"Journey to Where"

Editor's Notes: The list got off to a too-early jump on "Journey to Where," accidentally skipping over "All That Glisters," which is what actually comes next in the official production order adopted for the ExE metathread. This was eventually noticed by list members, and discussion was switched to the "All That Glisters" (none of those order-related notes are reproduced here). This archive reflects the official order, "One Moment of Humanity" after "All That Glisters," but some of the dates below reflect the mistake of jumping ahead.

From:  Chris Hlady (chlady@escape4tag.ca)
Date:  Mon, 6 Jul 1998 18:48:53 -0500
Subj:  Space1999: Journey to Where

Hey gang,

This is an answer to Mateo, even though, I don't know that it's accurate.

Journey to Where, a second season highpoint, offered Alphans a chance to reconnect to a polluted derelict earth of the 22nd century.

Earth people lived in domed metropolises. Outside was no longer habitable (a little of Logan's Run, methinks). Bureaucratic bungler, the good Dr. Logan (yikes, finally got the connection) decided to use a machine that was CLEARLY in the experimental stage.

An unexpected earthquake interupts the matter transporter shifting Koenig, Russell, and Carter through time to Scotland of the middle second millenium.

Imagine Braveheart meets Alphans, and that's about right.

Insisting the Alphans have the Black Plague, the Scots want to burn them at the state, and they begin.

Fortunately, through all of this, Maya super-scientific mind, is whittling through the figures, deciphering the necessary key to ascertain parameters essential to getting the trio back.

When they do, a cosmic eclipse cuts off communication between Alpha and Earth for another hundred years.

Altogether, an episode that fascinated me at the time. While never as inspiring as the first season adventures, this episode fulfilled the Freddie principal of hook, plot, plot, plot, plot, happy ending, reminiscent of every year two episode. Great special effects of course.

Toodaleeboo

PS. Upon further research, we should probably be talking about "All that Glistens-an outstanding synthesis of Dallas meets Space."

Trivia extra: who were the two second season characters who admitted to liking Tony's beer? (make mine guiness)

Cheers

Chris Hlady

From:  Paul Apprich (psapp@cnct4tag.com)
Date:  Mon, 6 Jul 1998 20:08:44 -0400 (EDT)
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

Would it not been more ironic if the screenplay had mentioned the 1994 Baseball World Series instead of the 1993 World Series? At this rate of hyperinflating player salaries, would it not be more ironic is competitive sports were outlawed in 2026 for REAL?

PA---------------------------- Spaced:1999

Brain: OOOOO Ferranti Mark Ten running Windows NT, Hey, we're comP|~
Maya: General Protection Fault at Extended Segment DC00 offset 39BE.
Tony: Get that crazy infecting slot machine away from the ports; it's got a VIRUS!

From:  South Central (Tamazunchale@web44tv.net)
Date:  Mon, 6 Jul 1998 20:27:08 -0700 (PDT)
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

Thanks for the update as to where we are. I don't know what connection you are referring to with "Dr. Logan"--is this a reference or nod to something else?

I couldn't help but feel awed as a kid when the Alphans disappeared from the flames in front of everyone's eyes! I thought that was just such a great scene.

More later.

Mateo

From:  Ariana (ariana@n44direct.co.uk)
Date:  Tue, 7 Jul 1998 09:48:01 +0100
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

An unexpected earthquake interupts the matter transporter shifting Koenig, Russell, and Carter through time to Scotland of the middle second millenium.

At last an episode I remember clearly! :) I remember being very impressed with this one. In the first place, it was very nice to have some scifi heroes sent back to *someone else's* history rather than the old US of A. I mean, okay, the Civil War and the Far West are fascinating periods of history, but I did get tired of the way the likes of Trek always ended up in California, at OK Corral or fighting the Q in a "Gone With the Wind" parody (Voyager: "The Q And The Gray").

Anyway, I also liked the way they got themselves out of the mess (Bannockburn+25 indeed!), but what really impressed me was Helena's cold. People used to die of colds not so long ago, and it was nice to see someone thought about the fact that the ultra-protected humans of nowadays are not necessarily as resistant to certain diseases as their ancestors were. Apparently, recent research also blames mass vaccination for the increase of asthma and eczema, because the body is no longer exposed to real pathogens and therefore starts fighting things like household dust... but I digress.

OTOH, I wasn't very impressed with the 22nd century people, especially that woman with the funny wig (am I thinking about the right episode?)

Altogether, an episode that fascinated me at the time. While never as inspiring as the first season adventures,

I'm beginning to worry about all this praise heaped on Y1. My boyfriend and I were watching "Missing Link" last night and nearly dropped off. Apologies, but that was *really* awful: it only picked up vaguely when Kano and Paul were having a fight. I wasn't impressed with Koenig's relationship with Vana or whatever her name was and it was all so *slow*. IMHO, "plot, plot, plot" has its advantages too.

Just my 10 centimes,

Emma

From:  Chris Hlady (chlady@escape4tag.ca)
Date:  Tue, 7 Jul 1998 12:22:00 -0500
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

Paul, I'm pretty sure the episode mentioned the 1998 World Series. They declared that the Boston Red Sox defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 4 games to 3.

It's kind of nice to know what's going to happen in October. ;-)

Chris Hlady

From:  Atomic Possum (atomicpossum@toast4tag.net)
Date:  Tue, 7 Jul 1998 12:26:35 -0500
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

Speaking as someone who lives in Saint Louis, if the Cardinals even get to the World Series, I am betting every cent I can beg borrow or steal that the moon will get blown out of orbit Sept. 13, 1999. As of right now, the moon thing has better odds.... :-)

-----------------
Jon "Mr. Wonderful" Stadter
ORIGINAL FREE COMIC STRIPS: http://www.toon-up.com

From:  Chris Hlady (chlady@escape4tag.ca)
Date:  Tue, 7 Jul 1998 12:31:34 -0500
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

I couldn't help but feel awed as a kid when the Alphans disappeared from the flames in front of everyone's eyes! I thought that was just such a great scene.

Ditto on the flames.

Logan's Run was a 1972? film starring Michael York, Jennifer Aguter, Richard Jordan, and Peter Ustinov. In this film, people travelled through travel tubes between domed cities. Everyone lived blissful lives, but were expected to give up life on their 30th birthday.

I wouldn't be surprised if Dr. Logan was christened with that in mind. A minor aside, but it seems to fit given the times and Freddie's hope to broaden the sci-fi appeal of Space to the American audience.

Parts of this episode, the swords and the casting of Dr. Logan, were described in the Making of Space: 1999 book. Very interesting.

Chris Hlady

From:  Chris Hlady (chlady@escape4tag.ca)
Date:  Tue, 7 Jul 1998 12:46:11 -0500
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

I'm beginning to worry about all this praise heaped on Y1. My boyfriend and I were watching "Missing Link" last night and nearly dropped off. [....] IMHO, "plot, plot, plot" has its advantages too.

Emma, the praise heaped on Y1 is in direct contrast to the popular wisdom post-Y1, as detailed in the Making of Space:1999.

People bitched and complained about Y1 to such a degree that the innovative elements of S1999 were stripped away (eg. philosophical wonder, artistic intent, big moral questions).

