The Character Guide
by Martin Willey

Koenig's birthdate and age varies according to source:

• Year 1 writer's guide: about 40 (so born 1959)
• Year 2 writer's guide: about 35 (so born 1964)
• ITC publicity: born 1959 (40 years old in 1999)
• Technical Notebook: born March 1957 (42 years old in 1999, author David Hirsch used his own birthday)
• Landau's actual age: 46 in 1974, so if Koenig were the same age, he would be born in 1953.

The early character name in the early script Zero G was Commander Steve Maddox. "A man in his prime - an ex-astronaut who led the first manned expedition to Mars. Highly trained - tough, dedicated. Space orientated - a man of the future - in the future."

Two versions of the Year 1 writer's guide give Koenig the full name of "John Robert Koenig", which the Technical Notebook follows. A middle name is not indicated in any episodes or scripts.

Koenig is an only child (The Rules Of Luton). He studied at M.I.T. (among his other interests were jazz ballet class where he met Diana Morris, The Bringers Of Wonder part 1). He was married, but wife died in 1987 war (The Rules Of Luton). According to George Bellak's writer's guide, his wife was a gifted artist who sacrificed her career for his, until she decided she could no longer do so and separated from him.

In E.C.Tubb's novel Earthfall (1977), Koenig is due to marry Marcia Gilcrest, and has to tell her they can't be married as he's going to the Moon. In Blam's Awe comic (2012) Koenig tries to contact Marcia Gilcrest after he arrives on Alpha, but she doesn't return his call. Later captions reveal his wife, Kateryn, was in Switzerland when the atomic bomb went off, and he searched the survivors hoping she escaped. In Aftershock, Marcia appears, on holiday in Fiji; she is killed when a volcano erupts, caused by the Moon leaving orbit.

As an astronaut cadet Koenig travelled to a Venus space station (The Exiles, The Lambda Factor). In Reconnaissance section he was assigned to the Ultra probe mission planning during 1996, and then grounded in 1997 until 1999 (Dragon's Domain). On September 9^th, 1999, Koenig was ratified as ninth commander of Moonbase Alpha (War Games). His other interests include physics (he has his own unified field theory, according to Black Sun) and according to the writers guide he was an astrophysicist of some note (this is not otherwise evident in the episodes, however). His spare time interests include kendo (The Testament Of Arkadia) and chess (Dragon's Domain).

Koenig is often selfless and rather reckless ("We're looking for answers, Commander, not heroes" says Helena in Breakaway). The writers guide describes him having two contradictory streaks, a rather ruthless side, and a moody introspective side. He can be rather moody, snapping orders (Matter Of Life And Death, The Last Sunset, The Seance Spectre). He frequently demonstrates what Magus describes as an "iron will" in New Adam, New Eve ("The John Koenig philosophy. If there's chips on the table, we're still in the game" The Seance Spectre), at times ruthless ("Must you always assume the worst?" "Yes. When the safety of Alpha is concerned" he states in The Exiles), though he dislikes aggression ("Shoot first and ask questions later. It's not your style, John" The Last Enemy; "I still don't like the idea of a pre-emptive strike against an enemy we don't understand" Space Brain).

Note he likes to pace back and forth (Dragon's Domain, The Last Sunset, others), and likes to slap people as a greeting. He is often in fights, and enjoys kendo as a hobby (The Testament Of Arkadia).

He is very close to Victor (Dragon's Domain, Breakaway, Missing Link, others) and Alan (Collision Course). According to the writers guide, he was a student of Victor. Koenig's relationship with Helena begins with cautious hostility in Breakaway, quipping "I didn't know you cared" at her concern. He is uncomfortable in Matter Of Life And Death, but on the planet he draws closer to her: "We almost made it..you and I". He is concerned for her in Black Sun, Ring Around The Moon and Earthbound. In Another Time, Another Place, their other selves are married. Their first kiss is when he makes up after their argument in Dragon's Domain. Subsequent kisses in The Exiles (also with Maya/Helena), The Mark Of Archanon ("Is that all you have to be grateful for?"), The Bringers Of Wonder part 1 (recap in Devil's Planet). He falls in love with an alien in Missing Link, is kissed by one in Guardian Of Piri, and is the object of desire in The A B Chrysalis.

A frequent Eagle pilot (& involved in several crashes: Breakaway, Another Time, Another Place, Missing Link, The Bringers Of Wonder part 1, Devil's Planet, The Immunity Syndrome). He died in Matter Of Life And Death, Another Time, Another Place, Missing Link (briefly), War Games, End Of Eternity.

Featured in 47 episodes (not Dorzak).