From: South Central (Tamazunchale@web44tv.net) Date: Tue, 8 Sep 1998 09:37:19 -0700 (PDT) Subj: Space1999: Episode by Episode
THIS WEEK: NOITCURTSED FO DEES
From: 7, REBMETPES, YADNOM
TO: 13, REBMETPES, YADNUS
From: "Simon Morris" (simes01@global44net.co.uk) Date: Wed, 9 Sep 1998 15:39:03 +0100 Subj: Space1999: Seed of Destruction
There are some critics who have said that this episode has a cliched,hackneyed plot. Well,I'd like to see a new or original plot in tv sci-fi series. Seems to me that most just re-use the same basic plots in different ways. For me,this is one of the strongest episodes of Year 2 and one of the most enjoyable. I also rate it highly amongst all 48 that were made. It seems to be a good illustration of what Freiberger wanted in the show (dramatic action,strong character interaction,and conflict)and in my opinion is not as "comic book" as some of the Year 2 stories.
The idea of a central character being "taken over" or having a Doppelganger(duplicate) is certainly not new in television. But in this episode the theme is used to best effect at studying each characters reaction to a new threat. Helena does not want to believe that "Koenig" could be acting contrary to Alphas best interests(but is very quicky convinced after sensing that he is "different" to the person she knows intimately).Maya is annoyed and upset at Koenig confining her to quarters,and this indignation leads to her determination to prove that something has happened to Koenig down on the asteroid. Verdeschi feels the need to give his support to Maya. I have a slight problem with this aspect as I think Tony was acting rather hastily to "Koenig's" action against Maya. OK, so "Koenig's" action was harsh compared to his normal behaviour but Verdeschi is so easily convinced by Maya that something is wrong on basically very flimsy evidence. Still,leaving that aside we also have Alan's dogged determination to support his Commander through thick and thin. And why not? After all,they have been through numerous adventures together and there is an obvious bond of trust. I don't see any reason for Alan to be obviously suspicious of Koenig when there is a plausible reason for Koenig's actions to start with(ie: that something on the asteroid poses a terrible threat and he doesn't want to jeopardise any other Alphan).
There are consequently several well-presented character moments in this episode. The tension between Maya and Koenig is well presented,and his disciplinary action against her is quite a shock bearing in mind their previous fairly close working relationship. This makes for an interesting divergence from the norm in the second series. I also believe that Martin Landau is suitably menacing as his "double" in this story. Landua effects a clever change in the tone of his voice when portraying the duplicate,and this is at its best when he first takes over from the genuine Koenig and calls Carter on his commlock to prepare him for lift off. There is a different nuance in his voice and yet still remains recognisable as the genuine article!
The idea of Kalthon as a world in microcosm is a good one,and a strong motivation for what the aliens want to do to Alpha and its people. Yes-its immoral. To seek destruction of others so that a suspended civilisation can be reborn can never be justified and yet....if you were a Kalthon,would *you* do any different? Survival is always shown to be all-important after all. Again there is a compelling element of dramatic conflict here.
A turning point in the show comes when Helena feels how cold the Commander is. That's the point she finally realises that something is very wrong. There is a smashing piece of acting here by Landau as all of a sudden,the "duplicate" manages to change and find the right mix in his behavioural traits and in his voice to momentarily sound exactly like the *real* Commander(too late to convince Helena but its easy to see how other Alphan's are taken in..). Landau changes again into a chilling killer as he orders the Alphans to shoot down Tony and Maya in the Eagle. This is where I do have a slight problem in that- whatever their previous adventures and loyalties to Koenig-I'm not convinced that there wouldn't have been more resistance right from the word 'go' to shooting down the eagle. Leaving that issue aside,the moment is filled with tension and there is another great character moment as Carter's training and discipline finally desert him and he crumbles. There is no way he can shoot down the Eagle,whatever he is ordered. Landau against does a terrific switch as the "duplicate" appears to find the right mixture of words and gestures and appear more like the real Commander. The hesitation and doubt returns to Carter and his quandary is plain to see. I'm not surprised that he gets the upper hand again until the moment he is finally confronted by the genuine Koenig.
For me,the episode succeeds as it is exciting without being the usual collection of action set-pieces that took place in many Y2 episodes. There is a lot of tension but also drama built around unusual conflicts between the lead characters. Each person reacts differently to the situation because in reality that is *exactly* how people would behave! Maya is intelligently used in the episode,Schell is given an opportunity to act,and there is only one transformation used in the episode. In other words there is no over-reliance on Maya's metamorphic abilities to get the Alphans out of the shit...
And finally I think the ending of the episode was just right. I believe that the episode is all the better for ending on Koenig's shaken expression rather than some of the jokey endings tacked on to some episodes(and I liked Derek Wadsworth's quietly reflective (sorry about the pun) theme as the camera pans from Carter's aghast expression down to a pile of dust on the floor...sadly missing from the promo CD).
Good work all round on this episode and particularly from writer John Goldsmith. One of my favourites in either series.
Simon Morris
From: "Atomic Possum" (atomicpossum@toast4tag.net) Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998 18:48:23 -0500 Subj: Space1999: The Seeds of Destruction
This is one of the better episodes of Season Two. The plot is fairly simple: evil force substitutes a double for captured Koenig and tries to steal all Alpha's energy. Of course, Evil Koenig is discovered in the nick of time, everyone safe, yippee.
The good points:
Landau's double role. He actually does a nice job playing the two characters, providing the double with some depth at a few moments when he's trying to convince everyone he's the real article. The character realy seems to be bluffing with sincerity and sympathetically, even as he tricks them into buying his line.
