Episode by Episode:
'The Lambda Factor'
From: South Central (Tamazunchale@web44tv.net)
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 09:55:27 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Space1999: The Lambda Factor
Well since it is Tuesday and no one has started the discussion of this
week's episode, let me begin.
I like this episode. It has a really interesting teaser (despite that
lousy scream). It also shows interpersonal relationships among the
Alphans rather than just the professional relationships shown before.
True, in Force of Life we saw a married couple but apart from John and
Helena and Tony and Maya there have been no real relationships shown.
I also like the fact that the Alphans were shown as being flawed. In a
small community under duress, these relationships would take on weight
beyond what they would on Earth. The fact the Mark betrayed Caroline
would indeed be a devastating blow. I wonder what the ratio of men to
women was. Take that in to account and add to the mix the "biological
clock" and the restrictions on childbirth (an issue never really
addressed in the series) and you have a potent brew.
The scenes with Koenig were clumsily handled and Landau tries to make
the best of weak, repetitive dialogue. Seeing Koenig whimper and cower
was way out of character. There are more subtle ways to show
deep-seated guilt. He wouldn't be afraid of them in the "ooh spooky
style" but he would be wracked by the guilt of what he'd done. In my
opinion it was a missed opportunity for some great character development
(and acting) on the part of Koenig (and Landau, who is really a fine
actor).
MODEL: The scences where Dr. Mateo is being followed by his own ghost.
He shows a level of panicked fear, true--but the use of the ghost is
calculated and eerie, not so simple-minded. How many times can they
say, "You killed us, John Koenig. You left us to die." We should have
had to figure out what they were back for, not been beat over the head
with it.
The use of ESP is fascinating (as it was a popular fascination in the
70's). I enjoyed the tests and the pseudo-science.
Maya as ape to the rescue was just laughable. "Get your stinking paws
off me you damned dirty ape!" Was an obligatory transformation needed
for every episode?? Answer: NO but they did it anyway. The one episode
I can't remember any transformations in is The Immunity Factor.
Are there others?
Mateo
From: South Central (Tamazunchale@web44tv.net)
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 14:15:19 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Re: Space1999: The Lambda Factor
I don't disagree that he would have nightmares, but his REACTION to the
ghostly images was way over the top. That is what I have a problem
with.
Mateo
From: Brian Dowling (hellion@easy44net.co.uk)
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 23:52:37 +0100
Subject: Re: Space1999: The Lambda Factor
Hi y'all,
(A greeting I have used on and off for sometime now and is much more
preferable (IMHO) than "Alroit there mayte!", my literal transcription of
the more stereotypical Birmingham, England greeting)
> I don't disagree that he would have nightmares, but his REACTION to the
> ghostly images was way over the top. That is what I have a problem with.
Sounds like a case for the list psychologist... nightmares, how we react to
experiencing them and how we deal with them thereafter. I must confess
that I haven't had any in quite a while, and I can only recall waking up
feeling scared to the almost to the point of aggressive action when they
have happened. The "fight or flight" instinct, perhaps? Not having too
much experience in this area, any comments I might make would be
purely conjecture.
As to whether or not the episode is valid exploration of the powers of ESP,
I'm not sure that it would score highly there. The statistics of those who
claim to have ESP are such a minor percentage of the population that it
would be very unlikely that something could come along and increase
everyone's ESP capability. After all, it is still unknown whether or not we
all have this ability.
Saying that, Victor said "We all know that human beings use no more than
about 18 per cent of their actual brian potential, now what happens in that
other 82 per cent is anybody's guess" (The Troubled Spirit).
Date: Tue, 20 Oct 1998 18:17:37 -0500
From: Robert Gilbert (bcpgd@shaw.wave4tag.ca)
Subject: Re: Space1999: The Lambda Factor
> Saying that, Victor said "We all know that human beings use no more than
> about 18 per cent of their actual brian potential, now what happens in that
> other 82 per cent is anybody's guess" (The Troubled Spirit).
This is not quite true! Human's use more than 18% of their brains! I
wish I could explainn it better!
From: Ariana (ariana@ndirect4tag.co.uk)
Subject: Space1999: The Lambda Factor
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 11:17:37 +0100
This is, in my opinion, one of the very best episodes of Space:1999. It's
definitely one of the best of season 2; unlike other episodes which were
slaughtered by over rapid production and "half-cast" situations, The Lambda
Factor is complete and gives us a tantalising glimpse of Y2 as it could have
been.
