I've said it before: I never really got Babylon 5. (Sorry if I'm repeating myself!) It's all well and good -- I just wasn't really engaged that much by the characters, so their respective arcs just didn't resonate. But the one I did admire was G'Kar who was played by the late Andreas Katsulas. Katsulas had also turned in a memorable performance during Star Trek: The Next Generation's TV run, with four apperances as the Romulan Commander Tomalak. About his work in the entertainment industry, the man once said: "People often ask me why I always play villains. I tell them, 'G'Kar's not a villain, he's a patriot!'"
Though he's no longer with us, Katsulas was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though he's no longer with us, Katsulas was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
I can remember watching Five Million Years To Earth as a young boy, mostly because I distinctly recall not quite understanding all of it. Still, the premise of a recently unearthed artifact wrecking havoc on London caught my attention. (FYI: The film has also been seen under the title Quatermass and The Pit, for those who love those details.) In it, James Donald played Dr. Mathew Rony, and -- though he's no longer with us -- Donald was born on this day in 1917. [Source: IMDB.com]
If classic Star Trek is your thing, then does it get any more classic than the third season entry, "Plato's Stepchildren"? For it was in this episode that Kirk kissed Lt. Uhura, making it the first interracial smooch on television! The episode featured a terrific line-up of guest stars, including the venerable Liam Sullivan. He also had roles on Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, Lost In Space, and TV's Logan's Run. Though he's no longer with us, Sullivan was born on this day in 1923.
Though IMDB.com confirms she hasn't had an appearance on film since 1960's -- when she offered fans two great guest roles aboard The Outer Limits and Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea -- Sara Shane's lovely face can still bring a smile. Shane was born on this day in 1928. [Source: IMDB.com]
To this day, one of my very favorite episodes of the original Star Trek remains the second season adventure, "The Doomsday Machine." I think I liked it then as much as I do today because, in my humble opinion, of all the TV episodes "Doomsday" remains the one that feels the most theatrical. Paramount's recently updating of the effects for the HD release only made it more so. In it, the lovely Elizabeth Rogers takes over the communications post (in lieu of Lt. Uhura) as 'Lt. Palmer,' a role she returned to in the program's last season. Though she's no longer with us, Rogers was born on this day in 1934. [Source: IMDB.com]
Model-turned-actress Diane McBain certainly knew a thing or two about turning heads. Genre fans might recognize her from work aboard such programs as The Wild Wild West, Batman, Land Of The Giants, Airwolf, Knight Rider, Puppet Master 5 (1994), and Invisible Man II (1999). McBain was born on this day in 1941. [Source: IMDB.com]
During the 1970's, actress Alana Stewart enjoyed a guest visit to the world of TV's The Bionic Woman for good measure. Stewart was born on this day in 1945. [Source: IMDB.com]
Honestly, I don't remember all that many episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine that took place before the Dominion War arcs started, but I do recall "Paradise." It was one of the program's more obvious allegory episodes dealing with political prisoners and torture, and the lovely Gail Strickland starred as the chief baddie. Strickland was born on this day in 1947. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ah, synchronicity! Hugh Keays-Byrne played the villainous Toecutter in the 1979 original Mad Max, and director George Miller called the actor back into service as Immortan Joe in 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road. In between? The actor managed to drum up some terrific character work as Grunchlk on Farscape and Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars. Keays-Byrne was born on this day in 1947.
The venerable Diane Duane has penned Science Fiction and Fantasy works both inside the realm of Star Trek and beyond. You can check out her profile over at IMDB.com or her own website here or simply do a quick search of her works at Amazon.com. Her Rihannsu novels are practically required reading for anyone wishing to know more about the Romulan Empire. Duane was born on this day in 1952.
Patrick St. Esprit is one of those fabulous character actors who has built a phenomenal career playing persons of authority, both good and bad. Most recently, he did so as Commander Thread in the The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. St. Esprit was born on this day in 1954.