Some intrigue. Tony and Maya mutiny. It's always nice to have some conflict, and it helps to show that characters aren't buffoons and can spot suspicious behavior--I would expect Tony to do this, since, as chief of security, Koenig is one of the people he should keep the most skeptical eye on.
Plus suspicions rolling about, divisions between the characters, the dilemma: "To trust or not to trust," all make a fairly enjoyable soup.
The Bad Points:
Landau's Double Role. I always cringe when Koenig gets hysterical, cause it just seems so over-the-top. I call them Landau's 'slathering' moments, when the spit goes flying. Sometimes they work (COLLISION COURSE) sometimes they don't (BRINGERS OF WONDER), and they seemed to be so much more prevalent in season two.
Koenig's Ruthlessness. I'm sorry, but Koenig seemed awfully quick to pull the plug on Calthon without even a second thought.....I would have liked to see a little more deliberation, perhaps even a different ending where Calthon might even be regenerated (somehow). The double may only have been desperate, after all...Actually, I think they might have had a more interesting plot if the baddies weren't always the two-dimensional type....more sympathetic villians could have made a more interesting season. Ah, well, at least it wasn't some cloud with a noxious laugh.....
The Unmasking. The part in his hair???? GEEZ!!! How cheezy! You mean, if the double had had a pocket comb, he would have gotten away with it? This is the one element that keeps me from showing it to non-fans to show tham what the show is like.....
Jon "Mr. Wonderful" Stadter
From: David Acheson (dkach@hot44mail.com) Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 06:30:21 EDT Subj: Space1999: Seed of Destruction
I haven't been following the episode discussions all that closely lately so I'm glad someone reminded us where we are supposed to be.
Personally, I liked the overdramatic soap opera within the natural disaster that was CATACOMBS OF THE MOON better than SEED OF DESTRUCTION. I thought much of SEED was fairly standard stuff - evil double sent out to undo what the good one did and all who knew the good one are left dazed over such a change in that person. I believe every TV series ever made had an episode similar to this but agree it is much easier for sci-fi to handle. I also had a hard time believing that Kalthon and its life force could be compressed into a small ball awaiting renewal from a large energy source. I also thought the mirror image jacket was corny and too easy a thing for the Alphans to miss even if I did.
Still it wasn't all pathetic. The best parts were the conflicts on Alpha. Here Catherine Schell shined as the one who dared to stand up to Koenig's questionable act and state of mind. I just loved it when Koenig sends her off to her room like some disobedient daughter. I also think Helena was better here than in CATACOMBS. She knows Koenig better than anyone and has a gut feeling something isn't right when the double shows up. This again supports my statement in my CATACOMBS review that it was the conflicts in year two that tended to be the better storylines. Year two has such great potential for human drama (as even Freiberger wanted) but it often was turned into one-dimensional action. With the right producer/writer/director combination year two could have been so much better.
SEED wasn't one of my favourites but it still was better than the silliness of BRIAN THE BRAIN or just the plain bad ALL THAT GLISTERS.
David Acheson
From: Simon Morris (simes01@global44net.co.uk) Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 12:39:39 +0100 Subj: Re: Space1999: Seed of Destruction
Re:SEED OF DESTRUCTION,Dave Acheson commented
I haven't been following the episode discussions all that closely lately so I'm glad someone reminded us where we are supposed to be.
Yes indeed. Can we please move on from RING and keep to our schedule...
I also thought the mirror image jacket was corny and too easy a thing for the Alphans to miss even if I did.
Umm. Regarding that whole business of mirror images/reversals(jackets,hair partings etc),there was an interview with John Goldsmith a couple of years ago where he discussed this script and his involvement with Gerry Anderson over the years. Goldsmith had been a novelist who had been unable(because of some kind of Trade Union closed shop)to break into tv writing until Gerry Anderson gave him a break in 1971/2. Anderson told him to do a script for THE PROTECTORS(at that point still being set up) and that if he liked it and the show went into production,he would buy it. That is how Goldsmith got into TV writing. He then dropped out of TV writing for some time,and it was Fred Freiberger that got him back in to TV writing. Goldsmith heard about Y2,rang Pinewood and was initially told by Freiberger that the series was fully commissioned,but to submit an idea anyway. The script was purchased but re-written from page 1 to 60 at a very early stage because,Goldsmith said,he had not understood what was needed. After that changes were minimal. Goldsmith did say: "There was one thing they put in which was the idea of everything being reversed:a mirror image.The replica Koenig's hair is parted the other side and his badges are reversed. I hadn't thought of that,and it was an improvement."
Still it wasn't all pathetic. The best parts were the conflicts on Alpha. Here Catherine Schell shined as the one who dared to stand up to Koenig's questionable act and state of mind. I just loved it when Koenig sends her off to her room like some disobedient daughter. I also think Helena was better here than in CATACOMBS. She knows Koenig better than anyone and has a gut feeling something isn't right when the double shows up. This again supports my statement in my CATACOMBS review that it was the conflicts in year two that tended to be the better storylines. Year two has such great potential for human drama (as even Freiberger wanted) but it often was turned into one-dimensional action. With the right producer/writer/director combination year two could have been so much better.
Yes I'd agree with most of the above. On that subject, Goldsmith went on to say that with regards to making scripts appeal primarily to American audiences: "What it really boils down to is pace. Whoever worked on Gerry's shows...had to write an American piece.You couldn't have scenes lasting 12 pages with a chap sitting round philosophizing. It goes down great in Hampstead(posh part of London),but they fall asleep in Idaho".
Like I said,SEED OF DESTRUCTION is one of my favourite Y2 episodes.
