From: David Acheson (dkach@hotmail44.com) Subj: Space1999: Earthbound Date: Mon, 29 Dec 1997 03:21:12 PST
I am back and I hope everyone had a good holiday. I also hope that those who had tragedies at this time of the year managed to get through it okay. For me, I had three turkey dinners (over the week - not in one day) and seen too many people so I cannot complain. I am all Christmas'd out so am ready for a normal routine again.
So I guess we are on a new week of the episode-by-episode discussions. That would bring us to EARTHBOUND. Overall, an okay entry - at least, in my opinion, better than episode four. A pretty good start for Anthony Terpiloff's first script for the series and a better directorial job from Charles Chrichton (his first was episode two).
What is memorable about the episode is that it is one of the few that tackles the challenge to clear up a hole in the series. In this case, the fate of Commissioner Simmonds. The series is famous for its timeline errors and inconsistencies between episodes as well as characters that have disappeared without explanation. In the BREAKAWAY novelization Simmonds dies of internal injuries after the accident which blasted the moon out of orbit. However, the filmed episode shows Simmonds very much alive and stuck with the rest of the Alphans. Yet, Simmonds, like Ouma, was not seen or mentioned in episodes two, three and four. I guess Anthony Terpiloff decided to do something about that.
By an odd coincidence EARTHBOUND makes it two consecutive episodes where Alpha encounters aliens with a mission to Earth. In RING AROUND THE MOON the Tritonians are bad (a mission to destroy Earth) while in this episode the Kaldorians are good (seeking refuge on Earth). I don't believe this was done on purpose but it is funny it turned out this way.
This episode marks the first time we get to see an alien race. The Tritonians were only heard and we only saw their technology. In BLACK SUN we only hear the voice of the god-like being.
As in the pilot, Roy Dotrice does a wonderful job as the slimy Simmonds. In fact, he is worse than the first time around. Mr. Dotrice has given us a man of desperation which I think fits the part well. We got to remember that the other Alphans, no matter how unprepared for this journey, are better suited than Simmonds for long-term survival in space. They are all trained astronauts and space specialists. Simmonds is just a politician and he is the fish out of water. He is surviving on reactionary tactics. If he didn't go off in the Kaldorian ship it would be likely he would have cracked up on Alpha at some point.
Its interesting to cast Christopher Lee as the peace-loving alien. He gained his reputation for playing mad scientists and monsters in the 1960's. A role reversal that worked out well as I see it. I believe he only played a hero once more in the disaster flic AIRPORT '77. So this is a rare moment in film history.
The Kaldorian ship had unfortunately been deemed "the blue potato machine" by myself and a cousin when the episode first aired. To this day we still call it that.
Well I have to head off for work so I'll stop here. Not one of the best episodes of year one but not one of the clunkers either. I would say an average to slightly better than average episode.
David Acheson
From: Robert Rousseau (rousrob@minfo44.net) Date: Mon, 29 Dec 1997 10:36:25 -0500 Subj: Re: Space1999: Earthbound
The Kaldorian ship had unfortunately been deemed "the blue potato machine" by myself and a cousin when the episode first aired. To this day we still call it that.
The Kaldorian ship looks like Jinny's bottle from I dream of Jinny with Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman.
From my point of view, this ship is the ugliest we've seen in both season 1 and 2.
From: LKJ1999 (LKJ1999@aol44.com) Date: Mon, 29 Dec 1997 18:00:50 EST Subj: Re: Space1999: Earthbound
Well I kinda like that ship. I liked the way the ship Twisted and twirled and then Floped on the Lunar surface...
From: Mark Meskin (plastic.gravity@newrock44.com) Date: Mon, 29 Dec 1997 20:24:17 -0600 Subj: Space1999: Earthbound-great story, concept, corny aliens
I'm probably in the minority here, but I liked Earthbound, and I also like the spaceship. Sure its an ugly blue color and looks like it probably couldn't get across the lake, much less across thousands of light-years. But its unlike (read alien technology) the earth ships and I like things that have the the guts to be well, different. The ship would have benifited from more paneling( sectioning of the surface, so it didn't look like its carved from a solid blue potato) and more dirtying-down.
Good story, I wish it would have been shown later in the series though, it would have had more impact. For once it seems the director got the plotting and pacing of the story correct. No lulls filled with "garbage dialog" like Ring around the Moon, which, come to think of it, was one hour of garbage dialog. Nice FX of the eagle dropping a rescue pod, and nice shots of the Kaldorian ship in the underground hangar. And Simmonds finally gets what he deserves.
