That most curious creature, The Traveler, made his first appearance in all of Trekdom when Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered its first season outing, "Where No One Has Gone Before," on this day in 1987.
Star Trek: Insurrection's heavy -- Ru'afo -- was played by veteran character actor F. Murray Abraham ... though you may've missed it as he was buried under so many layers of prosthetics! Still, he brought the vengeful villain to great cinematic life. Abraham was born on this day back in 1939. [Source: IMDB.com]
James Whitmore Jr is one of those talented actors who made the transition into the world of directing, working on such popular franchises as Quantum Leap, The X-Files, Strange Luck, Roswell, and Star Trek: Enterprise. Whitmore Jr was born on this day in 1948.
TV producer Wendy Neuss put in valiant efforts that helped make both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager exceptional entries in the realm of televised Science Fiction. Neuss was born on this day in 1954. [Source: IMDB.com]
As I've often remarked, it's those performers with a strong workmanlike intensity that make it in show business, and such is the case with character actor Karen Austin. She's been acting in terrific supporting roles since the 1970's, and Star Trek: Voyager fans may know her best as Miral, the mother to B'Elanna Torres. She's also booked appearances in The Twilight Zone, Sliders, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Syfy's Battlestar Galactica. Austin was born on this day in 1955. [Source: IMDB.com]
Brad Johnson appeared in the Syfy adaptation of Philip Jose Farmer's Riverworld saga (2003) as well as turning up as the lead in the largely forgettable Philadelphia Experiment II (1993) and Alien Siege (2005). Otherwise, his theatrical resume is relatively light since the late 2000's. Though he's no longer with us, Johnson was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
As fate would have it, BD Wong is now running Jurassic Park! He had a small role in the original, but his character -- Henry Wu -- returned when Jurassic World hit the silver screen in 2015. Wong was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
For the record, Syfy's The Expanse is not Conrad Pla's (above right) first SciFi rodeo. He's been seen aboard Odyssey 5, Lathe Of Heaven (2002), Mutant X, ReGenesis, Alphas, Riddick (2013), Dark Matter, and Star Trek: Discovery. Pla was born on this day in 1966. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Jacqueline McKenzie played government agent Diana Skouris, investigating just what was transpiring with The 4400 UFO abductees who were suddenly returned to our world with unexplained abilities. McKenzie was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely lady in red? The one flanked by a signature Cyberman? That's none other than Doctor Who's Miss Hartigan, known in reality as actress Dervla Kirwan. In 2008, she appeared alongside David Tennant in an episode titled "The Next Doctor." Kirwan was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
I pity the fool who has failed to discussion the all out genius that is so much of Syfy's space epic Farscape, and I pity the fool who hasn't yet fallen in love with actress Raelee Hill. She played the somewhat villainous Sikozu Svala Shanti Sugaysi Shanu (say that ten times fast!) on the program to the delight of fans everywhere. Hill was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
The sexy Darian Caine sticks largely to adult-themed projects, but several of those have fallen very near and dear to the genre themes that we love so much. She's booked appearances aboard Girl Explores Girl: The Alien Encounter (1998), Play-Mate of the Apes (2002), SpiderBabe (2003), and Apocalypse Female Warriors (2009) to name but a few. Caine was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Catherine Sutherland kicked butt and took names in the guise of the Pink Power Ranger aboard TV's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Sutherland was born on this day in 1974.
In 2013, Amy Bailey braved an underwhelming Supercollider: The Black Hole Apocalypse, a SciFi-themed thriller that threw open the doors of time and space while spelling certain doom for mankind. Bailey was born on this day in 1975.
And pardon me if the fanboy is showing but one of the loveliest, most delicious creations in all of the Star Wars universe -- Jedi Knight Aayla Secura -- was played in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith by none other than actress (and visual effects wizard) Amy Allen. The equally delicious Allen was born on this day in 1976. May the Force be with her! [Source: IMDB.com]
Jemima Rooper (above left) joined Ed Burns, Ben Kingsley, and Catherine McCormack in the big screen adaptation of A Sound Of Thunder (2005), a SciFi/Adventures based on a short story by the legendary Ray Bradbury. Rooper was born on this day in 1981.
