I've often cited Back To The Future as one of my all-time favorite Science Fiction comedies, and -- so far as many are concerned -- it remains one of the finest time travel stories in all of cinema even decades after its theatrical release. It's so popular to this day that the first film is quite often screened in theaters that sponsored 'classic film series,' and this gives younger and newer viewers the chance to experience its subtle brilliance up on the silver screen where it looks grand.
In any event, one of the seminal points of the greater BTTF mythology is the fact that it was on this day -- November 5th -- back in 1955 that Doc Brown first conceived of the Flux Capacitor, the very device which would make time travel a reality in the Fantastical universe of film. Thanks, Doc, for making it all possible, and kudos for giving us a date worth remembering.
For those who'd like to know more, you can check out this article I found on the web regarding this aspect of the trilogy.
In any event, one of the seminal points of the greater BTTF mythology is the fact that it was on this day -- November 5th -- back in 1955 that Doc Brown first conceived of the Flux Capacitor, the very device which would make time travel a reality in the Fantastical universe of film. Thanks, Doc, for making it all possible, and kudos for giving us a date worth remembering.
For those who'd like to know more, you can check out this article I found on the web regarding this aspect of the trilogy.
Though he'll no doubt always be remembered as one of America's quintessential cowboys, Roy Rogers certainly stretched his legs in other ways. Still, how cool is it that one of his last appearances was alongside the Lynda Carter in a television episode of Wonder Woman? Saddle up, pard'ner! Though he's no longer with us, Rogers was born on this day in 1911. [Source: IMDB.com]
Robert Fortier enjoyed a small role aboard "By Any Other Name," a second season outing for the classic Star Trek. The actor also enjoyed three visits to The Outer Limits. Though he's no longer with us, Fortier was born on this day in 1926. [Source: IMDB.com]
Richard Davalos enjoyed a small role aboard 1980's oft-overlooked SciFi/Cult film from Roger Corman: Battle Beyond The Stars. The actor enjoyed a solid career, with a resume of nearly sixty different screen credits, but his work was fairly light in gene entertainment. Not long after his work in Corman's film, he did have a small role in Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) for Walt Disney Productions. Though he's no longer with us, Davalos was born on this day in 1930. [Source: IMDB.com]
Who could ever blame Scotty for calling dibs on 'Lt. Mira Romaine,' am I right? The lovely Jan Shutan put in a terrific guest appearance aboard Star Trek's better-than-average third season outing, "The Lights of Zetar." The actress also paid visits to the TV world of The Outer Limits and Rod Serling's Night Gallery. Shutan was born on this day in 1932. [Source: IMDB.com]
The late Victor Argo enjoyed a supporting role of some nefarious reputation for his work aboard "The Plot To Kill A City," a two-part adventure from Buck Rogers In The 25th Century's first season. The actor also enjoyed work in such properties as Wonder Woman, Early Edition, and a wealth of more conventional fare. Though he's no longer with us, Argo was born on this day in 1934. [Source: IMDB.com]
David Battley enjoyed a role aboard Krull (1983), one of the (sadly) most forgettable space fantasies to emerge from the great 1980's. Still, on the Fantasy front, he enjoyed some screen time aboard Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971), one of those rare features which appears timelessly appreciated by audiences of all ages. Though he's no longer with us, Battley was born on this day in 1935. [Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable Harris Yulin has occasionally jumped into some meaty roles in SciFi properties, giving SciFi fans the chance to marvel at his prowess as a talent. Yulin has boarded Wonder Woman, Ghostbusters II, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The X-Files, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Yulin was born on this day in 1937. [Source: IMDB.com]
The always lovely Elke Sommer joined Lee Majors for a special episode of the SciFi favorite program, The Six Million Dollar Man, during its run. Sommer was born on this day in 1940. [Source: IMDB.com]
Early in his professional career, the revered Sam Shepard staked out his place in Fantasy with a role aboard Resurrection (1980). Though he's no longer with us, Shepard was born on this day in 1943. [Source: IMDB.com]
The character of Quark (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) was probably one of those as fun to write for as it was to play. Quark's singular obsession with 'profit' made for many moments of comic relief, but it also gave him an undercurrent of a relatable personality that translated to contemporary audiences. Whatever the truth may be, Armin Shimerman did a masterful job, especially under all that make-up, in bringing the singular Ferengi to life. Shimerman celebrates his birthday today, born on this day back in 1949. [Source: IMDB.com]
The career of Kelley Miles is marked by a few interesting entries. First -- as an actress -- she made an appearance aboard the fondly-remembered Buck Rogers In The 25th Century's first season. Then -- as a screenwriter -- she crafted the story for the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine installment titled "Sanctuary." Miles was born on this day in 1952. [Source: IMDB.com]
Former bodybuilder Teagan Clive took a swing at genre history with work aboard such projects as Sinbad Of The Seven Seas (1989), Interzone (1989), and Alienator (1990). Clive was born on this day in 1955. [Source: IMDB.com]
