File this under "Dubious Under-Achievements Of A Show's First Season":
Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Code of Honor" premiered on this day (in syndication) back in 1987, and, boy, did it stink even back then. The story has the apparent leader of an alien culture -- who happens to resemble one of Earth's African-American -- taking a lusty interest in Tasha Yar, so he just up and chooses her to be his new mate; this forces his current wife -- who also resembles one of Earth's African-Americans -- to challenge the Enterprise officer to a fight to the death. Ahem.
It's an odd sort of racially-charged fiasco, if you ask me. I'm sure the writers never intended for an episode to be so ... so ... so ... what's the word? Indelicate? Kudos for trying to (once again) recapture some of the sentiments that made the original STAR TREK so enlightening ... but take back those kudos any time this episode gets any airtime ever.
Star Trek: The Next Generation's "Code of Honor" premiered on this day (in syndication) back in 1987, and, boy, did it stink even back then. The story has the apparent leader of an alien culture -- who happens to resemble one of Earth's African-American -- taking a lusty interest in Tasha Yar, so he just up and chooses her to be his new mate; this forces his current wife -- who also resembles one of Earth's African-Americans -- to challenge the Enterprise officer to a fight to the death. Ahem.
It's an odd sort of racially-charged fiasco, if you ask me. I'm sure the writers never intended for an episode to be so ... so ... so ... what's the word? Indelicate? Kudos for trying to (once again) recapture some of the sentiments that made the original STAR TREK so enlightening ... but take back those kudos any time this episode gets any airtime ever.
Eliezer Behar was one of the many, many bit players who went through the Hollywood mill who spent a career in smaller roles. He turned up as one of the technicians aboard Star Trek's "Dagger Of The Mind" in 1966. Though he's no longer with us, Behar was born on this day in 1906. [Source: IMDB.com]
Max Ehrlich led a life of variety in the field of entertainment, but SciFi fans probably know him best for his work as a screenwriter, for which he contributed scripts to Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Star Trek ("The Apple"), Z.P.G. (1972), and The Reincarnation of Peter Proud (1975). Though he's no longer with us, Ehrlich was born on this day in 1909. [Source: IMDB.com]
Odds are, SciFi fans are unfamiliar with the face of Janos Prohaska: that's largely owed to the fact that he worked beneath the masks of these various creatures! He contributed performances to such properties as The Outer Limits, The Munsters, Lost In Space, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Land of the Giants, Star Trek, and Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971). Though he's no longer with us, Prohaska was born on this day in 1919. [Source: IMDB.com]
It's a rather unfortunate fact, but you can't talk about science fiction and not eventually mention the name of Edward Wood Jr. For those of you who never heard it, Mr. Wood gave us the classic SciFi stinker Plan 9 From Outer Space, a film reviled as one of the worst flicks ever made ... and, yes, it just had to be a SciFi film. Though he's no longer with us, Wood Jr. was born on this day back in 1924.
The great Richard Jaeckel remains one of cinema's best tough guys so far as this viewer is concerned. SciFi fans might remember him best from The Green Slime (1968), Gemini Man, The Fantastic Journey, Salvage 1, and Starman (1984). Though he's no longer with us, Jaeckel was born on this day in 1926.
Dana Elcar had a small role in 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984), one that set in motion the events involving a space expedition to uncover what went wrong in the original 2001: A Space Odyssey. Though he's no longer with us, Elcar was born on this day in 1927.
Peter White is one of those fabulous character actors who always turns up in a supporting role wherein directors need a person of some authority. He's garnered some screen time aboard such projects as The Greatest American Hero, Superboy, Monsters, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Armageddon (1998), and The X-Files. White was born on this day in 1937. [Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran character actor Peter Coyote entered the field of Science Fiction when he appeared as the nameless government agent (in the novelization, he was called 'Keys,' referring to that big ring of keys he always had on his belt) trying to capture E.T. - The Extraterrestrial. He also had a recurring role on USA Network's The 4400. Coyote was born on this day back in 1941.
