Space:1999 - Earthbound - Volume Two
Just finished listening to "Space:1999 - Earthbound - Volume Two, released by Big Finish Productions.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this re-imagining of the classic live action Space:1999 series by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson is that it is set in an alternative universe from the original series in order to update the premise of the moon and the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha being ejected into interstellar space.
For those who may not remember, when Space:1999 first aired in syndication back in 1975-1977, it was the only new science fiction show on the airwaves and faced a bunch of criticism due to it's premise of a huge nuclear explosion blowing the moon out of Earth's orbit and the Solar System.
The horror element and general paranoia of Commander John Koenig throughout the series' original run - especially throughout the show's first season - hooked viewers and kept a loyal fan base over the years.
"Mooncather," the first episode in volume two, effectively captures the horror element of the original show and keeping the notion that the Alphans are being tested to see if they are worth of an unspoken destiny.
And here lies part of the problem with Big Finish Production's re-imagining of Space:1999 - it's relying on classic episodes of the television series in part to update and in part to advance the series in new directions.
"Earthbound" and "Journey's End" are prime examples. Even in this re-imagined series, Moonbase Alpha is a military outpost with a civilian crew. Commander Koenig is not a civilian administrator. Yet under pressure from Space Commissioner Simmons, he allows a vote which puts the entire population of Moonbase Alpha in jeopardy, just to prove a point, and in the original television episode "Journey's End," Simmons got a well deserved comeuppance - mild spoiler alert, it's someone else who may have died.
Next up on Moonbase Alpha's journey is another classic and beloved episode featuring the mystery of Arcadia. And there is the ongoing mystery of the META signal. Remember, it was Maya who created the technology that enabled Sandra to send the message about Moonbase Alpha's ultimate fate - and that is established cannon. I'm also curious now, if Space Commissioner Simmons has survived, at least for the time being - will Mentor, Maya's father, join his daughter and escape their dying home world of Pyschon? In the original series Koenig did try to save him. And it's stated to in the series/season two episode "The Metamorph," that Mentor taught Maya how to use the innate Psychon ability to metamorphise into other life forms.
Questions upon questions. Riddles upon riddles. But the producers over at Big Finish Productions will need to keep in mind that newly re-imagined shows based on beloved shows that stray too far from established cannon and attempt to mix political commentary will fail miserably. As frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook and elsewhere know, I automatically deduct two points when this occurs.
Recommended.
Three Stars.
https://www.whona.com/Space-1999-02-E...
One of the most intriguing aspects of this re-imagining of the classic live action Space:1999 series by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson is that it is set in an alternative universe from the original series in order to update the premise of the moon and the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha being ejected into interstellar space.
For those who may not remember, when Space:1999 first aired in syndication back in 1975-1977, it was the only new science fiction show on the airwaves and faced a bunch of criticism due to it's premise of a huge nuclear explosion blowing the moon out of Earth's orbit and the Solar System.
The horror element and general paranoia of Commander John Koenig throughout the series' original run - especially throughout the show's first season - hooked viewers and kept a loyal fan base over the years.
"Mooncather," the first episode in volume two, effectively captures the horror element of the original show and keeping the notion that the Alphans are being tested to see if they are worth of an unspoken destiny.
And here lies part of the problem with Big Finish Production's re-imagining of Space:1999 - it's relying on classic episodes of the television series in part to update and in part to advance the series in new directions.
"Earthbound" and "Journey's End" are prime examples. Even in this re-imagined series, Moonbase Alpha is a military outpost with a civilian crew. Commander Koenig is not a civilian administrator. Yet under pressure from Space Commissioner Simmons, he allows a vote which puts the entire population of Moonbase Alpha in jeopardy, just to prove a point, and in the original television episode "Journey's End," Simmons got a well deserved comeuppance - mild spoiler alert, it's someone else who may have died.
Next up on Moonbase Alpha's journey is another classic and beloved episode featuring the mystery of Arcadia. And there is the ongoing mystery of the META signal. Remember, it was Maya who created the technology that enabled Sandra to send the message about Moonbase Alpha's ultimate fate - and that is established cannon. I'm also curious now, if Space Commissioner Simmons has survived, at least for the time being - will Mentor, Maya's father, join his daughter and escape their dying home world of Pyschon? In the original series Koenig did try to save him. And it's stated to in the series/season two episode "The Metamorph," that Mentor taught Maya how to use the innate Psychon ability to metamorphise into other life forms.
Questions upon questions. Riddles upon riddles. But the producers over at Big Finish Productions will need to keep in mind that newly re-imagined shows based on beloved shows that stray too far from established cannon and attempt to mix political commentary will fail miserably. As frequent readers of my reviews here on Facebook and elsewhere know, I automatically deduct two points when this occurs.
Recommended.
Three Stars.
https://www.whona.com/Space-1999-02-E...
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