The late Jon-Erik Hexum played Phineas Bogg, the member of a league of time travelers, in TV's Voyagers! Though he's no longer with us, Hexum was born on this day in 1957. [Source: IMDB.com]
In Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Robert Patrick entered the franchise as the new model of robotic from the future, this one with the ability to shift his metallic body into different identities. Patrick was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
Early in her professional career, Shawn Ora Engemann enjoyed a handful of appearances to NBC's SciFi-lite juggernaut Knight Rider. Engemann was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
Despite his awful politics, Bryan Adams remains one of my personal favorite performers. Thankfully, he has a SciFi credit -- his song "Try To See It My Way" was featured on the soundtrack of the SciFi/Cult flick Voyage Of The Rock Aliens (1984) -- so that I can give him a proper shout-out here. Adams was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
Eric Menyuk morphed into the early mythology of Star Trek: The Next Generation by bringing to life the mysterical character known only as 'The Traveler.' Menyuk was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
Critical darling Tilda Swinton tried something radically different by stepping into the shoes of Mason in 2013's Snowpiercer, a truly great entry in the field of Science Fiction though it failed to light a fire with audiences. Swinton was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
Gina Mastrogiacomo had a terrific guest role aboard Fox TV's popular The X-Files in the program's seventh season. Also -- back in 1989 -- she had a small role in the Cult flick, Alien Space Avenger. Though she's no longer with us, Mastrogiacomo was born on this day in 1961. [Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran character actor Michael Gaston frequently shows up in genre entertainment as a kinda/sorta authority figure gone bad. Fans have enjoyed his work in such projects as Hackers, Jericho, Fringe, and The Last Resort. Gaston was born on this day in 1962. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Famke Janssen played Kamala in an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation that saw Capt. Picard struggling between his duty as a diplomat and a man smitten with her charms. And need I mention the X-Men franchise? Janssen was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
Leni Parker braved five seasons of make-up to transform herself into one of the aliens central to the stories behind Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict (1997-2002). Parker was born on this day in 1966. [Source: IMDB.com]
Long before he became the preacher everyone loved to hate on AMC's The Walking Dead, actor Seth Gilliam was fighting alongside Johnny Rico in keeping the galaxy safe from those pesky bugs in 1997's Starship Troopers. Gilliam was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Sam Rockwell was responsible for so much of the comic relief in the already-funny Galaxy Quest. He played Guy Fleegman to great acclaim across fandom. Wouldn't it be great to see a sequel? Rockwell was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
A luminous Tamzin Outhwaite gave Doctor Who fans something to cheer about with an appearance in the program's seventh season opposite Matt Smith. The actress also played a role in the hard-to-find Paradox miniseries. Outhwaite was born on this day in 1970. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman Chris Addison enjoyed a recurring guest spot aboard the BBC's popular Doctor Who during its eighth season. Addison was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
Have you seen Star Trek: Renegades? Basically, Renegades is one of those web-based projects tinkering within the greater Trek universe, and -- so far as this fan is concerned -- it has vastly more heart, ideas, and intelligence than the big screen JJ Abrams' films could ever hope for. In it, the reliable Corin Nemec turns in a solid performance as Capt. Alvarez ... and it's so good here's hoping CBS takes notice of the guy's work for a possible role in ANY forthcoming Trek project. Yes, it's that good. A veteran of Stargate: SG-1, Nemec was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sam Page joined no less than Ryan Reynolds in the SciFi thriller Self/Less during the summer of 2015. Unfortunately, audiences pretty much stayed away, no fault of the actor I suppose. In any event, he's also booked screen time aboard Micro Mini Kids (2001), Point Pleasant, The Event, and Last Resort. Page was born on this day in 1976. [Source: IMDB.com]
Go girl power ... even if it's maybe a little evil! The lovely Romi Dames brings to vocal life Lena Luthor for the greater universe of DC Super Hero Girls. Dames was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
In his youth, Mario Yedidia staked out the realm of Fantasy with a top role aboard Warriors Of Virtue (1997). Yedidia was born on this day in 1984. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Nikolette Noel properly suited up for active duty to protect mankind from those pesky Dragon Wasps (2012). Noel was born on this day in 1986. [Source: IMDB.com]
Relative newcomer Madison McLaughlin survived a Meteor Apocalypse (2010) and now finds herself spending time in more conventional territory. Let's hope she doesn't leave SciFi behind! McLaughlin was born on this day in 1995. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1951, When Worlds Collide enjoyed an extremely limited theatrical engagement for residents of Buffalo, New York. Directed by Rudolph Maté, the SciFi/Drama starred Richard Derr and Barbara Rush, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"As a new star and planet hurtle toward a doomed Earth, a small group of survivalists frantically work to complete the rocket which will take them to their new home."
