Space: 1999 - An Appreciation by Sharon Carruthers

SPACE: 1999 first exploded onto our screens during the post Star Trek, pre Star Wars era of the mid-'70s. Gerry Anderson’s Moon of the 1990s had become a nuclear waste dump, and investment was being sought for Earth’s space programme. So, when personnel start to die on the Moonbase Alpha, the deaths are dismissed as a virus, so as not to hinder the investments and delay the new space race.

The ‘virus’ is in fact a form of radiation sickness, which is a product of the increase in temperature of the nuclear waste. As investigations continue, a chain of events results in the waste exploding and the Moon is thrust out of the Earth’s orbit. The Alphans head into space, on an uncontrollable satellite, without the previous technical knowledge, or the emotional experience, to deal with any problems they may encounter, whilst trying to find a planet on which to settle and raise families.

Meanwhile, back on Earth in the 1970s, criticisms were aimed at the series from various directions. Experts cleverly pointed out that such an explosion would destroy the Moon, which no-one disputes but, after all, this was a science-fiction TV programme. The other main criticism was directed towards the acting, but surely the characters would be a bit edgy and unsure in situations which they had never experienced before? The Commander’s character rarely showed his true emotions, maybe thinking that this would affect the morale on the Moonbase?

The main feature of Brian Johnson’s stunning special effects was the Eagle Transporter. Even now the design looks amazing, and a company, which had copies of the models for sale last year, actually sold out - not bad when you think it was first shown on TV nearly thirty years ago!

The first series dwelt on the reactions of the Alphans to the incredible experiences they encountered. One particular episode, ‘The Black Sun’, is considered to be the most popular amongst cast members and fans alike. It deals with Moonbase heading towards a black sun and the tense hours as the Alphans face, what seems like, inevitable destruction. This particular episode was, indeed, thought provoking, especially the philosophical discussions between Commander Koenig (Martin Landau) and Professor Bergman (Barry Morse). Sadly, Barry Morse left at the end of the first series, and his absence from the series left a noticeable character gap, as the Commander’s advisor and close friend.

When Fred Freiberger was brought in to produce the second series, the tone of the series changed dramatically, much to the displeasure of members of the cast and fans alike. A lighter, sci-fi comic theme was used, although during ‘The Rules of Luton’ we learn from an emotional Commander Koening, that his wife died during a world war, which made mankind realise that they would achieve more if they actually worked together. To its credit a new character called Maya (excellently portrayed by Catherine Schell), was introduced, to, I’m sure, the pleasure of many male fans of the series. The relationship between Commander Koening and Doctor Helena Russell also became more relaxed. Despite discussions regarding budgets for a third series, the series ended, as it was shifted from primetime to anytime in the TV schedules.

The series, of course, had its faults, and it’s so easy to criticise now nearly thirty years later with technical achievements. Despite the criticisms, I think that ‘Space: 1999’ remains significant, due to its amazing special effects and the concept of how people react in extreme situations.

© Copyright Sharon Carruthers, June 2005.

1st Series	2nd Series
Breakaway	The Metamorph
Matter Of Life And Death	The Exiles
Black Sun	One Moment Of Humanity
Ring Around The Moon	All That Glisters
Earthbound	Journey Of Where
Another Time, Another Place	The Taybor
Missing Link	The Rules Of Luton
Guardian Of Piri	The Mark Of Archanon
Force Of Life	Brian The Brain
Alpha Child	New Adam New Eve
The Last Sunset	The AB Chrysalis
Voyager's Return	Catacombs Of The Moon
Collision Course	Seed Of Destruction
Death's Other Dominion	The Beta Cloud
The Full Circle	A Matter Of Balance
End Of Eternity	Space Warp
War Games	The Bringers Of Wonder Part One
The Last Enemy	The Bringers Of Wonder Part Two
The Troubled Spirit	The Lambda Factor
Space Brain	The Seance Spectre
The Infernal Machine	Dorzak
Mission Of The Darians	Devil's Planet
Dragon's Domain	The Immunity Syndrome
The Testament Of Arkadia	The Dorcons