In Alien 3, Charles Dance plays "Clemens," a kinda/sorta penal colony physician who befriends Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) after she ends up on the prison planet. Dance has a distinguished career -- usually playing heavies or obsessive visionaries of a sort -- and he was born on this day back in 1946.
During Star Trek: The Next Generation's seventh season, showman Ben Vereen appeared in the role of a scientist and confidante for the Enterprise's engineer, Geordi LaForge. Vereen was born on this day in 1946.
In 2002's Minority Report, Jessica Harper (above right) played Anne Lively, one of the many folks wrapped up in the precognitions' accounts of impending crimes. Harper was born on this day in 1949.
With only a few dozens screen credits to her name, the lovely Karen Kopins only flirted with stardom. She did make some quality genre appearances, however, in such projects as Knight Rider, Creator (1985), and Amazing Stories. Kopins was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Bradley Whitford has certainly come a long way from his small role in Robocop 3, all the way to the point where he's one of the most recognizable and respected actors on television. Sadly, we don't see him in genre entertainment all that often, though he has gifted us with appearances in Tales from the Darkside, The X-Files, the telefilm Cloned, and Bicentennial Man. Whitford was born on this day in 1959.
With over one hundred screen credits to her name, the lovely Bonita Friedericy is an entertainment phenomenon. She's enjoyed exposure in such properties as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Angel, Star Trek: Enterprise, Alien Raiders (2008), and Chuck, to name but a few. Friedericy was born on this day in 1961. [Source: IMDB.com]
The versatile Martin Kemp definitely steers more toward mainstream projects than he does Science Fiction and Fantasy. Still, his work in such programs as Waxwork II: Lost In Time (1992), Highlander (TV), The Outer Limits, Cyber Bandits (1995), and Embrace of the Vampire (1995) deserve our attention. Kemp was born on this day in 1961. [Source: IMDB.com]
Joe Dixon enjoyed a small role aboard the Doctor Who episode "The End of Time, Part 2" in 2010. He also enjoyed a recurring role aboard the BBC's Atlantis. Dixon was born on this day in 1965. [Source: Doctor Who Guide]
International sensation Bai Ling enjoyed playing a Republic Senator in an uncredited performance from Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. She's also booked appearances in ABC TV's Lost and a host of other genre-related properties. Ling was born on this day in 1966.
The musical scores from the talented Michael Giacchino have graced such inspired genre projects as Star Trek (2009), ABC TV's Lost, Fox TV's Fringe, and Rogue One (2016). Giacchino was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
How has big screen stardom failed to find the incredible Manu Bennett? This guy rocks every role he assumes, from Starz Network's incredible Spartacus to MTV's lukewarm SciFi/Fantasy adaptation of The Shannara Chronicles. I, for one, love his work, and I encourage others to check it out whenever he appears. Bennett was born on this day in 1969.
The lovely Marjan Neshat wooed genre fans with her work aboard TV's Fringe, RoboCop (2014), and CBS's Person Of Interest. Neshat was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
Marc Menchaca continues to seek out and explore roles to challenge and perfect his acting gifts. Genre fans have seen him aboard Flashforward, Person of Interest, and Sleepy Hollow. Menchaca was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
I've only really started to feature SciFi Gaming when I stumble across it, so kudos to the lovely Jodi Lyn O'Keefe for her appearance in Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Uprising (2009). O'Keefe was born on this day in 1978.
Entertainer extraordinaire Mya gave Science Fiction a whirl with a role aboard Bermuda Tentacles (2014). Mya was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
If IMDB.com is the barometer, then Dan Stevens looks to be a very busy actor! Aside from an appearance in 2004's TV miniseries of Frankenstein, SciFi fans may remember his voice from its guest-starring spot on the CW's The Tomorrow People. More recently, he headlined FX Network's Legion in 2016. Stevens was born on this day in 1982.
