In days of old (or in the days I recall from my youth), Saturday morning programming wonderfully inspired the youngest minds, and one of the programs I distinctly recall being excited about was CBS's Space Academy. It was a high-budget concept -- essentially think of it as "90210 In Space" -- but it had the distinction of showing some of mankind's youngest explorers taking their place amongst the stars. Sadly, it only lasted a single season, but "Hey, Hollywood, why not do a reboot of something that's ripe for the picking?" With the popularity of JJ Abrams' original Star Trek reboot focusing just a bit on a crew of cadets, Space Academy might be worth another trip into the heavens.
Honestly, there are many, many of these Saturday morning programs that just whiz past me: I've rarely heard of them, nor do I recall watching them. Today's evidence is Space Sentinels which premiered on this day in 1977 and lasted a single season. Unless I miss my guess, I'm thinking this one was the Saturday morning start to pushing diversity amongst the youngest? Could be wrong. In any event, here's the series' premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"Three teenagers carefully chosen from various parts of Earth, are transported to a faraway world where they are granted amazing powers and eternal youth. Returning to Earth, the trio are tasked by a sentient alien supercomputer with protecting Earth and its sector of space, in the course of history, becoming superheroes of myth and legend."
"Three teenagers carefully chosen from various parts of Earth, are transported to a faraway world where they are granted amazing powers and eternal youth. Returning to Earth, the trio are tasked by a sentient alien supercomputer with protecting Earth and its sector of space, in the course of history, becoming superheroes of myth and legend."
A phenom is born: on this day back in 1993, Fox TV and Chris Carter first opened the cases of The X-Files. Over the course of the show's nine seasons, the intrepid FBI Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully braved the darkness looking for the truth out there involving alien abduction, genetic mutations, and other things that go bump in the night. Here's the series premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"Two FBI agents, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully work in an unassigned detail of the bureau called the X-Files investigating cases dealing with unexplained paranormal phenomena. Mulder, a true believer, and Scully, a skeptic, perceive their cases from stand points of science and the paranormal."
"Two FBI agents, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully work in an unassigned detail of the bureau called the X-Files investigating cases dealing with unexplained paranormal phenomena. Mulder, a true believer, and Scully, a skeptic, perceive their cases from stand points of science and the paranormal."
Alas, as I'm not living on 'that side of the pond,' I really can't tell you all that much about the United Kingdom's Wolfblood ... which premiered on this day back in 2012. I can say that it looks like a somewhat conventional teen-based Fantasy program -- of which producers everywhere tend to march out fairly consistently each new broadcast season -- and it did last for a few years, and that implies it had an audience and perhaps even some quality. Here's the series' premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"Wolfbloods have lived amongst us for centuries, disguising heightened senses & abilities and the majority of them blending in. Maddy and her parents are the only wolfbloods in their area. Until one day, a new boy starts at Maddy's school..."
"Wolfbloods have lived amongst us for centuries, disguising heightened senses & abilities and the majority of them blending in. Maddy and her parents are the only wolfbloods in their area. Until one day, a new boy starts at Maddy's school..."
If I'm getting technical, The Orville actually premiered (for an exclusive audience) a few days before this (in a super-limited setting); but I'm not gonna split hairs on this one. For all intents and purposes, the Fox TV Network did Star Trek fans a solid by allowing Seth MacFarlane essentially recreate the weekly SciFi procedural that the Roddenberry franchise had perfected but for reasons unexplained had abandoned in favor of ... well ... whatever it is Trek looks like these days. In any event, here's the series premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"Set 400 years in the future, the show follows the adventures of the Orville, a not-so-top-of-the-line exploratory ship in Earth's interstellar Fleet. Facing cosmic challenges from without and within, this motley crew of space explorers will boldly go where no comedic drama has gone before."
"Set 400 years in the future, the show follows the adventures of the Orville, a not-so-top-of-the-line exploratory ship in Earth's interstellar Fleet. Facing cosmic challenges from without and within, this motley crew of space explorers will boldly go where no comedic drama has gone before."
