An all-new franchise is born when on this day back in 1963 the legendary BBC SciFi/Fantasy program Doctor Who began with the airing of its first episode ever, titled "An Unearthly Child." 26 seasons later (in 1989), the Doctor would end only the first of his runs; he was resurrected for a telefilm as well as a kinda/sorta reboot in 2005. He lives on today, but you could consider him born over five decades ago today.
For those unaware, The Expanse is clearly a Science Fiction program not intended for everyone. Some of this is owed to the way the storytellers have unfolded an incredibly 'slow burning' tale, and one might argue that narrative could use a bit of spice from time-to-time. However, the SciFi/Drama benefits from solid source materials (an ongoing book series from author James S.A. Corey) and an incredibly gifted cast and crew, making it easy to forgive the program's arduous pace. In fact, I'd fully tuned it out after a few episodes, only to take it up again at the urging on some online fans. By the end of Season 1, I'd been won over: I had found it occasionally quirkily edited -- some plot developments are delivered more some unnecessary narrative trickey -- but very satisfying. Enjoy it while you can, as I suspect such quality won't be around forever.
Screen legend Boris Karloff was a part of so many successful pictures over the years, but he's perhaps best known as the ultimate man who came back from the dead in 1931's Frankenstein. Though he's no longer with us, Karloff was born on this day in 1887. [Source: IMDB.com]
Leaving behind a career with nearly three hundred different screen credits to his name, the late John Dehner certainly was a force worthy of some consideration on screens big and small. Genre fans probably remember him best for his contributions to The Catman Of Paris (1946), Aladdin And His Lamp (1952), The Twilight Zone, Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, Land Of The Giants, and The Boys From Brazil (1978). Though he's no longer with us, Dehner was born on this day in 1915. [Source: IMDB.com]
Well before he made a splash on the silver screen played Alfred for the Michael Keaton incarnation of Batman, the venerable Michael Gough had already made waves in the universe of Doctor Who: in 1966, he starred as the Toymaker, and in 1983 he played Councillor Hedin. Though he's no longer with us, Gough was born on this day in 1916. [Source: IMDB.com]
When I was a little guy and first saw Beneath The Planet Of The Apes (1970), I can remember being stunned by the finality of it all. In that seminal film of the Apes franchise, the venerable Paul Richards played 'Mendez,' one of those dwelling in secrecy beneath the surface and waiting to bring about certain doom. Though he's no longer with us, Richards was born on this day in 1924. [Source: IMDB.com]
If you've been an alien, then the odds are good that SciFiHistory.Net is going to find you! Such is the case for Robert Easton, the actor who played the all-important Klingon judge from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. The man enjoyed an amazing career with nearly 150 projects to his name, including participation in The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953), The Neanderthal Man (1953), Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea (1961), Stingray, Lost In Space, The Giant Spider Invasion (1975), and The Bionic Woman. Though he's no longer with us, Easton was born on this day in 1930. [Source: IMDB.com]
Cinema great Franco Nero had an uncredited role aboard The Visitor (1979), a drama that mixed SciFi and fantasy elements as the long-standing tough guy played no less than a blond Jesus Christ (above center). Nero was born on this day in 1941. [Source: IMDB.com]
Many SciFi fans love John Carpenters' The Thing (1982) far more than I do. Don't get me wrong: I think as a film it's as technically accomplished as perhaps anything the director has done, but the story just didn't involve me as much as I would've liked. Still, it was graced with a stellar cast, including Peter Maloney as George Bennings. Maloney was born on this day in 1944. [Source: IMDB.com]
A brilliant David Rappaport helped elevate Time Bandits (1981) to box office gold for fans of SciFi and Fantasy. Though he's no longer with us, Rappaport was born on this day in 1951. [Source: IMDB.com]
Maxwell Caulfield dipped into the realm of Science Fiction with a role aboard Nightmare City 2035 (2007). Caulfield was born on this day in 1959 [Source: IMDB.com]
Few actresses can pull off 'delight' and 'wickedness' with as much vigor as the lovely Michelle Gomez displayed in her incarnation as 'The Master' aboard the BBC's long-running Doctor Who. Gomez was born on this day in 1966. [Source: IMDB.com]
Salli Richardson-Whitfield played 'Allison Blake' as part of Eureka for its run on SyFy. She also appeared briefly alongside Will Smith in 2007's I Am Legend. Richardson-Whitfield was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
Tough guy Oded Fehr has been doing what he can to survive the Apocalypse at the heart of the Resident Evil franchise. No stranger to quality genre work, Fehr was born on this day in 1970. [Source: IMDB.com]
Genre fans and #MeToo enthusiasts everywhere recognize the face and opinions of Chris Hardwick. Outside of hosting responsibilities for television programming centered on general pop culture, he's turned up with roles aboard The Zeta Project (animated), Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003), and Video Game High School. his career was nearly ended when allegations came forth from a former girlfriend about some very inappropriate behavior. Hardwick was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
