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The venerable Philip Francis Nowlan may not exactly be a household name, but perhaps he should be for creating Buck Rogers, the space hero who launched his own generation of fans via print, TV, and movies!  Though he's no longer with us, Nowlan was born on this day in 1888.  [Source: Wikipedia.org]

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When the original King Kong proved itself to be a cinematic phenomenon, producers decided to dip back into the realm of Fantasy with a sequel: The Son Of Kong returned the crew to Skull Island, and what did they find?  Kong's offspring was a bit easier to deal with, and maybe that was owed to the beauty of the film's love interest: 'Hilda' was played by the fetching Helen Mack (above right).  Though she's no longer with us, Mack was born on this day in 1913.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Before Irwin Allens' Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea was a big budget television show it was a big budget movie (1961), and Robert Sterling played 'Captain Lee Crane' aboard the famous submarine.  Though he's no longer with us, Sterling was born on this day in 1918.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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I think there's some unspoken rule that all great Science Fiction novels be adapted for film, and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 certainly didn't miss the chance.  François Truffaut wrote and directed the 1966 version, and he tasked Oskar Werner with bringing to life the singular 'Guy Montag' for audiences.  Though he's no longer with us, Werner was born on this day in 1922.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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So far as Science Fiction goes, Ed Bakey's resume is relatively light but still pretty solid.  He appeared aboard Star Trek, the popular Voyagers!, and The Philadelpha Experiment (1984).  Though he's no longer with us, Bakey was born on this day in 1925.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Don Gordon's career stretches over an incredible four decades and well over one hundred different projects.  Genre fans probably know him best from roles aboard such properties as The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, The Wild Wild West, The Invaders, The Bionic Woman, Lucan, The Powers of Matthew Star, Automan, and Airwolf.  Though he's no longer with us, Gordon was born on this day in 1926.  [Source: IMDB.com]
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Aboard an episode of the classic Star Trek, actor Hal Lynch played an unsuspecting Air Police Sergeant who found himself unwittingly transported to the future even only if for a few moments.  The actor also visited the worlds of The Wild Wild West and CBS's Shazam.  Though he's no longer with us, Lynch was born on this day in 1927.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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As Mena, the great Adrienne Corri made an appearance in Doctor Who's "The Leisure Hive" (circa 1980).  She also booked an appearance in 1970 on the TV cult series UFO and a role in the theatrical release Moon Zero Two (1969).  Though she's no longer with us, Corri was born on this day in 1930.  [Source: IMDB.com]
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Certainly, Richard Mulligan doesn't leave behind a track record which screams genre work, but he did have a few of note.  He had a guest spot in an episode of the 1980's run of The Twilight Zone.  In 1986, he enjoyed a prominent role in the Fantasy/Telefilm Babes In Toyland.  And in 1993 he provided voicework for the popular Star Trek: Judgment Rites video game.  Though he's no longer with us, Mulligan was born on this day in 1932.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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James Daris's character in Star Trek's oft-maligned episode "Spock's Brain" was never quite explained, so maybe it's best that he slept through much of it.  He also boasted roles aboard Land of the Giants and Larva (aka MorphMan) (2005).  Daris was born on this day in 1933.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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There was a time when Garry Marshall had a firm command over some of the better programming in the realm of television.  I was never much a fan of the SciFi/Sitcom Mork & Mindy -- he created and wrote for it throughout its run -- but kudos to the man for dabbling in SciFi.  Though he's no longer with us, Marshall was born on this day in 1934.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Screen veteran Tom Atkins played Rehme, the captain of the U.S. Police Force stationed with maintaining the largest federal penitentiary ever in 1981's SciFi gem Escape From New York.  Atkins was born on this day in 1935.  [Source: IMDB.com]
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One of the last screen credits to Dack Rambo's name included the Apocalypse drama Ultra Warrior (1990) for Concorde-New Horizons.  He also had a terrific guest spot aboard CBS's Wonder Woman during that program's run.  Though he's no longer with us, Rambo was born on this day in 1941.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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The best way I know to measure how well an actor is at his craft is to ask one simple question: "Could I imagine anyone else doing this role justice?"  If you can't imagine anyone else in it, then the talent is probably appropriately cast for any series.  Now I ask you, fellow Trek enthusiasts: "Could ANYONE ELSE in all of the galaxies known to mankind ever have pulled off being Star Trek: The Next Generation's irascible Q other than John de Lancie?"  I think you know the answer to that question.  The wit, the mirth, the playfulness were all brilliant additions done to perfection by the man, so join me in celebrating his birth on this day back in 1948.  [Source: IMDB.com]