"As a new star and planet hurtle toward a doomed Earth, a small group of survivalists frantically work to complete the rocket which will take them to their new home."
On this day in 1952 (in Argentina), the SciFi/Classic The Day The Earth Stood Still enjoyed its theatrical run. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets."
"An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets."
On this day in 1978, TV executives went back to the well with the airing of an updated version of H.G. Wells' The Time Machine. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here was the telefilm's plot summary:
"A scientist builds a machine that will enable him to travel back and forth in time, but when he puts it in motion, he gets more than he bargained for."
For what it's worth, those interested in checking this one out it does look like it's available up on YouTube.com (as are so many of these forgotten airings); the link for viewing is right here. You're welcome!
"A scientist builds a machine that will enable him to travel back and forth in time, but when he puts it in motion, he gets more than he bargained for."
For what it's worth, those interested in checking this one out it does look like it's available up on YouTube.com (as are so many of these forgotten airings); the link for viewing is right here. You're welcome!
On this day in 1979 (in Cyprus and Greece), Alien sunk its teeth into the box office. Directed by Ridley Scott, the SciFi feature starred Sigourney Weaver and Tom Skerritt, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After a space merchant vessel receives an unknown transmission as a distress call, one of the crew is attacked by a mysterious life form and they soon realize that its life cycle has merely begun."
"After a space merchant vessel receives an unknown transmission as a distress call, one of the crew is attacked by a mysterious life form and they soon realize that its life cycle has merely begun."
On this day in 1982 (in Denmark), Battletruck roared on the highways into theatres. Directed by Harley Cokeliss, the SciFi feature starred Michael Beck and James Wainwright, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Post World War III futuristic tale of collapsed governments & bankrupt countries heralding a new lawless age."
For those who might interested in a bit more, it looks as if this is another one of those forgotten films that is up for viewing free on YouTube.com. The link for viewing is right here. You're welcome!
"Post World War III futuristic tale of collapsed governments & bankrupt countries heralding a new lawless age."
For those who might interested in a bit more, it looks as if this is another one of those forgotten films that is up for viewing free on YouTube.com. The link for viewing is right here. You're welcome!
On this day in 1983 (in Italy), Endgame opened its doors for theatrical business. Written (in part) and directed by Joe D'Amato, this SciFi feature starred Al Cliver and Laura Gemser, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A telepathic mutant recruits a post-World War III TV game-show warrior to lead her band of mutants to safety."
"A telepathic mutant recruits a post-World War III TV game-show warrior to lead her band of mutants to safety."
On this day in 1993, RoboCop and the whole gang kinda/sorta returned in a film most of the franchise's ardent fans ignored. RoboCop 3 saw Alex Murphy return to the silver screen with a new actor in the suit, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Robocop saves the day once more. This time the half man/half robot takes on ruthless developers who want to evict some people on "their" land."
"Robocop saves the day once more. This time the half man/half robot takes on ruthless developers who want to evict some people on "their" land."
On this day in 1999, the SciFi/Telefilm Avalon: Beyond The Abyss served up a dose of Science Fiction beneath the sea. The feature starred Parker Stevenson and Mehgan Heaney-Grier, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"An island blows up, and from its remains a black poison fills the ocean. A team of underwater specialists with high-tech gear have to stop the poison before it contaminates the earth, but things get increasingly bizarre the more they investigate."
"An island blows up, and from its remains a black poison fills the ocean. A team of underwater specialists with high-tech gear have to stop the poison before it contaminates the earth, but things get increasingly bizarre the more they investigate."
