Episode by Episode:
'A Matter of Balance'
From: South Central (Tamazunchale@web44tv.net)
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 11:03:10 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Space1999: Episode by Episode
This week's episode for discussion is A MATTER OF BALANCE (an
appropriate title this time). Discussion goes from Monday, September 21
(yesterday--sorry, I'm late) to Sunday, September 27.
Mateo
From: South Central (Tamazunchale@web44tv.net)
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 12:19:03 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Space1999: A Matter of Balance
OK. Somebody explain this to me. Is or is not the planet made of
anti-matter (a la Terra Nova)? If so, why can they land on it?
If not. If the people ONLY became anti matter, then why are their
paintings of evolutionary digression on the walls of the temple? Who
painted them? The people couldn't have done so if they were anti-matter
and the temple and planet were matter.
WHY would they paint such paintings BEFORE the cataclysm that changed
them into anti-matter?
Why not have the Alphans put moon rocks in the cabinet instead of a
human being?
Once again, I feel, we have a writer who does not have his/her central
concept clearly in mind. Reminds me of that hokey ST:TNG episode where
La Forge and Ro are out of phase with the Enterprise D. They can walk
THROUGH WALLS and ON decks--a complete contradiction.
Also how many days since leaving Earth orbit? How old was Shermeen when
they left orbit?
The one thing I liked was seeing Alphans envious of "landing parties".
Planetfalls must be far and few between. It is only logical that
Alphans would get upset seeing only the command staff get to do any
exploration.
AND before anyone else does it, let me say--WHAT'S WITH THAT OUTFIT?
Mateo
From: LKJ1999@aol4tag.com
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 15:31:13 EDT
Subject: Space1999: A big blooper, Matter of Balance
Can anyone tell what the big blopper is on Matter of Balance...
I know what it is!!! Do you...
Chas P. LKJ1999
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 16:20:18 -0500
From: Ryan Case (moonbasealpha@mind44spring.com)
Subject: Space1999: Matter Of Blooper
Hi gang,
I had to respond to this one!
The blooper in Matter Of Balance comes near the beginning of the episode.
It's so fast that you can hardly see it, BUT! In one frame of film you can
actually see the board they hold up in front of the camera, just before they
begin to shoot.
I can't recall the name of it, but it's famous line haunts every film ever
made..
"Matter Of Balance, take two" CHOP!
Vague answer, at best-
Ryan
From: LKJ1999@aol4tag.com
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 18:31:33 EDT
Subject: Re: Space1999: Matter Of Blooper
That's it!!! You got it!!!
Chas P. LKJ1999
From: djlerda@juno.com
Subject: Re: Space1999: A big blooper, Matter of Balance
Date: Tue, 22 Sep 1998 19:22:08 EDT
The whole episode is a big blopper. A big, foul smelling load of blopper.
From: Ariana (ariana@ndirect4tag.co.uk)
Subject: Re: Space1999: A Matter of Balance
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 09:58:57 +0100
Mateo wrote:
>If not. If the people ONLY became anti matter, then why are their
>paintings of evolutionary digression on the walls of the temple?
You know, I watched this episode just the other day (as a dutiful list
member) and I asked myself exactly the same question. I assumed originally
that they had done the paintings before becoming anti-matter. But that then
begs the question of when they doodled a picture of the cataclysm (that
reminds me of Monty Python's Holy Grail -- "He wouldn't *write* Aargh, he'd
just *say* it"!)
>Once again, I feel, we have a writer who does not have his/her central
>concept clearly in mind. Reminds me of that hokey ST:TNG episode where
>La Forge and Ro are out of phase with the Enterprise D. They can walk
>THROUGH WALLS and ON decks--a complete contradiction.
ROFL! An episode I have yet to see, but a *famous* blooper.
>Also how many days since leaving Earth orbit? How old was Shermeen when
>they left orbit?
I think there has been discussion of the "teenage crush" before -- my
personal theory was that Maya meant the crush was "teenage", not Shermeen
herself.