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Those who know me well can attest to my affinity for All Thing Superman, so a major shout-out today to the lovely Frances Conroy! She brought Ma Kent to life in All-Star Superman (2011) and Superman Unbound (2013).  Conroy was born on this day in 1953.  [Source: IMDB.com]
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The lovely Tracy Scoggins played Capt. Elizabeth Lochley on both Babylon 5 and its follow-up series, the short-lived Crusade.  For those in the know, she also enjoyed a rather terrific little cameo-style role on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as one of the 'foxiest' Cardassians imaginable.  Scoggins was born on this day in 1953.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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When the powers that be decided to bring the seminal Justice League: Crisis On Two Earths (2010) to life on home video, who better to give voice to ultimate evil Lex Luthor than political activist Chris Noth?  (Talk about your typecasting!)  Noth was born on this day in 1954.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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No disrespect intended to anyone but I never quite understood the appeal of the 'Guinan' character as played by Whoopi Goldberg on Star Trek: The Next Generation.  I mean, here was this program grounded in science of its day, and Guinan always seemed like a throwback to the mysticism of the original Trek.  Maybe that's all that was intended?  Who knows?  Goldberg was born on this day in 1955.  [Source: IMDB.com]
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The great Rex Linn braved the nibbling terror at the heart of the SciFi/Horror hybrid Zombeavers (2014).  He's also booked time aboard 3rd Rock From The Sun, The Postman (1997), Ghosts of Mars (2001), Abominable (2006), and The Lottery.  Linn was born on this day in 1956.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Few SciFi scribes working today reach the heights achieved by the venerable Stephen Baxter.  Building a solid resume penning both Science Fiction as well as science fact, the author has won multiple Philip K. Dick awards and multiple BFSA Awards across several categories.  He's also served as the Vice-President of the H.G. Wells Society.  Baxter was born on this day in 1957.  [Source: Wikipedia.org]
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The lovely Caroline Goodall doesn't traffic in Science Fiction as much as I wish she did.  She did appear on Quantum Leap and The Outer Limits, though, and I'm thankful for that.  Goodall was born on this day in 1959.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Funnyman Neil Flynn took time off from his usual antics to play 'Pete Dinsmore' in a few episodes of the WB's long-running Smallville.  Flynn was born on this day in 1960.  [Source: IMDB.com]
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Steve Zahn dipped deep into the realm of Science Fiction taking on the role of a central motion-capped lead -- 'Bad Ape' -- aboard War for the Planet of the Apes (2017).  Zahn was born on this day in 1967.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Early in his career, hunky Gerard Butler did make an appearance in Science Fiction: he played Andre Marek in 2003's relatively forgettable Timeline.  Butler was born on this day in 1969.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Little Noah Hathaway never got enough to do in his brief appearances aboard Battlestar Galactica, but that didn't keep the li'l sprite named Boxey from becoming one of the shows most endeared characters.  Kids of the 80's will also recognize that the young man went on to great fame in 1984's The Neverending Story.  Hathaway was born on this day back in 1971.  [Source: IMDB.com]
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Science Fiction fandom has always held the late 1970's anime property Star Blazers in high regard, so high that it made sense for a live action adaptation to be done in 2010, and it was called Space Battleship Yamato.  (I saw it: I found it visually exciting, but I didn't much care for it otherwise.)  Takuya Kimura brought the lead 'Susumu Kodai' to life in the project, and Kimura was born on this day in 1972.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Aboard NBC's short-lived and somewhat confusing Bionic Woman reboot, an affable Jordan Bridges played the affable Tom Hastings.  Bridges also had a small role in one of my personal favorites, Frequency, back in 2000.  Bridges was born on this day in 1973.  [Source: IMDB.com]
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Long before braving whatever was up with CBS's adaptation of Stephen King's Under The Dome, Aisha Hinds enjoyed a small role (at the helm, no less) in JJ Abrams' God-awful travesty, Star Trek Into Darkness.  (Trek fandom is still waiting for an apology for that film.)  Hinds was born on this day in 1975.  [Source: IMDB.com]
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Time to celebrate the career of Michael Copon!  He got his start in genre entertainment in the guise of the Blue Time Force Ranger in Power Rangers Time Force, and he insists on hanging around, securing roles in such properties as The Scorpion King: Rise of a Warrior (2008), Dark House (2009), and Dystopia.  Copon was born on this day in 1982.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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Whoa.  Talk about a character who started light but went dark!  Devon Bostick heated up the small screen in the role of 'Jasper Jordan,' braving the Apocalypse at the heart of The 100, but man oh man his big finish got a bit dark for my tastes.  Bostick was born on this day in 1991.  [Source: IMDB.com]