There are some good things to Y2. The effects were better. The characters were enhanced in an attempt to deepen the audience's affection for them. There was more humour, and running gags (eg. Helena and Maya, Maya and Tony, Tony and Alan, which computer girl will be present in which episode). What is utterly absent is depth of thought.

I think it's fair to say that Y2 is about the senses. Y1 is about the mind. Each is different, but beware of watching one for the other, in my opinion anyways.

Go Sox,
Chris

From:  jcg@vh4tag.net
Date:  Tue, 07 Jul 1998 14:12:42 -0400
Subj:  Space1999: Journey To Where

After all these years I realized the episode title makes sense only if you put a question mark on it.

If Earth is communicating with Neutrinos, but Alpha is using 1999 technology, how can Earth hear them?

At least some bowing to relativity with "...in space for months...which in Earth time is decades." Saying months doesn't make it too obvious how long they have been in space, despite the misleading status reports. Of course in a few episodes this same sentence is going to be a problem.

I like the test that Koenig gives Earth. And the baseball question shows a little quirk in his personality that is very charming. Of course I don't think the championship later this year will play as they said in the episode (but hey, Red Sox fans never say die!)

Although it was overused in the series, I like the idea of someone running a moonshine still (or beer). The problem became they felt they had to use it often, just like they felt they had to have a Maya transformation in every episode...even if it was just Koenig's memories in Devil's Planet. Also, there was yet another awful transformation in this episode, where they did a double soft iris wipe when she changed back to herself.

I like the times they think they are getting back to Earth in year two, and we see Maya feeling left out.

I always wanted to hear that it was more than 21st century pollution that damaged Earth. What about the effect of the moon pulling out of orbit, as well as the changes caused by no more gravity tugging from the satellite (like the tides).

If they have a camera pointed at the test package in the Alpha lab (which makes sense,) then why is Helena using her commlock? And if she needs her commlock to be heard, why doesn't Ben?

Of course this is the only time we see Koenig without a jacket (or a god awful vest) in year two. I have a color 8x10 from AB Chrylasis that has Koenig talking with Maya & Alan, and Koenig is without his jacket...it's the only other time I've seen him without one.

I've always wondered about the germ free enviornment of Alpha part. They would still have whatever germs their bodies carried when they left Earth. And I assume those germs would continue to grow and mutate (some of those germs are a part of our living processes. We can assume that they are taking precautions (un spoken) when they know they are going to be visiting planets.

I think the way Logan is played is very funny...a crusty, no social graces, focused only on his work so-and-so.

Very dramatic Koenig kissing Helena in the cave.

We see the passage of time by the fact Tony is now unshaven. So why aren't Carter and Koenig growing beards? Neither does Logan, and we would expect him not to leave his lab during that entire time...we see him eating there before there is a crisis. (Although it looks like Koenig may have stubble at the near end in the cave, but Carter doesn't.) Also, Tony's beard is the worst makeup job I have ever seen.

Again, I like the year two Helena. She is weak and near death, but she spots the fungus, and she directs how to make it, and in her weakness she is the first to recognize the impossible fact that it is their moon in the sky.

Should I even mention the fact that not only are the bio readout watches keeping contact though time, but are also synchronized with the passage of time on Alpha? Or the problem that there is no reason for the watches to be designed so they receive signals from Alpha.

The laughing old crone, as she is called in the credits, is great.

It's interesting that Koenig's spellings as he taps out in Morse, are correct. He even spelled "Bannockburn" correctly (assuming it's spelled correctly on Logan's computer.)

From:  "Tom Miller" (tmiller@north44net.org)
Date:  Thu, 9 Jul 1998 12:08:11 -0400
Subj:  Space1999: glistens/where

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Relevant part only.]

I am not sure what we are discussing, but I have a comment about both episodes. I have never been a big year two fan, but journey to where is one of the best written episodes I have ever seen. Everything from Tony asking to go after telling Maya that he was content there, to Yasko's bit about it was better to be on alpha than not know where you were going. Yasko's acting is poor of course, but the idea that maybe the Alphans are hoping too much for a miracle rather than the constant persuit of a new world. This indicates a change for the worse in the alphans, and this could happen in any situation with a closed community and little hope to drive it.

I like the fact that it is an American team of scientists that contact the alphans. Yet it was in scottland where they landed. The last of the world communities would need to pull together to survive.

Great episode, from a die hard year one fan....

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Time-wise, the list now jumped to "All That Glisters," which was what was scheduled for this week, eventually returning, next week, to "Journey to Where," where this page now continues....]

From:  South Central (Tamazunchale@web44tv.net)
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 11:16:40 -0700 (PDT)
Subj:  Space1999: Episode by Episode

This week's episode is Journey to Where. Weekly discussions as part of this thread go from Monday through Sunday. I realize that some of you must get this notice on Tuesdays--that is because I am in L.A.

I realize also that many have posted there comments regarding this episode already due to confusion about episode order. No need to repost comments (unless you want to).

Please follow the episode order (the production order) as featured in the Cybrary. I realize some people (and some sources) disagree with both/either this approach (me) or order. However, for those just coming into it, we had a vote and voted to follow the Cybrary order.

Mateo (to any new people, welcome!)

From:  David Acheson (dkach@hotmail.com)
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 06:41:42 EDT
Subj:  Space1999: Journey to Where

Leaving the living rock behind we move onto the next episode for discussion, JOURNEY TO WHERE. This is one of the better earlier episodes of year two. I like it but do not count it as one of my favourites. However, it is popular amongst fans and remains for many their favourite year two episode.

Some of the success of this episode, in my opinion, is due to Donald James of which this is his second script for the series to be produced. I have rather enjoyed his three scripts (THE EXILES -already discussed - and THE SEANCE SPECTRE being the other two) despite the various degrees of their execution in being filmed.

The execution of this episode is less sloppy than THE EXILES which suggest to me that those who stayed on the series was starting to get a grasp on the new direction of year two. The director here is Tom Clegg of which this is his first work on the series. He does a rather good job considering SPACE: 1999 was one of his earliest directing jobs. During the 50's and 60's he was an actor. Tom Clegg is still directing to this today mainly for British television.

I rather like the idea that,after a year or so in deep space and the Alphans finally coming to terms with forming a new community, Earth calls out of the blue. A faint hope of being able to return that we saw in early year one episodes is suddenly revived. In an interesting twist (a delicious one at that) it is not the Earth they remember that they left behind. After being bounced around the cosmos by space warps, Alpha now exists further into the future and it is 2120 AD back on Earth. Imagine getting a phone call from the future!

The Earth we see is much in line with most of the post-apocalyptic stories of the 60's and 70's. In fact, very close to LOGAN'S RUN. Millions of people armed with advanced science and yet living in domed cities because of our neglect of the environment. I must admit to a chill running through my spine when the infamous line "Who needs nature?" was said. While many were happy about a possible return to the mother planet some, including Helena, showed just a nice touch of concern for this attitude.

I also enjoyed Maya's quiet fear while everyone else on Alpha is rejoicing over the return to Earth. Here we see what we should have seen much earlier in the show - that she feels like an outsider. She just left her protected shell of a life on Psychon and getting a grasp for life on Alpha. Then WHAM! Being taken to live on a completely alien world is a very real possibility. Catherine Schell was able to convey this message through gestures and expressions without a bit of dialogue. Excellent acting.

