I loved the character of 'Aeryn Sun' on Farscape. She had such a curious background -- trained as a Peacekeeper -- that always stood in her way when trying to make peace with the other crewmembers aboard Moya whom she adopted as her shipmates, and that made for some quality storytelling, indeed. As played by actress Claudia Black, who couldn't fall head over heels in love with the former soldier? Black was born on this day back in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
Honestly, I never much got into animation as a little guy, but I did watch The Jetsons. The comical adventures of that space age family were right up my alley. Actress Jean Vander Pyl voiced not only that program's 'Rosie The Robot' but she was also the dame behind 'Wilma Flintstone' for Hanna Barbera. Though she's no longer with us, Pyl was born on this day in 1919. [Source: IMDB.com]
For the sake of her art, the lovely Linda Stirling found herself manhandled just a bit aboard the SciFi/Serial The Purple Monster Strikes (1945). Though she's no longer with us, Stirling was born on this day in 1921. [Source: IMDB.com]
Dolores Reed showed audiences she was intergalactic in her own rights with her work aboard Invasion Of The Star Creatures (1962) for Alta Vista Productions. Reed was born on this day in 1932. [Source: IMDB.com]
The late Caroline John had the good fortune of travelling as a companion to Doctor Who on more than few occasions. She also guest-starred aboard the SciFi program P.R.O.B.E., a loose Who spinoff with her character 'Liz Shaw.' Though she's no longer with us, John was born on this day in 1940. [Source: IMDB.com]
His was the face chosen by the aliens in 1997's thought-provoking SciFi drama, Contact, in which actor David Morse played both the father to character Jodie Foster as well as the alien 'entity.' As an actor, Morse has a tremendous resume, appearing in largely mainstream action films and dramas, but I would love to see him land more work in the realm of science fiction. Morse was born on this day in 1953.
Actor Stephen Spinella has certainly built a career out of playing some reasonable offbeat characters, of which a role in the SciFi/Thriller Virtuosity (1995) certainly applies. Spinella was born on this day in 1956. [Source: IMDB.com]
This lovely British minx is none other than Nicola Bryant. She played Peri, the lovable companion to Doctor Who for thirty-three episodes in the mid-1980's. Bryant was born on this day in 1960.
Joan Cusack is a talented actress who never gets enough love (in my opinion). She's one of those talents who shows up, knocks it out of the park, and then moves along to her next role. As far as SciFi goes, she hasn't done much: she provided vocals for Mars Needs Moms (2011), so I'll settle for that. Cusack was born on this day in 1962. [Source: IMDB.com]
That big doofus face belongs to none other than the big doofus Michael J. Nelson of MST3K fame! He and his pals built a franchise out of poking harmless fun at some of the boldest SciFi stinkers ever captured on film. Nelson was born -- without the robots -- on this day back in 1964.
Actor Lennie James paired up with Skeet Ulrich to save the town of Jericho from nuclear armageddon in the CBS drama of the same name. On the show, James played Robert Hawkins, a mysterious man who might have been more involved in the possible start of global thermonuclear war than he wanted to let on. James has also booked roles in such properties as Lost In Space (1998), The Prisoner TV miniseries, and The Walking Dead. James was born on this day in 1965.
I've always rooted for Sean Patrick Flanery to make it big. For what it's worth, I thought he played a pretty terrific younger version of Indiana Jones in TV's The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, so much so that if Harrison Ford is ready to hang up the whip why not give this guy a chance? Plus, he's turned in terrific work in such genre programming as Powder, Stargate: SG-1, The Dead Zone, The Outer Limits, and much, much more. Flanery was born on this day in 1965.
Luke Perry braved the Apocalypse that was front-and-center of TV's Apocalypse drama, Jeremiah, for two seasons. He also had a brief role in 1997's The Fifth Element. Though he's no longer with us, Perry was born on this day in 1965.
TV producer and screenwriter Shawn Ryan was one of the creative forces behind NBC's Timeless. Ryan was born on this day in 1966. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funny lady Jane Krakowski joined funnyman Adam Sandler in the box office dud, Pixels (2015), for Columbia Pictures. Krakowski was born on this day in 1968.
True Blood's Stephen Moyer had a role in the SciFi/Cult flick, Priest (2011), which also starred Paul Bettany and Maggie Q. Moyer was born on this day in 1969.
