Our Capt. Kirk? Insane? Perish the thought! But that's the story as we know it when Star Trek's "The Enterprise Incident" premiered on this day back in 1968. The story pitted our faithful captain and his crew against those dastardly scheming Romulans, and audiences even saw Spock getting the chance to knock boots (if he pleased) with the attractive Romulan commander.
The great Roger C. Carmel built a resume impressive with guest starring roles on many series of his day, but perhaps he'll always be remembered as the duplicitous Harry Mudd from Star Trek's "Mudd's Woman" and "I, Mudd." Though he's no longer with us, Carmel was born on this day in 1932.
Certainly, Wilford Brimley might seem a curious choice to celebrate on a website covering the realm of Science Fiction, but -- upon closer inspection -- he's been involved with several popular franchises. He starred in John Carpenter's The Thing (1982) and followed that up with Ron Howard's Cocoon (1985) and followed that up with a curious appearance in the (TV) Star Wars universe aboard Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (1985). Though he's no longer with us, Brimley was born on this day in 1934. [Source: IMDB.com]
The Biggs Darklighter story from the original Star Wars is just an amazing piece of SciFi serendipity: it was a character, it wasn't a character, etc. Personally, I'm glad for actor Garrick Hagon that Biggs certainly became part of the broader mythology, and how cool is it that two out of three fighter pilots on the same fateful run were played by actors who share a birthday? Hagon was born on this day in 1939.
What would that Original Trilogy of Star Wars films be without the appearance of the everyman character of veteran star pilot Wedge Antilles? Many folks saw this secondary character as an inspiration, proving that you don't have to be a main player and still possess the 'right stuff' in that galaxy far, far away. The actor who first played Antilles -- Denis Lawson -- was born on this day in 1947.
The X-Files was a program that knew how to employ and take advantage of a rich roster of talented secondary players. One of the show's favorite 'go-to' groups were better known as 'The Lone Gunmen' who briefly enjoyed a single-season spin-off existence on Fox TV. One of the conspiracy nuts was played by Tom Braidwood (above left). Braidwood was born on this day in 1948.
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa has been a part of many creative projects, included the short-lived sci-fi cult series Space Rangers. SciFi fans may also recognize his work from Heroes, Planet of the Apes (2001), Seven Days, Babylon 5, and Stargate: SG-1. See what I mean? Plenty of creative projects! Most recently, he's boasted a big role in Amazon's The Man In The High Castle. Tagawa was born on this day in 1950.
In her professional career, the lovely and talented Denise Okuda (above right) contributed greatly to the aesthetic look of the various Star Trek television incarnations in her position with the Art Department. Also, she and her husband on considered 'regulars' on the Trek convention circuit. Okuda was born on this day in 1954. [Source: Memory Alpha]
The lovely Corinne Wahl "manned up" as per the requirements for her role aboard Equalizer 2000 (1987). She also appeared in Brain Waves (1982) and Amazon Women On The Moon (1987). Wahl was born on this day in 1954.
Christopher Cousins (above left) is another one of those remarkable character actor who turns up all over the place, even in some quality genre properties. He's been a part of NightMan, Stargate: SG-1, The Invisible Man, Earth Vs. The Spider (2001), Supernatural, and Revolution. Cousins was born on this day in 1960.
Scott Lawrence has enjoyed roles in two of the biggest Science Fiction flicks of the past decade, appearing in James Cameron's Avatar (2009) and JJ Abrams' Star Trek Into Darkness (2013). For the record, he also served as the voice of Darth Vader in several video game properties. Lawrence was born on this day in 1963.
He played Zander Barcalow -- the brash and confident combat pilot -- who was part and parcel of the ensemble that made Starship Troopers a rollicking interpretation of the Robert A. Heinlein novel. His name is Patrick Muldoon, and he was born on this day in 1968.
Tamara Taylor is just one in a string of terrific character actresses who has built a career in genre and mainstream drama by assuming secondary roles and bringing them to wonderful life on the big and small screen. SciFi fans know her best from her work in Serenity and Lost. Taylor was born on this day in 1970.
Thankfully, bizarre New-Ager Gwyneth Paltrow lets Iron Man do all of the talking as I'm sure audiences might be more than a bit confused by her real-world beliefs. In any event, Paltrow was born on this day in 1972.
Sorry, folks, but you'll have to chalk this one up to another one I've never seen nor heard about: somebody rebooted Electra Woman and Dyna Girl for the modern age (not a bad idea), and the lovely Grace Helbig (above left) donned the spandex for all of mankind (also, not a bad idea). Helbig was born on this day in 1985.
HubbaHubba Alert! The steamy adult actress Dillion Harper has tried sexy SciFi on for size with roles aboard This Ain't Star Trek 3 (2013) and Vixens From Venus (2016). Harper was born on this day in 1991. [Source: IMDB.com]
Young Sam Lerner (above right) did what he could to profit from a few trips through time in 2015's Project Almanac. Lerner was born on this day in 1992.
