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A Look at "Space: 1999" in 3-D

A Look at "Space: 1999" in 3-D

Unknown author, US newspaper article dated May 15, 1976

"Star Trek" was something special. Kicked off the network more than five years ago, it is probably better known and more popular today than it was at the zenith of its network ratings. Too late, the network executives regretted cancelling the series and tried to work out a new prime time deal with the creator-producer Gene Roddenberry. But no network wanted to give Roddenberry the budget or creative freedom he felt he needed to make new episodes which would be worthy of the old ones. So "Star Trek," one of the most popular programs of all time, can be seen only in reruns.

But last September, ITC, a British TV firm, brought to the air a series promoted as the heir to "Star Trek" fans. The series is "Space: 1999," a syndicated property scheduled on different days and times in some 160 markets around the nation.

Let's take a look in 3D (Difference, Depth and Durability).

1. Difference: In the year, 1999, earth has a very complex, fully-staffed base on the Moon. A thermonuclear explosion of massive power and thrust blasts the moon out of earth orbit, setting it adrift in space. And with it go all the inhabitants of Moon Station Alpha. "Space: 1999" is their story.

Since both "Star Trek's" space ship, the Enterprise, and "Space: 1999's" Moon Station Alpha are complete worlds in themselves, each destined to move from one star system to another, the only conceptual difference In storyline is the fact that the Enterprise moved by intent while Alpha drifts.

The lack of intent - of a mission - seems to infect all the inhabitants of Alpha with aimlessness. Without the motivation of those aboard the Enterprise, the people of Alpha do not appear to have sufficient purpose to make them care enough about their future. And, thus, we do not care enough either.

2 Depth: The special effects on this show are marvellous, but the acting is something else. Martin Landau stars as the Base Commander of Alpha, Barbara Bain as the Medical Director. There is no question about the depth of talent offered by this couple (they are married in real life). For several years, they were major participants In "Mission: Impossible." a series which required them to play roles within roles within roles. And they did it with such consistent expertise that they made it appear easy.

Yet on "Space: 1999," their performances are little better than those of Barry Morse (plays the head scientist) and the less Important players. Everywhere, an aimlessness pervades, lending the episodes an amateurish quality (and this is not aided by the high-schoolish appearance of those long underwear uniforms).

Since there can be no question relative to the ability of Landau and Bain, we must link their dull characterizations with inadequate direction and, perhaps more Importantly, scripts which lack sufficient meaning and drama.

3. Durability: Overall ratings for the series have not lived up to expectations (placing the show far below such syndicated properties as "Lawrence Welk" and "Hee Haw"), but "Space: 1999" has done better than most syndicated series with the very important 18-35 age group. Thus, it has been renewed for another season.

And - here is the big news - these episodes will not be like those of the first season. Why? Because the new supervisor of scripts will be Fred Frieberger, that very gifted writer-producer from "Star Trek." With him comes new story characters, including a strange lady who may remind "Star Trek" fans of their beloved Dr. Spock. [sic] So let's give "Space: 1999" another chance as It begins its second season in September.