On this day in 2003 (in Italy), Alien Hunter enjoyed its release on home video. Directed by Ron Krauss, the SciFi feature starred James Spader and Janine Eser, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An alien black box is found in the South Pole, where a government agency is conducting botanical experiments."
"An alien black box is found in the South Pole, where a government agency is conducting botanical experiments."
On this day in 1955, Science Fiction Theatre aired "The Unexplored." Officially, this served as the twenty-eighth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A Parapsychologist has his funding cut at a college. In a last ditch effort to prove the worth of his research he uses techniques he's developed to try and locate a member of the college staff who has gone missing."
"A Parapsychologist has his funding cut at a college. In a last ditch effort to prove the worth of his research he uses techniques he's developed to try and locate a member of the college staff who has gone missing."
On this day in 1963 (in Japan), the SciFi/Anime classic Astroboy aired "Cleopatra's Necklace." Officially, this served as the forty-fifth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by MyAnimeList:
"The gang of conspirators obtains the coveted necklace, and at last sets about conquering the world. However, Astro Boy stands in the way of their boss, Cleopatra."
For those who might be interested in a bit more, I did find an online review/essay regarding this episode and another in Astroboy's run, and you can read it right here.
"The gang of conspirators obtains the coveted necklace, and at last sets about conquering the world. However, Astro Boy stands in the way of their boss, Cleopatra."
For those who might be interested in a bit more, I did find an online review/essay regarding this episode and another in Astroboy's run, and you can read it right here.
On this day in 1966, Doctor Who aired "The Power Of The Daleks: Part 1." This served as the ninth episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as listed on IMDB.com:
"The TARDIS arrives on the Earth colony of Vulcan where the newly-regenerated Doctor assumes the identity of an Earth Examiner."
"The TARDIS arrives on the Earth colony of Vulcan where the newly-regenerated Doctor assumes the identity of an Earth Examiner."
On this day in 1977, Doctor Who aired "Image Of The Fendahl: Part 2." This served as the tenth episode of the program's fifteenth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Every time the archaeologists explore the ancient skull, something deadly hunts and haunts the wood while one of the researchers is particularly affected."
"Every time the archaeologists explore the ancient skull, something deadly hunts and haunts the wood while one of the researchers is particularly affected."
On this day in 1977, Space Academy aired "Planet Of Fire." Officially, this served as the ninth episode in the program's first and only season on television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Tee Gar invents the Cryotron, a device that emits an amazing freeze ray, but which is also unstable and causes whatever is frozen to explode within minutes. While conducting field tests, the Cryotron falls into the hands of an alien."
For those looking for a bit more, longtime SciFi scribe and critic John Kenneth Muir has written a reflection on this particular episode of Space Academy, and interested parties can find the brief essay right here.
"Tee Gar invents the Cryotron, a device that emits an amazing freeze ray, but which is also unstable and causes whatever is frozen to explode within minutes. While conducting field tests, the Cryotron falls into the hands of an alien."
For those looking for a bit more, longtime SciFi scribe and critic John Kenneth Muir has written a reflection on this particular episode of Space Academy, and interested parties can find the brief essay right here.
On this day in 1982, The Powers of Matthew Star aired "Winning." This served as the seventh episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Jealous over the star quarterback catching Pam's attention, Matthew has a try-out to join the football team."
"Jealous over the star quarterback catching Pam's attention, Matthew has a try-out to join the football team."
On this day in 1983, Manimal aired "High Stakes." This served as the fifth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Jonathan and Ty are at the race track. A female horse owner sees another racing and thinks that it's her horse which was stolen sometime ago. She confronts the man who owns the horse and says she's wrong but she insists she's right. Jonathan decides to help her."
"Jonathan and Ty are at the race track. A female horse owner sees another racing and thinks that it's her horse which was stolen sometime ago. She confronts the man who owns the horse and says she's wrong but she insists she's right. Jonathan decides to help her."
On this day in 1983, Gerry Anderson's Terrahawks aired "The Ugliest Monster Of All." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Spacehawk picks up an unmanned and unharmed space capsule, then finds it contains Yuri, a cuddly space bear, Mary Falconer and Kate Kestrel adopt Yuri as their pet - but the bear is really Zelda's agent."
"When Spacehawk picks up an unmanned and unharmed space capsule, then finds it contains Yuri, a cuddly space bear, Mary Falconer and Kate Kestrel adopt Yuri as their pet - but the bear is really Zelda's agent."