The time travel back to Earth's past was not unexpected and a bit stereotyped but still different. If this was an American series we would probably have had Koenig, Russell and Carter land in the wild west of the 1800's. A concept well overdone. Landing in the Scotland of 1339 was a relief to us North American viewers. Here, Barbara Bain steals the rest of the episode. The doctor who cures everyone else is now the one who is deathly ill. And she does it wonderfully. Having just recovered from a nasty cold last week I can relate to her sickness. Nice to know they landed in the era of the Black Plague which ravaged Europe.

In my younger years I laughed at the idea of Morse code being outdated by 1999 and most Alphans not being able to recognize the signal. Yet it rings true today. A few months ago on the news, I saw a feature about Morse code being officially declared defunct and immediately thought of this episode. So by 1999 it is possible a whole generation could have existed not being able to understand it. Spooky prediction by Mr. James isn't it?

Freddie Jones does a capable and eccentric Doctor Charles Logan. Loved the look of glee on his face when the test transport from Alpha went well. The same enthusiasm over science going right that Professor Bergman used to have. I don't know much about him but understand he is well known in the UK and is mainly a comic actor. Less impressive is the return to the series of Isla Blair. She was Doctor Logan's assistant Carla but was better in playing an emotionless, bald alien female in WAR GAMES. There was nothing for her to sink her acting skills into in this episode.

Most unfortunate moment in the episode? Zienia Merton off on something else and being replaced by Yasuko Nagazumi in the role of Yasko. I admire the attempt to show Alpha as an international society but have to admit to the fact that Yasuko is a bad actress who was generally given crummy lines. I believe most on this list agree to this fact. Being the wife of series director Ray Austin probably got her the job but its ironic he left the show around the same time she came onboard.

Overall a rather good episode that delves into a wide range of interesting concepts. I can certainly understand its popularity amongst the fans. A move in the right direction for year two for sure.

David Acheson

From:  Petter Ogland (petter.ogland@dnmi4tag.no)
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 12:45:21 +0000
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

I can understand why many tend to like this one, an episode that resembles both ALL THAT GLISTERS with it's ecological concern and with characteristation slightly reminisent of Year One. Freddie Jones as Dr. Logan is particulary interesting, I think.

Keith Wilson and Brian Johnson also seem inspired. The Texas City interior and exterior both look very fine, I think. Frank Watts is in good shape too, colour and lighting being excellent and slightly reminicent of ANTOHER TIME, ANOTHER PLACE.

Some of the success of this episode, in my opinion, is due to Donald James of which this is his second script for the series to be produced. I have rather enjoyed his three scripts (THE EXILES -already discussed - and THE SEANCE SPECTRE being the other two) despite the various degrees of their execution in being filmed.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Triggers a thread on Donald James.]

From:  Simon Morris (simes01@global49net.co.uk)
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 18:41:03 +0100
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

David Acheson wrote

The director here is Tom Clegg of which this is his first work on the series. He does a rather good job considering SPACE: 1999 was one of his earliest directing jobs. During the 50's and 60's he was an actor. Tom Clegg is still directing to this today mainly for British television.

Yes indeed, Tom Clegg started out as an actor. However I would beg to differ on your contention that SPACE 1999 was one of his earliest directing jobs.Dave. On the contrary,by the time he started work in 1976 on Space 1999,Clegg had been responsible for several filmed tv series,such as SPECIAL BRANCH (Thames TV/Euston Films Police drama,1973-4)and THE SWEENEY (Thames TV/Euston Police series,1975-78). I would suggest that directors like Clegg were taken on partly for their experience in film drama,for their experience in handling action sequences,and generally being able to bring an episode in on time. These qualities would seem to have been important for Y2 which seems to have been made to a tight schedule,what with episodes being shot simultanously etc.

Freddie Jones does a capable and eccentric Doctor Charles Logan.

Freddie Jones is one of Englands most respected actors whose work has taken in the stage,feature films,and tv across the full range:drama,classics,sitcom and childrens programmes. I wouldn't say that he is known mainly as a comic actor. In fact,he has appeared in "Treasure Island","Cold Comfort Farm","Uncle Vanya",THE AVENGERS, THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES,etc etc

Less impressive is the return to the series of Isla Blair. [....] There was nothing for her to sink her acting skills into in this episode.

Isla Blair was-and is-known as a "leading lady" and remains seen in supporting roles on British Tv,though is generally unremarkable. You're right: in this episode she just feeds lines to Logan.......

Most unfortunate moment in the episode? Zienia Merton off on something else and being replaced by Yasuko Nagazumi in the role of Yasko. I admire the attempt to show Alpha as an international society but have to admit to the fact that Yasuko is a bad actress who was generally given crummy lines. I believe most on this list agree to this fact. Being the wife of series director Ray Austin probably got her the job but its ironic he left the show around the same time she came onboard.

Heh Heh. No argument from me there....anyone remember Yasuko playing Suki in Anderson's THE PROTECTORS? She was crap in that too!

Simon Morris

From:  South Central (Tamazunchale@web44tv.net)
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 11:24:45 -0700 (PDT)
Subj:  Space1999: Journey to Where

When I saw this episode as a kid of 12, I only saw it once and then didn't see again till years later.

I remember thinking that Logan was "up to something", was being duplicitous. I remember some offhand comment he makes to Carla making me think that perhaps originally the script had a sinister sub-plot that was abandoned with only that one comment inexplicably left in.

I have to watch the episode again to find out which line it is.

I remember watching this episode years later and looking for that scene/line but not seeing it. I thought, though, that this might be due to the severely edited nature of the re-run episode. I have waited till this week to raise this point.

Did anybody notice this nuance of the episode? Or did I just misinterpret the dialogue on my initial viewing?

Mateo

From:  Chris Hlady (chlady@escape4tag.ca)
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 20:10:17 -0500
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

Hi Mateo, I think he said "This is no longer an experiement. We have now escaped the laboratory."

It seems to me he wasn't being entirely honest about the safety of the device. Like any "mad scientist", he's willing to risk failure, rather than go through proper testing. I don't know if it was maliciousness or carelessness. Certainly, he would not have endured any media-scrutiny for his efforts. However, it's doubtful that there was any fanfare for his actions. The reason he didn't transfer someone from, say Mars, would be that they would be missed if something messed up. The Alphans were probably presumed more expendable.

Chris

From:  "Atomic Possum" (atomicpossum@toast4tag.net)
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 15:57:34 -0500
Subj:  Space1999: Journey to Where

Overall, one of the more enjoyable episodes of the second season, although the question occurs to me "Why?"

The story is rather outlandish, perhaps more in line with some of the Anderson's puppet shows--I mean, the faster-than-light communication, Earth just happens to find Alpha with this magical technology, the eventual accident resulting in (oopsy!) time travel (out of thin air), these are the kind of things that, on the face of it, would not inspire much hope of a pleasant viewing experience.

And yet, overall, it is. Perhaps some of it has to do with 1999's particular circumstance: glimpses of Earth hold a particular thrilll, given the Alphans' situation. And the promise of a return to Earth....well, that's the kind of thing that really titillates someone who has been paying attention to the series all along.

Combine that with the reasonably tight script (by year two standards), and the lack of a noteable volume of 'cheese factor' (there are very few cheezy moments in this show, wouldn't you agree, certainly no bad rubber monsters or bad Freiberger sex or Tony's beer gags) and a genuine sense of fancy about the whole thing and its a fairly fun view. Certainly one of the less embarrassing S2 epsiodes, anyway....