Being as photogenic as Kelly Brook appears to be, she's definitely bound for bigger things. Still, she's served some time in the realm of Science Fiction, taking roles aboard the WB's Smallville as well as the somewhat maligned Metal Hurlant Chronicles. Brook was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Jonathan Sadowski (shown above from his work in Chernobyl Diaries) enjoyed a recurring role aboard Fox TV's Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Sadowski was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Hopefully, actor Ricky Whittle has seen better days in his tenure as Lincoln aboard the CW's SciFi-lite The 100. He moved on to the Starz Network's adaptation of American Gods. Whittle was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
Lia Marie Johnson (above right) took a wild ride aboard The Thinning, a web-based series involving Earth's future efforts to combat overpopulation. Johnson was born on this day in 1996. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 2001, The Day The World Ended showed audiences how the world ended. The feature starred Nastassja Kinski and Bobby Edner, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"When a killer alien creature, who is misunderstood, begins killing specific members of a small town, a school psychologist learns of its link to a young boy's tragic childhood, and his adoptive father's dark secret."
"When a killer alien creature, who is misunderstood, begins killing specific members of a small town, a school psychologist learns of its link to a young boy's tragic childhood, and his adoptive father's dark secret."
On this day in 2013, the SciFi/Telefilm Stonados proved once again that 'Global Warming' is the least of our worries. The feature starred Paul Johansson and Sebastian Spence, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"When a tornado appears in the waters south of Boston, former storm chaser Joe Randall is intrigued by the unusual weather. But as twisters begin to strike across the Boston shoreline, Joe quickly realizes this is no ordinary storm front. As the storms threaten to move inland, the citizens of Boston find themselves trapped in a tempest turning deadlier by the minute. With the city under siege, Joe, his sister Maddy and his old storm chasing partner Lee realize they're dealing with a never before seen weather phenomenon known as Stonados. The only chance of stopping the storm is an untested theory about weather manipulation... the same theory that Joe has been trying to prove for over a decade. But with the storm spreading and threatening the entire Eastern Seaboard-as well as Joe's children who are trapped in a storm-besieged stadium-Joe and his motley crew will have to give it a try, either saving the world... or accelerating its destruction!"
"When a tornado appears in the waters south of Boston, former storm chaser Joe Randall is intrigued by the unusual weather. But as twisters begin to strike across the Boston shoreline, Joe quickly realizes this is no ordinary storm front. As the storms threaten to move inland, the citizens of Boston find themselves trapped in a tempest turning deadlier by the minute. With the city under siege, Joe, his sister Maddy and his old storm chasing partner Lee realize they're dealing with a never before seen weather phenomenon known as Stonados. The only chance of stopping the storm is an untested theory about weather manipulation... the same theory that Joe has been trying to prove for over a decade. But with the storm spreading and threatening the entire Eastern Seaboard-as well as Joe's children who are trapped in a storm-besieged stadium-Joe and his motley crew will have to give it a try, either saving the world... or accelerating its destruction!"
On this day in 1951, Tales Of Tomorrow aired "Enemy Unknown." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"A government on the verge of meltdown requests the help of a renown astrophysicist who refuses their plea for assistance."
"A government on the verge of meltdown requests the help of a renown astrophysicist who refuses their plea for assistance."
On this day in 1970, Timeslip aired "The Time Of The Ice Box: Part 3." This served as the ninth episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An increasingly duplicitous Traynor convinces Simon to return through the time barrier against the wishes of Liz's parents."
"An increasingly duplicitous Traynor convinces Simon to return through the time barrier against the wishes of Liz's parents."
On this day in 1974, Partridge Family 2200 A.D. aired "The Switch." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary from the Partridge Family 2200 A.D. online website:
"When Danny pulls the lever on Dr. Binkey's Molecular Transformer, Keith and a gorilla switch bodies! The Family does its show with a crowd-pleasing addition. Danny gets his due as Veenie mistakenly flips the switch while Danny and a pig are demontsrating the machine."
"When Danny pulls the lever on Dr. Binkey's Molecular Transformer, Keith and a gorilla switch bodies! The Family does its show with a crowd-pleasing addition. Danny gets his due as Veenie mistakenly flips the switch while Danny and a pig are demontsrating the machine."