In 2015's Jurassic World, Katie McGrath played Zara, the personal assistant to Bryce Dallas Howard's character who kept losing track of Howard's runaway nephews. She's since taken up residence aboard The CW's Supergirl in the role of 'Lena Luthor.' McGrath was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the role of the Pink SPD Ranger, Alycia Purrott can play dress up for the Power Rangers S.P.D. any time she likes! Purrott was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
Tim Pocock played the X-Men character of 'Cyclops' aboard 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine for 20th Century Fox. Pocock was born on this day in 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
If you've yet to experience the CW's The 100, then you don't know what you're missing. Largely, it's a teen angst version of Lost except with a bit heavier SciFi undertones, and it stars a youthful cast that keeps popping up on my SciFi radar. Case in point: Eliza Taylor is one such talent; she plays Clarke Griffin in the ensemble. Taylor was born on this day in 1989. [Source: IMDB.com]
The delicious Kirby Bliss Blanton added her deliciousness to a little SciFi/Comedy called Hot Bot in 2016. Blanton was born on this day in 1990. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1970, Trog mixed Horror and Science Fiction to middling results. The feature starred Joan Crawford and Michael Gough, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A sympathetic anthropologist uses drugs and surgery to try to communicate with a primitive troglodyte who is found living in a local cave."
"A sympathetic anthropologist uses drugs and surgery to try to communicate with a primitive troglodyte who is found living in a local cave."
A star is born! On this day in 1986 (in the U.S.), From Beyond delivered audiences to a place ... from beyond! Based on a story written by H.P. Lovecraft, the motion picture was directed by Stuart Gordon and starred Jeffrey Combs, Barbara Crampton, and Ted Sorel. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A group of scientists have developed the Resonator, a machine which allows whoever is within range to see beyond normal perceptible reality. But when the experiment succeeds, they are immediately attacked by terrible life forms."
For the record:
In 1987, From Beyond received Saturn Award nominations from the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films in the categories of 'Best Make-Up,' 'Best Actress,' and 'Best Horror Film.'
"A group of scientists have developed the Resonator, a machine which allows whoever is within range to see beyond normal perceptible reality. But when the experiment succeeds, they are immediately attacked by terrible life forms."
For the record:
In 1987, From Beyond received Saturn Award nominations from the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films in the categories of 'Best Make-Up,' 'Best Actress,' and 'Best Horror Film.'
On this day in 1997, the Fantasy-themed Fairy Tale: A True Story brought magic to life for audiences. The feature starred Paul McGann and Florence Hoath, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In 1917, two children take a photograph, which is soon believed by some to be the first scientific evidence of the existence of fairies."
"In 1917, two children take a photograph, which is soon believed by some to be the first scientific evidence of the existence of fairies."
On this day in 1997, the SciFi/Drama Gattaca premiered in the United States. The feature starred Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"A genetically inferior man assumes the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel."
"A genetically inferior man assumes the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel."
On this day in 1998, the SciFi/Telefilm Universal Soldier III: Unfinished Business put genetically-engineered soldiers back in the business of killing. The feature starred Richard McMillan and Roger Periard, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"The Return Luc Deveraux and Veronica Roberts continue their attempts to expose the Universal Soldier unit."
"The Return Luc Deveraux and Veronica Roberts continue their attempts to expose the Universal Soldier unit."
For the record, I haven't seen 2009's telefilm Ghost Town, but IMDB.com insists on billing it as a "Horror/SciFi" entry, though the premise certainly sounds much more "Fantasy" to me (shows what I know!). In any event, here's the premise:
"A bus full of college students stumble across an abandoned western town and realize it is haunted by the ghosts of outlaws who brutally killed the residents and now kill visitors every 13 years on Friday the 13th to become stronger."
"A bus full of college students stumble across an abandoned western town and realize it is haunted by the ghosts of outlaws who brutally killed the residents and now kill visitors every 13 years on Friday the 13th to become stronger."
On this day in 2014, the SciFi Short Film known as Aliens Night 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 IMDB.com:
"The story of a close encounter between a young scientist and some aliens just arrived on the earth."
"The story of a close encounter between a young scientist and some aliens just arrived on the earth."
- For those who'd like to know more, check out the film itself via YouTube.com right here.
On this day in 2014 (in Italy), Index Zero gave audiences one more look at mankind's bleak future. The feature starred Simon Merrells and Ana Ularu, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"2035, United States of Europe. Some humans are not sustainable anymore."
