Date: Fri, 9 Feb 1996 10:57:52 -0800
From: S002KJS@desire.wright4tag.edu
Subject: Thanks for the info & possible story idea

Thanks for the info on Barry Morse, Robert.  I agree, there is something that is 
hard to put into words about 1999 that captures all our imaginations, even to 
this day.  I think one of the reasons for the changes from season 1 to season 2 
was the feeling that the show was too "cerebral" for American audiences.  Maybe 
that's why FF was brought on board to try and jazz it up with more action. 
However, I think the American audience has matured quite a bit and if 1999 was 
being produced today, it would certainly be popular in its "cerebral" form 
versus its season 2 "action" orietation.  I personally liked the thought of 
mixing the two styles and coming up with something that would have action but 
would make the audience sit up and say "wow, that was a great story, I never 
thought of it that way".

Anyway, here's a thought for a story.  I'm not sure if it goes too far into 
science fantasy but I thought I'd just throw it out and see what all you Alphans 
think of it.  How about an ending to the series where the moon itself becomes 
the Alphans permanent home?  I was thinking of something happening to increase 
the gravity of the moon and creating an atmosphere.  Perhaps an encounter with 
"aliens with unimaginable powers" or perhaps a "gaseous cloud of unknown origin 
in space" that causes an atmosphere to form around the moon.  Of course, the 
moon would also have to fall into a stable orbit around a sun similar to our own.
Anyhow, its just an idea for a storyline.  Just thought I'd see what you all
thought.

RE:  the "remake" of 1999.  How about Timothy Dalton as Tony or Alan?  No one
comes to mind as a good candidate for Marty or Babs.

Kevin



Date: Fri, 9 Feb 1996 11:40:48 -0800
From: Mark Eidemiller (Mark_Eidemiller@pgn4tag.com)
Subject:  Possible story idea - reply

Kevin:

What if the gaseous cloud was an entity in itself (the old Star Trek series
had them all over the place...)?  The cloud-entity could have also been
wandering in space, lonely, looking for a place to call "home" and people
to interact with.  It could terraform the moon, and could form a symbiotic
relationship.  It'd pose some very interesting ideas and conflicts.

>Of course, the  moon would also have to fall into a stable orbit around a
>sun similar to our own

Who says?  If the cloud were a living being, it would stay in place on its
own.  The moon could become a Flying Dutchman planet, forever
wandering in space.  And then could still encounter other alien species.
It's beginning to sound good.

Consider it.

Pastor Mark Eidemiller
     Moonbase Chaplain



Sfcafeguy@aol.com wrote:

Sorry Kevin, I don't buy it.  Too many elements would all have to come
together at one time.

If I were continuing the story -- and not that I'd recommend it since the
premise is so truly flawed from the beginning -- I would reintroduce some of
that sense of isolation from Season 1 and I'd deal with the real psychology
of what's happened to them.

Remember, how well adjusted could they be?  They're never going home or
seeing anyone they care about again, they're constantly concerned about their
resources, and even if someone bucked up during the initial disaster, after
people get through something like that it hits them.  Maybe later but it
eventually hits them.  And let's not forget, these people would have to be
highly trained.  All those people who worked on the Meta probe (and others)
would eventually have to be reassigned, and many of them into areas of
Alpha's maintenance.  This would take it's toll on their senses of self and
they're sense of fulfillment.

Life on Alpha, considering that none of them had a choice in the matter,
would not be a picnic for anyone, and THAT is what interests me about it.
How they DEAL with it, and fail at it, and succeed at it, and keep on
trying, is what I would find interesting.  I also don't know that there
wouldn't be some doubt about Koenig since he just replaced Gorski before the
nuclear disaster plumeted them out into space.  Koenig and his crew have no
history together, and they're under a great deal of strain without letup.
Surely at some point Koenig's leadership would be challenged.

It's interesting to think about how each one would deal with living under
this sense of powerlessness day-after-day with no sense of relief in sight.
One could see Alan in denial and not dealing with it but it still being
under the surface all the time.  Helena would probably adjust.  She has John
and her work and is needed constantly.  She has a sense of purpose.  How
would Maya do over the long haul?  Wouldn't she eventually start to lose it
being around so many people whose capabilities don't match hers?  Tony would
probably continue with his beer hobby and end up an alcoholic, but you never
know, he could be the most resilient of all.  He's got Maya, his needs seem
simple.  Maybe Tony's made his peace with it.  And for Koenig the pressure's
already showing in Season 2.  It would be interesting to see him in later
life struggling with all the decisions he's had to make, wondering where he
could have done better, reflecting on all those who have died under his
command, and possibly even who he's left behind on earth.  What would
Koenig's life on Alpha be like if ever  forced to resign his command?

