Dark Angel was another one of those semi-popular Science Fiction dramas brought to life (and television) compliments of 20th Century Fox, the network SciFi fans love to hate. For all of its posturing with genetic storylines and the like, the show never quite seemed to break out of the mold of being little more than a 'star vehicle' for the just-emerging starlot Jessica Alba. Still, it last a few seasons, and those who followed it closely have fond memories of it, indeed.
Personally, I've always thought the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars a fascinating idea with almost limitless storytelling possibilities. Sure, it's always great to go back and explore events perhaps previously mentioned in the greater mythology involving that galaxy far, far away; but it also gives storytellers the chance to introduce new characters and situations which only build on an already existing foundation. The program first aired two thirty minutes installments on this day in 2008, and the landscape of The Clone Wars continues to play out in exciting and mysterious ways.
NBC's Timeless kinda/sorta became 'the little show that could' as fans pushed to save it from cancellation after its first season, granting it a second shot at life. Unfortunately, the time travel show never really quite built a head of steam and was inevitably cancelled after its second season, but network executives were quick to greenlight a telefilm that'll hopefully ties up all of its loose ends, historical inaccuracies, and whatnot.
Personally, I'd love to see actress Lena Headey land a role in a Star Trek production. (I say this freely admitting that I'd love to see her in anything, to be honest.) She roared understandably to prominence for her portrayal of the tough yet not insensitive Queen Gorgo in Zack Snyder's adaptation of Frank Miller's 300, and SciFi fandom embraced her as the mother of John Connor in Fox TV's Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Don't even get me started on how well she chewed scenery in 2012's epic Dredd. In my book, she can do no wrong.
Headey was born on this day back in 1973.
Headey was born on this day back in 1973.
Growing up, I watched any and all of the Flash Gordon serials each and every time I found them on television, and Charles Middleton's take on 'Ming the Merciless' was the stuff of SciFi/Adventure genius. Though he's no longer with us, Middleton was born on this day in 1874.
Morgan Farley had two appearances in the original Star Trek series: "The Return of the Archons" (above center) and "The Omega Glory." He also had a key role in 1973's SciFi epic, Soylent Green. Though he's no longer with us, Farley was born on this day in 1898.
When Khan first came out of cryogenic sleep in Star Trek's "Space Seed," he was immediately smitten with Marla McGivers, an Enterprise crewman played by the lovely Madlyn Rhue. Though she's no longer with us, Rhue was born on this day in 1935.
Alan Rachins put on the uniform for a guest-starring appearance on the popular Stargate: SG-1 during its run. Rachins was born on this day in 1942.
Actress Pamela Hensley was perfectly cast as the tyrannically voluptuous Princess Ardala who had her sights always set on the alpha male in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. May she forever be as lovely! Hensley was born on this day in 1950.
She wore the uniform, and she wore it well. Sarah Bullen served in Main Mission Command as part of that SciFi show that never gets enough love -- Space: 1999. How about a reboot, Hollywood? Bullen was born on this day in 1950.
Some guys have all the luck! A very lucky Hart Bochner was on the receiving end of some very welcome First Aid from none other than Helen Slater as Supergirl (1984). Bochner was born on this day in 1956.
2006's Children of Men was an epic look at an apocalyptic future directed by critical favorite Alfonso Cuaron. His leading man -- Clive Owen was perfectly cast, bringing an equal measure of thinking machismo and cultural aloofness to the role of a man unsuspectingly tasked with saving mankind. Owen was born on this day in 1964.
Director Denis Villeneuve has certainly established himself as a force to be reckoned with as one of the driving forces behind Arrival (2016) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017). Villeneuve was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Keiko Agena turns in some surprising turns even in small roles as can be seen in her contributions to USA Network's interesting SciFi/Drama Colony. Agena was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
The dreamily sexy Alanna Ubach definitely gravitates toward more mainstream fare than she does genre work, but she has 'dabbled' with work in such properties as Virtuosity (1995), Jekyll (2007), The Spectacular Spider-man (animated), Stan Lee's Mighty 7 (animated), Ben 10: Omniverse (animated), and Helen Keller Vs. Nightwolves (2015). Ubach was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
Big screen lovable doofus Seann William Scott (pictured above, right) joined forces with David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, and Julianne Moore to save the world from an alien invasion in 2001's SciFi comedy Evolution. Scott was born on this day in 1976.
Amanda Walsh has found herself in the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy with plum roles aboard Smallville, WarGames: The Dead Code (2008), Grimm, Lost Girl, and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. Walsh was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
After getting to know actor Seth Gabel as the spoiled little rich kid of ABC's Dirty Sexy Money, it was refreshing to see him slip so easily into the character of Lincoln Lee as part of the winning ensemble that made Fox TV's Fringe so damn watchable. Gabel was born on this day in 1981.