On this day in 1961, the 1958-produced The Day The Sky Exploded enjoyed a U.S. theatrical release. The feature starred Paul Hubschmid and Fiorella Mari, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"Scientists discover that a group of meteors are hurtling on a collison course with Earth, and if they hit, the planet will be destroyed."
"Scientists discover that a group of meteors are hurtling on a collison course with Earth, and if they hit, the planet will be destroyed."
On this day in 1991, the 1986-produced Animated/Fantasy Fist Of The North Star enjoyed a U.S. theatrical run. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A practitioner of the deadly martial art "Hokuto Shinken" allies with two children and an expert in "Nanto Suicho-Ken" to fight against the rivals who kidnapped his lover and threaten the prosperity of mankind."
"A practitioner of the deadly martial art "Hokuto Shinken" allies with two children and an expert in "Nanto Suicho-Ken" to fight against the rivals who kidnapped his lover and threaten the prosperity of mankind."
On this day in 1998, the SciFi/Telefilm Universal Soldier II: Brothers In Arms turned up on the Boob Tube. The feature starred Matt Battaglia and Andrew Jackson, and here's the plot summary via IMDB.com:
"The Universal Soldiers are used to smuggle diamonds for a CIA Director, but Luc Deveraux continues to cause him problems."
"The Universal Soldiers are used to smuggle diamonds for a CIA Director, but Luc Deveraux continues to cause him problems."
On this day in 2013 (in the United Kingdom), Outpost 11 was released in theatres. The feature starred Billy Clarke and Luke Healy, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Set in an alternative past where steam power still rules the world, outpost 11 is the story of three soldiers manning a remote listening post in the Arctic Circle. One day the warning light goes off unexpectedly and their world is plunged into chaos. Albert , Mason, Graham must fight the isolation, madness and arctic spiders to survive."
"Set in an alternative past where steam power still rules the world, outpost 11 is the story of three soldiers manning a remote listening post in the Arctic Circle. One day the warning light goes off unexpectedly and their world is plunged into chaos. Albert , Mason, Graham must fight the isolation, madness and arctic spiders to survive."
On this day in 1967, Lost In Space aired "Hunter's Moon." This served as the fourth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"After killing a hostile alien, Professor Robinson comes across a "hunter" and he must replace his dead prey."
"After killing a hostile alien, Professor Robinson comes across a "hunter" and he must replace his dead prey."
One of the better episodes of the Planet of the Apes television series aired on this day back in 1974. "The Trap" featured the astronaut Burke and his simian oppressor General Urko trapped in an underground subway station. In order to survive, they have to work together. It's one of those great morality plays -- two enemies who are forced to bond due to circumstances -- and it's one of the reasons I've always said that program reminded me so much of our original Star Trek series. (Trivia: In case you weren't aware, the man under that ape mask in the above photo? That's none other than Star Trek's Mark Lenard, better known to Trekkies everywhere as Spock's father, Sarek.)
On this day in 1975, Land of the Lost aired "One Of Our Pylons Is Missing." This served as the fourth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When a mysterious energy hole appears in the ground and swallows Cha-Ka, Holly attempts a rescue."
"When a mysterious energy hole appears in the ground and swallows Cha-Ka, Holly attempts a rescue."
On this day in 1979, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century began its regular episodic run (after the telefilm) with a show titled "Planet of the Slave Girls," which sounds very much like what a program based on a pulp-era property would. Here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"Evil and charismatic mutant Kaleel poisons Earth's food supply in order to weaken the planet's defenses and launch an attack on our world. Buck Rogers, Wilma Deering, and Major Duke Denton travel to the planet Vistula so they can thwart Keleel's dastardly plans before it's too late."
"Evil and charismatic mutant Kaleel poisons Earth's food supply in order to weaken the planet's defenses and launch an attack on our world. Buck Rogers, Wilma Deering, and Major Duke Denton travel to the planet Vistula so they can thwart Keleel's dastardly plans before it's too late."
- For those of you who'd like to know a little more, I've prepared an extensive collection of screencaps from this episode of Buck Rogers. You can access those pictures by following this link.
On this day in 1986, Doctor Who aired "The Trial Of A Timelord: Part 4." This served as the fourth episode to the program's twenty-third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"All those on Ravolox are in exponentially greater peril than anyone can comprehend. If anything in the entire universe is to survive, it may come down to the Doctor arguing against machine logic over the value of life."
"All those on Ravolox are in exponentially greater peril than anyone can comprehend. If anything in the entire universe is to survive, it may come down to the Doctor arguing against machine logic over the value of life."