The Lambda Factor succeeds because it is primarily about people -- not made
up entities and superhuman beings (I see people wiggling; bear with me) --
and uses the scifi aspect as a vehicule for its story of humanity.
Yes, there is a MUF (in this case something that looks like a twirling
lollipop in space) and yes, Maya turns into yet another man in a gorilla
suit (maybe she never saw an actual gorilla on Psychon, only a picture of a
man in a gorilla suit?). But the heart of the story isn't there (unlike,
say, Space Warp which is basically about Maya transforming).
The story is about humans fighting themselves. Some lose (Carolyn Powell),
others win (Koenig), but even if their behaviour is influenced by the MUF,
the emotions they are subject to are their own. This fits in nicely with
what I said about Y2 previously -- man's worst enemy here isn't outer space,
it's innerspace.
It's also an interesting episode because it shows the truly human side of
the Alphans by showing them at play, as it were. I liked the glimpse we got
of off-duty Alpha, with that toy-filled play room. Goodness knows they would
need one!
Even the non-regulars are people in this episode, not just cardboard cutouts
to be ordered around by Koenig and Co. We can see the pressures of life on
Alpha and it also sheds some interesting light on the way the commanding
officers may look to their subordinates.
Sally calls Russell a "hard hearted witch" (she was evidently present at the
autopsy in "Matter of Life and Death" ). And Carolyn took great pleasure
in making Tony grovel and turning Maya into a monkey (apparently the only
scene of S1999 that stuck in Anholt's mind, btw). The senior staff have
obviously been making friends and influencing people... Admittedly, everyone
was under the influence of the MUF, but this, like The Sceance Spectre and
Seed of Destruction, indicates that all is not rosy on Alpha -- how could it
be? -- and in particular that Koenig could do with working on his public
relations. Not mind you that anyone is going to be popular considering the
situation the Alphans are in.
Nice to see some good old-fashioned jealousy at work, too. I guess Helena
and Koenig aren't the only ones who go potty when their loved one might be
off with someone else (as in One Moment Of Humanity and Full Circle -- btw,
anyone wonder what all that stuff with Koenig capturing *Sandra* was about?
Interesting view of his hidden thoughts? [just joking ;) ])
Talking about romance, Mateo was wondering about the ratio of men to women.
Judging by the casualties on the series, and depending on what the ratio was
to begin with, I would say that as time goes on, there would be fewer and
fewer men, while the female population remained relatively stable.
After all, the first people to get killed are pilots and security guards --
both positions which in S1999 are exclusively held by men. So not only would
Alpha's population be running out of time to have children, but the women
are in a situation where finding a mate is increasingly difficult.
Admittedly, polygyny (each man having more than one wife) would be a
possibility (certainly better, reproduction-wise, than polyandry), but not
necessarily something Western-raised women would easily accept.
And, um, how did we get back on this subject again? :)
Anyway, to raise another point people have been discussing, I don't think
Koenig's breakdown was over the top -- for him. We've seen Koenig rant like
a maniac and bite his subordinates' heads off before (how about that
dressing down he gave Kano in "The Last Sunset"? Talk about shooting the
messenger!). He has also shown several times that he wasn't adverse to
shedding a few tears. So I don't feel it's inconsistent for him to break
down like he did in this episode.
This was an issue Muir brought up in his book, and one point where I
agree -- it was very unusual in the Seventies for a major male character in
a story to break down and *cry* -- something every male actor in Hollywood
is queueing up to do nowadays. Mind you, S1999 was also broundbreaking in
the romantic attachments it gave its main characters, and the fact a female
lead got to do something else than cower and scream (any instances of *Maya*
screaming btw?) -- those are important elements which make the series more
memorable than, say, whispering eyes in the sky. (gratuitous swipe, I know
;)
Anyway, in conclusion I just want to repeat that I thought this was jolly
good and I wish more episodes had done this well.
