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Space: 1999 (@ Big Finish) #3
Space 1999 Volume 03: Dragon's Domain
As the people of Moonbase Alpha continue their odyssey through space on their wandering Moon, the longterm influences of their recent alien encounters start to impact upon their course. But first, an infinity of possibilities opens up for them, with terrifying consequences.
3.1 Skull in the Sky by Marc Platt - There’s a deluge upon the Moon that will change everything forever. The Alphans must adapt and relationships will change. Then, above them, a portent of doom arrives.
3.2 The Godhead Interrogative by Nicholas Briggs - Dashka Kano has been working on translating the alien script on Zantor’s artefact. She’s beginning to make progress when one hundred objects are detected, advancing towards the Moon. Dashka’s skills will be tested to the limit by the force of an ancient civilisation.
3.3 Dragon's Domain by Nicholas Briggs - Dr Helena Russell relates a tale of hope, terror and tragedy. The Alphans discover a potential means to enact the will of their referendum and return to Earth. But the Ultra mission will be a journey into unimaginable horror.
Based on the original tv series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson.
Space 1999 © ITC Entertainment Group Limited 1975 and 2021. Licensed by ITV Ventures Limited. All rights reserved.
3.1 Skull in the Sky by Marc Platt - There’s a deluge upon the Moon that will change everything forever. The Alphans must adapt and relationships will change. Then, above them, a portent of doom arrives.
3.2 The Godhead Interrogative by Nicholas Briggs - Dashka Kano has been working on translating the alien script on Zantor’s artefact. She’s beginning to make progress when one hundred objects are detected, advancing towards the Moon. Dashka’s skills will be tested to the limit by the force of an ancient civilisation.
3.3 Dragon's Domain by Nicholas Briggs - Dr Helena Russell relates a tale of hope, terror and tragedy. The Alphans discover a potential means to enact the will of their referendum and return to Earth. But the Ultra mission will be a journey into unimaginable horror.
Based on the original tv series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson.
Space 1999 © ITC Entertainment Group Limited 1975 and 2021. Licensed by ITV Ventures Limited. All rights reserved.
Audio CD
Published May 1, 2023
About the author
Marc Platt
110 books48 followersMarc Platt is a British writer. He is most known for his work with the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who.
After studying catering at a technical college, Platt worked first for Trust House Forte, and then in administration for the BBC. He wrote the Doctor Who serial Ghost Light based on two proposals, one of which later became the novel Lungbarrow. That novel was greatly anticipated by fans as it was the culmination of the so-called "Cartmel Masterplan", revealing details of the Doctor's background and family.
After the original series' cancellation Platt wrote the script for the audio Doctor Who drama Spare Parts. The script was the inspiration for the 2006 Doctor Who television story "Rise of the Cybermen"/"The Age of Steel", for which Platt received a screen credit and a fee.
He lives in London.
After studying catering at a technical college, Platt worked first for Trust House Forte, and then in administration for the BBC. He wrote the Doctor Who serial Ghost Light based on two proposals, one of which later became the novel Lungbarrow. That novel was greatly anticipated by fans as it was the culmination of the so-called "Cartmel Masterplan", revealing details of the Doctor's background and family.
After the original series' cancellation Platt wrote the script for the audio Doctor Who drama Spare Parts. The script was the inspiration for the 2006 Doctor Who television story "Rise of the Cybermen"/"The Age of Steel", for which Platt received a screen credit and a fee.
He lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 28, 2023
(3.1) Skull in the Sky - My initial thought was that this was going to be an odd mash-up of the original series episodes Another Time, Another Place and The Last Sunset, but there seems to be a lot than that going on here. This is another spectacular episode that, while being a rather typical sci-fi series cliché, plays out in an entirely different way to fantastic effect. Brilliantly done (5/5).
(3.2) The Godhead Interrogative - One of things I’ve discovered that I really enjoy about these new chronicles of Moonbase Alpha, is seeing how various story hooks or components are reworked into a completely new narrative. This has some interesting elements that reminded me of The Black Sun, The Exiles, The AB Chrysalis, Testament of Arcadia. Who would think that these disparate narrative elements could be molded together into such a new and exciting story (5/5).
(3.3) Dragon's Domain - This was one I was particularly looking forward to. It’s a classic Lovecraftian-inspired episode from the series that is both very unlike other episodes and an iconic episode of the series. There are numerous elements from the episode that are completely unlike other episodes from the series: music cues/samples, flashbacks, the first time Russell’s medical log is used. But it’s also one of the single most remembered episodes, particularly of people who were not necessarily fans of the series. So I had high hopes. I really, really need to NOT get my hopes so wound up. I mean I really do. Because there are an enormous amount of liberties taken with this adaptation. And the actual adaptation gets reduced down to maybe about half the episode. Most of the narrative is used with setting up a completely different framework for introducing the dragon and the actual horror and dread of said dragon is almost non-existent. It’s not bad, it’s just not at all as engaging or as compelling as I’d been hoping, and expecting, it would be (3/5).
So ending on a rather sour note, but the first two episodes in this set are really knock-out home runs. Too bad the titular story couldn’t live up to the potential of the original episode it was based upon. The set also includes the usual, and always welcome, interviews with cast and crew. And there is also a 10-minute bonus music suite as a downloadable bonus feature with the electronic copy. I do also have to mention, that even with my disappointment with the final story of this set, I am still going to get the next volume in the series. Without question. Absolutely. Big Finish has really been doing an excellent job with this series.