On this day in 1987, Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future aired "The Abyss." This served as the second episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When the Captain and Hawk answer a distress call, they are captured by General Briggs and his troops. The General has been driven over the edge and is still waiting for new orders from the President."
"When the Captain and Hawk answer a distress call, they are captured by General Briggs and his troops. The General has been driven over the edge and is still waiting for new orders from the President."
On this day in 1989, Doctor Who aired "Battlefield: Part 4." This served as the fourth episode of the program's twenty-sixth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Morgaine forces Ace and Shou Yuing to hand over Excalibur by threatening to release the Destroyer, so the Doctor and the Brigadier enter a dimensional portal to stop her."
"Morgaine forces Ace and Shou Yuing to hand over Excalibur by threatening to release the Destroyer, so the Doctor and the Brigadier enter a dimensional portal to stop her."
On this day in 1989, Quantum Leap aired "Disco Inferno." This served as the second episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary that's provided via IMDB.com:
"Sam has to save his host's younger brother from his obsessed father who wants him to go into the family business as a movie stuntman."
"Sam has to save his host's younger brother from his obsessed father who wants him to go into the family business as a movie stuntman."
On this day back in 2002, Joss Whedon's Firefly premiered on Fox TV. The show barely made it out with a handful of episodes, but its release on home video delivered the franchise with a whole new cadre of fans, enough of which some studio executive eventually greenlighted a motion picture that (still) mostly under-performed as well. Its vocal and sometimes mildly annoying fanbase holds out hope that, one day, the property will be resurrected in all of its Whedonesque glory.
On this day in 2002, Justice League aired "A Knight Of Shadows: Part 1." This served as the twentieth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The League joins with Etrigan the Demon to battle Morgan Le Fay's scheme of world conquest for her son."
"The League joins with Etrigan the Demon to battle Morgan Le Fay's scheme of world conquest for her son."
It all came down to this: on this day in 2003, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed bowed out with the airing of "To an Endless Future." This served as the fiftieth and final episode of the show's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A war is under way between genetically enhanced Coordinators and unmodified Naturals."
"A war is under way between genetically enhanced Coordinators and unmodified Naturals."
On this day in 2003, Starhunter 2300 aired the eighth episode of its second season, an hour entitled "Torment." Here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at Wikipedia.org:
"Rudolpho is contacted by his ex-wife Gina who demands 50,000 credits in back child support, or take their undisciplined 16-year-old daughter Serena off her hands. Deciding on the latter, Rudolpho brings Serena aboard the Tulip despite reservations from the rest of the crew - especially Marcus who Serena becomes enthralled with. Meanwhile, Travis helps Santiago, a man whose parents are being held for ransom by a man named Darnell aboard a near-lightspeed capable ship. As a result of time dilation, Santiago is now twice his parents' age. Later, as relations between Rudolpho and Serena collapse, Serena secretly makes contact with Darnell in hopes he will take her to a farworlds colony - and as far away from her pestering father as possible."
"Rudolpho is contacted by his ex-wife Gina who demands 50,000 credits in back child support, or take their undisciplined 16-year-old daughter Serena off her hands. Deciding on the latter, Rudolpho brings Serena aboard the Tulip despite reservations from the rest of the crew - especially Marcus who Serena becomes enthralled with. Meanwhile, Travis helps Santiago, a man whose parents are being held for ransom by a man named Darnell aboard a near-lightspeed capable ship. As a result of time dilation, Santiago is now twice his parents' age. Later, as relations between Rudolpho and Serena collapse, Serena secretly makes contact with Darnell in hopes he will take her to a farworlds colony - and as far away from her pestering father as possible."
The fallout continued on this day in 2006 when CBS's Apocalypse drama Jericho aired "Fallout." This served as the second episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"As nuclear rain threatens Jericho, Johnston and Eric scramble to shelter the residents of the town. Meanwhile, Jake struggles to fix ventilation at a shelter, and the missing deputies are found."
"As nuclear rain threatens Jericho, Johnston and Eric scramble to shelter the residents of the town. Meanwhile, Jake struggles to fix ventilation at a shelter, and the missing deputies are found."
On this day in 2014, the BBC's Doctor Who aired "The Caretaker." This served as the sixth episode of the program's eighth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The terrifying Skovox Blitzer is ready to destroy all humanity - but worse, and any second now, Danny Pink and the Doctor are going to meet."
"The terrifying Skovox Blitzer is ready to destroy all humanity - but worse, and any second now, Danny Pink and the Doctor are going to meet."
On this day in 2016, Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. aired "Ghost Rider: Meet The New Boss." This served as the second episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Daisy goes to battle Ghost Rider at a terrible cost, and Coulson faces the new Director, and his bold agenda surprises them all."
"Daisy goes to battle Ghost Rider at a terrible cost, and Coulson faces the new Director, and his bold agenda surprises them all."