Simon
From: Patricia Embury (Patriemb@sprint44mail.com) Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1998 19:57:06 -0400 Subj: Space1999: Seed of Destruction
The thing I didn't like about this episode, which, overall, wasn't too bad, is how far Alan went in his blind loyalty to Koenig. I mean, wake up and smell the coffee kiddo. The Commander is acting rather odd, sending most of the base's energy to some planet, and Carter still supports him. I know he went to the planet, and I know he believes Koenig ran into something awful, but the character had more common sense.
I would have liked it better if the duplicate Koenig had attacked Carter in the Eagle, and when they got back to base, he could have had "proof" that something bad happened on the planet to give a rationale that the energy transfer was necessary to save the base; or that Carter attacked him and had to be stunned and placed under observation in Medical for the same reason..
From: David Welle (dwelle@itol4tag.com) Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1998 00:26:49 -0500 Subj: Space1999: Seed of Destruction
This is an interesting episode for a number of reasons. It's not one of my favorites, but one I do enjoy watching.
First off, the jewel-like asteroid is quite interesting. Though the effect wavered between seeming convincing at times and seeming like balled up aluminum foil wrap (which it perhaps is -- anyone know how the effect was accomplished?) at other times, it worked a lot better on the planet itself, later on.
Another enigma in space, an object too small to hold an atmosphere yet having an obviously artificial pocket of air. It's like an invitation, one which the Alphans can't resist, of course -- especially since Alpha is being affected by an energy field that seems to eminate from the asteroid. The pocket of air protects a misty yet very bright and glinting surface (must have been a nearby sun), and John soon leaves the Eagle to explore, while Alan attends to a sudden malfunction in the ship (repeating a device used in a couple episodes, albeit with a bit of a twist here).
Again, there's the fact that John is again on his own, but the reason fits well, and interesting use of that fact is made of that as he enters the cave of mirrors, and suddenly has one reflection of himself hold still when he turns away, transforming from two dimensions to three as it becomes free of the mirror and starts to follow Koenig. Not being a fan of horror which I know tends to make greater use of the "house of mirror" stuff, I find what happens here to be interesting and surprisingly fresh; or perhaps S19 just does it in its own unique way, an excellent trait that this series so often displays. The intent of the suddenly self-driven reflection is left unclear, but is creepy as it follows the real Koenig. The images of multiple reflections of Koenig, mixed with being *followed* by one, is effective, and the way the real Koenig reacts is perfect as he is confronted by the sight of a "living," smiling reflection of himself, and soon ends up knocked out, while his doppelganger boards the abruptly working Eagle (which leaves Alan nonplussed, if I remember) with a crystaline piece of the asteroid, and cutting off Maya's request to gather more information.
To the Alphans, Koenig tells of the powerful threat that the asteroid and its "energy field" presents. He orders that a strong energy beam be set up to target the asteroid to disrupt the energy screen, before it too severely disrupts them. Yet the others are puzzled, and Helena asks Alan what happened on the planet. Helena's worried that he's been "invaded," but Alan presents another "strong" possibility, simply that the commander *did* discover some threat in the cave. Alan, though puzzled by Koenig's tone, still believes in the commander.
Having survived so long under the Commander's leadership, most go along. But Maya, having been cut off once already, and trying to carry out her scientific duties, argues that more data is needed, and pushes, only to get stonewalled --
John: "Are you questioning me?"
Maya: "How can I question what I haven't got?!"
-- and then confined to quarters by a suddenly manic commander. The argument is intense (a tribute to both Martin and Catherine), and Maya's (and everyone else's) surprise shows through effectively, as well as Maya's anger but grudging obedience (after being encouraged to make a graceful exit for now, by a nod from Helena). I also liked how Maya notices that when Helena reached towards John, how the latter draws back. Excellent body language by all.
Maya's sudden dismissal troubles the others, particularly Tony and Helena, but it seems that they largely chalk it up to temper, command stress, and a new threat, perhaps, because by the time Tony drops in on Maya, and he doesn't seem concerned, beyond the fact of Maya being in disfavor. In an attempt to cheer her up, he "parlays with the mutineer," joking about the situation, while Maya pleads, "Tony, I'm being serious." The counterpoint between their opposing moods is effective.
Maya, not having passed through as many challenges as the Alphans had suffered through but survived under the commander, is still something of an outsider, and as such, seems to have a different view of the commander's mood, and senses something more sinister than the others seem perceive. She finally starts getting through to Tony, who starts to half-jokingly, half-seriously, suggest stealing an Eagle, surprising Maya a little, showing a no doubt reassuring faith in her. They decide to wait to talk to Helena first about the possibility of finding the commander medically incompetant. The "mutinous" discussion continues, now between Tony and Helena. The latter is clearly torn (in more excellent acting).
Meanwhile, the real Koenig wakes up, and hears the story of Kalthon. Like the Alphans, the Kalthons encountered a "black sun," and apparently weren't treated as kindly by the mysterious unknown forces inside (I choose the phrase intentionally). They were drained, weakened badly, so they created a sort of "seed," which needs tremendous energy to burst back into life and create a whole new generation of Kalthon. The voice is a sort of automated system, protecting the seed (a little more on this at the end). This seed is looking to be "watered" by Alpha's energy. In a way, the story is reminiscent of Alpha's struggle to get a chance to grow again. Alpha's like a tiny seed itself, ready to grow if only they can find a nurturing world. I like the parallels, which are suggested but not thrown in our face; recognizable but not blatant. This sets up a few themes for later on.
Back on Alpha, Helena, trying to get the commander to submit to a medical exam, has a disturbing encounter with a John Koenig that is much colder than she is used to, and discovers it's not just his mood, but his hands that are chilling. Helena is quite convincingly shook up by the encounter (Barbara Bain shows excellent acting through this episode), and soon joins Tony and Maya, all three now quite concerned. They decide the crystal the commander brought back probably holds some of the vital information Maya wanted, and they decide to try securing a piece of it.