The always-sexy Lucy Griffiths had a role in Uncanny (2015), a flick that explored the dangers of Artificial Intelligence on a more personal scale. Griffiths was born on this day in 1986.
The lovely Rose McIver's work on Power Rangers R.P.M. isn't exactly award-winning Science Fiction, but Fantasy is a close second place so I'll give her a shout. Also, she's making star turns as one of the undead aboard the CW's iZombie. McIver was born on this day in 1988.
Aimee Teegarden plays Emery Whitehill on the CW's SciFi-themed teen romance, Star-Crossed, which kindles the love affair between an Earth girl and alien boy who finds himself and his people on our planet. Teegarden was born on this day in 1989.
On this day in 1985 (in the Netherlands), Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome enjoyed its theatrical release. The SciFi/Thriller starred Mel Gibson as Max himself, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"After being exiled from the most advanced town in post apocalyptic Australia, a drifter travels with a group of abandoned children to rebel against the town's queen."
"After being exiled from the most advanced town in post apocalyptic Australia, a drifter travels with a group of abandoned children to rebel against the town's queen."
As I always warn, Science Fiction comes in all shapes and sizes ... and on this day in 2006 the SciFi/Adult feature Bikini Girls From The Lost Planet found its (ahem) star. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Blast off to the farthest reaches of deep space as two foxes from the all-lesbian planet of Aquaterra head for Earth in search of the finest male breeding stock. A fast-paced erotic spoof of sex and special effects in the tradition of Flesh Gordon, this is sin and satire on a galactic scale!"
"Blast off to the farthest reaches of deep space as two foxes from the all-lesbian planet of Aquaterra head for Earth in search of the finest male breeding stock. A fast-paced erotic spoof of sex and special effects in the tradition of Flesh Gordon, this is sin and satire on a galactic scale!"
On this day in 2008, the Fantasy-themed City of Ember enjoyed its theatrical release. The film starred Saoirse Ronan and Toby Jones, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing ... and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker."
"For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing ... and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker."
On this day in 2008, Mutant Chronicles opened theatrically in the United Kingdom. The flick starred fan-favorite Thomas Jane and Ron Perlman, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"28th century soldier Mitch Hunter leads a fight against an army of underworld Mutants."
"28th century soldier Mitch Hunter leads a fight against an army of underworld Mutants."
On this day in 2008, the 'found footage' SciFi-themed Quarantine first premiered theatrically. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A television reporter and her cameraman are trapped inside a building quarantined by the CDC after the outbreak of a mysterious virus which turns humans into bloodthirsty killers."
"A television reporter and her cameraman are trapped inside a building quarantined by the CDC after the outbreak of a mysterious virus which turns humans into bloodthirsty killers."
On this day in 1952, Adventures of Superman aired "Mystery of the Broken Statues." This served as the fourth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A notorious con artist and his thugs are going to all the antique shops in town, buying cheap figurines, and smashing them. Clark and Lois assume that they are looking for something hidden inside the figurines, so they investigate."
"A notorious con artist and his thugs are going to all the antique shops in town, buying cheap figurines, and smashing them. Clark and Lois assume that they are looking for something hidden inside the figurines, so they investigate."
On this day in 1953, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet aired "Target Danger." According to our friends at the reliable IMDB.com, here's the space adventure's plot summary:
"War games are supposed to be bloodless, but when a feud causes the Commander's flagship to crash, torpedoes are launched at Tom's spaceship and Roger Manning and another cadet are at each other's throats, casualties appear to be inevitable."
"War games are supposed to be bloodless, but when a feud causes the Commander's flagship to crash, torpedoes are launched at Tom's spaceship and Roger Manning and another cadet are at each other's throats, casualties appear to be inevitable."
On this day in 1961, A For Andromeda aired "The Machine." This served as the second episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"Fleming has decoded the message, which he thinks is a set of mathematical instructions for constructing a computer of complexity beyond anything in existence. The authorities give the go-ahead for the building of the computer at Thorness, in Scotland. The military, politicians and scientific community all prepare in their own way for what the construction of the computer will mean. Meanwhile, knowledge of the message becomes public and Britain is thrown into panic."