Emma
From: "Simon Morris" (simes01@global44net.co.uk)
Subject: Space1999: The Lambda Factor
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 15:20:58 +0100
This episode shows that SPACE 1999 in year 2 was capable of stories as good
as in Y1. It might not be as atmospheric or as spooky as THE TROUBLED
SPIRIT,but THE LAMBDA FACTOR remains an effective look at how a mysterious
phenomenon gives selected Alphans varying degrees of pyschic ability.(I was
amusing by Emma's likening of this phenomenon to a twirling lollipop in
space...that description will take some licking....). Interestingly, this
episode was filmed quite a lot in bright light,with less of the
lowered,moody lighting of several year two episodes. Only one or two
sequences adopt the latter approach in the episode. There is no clear
motivation as to how or why this phenomenon affects the Alphans or whether
it is done with evil intent. IMO this is good as it demonstrates that the
Alphans of Y2 *weren't* always able to deal with everything that came their
way....there wasn't always an explanation for what happened to them.
I'd go along with the view that the story portrays humans,relationships,and
the conflicts between them. Jealousy is a very real human emotion for
example and the story explores how alien influence can magnify and distort
this to the point of violence. (As Helena points out in the epilogue,what
fantastic things could they acheive if they could harness the full
potential of their minds on a regular basis?).
Landau's portrayal of a man who is tired and irritable was interesting in
the opening scenes,especially when he is snapping at Helena,Tony and Maya
in turn. (He calls Helena "Doctor" at one point. Uh-oh!). Of course,you
could say that Koenig did have a tendency to fly off the handle in year 1
and year 2 anyway. Well true enough,but the portrayal here is more subtle:
covering/rubbing his eyes,snapping at his subordinates,sharpness, and so
forth. So I liked this performance because,when I get tired,I tend to
behave the same way. As I suppose we all do.
There's the odd embarrassment in the episode. I always smile where Alan
tells Tony and Maya to get away from the doors as "...There's an atomic
motor about to go up in here!". As if getting away from the doors in
itself is going to do them much good with an atomic motor at explosion
point! Also the usual gratuitous use of the man in the gorilla suit.
(Incidentally I chuckled at Emma's remark that maybe Maya never actually
saw a gorilla on Psychon,but only a man wearing a gorilla suit,heh-heh...).
Also I have to say that I have never liked that old staple ingredient of
sci-fi series,the "standing still routine",where the actors have to stand
like statues for an interminable period of time. It happened a lot in Irwin
Allen series of the sixties,which may explain why I dislike it so much. (I
didn't like it in the opening scenes of ONE MOMENT OF HUMANITY either).
Other than that,there is much to enjoy in the episode. Deborah Fallender
turned in a good performance as far as I was concerned:alternately innocent
and then sadistic as her psychic moods changed. (She could almost have
qualified for my "Alpha Babe" status,but unfortunately is disqualified by
virtue of the fact that she actually has a central role in the story-and
actually has dialogue-rather than acting as mere background decoration. So
sorry Debs:no "Alpha Babe Certificate" for you!). I also liked the
continuity displayed by referring back to THE EXILES which was where Koenig
first tells everyone of his experiences as an astronaut cadet,and which he
expands upon in this episode. Despite not being a fan of gratuitous Maya
transformations,I was impressed with the sequence where she transforms into
a tiger leaping through the air...a similar sequence to the Puma sequence
in THE EXILES.
As Emma has pointed out,there is much depiction of the Alphans at play. And
the "extras" for once(such as Crato,Garforth etc) have at least some
dimension to them. Speaking of characterisation,Verdeschi once again shows
his disciplined and scientific mind with his incisive comment on the
apparatus Maya and Helena have rigged up to test for the Lambda
Variant,i.e: " That'll upset that whirlygig thing!" Uh yeah-right
Tony....don't get applying for a job on the Science Board will you?
The scenes where Koenig overcomes his guilt via narcosyntheis are very well
staged and well performed by Landau. Whether they are of 'Emmy Quality' as
some have claimed is debatable IMHO but its still good acting anyway.(As
well as good directing and good writing). It was spoiled a tad by
Helena/Bain interfering ("Jahn!")though...:-) Certainly I think Koenig's
breakdown was entirely credible given the pressure he has been under since
the moon blew out of orbit. In fact its a wonder he hasn't cracked before
this time. I would have liked to see Y2 explore this sort of thing far
more(and before anyone says it,I don't believe there was much exploration
of it in Y1 either). As far as the "leading man having tears in his eye"
goes,I question whether this was actually as groundbreaking as we'd like to
believe,and in any case I was more impressed with the emotion shown by
Koenig as he discusses his dead wife in RULES OF LUTON.