Maya sneaks towards the room it's in, waits to see who leaves and passes by her, then takes the other's form, walking right in with a handy "excuse" and walking out with a piece of the crystal which, back in Maya's room, is found to be "an unbelievably dense, complex type of living matter from which all energy's been drained but it's not dead." Maya's almost tripping over her tongue, spitting out words so fast, in surprise at what she's seeing, describing it in a way that's consistent with what the Voice of Kalthon already told (the real) Koenig back on the asteroid. (Koenig, meanwhile, is frozen into a new mirror after he tried shooting out other mirrors).
Now more concerned than ever, they try to bring in someone else of the growing "mutiny," namely Alan. It backfires to a degree, though, when Alan refuses to go along with it, although he is troubled with some nagging thoughts of his own about the commander, for he doesn't try to get in their way later. This whole scene between Maya, Tony, and Helena on one hand, and Alan on the other, is great. The latter's loyalty to the commander is too strong, yet what happens, or more precisely what *doesn't* happen (Alan warning the doppelganger about the mutiny), indicates the seed of doubt was planted in his mind, and that he has loyalty to his other friends too. I wish there had been a little more indication of this, instead of my supposition, but it still works for me.
Tony and Maya now do go to shanghai an Eagle, but a guard, one of many thoroughout Alpha (a manifestation of the doppelganger's apparent paranoia), tries to stop them. Maya's transformation isn't one of my favorites in how it was carried out (and if I remember correctly, Butterworth's novelization made it downright hideous with perhaps the worst attempt at humor), but the moments leading up to it were hilarious, for Maya declares, "I'm not armed," and the one she addresses more or less lets down *his* guard. If this had been a different situation, one where his actions endangered Alpha rather than ending up helping it a bit, Tony ought to have later reamed out the guard for being so casual with Maya, considering her not being "armed" was hardly the end of danger from her. She can look so innocent, yet pound for pound can be the most dangerous person on the base! Yet at the same time, the guard's easing up makes it appear (perhaps) that his heart isn't into the commander's sudden tyrany.
Anyway, they make off with the Eagle, but now Koenig actually orders Alan to shoot them out of space! He's pushing, and even Alan's loyalty is getting very strained, until he finally outright refuses to carry out the order. It's only Helena, stepping in to point out how shooting the Eagle down will only drain energy away from the main beam he's so paranoid about continuing and even boosting. Alpha's dying by degrees as ever increasing amounts of power is poured into the beam.
Not knowing that an order had been issued to kill them, Maya and Tony reach the asteroid, discover the real Koenig, and free him. He immediately heads towards the Eagle, while ordering the others to attempt to destroy the Heart of Kalthon, using the frequency Maya had already found split these "crystal" structures. It's effective for awhile, until the Heart of Kalthon manages to counter, drawing them through a broken mirror which it recreates, freezing the pair inside.
Finally, back on Alpha, it is Helena who starts rejecting the commander. Alan's still hanging on by a now thin thread of loyalty, but is increasingly shocked by John's increasingly psychotic behavior, including an order to increase the power being beamed out even more, when Alan knows it will destroy Alpha. Alan stalls, and the tension is absolutely thick, until it's snapped hard by Koenig's voice -- another Koenig. This is perfect, but how it plays out after isn't so good.
I would think that the sudden appearance of a second Koenig would verify that the ruthless Koenig that's been running the base to near termination would be a fraud. So I don't like the resolution that follows, where Koenig has to further convince them. Sure, the newcomer's jacket is backwards and the other's looks right, but I'd think Koenig's explanation would be believable enough, if what I already mentioned wasn't enough. Some of the dialog and mood is well acted, but it just rings hollow, until Helena finally declares the obvious and sides with the newcomer against the tyrant and Alan finally changes his mind and shoots at the tyranically imposter. I really was disappointed that the finally, true changing point had to come down to the part in John's hair. I think someone thought this would be clever, and under other circumstances, it could have been, but the build up through most of the episode, showing the commander's increasing paranoia, tyranny, and utter disregard towards the base and its people, makes the "hair part" bit seem far too anticlimatic. The rest is what should have convinced them; it shouldn't have come down to this! It could have worked had there been less evidence developed of the doppelganger's irrationality.
(BTW, Terry Bowers wrote a piece of fan fiction that rewrites the ending to something that she felt would be a lot more satisfying. Unfortunately, though I have the fanzine somewhere, I seemed to have misplaced it, and never got to read the story.)
That same crystal-breaking frequency which Maya had told the real Koenig about is now used by him to destroy the imposter, which, for all its human appearance, reverts back to a two-dimensional nature as it shatters into shards and is further reduced to dust.
Yes, the theme is familiar: an evil copy runs rampant and nearly destroys everyone. Yet it is well- and enthusiastically-played, with a fairly tight plot, until it unravels at the end, excellent characterization, and some interesting side themes, including the point that Kalthon was a damaged world of sentient life, struggling to survive, not unlike Alpha. In fact, some sympathy can be felt for it, but its means are so destructive that Koenig and the Alphans have to destroy it. So one cannot much sympathy, though: Kalthon's automated guardian wouldn't have anything less than everything Alpha could give. Both sides are bent on their survival, but survival of the Kalthons would inflict a fatal price on the Alphans. "The seed is only programmed for survival and resurrection. It cannot make moral choices," the Voice of Kalthon proclaimed. It ends up being a fatal flaw when it attacks Alpha and gets destroyed as a result. It's a little more simple than the complex struggle in "AB Crysalis," to which this episode has some thematic similaraties.