Some other things about Shermeen. First of all, what kind of a name is
*that*? Secondly, the girl playing her was either dubbed or couldn't make up
her mind whether she was supposed to be English or American. I thought she
was very pretty, though, which I suppose was her only raison d'être in the
episode anyway.
>AND before anyone else does it, let me say--WHAT'S WITH THAT OUTFIT?
Hehe. I'm sure the last thing Shermeen was expecting to see in her room was
a transparent Mr. Clean!
I carefully reviewed the episode for possible MiSTing, but found it even too
pedestrian for that -- I'd have more fun with, say, All That Glisters or One
Moment Of Humanity (both of which I watched yesterday). That "Red is death!"
deserves to have fun poked at it. <g>
Emma
From: djlerda@juno.com
Subject: Re: Space1999: A Matter of Balance
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 11:43:08 EDT
As a side note, Lynn Frederick (Shermeen) was married to Peter Sellers.
I don't know if she was married to him at the time the episode was made.
If I recall she died quite young (early 40's) from cancer.
David J Lerda
From: "Brian Dowling" (hellion@easy44net.co.uk)
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 22:17:44 +0100
Subject: Space1999: A Matter Of Balance
Hi folks,
Once again we seem to be headed for Bernard Matthews country here,
with a story which isn't very well conceived and the implementation of
which is quite laughable in places.
For those who have not heard of Pip and Jane Baker, they have also been
responsible for many of the stories which are widely regarded by Doctor
Who fans as the worst of the whole series. Much as I love Bonnie
Langford and Sylv McCoy, the story "Time And The Rani" is truly awful
and one of the few Who stories at which I cringe in horror and
embarrassment.
Again we have a story where the guest stars were total unknowns to me
when first I watched the ep about four years ago. Discovering the Goon
Show around that time as well, I soon found that Lynne Frederick was
Peter Sellers' wife but have heard nothing since of Stuart Wilson. Can
you fill me in on him please, Simon?
The teenage crush thing with Tony shows a couple of things - Tony doesn't
take advantage of the immature Shermeen even though she's a nice
looking lass. Possible parallels with Maya here on the love thing? Saying
that, Maya's comments to John at the end of the ep suggest that she does
know something of love and romance related matters.
Bedtime calls, more later.
From: "Simon Morris" (simes01@global44net.co.uk)
Subject: Re: Space1999: A Matter Of Balance
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 01:17:49 +0100
> but have heard nothing since of Stuart Wilson. Can
> you fill me in on him please, Simon?
Well actually Brian I don't think I can....*yawn* (sorry I've had a busy shift
at work and ready to hit the sack...) He's been around since the 1970's. I saw
him in a 1973 episode of the Thames TV/Euston Films series SPECIAL BRANCH (the
episode "Double Exposure,I think). Also I believe he was in a BBC Scotland
adaptation of the Desmond Bagley novel RUNNING BLIND a few years ago. I do know
that he is still acting and I understand that he is quite busy. He popped up
the other week on TV in a feature film but for the life of me I can't remember
what it was,and a lot of his work is in films. Certainly I knew of him when I
first saw this episode in 1976 anyway. He's also been in a few of these HBO
American mini series that are shot in England. He's one of these actors
who-when they are on screen-everyone recognises but can't put a name to. Except
me of course. Sad eh?
Lynne Frederick I only knew of as a very young bride to Peter Sellers. She
wasnt a very experienced actress but I suppose this contributed to her
performance as a basically naive Alphan in the episode. I never really
understood though why she was cast in the role....
I shall try and put some thoughts together on this episode nearer the weekend
but I have to admit I quite like it. Yes its rather dumb,the dialogue stupid in
places and Stuart Wilson's costume a disgrace to the fashion industry. But
that's the episode's charm folks.
And so to bed. Goodnight!
