Catacombs Reference Library
Star Trek magazine

A Look at Year 2 of 'Space: 1999'

Star Trek magazine #3, 1976

"Star Trek magazine" was a 1970s fanzine published by "the St Petersburg Chapter of the Star Trek Federation of Fans (STFF)". This was issue number 3, from late 1976. On page 8-10 is an article on Space 1999 year 2 by Steve Sample.

The note that Bergman died as a result of the events in The Infernal Machine is unusual- it is quoted as ITC publicity, but we haven't seen this specific reference. The note about the Space: 1999 movie is also remarkable, and again may come from an unknown ITC publicity source. While positive, the attitudes about the series are revealing (the stories in series 2 are "easier to follow").

(Ed note - This article appears as written by Steve Sample, complete and unedited. Let it be known that the staff of Star Trek Magazine gives copy space to the supporters of Space: 1999)

Well, it's been almost one year since the most highly acclaimed and widely sold series in the history of television premiered, Space: 1999. Now in that time I've heard such distinguished reviews as "it's boring", "it's stupid", "it's colourless", "it's garbage", "it's lifeless" and best of all "it's too fakey". Though many of you may agree with those complaints, since the majority of this magazine is sold to Trekies and Trekkers, I am glad to say that it's went for a second season. This time it has GREATLY changed, only to satisfy the Trekies who didn't like it because it wasn't like "Star Trek", and also to satisfy the Trekkers who didn't like it because it was too close a copy. So maybe this means we can all enjoy Space: 1999 and not be afraid to admit it, for the fear of getting stabbed by a mob of wild trekies.

One of the biggest changes in the show is the dropping of 3 major characters. This first is Professor Victor Bergman (Barry Morse), Paul Morrow (Prentis Hancock) and David Kano (Clifton Jones). Now there are two reasons for the dropping of these characters. One reason is that they didn't start filming second season til one year later, which means that if these people want to eat they have to work. So when the second season rolled around many of them were busy doing other things and couldn't return to the show. The second reason is that many of them were written out of the scripts because they added two new characters, plus many character changes were made, and they would interfere, Also I know you;re wondering how they are going to explain the missing people. Well, I hate to say it but there is no explanation given on the actual shows. However, in a promotion booklet distributed by ITC (the company that produces Space: 1999) it stares that "Professor Victor Bergman, one of the designers of moonbase Alpha, died after an encounter with the computerised spacecraft called Gwent. Bergman had a mechanical heart that was recharged (by Gwent). Afterwards his mechanical heart could not stand the strain and Professor Bergman expired."

Another change in the series is the addition of 2 new characters. The 2 new characters are Maya, played by Catherine Schell, and the other, Tony Verdeschi, played by Tony Anholt. Maya possesses the incredible power of molecular transformation. She can change herself into any object or creature imaginable. Also she has a computer brain, so fantastic it defies all scientific experience and explanation... Also before I go any father in explaining her character let me point out that she is not in the least bit like Star Trek's Mr Spock. The two characters have nothing in common, except the fact that they are both aliens. The differences are too great to be compared.

Tony Verdeschi is second in command of Alpha and when Koenig is away he is in charge of the base. Also there's a romance between him and Maya that adds comedy to the show, because every time he makes a pas at her she turns into something not very appealing.

One of the changes I am glad to see is the romance enlarged between Commander Koenig and Dr Helena Russel. In the first year they just looked longingly into each other's eyes and that was about the closest they got to "getting down". But in the new season the romance is greatly enlarged. Also Dr Russel looks a lot more appealing to the eye. Her entire character has changed. She is more bouncy and full of life, she's not the "zombie" she was in the first year. Her new character adds much more life to the show.

Some of the other changes that have been made were decreasing the depth in the stories. They have now made them a lot easier to follow. In the first season many people didn't like the show because they went straight over their heads, and for that reason they said they were stupid, just because they couldn't understand them. So this year, to satisfy the average viewer, the stories will not be as much like 2001 A Space Odyssey. Also another small change in the show is the streaks of humour that will be running throughout each episode. These will tend to make the show's weak spots light up and not make it as boring, like many of the ones in the first year. Another big complaint in the first season was the fact that the moon would not be able to travel at such tremendous speeds. In the second season the moon has gone through a time warp and has entered a new galaxy that is very different from out own, though I'm sure we all know that reaching new planets would take sometimes hundreds if not thousands of years. But still, we're talking about a science fiction show, not a science fact show. Every sci-fi show needs some sort of story to keep it interesting and different, and you must admit, using the moon is very different and also creative.

For the new season they also changed the costumes, because many people didn't like the plain colours, plus the unisex idea. So they kept the general idea but gave them extra touches of colouring, like coloured necklines. This year the women will wear knee length skirts, and on off duty hours brightly coloured gowns will be worn. Also coloured jackets will be worn from time to time.

This year they also changed the entire Alpha base, it is now underground. The reason for that is because they were attacked so many times, also for the risk of being subjected to radiation. Main Mission this year is now called Command Center and the entire room is smaller and is staffed by less people, plus the computers are more colourful.

Also a Space: 1999 movie is currently in the works and bent for a theatrical release. Nick (Alan Carter) Tate said the movie, which would be out before Star Trek's, will deal with the remains of the planet Earth. Despite this, I'm happy to announce that Space 1999 will definitely be going for a third season.

Though this may seem hasty the reason is quite simple. Before ITC released the 2nd season episodes to TV stations it had critics around the world view and give their comments on them. All felt they were a substantial improvement over last year's and that the show definitely had good possibilities.

To end this article I'd like to give special thanks to Gerry Anderson, the man responsible for Space: 1999. If it wasn't for him, 99 would still be the same because he is the kind of person who wants to produce a good program that everyone can enjoy, not just a money making one. So for that reason I'd also like to thank Ed Mosser (programming director TV station WTOG channel 44) for permission to reprint the photos which accompanied this article. Thanks.