On this day in 1981, Blake's 7 aired "Sand." This served as the ninth episode to the program's fourth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Marooned on the arid desert world of Virn, Tarrant and his enemy must confront each other, and the past, whilst trying to solve the mystery of a lost Federation expedition. Meanwhile, time is running out for the struggling Scorpio and Orac."
"Marooned on the arid desert world of Virn, Tarrant and his enemy must confront each other, and the past, whilst trying to solve the mystery of a lost Federation expedition. Meanwhile, time is running out for the struggling Scorpio and Orac."
On this day in 1984, the invaders of V pressed forward their plot to claim Earth's resources as their own. The episode, "Visitor's Choice," aired, and here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"The Resistance, led by Donovan, Julie, and Ham, stage a daring sabotage at a convention of Visitor commanders in a seaside estate where Diana intends to show off the ultimate device in processing humans for food."
"The Resistance, led by Donovan, Julie, and Ham, stage a daring sabotage at a convention of Visitor commanders in a seaside estate where Diana intends to show off the ultimate device in processing humans for food."
On this day in 1985, CBS's Airwolf aired "Jennie." This served as the ninth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary that's listed on IMDB.com:
"Hawke helps a woman rescue children refugees from a mad scientist' unmanned tanks."
"Hawke helps a woman rescue children refugees from a mad scientist' unmanned tanks."
It all came down to this: on this day in 1985, The Tripods aired its series finale titled "The Forest of Death." This served as the twelfth episode of the second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Almost captured by the Black Guard, Will and Beanpole are hidden by a traveling circus. After finding out the leader is going to betray them to the Tripods, Will convinces the other kids working there to escape with them to The White Mountains."
"Almost captured by the Black Guard, Will and Beanpole are hidden by a traveling circus. After finding out the leader is going to betray them to the Tripods, Will convinces the other kids working there to escape with them to The White Mountains."
On this day in 1994, Babylon 5 aired "A Distant Star," the fourth episode of the program's second season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's what you need to know about it:
"Captain Sheridan's old commanding officer arrives at the station, and disaster ensues in Hyperspace."
"Captain Sheridan's old commanding officer arrives at the station, and disaster ensues in Hyperspace."
On this day in 1997, Fox TV's The X-Files aired "Detour." This served as the fourth episode in the long-running program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Agents Mulder and Scully investigate the disappearances of several people and a boy's claims that he was attacked by an invisible creature."
"Agents Mulder and Scully investigate the disappearances of several people and a boy's claims that he was attacked by an invisible creature."
On this day in 1998, Earth: Final Conflict aired "Redemption." This served as the eighth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Siobhan falls while rock climbing. As the others search for her, she dreams that she is on trial for supporting the Taelons. Zo'or questions whether Sandoval's CVI imperative to serve the Taelons has broken down as others are experiencing."
"Siobhan falls while rock climbing. As the others search for her, she dreams that she is on trial for supporting the Taelons. Zo'or questions whether Sandoval's CVI imperative to serve the Taelons has broken down as others are experiencing."
On this day in 2002, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed aired "The Songstress of the Enemy Forces." This served as the eighth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A war is under way between genetically enhanced Coordinators and unmodified Naturals."
"A war is under way between genetically enhanced Coordinators and unmodified Naturals."
On this day in 2002, Mutant X aired "Sign From Above." This served as the eighth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Three extraterrestrials who pose a serious threat to humanity target Shalimar, so the team set out to save her from their evil clutches."
"Three extraterrestrials who pose a serious threat to humanity target Shalimar, so the team set out to save her from their evil clutches."
On this day in 2015, Fox TV's Minority Report aired "Memento Mori." This served as the ninth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Upon learning the Defense Intelligence Agency is on the trail of the precogs, Black withholds pertinent information and Arthur decides to take matters into his own hands to rescue them."
"Upon learning the Defense Intelligence Agency is on the trail of the precogs, Black withholds pertinent information and Arthur decides to take matters into his own hands to rescue them."
It all began right here: on this day in 2015, Syfy launched what it felt would be an all-new signature Science Fiction program with the debut of The Expanse. The first episode was titled "Dulcinea," and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In the outer solar system near Saturn, James Holden and the crew of the ice-freighter Canterbury, investigate a distress call from a mysterious derelict ship, the Scopuli. On Ceres Station, Detective Miller begins an off the book investigation of a missing heiress, Julie Mao."
"In the outer solar system near Saturn, James Holden and the crew of the ice-freighter Canterbury, investigate a distress call from a mysterious derelict ship, the Scopuli. On Ceres Station, Detective Miller begins an off the book investigation of a missing heiress, Julie Mao."