Low Points- The aliens were silly, and seemed like they needed a prozac refill. The set inside the Kaldorian spaceship was cheap and the tent ceiling looked like it was stolen from the circus. Very obvoius soft focus filter on Barbara Bain has to be a low point in series 1 cinematography.
From: QGMorrow (QGMorrow@aol44.com) Date: Mon, 29 Dec 1997 22:58:07 EST Subj: Space1999: More "Earthbound"
Friends,
I, for one, like "Earthbound" a great deal. I think the story is wonderful and the ending ironic. Christpher Lee does a smashing job as the captain of the earthbound crew. The one thing the story lacked, I always felt, was more discussion of why the aliens were on their way to earth, and more information from the Alphans on what the aliens might find once they arrived there.
You must know that Commissioner Simmonds is a foil, a straw man, made to set off the virtues of the Chaldorians and the Alphans. Nonetheless, in this episode I think he does a marvelous job of exhibiting what St. Augustine (as well as Calvin, Luther, et al) termed "Total Depravity." The idea of Total Depravity is just that man, by nature, and apart from divine grace, is far from morally neutral (or even morally good). Rather, by nature man is "depraved," corrupt. That is, he is selfish, immoral, dishonest, etc. I know it sounds harsh, but one has only to look at the evening news to show that this estimation of the human condition is true.
Anyway, those are my ramblings for the episode. I really do think there is a lot of irony, and just good, old fashioned, moral "come-uppance" in this story.
Quintin
From: Patricia Embury (Patriemb@sprintmail44.com) Date: Tue, 30 Dec 1997 19:47:42 -0500 Subj: Space1999: Earthbound
I have to admit that I liked this episode. I disagree with Mark, though, and feel that this should have been the second episode, instead of coming later. To me, it had more of a "Breakaway"-ish feeling to it. Although Simmonds dialogue at the beginning indicates some time has passed "I've been to many command meetings.." It could have been used as an indication that their journey is new. Also, I find it hard to believe that Simmonds would not have been given some other duty in the interim... Maybe hydroponics, since politicians can be so adept at "fertilizer" :) I agree with Mark in that the other aliens needed something else to do, or some dialogue, to further develop how they would have contributed/lived on Earth, once they reached it. Christopher Lee was superb, and I liked the way he played across Barbara Bain. I got the idea that his character had a real attraction for Helena, and that Helena was captivated by Zantor. She almost seemed to be flirting with him, in a medical sort of way, when they discussed the cryogenic process. The Koenig/Russell relationship was starting to become obvious to the rest of the command staff, if not the base. Carter's attempt at easing the tension when Koenig returned to Main Mission, and how Koenig responded indicated growth in their relationship. Carter seemed less confrontational, easing off when Simmonds had the power core. Another moment I enjoyed ocurred when all eyes focused upon John when he entered Main Mission. The Caldoran ship looked funny, but worked in its own way. I especially liked the shots of the rescue Eagle flying close to the surface. Carter and Co were launced in Eagle 1 and 2 to initally seek and destroy the ship. How come they looked like Rescue Eagles? They had the red stripes on the side of the cargo pod.
From: LKJ1999 (LKJ1999@aol44.com) Date: Tue, 30 Dec 1997 21:57:49 EST Subj: Space1999: Earth Bound
My comment's on Earth Bound...
The number of times the word Eagle was said. (6)
Eagle lift offs.(3)
Eagle landing's (1)
Bloopers... When the Eagle lifts off from the Kaldorian ship. It's off the lunar surface before it's boosters ignite...
I like this episode ok. But I have to give it a NO.12 of My best liked episode's from Y-1...
Chas P. LKJ1999
From: JSchill824 (JSchill824@aol44.com) Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 00:43:26 EST Subj: Space1999: Earthbound
Hi fellow Alphans,
I took this note on Earthbound from an old post I sent to Petter. I'm glad to be back. Hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year!
Speaking of Earthbound, I know its not one of your favorites, but the scene where Koenig first walks into the Alien ship is beautiful. When the door opens and light streams in and the visually distorted Commander image emerges is really great! It really gives a nice eerie feeling to the scene.