Simon
From: David Acheson (dkach@hot44mail.com)
Subject: Space1999: A MATTER OF SHERMEEN
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 20:45:02 EDT
I would definitely put A MATTER OR BALANCE (tied with ALL THAT GLISTERS)
as the worst possible SPACE: 1999 episode. Never liked it as a kid
during its original run and it just gets worst as time moves on. Today
it looks like a bad teen drama with a lot of bad science.
I understand the script was from Pip and Jane Baker who I believe had
written for DOCTOR WHO. It shows. No disrespect meant to the Bakers or
to the Doctor (I actually like that show) but that program was
specifically made as a cheesy romp. 1999 was meant to be a lot more
serious and I just don't believe the Bakers managed to get quite the
right feeling of the 1999 atmosphere. Surprisingly, this story makes
Freiberger seem like Shakespeare and THE TAYBOR seem like high brow
comedy. I have no idea if the Bakers written for other series but this
entry just did not have anything going for it from the start.
One of both season's more illustrious directors, Charles Chrichton,
directed this episode but nothing great from him either. A bit
embarrasing considering the excellent Episodes he gave us (favourites
include GUARDIAN OF PIRI, WAR GAMES and THE METAMORPH). Then again, I
would suspect there was no inspiration from the material.
1999 has handled science badly on occassion but anti-matter was always
the one area they just never did quite convincingly. However, the more
serious attitude and the showcase for Barbara Bain makes MATTER OF LIFE
AND DEATH worthwhile. Like Terra Nova, wouldn't the arrival of the moon
create havoc on the anti-matter Sunim? Why are anti-matter people
transparent? In fact, how could Shermeen even see Mr. Clean (aka
Vindrus). At least, Lee Russell or whatever he became was given some
sort of temporary form of matter before he ended up as anti-matter and
disintegrated. Why would an anti-matter race evolve backwards?
Unfortunately, this sad story was not saved by great characters. Koenig,
Maya and Tony were reduced to supporting characters (Helena even more so
- I can't even remember if Alan or Sandra were in it) and the episode
became the SHERMEEN WILLIAMS SHOW. If she was a well written and
interesting character it could have been the saving grace. However,
Shermeen was a stereotypical young hysterical female more interested in
dating than in being a serious scientist on a lunar station. Makes one
wonder how Ms. Williams ever passed the testing to get a tour of duty on
Alpha. As for acting? Did (the late) Lynne Frederick get the role just
because she was Mrs. Petter Sellers?
A bit of trivia. The then unknown actor who played Eddie Collins was
Nicholas Campbell. He is a fellow Canadian (I don't know why he was in
England during the filming of this) and has gone on to be mainly a
character actor for many Canadian and American made TV movies. You know,
one of those faces you see all the time but never know the name. This
fall, he is getting his own series on the CBC. Something about a coroner
- much like QUINCY only set north of the US.
Thankfully, despite some more abysmal moments, 1999 never sunk lower
than this. In fact, some better year two stuff was still to come thus
the series was far from a total write off.
David Acheson
From: LIKECOPSSA@aol4tag.com
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 23:30:31 EDT
Subject: Re: Space1999: A Matter Of Balance
As we sit here and discuss whether we liked or disliked "A Matter of Balance"
could we say a prayer for Lynne Fredricks? The way I look at is she left
herself a legacy, as the following of 1999 will go on for decades....
Gary
From: djlerda@juno4tag.com
Subject: Re: Space1999: A MATTER OF SHERMEEN
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 01:29:10 EDT
>Why would an anti-matter race evolve backwards?
This question reminds me of an episode from the animated Star Trek series
(in many cases as good as the original) called "The Counter-Clock
Incident." In that episode, the Enterprise is drawn into a black hole
and is propelled into an alternate universe where people age backwards.
That is, they are born as fully grown adults and die as children.
Anybody else out there remember it?
David J Lerda
From: keith.marshall@fox44internet.net
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 98 15:19:15 GMT
Subject: Re: Space1999: A MATTER OF SHERMEEN
that was the same plot of the Orkan race in 'Mork & Mindy' as well remember
Jonathen Winters?