On this day in 1986, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers aired "Rogue Arm." This (technically) served as the program's forty-second episode (they were aired wildly out of sequence), and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Queen of the Crown develops a new psychocrystal and sends it through hyperspace. The Galaxy Rangers are testing a newly christened ship, the crystal invades the ship. Zachery finds the crystal, and the crystal takes control of his bionic arm. The remaining rangers must stop the crystal controlled arm to save their friend."
"The Queen of the Crown develops a new psychocrystal and sends it through hyperspace. The Galaxy Rangers are testing a newly christened ship, the crystal invades the ship. Zachery finds the crystal, and the crystal takes control of his bionic arm. The remaining rangers must stop the crystal controlled arm to save their friend."
On this day in 1988, Superboy aired "Countdown To Nowhere." Officially, this served as the fifth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The world first learns of the new hero, Superboy, when he rescues Lana Lang from kidnapper Roscoe Williams (Doug Barr)."
"The world first learns of the new hero, Superboy, when he rescues Lana Lang from kidnapper Roscoe Williams (Doug Barr)."
Occasionally, even a show like The X-Files might have to look at ideas already explored elsewhere in order to push its mythology forward. Case in point: this first season outing called "Ice" was more than passingly familiar to John Carpenter's The Thing (1982). Don't think so? Well, here's the plot summary for this 1993 episode from IMDB.com to give you something to think about:
"Mulder, Scully and 3 scientists travel to the arctic to investigate what happened to the previous team of scientists sent there, and discover what they believe is a new life-form that makes its host want to kill other people."
"Mulder, Scully and 3 scientists travel to the arctic to investigate what happened to the previous team of scientists sent there, and discover what they believe is a new life-form that makes its host want to kill other people."
An attack on Earth forces a delegation of UN diplomats to stage their upcoming secret meeting aboard the USS Saratoga, putting the entire ship at risk. "Eyes" premiered as part of Space: Above and Beyond's only season on this day back in 1995.
As much as I do honestly respect most things Star Trek related, I could pick on Star Trek: Voyager all day. It isn't that I didn't like the program; rather it's that I thought most of the program was a missed opportunity. Here was a Federation ship all the way on the other side of existence, and yet somehow they managed to fairly easily make ends meet with little to no trouble. When they did hit one out of the park, though, I was the program's biggest fan. Such was the case with the eighth episode of the fourth season, a wonderful little adventure titled "Year of Hell, Part 1." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's what you need to know about it about the adventure that aired on this day in 1997:
"Voyager comes across a Krenim timeship that is wiping whole species from existence by changing the existing timeline."
What really made this particular episode of Voyager work was the fact that everything -- and I do mean everything -- finally got dirty. Real dirty. Soot-covered filthy dirty. The ship itself was practically in pieces. Crew members didn't quite know what to do about their circumstances. And, yet, they persevered on. It was epic, messy, and although the writers managed to hit the reset button in Part 2 that followed, it was still glorious while it all looked so hopeless. Bravo, Voyager, for doing something different!
"Voyager comes across a Krenim timeship that is wiping whole species from existence by changing the existing timeline."
What really made this particular episode of Voyager work was the fact that everything -- and I do mean everything -- finally got dirty. Real dirty. Soot-covered filthy dirty. The ship itself was practically in pieces. Crew members didn't quite know what to do about their circumstances. And, yet, they persevered on. It was epic, messy, and although the writers managed to hit the reset button in Part 2 that followed, it was still glorious while it all looked so hopeless. Bravo, Voyager, for doing something different!
On this day in 1999, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Foothold." Officially, this served as the fourteenth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"SG-1 is late returning from a mission and are sent directly to sick bay for decontamination. They are all sedated but it doesn't work on Teal'c and he soon realizes that aliens have taken control of Stargate Command. He frees Major Carter who makes her way to Washington where she contacts Col. Harry Maybourne to tell him they are facing a 'foothold' situation. Maybourne is highly skeptical but Carter soon shows him the danger they are facing."
"SG-1 is late returning from a mission and are sent directly to sick bay for decontamination. They are all sedated but it doesn't work on Teal'c and he soon realizes that aliens have taken control of Stargate Command. He frees Major Carter who makes her way to Washington where she contacts Col. Harry Maybourne to tell him they are facing a 'foothold' situation. Maybourne is highly skeptical but Carter soon shows him the danger they are facing."