Bessie Love leaves behind a resume of over one hundred and fifty screen credits, but perhaps the most impressive to SciFi fans is her big role aboard The Lost World (1925), the very first screen adaptation of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novel. Though she's no longer with us, Love was born on this day in 1898. [Source: IMDB.com]
The very last professional role credited to the lovely Tala Birell was in the guise of the 'Queen of Cygnii' aboard the mid-1950's TV incarnation of Flash Gordon. She also enjoyed a prominent role aboard The Monster Maker (1944). Though she's no longer with us, Birell was born on this day in 1907. [Source: IMDB.com]
I realize that many Trek enthusiasts don't have a lotta love for Star Trek: The Motion Picture, but let me tell you that, as a fan who had been clamoring back in those days for a welcome return to Gene Roddenberry's universe, I enjoyed it well enough. Sure, the pacing was off, but it had such an epic scope for a story that warned mankind it might inadvertently be the source for its own undoing. Director Robert Wise (pictured above, with William Shatner) did a terrific job handling the stewardship role of getting the picture "in the can" as they say, and, though he's no longer with us, he was born on this day back in 1914.
Edmond O'Brien dared to think outside the box for his work aboard George Orwell's 1984 (1956). Though he's no longer with us, O'Brien was born on this day in 1915. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though he most certainly wasn't well known for his contributions to Science Fiction and Fantasy, the great Philip Baker Hall was a much revered character actor who certainly knew how to establish a presence in any role big or small and do something with the time given. His appearance on Seinfeld was particularly great, and thankfully he made a stop in Ghostbusters II (1989) so that we can give him the proper shout today. Though he's no longer with us, Hall was born on this day in 1931. [Source: IMDB.com]
ABC TV's Land Of The Lost was about as good as live action SciFi-lite got for the early 1970's, and Spencer Milligan played the fatherly 'Rick Marshall' to the bulk of the cast. He also scored guest roles on Sleeper (1973), The Bionic Woman, and Logan's Run. Milligan was born on this day in 1937. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ah, that there is the lovely British SciFi looks of Judy Geeson! Her acting career began in the early 1960's, but it really wasn't until the 70's that she achieved a lasting measure of greatest so far as our genre is concerned. In 1972, she appeared in Doomwatch, a drama that foretold environment terror. A few years later, she guest-starred in Space:1999's "Another Time, Another Place," an hour often voted one of the program's best shows. Not long after, the lady followed in an uncredited Sylvia Anderson TV production known as Star Maidens. Then -- in 1981 -- she starrred as the astronaut impregnated by a space monster in Horror Planet (aka Inseminoid). She also made a guest appearance on Star Trek: Voyager. Geeson was born on this day in 1948.
Harry Groener is another one of those prolific character actors who has had the good fortune of appearing in multiple genres. He's perhaps best known for work aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation, Quantum Leap, Star Trek: Voyager, The Day The World Ended, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and Star Trek: Enterprise. Groener was born on this day in 1951. [Source: IMDB.com]
Let me tell you a thing or two about Gerry Conway. For starters, he's the co-creator of Marvel Comics' epic revenge character, The Punisher. Second, he wrote for DC Comics' Justice League Of America for over eight years. Naturally, the icing on the cake would be his additional storytelling work on such properties as Fantastic Four, The Amazing Spider-Man, and a little something something called Star Trek. Conway was born on this day in 1952. [Source: Wikipedia.org]
You say you want "star power"? Well, can you get any more "star power" than having the critically-lauded Amy Irving aboard Brian De Palma's The Fury (1978)? Irving was born on this day in 1953. [Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable Stuart Milligan definitely has a few genre credentials to be proud of. He's been a part of Aliens (1986), Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow (2004), and Doctor Who. Milligan was born on this day in 1953. [Source: IMDB.com]
What some folks might call 'shlock' the rest of us call good, old-fashioned entertainment. Much of the time, these lesser films are made with more love and enthusiasm than your basic summer blockbusting clunker, so I'll celebrate the flicks of Fred Olen Ray any chance I get. You wanna try one? Check out 1986's Star Slammer for good measure, and then work your way up from there. Ray was born on this day in 1954. [Source: IMDB.com]
Screen veteran Kate Burton has over three decades in the entertainment industry. While one could argue that she's definitely done far more dramatic work, she's still had some quality roles in genre projects including Medium, Grimm, Revolution, and Extant. Burton was born on this day in 1957.