The late Carrie Henger enjoyed a pair of uncredited appearances to the world of Star Trek: The Next Generation where she worked as an unnamed security officer. Leaving acting behind, the lady turned her sights to public service and served nearly twenty years for the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Though she's no longer with us, Henger was born on this day in 1955. And thank you for your service, milady. May your rest in peace. [Source: Memory Alpha]
Actress, singer, performer, and artist Toyah Willcox has dabbled in the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy with roles aboard such properties as Jubilee (1978), Quatermass, Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde (1980), and The Ink Thief. Willcox was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
The talented Michael J Rogers is another one of those secondary players who turns up in all kinds of creative spaces. Fans might recognize him from work aboard Still Not Quite Human (1992), The X-Files, Poltergeist: The Legacy, The Dead Zone, The Twilight Zone, The 4400, Stargate SG-1, Smallville, Sanctuary, Continuum, Fringe, Arrow, Supernatural, The 100, and Supergirl. Rogers was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
Deliciously easy-on-the-eyes Cynthia Preston had a small but critical role in 2014's Ascension, a miniseries that aired on Syfy to some modest reviews. However, longtime SciFi fans might remember her work as 'Olivia Hume' in the cult series Total Recall 2070. Preston was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
Take note: the big girl gets the big gun! 2008's Mrs. World winner -- Kamaliya -- crossed into the realm of Science Fiction with the role of Dr. Natasya Irina Pushkin in 2012's Mantera. Kamaliya was born on this day in 1977.
With twenty years in the business, Chad Donella has bounded around to a variety of projects in roles big and small. As far as SciFi goes, he's scored parts in The X-Files, the alien abduction miniseries Taken, Lost, and the CW's Smallville. Donella was born on this day in 1978.
Matt Long joined Syfy's plague drama Helix for its second season; unfortunately at that point the writing was pretty much on the wall for the program but here's hoping he finds a home in Science Fiction again in the future. Long was born on this day in 1980.
Though it would appear Allen Leech's acting forte is far more conventional and period dramas, he did have a small role in an episode of the BBC's Primeval. Leech was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though some of her work has gone uncredited (as was the case for her 'Sexy Deputy' from 2007's Planet Terror), Emmy Robbin's become a bit of a staple in the cinema realm of Robert Rodriguez. Good on him for giving a gal a gun and something to point it at. Plus: the uniform! Robbin was born on this day in 1982. [Source: IMDB.com]
Early in his career, Ryan Cooley saw his career go to the dogs ... .well, Cybermutt (2003) would be more accurate. The talented actor also supplied voice work to the animated series, Oh, No! It's An Alien Invasion, more recently. Cooley was born on this day in 1988.
For those of you who do your streaming via Amazon, you might want to check out the pretty stellar The Man In The High Castle, an alternative version of world history (where the Nazis and Japan triumph in World War II) based on the novel by the legendary Philip K. Dick. In it, Luke Kleintank played the secret agent who infiltrates the American Resistance for nefarious purposes. Kleintank was born on this day in 1990. [Source: IMDB.com]
HubbaHubba Alert! Everyone knows just how fond we at SciFiHistory.Net are the ladies willing to play dress-up, and we'd follow the lovely Violett Beane to another Earth on the CW's The Flash just for a look at her magnificence! Beane was born on this day in 1996. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1932 (in Germany), Frankenstein came to life theatrically. Directed by James Whale, the SciFi/Horror starred Colin Clive and Boris Karloff, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An obsessed scientist assembles a living being from parts of exhumed corpses."
"An obsessed scientist assembles a living being from parts of exhumed corpses."
On this day in 1958, Roger Corman's War Of The Satellites enjoyed its U.S. theatrical premiere. The feature starred Dick Miller and Susan Cabot, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An 'unknown force' declares war against planet Earth when the United Nations disobeys warnings to cease and desist in its attempts at assembling the first satellite in the atmosphere."
"An 'unknown force' declares war against planet Earth when the United Nations disobeys warnings to cease and desist in its attempts at assembling the first satellite in the atmosphere."
On this day in 1979, the 'Saga of a Star World' that was Battlestar Galactica enjoyed a run at U.S. theaters. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After the destruction of the Twelve Colonies of Mankind, the last major fighter carrier leads a makeshift fugitive fleet in a desperate search for the legendary planet Earth."
"After the destruction of the Twelve Colonies of Mankind, the last major fighter carrier leads a makeshift fugitive fleet in a desperate search for the legendary planet Earth."
On this day in 1986, the Fantasy-themed Fuzzbucket aired as a Telefilm installment of The Magical World Of Disney. The feature starred Chris Hebert and Phil Fondacaro, and here's the premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"An invisible creature befriends a 12-year-old boy. Of course, no one else can see him nor believes in him."
"An invisible creature befriends a 12-year-old boy. Of course, no one else can see him nor believes in him."