As her star continues to rise, young Tessa Thompson has moved from the realm of Creed to HBO's reboot of Westworld. Thompson was born on this day in 1983.
Back in 2015, Meagan Holder found herself and her friends being menaced by something beneath The Sand, a SciFi/Horror hybrid that scared all of the kids. Holder was born on this day in 1984.
The lovely Jessica Parker Kennedy continues to flirt with fame in and around quality genre entertainment. So far, she's booked appearances on Smallville, V (the reboot), as well as the TV movie Collision Earth. She's also booked small screen time on Starz Network's Black Sails recently as well as The CW's popular The Flash. Kennedy was born on this day in 1984.
Don't get me wrong: I loved the serious vibe coming of Ex Machina (2015) as much as everyone else did. I just didn't think the film was all that original. I could be wrong. In any event, kudos to the lovely Alicia Vikander for giving us yet one more look into the dangers of artificial intelligence. Vikander was born on this day in 1988.
Newcomer Adair Tishler made a certified splash in the realm of Science Fiction with roles aboard such properies as NBC's Heroes and Fox TV's Dollhouse. Tishler was born on this day in 1996. [Source: IMDB.com]
The talented Noah Schnapp is one of the delightful urchins who has helped to make Netflix's Stranger Things strangely into the phenomenon it has become. Schnapp was born on this day in 2004. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1985 (in Argentina), 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, the Horror/SciFi flick known as Syngenor sunk its teeth into audience. The feature starred Starr Andreeff and David Gale, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A scientist engineers a group of genetically engineered creatures for use as "supersoldiers" to fight U.S. wars in the Middle East. However, things get ugly when the creatures malfunction and turn on their creators."
"A scientist engineers a group of genetically engineered creatures for use as "supersoldiers" to fight U.S. wars in the Middle East. However, things get ugly when the creatures malfunction and turn on their creators."
On this day in 1995, Terminal Virus gave audiences yet one more looked at mankind's bombed out Apocalyptic future. The feature starred Susan Africa and Chris Atkins, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"It has been 23 years since a world war during which combatants unleashed a lab-created virus that has made life no fun at all. Civilization has broken down into forcibly celibate, warring male and female tribes. Any co mingling, even rape, is punished by both sides with summary execution, for victim and perpetrator alike. A paramilitary fanatic on a vague religious mission leads his gunmen to massacre a peaceful scientific community where men and women committed the blasphemy of co-ed habitation."
"It has been 23 years since a world war during which combatants unleashed a lab-created virus that has made life no fun at all. Civilization has broken down into forcibly celibate, warring male and female tribes. Any co mingling, even rape, is punished by both sides with summary execution, for victim and perpetrator alike. A paramilitary fanatic on a vague religious mission leads his gunmen to massacre a peaceful scientific community where men and women committed the blasphemy of co-ed habitation."
On this day in 2006, the 1970's SciFi/Farce Cinderella 2000 enjoyed its premiere on home video. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the year 2047, sex is forbidden and Big Brother uses robots to keep on eye on everyone. One young girl tries to outwit the government so she can be with the man she loves."
"In the year 2047, sex is forbidden and Big Brother uses robots to keep on eye on everyone. One young girl tries to outwit the government so she can be with the man she loves."
On this day in 2008, the SciFi/Drama Blindness opened theatrically. The feature starred Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"A city is ravaged by an epidemic of instant white blindness."
"A city is ravaged by an epidemic of instant white blindness."
On this day in 2008, the SciFi/Horror film Plaguers played to anticipating crowds at the Shockerfest International Film Festival. The feature starred Steve Railsback and Noelle Perris, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When a band of sexy space pirates hijack a fuel-transport vessel bound for Earth, an alien virus known only as "Thanatos" is accidentally released. The contagion mutates its victims, transforming them one after another into ravenous, demonic creatures. Pirates and crew must join together to destroy the undead PLAGUERS as the ship nears Earth, threatening to infect the entire planet."
"When a band of sexy space pirates hijack a fuel-transport vessel bound for Earth, an alien virus known only as "Thanatos" is accidentally released. The contagion mutates its victims, transforming them one after another into ravenous, demonic creatures. Pirates and crew must join together to destroy the undead PLAGUERS as the ship nears Earth, threatening to infect the entire planet."
On this day in 1952, Adventures of Superman aired "The Case of the Talkative Dummy." This served as the third episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Clark, Lois, and Jimmy attend a ventriloquist act that goes wrong when the dummy appears to talk by itself. Upon further investigation, they link what the dummy appears to have said to a series of armored car hijackings."