I especially liked in this episode there were no malevolent aliens wanting to suck the brains out of the Alphans or zapping them with ray guns as a lot of Sci-Fic can be like. The conflict and drama came from the Alphans themselves. Not over dramatized or understated.
After watching this episode again last night I couldn't help but compare the ending with Edger Allen Poe. In the story "The Cask of Amontillado," Fotunado(sp) is walled up alive in a wine cellar similar to Simmonds doom in the Kaldorians spaceship. What a horrid end, even for such a man. It makes one shiver.
I also really enjoyed Christopher Lee -- he's always wonderful!!!! :-)
TTFN
Janet
From: djlerda@juno44.com Date: Thu, 01 Jan 1998 14:57:35 EST Subj: Space1999: Earthbound
Carter tells everyone that they have five seconds until lift-off in the rescue Eagle. Koenig is shown with his spacesuit in his hand. A quick cut to the Eagle gunning its motors and a cut back and Koenig has his suit on!
The boarding tube is circular. In all the other episodes it is rectangular.
The rescue Eagle is halfway up from the rescue pod before the thrusters are shown firing.
The cargo Eagle pod is shown in the hanger.
Simmond's cubicle seal is broken on top just as the camera goes to pan the spaceship interior.
In the novel "The Space Guardians" by Brian Ball, some aspects of this episode are used. This was the only episode not novelized since Simmonds was killed off in the first novel. In the novelization of "Missing Link", Raan's "Victor" tells John about a ship found on the moon that could be used to return to Earth.
And now time to set up for "Another Time / Another Place"
David J Lerda, djlerda@juno.com
"Just because we haven't experienced something
doesn't mean it doesn't exist" - John Koenig
From: judas@netmatters44.co.uk (B J Dowling) Date: Thu, 1 Jan 1998 20:31:02 +0000 Subj: Space1999: Earthbound
A happy new year to you all! Here are my thoughts and notes on Earthbound...
I couldn't find this episode in the novels, suggesting that it wasn't part of the planned scripts for season 1 at the time the novels were commissioned. So, when Tubb novelised Breakaway, Simmonds was intended to be one of the casualties of the catastrophic explosion. It doesn't help matters much that the Alien Attack video reports Simmonds as a casualty of the disaster.
I recognise Anthony Terpiloff's name from somewhere else, but I can't remember where right this minute. I'm pretty sure it's from Callan - I'll have a look through my Callan stuff later on.
To the episode...
"Ooh, it's that evil bugger Simmonds!" was my first reaction to the first scene of the episode. Seeing as he was reported dead as above, I was a bit surprised at this, but a few questions in the right place put me on the right track.
It doesn't say how long after Breakaway this story is set, but it is very clear that Simmonds still gets right up Koenig's nose with great ease. I tried to look at things from his point of view (and managed it, just for a brief second) - his given authority over Koenig has been wrenched from him, and now Koenig has reinforced his operational authority to the point where Simmonds is addressed as "Commissioner" by the Alphans purely through etiquette and Koenig simply refers to him as "Simmonds" with a clear disdain. Koenig is the boss in no uncertain terms and Simmonds is out of place on Alpha.
Why Simmonds is in on command conferences can only be through politeness on Koenig's part. After all, through his own admission, Simmonds has no place on Alpha and no positive contribution to make. The point has already been made that he isn't as well prepared for survival away from Earth as every one else, and hasn't accepted that they'll never get back to Earth. Begs the question what duties he's got on Alpha...
The Kaldorian spacecraft is different, just like Gwent's ship. Nothing wrong with that - spacecraft don't all have to look like Eagle, Hawks, X-Wings, flying saucers, et cetera. That difference suggests that the beings on board are different.
Why red striped pods are used on the two recon Eagles I have no idea. I thought they were rescue/crash units.
Koenig's rejection of Simmonds for the boarding party reinforces his out of place status on Alpha. The shot of the main craft separating from the pod is one of only two I can recall, the other from Dragon's Domain. It's amazing how easily spaceships manage to secure boarding tubes, docking tubes et cetera, open doors, engage atmosphere and gravity. I suppose it helps keep the story going...
Back on Alpha, Simmonds gets put in his place again by Paul and Alan. I really get the feeling that Carter would love to beat seven bells out of Simmonds. Sandra brings up the visual purely to dissolve some of the tension.
Whoops! Helena kills one of the Kaldorians by accident. This marks 1999 out from other sci fi series - Avon would never have done that (he'd only kill intentionally), and I can't see the Doctor muffing opening that chamber.