(A side note: The St. Louis (not 'St. Looey') Cardinals are over 13 games out of contention at the All-Star break and are plummetting. I don't think they'll be playing Boston in the 1998 World Series. >>SIGH<< I guess 1999 IS just made-up after all..... :-) )

Jon "Mr. Wonderful" Stadter

From:  David Acheson (dkach@hot44mail.com)
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 21:54:04 EDT
Subj:  Space1999: Tony's Beer Gag

I basically agree with your views on JOURNEY TO WHERE but there was indeed a Tony beer joke in it. Perhaps the first beer joke of the series occurred in this episode.

In one scene Maya walks in on Tony and his beer machine. She refuses to drink at first but Tony keeps pushing and says something about it not going to affect her. She transforms into Mr. Hyde (of Jeckyll and Hyde) and says: "You're right Tony! It hasn't affected me at all!"

Cheesy but a small scene thankfully and is only a short distraction from an otherwise good episode.

David Acheson

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Jon probably saw a cut version of the episode. I know the Sci-Fi Channel cut out the scene in question, leaving me puzzled when I saw a photo spread about Catherine Schell as Maya which showed a "snaggle-toothed" Mr. Hyde, which at the time I thought was a erroneous inclusion by the one who put the photo spread together, not knowing it was part of S19.]

From:  Monica Maria Chagas Pereira (nick@msm4tag.com.br)
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 18:06:22 -0300
Subj:  Space1999: JtW

Hi, Everybody.

Well, this is my favorite ep!

Hey, how many of you noticed that Helena is wearing a skirt when she is in the transference dome and when she arrives in Scotland she's wearing PANTS(!)?

More later.
Monica.

From:  LKJ1999@aol4tag.com
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 17:36:53 EDT
Subj:  Re: Space1999: JtW

Boy i never noticed that! But i sure will check it out...

Chas P.

From:  Paul Apprich (psapp@terra.cnct4tag.com)
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 17:56:20 -0400 (EDT)
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

It's been nearly thirteen years since I have seen that episode (or any for that matter; the last time it was on broadcast TV in the New York area was WPIX TV 11 weekday mornings anywhere from 2:00 AM to 4:00 AM). The one thing that turns me off as I ponder it now is the pollution scene. I watch sci-fi for its sci-fi value; not for some socio-political commentary enbedded into the plot. Perhaps that fan fiction piece of *Mision Home* would have done better or maybe global desert/glaciation climate. Perhaps what shouls have appeared on the leader should have been the U.S. EPA logo in RGB tricolor instead of ITC.

PA -- In what episode(s) does Helena scream 'Joooooooooooooohn!'?

From:  "Atomic Possum" (atomicpossum@toast4tag.net)
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 17:45:20 -0500
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

The one thing that turns me off as I ponder it now is the pollution scene. I watch sci-fi for its sci-fi value; not for some socio-political commentary enbedded into the plot.

I agree wholeheartedly, but I don't find this to be a moralistic epsiode. I always take the environmental destruction aspect as a given and let that part rest. It's not like the script features a lot of heart-on-the-sleeve breastbeating--"Oh, what are we doing to the planet?" silliloquoy a la Star Trek: The Next Generation.

(Sorry, Petter, I don't think this episode is intended as a statement on much of anything. I think you might be interpreting it with more depth than it deserves.)

I, too, loathe the 'socio-political commentary'--what I call 'Issues TV'--when its about political or social movements in the real world, simply because it is rarely handled fairly--a writer controls reality, and controls what happens, what people say, and who wins the argument--more often than not, I think that whatever viewpoint the writer believes will win.....and how 'fair' is that?

Jon "Mr. Wonderful" Stadter

From:  jcg@vh4tag.net
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 19:09:58 -0400
Subj:  Space1999: Journey to skirt or dress?

I got out the laser disc. From the only angle used, Helena could either be wearing a skirt (major continuity blooper) or her pants are bagging in such a way that it looks like a skirt. The cloth goes below the edge of the opening we see them through, so no clue there. It does look to me like there is a line running down the center where the leg split is, though.

From:  South Central (Tamazunchale@web44tv.net)
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 22:58:10 -0700 (PDT)
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

Chris Hlady found the line I had remembered...

"This is no longer an experiment. We have now escaped the laboratory."

That is indeed the line!! Now I realize what it really means. That is a wonderfully written line and an interesting comment on Logan's part.

That is one of the greater lines of the series and until today I didn't even realize (except vaguely) that it was there.

So much for complaints that discussion on this list is just "same old, same old". I learn something new every day.

Mateo

From:  David Acheson (dkach@hot44mail.com)
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 22:18:02 EDT
Subj:  Space1999: socio-political stories

I myself have no problems with such types of stories. One can either agree or disagree with the social, economic, or political issues being written. In many ways, substance-stories or plain comic book action, all stories are a representation of the writer's feelings and thought processess. Thus every story ever written is prejudiced. Most writers tend to write for themselves and hope that someone else tags along.

Generally I find there is room for both. Some episodes of 1999 (both seasons) managed to successfully portray issue-oriented stories or combine issue-oriented stories with straight action. However, there were some straight forward adventure stories (like SPACE WARP) which I enjoyed simply for the rollercoaster ride. This is the mix I prefer. On the flip side there are episodes on both sides of the coin that do not work.

My own preference is issue oriented stories over endless arguments about science. 1999 fans go into great details over the workings of an Eagle or the reality of blasting the moon out of orbit. It comes right down to different tastes being served by one show.

David Acheson

From:  Atomic Possum (atomicpossum@toast4tag.net)
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 22:09:03 -0500
Subj:  Re: Space1999: socio-political stories

By 'issues' I was referring to political or social issues: the kind of thing you will read about in the newspaper. I don't think 1999 ever did a story that dealt with social issues in the current events context, a la Star Trek moralizing; it did, however, deal with issues of human nature and existance, the human condition, philosophical questions (God? Fear? Vision? Zealotry?). That is absolutely fine with me--that's a big part of it's appeal, the human themes, which, let's face it, are the essence of drama. But I don't want to get 'here is what you should think about politics/religion/race/environmentalism.' One is dramatic--the other is dogmatic.

Jon "Mr. Wonderful" Stadter

From:  Paul Apprich (psapp@terra.cnct4tag.com)
Date:  Tue, 14 Jul 1998 07:44:29 -0400 (EDT)
Subj:  Re: Space1999: socio-political stories

I could not have said it better myself! EXCELLENT!

PA

From:  Mark Meskin (plastic.gravity@new44rock.com)
Date:  Mon, 13 Jul 1998 22:30:54 -0500
Subj:  Re: Space1999: socio-political stories

I don't think 1999 ever did a story that dealt with social issues in the current events context,

I think Breakaway fits that mold, as nuclear waste was in the news a lot in those days.

it did, however, deal with issues of human nature and existance, the human condition, philosophical questions (God? Fear? Vision? Zealotry?).

I agree, and its one of the reasons the show got tagged "the thinking man's Sci-Fi".

That is absolutely fine with me--that's a big part of it's appeal, the human themes, which, let's face it, are the essence of drama.