"Clark, Lois, and Jimmy attend a ventriloquist act that goes wrong when the dummy appears to talk by itself. Upon further investigation, they link what the dummy appears to have said to a series of armored car hijackings."
On this day in 1952, TV's Tales Of Tomorrow aired "Substance 'X.'" This served as the seventh episode of the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A young woman goes to her hometown at the behest of a food conglomerate. Her assignment is to discover what the people of the community are using for food after their only food outlet closes. She discovers a scientist who has developed a food substitute called 'Substance X'. Anyone who diets on Substance X is unable to eat normal food from that time on."
"A young woman goes to her hometown at the behest of a food conglomerate. Her assignment is to discover what the people of the community are using for food after their only food outlet closes. She discovers a scientist who has developed a food substitute called 'Substance X'. Anyone who diets on Substance X is unable to eat normal food from that time on."
On this day in 1953, Adventures Of Superman aired "The Man Who Could Read Minds." This served as the third episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Reporters Clark, Lois, and Jimmy hope to find out who has been pulling a series of burglaries. Clues lead them to a nightclub which hosts Swami Armada, a phony mind reader, and Lois and Jimmy decide to set up a sting operation to catch the thieves."
"Reporters Clark, Lois, and Jimmy hope to find out who has been pulling a series of burglaries. Clues lead them to a nightclub which hosts Swami Armada, a phony mind reader, and Lois and Jimmy decide to set up a sting operation to catch the thieves."
It all began right here: on this day in 1961, A For Andromeda aired "The Message." This served as the first episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary provided by TV.com:
"The year is 1970, and the setting is a radio telescope on the North Yorkshire moors in England. While doing routine work on the telescope Fleming picks up a signal from the Andromeda Galaxy. His interest aroused, Fleming trains the telescope in the direction of the signal, which is a series of long and short beeps, like a morse code message. Fleming continues to listen to the signal, and its repetitive pattern eventually convinces him that it must be from an intelligent source. Fleming informs his colleagues, who are equally convinced, and then his employers, the Ministry of Defence, who compel him to secrecy on pain of losing his job."
"The year is 1970, and the setting is a radio telescope on the North Yorkshire moors in England. While doing routine work on the telescope Fleming picks up a signal from the Andromeda Galaxy. His interest aroused, Fleming trains the telescope in the direction of the signal, which is a series of long and short beeps, like a morse code message. Fleming continues to listen to the signal, and its repetitive pattern eventually convinces him that it must be from an intelligent source. Fleming informs his colleagues, who are equally convinced, and then his employers, the Ministry of Defence, who compel him to secrecy on pain of losing his job."
On this day in 1986, Starman aired "Fatal Flaw." This served as the third episode in the show's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Forrester and Scott decide to lay low at an airfield. He meets a woman who along with her father were designing a new plane but when he suffered a stroke she tries to do it on her own. She doesn't even try talking to him. But with the sphere, Forrester is able to communicate with her father, who tells him some flaws with the plane which he tries to tell her about which she doesn't believe."
"Forrester and Scott decide to lay low at an airfield. He meets a woman who along with her father were designing a new plane but when he suffered a stroke she tries to do it on her own. She doesn't even try talking to him. But with the sphere, Forrester is able to communicate with her father, who tells him some flaws with the plane which he tries to tell her about which she doesn't believe."
On this day in 1986, The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers aired "Edge of Darkness." This (technically) served as the program's twenty-fifth episode (they were aired wildly out of sequence), and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Rangers are battling against the Black Hole Gang at Entropy's Edge. In the heat of the battle, Goose gets dragged into the black hole after he knocked out the power source of the Black Hole hideout. During the wild ride inside the wormhole, Goose finally ends up in the Empty Zone, on Ozark."
"The Rangers are battling against the Black Hole Gang at Entropy's Edge. In the heat of the battle, Goose gets dragged into the black hole after he knocked out the power source of the Black Hole hideout. During the wild ride inside the wormhole, Goose finally ends up in the Empty Zone, on Ozark."
Thankfully, Star Trek: The Next Generation didn't make a habit of re-visiting the strange new worlds, civilizations, and situations of the original Star Trek, but they did it to middling effectiveness more often than they should have. Case in point: TNG's first season outing "The Naked Now" saw how well this new 'generation' would perform when essentially intoxicated by some space virus. It premiered in syndication on this day in 1987. Pardon my obvious sexism, but the only thing I really choose to remember about it all is that lovely number Tasha Yar had on when she seduced Commander Data. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The crew of the Enterprise is infected with a virus that causes them to behave as though they were intoxicated."