"2035, United States of Europe. Some humans are not sustainable anymore."
2017's Aliens: Zone Of Silence appears to be one of those 'found footage films' that audiences either hate or love. It premiered on this day in 2017, and here's the premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"After her brother mysteriously vanishes from the Mexican desert, a young woman sets out to uncover the otherworldly truth about his disappearance."
"After her brother mysteriously vanishes from the Mexican desert, a young woman sets out to uncover the otherworldly truth about his disappearance."
On this day in 1952, Adventures of Superman aired "Night of Terror." This served as the sixth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"While on vacation, Lois stumbles upon a ring of criminals who are smuggling fugitives into Canada. She and the innkeeper's wife are captured, and it is up to Jimmy and Superman to save them."
"While on vacation, Lois stumbles upon a ring of criminals who are smuggling fugitives into Canada. She and the innkeeper's wife are captured, and it is up to Jimmy and Superman to save them."
On this day in 1952, Tales Of Tomorrow aired "Many Happy Returns." This served as the tenth episode in the program's second (and final) season, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"An alien on the Moon persuades an Earth boy to build a gadget, accidentally electrocuting the boy's father, who disbelieves the machine can work with no visible power-source. The alien telepathically communicates instructions to the thrilled boy, who's reluctant to be candid with his family, referring to the hideous creature merely as Mr. White, a handyman helping him with a basement science project."
"An alien on the Moon persuades an Earth boy to build a gadget, accidentally electrocuting the boy's father, who disbelieves the machine can work with no visible power-source. The alien telepathically communicates instructions to the thrilled boy, who's reluctant to be candid with his family, referring to the hideous creature merely as Mr. White, a handyman helping him with a basement science project."
On this day in 1953, Adventures Of Superman aired "The Defeat Of Superman." This served as the sixth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary that's listed on IMDB.com:
"Criminal Happy King returns to Metropolis, determined to rid himself of Superman. He has hired a European scientist, who has found a way to manufacture synthetic Kryponite from a fragment of the substance. In their first test, Superman feels a string from a bullet with a small fragment of Kryponite. Now, the scientist has made a bar made of Kryponite and Happy King sets a trap."
"Criminal Happy King returns to Metropolis, determined to rid himself of Superman. He has hired a European scientist, who has found a way to manufacture synthetic Kryponite from a fragment of the substance. In their first test, Superman feels a string from a bullet with a small fragment of Kryponite. Now, the scientist has made a bar made of Kryponite and Happy King sets a trap."
On this day in 1953, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet aired "The Mountains Of Fire." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the adventure's plot summary:
"The Polaris and her crew come to the aid of an imperiled agricultural outpost."
"The Polaris and her crew come to the aid of an imperiled agricultural outpost."
On this day in 1961, A For Andromeda aired "The Monster." This served as the fourth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by TV.com:
"After having caught passing information about the project to Intel, Bridger is chased by security agents and falls down a cliff to his death. Following instructions from the computer, Dawnay and her colleagues create a living organism in a tank. Fleming suggests connecting an electric current between it and the computer. In an attempt to find out more about the humans, the computer compels Dawnay's assistant, Christine to touch an exposed terminal, killing her."
"After having caught passing information about the project to Intel, Bridger is chased by security agents and falls down a cliff to his death. Following instructions from the computer, Dawnay and her colleagues create a living organism in a tank. Fleming suggests connecting an electric current between it and the computer. In an attempt to find out more about the humans, the computer compels Dawnay's assistant, Christine to touch an exposed terminal, killing her."
The late 1960's had an alien invasion program whose viewers remember it fondly. It was called The Invaders, and, on this day back in 1967, they aired its eighth episode of the second season: "Dark Outpost." Here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"David sneaks aboard a saucer - and is knocked unconscious by the force of takeoff. When he awakens, he discovers that he is very near an alien base. With a professor and several students, Vincent discovers that the base is an alien hospital. Stealing a crucial piece of the healing machinery, Vincent goes on the run. But the aliens catch him and the students, and pressure them to return the key component. But they'll have trouble doing that..."