Director Chris Columbus has helmed such genre projects as Bicentennial Man (1999), Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone (2001), and Pixels (2015). Columbus was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
Halloween III: Season Of The Witch (1982) is more than a bit of an oddball addition to the whole Halloween franchise. For starters, it really isn't a horror film, per se: it's central idea explores a subversive technology to kinda/sorta turn kids into monsters. My two cents? Well, the best thing to come out of the flick was the lovely Stacey Nelkin: see it for her alone, but don't lose your head over it. (Pun intended.) Nelkin was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
Tara Ward's first appearance in the realm of Science Fiction was in the guise of 'Preston' aboard the classic Doctor Who serial "Warriors Of The Deep." In 1986, she enjoyed a small role in the SciFi/Comedy The American Way (aka Riders Of The Storm). She's also enjoyed work in Star Cops and Justice League (2017). Ward was born on this day in 1959. [Source: Doctor Who Online Guide]
Peter Nelson enjoyed a bit of SciFi-Notoriety for his work in the 1980's, appearing in such programs as the two original V miniseries and a role in The Last Starfighter (1984). Nelson was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
According to IMDB.com, the beautiful Stephanie Erb got her humble start aboard "Man Of The People," an adventure in Star Trek: The Next Generation's sixth season. She's also been a part of Starship Troopers (1997), 3rd Rock From The Sun, Star Trek: Enterprise, Threshold, and Knight Rider. Erb was born on this day in 1963. [Source: Memory Alpha]
Birthday wishes of a somewhat galactic order far, far away are also in line for fandom's Jay Laga'aia. He played Captain Typho in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and briefly reprised the role in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. Laga'aia was born on this day back in 1963.
Johnathon Schaech has stepped into the shoes of many interesting characters in genre properties. Fans have seen him in The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., The Outer Limits, Quarantine, Star-Crossed, and Legends of Tomorrow. Schaech was born on this day in 1969.
Earlier in his career, a young James Duval played 'Miguel' (pictured), one of the many Americans fighting for their survival against an alien menace in Independence Day (1996). Duval was born on this day in 1972.
Lovely Lindsay Maxwell has dabbled in a variety of sexy roles, drawing the attention of fanboys worldwide. She's enjoyed quality face time in Seven Days, Stargate: SG-1, The Butterfly Effect 2, Alien Agent, and Supernatural (pictured above right). Maxwell was born on this day in 1981.
Harry Treadaway continues to build inroads throughout all genres possibles. Fans probably recognize him best from work aboard City Of Ember (2008), The Lone Ranger (2013), and Showtime's popular Penny Dreadful. Treadaway was born on this day in 1984. [Source: IMDB.com]
Luke Treadaway (pictured above center) and his homeys did what they could to stave off an alien invasion as part of the British SciFi comedy Attack The Block. Treadaway was born on this day in 1984.
I'm one of that rare few who actually enjoyed quite a bit of Stargate: Universe. Truth be told, I didn't much care for the first two series -- a bit too saccharin for my tastes -- but it is what it is. But someone who definitely deserved to get more screen time on SGU was the lovely Elyse Levesque: her tough but tender portrayal of Chloe Armstrong made turning in each week an easy decision for me. Levesque was born on this day in 1985.
A star is born! On this day in 1958, one of Science Fiction's 'lesser' franchises was born with the full U.S. theatrical release of The Blob. Directed by Irvin S. Yeaworth Jr., the feature starred Steve McQueen, Aneta Corsaut, and Earl Rowe. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A mysterious creature from another planet, resembling a giant blob of jelly, lands on earth. The people of a nearby small town refuse to listen to some teenagers who have witnessed the blob's destructive power. In the meantime, the blob just keeps on getting bigger."
"A mysterious creature from another planet, resembling a giant blob of jelly, lands on earth. The people of a nearby small town refuse to listen to some teenagers who have witnessed the blob's destructive power. In the meantime, the blob just keeps on getting bigger."
On this day in 1960 (in Mexico), The Cyclops turned its angry eye at audiences. Egad! Written and directed by genre legend Bert I. Gordon, the SciFi/Monster feature starred James Craig, Lon Chaney Jr., and Gloria Talbott. Here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"An expedition to Mexico finds and does battle with a mutated 25-foot man with one big eye."
"An expedition to Mexico finds and does battle with a mutated 25-foot man with one big eye."
On this day in 1976 (behind the 'Maple Curtain' in Canada), the SciFi/Thriller Point Of No Return was released. Written and directed by Ed Hunt, the feature starred Nicky Fylan and Cec Linder, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In this sci-fi thriller, authorities begin looking into a series of violent deaths. Their investigation leads them into the arcane worlds of UFOs and nuclear research."
"In this sci-fi thriller, authorities begin looking into a series of violent deaths. Their investigation leads them into the arcane worlds of UFOs and nuclear research."