"The crew of the Enterprise is infected with a virus that causes them to behave as though they were intoxicated."
Well ... hello sailor! On this day in 1992, Marina Sirtis put her assets to use aboard "Man Of The People," a sixth season episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When the Enterprise comes to the rescue of an ambassador and his "mother", Deanna finds herself attracted to him, and seeks to comfort him upon her death."
"When the Enterprise comes to the rescue of an ambassador and his "mother", Deanna finds herself attracted to him, and seeks to comfort him upon her death."
On this day in 1992, The Ray Bradbury Theatre aired "Sun And Shadow." This served as the eighth episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the premise that's provided compliments of IMDB.com:
"An American film crew arrives in a Mexican village to shoot a TV commercial; Ricardo, a townsman, interferes with the filming because he resents his life being treated as a colorful prop by these arrogant interlopers."
"An American film crew arrives in a Mexican village to shoot a TV commercial; Ricardo, a townsman, interferes with the filming because he resents his life being treated as a colorful prop by these arrogant interlopers."
On this day in 1993, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman aired "NeverEnding Battle." This served as the third episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Even as Lois tries to learn about Superman, Lex Luthor decides to test the superhero himself for his threat level."
"Even as Lois tries to learn about Superman, Lex Luthor decides to test the superhero himself for his threat level."
On this day in 1993, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "The Circle." This served as the second episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Kira spends time with Vedek Bareil on Bajor just as "The Circle" begins arming themselves from a mysterious source."
"Kira spends time with Vedek Bareil on Bajor just as "The Circle" begins arming themselves from a mysterious source."
On this day back in 1994 (in the United Kingdom), Babylon 5 reached the end of its first season with an episode titled, "Chrysalis." Here's the summary from Wikipedia.org:
"The Centauri are about to withdraw from a quadrant of space because the Narns are harassing them, when Londo gets an offer to take care of the problem. Meanwhile Garibaldi tries to find out what his informant stumbled upon that got him killed."
"The Centauri are about to withdraw from a quadrant of space because the Narns are harassing them, when Londo gets an offer to take care of the problem. Meanwhile Garibaldi tries to find out what his informant stumbled upon that got him killed."
On this day in 1994, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "The Search: Part 2." This served as the second episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Odo has found his home and is introduced. Meanwhile Sisko finds out peace talks between the Dominion and the Federation have already started."
"Odo has found his home and is introduced. Meanwhile Sisko finds out peace talks between the Dominion and the Federation have already started."
On this day in 1997, Stargate: SG-1 aired "The Torment Of Tantalus." This served as the tenth episode to the long-running program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Daniel Jackson discovers that the Stargate was activated in 1945 and a young professor went through, never to return. Together with his still living fiancée, the SG1 team discover the now aged professor, naked and trapped in a decaying fortress, containing the secrets of an Ancient alliance. Will they be able to rescue him and escape to earth in time?"
"Daniel Jackson discovers that the Stargate was activated in 1945 and a young professor went through, never to return. Together with his still living fiancée, the SG1 team discover the now aged professor, naked and trapped in a decaying fortress, containing the secrets of an Ancient alliance. Will they be able to rescue him and escape to earth in time?"
On this day in 1999, Futurama aired "Mars University." This served as the second episode to the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Fry matriculates at Mars University and competes with a monkey made smart by Prof. Farnsworth's latest invention while Bender tries to make the local chapter of his robot fraternity cool."
"Fry matriculates at Mars University and competes with a monkey made smart by Prof. Farnsworth's latest invention while Bender tries to make the local chapter of his robot fraternity cool."
On this day in 1999, GvsE (aka Good vs Evil) aired "Choose Your Own Evil." This served as the eighth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Chandler's son, Ben, is kidnapped by Morlocks and the price for his safe return is a precious amulet, kept by the Corps, in a safe, in their headquarters. It is an amulet of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Iif the Morlocks get their hands on all four, the spirit of absolute evil will be released. Chandler has a hard choice: will he risk the future on the world for the sake of his son?"
"Chandler's son, Ben, is kidnapped by Morlocks and the price for his safe return is a precious amulet, kept by the Corps, in a safe, in their headquarters. It is an amulet of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Iif the Morlocks get their hands on all four, the spirit of absolute evil will be released. Chandler has a hard choice: will he risk the future on the world for the sake of his son?"
It all began right here: On this day in 2000, Dark Angel gave the young and lovely Jessica Alba a chance to show her wares. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for the first episode:
"12 genetically enhanced childern escape from a military base that created them. 10 years later, after The Pulse, a magnetic bomb that destroyed every computer in USA, has struck, Max Guevara, one of the 12 escapees, is a bike messenger in (what's left of) Seattle and with cyberjournalist, Logan Cale, she tries to rid the world of crime and corruption, avoid her creators and uncover her past."
