Editor's Notes: "ExE" is the abbreviation I (the Editor) will be using in the Thread Pages archive for this thread of threads (metathread?) called "Episode by Episode" by Mateo.
From: South Central (Tamazunchale@webtv44.net) Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 15:15:32 -0800 Subj: Space1999: Episode by episode
I would like to suggest that we watch the entire series episode by episode. One every week or so. Then post our thoughts on great lines, effects, continuity errors, plot holes, continuity establishment, etc. I suggest we follow the order of episodes in Robert's Cybrary.
Anybody interested? Post your interest/disinterest in doing this on the list--I don't want to do it alone--and we'll set up dates. For example: From December 1-7, watch and post on Breakaway. This is just a suggestion. I realize that we can't all watch each episode on the same night. I suggest the same week.
How about it?
Mateo
From: Alan Hoch (alanh@swcp44.com) Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 16:52:38 -0700 (MST) Subj: Re: Space1999: Episode by episode
Problem: Not all of us (or even most of us) have S:1999 on tape or any other media to watch. Sadly, I haven't seen it on TV or for sale for nearly ten years. <sigh>
From: Gordon Burgess & Carol Mason (gcb7@magna44.com.au) Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 11:50:14 +1100 (EST) Subj: Re: Space1999: Episode by episode
In Australia the tapes have been available for ages through a Canberra mail order company called "21st Century", David has a full range of Space 1999, UFO and others, they are British imports. I should imagine that if they are available on our PAL format, then they would be available to you on yours. Or do you know anybody who can convert them?
Take care, peace be with you,
TTFN
Carol "Hondo" Mason
From: "Ellen C. Lindow" (sfdxb@scfn.thpl44.lib.fl.us) Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 22:34:12 -0500 (EST) Subj: Re: Space1999: Episode by episode
Any excuse to watch 1999 is good enough for me. Although this is more structure than I usually allow in my scattered life. Let's go for it.
Oh, I think that the SciFi channel is carrying 1999 again, I think at 6 pm. My son was watching something on SCIFi last week and I heard a commercial for it while I was passing through the room. I heard Koenig shouting that wonderful line "We don't commit _mindless_ violence". You know, of all the really good lines they had, why does Scifi choose that one?
From: djlerda@juno44.com Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 23:36:54 EST Subj: Re: Space1999: Episode by episode
I heard Koenig shouting that wonderful line "We don't commit _mindless_ violence".
OK, I give. What episode is that line from?
David J Lerda
From: South Central (Tamazunchale@webtv44.net) Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 02:39:07 -0800 Subj: Re: Space1999: Episode by episode
The "mindless violence" quote is from The Metamorph if I'm not mistaken. As Mentor flexes his muscle to threaten Alpha after discovering the robot Eagle sent to destroy Alpha. I may be wrong but I just watched that episode last week and it rang a bell.
Mateo
From: Petter Ogland (petter.ogland@dnmi44.no) Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 11:34:28 +0000 Subj: Re: Space1999: Episode by episode / The Exiles
[EDITOR: Relevant part only]
Hi all,
I think Mateo's proposal is an excellent one, so I will certainly join. I hope, however, that Mateo will be able to sign on as project leader, and to write his introductory thoughts about each particular episode every Sunday or whatever day he chooses to watch the episode.
I look very much forward to this project, many of my favourite episodes belonging to the beginning of Year One, so this is an excellent opportunity to express feelings for why SPACE: 1999 is such a great series.
As to Alan Hoch's remark not everybody having all episodes on tape, if one already has seen some the episodes or the episode under debate, there should be no reason not to join in on the discussion.
I hope this will turn out to be a happy opportunity for many to express there feelings, give there insights to the series and share memories and favourite moments.
From: relax@videotron44.ca Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 08:55:12 -0500 Subj: Re: Space1999: Episode by episode
Hi Mateo, all!
Great idea! you could be our project leader, let's begin with BREAKAWAY next week (dec 1st-7th).
We can talk about the script, plot holes, bloopers, special effects and more. It will take almost a year (48 weeks) to review both seasons.
It will be a pleasure for me to watch and analyze one episode per week, let's go for it!!!
Andre Beauchamp
From: South Central (Tamazunchale@webtv44.net) Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 11:58:52 -0800 Subj: Space1999: Episode by Episode
Alright! Some eight or nine people have written the list showing interest in watching the series episode by episode. A couple of people have asked me to moderate or something like that. If there's no objection I think that would be fun. What I suggest (suggest) is that we break our analyses down into different areas along the lines of the excellent Discontinuity Guide, Babylon File and the X-treme possibilities. Maybe someone (who has a printer! and a computer!) can save our comments and compile them. We could compile a critical companion and make a site out of it....
Better yet! Let's just have FUN watching the show and talking about it! I am serious about the different areas though. It might help us to focus our ideas.
I will go over those three books and suggest areas for comments, for example: Goof, Great Lines, Continuity, Terrible Lines, Words of Wisdom, Timeline, Plot holes, etc. Once I post these please (or now) tell me if you agree/disagree/have other suggestions/etc.
I suggest starting the first week of December. So, December 1-7 is Breakaway week. Watch the episode as soon as you can and think about your comments. Then post them and we'll go from there.