A star is born! On this day in 1977 (in Japan), the ultimate Apocalypse/Thriller -- Damnation Alley -- first played in theaters. Directed by Jack Smight as adapted from a novel by Roger Zelany, the film starred George Peppard, Jan-Michael Vincent, and Dominque Sanda. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In a post-apocalyptic world, a group of survivors travel and find other settlements in huge custom designed all terrain vehicles."
"In a post-apocalyptic world, a group of survivors travel and find other settlements in huge custom designed all terrain vehicles."
A star is born! On this day in 1982, a little heard of SciFi/Thriller titled Endangered Species capitalized on the story involving cattle mutilations in Colorado and put the story up on the silver screen. It was partly-written but entirely directed by Alan Rudolph, and the SciFi/Mystery starred Robert Urich, JoBeth Williams, and Paul Dooley. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"About a retired New York cop on Vacation in America's West who is drawn into a female sheriff's investigation of a mysterious series of cattle killings."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Endangered Species enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Science Fiction Film' from the 1983 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films).
"About a retired New York cop on Vacation in America's West who is drawn into a female sheriff's investigation of a mysterious series of cattle killings."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Endangered Species enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Science Fiction Film' from the 1983 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films).
A star is born ... or is that ... 'star inspector'? On this day in 1982 (in the U.S.), The Star Inspector took to the celestrial heights. Directed by the team of Mark Kovalyov and Vladimir Polin, the SciFi/Mystery starred Vladimir Ivashov, Yuri Gusev, and Timofey Spivak. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A commander of the Russian space police begins looking for the capitalist space pirates who have been wreaking intergalactic havoc upon the surrounding planets."
For the record:
Technically, The Star Inspector premiered sometime in October of 1980 in the former Soviet Union. However, as that date appears to be presented lost to history, I am using this airing as its first theatrical engagement.
"A commander of the Russian space police begins looking for the capitalist space pirates who have been wreaking intergalactic havoc upon the surrounding planets."
For the record:
Technically, The Star Inspector premiered sometime in October of 1980 in the former Soviet Union. However, as that date appears to be presented lost to history, I am using this airing as its first theatrical engagement.
A star is born! On this day in 1989 (in Canada), Alien Space Avenger raced across the cinematic cosmos and landed on Earth's movie screens when its premiere was hosted by the Toronto International Film Festival. Directed by Richard W. Haines, the SciFi/Horror starred Robert Prichard, Michael McCleery, and Charity Staley. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In 1939 a spaceship carrying four alien escaped prisoners crash-lands on Earth and the aliens take over the bodies of four locals. Fifty years later the aliens find out that an artist has written a comic book called "Space Avenger," which they believe is about them. They go to New York to try to kill the artist."
"In 1939 a spaceship carrying four alien escaped prisoners crash-lands on Earth and the aliens take over the bodies of four locals. Fifty years later the aliens find out that an artist has written a comic book called "Space Avenger," which they believe is about them. They go to New York to try to kill the artist."
A star is born! On this day in 1997 (in Canada), Conceiving Ada played for audiences in attendance of the Toronto International Film Festival. Written (in part) and directed by Lynn Hershman-Leeson, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Tilda Swinton, Francesca Faridany, and Timothy Leary. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Emmy Coer, a computer genius, devises a method of communicating with the past by tapping into undying information waves. She manages to reach the world of Ada Lovelace, founder of the idea of a computer language and proponent of the possibilities of the "difference engine." Ada's ideas were stifled and unfulfilled because of the reality of life as a woman in the nineteenth century. Emmy has a plan to defeat death and the past using her own DNA as a communicative agent to the past, bringing Ada to the present. But what are the possible ramifications?"
For the record:
To the film's credit, Conceiving Ada enjoyed a wee bit of praise while playing on the film festival circuit.
"Emmy Coer, a computer genius, devises a method of communicating with the past by tapping into undying information waves. She manages to reach the world of Ada Lovelace, founder of the idea of a computer language and proponent of the possibilities of the "difference engine." Ada's ideas were stifled and unfulfilled because of the reality of life as a woman in the nineteenth century. Emmy has a plan to defeat death and the past using her own DNA as a communicative agent to the past, bringing Ada to the present. But what are the possible ramifications?"
For the record:
To the film's credit, Conceiving Ada enjoyed a wee bit of praise while playing on the film festival circuit.