"12 genetically enhanced childern escape from a military base that created them. 10 years later, after The Pulse, a magnetic bomb that destroyed every computer in USA, has struck, Max Guevara, one of the 12 escapees, is a bike messenger in (what's left of) Seattle and with cyberjournalist, Logan Cale, she tries to rid the world of crime and corruption, avoid her creators and uncover her past."
On this day in 2001, "Fight or Flight" aired as the third official episode of Star Trek: Enterprise's first season. According to our friends at TrekCore.com, here's the plot summary:
"As Hoshi struggles to adjust to her new life aboard Enterprise, things only get worse for the naive young Ensign as the NX-01 runs across a deralict alien vessel. Investigating, Captain Archer and the rest of the Away Team make a startling and horrific discovery - one which only strenghtens Sato's reservations about remaining aboard."
"As Hoshi struggles to adjust to her new life aboard Enterprise, things only get worse for the naive young Ensign as the NX-01 runs across a deralict alien vessel. Investigating, Captain Archer and the rest of the Away Team make a startling and horrific discovery - one which only strenghtens Sato's reservations about remaining aboard."
On this day in 2006, Eureka aired "Once In A Lifetime." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After another lab accident Jack wakens to a whole new world."
"After another lab accident Jack wakens to a whole new world."
It all began right here: on this day in 2008, George Lucas's Star Wars: The Clone Wars premiered on television, bringing a seminal period in the history of that galaxy far, far away to life for a whole new generation of fans. The first episode was titled "Ambush," and here's the plot summary as provided by StarWars.com:
"Jedi Master Yoda and three clone troopers -- Jek, Thire, and Rys -- must face off against Count Dooku's dreaded assassin Ventress and her massive droid army to prove the Jedi are strong enough to protect a strategic planet and forge a treaty for the Republic."
"Jedi Master Yoda and three clone troopers -- Jek, Thire, and Rys -- must face off against Count Dooku's dreaded assassin Ventress and her massive droid army to prove the Jedi are strong enough to protect a strategic planet and forge a treaty for the Republic."
The second half of Star Wars: The Clone Wars television premiere in 2008 was the begin of a multi-episode arc involving a new Imperial supership. This adventure was titled "Rising Malevolence," and here's the plot summary from StarWars.com:
"An attack by a devastating new Separatist weapon -- the powerful starship Malevolence -- leaves Jedi Master Plo Koon and his clone troopers struggling to survive until Anakin and Ahsoka can find them."
"An attack by a devastating new Separatist weapon -- the powerful starship Malevolence -- leaves Jedi Master Plo Koon and his clone troopers struggling to survive until Anakin and Ahsoka can find them."
On this day in 2014, Star Wars: Rebels aired "Droids in Distress." This served as the second episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The rebel group intercepts an Imperial weapon shipment and unintentionally take on an android duo."
"The rebel group intercepts an Imperial weapon shipment and unintentionally take on an android duo."
On this day in 2015, Doctor Who explored 'ghosts' for the first real time in his growing history when the BBC aired "Under The Lake." This served as the third hour of the program's ninth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Under a lake a gleaming black spaceship is recovered but there is nothing inside. When the base crew start dying, they discover that ghosts are real. The Doctor and Clara arrive to find the base under siege and the Doctor discovers that this is more than a ghost story."
"Under a lake a gleaming black spaceship is recovered but there is nothing inside. When the base crew start dying, they discover that ghosts are real. The Doctor and Clara arrive to find the base under siege and the Doctor discovers that this is more than a ghost story."
It all began right here: on this day in 2016, NBC leapt into the realm of time travel with the premiere of Timeless. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An unlikely team must travel through time and stop a criminal mastermind from destroying the past."
"An unlikely team must travel through time and stop a criminal mastermind from destroying the past."
On this day in 1937, The Shadow radio serial aired its second adventure ever. This one was called "The Red Macaw," and here's the plot summary as detailed on The Shadow Wiki:
"A phony mystic conducts seances at society parties in order to rob the women of their jewels. Commissioner Weston believes The Shadow is behind the theft, but Lamont proves him wrong and reveals how the mystic is able to distract his audience, so that he can commit his crime without notice."
"A phony mystic conducts seances at society parties in order to rob the women of their jewels. Commissioner Weston believes The Shadow is behind the theft, but Lamont proves him wrong and reveals how the mystic is able to distract his audience, so that he can commit his crime without notice."
