The Production GuideScript To Screen: Seed Of Destruction
by Martin Willey
The Production GuideThe episode ends abruptly with the duplicate Koenig shattering into dust, while Tony and Maya are freed from the asteroid cave. In the script, this was just the end of act 4; after the break there would be an additional sequence wrapping up the story. The original script from 25th May was expanded in blue pages on 6th July, and were shot on Friday 9th July according to the shooting schedule. We don't know if a rocket launcher SFX model was built or filmed, but it seems likely it was.
This is a publicity photo of scene 101, filmed on 9th July 1976, but cut from the episode. Carter is saying "It almost destroyed us".
This is the first version from the 25th May script.
58.
EPILOGUE
FADE IN:
101 INT. COMMAND CENTER
GROUP SHOT round Command Desk. KOENIG, HELENA, MAYA,
CARTER, VERDESCHI, YASKO. The atmosphere is solemn.
KOENIG
What do we do with it?
Camera back to bring fragment of crystal into shot.
CARTER
It almost destroyed us.
KOENIG
A lot of things have almost
destroyed us out here.
VERDESCHI
We still have to survive, John.
The cost of survival can sometimes
run high.
HELENA
Destroy it? ... do what they would
have done to us?
VERDESCHI
You're a romantic, Helena - but
Maya and I were there. So was
John...
KOENIG picks up the crystal, stares at it.
KOENIG
I'd like to think there's a
second chance ... for all of us..
102 EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX) 102
A rocket launcher swings into action. CLOSE ON
LAUNCHER as with a billow of dust it projects the
scintillating crystal into space.
AN ANGLE UP INTO SPACE as the crystal shoots away from
Moonbase.
59
103 INT. COMMAND CENTER
The ALPHANS are looking up to the Big Screen.
104 INT. COMMAND CENTER (SFX)
CLOSE ON BIG SCREEN
The glittering crystal speeding away from the Moon.
105 EXT. SPACE SKY (SFX) 105
The Moon in b.g. The crystal travelling away towards
distant stars...
FADE OUT
THE END
The expanded version from 6th July. Scene 101 has an additional line for Maya. Scene 103 now has dialogue from Yasko (Sahn) and a typical Maya/Tony exchange. Scene 104 is dialogue free, but was also filmed. The final scene 106 ("Remind me never to look into a mirror again") seems to have not been filmed.
"SEED OF DESTRUCTION"
6th July, 1976
58
EPILOGUE
FADE IN:
101. INT. COMMAND CENTER 101
GROUP SHOT round Command Desk. KOENIG, HELENA, MAYA,
CARTER, VERDESCHI, YASKO. The atmosphere is solemn.
KOENIG
What do we do with it?
Camera back to bring fragment of crystal into shot.
CARTER
It almost destroyed us.
HELENA
Destroy it? ... do what they would
have done to us?
KOENIG
A lot of things have almost
destroyed us.
VERDESCHI
We still have to survive, John.
The cost of survival can sometimes
run high.
MAYA
It doesn't have to run that high ...
not all the time.
VERDESCHI
You're supposed to be a scientist,
not a romantic, Maya.
KOENIG picks up the crystal, stares at it.
KOENIG
I'd like to think there's a
second chance ... for all of us ...
102 EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX) 102
A rocket launcher swings into action. CLOSE ON
LAUNCHER as with a billow of dust it projects the
scintillating crystal into space.
AN ANGLE UP INTO SPACE as the crystal shoots away from
Moonbase.
"SEED OF DESTRUCTION"
6th July, 1976
59
103 INT. COMMAND CENTER 103
The ALPHANS are looking up to the Big Screen.
FAVOR CARTER AND YASKO
CARTER
Well, there goes the crystal.
YASKO
(shudders)
Alan ...
(he looks at her)
How close we came to shooting
down Maya and Tony.
She looks toward:
TONY AND MAYA
MAYA
What makes you think a scientist
can't be a romantic?
TONY
They're mutually exclusive terms.
MAYA
Would you like to hear some
quotes on the subject from some
of your famous Earth Philosophers?
TONY
No. I'd rather take my chances
with the crystal.
She stares at him, pretending hurt, then laughs.
104 INT. COMMAND CENTER (SFX) 104
CLOSE ON BIG SCREEN
The glittering crystal speeding away from the Moon.
105 EXT. SPACE SKY (SFX) 105
The Moon in b.g. The crystal travelling away towards
distant stars...
"SEED OF DESTRUCTION"
6th July, 1976
60
106 INT. COMMAND CENTER 106
KOENIG AND HELENA.
KOENIG
Remind me never to look into
a mirror again.
HELENA
I've got a confession, John ...
KOENIG stares at her, concerned.
HELENA (contd.)
I couldn't remember on which
side you parted your hair.
KOENIG
How about last Thursday night?
You remember that?
HELENA
That I remember.
They laugh.
FADE OUT:
THE END
Copyright Martin Willey.