On this day in 1999, the SciFi/Telefilm Alien Arsenal enjoyed its glorious release on U.S. home video. The feature starred Josh Hammond and Danielle Hoover, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Two nerdish high school students turn into high-tech superheroes when they accidentally stumble onto a hidden cache of alien armor and weaponry in the school's basement. What will they do, though, when the extraterrestrial treasure's owner comes back to reclaim it?"
"Two nerdish high school students turn into high-tech superheroes when they accidentally stumble onto a hidden cache of alien armor and weaponry in the school's basement. What will they do, though, when the extraterrestrial treasure's owner comes back to reclaim it?"
Ahem. As I always remind readers, Science Fiction can come in all shapes, sizes, and salaciousness. In that respect, read on: on this day in 1999, the Adult/SciFi feature Pleasurecraft enjoyed its premiere on home video. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A crew of astronauts are tasked with delivering three beautiful women to their superiors. Provided that they don't get seduced by them before reaching their destination."
"A crew of astronauts are tasked with delivering three beautiful women to their superiors. Provided that they don't get seduced by them before reaching their destination."
Uh oh. Looks like we're gonna need a bigger boat! (Sorry, wrong franchise.) But still: isn't honestly the worst that can be said is that 2012's Battleship actually tried to make an action star out of Rihanna? (Or is that the best that could be said?) Meh. The flick first opened in theatres on this day in 2012, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A fleet of ships is forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origins in order to discover and thwart their destructive goals."
"A fleet of ships is forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origins in order to discover and thwart their destructive goals."
On this day in 2018, Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey enjoyed a U.S. theatrical re-release. The SciFi feature starred Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After discovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, mankind sets off on a quest to find its origins with help from intelligent supercomputer H.A.L. 9000."
"After discovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, mankind sets off on a quest to find its origins with help from intelligent supercomputer H.A.L. 9000."
On this day in 2019 (in France), Vivarium played for audiences in attendance of the Cannes International Critics' Week. Written and directed by Lorcan Finnegan, the SciFi/Drama starred Imogen Poots and Danielle Ryan, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"A young couple looking for the perfect home find themselves trapped in a mysterious labyrinth-like neighborhood of identical houses."
"A young couple looking for the perfect home find themselves trapped in a mysterious labyrinth-like neighborhood of identical houses."
On this day in 1956, Science Fiction Theatre aired "The Flicker." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A man randomly kills a woman and has no memory of the event or anything after he'd left a theatre. Once investigators watch the same film they discover the cause behind his strange course of action and how to stop it happening again."
"A man randomly kills a woman and has no memory of the event or anything after he'd left a theatre. Once investigators watch the same film they discover the cause behind his strange course of action and how to stop it happening again."
On this day in 1962, The Twilight Zone aired "I Sing The Body Electric," an episode based on a story by the legendary Ray Bradbury. This served as the thirty-fifth episode for the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A recent widower, needing loving care for his three young children, orders a cybernetic "grandmother". While two of the children accept her, one of his daughters fiercely rejects her, with near tragic consequences."
"A recent widower, needing loving care for his three young children, orders a cybernetic "grandmother". While two of the children accept her, one of his daughters fiercely rejects her, with near tragic consequences."
On this day in 1964 (in the United Kingdom), My Favorite Martian aired "Danger! High Voltage." Officially, this served as the twenty-seventh episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Martin absorbs an electrical charge, but the whole town's power supply is affected."
"Martin absorbs an electrical charge, but the whole town's power supply is affected."
On this day in 1991, Superboy aired "The Road To Hell: Part 1." Officially, this served as the twenty-fifth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Superboy is transported to an alternate-reality jungle and turned into a child, where he must fight for his life and avoid the evil alternate version of Lex Luthor."
"Superboy is transported to an alternate-reality jungle and turned into a child, where he must fight for his life and avoid the evil alternate version of Lex Luthor."
On this day in 1994, J. Michael Straczynski's Babylon 5 aired its thirteen episode: "Signs and Portents" largely was a game-changer for the seminal sci-fi show. Secrets were so much revealed as they were finally employed to help show just where the show was heading. It certainly set a new bar for the program to keep in mind as it marched ever forward, and there's the summary from IMDB.com:
"Londo obtains a priceless Centauri artifact and a stranger visits each alien ambassador asking only one question."
"Londo obtains a priceless Centauri artifact and a stranger visits each alien ambassador asking only one question."
