A Quick Look at TV: SPACE:1999

   The late Martin Landau was noted for a number of works, though I'm sure many kids came to him through his Gerry Anderson science fiction adventure series SPACE: 1999. Originally conceived as a follow-up to the futuristic espionage series UFO, SPACE:1999 instead became the saga of the men and women of Moonbase Alpha and their adventures after an explosion in a lunar nuclear waste disposal area pushes the moon out of orbit and into deep space. As the moon hurtles through unexplored systems, the Alphans must contend with strange and often hostile forces and mysterious phenomenon. The show lasted two seasons, and the two seasons are night and day. Season one strained for grandeur and often couldn't decide if it was trying to be cerebral or just surreal. It was a somber affair, to say the least. The second season, aided by some doctoring by Star Trek veterans, was much more exciting. Based more in adventure and character-based drama, the show took on a feel very similar to Star Trek. Though this was a vast improvement with viewers, the show was cancelled and syndicated for the remainder of the 70's (State-side, it was probably Anderson's most visible series). As was so often the case during this period, Landau was supported by his bride Barbara Bain. Landau played Alpha's CO, John Koenig, while Bain was chief medical officer Dr. Helena Russell. In the first season, pseudo-scientific musing was offered by Barry Morse as the enigmatic Professor Bergman. The second season brought in the lovely Catherine Schell as Maya, a shape-shifting alien woman who joined the Alphans after becoming the last of her kind. The differences between the two seasons can best be summed up by their openings. Season one shows it's cast looking stoically upon blank backgrounds as 'important' music plays, while the second season shows them running down hallways and spinning around to fire ray guns while aggressively action-oriented music blares away. The second season was certainly a better show, but the first is favored by "intellectuals" because it was so much more 'British' and the second season just too 'American' in flavor. While not the best space adventure show on television, SPACE: 1999 delivered the goods. Special effects fans will also notice some of the greatest in-camera effects in all of television history. And of course, the show had a dynamic leading man. Rest In Peace, Martin, and thanks for all the great memories.