Christopher Lee is wonderful as Captain Zantor, but I'm probably biased because I think Christopher Lee is wonderful in any role he plays. He has a voice and grace which so few possess, and it is testimony to the series that he appeared in it.
His silence during those early scenes in the Kaldorian ship is great - his looks and minimal gestures get Helena and John talking before he's said anything. I'd like to have seen a scene shoing the introductions between the Alphans and the Kaldorians, but that would have slowed the story down. As it is, Zantor's first lines when meeting Simmonds show him to be intelligent and (on first impressions) compassionate and peaceful.
Simmonds sees and tries to take this opportunity to drive home the authority over Koenig he's lost after Breakaway. Koenig tolerates this with the disdain he's treated Simmonds with previously. After all, what can Simmonds do? Paul and Alan will look to Victor rather than Simmonds, and I don't think that any attempt by Simmonds to take command of Alpha would succeed.
I wonder if Simmonds is a xenophobe? Discuss.
The meeting in Koenig's office confirmed my thoughts on Zantor from his first lines. Placid, peaceful, graceful, intelligent, deliberate strike me as adjectives for Zantor. He sees things simply, as his comments on the computer's mission to the moon show - "It was so programmed - how could it do otherwise?".
Simmonds' suggestion of seizing the Kaldorian ship reinforces my thoughts of him as a really nasty piece of work. I don't think that Koenig would let 6 return to Earth unless he could get all 300 plus back to Earth - 6 technicians, pilots or medical staff less could mean problems. One Alphan less doesn't cause such a problem.
Koenig comes out with what I think could be his nastiest remark when he says to Simmonds "if I could rig that computer it would shout out your name". His short temper and impatience show with the emergency on the Kaldorian ship - Victor, Mathias and Zantor are calm while Koenig gets ratty. Victor holds him back saying "we must trust him".
Koenig makes a huge mistake by leaving his commlock on his desk in front of Simmonds. Daft or what? The selfish Simmonds makes off with it, and he seems to know the operations of Alpha surprisingly well for a politician. Straight to the power section, stunning guards and technicians along the way. Makes me wonder if he spent time trying to plot a way to get off the base at some point.
Here we see a split in opinions over Simmonds' desire to have the spare place on Zantor's ship. Despite his wish (IMHO) to be rid of Simmonds, Alan wants the computer to decide who gets to go. Paul is in no doubt - let him go and be free of the nuisance.
Having Alpha by the main power core is a pretty good bargaining tool, and letting him go is the only decision Koenig can make (Personally I'd go for Alan's idea to take him out as he leaves, thinking he's got his way) with Zantor's permission. Zantor's cool "I will be your hostage" line backs up what I said abouthim previously.
At this point, Simmonds knows only that Helena has okayed the stasis procedure, not that a matrix needs to be taked by Zantor's computer. So, either Zantor doesn't tell him and thus condemns him to a nasty death, or Zantor offers to make the matrix of Simmonds but the suspicious Commissioner declines the offer. Please don't think me sick if I say I prefer the first theory here.
There's definitely something between Helena and Zantor, but I'm no great reader of subtleties between individuals, so I leave that for others to discuss. Their goodbye suggests that this would have been explored if the Kaldorians had been able to stay longer.
Simmonds leaves his gun outside the stasis chamber. Whoops! :-) And he doesn't seem phased by the fact that when he wakes up, all his friends wake up too. The mice on the mouse organ, er, sorry - wrong series! (If you don't know or remember Bagpuss, don't worry, I'm still taking the tablets)
And it's just a bit arrogant to assume that 75 years in the future, people on Earth will remember Commissioner Gerald Simmonds, MIA 13 September 1999. At this point, Simmonds' hail to Earth control suggests that they haven't been out of orbit for too long, and backs up the suggestion that it should have been second in the series run, which I agree with.
Second episodes are usually troubled waters for new series, especially after such a good pilot as Breakaway. Matter of Life and Death didn't work for me as a second story with good content - Earthbound does.
When he realises that he's trapped and condemned to slow death in a sealed chamber, I couldn't help feel that he deserved it. Vindictive, moi? If there was any chance for a resuce, Koenig would have ordered one, whether it was Simmonds or not. His pleas for help fading out parallel the newscast in Breakaway where the newscast fades out with the words "beyond the reach...". Koenig's "There's nothing we can do" reinforces Simmonds' self imposed fate, and is a reply to Zantor's earlier line that "it is regrettable that he [Simmonds] should succeed through the use of force".
