The Production Guide
Script To Screen: Devil's Planet
by Martin Willey

On the afternoon of the 16th, most of the early command module scenes were shot until the crash on Entra.

Parts of the crash sequence, including the air jets on the faces of Landau and Dickinson, were also filmed on the 16th.

Filming starts on the 17th with the rest of the crash sequence, including explosions and smoke effects.

From then on the command module is redressed as "wrecked", first as Koenig and Maine escape. Later (scene 119) Elizia shows it to Fraser and Alibe ("The Pilot Section isn't totalled. They survived..."). Finally (scenes 141 on), Koenig tries to call Alpha, then tries the "Laser Gun", but it malfunctions (scene 150) and he jumps out of the escape hatch (scenes 157, 158)

Having "wrecked" Eagle One, the set is restored and becomes Eagle Two. Fraser and Alibe are piloting, are scanned by a spotlight, and talk to Elizia on the screen.

Finally (not scheduled until 3:30 p.m.) the episode finishes with the scenes in Command Center, with Sam Dastor now as "Dr Spencer (formerly Dr Spandau)".

The scripts for Dorzak and Devil's Planet both include Dr Ben Vincent and Sandra. Most supporting cast were not under contract, so when the actors left for other work, new actors replaced their roles. Sam Dastor was cast as "Dr Spandau", and this name appears on the call sheets for Dorzak (starting on Monday 8th November) and for Devil's Planet on the 16th. Sam Dastor pointed out the name "Spandau" was a notorious German prison, where the Nazi war criminals were held during the Nuremberg Trials. Freiberger hadn't known this, and decided to rename him as Dr Ed Spencer. The call sheet for 17th November was the first to include his new name.