Yes, absolutely

But I don't want to get 'here is what you should think about politics/religion/race/environmentalism.'

I used to appreciate that, but I think the message has allegoried to death by Trek.

One is dramatic--the other is dogmatic.

Once again, Mr Stadter smacks the nail on the head!

Mark

From:  "Petter Ogland" (petter.ogland@dnmi4tag.no)
Date:  Tue, 14 Jul 1998 09:54:26 +0000
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where / socio-political themes

(Sorry, Petter, I don't think this episode is intended as a statement on much of anything. I think you might be interpreting it with more depth than it deserves.)

I liked the ecological angle both in this episode and in ALL THAT GLISTERS.

As you say in another letter, Jon, SPACE:1999 is different from STAR TREK in that it doesn't preach. In ALL THAT GLISTERS the energy crisis and our mass consume was treated ironically, and I thought that worked very well.

In the case of JOURNEY TO WHERE the style was a bit more serious, although I'm not sure how to interpret the infamous lines "Who needs nature?". I thought that bit was absolutely brilliant and perhaps worth the watching of the whole episode.

Unlike the lecturing style that Paul and Jon find irritating in shows like STAR TREK, the Earth being reduced to "where?" in this episode is far from lecturing I think. Quite to the contrary, I find much of this episode highly thought provocative, and I also think it emphasises what Johnny Byrne has said about Year Two, namely that even if production was totally hopeless, many of the scripts or at least the main ideas located in the scripts were very good.

During the run of Year One it seemed that most episodes had 'socio-political commentaries', or at least a deeper meaning to them than just displaying people running around in SCOOBY DOO fashion. As we explore Year Two, I find that there is a sort of continuity in content if not style of writing which make several episodes quite interesting.

Perhaps there may even prove to be hidden treasures in seemingly braindead episodes like THE BETA CLOUD. Chris Hlady has promised his analysis on that episode, an event I look very much forward to!

Petter

From:  Petter Ogland (petter.ogland@dnmi3tag.no)
Date:  Tue, 14 Jul 1998 10:39:55 +0000
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

"This is no longer an experiment. We have now escaped the laboratory."

That is indeed the line!! Now I realize what it really means. That is a wonderfully written line and an interesting comment on Logan's part.

To me dr. Logan's general behaviour seem rather mysterious throughout the episode. That an earlier draft of the script may have been more complex and that interesting bits where thrown out in order to show more of Tony's beer brewing and John and Helena caressing each other does not seem too improbable from my point of view.

Petter

From:  Robert Gilbert (bcpgd@shaw.wave4tag.ca)
Date:  Tue, 14 Jul 1998 14:26:20 -0600
Subj:  Space1999: Journey to Where

Is "Journey To Where" The Episode where the "Bad Aliens" use mind games to make the Alphans believe they have found Earth --- and wanna take the bodies of the Alphans to use for food? or something --- in exchange for "1,000 years of happiness", to which John Koeniggie replies something like "We'd rather live our own lives!"

From:  LKJ1999@aol4tag.com
Date:  Tue, 14 Jul 1998 16:54:18 EDT
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

No! That would be Bringers Of Wonder...

Chas P.

From:  Paul Apprich (psapp@terra4tag.cnct.com)
Date:  Tue, 14 Jul 1998 18:58:55 -0400 (EDT)
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

Is "Journey To Where" The Episode where the "Bad Aliens" use mind games to make the Alphans believe they have found Earth --- and wanna take the bodies of the Alphans to use for food? or something --- in exchange for "1,000 years of happiness", to which John Koeniggie replies something like "We'd rather live our own lives!"

You have a number of episodes confused here:

Bringers of Wonder: radiation creatures trick Alpha into thinking that a mission from Earth has found them, but the 'rotten leftovers' are looking for them to detonate the dumps.

A Matter of Balance: the antimatter species had much longer lifespans that than humans on Alpha.

Alpha Child: "our world for your moon"

Koenig's line in TBoW part 2: "I'd rather live as my own man than a fool in someone else's dream."

Twelve years does take its toll.

PA.

From:  Chris Hlady (chlady@escape4tag.ca)
Date:  Wed, 15 Jul 1998 00:40:41 -0500
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where / socio-political themes

WAIT NO MORE
SEE THE BETA CLOUD
TREMENDOUS SOCIAL COMMENTARY
"Give up your life support system and die peacefully. It's not our way to be violent unless our needs are denied."

SINFULLY DELIGHTFUL SAFETY TIPS
Sonya talking Bill Fraser through the cable construction.
"Don't touch the barrier, just in case."
As Fraser touches it. "Thanks, it is safe."

MAN UNDER PRESSURE, PART ONE
"Futility, Mr. Verdeschi. An exercise in Futility."

MAN UNDER PRESSURE, PART TWO
"Maya, this isn't exactly the time I picked to say this, but Psychon is my favorite planet."
"Tony, we don't have time to play with words." "Maya, I love you.

MAN UNDER PRESSURE, PART THREE
Tony in traction. Maya brings gifts.
"Maya, you know all the wild garbage I handed you. A guy says strange things when he's under pressure."
Universal moan.

THE KICK
"How about that. She's really crazy about me."

How's that for some pre-discussion hype?

Chris

From:  South Central (Tamazunchale@web44tv.net)
Date:  Tue, 14 Jul 1998 22:55:06 -0700 (PDT)
Subj:  Space1999: More winning moments from The Beta Cloud

Not to mention poor Dave Prowse dressed as the robot in the decompression chamber getting hit right in the nuts (you can hear his groan of pain over the music!) as Anholt threw a gas cylindar at him!

Did anyone catch this?

Mateo "Oooh, that's gotta hurt" Latosa

From:  Petter Ogland (petter.ogland@dnmi4tag.no)
Date:  Wed, 15 Jul 1998 15:20:44 +0000
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where / socio-political themes

"Give up your life support system and die peacefully. It's not our way to be violent unless our needs are denied."

{...and lots and lots of more brilliant social commentary}

Wonderful pre-discussion hype, Chris. Wow!

The accomplishes of Freiberger/Woodgrove even excells those of notorius producer-director Ed Wood. I wonder if there is something to be learned here.

Petter

From:  Patricia Sokol (SOKOLP@war.wyeth4tag.com)
Date:  Thu, 16 Jul 1998 09:52:36 -0400
Subj:  Space1999: Journey to Where

One of my favorite episodes of both seasons, as much as for the way the characters interact as anything else.

Nobody seems to do anything wildly heroic in this episode, in fact, the three majors almost end up toasted. But Landau, Bain and Tate seem soooo comfortable in their roles that their three characters are more human than usual. They get cold, the get sick, they seem miserable, they are still able to joke around and make light of the situation they find themselves in. Their smiles and repartee seem genuine rather than scripted. As I've mentioned in the past regarding this episode, one can really see how the status of Koenig and Helena's relationship has matured, in that they get annoyed with each other, or maybe they're just both annoyed with the situation (the scene where she's checking her temperature) and aren't afraid to "be themselves" (the initial scene in the dungeon where Helena kids Koenig about looking like a monster).

Logan's transporting the Alphans is really an experiment, and the time and distance between them leaves him enough emotionally removed so that he is willing to take the risk in transporting them, until something goes wrong and he's in deep. Still, he seems almost detached from it, and worried at the same time, though not for the three lost Alphans. Rather, he seems concerned that his experiment has gone wrong, and he's lost his place in history. How about a loss of funding looming on the horizon? Enough to make many scientists take a little risk.