The theme of premature burial is one closely associated with Edgar Allan Poe, and I'll be reading my Poe anthology tonight to get more of his insights on this. I'm reminded of a horror film with Vincent Price in it, where his wife tries to trick him into thinking he's buried her prematurely; it only drives him insane and into thinking he's his late brother Bartolome, of the Inquisition. Anyone remember what it was called? I thinki it was "Diary of a Madman", but I'm not sure.
To take a slightly gory point here, discounting the possibility of Simmonds killing himself, what would his cause of death be? Suffocation, as he's in a sealed chamber?
There is a talking book of Tales by Poe read by Christopher Lee, which has The Cask of Amontillado and The Black Cat amongst others on it. I played it regularly during my last year as a student, and is well worth getting if you like Poe or Christopher Lee.
More on Terpiloff if I find he was anything to do with the Callan stuff I've got.
From: judas@netmatters44.co.uk (B J Dowling) Date: Thu, 1 Jan 1998 20:44:37 +0000 Subj: Space1999: Re: Earthbound
The boarding tube is circular. In all the other episodes it is rectangular.
I've wondered about where the boarding tube stops and the travel tube begins - there are quite a few scenes where I just can't see where the boarding tube differentiates from the travel tube.
2. Plot Holes: Where does Simmons get his stun-gun? [....]
As Simmonds has a command commlock, he can go pretty much anywhere he wants. Season 2 show a Weapons Section, so it may exist during Season 1. And he shows that he has a very good understanding of the operation of Alpha by going straight to the power section after arming himself.
3. Artwork / visuals: Costumes were so-so. What are those bubble shaped things that look like payphones outside the travel tubes in the scene where Simmonds and Lee get in the tube to go to the ship.
Isn't there a scene somewhere where they're seen in use? I had them down as pay video phones. In the UK, they were used as soundproof domes for payphones during the 70s and early 80s.
5. Dialog Triumphs: "The Commissioner is DISEASED." - Just the WAY Lee says it and that little smirk on his face makes me wonder if Zantor didn't insist to Simmonds that a matrix was necessary on purpose.
Yup, I thought something like that.
10. Bottom Line: Good idea to cast Christopher Lee against type in a good-guy role.
Good idea to cast Christopher Lee, period!
Kind of draggy in spots, however. I give this one a B- / C+. Not bad, but not great either.
Personally, I'd give it a B-. The model work isn't the best, but we do see Christopher Lee, more of Alpha and the back of Simmonds.
Kind of like "Earthshock" (Doctor Who) where we see the back of Adric.
From: Patricia Embury (Patriemb@sprintmail44.com) Date: Thu, 01 Jan 1998 20:03:48 -0500 Subj: Re: Space1999: Earthbound
The boarding tube is circular. In all the other episodes it is rectangular.
Are you talking about the boarding tube from the Eagle? I thought it was meant to be like a "universal docking tube", although it is awfully convenient for the Alphans to have such a piece of equipment!
From: Patricia Embury (Patriemb@sprintmail44.com) Date: Thu, 01 Jan 1998 20:24:51 -0500 Subj: Re: Space1999: Earthbound
To take a slightly gory point here, discounting the possibility of Simmonds killing himself, what would his cause of death be? Suffocation, as he's in a sealed chamber?
Hypoxia(lack of oxygen), probably not, he doesn't have an unlimited supply, and eventually the O2 will be replaced by CO2 when he exhales. His CO2 levels would increase to the point where he would fall asleep.
Starvation: Definitely a contributing cause, but an ugly way to go for the first couple of days. More likely dehydration would get him sooner. A person can live without food for about a week without artifical supplementation, i.e, iv fluids, but dehydration will get you sooner. The body is composed of mainly water, and requires water for essential enzyme reactions, oxygen transport (although blood is thicker than water, :) you need water to keep the blood from getting too thick). Without water/fluids, you will run into a condition called Rhabdomyolysis. Your kidney tubules get clogged with the byproducts of the protein in your muscles breaking down to create energy to keep the body alive. Since the kidneys can't filter, they fail. Once renal failure starts, there is a cascade that will lead to the other organ systems failing. There will be a buildup of acid in the bloodstream due to the loss of the kidney's buffering system. The acidosis will depress his heart function, his lungs will fail from adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) the liver won't be able to filter and detoxify the additional waste products in the bloodstream, and he'll become even more confused, disoriented and "wacko" than he already is.