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1933's The Invisible Man is one of those sublimely perfect gems, a cautionary tale about a scientist who's slowly driven insane by his own designs to become invisible.  It opened on this day back then, and it remains a sample of cinema perfection even today.  Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:

"Working in Dr. Cranley's laboratory, scientist Jack Griffin was always given the latitude to conduct some of his own experiments. His sudden departure, however, has Cranley's daughter Flora worried about him. Griffin has taken a room at the nearby Lion's Head Inn, hoping to reverse an experiment he conducted on himself that made him invisible. Unfortunately, the drug he used has also warped his mind, making him aggressive and dangerous. He's prepared to do whatever it takes to restore his appearance, and several will die in the process."

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On this day in 1961 (in Madrid, Spain), The Absent Minded Professor flubbered his way onto the silver screen.  The SciFi/Comedy starred Fred MacMurray and Nancy Olson, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:

"A bumbling professor accidently invents flying rubber, or "Flubber", an incredible material that gains energy every time it strikes a hard surface. It allows for the invention of shoes that can allow jumps of amazing heights and enables a modified Model-T to fly. Unfortunately, no one is interested in the material except for Alonzo Hawk, a corrupt businessman who wants to steal the material for himself."

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On this day in 1975 (in Uruguay), Rollerball threw an elbow at audiences.  Directed by Norman Jewison, the SciFi/Drama starred James Caan and John Houseman, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:

"In a corporate-controlled future, an ultra-violent sport known as Rollerball represents the world, and one of its powerful athletes is out to defy those who want him out of the game."

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Folks, have I ever told you of my unabashed love for the campy, corny, cultish Roger Corman flick, Battle Beyond the Stars?  It was one of those Star Wars' knock-offs that populated movie theatres toward the end of the 70's and early 80's.  The film starred Richard Thomas in the lead role as Shad, a pacifist from a race of pacifists who gets sent out into space to find a band of warriors to come back and fight their battle against a space warlord for them.  Yes, that's right ... it's Seventh Samurai in Space!  As you might guess, it's a bit cheesy, but it's all in good fun.  It premiered theatrically on this day back in 1980 (in West Germany).
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On this day in 1982 (in Japan), A Fire In The Sky was broadcast on television.  The SciFi/Drama starred Richard Crenna and Elizabeth Ashley, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"Astronomers discover a comet that they believe will crash into Phoenix, Arizona. They attempt to warn officials, but no one believes them."

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On this day in 1987, The American Way (aka Riders Of The Storm) flew into theatres.  The SciFi/Comedy starred Dennis Hopper and Michael J. Pollard, and here's the plot summary from Wikipedia.org:

"SM is a pirate TV station, which is broadcast from a B-29 plane by a group of Vietnam war veterans. After many years, the crew considers shutting down the show to go back to a more normal life. However, as the US presidential campaign is starting, the captain of the plane decides SM has a last job to do: to prevent the pro-war conservative candidate from winning the election."

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Ok, kids: I know Arnold Schwarzenegger has done an awful lot of good for SciFi, but The Running Man (it premiered on this day back in 1987) isn't really one of them.  Granted, it has a solid SciFi premise -- the best men are running for their lives -- but that's about all it really has going for it.  No?  Here's the premise from IMDB.com:

"Ben Richards is an innocent man who is sentenced to the Running Man game show, a futuristic audience participation capital punishment television show. While Ben is running from champions with chainsaws and sharpened hockey sticks, the host is busy with calls to the network about ratings."

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On this day in 2009, Brainjacked took a swing for our collective cerebellum when it enjoyed its first theatrical presentation ever playing for audiences in attendance of the Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival!  Written and directed by Andrew Allan, the SciFi/Horror starred Andrew Allan Jr. and Stephen Biro, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:

"A teen runaway discovers a sinister mind control plot."