Both also have an automated system protecting the vulnerable life inside. The Crysalids' robots are programmed in a calm way, reflecting the cool (and sometimes cold) logic of their creators. The Kalthon system, at first starting with an even voice, displays much more "emotion," including paranoia and tyrannical tendencies through its own creation, Koenig's "reflection." The machines guarding the Crysalids (my word, lacking any other name) at least had the reawakening sentience to fall back on, while the Kalthon system depended on its instructions, which boiled down to survival by any and all means. Another robotic Guardian was of course "Guardian of Piri," which had the twist of not really guarding anything anymore except its distorted concept of perfection, having driven its people to extinction unknown ages before. I thought the other two were better episodes, but this was effective contrast, at least in that regard.
One problem with this episode I've already discussed: the built-up tension being resolved by the part of the commander's hair. The second was Carter's loyalty. Though loyalty is certainly a good thing, it went to dangerous schemes. I keep thinking of Tony's words: "you dumb, blind kangaroo." It is not entirely out of character, but I still think it was pushed too far, that he took just too long to figure it out.
It was an interesting study in loyalty and faith. I'm reminded of Koenig and Carter in "Collision Course," and how they worked together in other episodes. I can see how Alan would become so loyal, and in fact am disappointed there didn't seem to be more of a friendship between them. Totally blind loyalty is disturbing, though, and this episode shows that. Yet I thought better of Alan than this.
A messy ending, a few too many extremes, and a familiar (though otherwise well written) theme drag this episode down some. Still, there were things of interest, quite a lot of (mostly) excellent acting. The themes were interesting, though more in part by contrast to other episodes than total strength within itself. I suspect the fine acting was what helped improved what would have probably been a mediocre episode, and I especially like the conflict between Koenig's "reflection" and Maya, as well as Helena's interaction with the cold imposter and the others. Indeed, I think it is the conflict on Alpha, as the "reflection" sets Alphans against each other, more than Kalthon itself, that is the true strengh of the episode, albeit not quite enough to get it a high rating.
So I'm a little torn between calling it a 2.5 or a 3.0. It's probably closer to the former, but I'll instead just give it a B- and be done. :-)
My 1.999 cents,
---- David Welle
From: CPerrins1@aol4tag.com Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1998 08:37:28 EDT Subj: Re: Space1999: Seed of Destruction
I really enjoyed this episode for two reasons. I like the plot and the acting. I think all the main characters did excellent jobs.
Christina
From: "Simon Morris" (simes01@global44net.co.uk) Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1998 14:05:07 +0100 Subj: Re: Space1999: Seed of Destruction
David Welle wrote of SEED OF DESTRUCTION:
This is an interesting episode for a number of reasons. It's not one of my favorites, but one I do enjoy watching.
Its certainly a favourite of mine. There are,as David notes,a few problems and I do not find the dialogue anywhere near as effective as in NEW ADAM NEW EVE,whcih I think was one of the best Y2 episodes of all.
Helena's worried that he's been "invaded," but Alan presents another "strong" possibility, simply that the commander *did* discover some threat in the cave. Alan, though puzzled by Koenig's tone, still believes in the commander.Having survived so long under the Commander's leadership, most go along. But Maya, having been cut off once already, and trying to carry out her scientific duties, argues that more data is needed, and pushes, only to get stonewalled --
Well,I should say that all the above was done by John Goldsmith to meet Freiberger's desire for "dramatic conflict". And I think he succeeds admirably,though one problem with is created is that you *do* start getting irritated with Carter for his blind loyalty. Then again,as David later points out,this is very similar to the Koenig/Carter relationship in Y1's COLLISION COURSE,and I guess a nice throwback to that season. Incidentally, I have been reading a few books recently on TV scripting,and they all emphasise that "conflict"is one of the basic necessities of drama(if not the most important). So I would say Freiberger was right on the money with this demand. Only thing is,there was conflict in Y1 already,eg the friction between Koenig and Helena over Tony Cellini in DRAGONS DOMAIN, differences of opinion between Koenig and the Alphans in DEATHS OTHER DOMINION,etc......
I also liked how Maya notices that when Helena reaches towards John,how the latter draws back. Excellent body language by all.
Yes...I noticed this as well. Nicely detailed performance from Catherine Schell. I was reminded of her brief look of unspoken dread when BRIAN THE BRAIN "communicates" with the Alpha computer......
Maya's sudden dismissal troubles the others, particularly Tony and Helena, but it seems that they largely chalk it up to temper, command stress, and a new threat, perhaps, because by the time Tony drops in on Maya, and he doesn't seem concerned, beyond the fact of Maya being in disfavor. In an attempt to cheer her up, he "parlays with the mutineer," joking about the situation, while Maya pleads, "Tony, I'm being serious." The counterpoint between their opposing moods is effective.
I always liked the scene between Tony and Maya,particularly Tony's reference to Captain Bligh. I was never that convinced by the way the Alphans look shocked as Koenig's disciplinary action against Maya,yet seem to explain it away as stress or temper. OK,so Koenig was inclined to short-tempered bursts and shouting at times. But stress or no, his action against Maya never really was convincing to me...one of the problems with the script. Nevertheless the conflict created was interesting!
The "mutinous" discussion continues, now between Tony and Helena. The latter is clearly torn (in more excellent acting).
I was never a huge fan of Barbara Bain or the Helena Russell character,but several Y2 episodes were impressive in handling her character and I also thought Bain rose to the challenge and portrayed a more rounded Helena. l agree that SEED (also CATACOMBS) brought out the best in her.
