The Production GuideScript To Screen: The Mark of Archanon
by Martin Willey
The Production Guide
Pasc is holding Dr Russell hostage on the Eagle. In scene 61 in Command Center, Alan and Tony are looking at the Eagle on the screen, wondering how to get aboard. Tony suggests "we go through the propulsion tubes. The inspection plates from the engine room are thinner." Originally this was the start of an sub-plot with a crew of Alphans trying to break into the Eagle.
Most of these scenes were marked deleted in amended script pages from 26th and 27th April.
Firstly, this is scene 61. Morgan's role will be deleted and the lines reassigned between Alan and Tony.
TONY
Alan, we've got to get aboard
that ship without alerting Pasc.
(indicating)
Cargo hatch?
ALAN
(negating)
There'd be too much noise of
drilling.
One of the GROUND CREW, let's call him MORGAN, speaks up.
MORGAN
We could use an acid.
ALAN
(negates again)
The most powerful acid we have
would take nearly three hours
to eat through an Eagle hull.
TONY
Then say we go through the
propulsion tubes. The inspection
plates from the engine room are
thinner.
ALAN
It will still take the acid
over an hour.
MORGAN
(worriedly)
And if he starts the engines
while we are in there...
Etrec has stabbed himself. In scene 65 in Command Center, Tony asks Yasko if she has been able to get through to Koenig in Eagle 1. We see this line, and then skip into scene 68, when Yasko detects the Archanon ship. The continuation of the propulsion tubes subplot is deleted.
65 INT. COMMAND CENTER 65
The place is buzzing with the quiet tension that exists
during a crisis.
TONY
Yasko, have you been able
to raise Eagle One?
YASKO
No, sir.
TONY
Keep at it
He moves to his console. Depresses key.
TONY
Morgan - how're you doing?
66 EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX) 66
M.S. EAGLE THREE ON LAUNCH PAD.
Camera zooms into rear propulsion unit at the side of
which is a hydraulic ramp.
MORGAN (V.O.)
Remember sardines?
60.
67 INT. PROPULSION TUBE/EAGLE THREE
MORGAN, one of the Ground Crew, established earlier in
scene of Eagle schematic, working with another man,
treating an inspection panel with acid. The tube, long
and narrow, barely allows enough space for the men to
work.
MORGAN
We're doing. Acid is working.
TONY (V.O.)
Make it work faster! Time is
catching up!
MORGAN
Yes, sir!
Pasc sees Etrec is dying, and tells them to release the Eagle. He tells Helena "I have lost Etrec. There is nothing left now. Nothing to wait for. You may go." In the script, he starts the Eagle engines, and there is a short scene of Morgan.
PASC
I have lost Etrec. There is
nothing left now ... nothing
more to wait for. You my go ...
82 INT. PROPULSION TUBE/EAGLE THREE 82
MORGAN and his assistant are still working on the
Inspection Hatch. The hum of the turbine winding up.
They freeze for a moment knowing what it is and then
frantically try to get out, pulling themselves along by
use of grab handles.
Helena argues with Pasc that they can save Etrec with a blood transfusion (scene 83). Pasc relents. In the script we see Morgan for the last time.
PASC
We're coming out.
He flicks off the pre-ignition switches and rises
wearily to his feet.
84 INT. PROPULSION TUBE/EAGLE THREE
MORGAN and his ASSISTANT laboriously fighting their way
along the long, narrow tube. It is obvious that they
won't make it. But then the turbine hum dies away and
they relax.
Copyright Martin Willey