A comely Constance Zimmer enjoyed a recurring role aboard ABC TV's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. She's also provided voicework to Transformers: Robots In Disguise for good measure. Zimmer was born on this day in 1970.
Director Justin Lin (above right) brought his ability to plug in car crashes where plot points fail from the Fast & Furious film franchise to Science Fiction with Star Trek Beyond (2016). The result? Well, the SciFi franchise didn't quite implode, but it wasn't a breakout hit, either. Lin was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
In Returner (2002), Takeshi Kaneshiro plays Miyamoto, a gunman who befriends a young woman traveling through time attempting to thwart an alien invasion. Kaneshiro was born on this day in 1973.
In his youth, Michael Turney enjoyed a bit of screen time aboard Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) for 888 Productions. Turney was born on this day in 1974. [Source: IMDB.com]
Early in her career, the lovely Emily Deschanel enjoyed a bit part aboard Spider-man 2 (2004). She's also appeared on Fox TV's Fantasy Sleepy Hollow in a guest spot. Deschanel was born on this day in 1976. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though you may not always recognize Holly Fields' face, odds are genre fans are familiar with her voice. She's used her pipes to great effect in such properties as Star Wars: The Old Republic as well as a host of other animated properties. As for her live action bits? You've seen her aboard Quantum Leap, Communion (1989), ALF, and Seedpeople, to name but a few. Fields was born on this day in 1976. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Rimple Sumer has filled out background roles aboard such popular SciFi franchises as Mercy Point, Smallville, The Dead Zone, Stargate: SG-1, and Sanctuary. Sumer was born on this day in 1977.
Matt Bomer lent his voice to the direct-to-DVD Gods in order to play Superman/Clark Kent in the DC Comics' release, Superman: Unbound. More recently, he can be seen as 'Ted' in the SciFi comedy, Space Station 76. Bomer was born on this day in 1977.
Wes Chatham continues to build a resume impressively rich with quality genre work. He's been a part of The Hunger Games and -- more recently -- appeared as part of Syfy's The Expanse. Chatham was born on this day in 1978.
Hunky Trevor Donovan fought alongside others to keep all of mankind safe from the Bermuda Tentacles (2014). Donovan was born on this day in 1979.
While Doona Bae's work in her native South Korea has been incredibly impressive, SciFi audiences probably know her better from her role aboard The Wachowski's box office failures, Cloud Atlas and Jupiter Ascending. Bae was born on this day in 1979.
Heavenly ginger Julie McNiven had a role aboard Syfy's SGU: Stagate Universe that I appreciated. She's also appeared on the long-running Supernatural and Fox TV's Fringe. McNiven was born on this day in 1980.
Bradley James used his hunkiness to score a prominent role in the Fantasy-themed Underworld: Blood Wars (2016) for Lakeshore Entertainment. He's also been seen as a part of the BBC's Merlin series and The CW's iZombie. James was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
The young Michelle Trachtenberg certainly knows a thing or two about genre entertainment, garnering time as she has in such properties as Space Cases, Inspector Gadget (1999), Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and Sleepy Hollow. Trachtenberg was born on this day in 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
A star is born! On this day in 1957, The Black Scorpion stung its way into the hearts of movie audiences. Directed by Edward Ludwig, the SciFi feature starred Richard Denning, Mara Corday, and Carlos Rivas. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Volcanic activity frees giant scorpions from the earth who wreak havoc in the rural countryside and eventually threaten Mexico City."
"Volcanic activity frees giant scorpions from the earth who wreak havoc in the rural countryside and eventually threaten Mexico City."
On this day in 1985 (in Finland and Sweden), 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."
On this day in 1990 (in Uruguay), Robocop 2 reported back to the streets to fight crime. The SciFi feature starred Peter Weller and Nancy Allen, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Cyborg law enforcer RoboCop returns to protect the citizens of old Detroit but faces a deadly challenge when a rogue OCP member secretly creates a new, evil RoboCop 2."
"Cyborg law enforcer RoboCop returns to protect the citizens of old Detroit but faces a deadly challenge when a rogue OCP member secretly creates a new, evil RoboCop 2."
A star is born! Back in the era when original IMAX movies (and not bloated summer theatrical releases) were all the rage, a little something called L5: First City In Space premiered on this day in 1996. Written and directed (in part) by Toni Myers, the SciFi feature starred Genevieve Langlois, Denis Akiyama, and Martha Henry. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Life on a 10,000 person space station as viewed through the eyes of a 7 year old girl."