The scenes at the end of the final act where Koenig and Carolyn lock in a
psychic battle were quite impressive(difficult to remain standing still
with bits of the ceiling coming down and consoles blowing up etc..and
trying to remain impassive throughout it all). I could've done without the
bit where that gibbering slobbering creature crawls around Command
Centre(and I daresay the monkey didn't much care for Anholts performance
either,heh heh). Incidentally did anyone else notice Zienia Merton visibly
blink while the monkey was climbing over her console? Makes a change from
her screaming and fainting though I suppose.....
And finally I thought the epilogue tied things up quite well I thought.
There was a touch of humour,but springing mainly from Koenig's tiredness
and irritation that he doesn't have any psychic ability- in other
words,character based humour rather than forced and unfunny dialogue. Also
Helena makes a better attempt then usual of making sense of everything that
happened,and I suppose a "Telepathic Web" is as good a way as any of
explaining it. At the same time there is no attempt to look too closely at
the motives(if any)of the lollipop in the sky...rather,a more thoughtful
conclusion as Helena speculates as to the potential of the human mind...
Terrance Dicks must take the credit for much of the episode. He has said in
interviews that he discussed the idea with Freiberger over the phone,wrote
the script,sent it off,got the payment through,and forgot all about it
until the day he saw it on tv. He said that although there had been
"minimal tinkering" with it,it was basically the script as he had written
it(so I suppose some could say that stories tended to turn out better the
more Freiberger stayed out of them? Please discuss in 40 words or less...!)
A few more stories like this and I suspect Year 2 might have been
better-remembered.
Simon Morris
From: Petter Ogland (petter.ogland@dnmi4tag.no)
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 14:44:03 +0000
Subject: Re: Space1999: The Lambda Factor
Emma wrote:
> The Lambda Factor succeeds because it is primarily about people -- not made
> up entities and superhuman beings (I see people wiggling; bear with me) --
> and uses the scifi aspect as a vehicule for its story of humanity.
This is a very good point, I agree very much. In fact I also feel like
Emma that this is probably one of the best Year Two contributions to the
series. At least in my opinion it is.
I haven't seen all that much DR WHO, but if this is the typical quality
of that show as well I have no difficulty understanding Brian's fascination
with it.
> The story is about humans fighting themselves. Some lose (Carolyn Powell),
> others win (Koenig), but even if their behaviour is influenced by the MUF,
> the emotions they are subject to are their own. This fits in nicely with
> what I said about Y2 previously -- man's worst enemy here isn't outer space,
> it's innerspace.
Right on, Emma. Wonderful comments!
> He has also shown several times that he wasn't adverse to
> shedding a few tears. So I don't feel it's inconsistent for him to break
> down like he did in this episode.
I agree, more realistic than BRINGERS OF WONDER at least. This has perhaps
more to do with Koenig's trauma being a vital component in the
execution of the plot, not just a method of having him look at things
from another point of view.
Petter
From: "B" (camillus@earth44link.net)
Subject: Maya as Ape
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 02:01:23 -0400
>Maya as ape to the rescue was just laughable. "Get your stinking paws
>off me you damned dirty ape!" Was an obligatory transformation needed
>for every episode?? Answer: NO but they did it anyway. The one episode
>I can't remember any transformations in is The Immunity Factor.
>Are there others? Mateo
Good review and noting of the ever present "obligatory metamorphosis," even
DEVILS MOON had to throw one in as part of Koenig's brain scan, though Maya,
Tony, and Helena were not in the episode at all. As for your quote, loved
it and it reminded me of the APES discussion some time ago. The local
supermarket had the 30th Anniversary PLANET OF THE APES video on sale for
$9.99 and I couldn't resist getting it. I remember when it first came out
and the weeks of beging before my parents relented and took me and my
siblings to the drive-in to see it.
Watching APES immediaitely brought 1999 to mind when the astronauts assessed
their situation while marching through the Forbidden Zone, trying to figure
out where they were, "strange luminescence, but no moon...." was the excact
quote. Certainly food for thought, since the movie revealed that they were
indeed on Earth in 3955.
From: "Petter Ogland" (petter.ogland@dnmi4tag.no)
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 1998 09:09:26 +0000
Subject: Re: Space1999: The Lambda Factor
Simon wrote:
> This episode shows that SPACE 1999 in year 2 was capable of stories as good
> as in Y1. It might not be as atmospheric or as spooky as THE TROUBLED
> SPIRIT,but THE LAMBDA FACTOR remains an effective look at how a mysterious
> phenomenon gives selected Alphans varying degrees of pyschic ability.
