The Production GuideScript To Screen: Missing Link
by Martin Willey
The Production Guide
The original opening scenes in the Eagle were filmed on 2nd and 3rd May. On 3rd May the writers radically rewrote the opening, skipping most of the live action scenes that were currently being filmed. Five script pages were condensed into just two. This version uses the existing scripted effects scenes, some internal shots of the unconscious crew after the crash, and reuses Paul Morrow's dialogue in Main Mission filmed on 22nd April. There is no new filming required.
Rather than explain the action, the Eagle is already out of control and quickly crashes. We don't see the crew until they have crashed. It avoids the potential confusion of the original opening, but there is no explanation of why they are in space or when they fell unconscious. This version underscores the mystery of the plot. When Raan tells Koenig that his image is on Alpha, we can now understand he substituted the Koenig duplicate when all the crew were already unconscious.
On the other hand, it is a very sudden opening, and it feels like we missed the first few minutes of the episode.
"MISSING LINK"
NEW HOOK
DELETE PAGES 1 - 5 and replace with New Pages
1 and 2
1. EXT. SPACE. S.FX.
The Moon is moving through the Universe. A number
of different coloured planets of various sizes
are spotted in the area and appear to form a kind
of solar system.
Suddenly we see an Eagle approaching. It is out
of control.
2. INT. MAIN MISSION (This is taken from opening beat
of Scene 20)
At the console, MORROW tries frantically to contact
the crashed Eagle.
MORROW
(on intercom)
Alpha to Eagle One! Come
in Eagle One!
3. EXT. SPACE. S.FX.
The Eagle is still in a corkscrew roll. Suddenly it
goes into a dive.
ANOTHER ANGLE. S.FX. (Long shot)
The Eagle dives towards the Moon.
ANOTHER ANGLE. S.FX.
The Eagle continues its dives towards the Moon.
4. EXT. MOON SURFACE. S.FX.
The Eagle pulls out of its dive as it approaches the
Moon surface. It just misses crashing into the
surface and on into a GIANT CRATER where it
levels off for a crash landing.
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2
5. EXT. CRATER. S.FX.
The Eagle scales across the flat surface peppered
with rocks - bouncing once, twice, and the rocks
tear into the ship.
ANOTHER ANGLE. S.FX.
The Eagle bounces off the surface for the third
time, then skids along until it comes to a stop,
nearly buried in the moondust.
ANOTHER ANGLE. S.FX.
Only a small portion of the Command Module protrudes.
6. INT. PASSENGER MODULE
SANDRA and BERGMAN are unconscious.
7. INT. COMMAND MODULE
CARTER and KOENIG are unconscious.
ON KOENIG
There is a deep gash along his forehead. Blood streaks
down the side of his face. The medical monitor on his
wrist is smashed.
8. EXT. CRATER. S.FX.
The dust has settled around the Eagle. The place
feels like a graveyard.
CAMERA PANS up slightly and holds
In the B.G. and off in the distance, we see the
coloured planets. Now we notice that one of them
has a strange purple hue.
CUT TO:
9. STANDARD SERIES OPENING.
FADE OUT:
COMMERCIAL BREAK
ACT I - Opens with repeat of MORROW's line in
Scene 20 and continues on as in original.
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