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On this day in 2010, the TV movie going by the name The Lost Future made its small screen debut.  It starred the omnipresent Sean Bean in yet another look at our possible apocalyptic future.  According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:

"A group of post-apocalyptic survivors struggle to survive in a world where jungles, forests, primeval wetlands and deserts have obliterated civilization. They staunchly face genetically mutated beasts and mysterious diseases in an attempt to re-establish the human race as masters of Earth."
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On this day in 2018, Time Trap enjoyed its U.S. digital and V.O.D. release.  Written and directed by Mark Dennis, the feature starred Andrew Wilson and Cassidy Gifford, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"A group of students venture into the deep caves of remote Texas to locate a favorite archaeology professor who inexplicably has gone missing while searching for the Fountain of Youth. In the course of their pursuit, the group unwittingly rappels into a break in the space-time continuum, where time passes much slower than on the surface. With no hope for rescue, they descend further into the cave and uncover the most coveted urban legend in history and find themselves in the crossfire for its control."
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A star is born!  On this day in 2020 (in Estonia), Kratt enjoyed its first theatrical presentation ever when it was screened for audiences in attendance of the Black Nights Film Festival.  Written and directed by Rasmus Merivoo, the Fantasy/Comedy starred Mari Lill, Nora Merivoo, and Harri Merivoo.  According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:

"Children are left at grandma's house without their smartphones. Real life seems boring until they find instructions for kratt - a magical creature who will do whatever its master says. All they need now is to buy a soul from the devil."

For the record:
To the film's credit, Kratt enjoyed a bit of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit.

ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2022, I had the good fortune of viewing Kratt via stream on behalf of a distributor relationship I maintain.  Interested in knowing what I thought?  You can check out my review right here.

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On this day in 1965, Doctor Who aired "The Nightmare Begins."  This served as the tenth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:

"The Doctor runs afoul of the Daleks and Special Security Agent Bret Vyon on the planet Kembel."

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On this day in 1975, "Guardian of Piri" aired as part of Space: 1999's first season.  Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"Contact is made with the planet Piri, where the main computer created an idyllic life that led to extinction of its population through apathy. Now John Koenig must fight to save Alpha as his people fall under the same fate."

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On this day in 1976, Ark II aired "The Drought."  This served as the tenth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"During a devastating drought, Fagon and his Flies return and hijack the ARK in an attempt to secure a time capsule containing a cloud-seeding device. A primitive tribe that worships the time capsule has captured Ruth, Samuel and Adam."

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On this day in 1978, Battle Of The Planets aired "Jupiter Moon Menace."  This served as the ninth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:

"Commander Typhon from planet Scorpius is an exile who wants Zoltar's help in defeating his rival opponants on his planet In exchange Typhon gives Zoltar a new weapon, the Scorpion, that creates meteor showers. In hopes of averting the destruction of Capital City, G-Force heads for the Jupiter moon of Callisto. The Scorpion then heads for Earth, before the team can destroy it. Finding a submarine at the bottom of the ocean that is controlling the Scorpion and asteroid showers. Typhon escapes the submarine, trapping G-Force inside."

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On this day in 1986, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers aired "Supertroopers."  This (technically) served as the program's forty-seventh episode (they were aired wildly out of sequence), and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:

"Some supertroopers force Senator Weiner to steal batch 22. Commander Walsh, Gooseman, and Nagata go to the Supertroopers old base to get the Senator back. The origin of the Supertroopers is revealed."


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On this day in 1989, Alien Nation aired "Three To Tango."  This served as the eighth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"A series of murders of Binnaum, a rare kind of Tenctonese needed for catalyzing reproduction, raises fears that Purists are trying to stop the Tenctonese from breeding. Francisco asks Albert to be the Binnaum for his and Susan's next child."

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On this day in 1989, War of the Worlds aired "Loving the Alien."  This served as the seventh episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:

"A young Morthren rebels against his people so runs away to live amongst humans and ends up becoming friends with Debi."

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On this day in 1993, Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "Force Of Nature."  This served as the ninth episode of the program's seventh (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"While searching for a missing Federation medical transport, the Enterprise is accosted by two scientists from a nearby planet who claim that cumulative exposure to warp energy is weakening the fabric of space."