Keith Marshall
From: "Brian Dowling" (hellion@easy44net.co.uk)
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 21:41:06 +0100
Subject: Re: Space1999: A MATTER OF SHERMEEN
Three words:
Red Dwarf - Backwards
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 17:36:50 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Anthony D." (atd64@yahoo4tag.com)
Subject: Re: Space1999: A MATTER OF SHERMEEN
That theme was used on an episode of Voyager too. Also, isn't that the
theme of the new Star Trek movie? I'm not sure.
Anthony
From: "Ariana" (ariana@ndirect4tag.co.uk)
Subject: Re: Space1999: A Matter Of Balance
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 09:23:49 +0100
>The teenage crush thing with Tony shows a couple of things - Tony doesn't
>take advantage of the immature Shermeen even though she's a nice
>looking lass. Possible parallels with Maya here on the love thing?
Well, this does take place after The Beta Cloud. Maybe Maya got over her fit
of pique and has been taking private lessons. ;))
Could also explain why Tony's not really in a position to take advantage of
anyone -- it's a small base and you can imagine the punishment for
inappropriate behaviour would be some pretty severe gossiping...
Emma
From: "Brian Dowling" (hellion@easy44net.co.uk)
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 21:41:06 +0100
Subject: Re: Space1999: A Matter Of Balance
> Well, this does take place after The Beta Cloud. Maybe Maya got over her
> fit of pique and has been taking private lessons. ;))
The mind boggles... :-)
> Could also explain why Tony's not really in a position to take advantage
> of anyone -- it's a small base and you can imagine the punishment for
> inappropriate behaviour would be some pretty severe gossiping...
Yes, 280 people probably equates to a small village and I've heard how
quickly gossip can spread through village communities. It would also put
a severe dent in his ability to command respect. Sandra, on the other
hand, reveals only cute smiles and keeps the rest well secret... :-)
From: djlerda@juno4tag.com
Subject: Re: Space1999: A Matter Of Balance
Date: Thu, 24 Sep 1998 17:29:22 EDT
Yes, Sandra is what we men would call "a great date." :-)
David J Lerda
[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following comes from another thread (which I do not have
archived at this time), which joins this thread as of this note. Follow? :-]
From: "Ariana" (ariana@ndirect4tag.co.uk)
Subject: Re: Space1999: Miscellaneous Topics
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 12:48:22 +0100
[Petter wrote:]
>By the way, I look forward to your comments on MATTER OF BALANCE, especially
>hearing your expert comments on the Pip and Jane Baker team who wrote
>the episode. By the female protagonist and the general content and structure
>of the plot this feels very much like a Barbara Cartland sort of thing.
ROFL! You obviously haven't been reading much Barbara Cartland, Petter! I
was forced to read *two* of her so-called novels onto cassette for the
Blind, and I can tell you the only pleasure I got out of it was putting on a
cretinous cutesy accent for the heroine. I think you're being a tad unfair
to the unfortunate episode. :)
On reflection, however, there are quite a few "feminine" themes in this
episode (oh here we go, male vs female... bear with me). To a certain
extent, one could say this is a sharp contrast to the "male" themes, er, I
mean *theme* of The Beta Cloud -- defeating monsters is a great outlet for
testosterone. ;P
There is the female protagonist, a kind of "Mary Sue" (explanation follows)
character we've never seen before and will never see again. Taken at face
value, Petter is right, the gist of the story is classic Mills and Boon (or
Harlequin) fare, or at least the sort of thing you might find in a teen
flic:
The heroine, who even has a Barbara Cartland-type name, starts off by having
a crush on someone who is totally inappropriate for her. Tony is too much
older, not interested, and already involved with someone else. Meanwhile,
she is ignoring the obvious candidate for her affections, Eddie Collins, who
is the same age, works on the same department, and is obviously interested
in her.