Well said. More than being an episode on psychic powers, however, my
impression is that what Terrance Dicks is really investigating here
is emotions on the run in a small claustrophopic society.
Anyway, this is what I find the most interesting with THE LAMBDA FACTOR,
an episode that is not too unlike ONE MOMENT OF HUMANITY in this
respect, and about the same quality I would say, although, as some have
pointed out, the participation of a complete cast is definite positive
aspect of this episode.
> IMO this is good as it demonstrates that the
> Alphans of Y2 *weren't* always able to deal with everything that came their
> way....there wasn't always an explanation for what happened to them.
It is certainly different from THE BETA CLOUD in this respect, but we've
had similar unexplained phenomena before. The heat causing phenomenon in
CATACOMBS OF THE MOON is the first one the comes to mind. I feel the
space phenomenon in THE LAMBDA FACTOR plays an equal part as that in THE
CATACOMBS OF THE MOON, not much of an entity in its own but more a
reflection of the mental state on Alpha.
I can't remember if they did much of this sort of thing in Year One, but
THE LAST SUNSET certainly has some of it as we never get the chance to
understand what the inhabitants of Ariel are like. In like most of the
Penfold episodes, WAR GAMES and SPACE BRAIN for instance, the story is
not really all that much about aliens or space phenomena but about the
prospects of the human race.
I get some of the same feeling from the Terpiloff episodes, although
perhaps not all that subtle as the Penfold ones, and, talking about
Year Two, Terrance Dicks' THE LAMBDA FACTOR is also an example of the
same type of writing, I feel. Very good.
> I'd go along with the view that the story portrays humans,relationships,and
> the conflicts between them. Jealousy is a very real human emotion for
> example and the story explores how alien influence can magnify and distort
> this to the point of violence. (As Helena points out in the epilogue,what
> fantastic things could they acheive if they could harness the full
> potential of their minds on a regular basis?).
This is perhaps where THE LAMBDA FACTOR comes closest to ONE MOMENT OF
HUMANITY. While Barwick's view of humans as robots and robots as
humans in terms of perhaps pointing out the emotional difficulties of
being human, Dicks' makes a different approach by letting people
letting go of their super-egos and behave according to basic instincts
without any concern of the consequences.
In a way the episode is reminisent of Alain Resnais' ANNEE DERNIER A
MARIENBAD (1961), I feel, at least in the absurd handle of human
characters and emotions. I assume Terrance Dicks was influence by
the French "nouveau roman" of Robbe-Grillet, Duras, Butor etc. and
also the French existensialist school like most of his British
contemporary writers.
Petter
From: bjscannell@spry44net.com
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 1998 13:59:56 -0000
Subject: Space1999: The Lambada Factor
Alphans,
The Maya changing to Ape scene reminded me of 2001:A Space Odyssey.
The ape grunting sounds were similar also.
It was interesting to hear the Eagle Engineer say to Allen he had been working
with Eagles all his life. This makes me wonder how long the design has been
flying. I had always thought of them as new but they could be like F-18s these
days, some newer than others with upgraded hardware. This would help
explain the differences in the details on the Eagles, there could be earlier and
later models of the design.
Later,
Barry
Cut all the checks, Lift off!
Barry's Eagle Modeling Page, "Main Motors"
http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/bjscannell/
From: actingman-jc@World44net.att.net
Date: Sun, 25 Oct 1998 18:28:41 -0500
Subject: Space1999: The Lambda Factor
This was one of the more lamer opening status reports to establish the back
history of Sally doing inventory. It ranks up with a classic Trek Gold Key
comic where the yomen is sent by the Captain to get more towels in the
storage room, so she can be there when whatever is the story can happen. I
think I would have rather heard Sally talk to herself with a couple of well
chosen lines and we would have figured it out.
Has there been a cheaper effect than that swirling Lambda phenomenon?
For whatever reason, Koenig is wearing his belt in such a way that we
cannot see the buckle.
Has this been the first time in year two that we see windows (in the rec
room)?
That clean control covered square box is a booster motor? Wish my car
motor looked like that.
Helena says "it was some kind of Venusian plague" (or words to that effect)
indicating that she was only remembering what Koenig had told her.
Shouldn't she be more familiar with the incident based on her own studies
and medical/space training?