"Life on a 10,000 person space station as viewed through the eyes of a 7 year old girl."
On this day in 2005 (in Spain), the masses-at-large met 'her' with the release of She! Screenwriters Peter Jobin and Harry Alan Towers adapted the H. Rider Haggard novel for this version, and Timothy Bond assumed director's responsibilities. The Fantasy/Adventure starred Ian Duncan, Ophélie Winter, and Christoph Waltz; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Leo Vincey receives a map from his late father, leading him to the legendary city of Kor in search of an explanation for his mysterious ancestry. He is accompanied by his girlfriend Roxanne. He discovers that he is the only descendant of an Egyptian priest who had been executed for the crime of falling in love with the Egyptian Princess. The ruling queen Ayesha, or rather She, is the same Egyptian Princess of centuries ago, her beauty and youth look being preserved by magic. She becomes convinced that Leo is the reincarnation of her former lover, and wants to kill him. Leo and Roxanne will have to fight against surprise attacks on them, but survival in that foreign land with strange customs, is difficult. Leo is terribly attracted to She's beauty, but at the same time he fears for her obscure spirit, and finally he must take a decision - to run away from her, or to love her and die."
"Leo Vincey receives a map from his late father, leading him to the legendary city of Kor in search of an explanation for his mysterious ancestry. He is accompanied by his girlfriend Roxanne. He discovers that he is the only descendant of an Egyptian priest who had been executed for the crime of falling in love with the Egyptian Princess. The ruling queen Ayesha, or rather She, is the same Egyptian Princess of centuries ago, her beauty and youth look being preserved by magic. She becomes convinced that Leo is the reincarnation of her former lover, and wants to kill him. Leo and Roxanne will have to fight against surprise attacks on them, but survival in that foreign land with strange customs, is difficult. Leo is terribly attracted to She's beauty, but at the same time he fears for her obscure spirit, and finally he must take a decision - to run away from her, or to love her and die."
A star is born! On this day in 2016, the SciFi Short Film Aliens Night 2: The Greys Return was released to the public. The feature comes from the mind of Andrea Ricca, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"ALIENS NIGHT 2 - The Greys Return" is a science fiction short movie about a close encounter."
"ALIENS NIGHT 2 - The Greys Return" is a science fiction short movie about a close encounter."
A star is born! On this day in 2017, the SciFi Short Film known as The Furfangs 2 was released to the public via YouTube.com. The feature sprang from the mind of Andrea Ricca, and here's the plot summary compliments of the director's website:
"It tells the story of mysterious and aggressive creatures who came from the space."
"It tells the story of mysterious and aggressive creatures who came from the space."
What? A starship is no place for children! Here's the summary from IMDB.com on "And The Children Shall Lead," the Star Trek episode (fourth of its third season) that first aired on this day back in 1968:
"The Enterprise reaches a Federation colony where the adults have all killed themselves but the children play without care."
"The Enterprise reaches a Federation colony where the adults have all killed themselves but the children play without care."
On this day in 1972 (in the United Kingdom), Ace Of Wands aired "Mama Doc: Part 3." This served as the thirteenth episode of the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When one of Mr Sweet's university colleagues, Professor Dorian, disappears, Tarot and his companions follow a trail which leads to a bizarre doll's hospital run by the eccentric Mama Doc. With her accomplice Bobby, the woman turns real people into dolls."
"When one of Mr Sweet's university colleagues, Professor Dorian, disappears, Tarot and his companions follow a trail which leads to a bizarre doll's hospital run by the eccentric Mama Doc. With her accomplice Bobby, the woman turns real people into dolls."
On this day in 1975 (in the United Kingdom), the BBC aired "Planet of Evil: Part 3" as the seventh episode to Doctor Who's thirteenth season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Doctor makes a deal with the Anti-Matter Beast to return all the anti-matter to the planet but Sorenson is determined to continue his research."
"The Doctor makes a deal with the Anti-Matter Beast to return all the anti-matter to the planet but Sorenson is determined to continue his research."
Part One of the rather ominously titled, "The Plot To Kill A City," aired on this day back in 1979 as part of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century's first season. In it, Buck goes undercover in order to infiltrate the Legion of Death in hopes of stopping their efforts to ... well ... to kill a city. You guessed it!