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On this day in 1995, "Convictions" aired as the second episode of Babylon 5's third season.  According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:

"A mad bomber is loose on Babylon 5. When they find him, he threatens to detonate the station, if his demands are not met. Meanwhile G'Kar and Londo are trapped in an elevator. Londo wants to work together so they can escape, but G'Kar refuses to aide his nemesis."

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On this day in 1995, history and conspiracy collided in "Little Green Men," the eighth episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's fourth season.  According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:

"Quark and Rom take Nog to Earth and Starfleet Academy, but a malfunction with the ship takes the crew back in time, to Roswell, New Mexico in 1947."

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On this day in 1995, Star Trek: Voyager aired "Cold Fire."  This served as the tenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"Ten months after The Caretaker stranded Voyager in the Delta Quadrant, the ship encounters the alien's mate and a station full of Ocampa with heightened psychic powers. Kes, swept up by the possibility of expanding her own abilities, learns just how turbulent and potent they can be. The female Caretaker seeks revenge on Voyager, blaming Janeway for the death of her mate."

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On this day in 1996, Star Trek: Voyager aired "Future's End, Part 2."  This served as the ninth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:

"Henry Starling, who made a fortune from his looting of 29th century technology from the crashed timeship, is planning a foray into the future to feed his greed. The Voyager crew must find a way to stop Starling before his attempted use of the timeship destroys Earth's Solar System. Meanwhile, while trying to rescue Paris and Tuvok, Torres and Chakotay are captured by an anti-government white supremacist militia who believe that they are feds."

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On this day in 1997, Team Knight Rider aired "Choctaw L-9."  Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's only season on television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"Team Knight Rider must recover the stolen Choctaw L-9, the government's latest war bird. In the process, Kyle is suspended as the team leader and the rest of the team must work to clear his name while outsmarting their new leader, FBI agent Kobak."

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On this day in 1998, Brimstone aired "Repentance."  Officially, this served as the fourth episode in the program's only season in original broadcast existence; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"Preying upon the homeless, a Nazi escapee is stealing eyes but insists he is repenting, being an 'Angel of Mercy'."

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On this day in 1999, Batman Beyond aired "Hooked Up."  This served as the eighth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:

"Batman investigates a ring of troubled kids who are so addicted to powerful virtual reality fantasies that they will do anything to continue them."

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On this day in 1999, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World aired "Paradise Found" as the ninth episode of the program's first season.  According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:

"Veronica's parents guide makes a sudden appearance and dies in Challenger and Veronica's arms leading the explorers to seek out a hidden paradise, where Veronica suspects her parents might be. Once there, they discover the sinister cause for everyone's youthfulness."

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On this day in 2000, Andromeda aired "The Ties That Bind."  This served as the seventh episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:

"Answering a distress call from a Wayist vessel, Beka is surprised to find her brother aboard. Most of the crew seem suspicious of the pair of newcomers, most of all Rafe Valentine, given his sleazy history. When he steals the Maru to visit a monastery, Beka's warnings seem to be true. However, when she finds him at a Wayist monastery, she believes that he really has turned a new leaf."

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On this day in 2002, Star Trek: Enterprise aired "The Communicator."  This served as the eighth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:

"Upon returning from covertly observing a pre-warp culture, Lieutenant Reed realizes he lost his communicator somewhere on the planet. Archer and Reed return to recover the lost technology, only to find the natives found it first. Captured and interrogated, the crewmen find themselves doing even more damage to the culture, who have scanned the prisoners and know them to be of another race. Meanwhile, Tucker and Mayweather try to figure out how to active the cloak on the Suliban cell ship so they can mount a discreet rescue."

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On this day in 2009, Syfy's Sanctuary aired "Fragments."  This served as the sixth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:

"A research scientist working for the Sanctuary Network is brutally attacked by an abnormal. While Helen Magnus tries to save the life of the scientist, the team investigates the origin of the attacker's uncharacteristically brutal behavior."

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On this day in 2009, Star Wars: The Clone Wars aired "Weapons Factory."  This served as the sixth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:

"Luminara and Anakin act as decoys to divert new enemy super-tanks, while Padawans Barriss Offee and Ahsoka attempt to destroy a Separatist droid factory."

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On this day in 2017, Supergirl aired "Midvale."  This served as the sixth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:

"Kara and Alex head home to Midvale for a little R&R. While there, Kara recalls a painful memory of a childhood friend's death and how that traumatic experience brought the Danver sisters closer together."
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