"Fleming has decoded the message, which he thinks is a set of mathematical instructions for constructing a computer of complexity beyond anything in existence. The authorities give the go-ahead for the building of the computer at Thorness, in Scotland. The military, politicians and scientific community all prepare in their own way for what the construction of the computer will mean. Meanwhile, knowledge of the message becomes public and Britain is thrown into panic."
On this day back in 1977, Logan's Run aired its fourth episode of its only season. "The Innocent" focuses on a young girl named Lisa who develops an attraction for Logan, so she secretly plots to have Jessica and Rem disappear in order to keep the former Sandman all to herself!
On this day in 1982, Voyagers! aired "Created Equal." This served as the second episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as detailed on IMDB.com:
"Arriving in ancient Rome, Phineas and Jeffery must save the slave Spartacusso that he can lead the revolt in Capra. They also meet a young Sam Clemens and help Harriet Tubman escape."
"Arriving in ancient Rome, Phineas and Jeffery must save the slave Spartacusso that he can lead the revolt in Capra. They also meet a young Sam Clemens and help Harriet Tubman escape."
On this day in 1986, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers aired "Stargate." This (technically) served as the program's twenty-ninth episode (they were aired wildly out of sequence), and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Rangers hear the Queen is after the Stargate. A legendary gate to a parallel dimension, which could hold the key to endless power. The Rangers must get to the Stargate before the Queen's minions."
"The Rangers hear the Queen is after the Stargate. A legendary gate to a parallel dimension, which could hold the key to endless power. The Rangers must get to the Stargate before the Queen's minions."
On this day in 1988, War of the Worlds aired "The Walls of Jericho." This served as the second episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The aliens suffer from radiation poisoning and develop suits to protect themselves. Meanwhile, the government attempts to shut down Harrison and his team believing that the alien menace is no more."
"The aliens suffer from radiation poisoning and develop suits to protect themselves. Meanwhile, the government attempts to shut down Harrison and his team believing that the alien menace is no more."
"Relics" is a truly great example of how a classic character can be brought into the future as Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott proved he was too tough to let a ship mishap keep him down. He's paired up with Geordi LaForge, and, together, the two end up resolving their differences and saving the day! The episode aired as part of Star Trek: The Next Generation's sixth season in TV syndication on this date back in 1992.
On this day in 1993, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman aired "I'm Looking Through You." This served as the fourth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Superman is feeling profoundly uncomfortable becoming a celebrity, while there is a wave of crimes apparently committed by an invisible man."
"Superman is feeling profoundly uncomfortable becoming a celebrity, while there is a wave of crimes apparently committed by an invisible man."
On this day in 1993, the exciting three-part opening story for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine came to its big finish with the airing of "The Siege." This served as the third episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"As a Circle-led Bajoran military attempts to occupy the station, a skeleton crew, led by Sisko fight to reveal the Circle's secret before they're forced to evacuate themselves. Meanwhile, Kira and Dax lead a mission to reveal the truth about the Circle, on Bajor."
"As a Circle-led Bajoran military attempts to occupy the station, a skeleton crew, led by Sisko fight to reveal the Circle's secret before they're forced to evacuate themselves. Meanwhile, Kira and Dax lead a mission to reveal the truth about the Circle, on Bajor."
On this day in 1994, one of the very finest hours of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (so far as this fan is concerned) aired with "The House of Quark." This served as the third hour of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Quark is forced to marry a Klingon widow after he takes credit for the accidental death of her husband, the head of a powerful Klingon House."
"Quark is forced to marry a Klingon widow after he takes credit for the accidental death of her husband, the head of a powerful Klingon House."
On this day in 1997, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Bloodlines." This served as the eleventh episode to the long-running program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"It is time for Teal'c's son Rya'c to have his primtal. Can Teal'c stop his son from being implanted with a goa'uld and becoming a slave to Apophis?"