On this day in 2004, Ilya Khrzhanovskiy's 4 enjoyed a special screening at the Venice Film Festival. The SciFi/Drama starred Yuriy Laguta and Marina Vovchenko, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Meat merchant Oleg, prostitute Marina, and piano tuner "simply Volodya" drop into an all-night bar in Moscow, where they are served by a narcoleptic bartender (three plus one is four) while each regales the others with made-up biographies. Oleg claims to work in President Putin's administration, supplying him with bottled water and his wife with liquor; Marina passes herself off as a marketing executive; and Volodya, the infamous lead singer of the rock group Leningrad, as a geneticist who clones twins (two times two makes four, again) in a laboratory that has been engaged in these experiments since the days of Stalin. After they separate, these fantasy realities, especially Volodya's, begin to dominate their everyday lives."
"Meat merchant Oleg, prostitute Marina, and piano tuner "simply Volodya" drop into an all-night bar in Moscow, where they are served by a narcoleptic bartender (three plus one is four) while each regales the others with made-up biographies. Oleg claims to work in President Putin's administration, supplying him with bottled water and his wife with liquor; Marina passes herself off as a marketing executive; and Volodya, the infamous lead singer of the rock group Leningrad, as a geneticist who clones twins (two times two makes four, again) in a laboratory that has been engaged in these experiments since the days of Stalin. After they separate, these fantasy realities, especially Volodya's, begin to dominate their everyday lives."
On this day in 2010, the next installment in the Resident Evil franchise -- Resident Evil: Afterlife -- first hit theatres. I'm not entirely certain I've seen this one, though I believe I have; the stories and characters just all seemed to blend together after a time with little originality and not much more than a chance for female action star Milla Jovovich to shoot and blow stuff up. In any event, here's the flick's plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"While still out to destroy the evil Umbrella Corporation, Alice joins a group of survivors who want to relocate to the mysterious but supposedly unharmed safe haven known only as Arcadia."
"While still out to destroy the evil Umbrella Corporation, Alice joins a group of survivors who want to relocate to the mysterious but supposedly unharmed safe haven known only as Arcadia."
A star is born! On this day in 2013 (in Canada), Almost Human enjoyed its first theatrical presentation ever when it played for audiences in attendance of the Toronto International Film Festival. Written and directed by Joe Begos, the SciFi/Horror starred Graham Skipper, Josh Ethier, and Vanessa Leigh. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Mark Fisher disappeared from his home in a brilliant flash of blue light almost 2 years ago. His friend Seth Hampton was the last to see him alive. Now a string of grisly, violent murders leads Seth to believe that Mark is back, and something evil is inside of him."
For the record:
At the 2015 iHorror Awards, Almost Human enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best SciFi Horror.'
"Mark Fisher disappeared from his home in a brilliant flash of blue light almost 2 years ago. His friend Seth Hampton was the last to see him alive. Now a string of grisly, violent murders leads Seth to believe that Mark is back, and something evil is inside of him."
For the record:
At the 2015 iHorror Awards, Almost Human enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best SciFi Horror.'
Let's all not forget: Star Trek Into Darkness -- the second installment of the JJ Universe -- premiered on DVD on this day in 2013! Hubba hubba, Alice Eve! Hubba hubba, indeed!
On this day in 2015 (in Mexico), The Incident enjoyed its theatrical debut. The SciFi/Drama starred Raúl Méndez and Magda Brugengheim, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Two parallel stories about characters trapped in illogical endless spaces: two brothers and a detective locked on an infinite staircase, and a family locked on an infinite road - for a very long time."
"Two parallel stories about characters trapped in illogical endless spaces: two brothers and a detective locked on an infinite staircase, and a family locked on an infinite road - for a very long time."
A star is born! On this day in 2017, the SciFi film Cold Skin enjoyed a special screening at the L'Étrange Festival, a cinema event that showcases what organizers promise to be flicks of unique perspective. Directed by Xavier Gens, the SciFi/Thriller starred Ray Stevenson, Aura Garrido, and David Oakes; and here's the plot summary that's been provided by IMDB.com:
"In 1914, a young man arrives at a remote island near the Antarctic Circle to take the post of weather observer only to find himself trapped in a watchtower besieged by deadly creatures which live in hiding on the island."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Cold Skin enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Creature FX' at the 2019 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards.
"In 1914, a young man arrives at a remote island near the Antarctic Circle to take the post of weather observer only to find himself trapped in a watchtower besieged by deadly creatures which live in hiding on the island."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Cold Skin enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Creature FX' at the 2019 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards.