On this day in 2000, Code Name: Eternity aired "Chameleon." This served as the twenty-fourth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"Ethaniel, Laura and Tawrens watch as Banning's men pick up some item, wanting to know what he is up to they attack and appropriate the item and get away quickly. When Ethaniel and Laura get back to their yacht they examine what they have and discover that it is a device that enables anyone to look, talk and act like anyone else... a chameleon machine. When Tawrens doesn't return, he met up with Myroc and was captured, Ethaniel decides to use the device to disguise himself as Dent and rescue him. At the same time Banning manages to track down the location of the yacht and sends Dent to deal with his enemies. This lead to confusion all round as Banning thinks Myroc has the device, Ethaniel thinks Banning has Tawrens and Myroc just wants money for handing over Tawrens. With Banning thinking Ethaniel is Dent and Laura thinking that Dent is Ethaniel using the device thinks just get even more confusing!"
"Ethaniel, Laura and Tawrens watch as Banning's men pick up some item, wanting to know what he is up to they attack and appropriate the item and get away quickly. When Ethaniel and Laura get back to their yacht they examine what they have and discover that it is a device that enables anyone to look, talk and act like anyone else... a chameleon machine. When Tawrens doesn't return, he met up with Myroc and was captured, Ethaniel decides to use the device to disguise himself as Dent and rescue him. At the same time Banning manages to track down the location of the yacht and sends Dent to deal with his enemies. This lead to confusion all round as Banning thinks Myroc has the device, Ethaniel thinks Banning has Tawrens and Myroc just wants money for handing over Tawrens. With Banning thinking Ethaniel is Dent and Laura thinking that Dent is Ethaniel using the device thinks just get even more confusing!"
On this day in 2000, The X-Files aired "Within." Officially, this served as the first episode of the long-running program's eighth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"New Deputy Director Kersh has Agent John Doggett investigate the missing Mulder case. Doggett's skeptical treatment of Mulder's disappearance puts a thorn in Scully and Skinner's sides."
"New Deputy Director Kersh has Agent John Doggett investigate the missing Mulder case. Doggett's skeptical treatment of Mulder's disappearance puts a thorn in Scully and Skinner's sides."
On this day in 2001, Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda aired "All Too Human." This served as the sixth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Harper, Rev, Tyr wait for Rommie in the Maru. Rommie's on a mission to find out about a new weapon being developed. Once their contact find out she's an AI, he becomes wary of Rommie. The AIs on the planet had revolted against their creators years ago."
"Harper, Rev, Tyr wait for Rommie in the Maru. Rommie's on a mission to find out about a new weapon being developed. Once their contact find out she's an AI, he becomes wary of Rommie. The AIs on the planet had revolted against their creators years ago."
On this day in 2001, Earth: Final Conflict aired "Guilty Conscience." This served as the seventh episode of the program's fifth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A former Doors employee who has been turned into a hybrid tells Renee to stop a project just before he dies. The project seems to be an attempt to create Atavus hybrids faster."
"A former Doors employee who has been turned into a hybrid tells Renee to stop a project just before he dies. The project seems to be an attempt to create Atavus hybrids faster."
On this day in 2002, Smallville aired "Lineage." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A woman appears in Smallville claiming that Clark is her biological son by Lionel Luthor, and she kidnaps Lex to force a confession from Lionel. Clark demands that his parents explain what role Lionel Luthor played in his adoption."
"A woman appears in Smallville claiming that Clark is her biological son by Lionel Luthor, and she kidnaps Lex to force a confession from Lionel. Clark demands that his parents explain what role Lionel Luthor played in his adoption."
On this day in 2003, Smallville aired "Relic." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Lana Lang visits a sick, elderly man who has been in prison for more than 40 years for allegedly killing his beloved wife. He shows a picture of a suspect who resembles Clark Kent in an old newspaper to Lana. Clark Kent, after seeing a Kryptonian symbol on a necklace of the suspect, believes that the young stranger was, in fact, Jor-El. After being "downloaded" with the memories of Jor-El from the same symbol in the caves, Clark is slowly able to piece together the events of the past whenever he touches an object with a connection which leads him to the truth regarding who the true killer was."
"Lana Lang visits a sick, elderly man who has been in prison for more than 40 years for allegedly killing his beloved wife. He shows a picture of a suspect who resembles Clark Kent in an old newspaper to Lana. Clark Kent, after seeing a Kryptonian symbol on a necklace of the suspect, believes that the young stranger was, in fact, Jor-El. After being "downloaded" with the memories of Jor-El from the same symbol in the caves, Clark is slowly able to piece together the events of the past whenever he touches an object with a connection which leads him to the truth regarding who the true killer was."