Any thoughts or knowledge about Yasko's lines having been written for Sandra? I keep trying to picture Sandra delivering the lines that Yasko did, but somehow can't see it.

Finally, one scene that I still get a kick out of is right after they've toasted the contact with Earth with Tony's beer, and Alan picks a little bit of something out of his mouth. It was a nice directorial touch that I think typifies the episode - relaxed Alphans acting more like normal people than superheroes.

Pat.

From:  "Tom Miller" (tmiller@north44net.org)
Date:  Thu, 16 Jul 1998 10:09:42 -0400
Subj:  Space1999: journey to where

Another comment and possible an apologie to Freddie...

I have never been a big fan of year two, although I would watch them all again. But if Journey to Where is what freddie tried to do with year two, then it is too bad he was not consistant. This does show the characters as three dimentional, slightly worn from their journey.

If only the rest of year two continued this way.....

tom

From:  Mike Lynch (Mike-Lynch@big44foot.com)
Date:  Fri, 17 Jul 1998 18:06:12 +0000
Subj:  Yasko and Sandra (Re: Space1999: Journey to Where)

Any thoughts or knowledge about Yasko's lines having been written for Sandra? I keep trying to picture Sandra delivering the lines that Yasko did, but somehow can't see it.

I doubt that lines written for Yasko would have ever been intended for Sandra - simply because I don't think Yasuko could have handled them. The production crew, as well as the acting crew, must have been painfully aware of her inabilities, and I can't imagine that they would have put her through the same situations as Sandra. Can you imagine Yasko in THE FULL CIRCLE...? Not to mention that most of Yasko's lines were short and simple - no room for over-exposing her. I often wonder what aided in the decision to cast Yasuko Nagasumi... did some one truly think that she would add to the show's presence? Had she not been offered any speaking lines then maybe... or even only one or two speaking parts, like Operative Kate or Security Guard Pierce, then her presence in the show would have been much more tolerable.

Finally, one scene that I still get a kick out of is right after they've toasted the contact with Earth with Tony's beer, and Alan picks a little bit of something out of his mouth. It was a nice directorial touch that I think typifies the episode - relaxed Alphans acting more like normal people than superheroes.

Agreed.

Mike

From:  LKJ1999@aol4tag.com
Date:  Fri, 17 Jul 1998 18:47:00 EDT
Subj:  Space1999: Yasko

Why does everyone pick on Yasko???

Chas P.

From:  Terry Lee (TerryL@a44symetrix.com)
Date:  Thu, 23 Jul 1998 08:50:20 -0700
Subj:  RE: Space1999: Yasko

Have you ever seen any of the episodes that she was in????? <:)

Terry

From:  LKJ1999@aol4tag.com
Date:  Thu, 23 Jul 1998 14:16:36 EDT
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Yasko

Yep, i sure have!!! I really like Yasko...

Chas P.

From:  MCK067@aol4tag.com
Date:  Thu, 23 Jul 1998 13:34:43 EDT
Subj:  Space1999: Yucko...uhmm, I mean YASKO

Yes, I've seen the episodes with Yasko in them, and I think that answers the next question ;)

Btw, I'm a newbie to the list. I have fond memories of curling up on the couch at 7 p.m. on Saturday nights watching Space on WUAB out of Cleveland. Just got the first of my Columbia House videos, and although Year 1 holds up quite well after 25 years (gulp! am I that old???), IMHO Year 2 just looks plain silly sometimes. Eeeek, that cramped & crummy little Command Center set! Yikes, the missing cast members! Groan, those dumb beer jokes! And then there's Yasko, who could take acting lessons from the talking chihuahua in the Taco Bell commercials. ("EeeMOTE, you seeely beetch...") Anyhoo, just my .02 cents...glad to be part of the list...

From:  TerryL@asymetrix.com
Date:  7/23/98 1:51:40 PM Eastern Standard Time
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Yasko

I know how you feel. My favorite actress is someone that isn't taken very serious by most people.

Terry

From:  LKJ1999@aol4tag.com
Date:  Thu, 23 Jul 1998 15:09:52 EDT
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Yasko

Yasko is not my favorite actress, i just like her...

Chas P.

From:  "Simon Morris" (simes01@global44net.co.uk)
Date:  Sat, 18 Jul 1998 14:39:44 +0100
Subj:  Space1999: Journey to Where

Hello All,

Not a bad episode I suppose(mainly for some of the characterisation)but I can never understand why this is as popular as it is. To me its along the same lines as Y1's "The Full Circle" (which I was never wild about)only a bit more entertaining. I enjoyed Freddie Jones's portrayal of Charles Logan even though in practice he had little to do in the episode(and little time to establish any sort of characterisation). Alan Carters little songs were a nice touch(Nick Tates singing wasn't too bad,but he shouldn't give up the day job...)and the jokes between Carter and Koenig ("Anything if you stop singing!!"). I'd also like to say that Barbara Bain gives a good performance here...showing that when she was given the opportunity,she was capable of matching Landau's performances. Yasuko Nagazumi on the other hand is pretty dire. Someone on the List asked how she ever got onto the show but I should think we should blame Ray Austin for that seeing as she was his wife(I wonder if she still is?)

Oh yes. And Black Park next to Pinewood features for the first time in Y2(it had been used in "The Full Circle"in Y1)in this episode. Personally I liked the use of location work in Y2 and feel that it redeemed episodes such as this one (and also "Rules of Luton"). If you visit Black Park today a lot of it - including the Lake - hasn't changed that much. Except that I doubt the Alphans got charged a fortune by the local council to park there......:-)

Simon

From:  "Petter Ogland" (petter.ogland@dnmi4tag.no)
Date:  Sun, 19 Jul 1998 12:56:06 +0000
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey to Where

Simon Morris wrote:

Not a bad episode I suppose(mainly for some of the characterisation)but I can never understand why this is as popular as it is. To me its along the same lines as Y1's "The Full Circle" (which I was never wild about)only a bit more entertaining.

This is an interesting comparison, I think. Both episodes being partially shot in Black Park make them visually similar, I suppose, but with the Laskeys' comments on the evolution of man in THE FULL CIRCLE and Donald James' ideas about the development of mankind's future in JOURNEY TO WHERE the episodes may perhaps be read more incisively.

There are nice things about THE FULL CIRCLE, I think, such as Victor whistling "Morning" from the first Peer Gynt Suite by Grieg, used in a context of discussing "the morning of mankind" perhaps ment as a link to Kubrick's "dawn of man" in 2001. On the whole, however, I think FULL CIRCLE makes too little of of its premises of being a study of human behaviour, 2001-like, from our "primitive" ancestors to the "sophisticated" life of the 21st century.

Just like in the literary world of William Golding, who has been discussed earlier on this list as a possible influence on this episode, the point seems to be that advantage of being human has more to do with being able to adapt to the environment than being particulary "intelligent".

In fact, one of the more amusing aspects of FULL CIRCLE, I think, is that it manages to show modern man, the Alphans, as being not severely more intelligent than their ancestors. Quite to the contrary, actaully. I don't think the Alphans ever appeared as stupid and silly in this episode than in any other episode of Year One, did they?