Shouldn't the medical officer or the security chief be able to open any
door, even the commander's door in an emergency? Tony has to shoot it open?
It was good that Maya had to be saved, instead of just transforming into
some damn thing.
(the former jcg@vh.net)
From: David Acheson (dkach@hot44mail.com)
Subject: Space1999: The Lambda Factor
Date: Sun, 01 Nov 1998 07:34:30 EST
I haven't been contributing much to these episode by episode discussions
lately. Just too darn busy but I thought I'd jump in by mentioning the
last two episodes being discussed - which I think are two of the better
episodes of year two.
THE LAMBDA FACTOR was written by DOCTOR WHO writer Terrence Dicks.
Unlike the silly treatment Pip & Jane Baker gave A MATTER OF BALANCE,
Mr. Dicks actually gave us a good storyline which could have easily
fitted well into the year one format. I commend him for writing this for
1999 and not giving us an episode in DOCTOR WHO style. The episode was
directed by veteran Charles Chrichton - his last for the series. Mr.
Chrichton gives us a good ride down psychotic lane and appears to have
even borrowed from techniques mastered by David Tomblin and Ray Austin
earlier in the series. Although I am not sure whether he was inspired or
simply tired and used something old. Nevertheless, it works here.
The story works well, as many here have said and as I did back in the
CATACOMBS OF THE MOON discussion, because it was a story of internal
conflict on Alpha. There was indeed a celestial phenomenon but it acted
only as a catalyst for emotional drama that had been brewing on Alpha
for quite some time. Without Freiberger's BEMs and cartoon jokes, year
two worked wonders when it came to emotional drama within the base.
Deborah Fallendar gave quite a good performance as Carolyn Powell - the
date from hell. I agree with everyone too that even the minor characters
(Crato, Garforth, etc.) came across more than being cardboard cutouts. I
think they could have done better than Jess Conrad as Mark but one can't
have everything.
This episode was also a showcase for the talents of the Landaus who
really haven't had much to do since the earliest episodes of year two.
Again, I agree that Martin Landau's over-the-top performance as a man
about to lose it was great. The edginess showed throughout...the walking
back and forth, rubbing his face over and over, his snapping at his
staff, etc. I have to disagree with Mateo here. I believe this does fall
into Koenig's pschye. We have mentioned before how Koenig's faults made
him a more realistic character than most TV leaders such as Captain
Kirk. We have seen him lose it before. Remember his hysterics in MISSING
LINK during Raan's experiments? I for one am thankful we see Koenig
having old memories that haunt him. Having one face his guilt makes for
powerful drama.
Barbara Bain also shines as the the one who is determined to break down
Koenig's defences and get to the heart of the matter. We see a caring
and worried Helena which shows a loving relationship rather than a bunch
of school kids making silly jokes and googly eyes at each other. She is
definitely hurt by Koenig's hurt and is torn between being a doctor who
must analyze the situation and a mother-figure who wants to comfort and
protect him. Barbara Bain rarely yelled angrily on the series so it was
a treat having Bain being the one to yell at Koenig to face his fears
during the final confrontation with Tess and Sam. I do believe she would
have either slapped him or shook him silly if that was what would be
needed.
Maya was not essential to this storyline but Catherine Schell still
managed to remind us how great an actress she is. Remember when Helena
and Maya were performing the tests and Garforth (I think it was him)
bent that metal strip? Ms. Schell's underperformance of a surprise look
was just perfect for the situation. The scene where Maya turned into a
big cat to go after Carolyn was also a nice scene both due to Ms.
Schell's execellent cat-like look and the wonderful editing job done
here. The best however was when Carolyn wanted Maya to transform into a
monkey. Catherine Schell gave us a look of a woman actually in pain and
trying all her best to resist a force against her will. The realization
she lost and was about to transform was a classic. A nice close up of
her face and her eyes opened wildly. I've always enjoyed Ms. Schell's
facial expressions as much as her acting.
Sure the episode was not perfect. That "whirly gig" was rather dumb
looking, Sam and Tess' disease looked like plastic barf and the
man-in-the-gorilla suit was downright embarrassing. However, we got to
put the special effects away for an episode and concentrated on a rather
powerful psychological drama that had the right mix of good performances
and issues. Overall, one of the better episodes of the series.
Running long so will put THE SEANCE SPECTRE in a seperate message.
David Acheson