On this day in 2003, Star Trek: Enterprise aired "Twilight." This served as the eighth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"Enterprise is hit with a rather intense anomaly. Refusing to leave an injured T'Pol behind, Archer is struck by the anomaly, leaving his brain infected with parasites, preventing him from making any new memories. Fast-forward 12 years. T'Pol has been caring for Archer since his affliction. As she does every day, T'Pol catches Archer up on the past 12 years, knowing he will forget everything within hours. She was in command of Enterprise after his injury, that the parasites live outside normal space-time and usual remedies never worked, that the Xindi were successful, and managed to destroy Earth and kill all but 6,000 humans. But today is special; Dr. Phlox is ready to give Archer the treatment he has been developing for ten years, which must be performed on Enterprise."
"Enterprise is hit with a rather intense anomaly. Refusing to leave an injured T'Pol behind, Archer is struck by the anomaly, leaving his brain infected with parasites, preventing him from making any new memories. Fast-forward 12 years. T'Pol has been caring for Archer since his affliction. As she does every day, T'Pol catches Archer up on the past 12 years, knowing he will forget everything within hours. She was in command of Enterprise after his injury, that the parasites live outside normal space-time and usual remedies never worked, that the Xindi were successful, and managed to destroy Earth and kill all but 6,000 humans. But today is special; Dr. Phlox is ready to give Archer the treatment he has been developing for ten years, which must be performed on Enterprise."
On this day in 2004, Andromeda aired "Attempting Screed." This served as the seventh episode of the program's fifth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"The return of Flavin sparks a conflict between two rival gangs over who gets his ship and the bounties within. Rhade and Harper play the two sides to make money off their enmity. Meanwhile Flavin leads Dylan on a journey to help him develop as a Paradine."
"The return of Flavin sparks a conflict between two rival gangs over who gets his ship and the bounties within. Rhade and Harper play the two sides to make money off their enmity. Meanwhile Flavin leads Dylan on a journey to help him develop as a Paradine."
On this day in 2004, Star Trek: Enterprise aired "Cold Station 12." This served as the fifth episode in the program's fourth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"The Augments are on their way to Cold Station 12, where Augments embryos are kept."
"The Augments are on their way to Cold Station 12, where Augments embryos are kept."
On this day in 2006, the BBC's Torchwood aired "Cyberwoman." This served as the fourth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"There's a dark secret in the basement of the Hub. Even Jack is unaware of it, but Ianto knows. And he'll go to any lengths, sacrifice anything and anyone, to protect what's down there."
"There's a dark secret in the basement of the Hub. Even Jack is unaware of it, but Ianto knows. And he'll go to any lengths, sacrifice anything and anyone, to protect what's down there."
NBC's stellar time-travel drama Journeyman aired a signature episode on this day in 2007. "Double Down" pitted the pitted traveler on a mission to restore the past with his wife, Livia, in order for him to preserve whatever chance they'd have at a future.
On this day in 2007, The Sarah Jane Adventures aired "Whatever Happened To Sarah Jane? Part 2." This served as the eighth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Removed from the twenty-first century Maria and Sarah Jane find themselves in limbo, where the Trickster tells them that Sarah Jane has been taken there to prevent her from stopping a meteorite hit Earth. Alan, intrigued that his daughter has disappeared, speaks to Andrea, who admits that it was her and not Sarah Jane that fell to her death in 1964 but now she has been offered a new life at her old friend's expense. However, when she is made aware of the situation,and after Alan has brought Maria back she sacrifices herself to restore Sarah Jane, who stops the meteorite threat. For the first time Alan becomes aware that his daughter's friends do not lead ordinary lives."
"Removed from the twenty-first century Maria and Sarah Jane find themselves in limbo, where the Trickster tells them that Sarah Jane has been taken there to prevent her from stopping a meteorite hit Earth. Alan, intrigued that his daughter has disappeared, speaks to Andrea, who admits that it was her and not Sarah Jane that fell to her death in 1964 but now she has been offered a new life at her old friend's expense. However, when she is made aware of the situation,and after Alan has brought Maria back she sacrifices herself to restore Sarah Jane, who stops the meteorite threat. For the first time Alan becomes aware that his daughter's friends do not lead ordinary lives."