I'm sorry if this is more than you were interested in hearing. People have written very long books on the subject! When you hear about people who have fallen and laid in the same spot for a few days, they frequently develop Rhabdo. We usually see a couple of cases a year where I work. So, all you Alphans, be careful when you've had too much of Tony's Ale, and fall into a crater! (or a snowdrift, if you happen to live in NY!)
From: "Ellen C. Lindow" (sfdxb@scfn.thpl44.lib.fl.us) Date: Thu, 1 Jan 1998 20:42:34 -0500 (EST) Subj: Space1999: Earthbound thoughts
One of my favorite things about this episode is the open ending. Did Zantor mean to kill Simmonds or was it an accident? Personally, I think he just didn't tell Simmonds what was necessary. If questioned, I expect he'd say that Simmonds didn't ask him about preparing a matrix, so he didn't do it. Enigmatic. I like that.
Still, what a nasty way to die. I expect it would be suffocation. I wonder when the ship would remove the atmosphere, in the ship proper, or if it already had. The alphans supplied the air when they first entered the ship. It was also 0-g, and Simmonds still had gravity, lights and air. If the ship's computer was keeping the grav and lights on, I expect it would also keep the air on, so Simmonds would then die of dehydration. Nasty way to die, stuck in a little box, with your own waste products building up, for what, several days at least. How long does it take to die of dehydration?
the Zantor/Helena thing was quite interesting. The low-key, polite flirting was something they both enjoyed a great deal. Perhaps, as an alien, he was someone she could be attracted to without putting her emotions completely at risk. It's a lot easier to flirt with someone who is 'safe' rather than a potential mate.
The blue Jeannie-bottle ship was really cool. I've always loved it. The inside reminded me of Jeannie's bottle too with the curtains ascending to a point in the middle. These guys sure weren't into conservation of space were they?
All in all, it's one of my favorite episodes. E
From: djlerda@juno44.com Date: Thu, 01 Jan 1998 21:00:23 EST Subj: Re: Space1999: Earthbound
Are you talking about the boarding tube from the Eagle? I thought it was meant to be like a "universal docking tube", although it is awfully convenient for the Alphans to have such a piece of equipment!
Yes, the tube from the Eagle to the Kaldorian spacecraft. In other episodes like "The Testament of Arkadia", the Eagle boarding tube is rectangular. What I have never been able to figure out is where does that tube go when it is not in use?
Also, Brian Dowling wrote:
As Simmonds has a command commlock, he can go pretty much anywhere he wants. Season 2 show a Weapons Section, so it may exist during Season 1.
Wouldn't the armory have a guard posted? I would imagine he would have to overpower somebody. He couldn't just point a commlock at the door and say "Open Sesame", grab a gun and run. Also, I would think Kano would be able to deactivate Simmond's stolen commlock in just a few keystrokes rendering it useless before he could get into an armory.
Just being picky. :-)
David J Lerda, djlerda@juno.com
From: Patricia Embury (Patriemb@sprintmail44.com) Date: Thu, 01 Jan 1998 21:53:31 -0500 Subj: Re: Space1999: Earthbound thoughts
One of my favorite things about this episode is the open ending. Did Zantor mean to kill Simmonds or was it an accident? Personally, I think he just didn't tell Simmonds what was necessary. If questioned, I expect he'd say that Simmonds didn't ask him about preparing a matrix, so he didn't do it. Enigmatic. I like that.
I liked it also, especially after Zantor says "I understand, the Commisioner is "diseased". Perfectly delivered by Christopher Lee.
Still, what a nasty way to die. I expect it would be suffocation.
I would think the ship's computer would have disabled/removed the atmosphere upon take-off, resumption of its journey. Dehydration will kill a person in a couple of days or so. I'm not sure how much oxygen would be left in one of those cylinders- maybe a few hours worth? There would probably be a low level pumped in, to keep the crew "alive" even though they are in suspension, and their metabolic needs are nil, some oxygen should be maintained/may be needed by them.
From: Patricia Embury (Patriemb@sprintmail44.com) Date: Thu, 01 Jan 1998 21:59:42 -0500 Subj: Re: Space1999: Earthbound
Yes, the tube from the Eagle to the Kaldorian spacecraft. In other episodes like "The Testament of Arkadia", the Eagle boarding tube is rectangular. What I have never been able to figure out is where does that tube go when it is not in use?