Enter Vindrus, a transparent Mr Clean who after initially frightening her,
somehow seduces Shermeen into helping him. She does, perhaps partly out of
spite for all those "adults" -- Tony included -- who don't understand her,
and partly because she is captivated by Vindrus. Ultimately, it turns out
her trust was misplaced: her mother evidently didn't tell her it was
dangerous to talk to men made of anti-matter -- or maybe Shermeen just
wasn't paying attention. Reduced to anti-matter for being a silly girl,
Shermeen has to wait patiently for Maya, Tony and Koenig to come and save
her.
Having learned her lesson -- keep away from strange men -- Shermeen gives
Tony the cold shoulder and this time chooses the right love interest, her
friend Eddie who was waiting all along.
Now I've put it like this, I realise the episode is actually absolutely
*awful*. I knew I didn't particularly like it, but now I know exactly why,
it has plummeted even further in my opinion. I think Space Warp has just
been promoted off last position in my esteem! (well, let's not exagerate ;).
Perhaps I should explain why I called Shermeen a "Mary Sue". That's a term
used in Star Trek fan fiction circles to indicate a non-regular character
created to realise some wish fulfilment on the (female) author's part. More
specifically, a Mary Sue is young, female, beautiful, good at everything and
everyone loves her -- in fact, the only thing that would have made Shermeen
more of a Mary Sue is if Tony *had* been interested in her (but then, maybe
the writers didn't want Maya to rip the poor fellow into spaghetti ;)
Anyone else care to comment?
Emma
From: djlerda@juno4tag.com
Subject: Re: Space1999: Miscellaneous Topics
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 11:43:08 EDT
The episode was awful. If it had been a German officer, it would have
been hung at Nuremberg.
From: "Petter Ogland" (petter.ogland@dnmi4tag.no)
Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 09:45:24 +0000
Subject: Space1999: A Matter of Balance
> On reflection, however, there are quite a few "feminine" themes in this
> episode (oh here we go, male vs female... bear with me). To a certain
> extent, one could say this is a sharp contrast to the "male" themes, er, I
> mean *theme* of The Beta Cloud -- defeating monsters is a great outlet for
> testosterone. ;P
Interesting point, A MATTER OF BALANCE as a feminin counterpart to BETA
CLOUD. I like that. A MATTER OF BALANCE just as silly as THE BETA CLOUD,
but seems to rely on a romance factor where THE BETA CLOUD goes for
violence and suspence.
[Snip lots of quoting of Emma's note.]
Wonderful analysis, Emma. In fact, this is the most insightful post
I've ever read about A MATTER OF BALANCE. I wonder, are the Pip and Jane
Baker contributions to other series, such as DR WHO, similar "Barbara
Cartland" stories?
> Now I've put it like this, I realise the episode is actually absolutely
> *awful*. I knew I didn't particularly like it, but now I know exactly why,
> it has plummeted even further in my opinion. I think Space Warp has just
> been promoted off last position in my esteem! (well, let's not exagerate ;).
Heh heh. I can't wait to read Simon's comments on this episode. As far
as I've noticed he is the only one who has said anything positive about
this episode so far, even going to the point of admitting that he likes
it. :-)
Quite frankly, I must admit I seem to enjoy it a bit too. Even if it is
absolutely *awful* as you rightly put it, at least it deals with
characters and emotions. It is not too unlike THE LAMBDA FACTOR in that
respect, although much of the location shooting seem like amateur super-8
shots on somebodys back yard. Incredibly kitch!
I really look forward to Simon's comments.
Petter
From: Ariana (ariana@ndirect4tag.co.uk)
Subject: Re: Space1999: A Matter of Balance
Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1998 11:29:27 +0100
>Interesting point, A MATTER OF BALANCE as a feminin counterpart to BETA
>CLOUD. I like that. A MATTER OF BALANCE just as silly as THE BETA CLOUD,
>but seems to rely on a romance factor where THE BETA CLOUD goes for
>violence and suspence.
And in classical "male" action fashion, the romance in "The Beta Cloud"
comes more or less as the hero's reward for battling the beast. hehe. I know
I'm talking rubbish here, but it's fun to extrapolate.
