The Production GuideScript To Screen: The Last Sunset
by Martin Willey
The Production Guide
The Ariel satellite pumped out air, blowing the window of the Technical Section. Now the Moon has an atmosphere, the broken window is replaced by an opening window, which Koenig opens in this scene. The episode doesn't state this in dialogue, but some viewers are surprised by the window being opened and consider it a science error. In the script technicians are seen fitting the window at the start of the scene.
These are pages 18-19 of the 12 July script. While the window scene survives, much of the following dialogue will be cut, including the public announcement for the sunbathers, and Koenig, Bergman and Helena considering the Ariel satellite.
65 EXT. TECHNICAL SECTION.
Two Alpha TECHNICIANS finish inserting a glazed frame into
the window of the Technical Section. They go. KOENIG,
HELENA and BERGMAN come forward aid open the window.
A fresh breeze wafts into the room ruffling their hair.
HELENA
Now we have to worry about not sitting
in draughts.
KOENIG
(smiles)
We've simply exchanged one set of
problems for another.
66 EXT. MOON SURFACE. STUDIO.
The badminton stops momentarily as CARTER and TANYA turn
to listen to an announcement coming from a loudspeaker
erected amongst a group of monitoring equipment.
Sunbathers open their eyes lazily, and roll over onto
their backs.
OPERATOR (V.O.)
Today's sun session has been extended
by ten minutes due to generally
increased levels of tolerance to
radiation through out the spectrum.
Individuals with lower than
average tolerance ratings will be
reminded via their medical monitors
when their time has expired.
The badminton is resumed.
67 INT. TECHNICAL SECTION.
KOENIG, BERGMAN and HELENA in front of the Satellite which
stands on a low table. Sounds of the badminton game and
of occasional laughter drift into the room.
KOENIG
I get the feeling its here to
watch us in some way. If the rest
of them disappeared as soon as
they had dispensed their atmosphere
why should this one remain?
BERGMAN
I've tried spectro-X, I've tried
radio-analysis, I've even tried to
cut a segment out of it with fine
laser. But nothing makes any
impression.
HELENA
In ignorance we've suspected it
of all kinds of malicious intention
but so far it has been the biggest
benefactor we've had in space.
KOENIG
Victor is worried that things are
not as rosy as they seem.
HELENA looks questioningly at BERGMAN.
BERGMAN
I'm not sure we're in orbit, or
that we're going into orbit.
HELENA absorbs this and then goes to the window and
looks out onto the sunlit surface.
HELENA
I don't like to think what would
happen if they realised it was
only a short vacation.
KOENIG comes to join her at the window.
KOENIG
We'd have to accept it. Just as
we had to accept we'd never see
Earth again.
68 EXT. MOON SURFACE. STUDIO.
HELENA's P.O.V. THROUGH WINDOW.
MORROW and SANDRA are walking hand in band towards the
foothills of Moonrock. One of the ALPHANS wolf-whistles.
69 INT. TECHNICAL SECTION.
KOENIG and HELENA, smiling, turn back into the room.
HELENA
Nice to feel human again.
KOENIG
Is that what it is?
BERGMAN
I'm having trouble calculating
our seasonal variations. But
instinctively I'd say it was
spring.
The 16th July final shooting script has exactly the same dialogue, but cuts the Helena and Koenig lines in scene 69 ("Nice to feel human again."). There were a few line amendments: Helena's line "In ignorance we've suspected it of all kinds of malicious intention" becomes "So far we've suspected it of all kinds of malicious intention".
All these scenes were filmed on Monday 5th August (see call sheet), including the technicians in scene 65 fitting the window (one of them was actor Guy Francois Groen) and the dialogue scene 67. The shots were cut in editing.
Copyright Martin Willey