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.
Hungarian-born actress Anna Gaël had the chance to strut her stuff with her work aboard the Adult-themed The Love Factor (aka Zeta One) for Tigon. Gaël was born on this day in 1943. [Source: IMDB.com]
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.
Cameron Oppenheimer (who now just curiously goes by the name Cameron) enjoyed forty-three appearances aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation, most of them in the guise of 'Ensign Kellogg.' She also sported small roles aboard Coneheads (1993), Star Trek: Generations (1994), The Tomorrow Man (1996), and Star Trek: First Contact (1996). Oppenheimer was born on this day in 1953. [Source: Memory Alpha]
In her professional career, 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. They're both online in different outlets, but be forewarned: they do not tolerate folks who disagree with them politically and can be quite mean-spirited about it. (I say this from personal experience. It's sad how so many in Trekdom these days don't practice Trek's long-preached tolerance, but it is what it is. Hard times.) 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.
The exotic Indira Varma shown in a role of some villainy aboard HBO's adaptation of George R.R. Martin's Game Of Thrones. More recently, she turned up in a role aboard Amazon Studios' Carnival Row. Varma was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
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 1968 (in France), Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey enjoyed its theatrical release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After discovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, mankind sets off on a quest to find its origins with help from intelligent supercomputer H.A.L. 9000."
"After discovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, mankind sets off on a quest to find its origins with help from intelligent supercomputer H.A.L. 9000."
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."
A star is born! 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."
A star is born! On this day in 2012 (in the Netherlands), the Fantasy-themed Magistratus: Overtura enjoyed its release on home video. Written and directed by the team of Thijs Meuwese and Kris Patmo, the feature starred Nienke 's Gravemade, Julia Batelaan, and Tamara Brinkman; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Democracy is in danger. After years of peace between the Rubem and the Caerulen, an old conflict between these two races surfaces. The land is plagued by turmoil, and when two physicians are killed in cold blood by bandits, their daughter Colinda and bodyguard Hecgard seek vengeance."
"The Democracy is in danger. After years of peace between the Rubem and the Caerulen, an old conflict between these two races surfaces. The land is plagued by turmoil, and when two physicians are killed in cold blood by bandits, their daughter Colinda and bodyguard Hecgard seek vengeance."
A star is born! On this day in 2013 (in the United Kingdom), Outpost 11 was screened for audiences in attendance of the Raindance Film Festival. 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 1952, Space Patrol aired "The Star Raiders." Officially, this served as the thirty-ninth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by Solarguard.com:
"Commander Buzz Corry in his search for the Star Raiders deep in galactic space, encounters an unheard of race of primitive men. Buzz learns that the Star Raiders, though primitive, are in many respects living in a civilization far in advance of any in recorded history. Moreover the Raiders, gifted with a tremendous power of destruction, have decided on the United Planets as their next target."
"Commander Buzz Corry in his search for the Star Raiders deep in galactic space, encounters an unheard of race of primitive men. Buzz learns that the Star Raiders, though primitive, are in many respects living in a civilization far in advance of any in recorded history. Moreover the Raiders, gifted with a tremendous power of destruction, have decided on the United Planets as their next target."
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."
On this day in 1974, TV's Planet Of The Apes aired "The Trap." Officially, this served as the third episode in the program's only season in original broadcast existence, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When they are buried alive, underground, in an ancient San Francisco subway station during an earthquake, Burke and General Urko are forced to work together. Above ground, Galen and Virdon try to figure out a way to help Burke, with the assistance of several gorilla soldiers."
"When they are buried alive, underground, in an ancient San Francisco subway station during an earthquake, Burke and General Urko are forced to work together. Above ground, Galen and Virdon try to figure out a way to help Burke, with the assistance of several gorilla soldiers."
On this day in 1974, The Six Million Dollar Man aired "Pilot Error." Officially, this served as the third episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Senator Ed Hill is facing charges after crashing an airplane he was piloting. Colonel Steve Austin is asked to look into the case. Oscar Goldman reminds him that the Senator was directly responsible for the funding of Austin's bionics. On the way back Steve shares a small private plane with the Senator, his son and his chief aide, when they are caught in bad weather and Hill's reflexes once again falter."
"Senator Ed Hill is facing charges after crashing an airplane he was piloting. Colonel Steve Austin is asked to look into the case. Oscar Goldman reminds him that the Senator was directly responsible for the funding of Austin's bionics. On the way back Steve shares a small private plane with the Senator, his son and his chief aide, when they are caught in bad weather and Hill's reflexes once again falter."
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."
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.
"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 1988 (in the United Kingdom), Red Dwarf aired "Statis Leak." Officially, this served as the fourth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Rimmer, Lister and Cat find a time barrier called "Stasis Leak" on Floor 16 and it takes them back in time on Red Dwarf 3 million years earlier. Rimmer and Lister try to change the past, which puts either Rimmer or Kochanski into suspended animation so one of them doesn't die in the radioactive disaster."