On this day in 1980 (in the United Kingdom), "Meglos (Part 3)" aired as the seventh episode to Doctor Who's eighteenth season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"With the dodecahedron gone, the city goes power critical. Its death, imminent. With Romana seeking escape from Meglos' pirates, and Meglos seeking escape from the sealed-up city, and the Doctor himself seeking to understand what's been going on (and why everybody wants him arrested), religious factions move in to take over the city."
"With the dodecahedron gone, the city goes power critical. Its death, imminent. With Romana seeking escape from Meglos' pirates, and Meglos seeking escape from the sealed-up city, and the Doctor himself seeking to understand what's been going on (and why everybody wants him arrested), religious factions move in to take over the city."
On this day in 1986 (in the United Kingdom), the BBC aired "The Trial of a Timelord (Part 6)" as the sixth episode to Doctor Who's twenty-third season. As per usual, here's the episode's summary from IMDB.com:
"Having been put through a makeshift truth extractor, the Doctor appears damaged, apt to mimic the personalities of those with whom he has eye contact. He eventually abandons Peri and a gung-ho warrior king in favor of joining in with Sil and Dr. Crozier in the latest of their perverse projects."
"Having been put through a makeshift truth extractor, the Doctor appears damaged, apt to mimic the personalities of those with whom he has eye contact. He eventually abandons Peri and a gung-ho warrior king in favor of joining in with Sil and Dr. Crozier in the latest of their perverse projects."
On this day in 1987, Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future aired "Pariah." This served as the fourth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Hawk rescues a young escapee from the Styx project who is being hunted by Dread's troopers. But unknown to him , the boy is carrying a paralyzing plague."
"Hawk rescues a young escapee from the Styx project who is being hunted by Dread's troopers. But unknown to him , the boy is carrying a paralyzing plague."
On this day in 1989 (in the United Kingdom), "Ghost Light (Part 2)" aired as the sixth episode of Doctor Who's twenty-sixth season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Doctor manages to rescue Ace from the husks and then tries to uncover the truth about the goings on in Josiah's house."
"The Doctor manages to rescue Ace from the husks and then tries to uncover the truth about the goings on in Josiah's house."
On this day in 1989, Quantum Leap aired "The Americanization of Machiko." This served as the third episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"As a returning sailor Sam brings home a Japanese wife and must battle the prejudice of his hometown and his own mother."
"As a returning sailor Sam brings home a Japanese wife and must battle the prejudice of his hometown and his own mother."
On this day in 1995, Babylon 5 aired "Divided Loyalties." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Lyta Alexander returns to the station with news that one of the officers on the station is an undercover operative."
"Lyta Alexander returns to the station with news that one of the officers on the station is an undercover operative."
On this day in 1995, SeaQuest 2032 (formerly SeaQuest DSV) aired "Smoke On The Water." Officially, this served as the third episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Seaquest is called to investigate missing undersea haulers. Leading the investigation is the Captains ex-fiancé which causes some tension on-board. Dagwood meets other Daggers during the investigation and considers staying with them."
"Seaquest is called to investigate missing undersea haulers. Leading the investigation is the Captains ex-fiancé which causes some tension on-board. Dagwood meets other Daggers during the investigation and considers staying with them."
The X-Files certainly had some creepy episodes, but for my money there wasn't anything creepier than the episode simply titled "Home," which aired on this day back in 1996. This served as the second episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The agents encounter a family of inbred, animal-like brothers living on a farm in a remote section of Pennsylvania."
"The agents encounter a family of inbred, animal-like brothers living on a farm in a remote section of Pennsylvania."
On this day in 1998, Stargate: SG-1 aired "The Tok'ra: Part 2." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The attempt to forge an alliance with the Tok'ra seems a miserable failure, as SG-1 is practically imprisoned as a security risk and considered virtually hostile because 'blending' by accepting to host a symbiont is a bridge too far for each of them. When SG-3 arrives and informs Sam about her cancer-terminal father General Jacob Carter's fast worsening condition, she realizes the symbiont's healing powers, confirmed to apply to cancer, make hosting an offer to good to refuse for him. Garshaw allows Sam and Jack to return and convince both generals to allow the plan, which is achieved. Meanwhile the Tok'ra must hastily evacuate, destroying tunnels behind them, because a large-scale attack by Apophis's troops is expected soon, while Jacob meets his potential symbiotic partner and his equally terminal predecessor to help him decide; Jack verifies his strong suspicion there is traitor among them, communicating with the goa'uld..."
