The Production GuideScript To Screen: Earthbound
by Martin Willey
The Production GuideThe episode Earthbound reintroduces Roy Dotrice as Simmonds, who desperately wants to return to Earth. When an alien spaceship crash lands on the Moon, Simmonds wants to join the rescue mission. Koenig refuses.
An additional scene between Koenig and Helena in the travel tube was scripted and filmed (on the first day of filming, Friday 15th March 1974), but cut from the final edit. The conflict between Koenig and Simmonds, established in Breakaway, is much more overt than in the final episode.
9
18 CONTD.
SIMMONDS
I should come too.
KOENIG
(brusquely)
Commissioner, right now I need
a doctor and a scientist out
there - not a politician.
KOENIG turns out of Main Mission and HELENA follows.
HOLD
ON SIMMONDS
He resents KOENIG'S dismissive attitude.
9 INT. TRAVEL TUBE. SFX. 19
The travel capsule speeds through the tube
20 INT. TRAVEL TUBE. 20
KOENIG and HELENA sit down as the tube speeds along.
HELENA
That was a bit hard on Simmonds,
John.
KOENIG
(sharply)
There's an alien spaceship out
there. Let's think about what's
important.
A pause. HELENA looks at him and he turns away.
HELENA
And that was a strong reaction -
to something that's not important.
KOENIG
We don't have time to worry about
Simmonds.
HELENA
We may have to make time. He's
not adjusted to...
CONTINUED:
10
20 CONTD.
KOENIG
(interrupts)
None of us chose to live cooped
up there, hurtling through space.
(a beat)
There's simply no alternative.
The tube stops. KOENIG is pleased to end the
conversation by standing up and walking out. HELENA
watches for a beat, then follows.
21 EXT. LAUNCH PAD. SFX. 21
An Eagle stands there, with a Crash Tender Unit in
place of the Passenger Module. The Boarding Tube
locks into position on the Tender Unit.