On this day in 1996, Space Cases aired "Impossible Dream." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Christa picks up an old knight-errant who believes that there is a monster aboard the ship, and who enlists Catalina's aid to help capture it."
"The Christa picks up an old knight-errant who believes that there is a monster aboard the ship, and who enlists Catalina's aid to help capture it."
On this day in 1997, Tarzan: The Epic Adventures aired "Tarzan And The Mystery Of The Lake." Officially, this served as the twenty-first episode in the program's only season on original broadcast television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Tarzan joins the expedition of Lyle Drake to a remote part of the jungle to clarify rumors regarding a giant serpent. Unexpectedly the group encounters a prehistoric man and Tarzan joins with city girl Alfie to allow Grok remain free. Drake is equally determined to capture him."
"Tarzan joins the expedition of Lyle Drake to a remote part of the jungle to clarify rumors regarding a giant serpent. Unexpectedly the group encounters a prehistoric man and Tarzan joins with city girl Alfie to allow Grok remain free. Drake is equally determined to capture him."
On this day in 2002, Mutant X aired "A Breed Apart." This served as the twenty-first episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Mutant X encounters a new faction of New Mutants - the Strand, led by the powerful first mutant, Gabriel Ashlocke."
"Mutant X encounters a new faction of New Mutants - the Strand, led by the powerful first mutant, Gabriel Ashlocke."
On this day in 2004 (in Canada), Alienated aired "The Arrival." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The household is disrupted by phone calls from aliens who announce their impending arrival, so Sarah hides in the freezer to protect her baby."
"The household is disrupted by phone calls from aliens who announce their impending arrival, so Sarah hides in the freezer to protect her baby."
First showing ever! On this day in 2005, Lost aired "Exodus: Part 1." Officially, this served as the twenty-third episode in the program's event-filled first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The French woman arrives at the camp with a dire warning about a group of survivors known as the Others."
"The French woman arrives at the camp with a dire warning about a group of survivors known as the Others."
On this day in 2005, Smallville aired "Commencement." Officially, this served as the twenty-second episode in the program's fourth season -- its season finale -- and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Lana (possessed by Isobel) kills Genevieve Teague by stabbing her with one of the Kryptonian Knowledge Crystals after she attempts to steal it, it triggers a cosmic event that not only severs Lana's link to the spirit Isobel but also sends meteorites from deep space toward Earth and Smallville. At the graduation ceremony for Smallville High, the military arrives to evacuate the town after news that another meteor shower is imminent. Fearing he has a link to the meteorites, Clark goes to talk to the spirit of Jor-El, who informs him that his only hope is to unite the knowledge crystals in the cave. With time running out, Clark sets about locating the final two crystals as meteorites reign down upon Smallville. Lana gives Clark the third stone they recovered from China, which was in her possession all this time, while the second stone is on Lionel's person, which activates. Lex offers to protect Lana and have her flown to New York City, but she gets caught in the meteor shower while riding in a helicopter. Lois manages to get out of Smallville in time, but Chloe stays behind to follow Clark who retrieves the final one from Lionel which hits them with a burst of energy driving him comatose. Chloe helps Clark retrieve the final stone from the Luthor mansion safe after he is immobilized by kryptonite, and helps him escape from Lex. Clark manages to unite all three stones, which transports him to the wild tundra of the frigid North Pole..."
"When Lana (possessed by Isobel) kills Genevieve Teague by stabbing her with one of the Kryptonian Knowledge Crystals after she attempts to steal it, it triggers a cosmic event that not only severs Lana's link to the spirit Isobel but also sends meteorites from deep space toward Earth and Smallville. At the graduation ceremony for Smallville High, the military arrives to evacuate the town after news that another meteor shower is imminent. Fearing he has a link to the meteorites, Clark goes to talk to the spirit of Jor-El, who informs him that his only hope is to unite the knowledge crystals in the cave. With time running out, Clark sets about locating the final two crystals as meteorites reign down upon Smallville. Lana gives Clark the third stone they recovered from China, which was in her possession all this time, while the second stone is on Lionel's person, which activates. Lex offers to protect Lana and have her flown to New York City, but she gets caught in the meteor shower while riding in a helicopter. Lois manages to get out of Smallville in time, but Chloe stays behind to follow Clark who retrieves the final one from Lionel which hits them with a burst of energy driving him comatose. Chloe helps Clark retrieve the final stone from the Luthor mansion safe after he is immobilized by kryptonite, and helps him escape from Lex. Clark manages to unite all three stones, which transports him to the wild tundra of the frigid North Pole..."