"The attempt to forge an alliance with the Tok'ra seems a miserable failure, as SG-1 is practically imprisoned as a security risk and considered virtually hostile because 'blending' by accepting to host a symbiont is a bridge too far for each of them. When SG-3 arrives and informs Sam about her cancer-terminal father General Jacob Carter's fast worsening condition, she realizes the symbiont's healing powers, confirmed to apply to cancer, make hosting an offer to good to refuse for him. Garshaw allows Sam and Jack to return and convince both generals to allow the plan, which is achieved. Meanwhile the Tok'ra must hastily evacuate, destroying tunnels behind them, because a large-scale attack by Apophis's troops is expected soon, while Jacob meets his potential symbiotic partner and his equally terminal predecessor to help him decide; Jack verifies his strong suspicion there is traitor among them, communicating with the goa'uld..."
On this day in 1999, Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict aired "The Vanished." This served as the second episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Some who were detained during the Resistance sweep have not reappeared after their release. Lili is taken to a lab run by Sandoval and implanted. Renee tries to help Liam find the missing people."
"Some who were detained during the Resistance sweep have not reappeared after their release. Lili is taken to a lab run by Sandoval and implanted. Renee tries to help Liam find the missing people."
On this day in 2000, Star Trek: Voyager aired "Imperfection," yet another examination of the character of Seven of Nine. When her cortical implants start to degrade, Seven is left with only a risky procedure to save her life.
On this day in 2006, CBS's Jericho aired "Walls of Jericho." This served as the fourth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When a barely conscious outsider is found looting the pharmacy for supplies, his identity and treatment cause controversy. Elsewhere, the desperate need for fuel endangers both parties and patients."
"When a barely conscious outsider is found looting the pharmacy for supplies, his identity and treatment cause controversy. Elsewhere, the desperate need for fuel endangers both parties and patients."
On this day in 2010 (in the United Kingdom), The Sarah Jane Adventures aired "The Nightmare Man: Part 1." This served as the first episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by Doctor Who Guide Online:
"Luke has his first nightmare."
"Luke has his first nightmare."
On this day in 2011 (in the United Kingdom), The Sarah Jane Adventures aired "The Curse Of Clyde Langer: Part 2." This served as the fourth episode in the program's fifth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary compliments of Doctor Who Guide Online:
"It's raining fish from the skies, and Sarah Jane's investigations lead the gang to the Museum of Culture, where the ancient god Hetocumtek may offer answers. But when Clyde acts the fool once too often, family and friends savagely turn against him, and he is thrown out of their lives!"
"It's raining fish from the skies, and Sarah Jane's investigations lead the gang to the Museum of Culture, where the ancient god Hetocumtek may offer answers. But when Clyde acts the fool once too often, family and friends savagely turn against him, and he is thrown out of their lives!"
On this day in 2012 (in the United Kingdom), Red Dwarf aired "Fathers & Suns." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's tenth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Whilst Lister writes himself a father's day card the others give Pree,the ship's computer,a glamorous upgrade. However she is soon putting the ship in danger and setting it on a collision course with the sun while it fills with laughing gas. Her excuse is that Rimmer has programmed her to imitate his own incompetence. Fortunately Lister takes advantage of the fact that he is his own father and,in that capacity, not a crew member to shut down Pree and save the day."
"Whilst Lister writes himself a father's day card the others give Pree,the ship's computer,a glamorous upgrade. However she is soon putting the ship in danger and setting it on a collision course with the sun while it fills with laughing gas. Her excuse is that Rimmer has programmed her to imitate his own incompetence. Fortunately Lister takes advantage of the fact that he is his own father and,in that capacity, not a crew member to shut down Pree and save the day."
On this day in 2014, Doctor Who aired "Mummy Of The Orient Express." This served as the eighth episode in the (relaunched) program's eighth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"On the most beautiful train in history, speeding amongst the stars of the future, a deadly and immortal creature is stalking the passengers."
"On the most beautiful train in history, speeding amongst the stars of the future, a deadly and immortal creature is stalking the passengers."