Back on Alpha, Helena, trying to get the commander to submit to a medical exam, has a disturbing encounter with a John Koenig that is much colder than she is used to, and discovers it's not just his mood, but his hands that are chilling. Helena is quite convincingly shook up by the encounter (Barbara Bain shows excellent acting through this episode).
Yes. One of the few occasions when Bain's acting matches Landau's high standard,I have to say.
Maya sneaks towards the room it's in, waits to see who leaves and passes by her, then takes the other's form, walking right in with a handy "excuse".
The woman whose form Maya takes(can't remember her name offhand) is one of the Alpha "babes" as I call them....the extras who appear as decoration in a few episodes but are never or rarely named. This one was quite nice too(low growl here). The actress who played her,Martha Nairn, I have only ever seen in one other tv show,and that was in the closing few seconds of "The Purging of CI5" episode of THE PROFESSIONALS(about 1979). She played as assassin!
Tony and Maya now do go to shanghai an Eagle, but a guard, one of many thoroughout Alpha (a manifestation of the doppelganger's apparent paranoia), tries to stop them. Maya's transformation isn't one of my favorites in how it was carried out (and if I remember correctly, Butterworth's novelization made it downright hideous with perhaps the worst attempt at humor)..
Ha Ha. I had to re-read Butterworths THE SPACE JACKERS to see what you meant here. In the novel Maya changes to a snarling dog,and once she's dealt with the guard(he goes under when the dog leaps at him,allowing Tony to knock the guard unconscious),she bounds towards Tony with tail wagging,leading him to say:
"Uh uh. Not now ...you can lick me later sweetheart". Yuk. I wonder if this was in the original script?
She can look so innocent, yet pound for pound can be the most dangerous person on the base! Yet at the same time, the guard's easing up makes it appear (perhaps) that his heart isn't into the commander's sudden tyrany.
Yes. I agree on all counts. Certainly I think the guard was uncomfortable at having to disarm his boss. Interestingly,in the novelisation this is made plain: ' "I know you're our chief ," he said a trifle guiltily,"But the Commanders orders overrule everything" '. Actually,it makes you wonder how the shit might hit the fan on Alpha if the genuine Koenig DID ever have a nervous breakdown. Would there still be such blind loyalty to him? Would they still adhere strictly to his orders,howver dumb they sounded? The episode hints half heartedly that there is a fail safe procedure for this (Helena says she can use her authority as Medical Officer to force him to have a Medical Examination)...doesn't work too well does it?
Anyway, they make off with the Eagle, but now Koenig actually orders Alan to shoot them out of space! He's pushing, and even Alan's loyalty is getting very strained, until he finally outright refuses to carry out the order. It's only Helena, stepping in to point out how shooting the Eagle down will only drain energy away from the main beam he's so paranoid about continuing and even boosting. Alpha's dying by degrees as ever increasing amounts of power is poured into the beam.
These scenes are very tense and some of the best in the episode IMO. Good acting by Tate.
Not knowing that an order had been issued to kill them, Maya and Tony reach the asteroid, discover the real Koenig, and free him. He immediately heads towards the Eagle, while ordering the others to attempt to destroy the Heart of Kalthon, using the frequency Maya had already found split these "crystal" structures. It's effective for awhile, until the Heart of Kalthon manages to counter, drawing them through a broken mirror which it recreates, freezing the pair inside.
I wasn't entirely convinced again here. Maya and Tony start blasting away with high frequency sound from their Commlocks (damn useful things those gadgets). Either its going to be totally effective or its not...why did Kalthon suddenly have the means to "freeze" them? Why didn't it do that immediately before they did the damage that they did?
Finally, back on Alpha, it is Helena who starts rejecting the commander. Alan's still hanging on by a now thin thread of loyalty, but is increasingly shocked by John's increasingly psychotic behavior, including an order to increase the power being beamed out even more, when Alan knows it will destroy Alpha. Alan stalls, and the tension is absolutely thick, until it's snapped hard by Koenig's voice -- another Koenig. This is perfect, but how it plays out after isn't so good.
Well,the acting is top notch -especially by Landau playing each part - but the script gets a bit unconvincing,what with the hair parting etc etc. As Goldsmith has said that the mirror image/reversal idea wasn't though up by him(even though he thought it was an improvement),I wonder if Freiberger may have been responsible here....
I really was disappointed that the finally, true changing point had to come down to the part in John's hair. I think someone thought this would be clever, and under other circumstances, it could have been, but the build up through most of the episode, showing the commander's increasing paranoia, tyranny, and utter disregard towards the base and its people, makes the "hair part" bit seem far too anticlimatic. The rest is what should have convinced them; it shouldn't have come down to this! It could have worked had there been less evidence developed of the doppelganger's irrationality.
Right on!
Yes, the theme is familiar: an evil copy runs rampant and nearly destroys everyone. Yet it is well- and enthusiastically-played, with a fairly tight plot, until it unravels at the end, excellent characterization, and some interesting side themes, including the point that Kalthon was a damaged world of sentient life, struggling to survive, not unlike Alpha.
As I have said previously,I haven't seen an original plot in sci-fi for a long time. They're all recycled to a degree-its what each writer does to "twist" them that counts. I like what was done with this episode.
One problem with this episode I've already discussed: the built-up tension being resolved by the part of the commander's hair. The second was Carter's loyalty. Though loyalty is certainly a good thing, it went to dangerous schemes. I keep thinking of Tony's words: "you dumb, blind kangaroo." It is not entirely out of character, but I still think it was pushed too far, that he took just too long to figure it out.
Yes. The need for "conflict" created a couple of slightly unsatisfactory scripts problems. Not enough to detract from the overall quality of the episode IMHO.