"Rimmer, Lister and Cat find a time barrier called "Stasis Leak" on Floor 16 and it takes them back in time on Red Dwarf 3 million years earlier. Rimmer and Lister try to change the past, which puts either Rimmer or Kochanski into suspended animation so one of them doesn't die in the radioactive disaster."
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 in 1995, SeaQuest DSV (now SeaQuest 2032) aired "In The Company Of Ice And Profit." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Seaquest gets involved in a businessman's scheme to use refugees and an iceberg to further his financial and political gains. Ben Krieg makes a return as one of the refugees and Dagwood becomes an official member of the crew."
"The Seaquest gets involved in a businessman's scheme to use refugees and an iceberg to further his financial and political gains. Ben Krieg makes a return as one of the refugees and Dagwood becomes an official member of the crew."
On this day in 1996, Sliders aired "Double Cross." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The sliders arrive on a world that has dwindling natural resources. While there, Rembrandt gets sidetracked by his number one fan. Meanwhile, Quinn and the others meet a group of scientists trying to perfect a sliding device of their own. While they may have the technology to get the sliders home, all is not what it seems."
"The sliders arrive on a world that has dwindling natural resources. While there, Rembrandt gets sidetracked by his number one fan. Meanwhile, Quinn and the others meet a group of scientists trying to perfect a sliding device of their own. While they may have the technology to get the sliders home, all is not what it seems."
On this day in 1997, Superman: The Animated Series aired "Brave New Metropolis." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Lois is thrown into an alternate reality version of Metropolis where Luthor and Superman rule in tyranny together."
"Lois is thrown into an alternate reality version of Metropolis where Luthor and Superman rule in tyranny together."
On this day in 2000, First Wave aired "Comes A Horseman." Officially, this served as the third episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Foster is quarantined inside a lab that contains a deadly contagion engineered by the Gua."
"Foster is quarantined inside a lab that contains a deadly contagion engineered by the Gua."
On this day in 2002, Firefly aired "Bushwhacked." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's only season in original broadcast existence, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Serenity hits a wrecked transport vessel that was transporting settler's families and Mal decides to check whether there are survivors or goods. He goes on board with Zoe and they find a survivor completely mad and bring him to the Serenity. They also find some valuable goods and the fate of the crew that was attacked by the Reavers. When they are ready to go, they are intercepted by an Alliance's spacecraft and their Commander Harken brings them on board for investigation. Soon Mal realizes that they are in danger and tries to convince Harken to check the survivor."
"The Serenity hits a wrecked transport vessel that was transporting settler's families and Mal decides to check whether there are survivors or goods. He goes on board with Zoe and they find a survivor completely mad and bring him to the Serenity. They also find some valuable goods and the fate of the crew that was attacked by the Reavers. When they are ready to go, they are intercepted by an Alliance's spacecraft and their Commander Harken brings them on board for investigation. Soon Mal realizes that they are in danger and tries to convince Harken to check the survivor."
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 2007, Smallville aired "Bizarro." Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's seventh season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Clark confronts Bizarro, the last surviving escapee from the Phantom Zone, who has taken Clark's physical form and has all of his powers, but none of his weaknesses. The ensuing fight causes the dam to break and a torrent of water rushes towards the land. Lex, having just been arrested for Lana's murder, is submerged under water in a patrol car, but is saved by a mysterious young woman, who is a Kryptonian living in hibernation in a spaceship at the bottom of the nearby lake. Lois manages to pull Chloe to safety but her cousin is pronounced dead at the hospital. Chloe manages to revive and learns more about her meteor-rock powers. Also, Lionel is swept away by the flood, but is rescued by a mysterious person."
"Clark confronts Bizarro, the last surviving escapee from the Phantom Zone, who has taken Clark's physical form and has all of his powers, but none of his weaknesses. The ensuing fight causes the dam to break and a torrent of water rushes towards the land. Lex, having just been arrested for Lana's murder, is submerged under water in a patrol car, but is saved by a mysterious young woman, who is a Kryptonian living in hibernation in a spaceship at the bottom of the nearby lake. Lois manages to pull Chloe to safety but her cousin is pronounced dead at the hospital. Chloe manages to revive and learns more about her meteor-rock powers. Also, Lionel is swept away by the flood, but is rescued by a mysterious person."
On this day in 2008 (in the United Kingdom), Primeval aired "Mealworms, Indeed." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When an anomaly to a period when the atmosphere was sulphur based opens on the 15th floor of an office building, out pours both the poisonous atmosphere and a great number of gigantic worms. This is Jenny's first taste of what she is trying to shield the public from."
"When an anomaly to a period when the atmosphere was sulphur based opens on the 15th floor of an office building, out pours both the poisonous atmosphere and a great number of gigantic worms. This is Jenny's first taste of what she is trying to shield the public from."
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."