"David sneaks aboard a saucer - and is knocked unconscious by the force of takeoff. When he awakens, he discovers that he is very near an alien base. With a professor and several students, Vincent discovers that the base is an alien hospital. Stealing a crucial piece of the healing machinery, Vincent goes on the run. But the aliens catch him and the students, and pressure them to return the key component. But they'll have trouble doing that..."
On this day in 1974, Journey to the Unknown aired "Miss Belle." This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A drifter goes to work in a household where the mother refuses to acknowledge her only son as anything other than her daughter."
"A drifter goes to work in a household where the mother refuses to acknowledge her only son as anything other than her daughter."
On this day in 1986, Starman aired "Best Buddies." This served as the fifth episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Encountering a couple who knew the real Paul Forrester, Paul and Scott's problems are compounded when the wife declares that she still loves Paul and wants to resume their affair."
"Encountering a couple who knew the real Paul Forrester, Paul and Scott's problems are compounded when the wife declares that she still loves Paul and wants to resume their affair."
On this day in 1986, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers aired "Natural Balance." This (technically) served as the program's thirty-fifth episode (they were aired wildly out of sequence), and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Niko and Doc take the Kiwi Kids to Dibar to study nature. They meet up with Mistwalker who needs their help to find out what's throwing nature off balance."
"Niko and Doc take the Kiwi Kids to Dibar to study nature. They meet up with Mistwalker who needs their help to find out what's throwing nature off balance."
On this day in 1988, War of the Worlds aired "A Multitude of Idols." This served as the fourth episode to the cult program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Martians continue to expand their operations. Sparked by random footage shot by a reporter Harrison's the team descend on the previously abandoned town of Breeton, where they find a bustling community that in theory should not exist."
"The Martians continue to expand their operations. Sparked by random footage shot by a reporter Harrison's the team descend on the previously abandoned town of Breeton, where they find a bustling community that in theory should not exist."
On this day in 1992, Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "True Q." This served as the sixth episode in the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"When an honor student in the medical field is assigned to the Enterprise in an internship manner, she begins to demonstrate powers of the Q, prompting you-know-who to show up."
"When an honor student in the medical field is assigned to the Enterprise in an internship manner, she begins to demonstrate powers of the Q, prompting you-know-who to show up."
On this day in 1993, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman aired "I've Got A Crush On You." This served as the sixth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Lois decides to go undercover at a club which is a front for crime family. Clark decides to go undercover as well. When the sister usurps her brother, she makes a move on Clark. And to stay on her good side he outs Lois."
"Lois decides to go undercover at a club which is a front for crime family. Clark decides to go undercover as well. When the sister usurps her brother, she makes a move on Clark. And to stay on her good side he outs Lois."
SeaQuest DSV was one of the those SciFi-lite programs that just never did anything for me. I gave it a few episodes, wasn't all that impressed, and gave it up. However, on this day back in 1993, it aired its sixth episode of its first season. Here's the skinny on "Give Me Liberte" from IMDB.com:
"Several seaQuest crew members, investigating a corporate-owned space station that crashed into the sea years before, contract a deadly virus. Bridger must race against time to find an antidote to the virus and a way to stop a warrior submarine sent over to blow up the downed space station."
"Several seaQuest crew members, investigating a corporate-owned space station that crashed into the sea years before, contract a deadly virus. Bridger must race against time to find an antidote to the virus and a way to stop a warrior submarine sent over to blow up the downed space station."
On this day in 1993, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "Cardassians." This served as the fifth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"Political tensions rise on DS9 when Bajorans board the station with a supposedly orphaned Cardassian whom they have adopted."
"Political tensions rise on DS9 when Bajorans board the station with a supposedly orphaned Cardassian whom they have adopted."
One of the things I admired most about Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is the willingness of its creators to really put its characters through their paces. On this day back in 1994, DS9 aired "Second Skin," a personal conundrum of sorts for Kira Nerys -- the Bajoran resistance fighter -- who wakes up as a Cardassian -- which is probably her worst nightmare!