Perhaps Keith Miles had Alan Carter's behaviour fresh in mind when he designed Dave Reilly for ALL THAT GLISTERS, an icon of human stupidity. Interestingly though, while comedy specialist Bob Kellett was heading FULL CIRCLE with lots of fights and running around, former stuntman and action specialist Ray Austin was reponsible for giving ALL THAT GLISTERS an incredebly camp direction, which is quite fun, I think, especially thinking about how life must have been at set when they were making this.

In many ways I agree with Simon's point about JOURNEY TO WHERE being much like FULL CIRCLE. The environmentalist theme of JOURNEY TO WHERE could perhaps also been read into FULL CIRCLE if one has sufficient good will. Anyway, Donald James' points about even if we humans are in fact responsible for polluting the world, inevitably we will develop a point of view that makes it possible to live in the world we create both practically and morally, no longer being able to live within the natural environement of our forefathers, is somewhat similar to the underlying statement of FULL CIRCLE, I suppose, if, that is, reading FULL CIRCLE as a statement about the coevolution of man and his environment.

While I agree with Simon to a great extent, to me, however, the characterisation exposed in JOURNEY TO WHERE is not the most fascinating feature. Being accustumed to what could be achieved during Year One, how could one be all that impressed actually? I may perhaps agree that Barbara Bain seems convincingly ill, and in interviews she has explained that she immensly enjoyed doing the episode, just like she said about THE FULL CIRCLE. Actually these are the only two episodes I can remember Barbara explaining in more detail her experience with the series.

I believe I've seen her better, though. It would perhaps be unfair to bring up such brilliant episodes like MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH and RING AROUND THE MOON where she excells beyond belief, but, if restricting comparison within the Year Two format, an episode like ONE MOMENT OF HUMANITY strikes me as an episode where Barbara gets the opportunity to display her wide reportoire of emotions. Perhaps ONE MOMENT OF HUMANITY could be viewed as a sort of parallell to MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH in this respect.

Barbara's portrayal of Dr. Russell in JOURNEY TO WHERE is more similar to her playing in FULL CIRCLE, I feel. Obviously having fun acting ill, just like she was screaming and acting wild in FULL CIRCLE, it, nevertheless, seems more like having fun than trying to bring dignity to the show.

I enjoyed Freddie Jones's portrayal of Charles Logan even though in practice he had little to do in the episode(and little time to establish any sort of characterisation).

From my point of view, however, Freddie Jones makes the most interesting portrayal in this episode. The sequence where he puts a piece of candy into his mouth is in my opinion one of the highlights of the episode. His nervous behaviour, almost as if to be read with sinister undertones as Mateo explained so magnificently, outdoes the regular cast completely from my point of view. Very good!

In neither FULL CIRCLE nor in JOURNEY TO WHERE the strong point lie in the acting, directiction or very much in any production features at all, I think. These are instances where the actual story and the possible deeper meaning to the stories eclipses the production, I feel.

Simon finds JOURNEY TO WHERE the more enjoyable of the two, and so do I, actually. I also find JOURNEY TO WHERE to be the one with a clearer and more developed intellectual basis to it. While there can be no doubt that FULL CIRCLE is about the evolution of man, as is firmly stated in its epilogue, it's main focus seem to be on grunting, screaming, running and shooting. JOURNEY TO WHERE, on the other hand, while also trodded forward by mindless running and fighting, it appears significantly more sophiscatedly at times, I think, weaving the environmentalist theme into the plot.

Discussing the issue of reading content into episodes with Jon Stadter during the past few days, THE FULL CIRCLE comes across to me to be more representative to what Jon calls "sometimes a job is just job". Jesse Laskey being one of the oldest and most experienced script writers to contribute to SPACE:1999 and also being an American who obviously must have experienced, quite similarily to Freiberger I suppose, the pressure of just writing something in order to have it ready for production date a number of times in his career.

I'm not quite sure about England in the 1970s, but in Norway, being an even smaller country, the Hamburger Fast Food method of writing scripts would be very difficult to apply with much sucess due to a small population and therefore an even smaller market for junk scripts. While writing junk it would be difficult to publish, it would be even more diffcult to sustain a respectful name within the writing circles and very hard indeed, I suppose, to develop a career.

My impression is that some of the conflict arrising between Fred Freiberger as head of writers and the British writers contracted at the time may have had to do with these different approaches to writing scripts. In America, apparently, in order to survive you had to reach the timelines, and quantity and precision was much more important than quality as the market interest was so immence. In Britan, however, the output was much lesser and a natural culture for writing high quality material was already established, I suppose, more or less as the best way to survive.

In the early to mid 1970s, the BBC and other British companies were world known for their high quality series at the time, I think. A FAMILY AT WAR, THE ASHTONS, UPSTAIRS - DOWNSTAIRS, THE ONEDIN LINE and, as Johnny Byrne and Chris Penfold ended their work on SPACE:1999 to work on this, ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL which was immensly popular, I seem to remember.

My point is, although Jon Stadter may be right about describing writing for television in the US in the 1970s, I believe that the quality of writing may have more to do with the culture of breading writers than the writers in themselves. I think JOURNEY TO WHERE is a nice illustration of this. In order to tell the story, there would be no need for James to make all the points about the world giving up upon competitive sports and the "who needs nature" bits. Even the subplot of Helena's immunity system not holding against more or less normal level of bacteria would not be needed if he had gone for a more straight forward RULES OF LUTON approach.

For another perspective, writers have friends too, and, say, if Donald James went to see Terrence Barwick or Johnny Byrne at the local pub, being asked what kind of rubbish he was writing at the moment, I suppose he would freely admit writing rubbish, but, nevertheless, rubbish with some kind of style attached to it I would hope. I would be surprised if one could get away with saying that all he thought of was making money and would gladly deliver a script written by his ten year old son to production as long as it was sold.

I suppose there must be some kind of pride among the writers too, like with most other people. Tim Heald actually discusses this in the respect of special effects. Brian Johnson and his crew didn't care much about the viewers, Tim Heald says, but they cared very much about what the international community of special effects people thought!

Oh yes. And Black Park next to Pinewood features for the first time in Y2(it had been used in "The Full Circle"in Y1)in this episode. Personally I liked the use of location work in Y2 and feel that it redeemed episodes such as this one (and also "Rules of Luton"). If you visit Black Park today a lot of it - including the Lake - hasn't changed that much. Except that I doubt the Alphans got charged a fortune by the local council to park there......:-)

They also used Black Park in A MATTER OF BALANCE, I think. Was it used as location in any other episodes?

I think Black Park was a nice choice for FULL CIRCLE, and the episode benefits greatly from it, expecially things like the tongue-in-cheek sequence of Sandra running around in leopard skins. The planet they are investigating, Retha, being a twist of letters E-a-r-t-h makes it also evident that the episode is actually more of a time travel episode than being about space travel.

Actually returning to Earth in JOURNEY TO WHERE also makes Black Park an excellent choice, I think. In the case of RULES OF LUTON and A MATTER OF BALANCE I'm not all that certain. In THE BETA CLOUD at least the Keith Wilson design looks impressive, but just running around in the backyard makes RULES OF LUTON look even more tacky than necessary, I think. The outrageous costumes in MATTER OF BALANCE also makes uneasy comparison with the natural surroundings, I feel, and even if they were trying to save money, the simplest type of indoor set could perhaps have improved the episode quite a bit.