>> The heroine, who even has a Barbara Cartland-type name,
BTW, thanks Robert for letting me know Shermeen is a common name in Canada.
Maybe it only *looks* made up. :)
>Wonderful analysis, Emma. In fact, this is the most insightful post
>I've ever read about A MATTER OF BALANCE.
It's probably the only insightful post you'll ever read on the episode. As I
said, I found it so unremarquable it didn't even make me feel like MiSTing
it!
> I wonder, are the Pip and Jane
>Baker contributions to other series, such as DR WHO, similar "Barbara
>Cartland" stories?
You'd have to ask our resident Dr Who expert, Brian. ;)
>characters and emotions. It is not too unlike THE LAMBDA FACTOR in that
>respect, although much of the location shooting seem like amateur super-8
>shots on somebodys back yard. Incredibly kitch!
Ah, now, The Lambda Factor is something else I'm looking forward to
discussing. It's another of those episodes I never forgot. I watched it
again last night for the first time in years, and all I can say is -- Oh
wow, it's thanks to episodes like that that I'm on this list today. (some
nice potential for MiSTing nonetheless <g>)
Emma
From: "Simon Morris" (simes01@global44net.co.uk)
Subject: Space1999: A Matter of Balance
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1998 00:54:39 +0100
Tsk Tsk....I really don't know what so many have you have against this episode.
Personally I enjoy it on every viewing(I'm not sure why,mind you..),and I
certainly prefer it to THE DORCONS and AB CHRYSALIS,neither of which I have
ever really cared for. I probably enjoy it for all the wrong reasons of course
but hey-nobodys perfect.
I think Lynne Frederick was good casting. Clearly a young lady with little
acting experience ( I remember years ago someone commented on her marrying
Peter Sellers-considerably older than her-by saying that her best acting must
have been in faking orgasms...) I still think she projected a certain
naivity and innocence into the role. The problem is that I can't see anyone
else on Alpha being quite as dumb as she was in allowing herself to be led
astray by the 'man-with-the-bulging-briefs',Vindrus. I also have to say that
she nearly qualifies as one of my 'Alpha Babes',being a rather attractive young
lady and all that. Unfortunately she fails to qualify for this honour in the
end as she actually has quite a few lines in the episode,whereas the average
Alpha Babe is there to look pretty but keep her mouth shut (and the performers
wage bill down).
This brings me to Shermeen's voice,and I have to agree here that she speaks
with at least 2 and possibly 3 different accents in the episode. Having heard
her speak in real life I think it is a mixture of Lynne Frederick's natural
accent/her natural accent plus some ill-conceived attempts at an american or
mid atlantic "twang"/somebody dubbing her(and very poorly too). I have no idea
why this was necessary and why she couldn't have used her natural voice
throughout. The other problem with Shermeen is that-apart from being too young
and presumably inexperienced to be on Alpha in the first place-she does display
an immaturity that is quite frankly annoying. Maybe that was intended,but it
doesn't endear her to members of the OnLine Alpha Mailing List!! Well,*I* like
her-she had a lovely smile in the episode after all. What a pity that Lynne
Frederick died so young.
I quite liked the bit at the beginning where Tony is introducing his latest
beer,but IMO this humourous bit was overplayed so early in the episode. I think
it was in the wrong part of the script being in the hook and of course there
are yet more jokes about his beer in the epilogue. Also something that amused
me was that-for once-Helena Russell turns down the opportunity to go down to a
planet on the flimsiest of excuses("sequential lab tests"). This from a woman
who has been everywhere else even when there was little logical need for her to
go. But lets not forget this is to get her out of the remainder of the show so
that Bain can shoot some other episode....This sort of weak and lazy plotting
annoys me. Personally I never felt Helena added much to Planet Missions,but all
of a sudden,for the sake of production necessity,she doesn't WANT to go!!!?
Another continuity/logic problem are the statements that Shermeen has been on
"the first team" (whatever that is) a long time,and that she has been
collecting samples from every place they've been to.