I also wonder what it would be like to have experienced Maya within the mood
of Season 1, and what she and Victor would talk about.  He would probably be
the closest to her mental equal.  I think Maya just fit in too soon, with no
period of adjustment and no sense of "really" being an alien.  She had a
sense of humor, she was playful, but she wasn't mysterious.  Catherine
Schell, to me anyway, was just too likeable (and classy and sexy) underneath
that makeup, and I find it interesting to ponder what Maya might have been
like if they had let her grow into that impish character after a period of
adjustment.

I could go on, but have to run for a couple days.

Any thoughts?



Date: Fri, 9 Feb 1996 19:15:00 -0800
From: Michael & Shannon Campbell (mcampbell@ram44link.net)
Subject: Re: Reply to Kevin's Story Idea

I agree.  I think that it would also be interesting to interject the idea of
contractors being on Alpha as well.  As with NASA, a great deal, perhaps a
majority of the people at Kennedy Space Center are contract engineers,
technicians and workers (Rockwell, McDonnel Douglas, Morton Thiokol, etc..).
 How would these people have responded to Koenig's benevolent command or an
alien science officer?  If we assume a multinational contract workforce, how
would they react?  It is also logical to assume that support services such as
food or routine maintenance might have been provided by vendors as well
(McDonalds, Marriott, etc...).  I can see a lot of potential for stories that
don't even involve special effects!

When DS9 was launched, the creators talked at length about the desire to
create a series plot in which character conflict could come into play.  They
should have done a remake of 1999.  They'd have had enough material from just
these two posts to fill an entire season.  Imagine 1999 with an ensemble cast
of well developed characters (perhaps a combination of both seasons, the
quest for survival from year 1, a little action and sense of humor from year
2 and intelligent storytelling like that from ER, Chicago Hope, etc...
I'd watch it.

Mike



Date: Sun, 11 Feb 1996 13:47:42 -0800
From: KERRYIRS@aol4tag.com
Subject: Re: Which Season?

Hi,

I would also like to see David Kano and Paul Morrow in the story as well.
Many fans took the belief that since there was no official death of these
characters, why not include them? I agtree. Besides, Victor and Maya would be
a great twosome.

Kerry



Date: Mon, 12 Feb 1996 16:16:48 -0800
From: Van A Plexico (plexiva@mail.auburn4tag.edu)
Subject: Story ideas and actors

First, about the idea of the Moon having an atmosphere and being the
Alphan's home:  Wasn't that "The Last Sunset"?

Next:  If this property were ever made into a movie, I would assume they
would have to move the year into the future, for obvious reasons.  That's
why I called it "Space: 2099".  (Which is a sad commentary on the state
of manned space missions, by the way.)

I would hope the storyline would be tweaked, a la what our friend on this
list has been doing lately (good work!).  In other words, the story
should be faster, more intense, and more engrossing.  (The thing that has
struck me most while watching season 1 episodes lately is how darned SLOW
the show moves!  I mean, while the "revelation" or "awe" scenes should be
lingering and drawn out, that doesn't necessarily mean EVERY scene should
match the pace of growing grass!  Thank goodness for the Fast forward button.

I would love to see characters from both seasons involved in the story.
There is no reason why a future production should not just lump together
the best of both seasons.  If you're worried about consistency, just
remember what show we're talking about!  :)

The theoretical movie should involve either a return to Earth, or an
attempt at a real Operation: Exodus, in order to justify a full motion
picture.  It should also include a real villain, because, IMO, just
having the forces of nature or a Mysterious Unknown Force as the problem
won't quite cut it in a modern movie.  (I know--Apollo 13 is a
contradiction to this.  Maybe I'm wrong.)

My fantasy would be for J. Michael Stryzenski (sp?) to make it his next
project.  Imagine if he had produced 1999 the way he does Babylon 5.  It
would have been incredible.  (I'm not necessarily saying one show is better
than the other--just that he is a much better producer/writer than FF.)

Actors:  Hmmm... this could be fun.
The Commmander:  how about a Bond, like Dalton or Brosnan?
The Doctor:      for some odd reason I want Emma Thompson (right.)
Scientist:       I just love John Rhies-Davies....??  although he's a
                   good villain, also.
Alien (maya):    Uma Thurman; some other exotic beauty.
Security:        man, I'm getting stuck here...

Others in Command Center:   Ming Wa Yen (from the Single Guy);
Oh, lord--is that Paul Hogan flying an Eagle???!! (ha ha)

Okay, there's something to chew on.  If hardly anyone responds this time,
I'm going to write the whole darned script and mail that out!!!  ;)

Van
Asst. Security Chief and head of central casting
future screenplay writer??
107