The Catacombs Episode Guide

The Taybor

Journey to Where Year 2 - Episode 6 The Rules of Luton

Writer Thom Keyes
Director Bob Brooks
Guest Star Willoughby Goddard
Belgium (Flemish) De Ruiler 14 Sep 1977
Spain El comerciante The merchant21 Apr 1977
France/Canada Taybor le commerçant Taybor The Trader 29 Jan 1977
Italy Taybor 20 Apr 1979
Japan Visitor from out of Space 25 May 1981
Portugal O Negociante The Trader 1 Oct 1977
Portugal Taybor The Taybor
USA (New York) 17 Oct 1976
USA (San Francisco) 25 Sep 1976
UK (ATV) 4 Nov 1976
UK (LWT) 6 Nov 1976

A boisterous, flamboyant, larger-than-life trader from hyper-space makes a remarkable appearance on the moon -and falls in love with Maya. ITC summary

Background

The Taybor

Cast

Commander John Koenig Martin Landau
Doctor Helena Russell Barbara Bain
Maya Catherine Schell
Tony Verdeschi Tony Anholt
Taybor Willoughby Goddard
Doctor Ben Vincent Jeffery Kissoon
Bill Fraser John Hug
Yasko Yasuko Nagazumi
Andrews (pilot) Mel Taylor
Slatternly woman Rita Webb
Karen Laraine Humphrys
Kate Sarah Bullen
Barbara Vicki Michelle
Weapons Technician Leslie Crawford
Weapons Technician 2 Paul Kirby
McDougal (n/s)
Sunbathing Alphan Chai Lee
Sunbathing Alphans Jenny Clare
Penny Priestley
Medic Micky Clarke
Technician (L Picard) Glenda Allen
Command Center operative Paul Barton
Command Center operative Simon Dawson
Command Center operative Chris Figg
Command Center operative Maryanne
Command Center operative Gail Hunter
Recreation Center Alphan Karen Cooper

Sets

Int. Command Centre
Int. Recreation Centre/ Gym/ Solarium (revamp Medical)
Int. Koenig's Private Dining Room (revamp Reception)
Int. Technical Section (Modelling Room)
Int. Weapons Section
Int. Survey Equipment Room
Int. Helena's Quarters
Int. Alpha Corridor

Int. Taybor's Grand Salon
Ext. Moon Surface (CU moonbuggy, hull of Emporium)

SFX

NASA Mars Excursion concept

The design for the Emporium is based on a 1967 NASA concept for a Mars Excursion Module, shown here.

The Taybor

The SS Emporium was built by Space Models, who also built most of the Eagles and the ship from Earthbound. It was made of wood in three parts (base, main body, top); one side was not finished to provide access to the central light bulb.
Taybor's ship model photos

A 1976 student film included behind the scenes SFX shooting and storyboards. The clapperboard the date is 28 May 1976 - several weeks behind the live action filming.

The Taybor

Taybor's gun was built by Martin Bower. The design was inspired by the paintings of Chris Foss, who did preproduction design for the series.
Taybor's gun model photos

The Taybor

There are two scenes using split screen to show two Mayas.

Music

Science

Astronomy Location:
"So you want to return to your Earth? This galaxy?"
"No. Galaxy M104. It's half way between PKS 1148 00 and 3C454."
"Oh, I can't say that rings a bell either. Which Universal Quadrant?"
"It's a.. spiral galaxy, it's right near N G C 185 and, ah, M33. It's a small cluster of thirty or so."

The information seems to have been taken from the New Concise Atlas Of The Universe by Patrick Moore (probably the 1974 edition, seen in Brian The Brain). More. Thanks to Marcus Lindroos.

The Taybor

This star chart also appears in All That Glisters.

The Taybor

The "chart" is seen in One Moment Of Humanity (showing the Moon's position) and originally on the route to Alpha Centuri in Into Infinity.

Continuity

Chronology:

No date given.

Alpha Personnel:

population 297. 0 fatalities.

Alpha Technology:

The Taybor

Eagles:

Eagle 1 (Andrews); two others

Maya transformations:

White dog, ferret, slatternly Maya, reptile hand

The Taybor The Taybor

Planets:

None, but we learn about lots of different trading planets

Aliens:

The Taybor

Taybor from Pinvith the Lesser.

Props:

Footage:

Errors

The Taybor

Helena calls the memory amplifier cylindrical (as it was in the script). It is hexagonal.

Observations

Before the split-screen, stand-in Pat Thompson is unusually in full costume and make-up as Maya.

Merchandise:

Links

External Links


Contents copyright Martin Willey