On this day in 1997, Stargate: SG-1 aired the thirteenth episode of its first season, an hour simply titled "Hathor." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's all you need to know about it in a single synopsis:
"When an archaeological expedition in Mexico uncovers an Egyptian sarcophagus it is sent to Daniel Jackson, one of the few scientists who had speculated on such possibilities. What he finds in fact is that it is very similar in appearance to the Goa'uld regeneration chamber they've already encountered. Soon after, an attractive young woman is found trying to enter the secret base. She says she is Hathor, a goddess of ancient Egypt and she can exude a very powerful influence over the men at the base. She is in fact one of the mothers of the Goa'uld and she soon intends to infect the men of Earth and turn them into hosts for the Goa'uld. With the men captivated by Hathor's magic charms, it is left to Captain Carter, Dr. Fraiser and the other women on the base to rectify the situation."
"When an archaeological expedition in Mexico uncovers an Egyptian sarcophagus it is sent to Daniel Jackson, one of the few scientists who had speculated on such possibilities. What he finds in fact is that it is very similar in appearance to the Goa'uld regeneration chamber they've already encountered. Soon after, an attractive young woman is found trying to enter the secret base. She says she is Hathor, a goddess of ancient Egypt and she can exude a very powerful influence over the men at the base. She is in fact one of the mothers of the Goa'uld and she soon intends to infect the men of Earth and turn them into hosts for the Goa'uld. With the men captivated by Hathor's magic charms, it is left to Captain Carter, Dr. Fraiser and the other women on the base to rectify the situation."
On this day in 1998 (in Hungary), Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "Encounter At Farpoint." Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"On the maiden mission of the U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), an omnipotent being known as Q challenges the crew to discover the secret of a mysterious base in an advanced and civilized fashion."
"On the maiden mission of the U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), an omnipotent being known as Q challenges the crew to discover the secret of a mysterious base in an advanced and civilized fashion."
On this day in 2001, Star Trek: Enterprise aired "Terra Nova." This served as the sixth episode to the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TrekCore.com:
"Archer and the Enterprise crew set out to learn what happened to the lost human colony of Terra Nova, and discover a tribe of human-hating cave dwellers."
"Archer and the Enterprise crew set out to learn what happened to the lost human colony of Terra Nova, and discover a tribe of human-hating cave dwellers."
NBC had a nice idea to reboot The Bionic Woman (naming it simply Bionic Woman this time) complete with contemporary storytelling and modern age special effects; methinks the problem was they shackled it with too many elements way too common to other shows already on the boob tube. "The Education of Jamie Summers," which aired on this day in 2007, pitted Jamie against a university professor working with terrorists.
On this day in 2008, Stargate: Atlantis aired the thirteenth episode of their fifth (and final) season. It was an hour curiously titled "Inquisition," and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"Sheppard and his team are lured to a planet and are soon put on trial for crimes against the people of the Pegasus galaxy. In flashbacks, the three judge tribunal recounts the indictment against them including the re-awakening of the Wraith and the various missions where at least a few, if not more, innocent bystanders were killed. Sheppard does his best to argue that on balance, fewer were killed by their presence than would have been the case if they had never been there. A least one of the judges is clearly determined to find them guilty while a second seems far more sympathetic. It's left to Richard Woolsey, who has now joined them, to plead the rest of their case. A lawyer by profession, Richard clearly knows how the game is played and focuses on that third judge."
"Sheppard and his team are lured to a planet and are soon put on trial for crimes against the people of the Pegasus galaxy. In flashbacks, the three judge tribunal recounts the indictment against them including the re-awakening of the Wraith and the various missions where at least a few, if not more, innocent bystanders were killed. Sheppard does his best to argue that on balance, fewer were killed by their presence than would have been the case if they had never been there. A least one of the judges is clearly determined to find them guilty while a second seems far more sympathetic. It's left to Richard Woolsey, who has now joined them, to plead the rest of their case. A lawyer by profession, Richard clearly knows how the game is played and focuses on that third judge."
Sorry, folks: I know next to nothing about the world of gaming. (Just never caught that bug!). However, I do know that on this day in 2008 the Fantasy-themed Fable II was released to the marketplace. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's what all of the gaming fuss was about:
"A peasant child finds out about the heroic past of the child's family. Once old enough, the hero decides to reclaim his or hers heritage."
"A peasant child finds out about the heroic past of the child's family. Once old enough, the hero decides to reclaim his or hers heritage."
No, Batman is most definitely not Science Ficiton, but the Caped Crusader has always flirted with cutting edge technology in his pursuit of vigilante justice ... and no one perhaps knew the Bats better than his creator, Bob Kane. Though he's no longer with us, Kane was born on this day in 1915.
