the ruins of Endor which was attacked by depraved Rebels and outlaws led by, Kindo-Ker, a fanatical mystic in Dark Energy. The Galactic Rangers begin a desperate search to find and rescue Leah C6 before the Alliance Rebels can."
On this day in 2017 (in Los Angeles, California), The Dark Tapes turned up some Fantasy frights by way of the found footage film format. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A genre-defying mixture of horror, sci-fi, myth, mystery and thrills told as four interlocking tales in one intelligent anthology. Ghosts, spirits, creatures, demons and more from the paranormal world collide with rational curiosity."
"A genre-defying mixture of horror, sci-fi, myth, mystery and thrills told as four interlocking tales in one intelligent anthology. Ghosts, spirits, creatures, demons and more from the paranormal world collide with rational curiosity."
On this day in 1966 (in the United Kingdom), Thunderbirds aired "Martian Invasion." Officially, this served as the twenty-fourth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Hood infiltrates a film set and engineers an accident during production that leaves two of the main actors trapped in a cave. As International Rescue responds the Hood sets about once again trying to steal footage of the organization in action."
"The Hood infiltrates a film set and engineers an accident during production that leaves two of the main actors trapped in a cave. As International Rescue responds the Hood sets about once again trying to steal footage of the organization in action."
On this day in 1978, The Incredible Hulk aired "The Beast Within." This served as the fourth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"David 'Bradburn' is researching control methods for animal aggression with a female doctor at a zoo. She gets into trouble when new animals keep dying from a mysterious illness."
"David 'Bradburn' is researching control methods for animal aggression with a female doctor at a zoo. She gets into trouble when new animals keep dying from a mysterious illness."
On this day in 1988, Probe aired "Black Cats Don't Walk Under Ladders (Do They?)." This served as the third episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"By appealing to his scientific vanity, Mickey manages to lure Austin to a talk show/expose to act as a scientific consultant as host Marty Corrigan tries to discredit a self-proclaimed witch, Sabrina."
"By appealing to his scientific vanity, Mickey manages to lure Austin to a talk show/expose to act as a scientific consultant as host Marty Corrigan tries to discredit a self-proclaimed witch, Sabrina."
On this day back in 1995, VR5 aired an episode titled "Dr. Strangechild." Here's the plot summary as provided by our friends over at TV.com:
"On her first VR assignment for The Committee, Sydney must find an unhappy and spiteful teenage genius - who after making a momentous discovery has run away from the top secret weapons research establishment where he worked - before he can do any harm. During her search, Sydney must try to deal with her own sense of solitude."
"On her first VR assignment for The Committee, Sydney must find an unhappy and spiteful teenage genius - who after making a momentous discovery has run away from the top secret weapons research establishment where he worked - before he can do any harm. During her search, Sydney must try to deal with her own sense of solitude."
On this day in 2000, Roughnecks: The Starship Troopers Chronicles aired an episode titled "Hide'n'Seek." According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"A massive bug mound has appeared outside of Buenos Aires and S.I.C.O.N. that the bugs are planning a counter-attack to retake the city that was just won by the troops and all air attacks against the mound have ended in disaster. Now the Roughnecks, along with two other squads, must sneak up to the mound and destroy the Plasma Bugs in order to allow the air attacks to commence. Can the Roughnecks accomplish their mission and what about Rico's feelings for Flores?"
"A massive bug mound has appeared outside of Buenos Aires and S.I.C.O.N. that the bugs are planning a counter-attack to retake the city that was just won by the troops and all air attacks against the mound have ended in disaster. Now the Roughnecks, along with two other squads, must sneak up to the mound and destroy the Plasma Bugs in order to allow the air attacks to commence. Can the Roughnecks accomplish their mission and what about Rico's feelings for Flores?"
And Syfy's Farscape roared back from its first season finale with the second season opener, "Mind the Baby," on this date back in the year 2000. Aeryn Sun managed to rescue Crichton and D'Argo from their drifting in space, but it all came at a grave cost she's had to hide from her friends. Her secret definitely changed the shape of things to come over the next several episodes.
On this day in 2003, Children Of Dune aired the second installment of its three-part miniseries. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"As conspiracies to gain political power abound, Paul's power base is eroded from within and his highly ambitious sister, Alia is gaining a political foothold. Born aware of her ancestral memories, Alia is considered an abomination by the Bene Gesserit. The Lady Jessica, her mother returns to Dune (Arrakis) to visit her grandchildren Leto II and Ghanima. When one particular ancestor begins to possess Alia, Lady Jessica has to take refuge. Leto II and Ghanima devise a plan toward salvation."
"As conspiracies to gain political power abound, Paul's power base is eroded from within and his highly ambitious sister, Alia is gaining a political foothold. Born aware of her ancestral memories, Alia is considered an abomination by the Bene Gesserit. The Lady Jessica, her mother returns to Dune (Arrakis) to visit her grandchildren Leto II and Ghanima. When one particular ancestor begins to possess Alia, Lady Jessica has to take refuge. Leto II and Ghanima devise a plan toward salvation."
On this day in 2006 (in the United States), Doctor Who aired "Rose." Officially, this served as the first episode in the re-launched program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When ordinary shop-worker Rose Tyler meets a mysterious stranger called the Doctor she is drawn into his strange and dangerous world; her life will never be the same again."
"When ordinary shop-worker Rose Tyler meets a mysterious stranger called the Doctor she is drawn into his strange and dangerous world; her life will never be the same again."
Listen up, smilers: you'll get nothing but praise from me over the work done in the vastly underrated DC Universe outing, Green Lantern: The Animated Series. The program served up stellar CG animation along with terrific character in the Lantern universe and terrific, terrific storytelling. On this day in the year 2012, the first real episode after the two-part opener finally debuted on Cartoon Network. It was called "Razer's Edge," and here's the plot summary compliments of TV.com:
"Hal and Kilowog drop captive Red Lantern Razer off at a prison asteroid run by the Spider Guild. However, when they learn that the wardens are torturing their prisoners, they go back to investigate and are captured... leaving only Razer and Aya to rescue them."
"Hal and Kilowog drop captive Red Lantern Razer off at a prison asteroid run by the Spider Guild. However, when they learn that the wardens are torturing their prisoners, they go back to investigate and are captured... leaving only Razer and Aya to rescue them."
On this day in 2016, Colony aired "Gateway," the finale to the program's first season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's what all of the scuttlebutt was about:
"After a high-value hostage is kidnapped by the Resistance, the Los Angeles block is placed on lockdown."
"After a high-value hostage is kidnapped by the Resistance, the Los Angeles block is placed on lockdown."