It was an interesting study in loyalty and faith. I'm reminded of Koenig and Carter in "Collision Course," and how they worked together in other episodes. I can see how Alan would become so loyal, and in fact am disappointed there didn't seem to be more of a friendship between them. Totally blind loyalty is disturbing, though, and this episode shows that. Yet I thought better of Alan than this.
Indeed. It was a better study in loyalty and faith than the rather heavy-handed CATACOMBS if you ask me!
I suspect the fine acting was what helped improved what would have probably been a mediocre episode, and I especially like the conflict between Koenig's "reflection" and Maya, as well as Helena's interaction with the cold imposter and the others. Indeed, I think it is the conflict on Alpha, as the "reflection" sets Alphans against each other, more than Kalthon itself, that is the true strengh of the episode, albeit not quite enough to get it a high rating.
I thought the ending was a bit rushed,more than messy. A bit more thought would have done wonders,especially with the dialogue. Acting....yes indeed,it was superlative. The character conflict was a big plus in the episode. Kalthon for me was merely an incidental element of the story. I'd give it an A - Dave!
Simon
From: David Welle (dwelle@itol4tag.com) Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1998 19:03:51 -0500 Subj: Re: Space1999: Seed of Destruction
Its certainly a favourite of mine. There are,as David notes,a few problems and I do not find the dialogue anywhere near as effective as in NEW ADAM NEW EVE,whcih I think was one of the best Y2 episodes of all.
No, the dialogue isn't as good as in NANE, where it was superlative, in one of my favorite Y2 episodes. The dialog in "Seed" certainly wasn't as strong, but I was still satisfied, and sometimes impressed, with the best being the fight between John and Maya, and also her conversations with Tony and Helena.
I'd give the dialog A+ in NANE and about a B or so here, offhand.
Well,I should say that all the above was done by John Goldsmith to meet Freiberger's desire for "dramatic conflict". And I think he succeeds admirably,though one problem with is created is that you *do* start getting irritated with Carter for his blind loyalty. Then again,as David later points out,this is very similar to the Koenig/Carter relationship in Y1's COLLISION COURSE,and I guess a nice throwback to that season.
It was only when I started considering that connection in my analysis that I realized his blind loyalty had some degree of explanation -- some. Before, on other viewings of the episode, I thought he was almost off the deep end.
So I would say Freiberger was right on the money with this demand. Only thing is,there was conflict in Y1 already,eg the friction between Koenig and Helena over Tony Cellini in DRAGONS DOMAIN, differences of opinion between Koenig and the Alphans in DEATHS OTHER DOMINION,etc......
Yeah... to some degree. I wasn't impressed with the conflict in "Dragon's Domain," but thought it was good in "Dominion" and some other episodes.
Yes...I noticed this as well. Nicely detailed performance from Catherine Schell. I was reminded of her brief look of unspoken dread when BRIAN THE BRAIN "communicates" with the Alpha computer......
That was a good one too, and when she followed that look up with, "I've got a bad feeling about that machine."
Catherine Schell is consistently great with body language, facial expressions, and emotional tone in her voice. It's these little things that really helped the character a lot, and a reason she's one of my favorite actors.
I always liked the scene between Tony and Maya,particularly Tony's reference to Captain Bligh. I was never that convinced by the way the Alphans look shocked as Koenig's disciplinary action against Maya,yet seem to explain it away as stress or temper.
I guess my use of the word "seems" didn't really indicate what I meant to say. I was a bit doubtful how the Alphans went from confusion over the disciplinary action to Tony seeming too cheery. Yet he really doesn't remain that way for long, so I really think he was trying to cheer Maya up more than anything, and to cover up his own unease. Again, I liked the opposing moods for that stretch. When Maya pleads to be serious, he does get back to his (and Maya's) worries, which is continued in later discussions, which end up focused primarily on mental fitness (stress and the like).
It works well enough for me, after a little thought.
I did like the Captain Bligh reference myself, not only in the way Tony uses it, but also Maya's bewilderment at the reference and at Tony's tone of voice.
OK,so Koenig was inclined to short-tempered bursts and shouting at times. But stress or no, his action against Maya never really was convincing to me...one of the problems with the script. Nevertheless the conflict created was interesting!
I disagree. His *action* is perfectly convincing to me. Maya's pushing for more information, and the doppelganger cannot let her find out too much, and removes her from a position to find out, especially since he really had no way to convincingly argue against her. It fits for me. Unable to argue the merits of her viewpoint, he forcefully gets the last word in a way which is, unfortunately, all too human, even though "he" isn't at this point. I also liked the surprise factor inherent in that moment, and her reaction and that of the others.
I was never a huge fan of Barbara Bain or the Helena Russell character,
Nor I. I was distinctly unimpressed until her strong outings in several Y2 episodes. I often question her decisions and just her general reactions, and feel Y2 largely improved the character, and tempered my continual disappointment with the actor herself in Y1.
but several Y2 episodes were impressive in handling her character and I also thought Bain rose to the challenge and portrayed a more rounded Helena. l agree that SEED (also CATACOMBS) brought out the best in her.
Agreed!
The woman whose form Maya takes(can't remember her name offhand)
Cranston (sp?). Don't recall hearing a first name. The Cybrary might list one.
is one of the Alpha "babes" as I call them....the extras who appear as decoration in a few episodes but are never or rarely named. This one was quite nice too(low growl here).
Ohh, yes. :-)
"Uh uh. Not now ...you can lick me later sweetheart". Yuk. I wonder if this was in the original script?
Oh, you HAD to remind me.... :-)
The episode hints half heartedly that there is a fail safe procedure for this (Helena says she can use her authority as Medical Officer to force him to have a Medical Examination)...doesn't work too well does it?