(3.2) The Godhead Interrogative - One of things I’ve discovered that I really enjoy about these new chronicles of Moonbase Alpha, is seeing how various story hooks or components are reworked into a completely new narrative. This has some interesting elements that reminded me of The Black Sun, The Exiles, The AB Chrysalis, Testament of Arcadia. Who would think that these disparate narrative elements could be molded together into such a new and exciting story (5/5).
(3.3) Dragon's Domain - This was one I was particularly looking forward to. It’s a classic Lovecraftian-inspired episode from the series that is both very unlike other episodes and an iconic episode of the series. There are numerous elements from the episode that are completely unlike other episodes from the series: music cues/samples, flashbacks, the first time Russell’s medical log is used. But it’s also one of the single most remembered episodes, particularly of people who were not necessarily fans of the series. So I had high hopes. I really, really need to NOT get my hopes so wound up. I mean I really do. Because there are an enormous amount of liberties taken with this adaptation. And the actual adaptation gets reduced down to maybe about half the episode. Most of the narrative is used with setting up a completely different framework for introducing the dragon and the actual horror and dread of said dragon is almost non-existent. It’s not bad, it’s just not at all as engaging or as compelling as I’d been hoping, and expecting, it would be (3/5).
So ending on a rather sour note, but the first two episodes in this set are really knock-out home runs. Too bad the titular story couldn’t live up to the potential of the original episode it was based upon. The set also includes the usual, and always welcome, interviews with cast and crew. And there is also a 10-minute bonus music suite as a downloadable bonus feature with the electronic copy. I do also have to mention, that even with my disappointment with the final story of this set, I am still going to get the next volume in the series. Without question. Absolutely. Big Finish has really been doing an excellent job with this series.
January 4, 2024
I continue to be grateful to Big Finish and Nicholas Briggs for bringing back some of my all-time favorite productions, updated to current standards. As previously mentioned, I adored Space 1999, especially the first season and to be able to listen to high production value content that is new and compelling is a dream come true. So it is with this latest edition of the runaway moon's adventures. This disc / download features three stories: Skull in the Sky, by Marc Platt; The Godhead Interrogative, by Nicholas Briggs; and Dragon's Domain, by Nicholas Briggs.
Skull in the Sky begins with Alan Carter investigating a mysterious light show when Moonbase Alpha undergoes a mysterious transformation. Paul Morrow is back from the dead, Simmons is governor over planet Alpha (Which now has an atmosphere), Koenig has been exiled, and more. Oh yeah, Alan is now dead. What the hell is going on here? The mystery deepens and results in a story befitting the series.
The Godhead Interrogative begins with Dashka Kano obsessing over the translation of the artifact left behind by Zantor (See Space 1999, Volume 2) when mysterious objects are detected heading towards the moon. They are impervious to Alpha's weaponry and when they descend towards the opposite side of the moon their intentions are revealed. This is a truly alien story that requires Koenig and crew to think outside normal definitions of human behavior.
Dragon's Domain immediately took me back to the original series and a true outer space monster story that I am sure resulted in plenty of nightmares. The tale has been updated and features Helena narrating a log where it appears Alan Carter may now be dead. (Alan really gets raked over the coals in this volume!) The Alphans manage to build a spacecraft offering a chance to return to earth when catastrophe strikes. Again, Zantor's artifact may provide a clue, but could this mark the end of the line for the inhabitants of the moon?
All of these stories are followed by insights from the cast and creators making this a well-rounded collection. This is tremendously good science fiction that is supplemented by a terrific cast, great sound effects, and a wonderful score. (I still here those Star Wars music cues though!) Well worth your money!
Skull in the Sky begins with Alan Carter investigating a mysterious light show when Moonbase Alpha undergoes a mysterious transformation. Paul Morrow is back from the dead, Simmons is governor over planet Alpha (Which now has an atmosphere), Koenig has been exiled, and more. Oh yeah, Alan is now dead. What the hell is going on here? The mystery deepens and results in a story befitting the series.
The Godhead Interrogative begins with Dashka Kano obsessing over the translation of the artifact left behind by Zantor (See Space 1999, Volume 2) when mysterious objects are detected heading towards the moon. They are impervious to Alpha's weaponry and when they descend towards the opposite side of the moon their intentions are revealed. This is a truly alien story that requires Koenig and crew to think outside normal definitions of human behavior.
Dragon's Domain immediately took me back to the original series and a true outer space monster story that I am sure resulted in plenty of nightmares. The tale has been updated and features Helena narrating a log where it appears Alan Carter may now be dead. (Alan really gets raked over the coals in this volume!) The Alphans manage to build a spacecraft offering a chance to return to earth when catastrophe strikes. Again, Zantor's artifact may provide a clue, but could this mark the end of the line for the inhabitants of the moon?
All of these stories are followed by insights from the cast and creators making this a well-rounded collection. This is tremendously good science fiction that is supplemented by a terrific cast, great sound effects, and a wonderful score. (I still here those Star Wars music cues though!) Well worth your money!
June 26, 2023
Very, very, very good. I need more.
November 20, 2025
I guess what I've learned is, to me, Space: 1999 is conveyed better onscreen than in audio.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews