Space: 1999 - Ground breaking or dumb

[thomasallencummins]

Gerry Anderson has been responsible for a large portion of the sci fi I enjoyed when I was a kid. Thunderbirds, UFO and of course Space: 1999. I particularly loved Space. It came on just before the Muppet Show and at the time it was a terrific one two combination. I was around 11 when Space was airing and at that time I had no problem with the physics or spatial relationships presented in the program. After many years and stumbling through a high school education, I have been forced to re examine the facts presented in the show. If the earth's moon is in fact blown out of orbit by the detonation of a stockpile of nuclear waste, is it likely that any person present on that moon would have been squashed flat like a bug? If this moon is hurtling across space away from the earth, what planets would likely be encountered across its path? The planets of our solar system were never on the list. If that is the case, how long would it take the moon to travel from Earth orbit to the next nearest star given that said moon was most likely not traveling beyond the speed of light? While enjoying a program like Space, it is a given that you have to suspend your disbelief in order to remain entertained. I have purchased a few dvds of parts of a few seasons and still enjoy the program today. The Eagles were very cool. The over all special effects were brilliant for the time period. Martin Landau and Barbara Bain were credible as the main characters. I wouldn't mind a re envisioning of Space if the Sci Fi Channel were so inclined to give it a shot.

[sweetpea]

Ground Breaking

[Captain Nemo]

Ground Breakingly Dumb, but once you get the premis down it was kinda fun. The Eagles to me have definitley stood the test of time, they look just as good now as ever. I did like the episode "Dragon's Domain" where the monster appears in the doorway, eats people then coughs 'em up like a flambe'ed owl pellet.

[thomasallencummins]

captainnemo said:

Ground Breakingly Dumb, but once you get the premis down it was kinda fun. The Eagles to me have definitley stood the test of time, they look just as good now as ever. I did like the episode "Dragon's Domain" where the monster appears in the doorway, eats people then coughs 'em up like a flambe'ed owl pellet.

Yeah. When I was a kid that episode made me sick to my stomach. I haven't seen it since. I'm guessing it wouldn't have the same impact after all these years.

[ram]

"Dragon's Domain" - so that's the title! That was the episode that gave me nightmares as a kid. That thing was freaky as hell. After that, I was afraid of the show for a long time. Don't think I was ever a Space:1999 devotee, anyway; however, the handful of episodes I did see left me with the impression that bizarre or grotesque imagery was always a part of the series. Not that I'm against that. Just saying that maybe that element lends a certain "adult" atmosphere to Space:1999. Also because the whole series was styled after 2001: A Space Odyssey, right? That crisp, antiseptic, serious look.

atomic said:

If the earth's moon is in fact blown out of orbit by the detonation of a stockpile of nuclear waste, is it likely that any person present on that moon would have been squashed flat like a bug?

Yeah, it was stretching credibility to imagine that somehow the Moon could be blown out of orbit like that.

If this moon is hurtling across space away from the earth, what planets would likely be encountered across its path? The planets of our solar system were never on the list. If that is the case, how long would it take the moon to travel from Earth orbit to the next nearest star given that said moon was most likely not traveling beyond the speed of light?

Yep, those same questions dawned on me too after a while. To have the Moon suddenly encounter alien worlds among the stars without explaining how it got to them so quickly at sub-light speeds...that's a little nutty, even for pretend-physics, dontcha think? Thing is, all that goofiness aside, Space: 1999 got it right in depicting outer space as a really cold and deadly place for beings as fragile as humans.

The Eagles were very cool. The over all special effects were brilliant for the time period. Martin Landau and Barbara Bain were credible as the main characters. I wouldn't mind a re envisioning of Space if the Sci Fi Channel were so inclined to give it a shot.

No argument about those Eagle ships, they were excellent. Martin Landau and Barbara Bain were pretty cool too.

I'm still fond of Space:1999 to a degree, but wouldn't call myself a fan outright. I haven't rushed out to get the DVDs, but I might tune in if it comes around on the Sci-Fi/Space Channel. As for a "re-envisioning" -- I don't have a problem with that, but a new version better have a good explanation for the Moon's easy interstellar travel. And what would they call the new version? Space:2199?

[prorider514]

is this that thing where they ride the moon? i always picture a couple guys sittin on the moon with cowboy hats and saddles...

[thomasallencummins]

prorider514 said:

is this that thing where they ride the moon? i always picture a couple guys sittin on the moon with cowboy hats and saddles...

Well it seems you do recognize the series based on your question. Yeah. They do in fact "ride" the moon to other worlds and adventures. Pretty silly.

[thomasallencummins]

ram said:

"Dragon's Domain" - so that's the title! That was the episode that gave me nightmares as a kid. That thing was freaky as hell. After that, I was afraid of the show for a long time. Don't think I was ever a Space:1999 devotee, anyway; however, the handful of episodes I did see left me with the impression that bizarre or grotesque imagery was always a part of the series. Not that I'm against that. Just saying that maybe that element lends a certain "adult" atmosphere to Space:1999. Also because the whole series was styled after 2001: A Space Odyssey, right? That crisp, antiseptic, serious look.

Holy crap Matri...I mean Ram. I felt the exact same way. That episode totally freaked me out and since you are a bit younger than I am it would have been even creepier if I'd been your age. (provided you saw it when I did of course).
Anyway I think the thing the upset me more than anything else is that it wasn't just men being sucked in and regurgitated out, burned to a crisp, but women too. Ugh. I don't think I'd seen that before. Very disturbing to my young eyes. I don't have it but if I watched that episode today I'd probably just think the creature effects were dumb. I plan to own the entire series as some point. I guess I'll find out then.

[ram]

Well, I could probably watch that episode now without problems. I might even get a kick out of it if I just imagine the monster is eating up Jar-Jar Binks.