On this day in 1955, Adventures Of Superman aired "Clark Kent, Outlaw." This served as the eighth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Fired by editor Perry White, disgraced reporter Clark Kent joins a gang of diamond thieves. Unbeknownst to fellow reporters Lois and Jimmy, Clark's criminal career is but a sham, a scheme cooked up between Kent and White to trap the real crooks and turn them over to the law. Even so, Clark is forced to prove his loyalty to the gang by "eliminating" Lois and Jimmy, binding the hapless duo to a chair which is then set afire! Isn't it about time for Clark to sneak into that closet and change into Superman?"
"Fired by editor Perry White, disgraced reporter Clark Kent joins a gang of diamond thieves. Unbeknownst to fellow reporters Lois and Jimmy, Clark's criminal career is but a sham, a scheme cooked up between Kent and White to trap the real crooks and turn them over to the law. Even so, Clark is forced to prove his loyalty to the gang by "eliminating" Lois and Jimmy, binding the hapless duo to a chair which is then set afire! Isn't it about time for Clark to sneak into that closet and change into Superman?"
On this day in 1966, Doctor Who launched into its fourth season with the airing of "The Smugglers: Part 1." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Doctor discovers Polly and Ben aboard the TARDIS shortly before the ship arrives in 17th century Cornwall, where the local churchwarden gives the Doctor a cryptic message shortly before being murdered."
"The Doctor discovers Polly and Ben aboard the TARDIS shortly before the ship arrives in 17th century Cornwall, where the local churchwarden gives the Doctor a cryptic message shortly before being murdered."
On this day in 1975 (in the United Kingdom), Shadows aired "After School." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Two school boys get locked in their football coach's office after hours. When they pass time by filling out a class questionnaire, something tries to contact them by making them write identical answers to the questions."
"Two school boys get locked in their football coach's office after hours. When they pass time by filling out a class questionnaire, something tries to contact them by making them write identical answers to the questions."
On this day in 1977, Doctor Who aired "Horror Of Fang Rock: Part 2." This served as the second episode of the program's fifteenth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"With inexplicable electrical problems keeping the lighthouse from maintaining a steady beam, a foolhardy ship crashes against the island rocks. Four shaken and discontent survivors join the people inside where the Doctor surmises they're all being carefully scrutinized, a prelude to an attack."
"With inexplicable electrical problems keeping the lighthouse from maintaining a steady beam, a foolhardy ship crashes against the island rocks. Four shaken and discontent survivors join the people inside where the Doctor surmises they're all being carefully scrutinized, a prelude to an attack."
It all began right here: on this day in 1977, Space Academy launched into the stars with its first episode, "The Survivors Of Zalon." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Cadets race to a planet in its death throes to rescue a young orphan serving there as caretaker to alien eggs. Gampu enters delicate negotiations with the alien over the boy's future."
"The Cadets race to a planet in its death throes to rescue a young orphan serving there as caretaker to alien eggs. Gampu enters delicate negotiations with the alien over the boy's future."
It all began right here: on this day in 1977, Space Sentinels rocketed onto the small screen with the airing of their first episode ever, "Morpheus: The Sinister Sentinel." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Morpheus, a villain who received the same training and combined powers given to the three Young Sentinels, comes out of hiding and steals M.O. to copy his memory bank and create duplicates of Sentinel One to fulfill his sinister plans."
"Morpheus, a villain who received the same training and combined powers given to the three Young Sentinels, comes out of hiding and steals M.O. to copy his memory bank and create duplicates of Sentinel One to fulfill his sinister plans."
On this day in 1979, Battle of the Planets aired "Giant Space Bat." This served as the fifty-first episode of the program's United States run, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"Spectra shoots down a pilot who observes the testing of their latest weapon, a Bat mech with a Force Ray. Mark finds the pilot, but the he is unable to tell what he saw."
"Spectra shoots down a pilot who observes the testing of their latest weapon, a Bat mech with a Force Ray. Mark finds the pilot, but the he is unable to tell what he saw."
On this day in 1993, The X-Files were officially opened for business. The pilot episode was about as get as any first episode gets, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Agent Dana Scully is instructed to debunk an FBI project dubbed "The X-Files," paranormal cases that have been reopened by Agent Fox Mulder."
"Agent Dana Scully is instructed to debunk an FBI project dubbed "The X-Files," paranormal cases that have been reopened by Agent Fox Mulder."
On this day in 1996, The Burning Zone aired "The Silent Tower." This served as the second episode to the program's first and only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Mass spontaneous suicide in new Chicago high rise is linked to chemical warfare agent. The inventor vanished in 1967, but his old office was located at the plot. A team member is taken prisoner in the building and contracts the poison."