On this day in 2007, Stargate: Atlantis aired "The Ark." Officially, this served as the sixteenth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The team boards a crippled space station to discover people have been preserved there with the hope to outlive their enemy, the Wraith."
"The team boards a crippled space station to discover people have been preserved there with the hope to outlive their enemy, the Wraith."
On this day in 2007, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Bad Guys" as the sixteenth episode of its tenth season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When SG-1, minus Carter, investigates a previously unexplored planet expecting to find themselves in a pyramid, they are astounded to find themselves in a museum. Finding a party occurring in the lobby, they decide to leave and make first contact later, but they find that the DHD is a replica and thus incapable of getting them home. They are discovered and believed to be rebels and are forced to take hostages to buy time for their escape."
"When SG-1, minus Carter, investigates a previously unexplored planet expecting to find themselves in a pyramid, they are astounded to find themselves in a museum. Finding a party occurring in the lobby, they decide to leave and make first contact later, but they find that the DHD is a replica and thus incapable of getting them home. They are discovered and believed to be rebels and are forced to take hostages to buy time for their escape."
On this day in 2013, Doctor Who aired "The Name of the Doctor." This served as the fourteenth hour of the seventh season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor's friends are being kidnapped, which leads him to the fields of Trenzalore, where his greatest secret will be revealed and Clara's mystery will be solved."
"The Doctor's friends are being kidnapped, which leads him to the fields of Trenzalore, where his greatest secret will be revealed and Clara's mystery will be solved."
On this day in 2013, the countdown to the first season finale of Orphan Black began as the pieces to the puzzle grew even more diverse with an hour titled "Entangled Bank." Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Sarah's actions pit the Orphans against each other as she tries to plan her next move. As Paul tries desperately to cover up Sarah's existence, Alison takes vengeance on her suspected monitor, which could cost her everything she holds dear."
"Sarah's actions pit the Orphans against each other as she tries to plan her next move. As Paul tries desperately to cover up Sarah's existence, Alison takes vengeance on her suspected monitor, which could cost her everything she holds dear."
On this day in 2014, Avengers Assemble aired "Exodus." Officially, this served as the twenty-fifth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Iron Man's confidence is shaken after he inadvertently puts Falcon in harm's way. When the Cabal pulls the trigger on its final plan, Tony has to put aside his personal dilemma and be the leader he was born to be."
"Iron Man's confidence is shaken after he inadvertently puts Falcon in harm's way. When the Cabal pulls the trigger on its final plan, Tony has to put aside his personal dilemma and be the leader he was born to be."
On this day in 2018, the web-based program Shield Of Tomorrow released "A Journey Of A Thousand Miles ..." This served as the twentieth installment in its third season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After being granted passage through Klingon space, the USS Sally Ride must come to the aid of a nearby research station."
For those who'd be interested in checking it out, it's up on YouTube.com right here.
"After being granted passage through Klingon space, the USS Sally Ride must come to the aid of a nearby research station."
For those who'd be interested in checking it out, it's up on YouTube.com right here.
Sorry, folks, I don't game ... but I can tell you that on this day in 2009 Capcom's Bionic Commando enjoyed its release to the consumer marketplace. According to IMDB.com, here's what all the action was about:
"Time has not been kind to Spencer: 10 years after his heroic defeat of the Imperials, he has been betrayed by the government he swore to serve, imprisoned for crimes he didn't commit, and sentenced to death. On the very day of Spencer's execution, terrorists detonate a massive experimental weapon in Ascension City, unleashing an intense earthquake that has turned the city into rubble and wiped out its population. With the terrain in ruins and the city's air defense grid now in the control of a massive terrorist force whose goal remains unclear, the FSA have only one option left - a behind-the-lines assault."
"Time has not been kind to Spencer: 10 years after his heroic defeat of the Imperials, he has been betrayed by the government he swore to serve, imprisoned for crimes he didn't commit, and sentenced to death. On the very day of Spencer's execution, terrorists detonate a massive experimental weapon in Ascension City, unleashing an intense earthquake that has turned the city into rubble and wiped out its population. With the terrain in ruins and the city's air defense grid now in the control of a massive terrorist force whose goal remains unclear, the FSA have only one option left - a behind-the-lines assault."