"It is time for Teal'c's son Rya'c to have his primtal. Can Teal'c stop his son from being implanted with a goa'uld and becoming a slave to Apophis?"
On this day in 1999, GvsE (aka Good vs Evil) aired "Sunday Night Evil." This served as the ninth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A wrestler, Testicules, appears out of nowhere and Henry and Chandler think that he has made a deal with a Morlock to become the WWF superstar. Under pressure from their bosses, Ford and Decker, to get more 'renouncings' they decide that they need to make sure of this one. Henry enlists the aid of his old friend, and the top WWF wrestler, Mankind and they set about trying to find out why the Morlocks are trying to infiltrate the WWF, as well as save the soul of Testicules."
"A wrestler, Testicules, appears out of nowhere and Henry and Chandler think that he has made a deal with a Morlock to become the WWF superstar. Under pressure from their bosses, Ford and Decker, to get more 'renouncings' they decide that they need to make sure of this one. Henry enlists the aid of his old friend, and the top WWF wrestler, Mankind and they set about trying to find out why the Morlocks are trying to infiltrate the WWF, as well as save the soul of Testicules."
On this day in 2001, Star Trek: Enterprise aired "Strange New World." This served as the fourth episode to the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at TrekCore.com:
"Crew members go on a survey mission to a seemingly uninhabited Earth-like planet where a mysterious alien presence sends them into a state of paranoid overdrive."
"Crew members go on a survey mission to a seemingly uninhabited Earth-like planet where a mysterious alien presence sends them into a state of paranoid overdrive."
On this day in 2008, Star Wars: The Clone Wars aired the third episode of its inaugural season. The adventure was titled "Shadow of Malevolence," and here's the plot summary compliments of StarWars.com:
"With the help of his Padawan Ahsoka and Jedi Master Plo Koon, Anakin utilizes new long-range Y-wing bombers to lead a bold strike on General Grievous' warship, the Malevolence, and its destructive weapon."
"With the help of his Padawan Ahsoka and Jedi Master Plo Koon, Anakin utilizes new long-range Y-wing bombers to lead a bold strike on General Grievous' warship, the Malevolence, and its destructive weapon."
On this day in 2015, Doctor Who aired "Before The Flood." This served as the fourth episode of the long-running program's ninth (rebooted) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In a town that never was, the Doctor and his friends are being stalked by a mysterious figure. With the past and future in the balance, can the Doctor stop the evil Fisher King? And more importantly, who composed Beethoven's 5th."
"In a town that never was, the Doctor and his friends are being stalked by a mysterious figure. With the past and future in the balance, can the Doctor stop the evil Fisher King? And more importantly, who composed Beethoven's 5th."
On this day in 2016, Supergirl launched its second season on an all-new TV network, moving from CBS to The CW, with the airing of "The Adventures of Supergirl." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's what all of the excitement was about:
"Supergirl and Superman team up to stop a new threat emerging in National City. A Kryptonian pod comes crashing down to Earth."
"Supergirl and Superman team up to stop a new threat emerging in National City. A Kryptonian pod comes crashing down to Earth."
On this day in 2016, Timeless aired "The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln." This served as the second episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The team debates whether to prevent Abraham Lincoln's assassination when they learn that Flynn has ties to John Wilkes Booth."
"The team debates whether to prevent Abraham Lincoln's assassination when they learn that Flynn has ties to John Wilkes Booth."
On this day in 2007, Half-Life 2: Episode Two was released to the gaming marketplace. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's what the premise behind the property was all about:
"Gordon Freeman, along with the help of human and non-human allies, continues his fight against the ruthless alien force known as the Combine."
"Gordon Freeman, along with the help of human and non-human allies, continues his fight against the ruthless alien force known as the Combine."
On this day in 1937, The Shadow radio serial aired "Danger In The Dark." According to our friends at The Shadow Wiki, the details surrounding this particular tale have been sadly lost to history. Not even The Shadow knows!