Petter

From:  "Brian Dowling" (brian@hellion4tag.prestel.co.uk)
Date:  Sun, 19 Jul 1998 21:49:44 +0100
Subj:  Space1999: Journey To Where

Hi folks,

Overall I thought this was one of the better episodes of season 2. The link between Freedie Jones' character Charles Logan and the film Logans' Run has been made by a few folk here, and the idea of the indoctrination is consistent, even if the two characters from Texas City don't get much character development.

The most chilling part of the episodes is this "indoctrination" and the way the Alphans just accept it. Logan's telling the Alphans that all competitive sport was banned in 2026 is the first indicator that something on Earth is not as it was (in the ideological sense) in 1999. As an aside, certain politicians in this country seem hell bent on making that happening by interfering in sports matters which are better left to the sports' governing bodies. Don't laugh - it could happen.

The SFX work for the cities is good, but I do wonder why Logan and his crew didn't show themselves, if they were able to show pictures of the cities?

The reference to personal telesensual systems conjures up images of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, where Guy Montag's wife did little other than exist in a world generated by huge television walls and similar devices. Outside, the world Bradbury had created was little better, with books being burned and those who did not strictly conform "disappearing". Frightening stuff.

"Nobody lives there now" is what is said about the countryside. Why Helena did not pursue that I have no idea - just acceptance of the fact that man ruined his planet. That's quite likely, given man's ability to destroy the things he is surrounded by, but to just accept that the people of Earth have "retired to the metro complexes" doesn't strike me as right.

And the "who needs nature?" line sent a shiver down my spine like I haven't experienced in a long time.

I still think that Tony is, in some respects, a precursor to Vila in Blake's 7. The alcohol and humour seem to transfer between characters quite easily, even though they are different in many respects.

Logan's line "we have at last escaped from the laboratory" confirms that there's definitely some kind of ulterior motive at work here. The bubble works above Logan's desk are reminiscent of TIM from the Tomorrow People.

Again we see that a part of the USA just happens to have survived an earth wide disaster....

And only one guy in Command Center could even recognise Morse Code! When the brown stuff hits, systems go down and all we're left with is short wave radio, Morse will be the universal language. Amatuer Radio guys still have to learn and pass their Morse exams before they can get a full licence in 1998.

Cool scene where they disappear while being burned.

John's reply to Helena about the events they could have been part of do add further to his character, listing those unpleasant things they were lucky to avoid. A nice touch, as was Helena's reply, confirming that (like Victor's line in Earthbound "I think I've had enough of their so-called civilisation") that the Alphans' future lies elsewhere.

By no means a raving turkey, and quite possibly one of the best of the season.

Brian Dowling - Online Alphan #144 - Birmingham, England

From:  "Petter Ogland" (petter.ogland@dnmi4tag.no)
Date:  Mon, 20 Jul 1998 09:47:07 +0000
Subj:  Re: Space1999: Journey To Where

Overall I thought this was one of the better episodes of season 2. The link between Freedie Jones' character Charles Logan and the film Logans' Run has been made by a few folk here, and the idea of the indoctrination is consistent, even if the two characters from Texas City don't get much character development.

LOGAN'S RUN is a very interesting connection indeed, I think. I believe the novel was written about 1966 or 67, and there were plans of making it into a film quite early on. The film was eventually produced in 1976 and premiered in 1977, I think.

It may of course be possible that Donald James was reading about the production or pre-production of this as he was writing JOURNEY TO WHERE, or he may perhaps have had the novel more or less subconciously in mind.

Mind you, while certain elements coincide, like the character Logan, the City and battle for survival, supposing you read the clansmen as mirroring the sandmen in Logan's world, the episode could perhaps also be read as a comment on Aldous Huxley's BRAVE NEW WORLD which also paints a picture of the future not unlike the one we see here.

Logan's telling the Alphans that all competitive sport was banned in 2026 is the first indicator that something on Earth is not as it was (in the ideological sense) in 1999.

I find Donald James in top form here. Magnificent writing during these early scenes!

The reference to personal telesensual systems conjures up images of Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, where Guy Montag's wife did little other than exist in a world generated by huge television walls and similar devices. Outside, the world Bradbury had created was little better, with books being burned and those who did not strictly conform "disappearing". Frightening stuff.

Wow, Brian! I see you are in top form, too, conjuring up the best analysis you've given since END OF ETERNITY!

"Nobody lives there now" is what is said about the countryside. Why Helena did not pursue that I have no idea - just acceptance of the fact that man ruined his planet. That's quite likely, given man's ability to destroy the things he is surrounded by, but to just accept that the people of Earth have "retired to the metro complexes" doesn't strike me as right.

I actually felt this was rather in touch with the context of BREAKAWAY and found her behaviour quite unsurprising. The way I see it, Moonbase Alpha is very much a mirror of such a futuristic world that dr. Logan represents, it only takes episodes like JOURNEY TO WHERE to emphasise this in an interesting manner.

And the "who needs nature?" line sent a shiver down my spine like I haven't experienced in a long time.

Wonderful, isn't it?

By no means a raving turkey, and quite possibly one of the best of the season.

Judgeing from Year Two standards, I feel not too differently myself. The scenes with Freddie Jones and many of the witty and interesting elements in James' plot, the ecological angle, makes this one of the more memorable episodes for me too.

Petter

From:  Gordon & Carol (storm@catch44net.com.au)
Date:  Mon, 20 Jul 1998 19:16:22 -0400 (EDT)
Subj:  Space1999: RE: Journey To Where.

I still think that Tony is, in some respects, a precursor to Vila in Blake's 7. The alcohol and humour seem to transfer between characters quite easily, even though they are different in many respects.

Well Brian dear, I am afraid I have to disagree here.. I usually just lurk around but I felt the urge to put my two penneth in here.. It also could have something to do with my own alcohol humour, coming from the bottle of reisling sat beside me, slowly disappearing. :-)

Now Vila in Blake's 7 only gave the impression of the ships drunkard and comic relief coward... Vila in fact was very intelligent, very astute and used his intelligence and wit to avoid as much work as he could... But when he wanted to ,( and I stress it had to be at his choice, not when ordered ) he could be as intelligent and as ruthless as any of the crew, including Avon... I use the episode Gold as an example.....

Whereas Tony on the other hand did not try and put on an act to be other than he was except when he was jealous of anyone he felt was taking Maya's attention away from him by using their superior intelligence.. ( I mean love Tony as I do , we have to admit that he was not Maya's equal in the intelligence stakes, just as well relationships are built around many factors not just intellectual compatability.. ) No IMHO Vila hide most of his real self away from the bulk of the Liberator crew, with maybe the exception of Avon... Tony, well Tony was a take me as you find me kind of bloke... What you see is what you get, not really any hidden depths to the man at all, just a solid reliable back up man. Well that's my say anyway... :-)

Hondo

Carol 'Hondo' Mason
Online Alphan # 183
Temporal/Dimensional Historian.

Related Threads (in typical Thread Pages format):

• [none listed]

• Four snapshots from this episode (inc. Maya, John, Helena, Tony).

• Episode Guide at The Catacombs

Next Chapter: "The Taybor"

Return to Episode by Episode
or to Space: 1999 Metaforms