Personally, I think this is what this list needs--to get back to basics! I don't like arguing with people in life (unless I have to--generally I just ignore people that bother me) and I find I tend to delete a lot of messages before I read them these days. I am excited by this idea (and by the campaign too!).
I am totally looking forward to this. Unfortunately I will probably have to rank out at the end as, although I have all the laserdiscs, I only have a sh**ty copy of the Bringers of Wonder off SciFi Channel--chopped to bits and bits and bits and bits, and I never got around to transferring The Immunity Syndrome and The Dorcons to video (and I don't have a laserdisc player). I transferred the others when I worked at a school that had one. Long time ago.
What do you think? Too many rules? Add a few? What's on your minds? Tell me about your childhood....
Mateo
From: David Acheson (dkach@hotmail44.com) Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 15:51:47 PST Subj: Space1999: Episode by Episode / Those Movies
What a great idea but unfortunately I have to bow out. I am one of those who do not have most of the series on video. I have 4 episodes (2 Year 1 and 2 Year 2) recorded off TV when YTV aired 42 of the 48 episodes a few years ago and one commercial tape from the J2 Communications collection ("Matter of Life and Death"). I also recorded from TV many moons ago "Destination: Moonbase Alpha". Hardly a library this makes. Am anxiously awaiting Columbia House to get the new collection up here to Canada.
This has made me realize that I have not seen "Breakaway", "War Games", "The Metamorph", and "Space Warp" since the early 1980s when I last saw those movies edited from these episodes. As the individual episodes I have not seen them since the 1970s. Time to correct that.
Now that the subject has been brought up what does everyone think of those Space: 1999 movies? I for one thought they were horrible and try not to think of them when I think of the series. Call me a purist.
From: Jhon (jhon@pottsville.infi44.net) Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 20:11:39 -0500 Subj: Space1999: Episode by episode
"We don't commit mindless violence," is from the episode "Devil's Planet." John is speaking with the whips and chains wardeness, while both are watching a guy on the hunt.
From: Dean A Dunday (ddunday@powerweb44.net) Date: Thu, 27 Nov 1997 00:22:51 -0600 Subj: Re: Space1999: Episode by episode
I would do this but I don't have every episode. I just sent in an order for the series through Columbia House so maybe when they start coming I can start participating more.
Kelly
From: South Central (Tamazunchale@webtv44.net) Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 19:27:23 -0800 Subj: Space1999: Episode by Episode Guidelines
For all of you who are going to watch the series again episode by episode (one per week) and discuss them on the list, I suggest the following areas of comment.
You don't have to comment on all of these. Please label your comments with these area headings, though. Please try to organize you thoughts into the right areas. This is not to stifle creativity but to make it easier to discuss each idea. Consider the area headings to be like thread titles or subjects for chatrooms.
Any changes (additions or deletions) or comments should be sent to the list as soon as possible. We can always tweak it later.
Week One: Breakaway. December 1-7 Discussion should be sent to the list during those dates.
We are going to follow the episode order in the Cybrary. So Week Two: Matter of Life and Death. December 8-14.
Bye for now,
Mateo
From: South Central (Tamazunchale@webtv44.net) Date: Sun, 30 Nov 1997 13:34:10 -0800 Subj: Space1999: Episode by Episode
I sent some suggested guidelines for discussion to the list regarding this. I everybody ok with them? Would anybody like to change them/add to them/scratch them altogether? December 1st is tomorrow!
Any response positive or negative.....?
Mateo
From: judas@netmatters44.co.uk (B J Dowling) Date: Mon, 1 Dec 1997 00:36:11 +0000 Subj: Re: Space1999: Episode by Episode
I'm OK with them. If anyone else has the novels, how about some comparisons of those versions (based on the scripts before filming took place, I think) and the actual televised story? That way, those who have the books but not tapes or LDs can add to the discussions.
Maybe after this is all done, a couple of folks could write a more complete episode guide than many of those I've seen. Hang on, didn't I try something like that a couple of years ago....?
From: South Central (Tamazunchale@webtv44.net) Date: Sun, 30 Nov 1997 17:08:00 -0800 Subj: Re: Space1999: Episode by Episode
I was going to suggest reading the books episode by episode also! You read my mind.
Let's do it!
From: South Central (Tamazunchale@webtv44.net) Date: Tue, 2 Dec 1997 14:42:09 -0800 Subj: Space1999: Episode by Episode Request
Robert Ruiz and the Cybrary have requested that those participating in the Episode by Episode weekly discussion take note of the number of Alphans killed and the number of Eagles crashed in each episode so as to derive an "accepted" count through consensus.
He also asks that we pay attention to bloopers and blunders.
Just passing the word along.
I'm going to watch Breakaway today. Post my comments soon.
Mateo
From: South Central (Tamazunchale@webtv44.net) Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 08:46:54 -0800 Subj: Space1999: Episode by Episode
Hello all,
I'm sorry I haven't posted my thoughts about the episodes. I have had a few family crises to deal with and haven't gotten a chance to post my thoughts.
To clarify the order of episodes. We are following the production order--as shown in the Cybrary. I HAVE been reading all your posts and have to say that it is a great discussion! Let me just watch the last eight minutes of Breakaway and MoLaD and I'll catch up.
Sorry for any disappointment in my lack of participation (anyone like to sub for me, all you have do is raise four kids, ages 18-24. Hey, actually only two 18 and 19. :-) )
Mateo