The tube looked pretty flexible, almost "springy". I wonder if they had looked at a slinky and said "what if..." I thought it just recessed into the side of the module, to form an airtight seal around a downed Eagle. It should, however, cause somewhat of a bulge in the side of the module, wouldn't you think?
Wouldn't the armory have a guard posted? I would imagine he would have to overpower somebody. He couldn't just point a commlock at the door and say "Open Sesame", grab a gun and run.
The explosive store in season 2 was left unguarded in the "Catacombs" episode. I tend to agree with the overpowering someone argument.
Just being picky. :-)
That's what makes it so much fun! :)
From: Floyd Resler (floydresler@earthlink44.net) Date: Fri, 02 Jan 1998 03:45:47 -0500 Subj: Space1999: Earthbound
Some have mentioned that the miniature work on this episode was not very good. I feel that one of the best special effects shots of the entire series occured in this episode. It was when the Eagle was on its way to Zantor's ship. The Eagle was flying over the lunar landscape and its shadow followed below on the lunar surface. I loved that scene.
Overall, I thought the episode did drag a bit. However, the ending was well worth it. From the time "Lunar Time" appears on Simmond's comlock (when he realizes he's not approaching Earth) to the end is superb. Roy Dotrice did an excellent job potraying a terrified Simmonds at that point. You could also tell that the Alphans were glad to be rid of Simmonds but they didn't like what happened to him. I rememberd the first time I saw the episode, Simmonds' fate haunted me for weeks. I couldn't image what it would be like to slowly die like that.
From: Bill Greer (bgreer@tricon44.net) Date: Fri, 2 Jan 1998 10:44:19 -0500 Subj: Re: Space1999: Earthbound
One thing I haven't seen mentioned in the Earthbound discussion - and forgive me if it has been and I've missed it. There is a humorous blooper near the end when Simmonds is screaming to get out of the chamber. If you watch closely, you'll see one of the aliens sit up - as if he thought the scene was over or that filming had stopped.
Bill
William B. Greer
Assistant Professor of Economics and Business
Milligan College
Johnson City, Tennessee USA
From: Jeff Hudson (jeff@grcmc44.org) Date: Fri, 02 Jan 1998 17:34:51 -0500 Subj: Re: Space1999: Earthbound
Roy Dotrice did an excellent job potraying a terrified Simmonds at that point. You could also tell that the Alphans were glad to be rid of Simmonds but they didn't like what happened to him. I rememberd the first time I saw the episode, Simmonds' fate haunted me for weeks. I couldn't image what it would be like to slowly die like that.
The futuristic equivilant of being buried alive! One of the worst fears of all.
From: Jeff Hudson (jeff@grcmc44.org) Date: Fri, 02 Jan 1998 17:32:04 -0500 Subj: Space1999: space1999 episode by episode
I have enjoyed reading the discussions going on episode by episode. I haven't been able to participate because I don't have all the episodes on tape. I am getting the videos from Columbia House every month but unfortunately, they are not releasing them in the original order. As everyone is talking about Earthbound, I'm now receiving Voyager's Return/The Exiles. It would have been better for Columbia House to release the tapes in the original order. I wonder what kind of thought was given to the original airing order of the episodes. One neat thing about the way Columbia House is releasing the episodes is that they bundle one season 1 with a season 2 and you can really compare the differences in style when you watch one of these tapes. At the same time, some things never change- Both Voyager's Return and The Exiles feature alien races which look human and speak perfect english.
From: LKJ1999 (LKJ1999@aol44.com) Date: Sat, 3 Jan 1998 16:58:40 EST Subj: Space1999: Earth Bound blooper !
There is a humorous blooper near the end whan Simmonds is screaming to get out of the chamber. If You watch closely. You'll see one of the aliens sit up.
Well I have to say I never noticed that blooper before !
So I played that scene on laserdisc. And there it was !!
Keep up the good work All...
Chas P. LKJ1999
From: jcg@vh44.net Date: Sun, 04 Jan 1998 18:07:00 -0500 Subj: Space1999: Earthbound
My notes on this episode are very few. It is good...period.
Nothing but nitpicks here...this is a good episode.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: There were further comments about 'Earthbound' in the next thread on 'Another Time, Another Place'.]
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