"Mass spontaneous suicide in new Chicago high rise is linked to chemical warfare agent. The inventor vanished in 1967, but his old office was located at the plot. A team member is taken prisoner in the building and contracts the poison."
On this day in 1997, Star Trek: Voyager aired "The Gift." This served as the second episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary that's provided via IMDB.com:
"Seven of Nine, the Borg drone that Voyager severed from the collective, tries to resist as her natural human physiology tries to regenerate. It's up to Captain Janeway to convince her to embrace her humanity and join the Voyager crew. Meanwhile, Kes' telekinetic powers grow to such a point that she can no longer control them. In order to prevent Voyager from being destroyed, she decides she must leave the ship."
"Seven of Nine, the Borg drone that Voyager severed from the collective, tries to resist as her natural human physiology tries to regenerate. It's up to Captain Janeway to convince her to embrace her humanity and join the Voyager crew. Meanwhile, Kes' telekinetic powers grow to such a point that she can no longer control them. In order to prevent Voyager from being destroyed, she decides she must leave the ship."
On this day in 1999, Farscape aired "Through the Looking Glass." This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Since the Moya can no longer Starburst, the crew doesn't feel they are safe on the Leviathan. Fearing the crew will leave, Moya attempts a Starburst. The crew is now separated on 3 different versions of Moya, and there is an unknown creature apparently attacking them."
"Since the Moya can no longer Starburst, the crew doesn't feel they are safe on the Leviathan. Fearing the crew will leave, Moya attempts a Starburst. The crew is now separated on 3 different versions of Moya, and there is an unknown creature apparently attacking them."
On this day in 1999, Sliders aired "Requiem." This served as the eleventh episode in the program's fifth (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Through a series of slides, Rembrandt begins to have hallucinations about former team mate, Wade. When the team begin to see random vortexes opening around them, Rembrandt becomes convinced Wade is still alive and the vortex can lead him to her."
"Through a series of slides, Rembrandt begins to have hallucinations about former team mate, Wade. When the team begin to see random vortexes opening around them, Rembrandt becomes convinced Wade is still alive and the vortex can lead him to her."
On this day in 2000, Code Name: Eternity aired "All The News." This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"Bill Finn is sitting on death row waiting to be executed in two days time. He was given the death sentence for killing his partner, a fellow policeman. A reporter believes he was innocent and claims he has evidence that proves Banning set Finn up. Banning is worried that this reporter may be telling the truth and forces Myroc to hunt down Laura before the reporter manages to contact her. The last thing Banning wants is for the reporter to clear Finn and wants this possibility stopped, permanently!"
"Bill Finn is sitting on death row waiting to be executed in two days time. He was given the death sentence for killing his partner, a fellow policeman. A reporter believes he was innocent and claims he has evidence that proves Banning set Finn up. Banning is worried that this reporter may be telling the truth and forces Myroc to hunt down Laura before the reporter manages to contact her. The last thing Banning wants is for the reporter to clear Finn and wants this possibility stopped, permanently!"
On this day in 2003, Star Trek: Enterprise launched into its third season with the airing of "The Xindi." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Enterprise has been in the Delphic Expanse for six weeks and have yet to get any intel about the Xindi. Strange anomalies affect the ship, sending cargo flying violently through the bays, pockets of atmosphere losing gravity and other incidents defying the known laws of physics. T'Pol helps Trip's insomnia with an intimate Vulcan therapy. Archer and Trip find another race of Xindi imprisoned in a mine."
"Enterprise has been in the Delphic Expanse for six weeks and have yet to get any intel about the Xindi. Strange anomalies affect the ship, sending cargo flying violently through the bays, pockets of atmosphere losing gravity and other incidents defying the known laws of physics. T'Pol helps Trip's insomnia with an intimate Vulcan therapy. Archer and Trip find another race of Xindi imprisoned in a mine."
On this day in 2004, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Sacrifices." This served as the ninth episode in the long-running program's eighth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Ishta and her band of female free Jaffa are in dire need of relocation after the system lord Moloc discovers there whereabouts. O'Neill offers them sanctuary at the SGC while Carter and others try to identify a suitable planet for them. When Ishta is invited to a summit of free Jaffa, she walks into a trap. Meanwhile, Teal'c is upset that his son Rya'c has decided to marry one of Ishta's followers, Ka'ryn. He feels that his son cannot both take a wife and be committed to the cause of freeing all Jaffa."