Oh no she hasn't! Neither on Y1 or Y2 (in fact,a botanist rarely if ever was
seen at all...yet maybe they were among the most important staff for
consideration for planet trips?). Convenience again. You can blame Pip and Jane
Baker for this sort of thing and even Fred Freiberger for allowing it at the
editorial stage,but where was Gerry Anderson when this lack of continuity was
displayed?
I always enjoy the Koenig/Maya Lecture on "Antimatter" (seats available at
£4:00 each). Off hand I don't know(or care that much)how accurate it is but I'm
always amused at how thick Verdeschi is portrayed. He gets a PHd at the
University of Rome,yet this little issue confuses him. I mean,its hardly
comparable to the Theory of Relativity in complexity,is it? Quite an amusing
little sequence for me...and I don't imagine its even supposed to be funny....
And another thing I like is Stuart Wilson's performance. I think he is
generally slick and sly and even menacing as an antimatter person(he also oozes
slime,as my girlfriend said),but for some reason goes into hammy overdrive when
he crosses into the Matter world. He's all hooded eyelids and lopsided grins
when he deals with Koenig and Verdeschi. Like he's a different person...... I
won't comment on his costume which is dreadful. He looks like a cutdown version
of the Boy Wonder! But overall I enjoyed Wilson's over-the-top
performance-probably the only way to play it in a costume like that.
Interesting moral dilemma. Vindrus actually admits that his acts are propelled
by self-survival and says the Alphans would do the same if they were in his
position. The Alphans always seem to claim the moral high-ground,yet if they
*were* in the same position,I wouldn't like to bet that Koenig wouldn't act any
differently. This isn't a rose tinted version of Alphan philosophy,but it is
the cynical and probably more accurate human philosophy,i.e.: Look After Number
One. So I've some sympathy for Vindrus....
Once again Maya gets the Alphans out of the mire by transforming into Shermeen
and convincing Vindrus that she never went over fully into the antimatter
world. Fair enough,but the usual easy way out.
Lastly, I think that the epilogue was silly rather than humourous. To rely on
Tony's beer making skills for a laugh is ok once in an episode,but not twice.
The idea that he would even consider mixing antimatter ingredients into the
brew is ludicrous and yes,he looked serious enough about it to me!
For all the faults,I like this one. Doesn't pretend to be anything
special,amusingly hammy performances and so forth. I don't know that much about
the writers (not being a Dr Who fan) and I am probably glad they never wrote
any other SPACE 1999. But its an undemanding hour which I do not find as
tedious as some episodes that I could mention.
[EDITOR'S NOTE: First part of above paragraph triggers a thread on
whether the Bakers wrote 'Dorzak']
Anyway..time to go and unwind after a lousy shift at work. OUR MAN FLINT is the
film on the BBC tonight and I'm off to watch it. I always loved that film-and
of course James Coburns cigarette lighter with 82 weapons incorporated in it.
They could have done with one of those on Alpha.
Simon
From: jcg@vh4tag.net
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1998 18:20:35 -0400
Subject: Space1999: A Matter Of Balance
Is Eddie suddenly wearing a jacket in the teaser when he his sitting down,
when earlier in the scene he is not?
Again a lot of dubbing in this episode (I'm not counting the location
scenes.) Problem is Lynne Frederick's voice has been looped by someone
else where dubbing was done.
Well here's the problem: For the sake of one episode, we suddenly have all
this supposed back story where Shermeen has always been on "the first team?"
There's not enough reason for Shermeen to be doing everything Vindrus says.
If they had demonstrated she was under his spell, like after smelling one
of the plants...but they didn't. And why is there no dealing with her by
the others after the crisis is over?
When they return from the planet the first time, why is Koenig still
wearing his pink parka?
Does Vindrus tell Tony his name? I think not.
One little blooper: a door opens before Shermeen's finger reaches the button.
Why is Tony, who has not been on the planet before, leading the run to the
temple?
I like Tony's getting lost in the possibilities of antimatter beer at the
end.