Possibly half-hearted because they feared making it sound too baldly like the procedure in Star Trek? Or is this common military procedure? Either way, didn't work too well on Alpha. Or maybe it's a new issue for the Alphans, considering that back in Earth orbit, there was also the ILC or other Earth-based leaders to refer such a problem to. Cast off, there were only themselves. Dictatorialism could certainly become a problem, and I liked that it was hinted at here and in other episodes.
He's pushing, and even Alan's loyalty is getting very strained, until he finally outright refuses to carry out the order. It's only Helena, stepping in to point out how shooting the Eagle down will only drain energy away from the main beam he's so paranoid about continuing and even boosting. [....]These scenes are very tense and some of the best in the episode IMO. Good acting by Tate.
He abruptly shouts "JOHN!" as if utterly bewildered at this point, finally waking up to what's happening, while being more personal ("John!" instead of "Commander!"), as if disturbed at a personal level as well.
I wasn't entirely convinced again here. Maya and Tony start blasting away with high frequency sound from their Commlocks (damn useful things those gadgets). Either its going to be totally effective or its not...why did Kalthon suddenly have the means to "freeze" them? Why didn't it do that immediately before they did the damage that they did?
But wasn't that the first broken mirror they actually passed *through* and thus "into?" This allowed Kalthon to reform the "mirror" with them inside, which was exactly who Koenig was trapped too.
As I have said previously,I haven't seen an original plot in sci-fi for a long time. They're all recycled to a degree-its what each writer does to "twist" them that counts. I like what was done with this episode.
What's the hypothesis? That there's only 29 truly unique plot ideas (or was it thematic ideas)? I've heard the saying once or twice, a while back, and never seen an actual list, so I can't really comment on the saying, whatever it exactly is. True or not, it really is what a story makes of it, what twists are used, and what context the plot(s) is (are) used in, the characters integrated into the story, and so on, because there isn't just one dimension to story telling, but more like three (say plot, characters, and themes), which can make for a lot of combinations.
The context question can be interesting. Some people have referred to Star Trek as a sort of Western in space, and I think Roddenberry himself used a phrase like "wagon train to the stars." Plot elements can certainly be compared, and if I look at it in that fashion, can recognize at least some of that. Yet for the similarities, the contexts are different enough that it seems like different stories, and I personally don't see Star Trek as a science fiction western, but simply as science fiction. Drawing lines like this tends to be an exercise in frustration, so I usually don't try to get too specific saying it's this-no-it's-this.
(Yet this reminds me of one movie that really *does* feel like a western in space: "Moon Zero Two," a movie Catherine Schell starred in (1969).
If I couldn't enjoy the differences, and not making too much of the similarities, I'd have long get bored of watching television, movies, and reading fiction. So I'm not sure why I even brought it up the first time. Oh, I know, it's because even with *the* most familiar SF (or general ideas), S19 (both seasons) is usually able to give a unique interpretation or "look," and be convincing about it.
Indeed. It was a better study in loyalty and faith than the rather heavy-handed CATACOMBS if you ask me!
Agreed. Much better.
I thought the ending was a bit rushed,more than messy. A bit more thought would have done wonders,especially with the dialogue. Acting....yes indeed,it was superlative. The character conflict was a big plus in the episode. Kalthon for me was merely an incidental element of the story. I'd give it an A - Dave!
I rethought my concluding rating last night after sending my last note, since I wasn't quite sure what to give it. I still wouldn't give it an A, but I think I'll conclude by calling it an even 3.0 / B.
----
David Welle
From: jcg@vh4tag.net Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 00:33:33 -0400 Subj: Space1999: Seed Of Destruction
Overall I like the arguing and disagreements in this episode. I find them more realistic than the year one typical dialog where they would be wondering out loud about very obvious things, and saying absolutely nothing.
I wonder if the choice of Koenig's pink parka was for visual reasons, rather then his wearing his charcoal grey jacket (more obvious lettering to see backwards on the parka.)
I always thought the title of this episode was a little silly (as in overly dramatic.)
A large part of the dialog in the early command center scene was dubbed...so what went wrong there?
It was the clencher at the end, but someone should have noticed the hair part earlier on.
One oversight with the mirror image is that the right sleeve with the stripe should have then been on the left side...but it wasn't. The same with the tug on the black neck collar where it leads to the zipper...it should have been on the right on the mirror Koenig. It's interesting to wonder how the mirror image Koenig can have shirt details under his jacket when it could not be seen in the mirror. Also, it's difficult to tell with the mirror images in the cave, but it looked like Koenig, after he had been duplicated and had the reverse jacket put on him, was wearing the wrong jacket in at least one of those scenes.
I'm not sure what the purpose was in leaving Tony and Maya on Kalthon (except the dramatic.) If they stop the energy beam, then they win...they don't have to destroy the seed from within.
From the very first viewing, I've always thought that the real jacket should have been on the floor in the dust that remains of the mirror Koenig, and the real Koenig should have had dust on him where his mirror jacket disintegrated after the high pitched sound did it's job.
Interesting the episode ran right up to the end of the tag. No silly summing up in this one.
From: Ariana (ariana@n44direct.co.uk) Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1998 10:01:25 +0100 Subj: Re: Space1999: Seed of Destruction
Simon wrote:
"Uh uh. Not now ...you can lick me later sweetheart". Yuk. I wonder if this was in the original script?
ROFL! Either the author was incredibly innocent, or he had some worrying fantasies about... well, I guess we don't need to drag this list down to the level of some fan speculation about, say, Odo on DS9. <g> Still, it makes you wonder...
Related Threads (in typical Thread Pages format):
Next Chapter: "The Beta Cloud"
Return to Episode by Episode
or to Space: 1999 Metaforms