"Ishta and her band of female free Jaffa are in dire need of relocation after the system lord Moloc discovers there whereabouts. O'Neill offers them sanctuary at the SGC while Carter and others try to identify a suitable planet for them. When Ishta is invited to a summit of free Jaffa, she walks into a trap. Meanwhile, Teal'c is upset that his son Rya'c has decided to marry one of Ishta's followers, Ka'ryn. He feels that his son cannot both take a wife and be committed to the cause of freeing all Jaffa."
On this day in 2011 (in the United Kingdom and Canada), Doctor Who aired "The Girl Who Waited." This served as the tenth episode of the (restarted) program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Amy is trapped in a quarantine facility where time moves faster than in reality, while the Doctor is confined to the TARDIS. Can Rory save his wife in time?"
"Amy is trapped in a quarantine facility where time moves faster than in reality, while the Doctor is confined to the TARDIS. Can Rory save his wife in time?"
On this day in 2012, Alphas aired "Gods And Monsters." This served as the seventh episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Jason Miller returns to school, he uses his newly-enhanced Alpha ability to form a neural network of classmates who bend to his will. Rosen begrudgingly agrees to team up with Stanton Parish to get Jason to release his mind slaves."
"When Jason Miller returns to school, he uses his newly-enhanced Alpha ability to form a neural network of classmates who bend to his will. Rosen begrudgingly agrees to team up with Stanton Parish to get Jason to release his mind slaves."
It all began right here: on this day in 2012 (in the United Kingdom), Wolfblood tried to gnaw its way into the hearts of TV audiences. The first episode was titled "Lone Wolf," and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Schoolgirl Maddy Smith is a wolfblood, daughter of parents who turn into wolves (not werewolves) at full moon, which will be her destiny when she is older. Her friend Shannon has taken photos which she believes to be proof of unusual creatures in the area. Surly new pupil Rhydian Morris arrives at Maddy's school. He has super-human strength when taunted and, angered, involuntarily changes into a wolf. Maddy decides she must protect him, not just for his own sake but to stop him exposing her family's secret and claims he is a distant cousin come to visit."
"Schoolgirl Maddy Smith is a wolfblood, daughter of parents who turn into wolves (not werewolves) at full moon, which will be her destiny when she is older. Her friend Shannon has taken photos which she believes to be proof of unusual creatures in the area. Surly new pupil Rhydian Morris arrives at Maddy's school. He has super-human strength when taunted and, angered, involuntarily changes into a wolf. Maddy decides she must protect him, not just for his own sake but to stop him exposing her family's secret and claims he is a distant cousin come to visit."
It all began right here: on this day in 2017, The Orville launched itself onto the small screen. The first episode was titled "Old Wounds," and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the 25th century, gifted galactic alliance fleet officer Ed Mercer;, who went rogue after a divorce over his wife's adultery with an alien, finally gets a shot at a command due to lack of qualified officers. The new star-ship captain eagerly recruits maverick buddy lieutenant Gordon Malloy and is reasonably happy with his incomplete, multi-species staff, setting out to pick up a yet to assign first officer on their first mission. As Malloy predicts, he freaks when he learns his XO is his ex Kelly Grayson, but can't wriggle out. The mission is not actually delivering supplies to a spatial labs-spangled space station, that was leading Dr. Aronov's cover for seeking assistance with his local time manipulation device, which has great economic but also military potential. As feared, the enemy Krill empire got wind of it and his a ship waiting for them, even a traitor in the lab. The new crew works together so well, Mercer reconsiders splitting it up."
"In the 25th century, gifted galactic alliance fleet officer Ed Mercer;, who went rogue after a divorce over his wife's adultery with an alien, finally gets a shot at a command due to lack of qualified officers. The new star-ship captain eagerly recruits maverick buddy lieutenant Gordon Malloy and is reasonably happy with his incomplete, multi-species staff, setting out to pick up a yet to assign first officer on their first mission. As Malloy predicts, he freaks when he learns his XO is his ex Kelly Grayson, but can't wriggle out. The mission is not actually delivering supplies to a spatial labs-spangled space station, that was leading Dr. Aronov's cover for seeking assistance with his local time manipulation device, which has great economic but also military potential. As feared, the enemy Krill empire got wind of it and his a ship waiting for them, even a traitor in the lab. The new crew works together so well, Mercer reconsiders splitting it up."