On this day in 2009, The Sarah Jane Adventures aired "The Eternity Trap: Part 1." This served as the seventh episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Sarah Jane, Rani and Clyde meet up with Professor Celeste Rivers and her young assistant Toby at the supposedly haunted Ashenhill Manor where, in 1665, the two children of its owner, Lord Marchwood, were allegedly made to disappear by a sinister alchemist called Erasmus Darkening. Indeed Professor Rivers also vanishes from the manor's nursery, where the toys come to life and the message 'Get Out' appears. Rani and Clyde discover a secret passage which leads to Darkening's laboratory, whilst Sarah Jane is saved from a marauding creature by the shade of Lord Marchwood himself."
"Sarah Jane, Rani and Clyde meet up with Professor Celeste Rivers and her young assistant Toby at the supposedly haunted Ashenhill Manor where, in 1665, the two children of its owner, Lord Marchwood, were allegedly made to disappear by a sinister alchemist called Erasmus Darkening. Indeed Professor Rivers also vanishes from the manor's nursery, where the toys come to life and the message 'Get Out' appears. Rani and Clyde discover a secret passage which leads to Darkening's laboratory, whilst Sarah Jane is saved from a marauding creature by the shade of Lord Marchwood himself."
On this day in 2010, Syfy's Sanctuary aired "Trail Of Blood." This served as the fourth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The team gets a cryptic distress call that could only come from one person...Nikola Tesla."
"The team gets a cryptic distress call that could only come from one person...Nikola Tesla."
On this day in 2010, things heated up with the Smallville airing of "Ambush." This served as the seventh episode in the program's tenth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Clark is far from impressed that Lois barely dares rebuke her kid sister's mean pranks on both of them, while squirming for each, even offensive, whim of Pa, full general Sam Lane, as their Thanksgiving guest. Clark firmly but politely hosts the Lanes, while reasoning against the general's support for a bill to make 'registration' compulsory for superheroes, an obvious trap given the congressional supporters' antecedents. While Oliver investigates them, Clark saves everybody from proponent Rick Flag's Machiavellian rocket attempt on the general's life. Only when Lois finally sides with Clark against Pa, he reveal his ulterior motive for exaggerated rudeness."
"Clark is far from impressed that Lois barely dares rebuke her kid sister's mean pranks on both of them, while squirming for each, even offensive, whim of Pa, full general Sam Lane, as their Thanksgiving guest. Clark firmly but politely hosts the Lanes, while reasoning against the general's support for a bill to make 'registration' compulsory for superheroes, an obvious trap given the congressional supporters' antecedents. While Oliver investigates them, Clark saves everybody from proponent Rick Flag's Machiavellian rocket attempt on the general's life. Only when Lois finally sides with Clark against Pa, he reveal his ulterior motive for exaggerated rudeness."
On this day in 2010, Star Wars: The Clone Wars aired "Evil Plans." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"C-3PO and R2-D2 are tasked to get some Jogan fruit for a reception honoring Roonan Senator Aang. But the droids are targeted by bounty hunter Cad Bane who wants to extract information regarding the Senate from their data banks."
"C-3PO and R2-D2 are tasked to get some Jogan fruit for a reception honoring Roonan Senator Aang. But the droids are targeted by bounty hunter Cad Bane who wants to extract information regarding the Senate from their data banks."
Primeval: New World aired its second episode on this day in 2012 (in Canada) with the curiously named "Sisiutl." Audiences who were familiar with the National Geographic special on the prehistoric Titanaboa would be particularly jazzed about the 50 foot snake making an appearance as the 'monster of the week.' Here's the skinny from IMDB.com:
"Evan and Mac investigate a prehistoric sea-serpent terrorizing the waters near disputed First-Nations territory. Dylan faces a crossroads when Evan recruits her to join his team."
"Evan and Mac investigate a prehistoric sea-serpent terrorizing the waters near disputed First-Nations territory. Dylan faces a crossroads when Evan recruits her to join his team."
On this day in 2013, Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. aired "FZZT." This served as the sixth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Simmons becomes infected with an alien virus after exposing herself to a group of people that have come into contact with a Chitauri helmet."
"Simmons becomes infected with an alien virus after exposing herself to a group of people that have come into contact with a Chitauri helmet."
On this day in 2017, Star Trek: Discovery aired "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum." This served as the eighth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The U.S.S. Discovery is tasked with a high priority mission to the planet Pahvo and learn the science behind the Klingons' cloaking technology."
"The U.S.S. Discovery is tasked with a high priority mission to the planet Pahvo and learn the science behind the Klingons' cloaking technology."
