By Broadcasting Brain
Space: 1999, the first major science fiction television series to follow Star Trek, deserves a second chance at life. Space: 1999, which ran from 1975-77, chronicles the adventures of an international crew of scientists and specialists on Earth’s Moon. Although it was cancelled after two seasons, fans still fondly remember the series. In light of other pop culture recycling that permeates today’s creative content, why not see what can be reused from this series?
As Space: 1999 begins, Commander John Koenig arrives at Moonbase Alpha, charged with ensuring the successful launch of a manned deep space probe after a series of mysterious crew deaths. His old colleague Professor Victor Bergman is there as chief scientist and advisor, while Chief Medical Officer Dr. Helena Russell tries to determine the cause of the deaths. The cause is determined to be radiation poisoning from unstable nuclear waste disposal sites, which explode, blasting the Moon out of Earth’s orbit, on an unknown trajectory at unknown speed, towards open space.
The series is a story of survival, adventure, and hope as the crew of Moonbase Alpha, the only manned settlement not on the Earth, searches for a new home in space. They encounter aliens, other humanoid civilizations, space phenomena, fearsome machines, and have several failed encounters with planets which could have provided homes for the lost Earthlings. You might see some parallels with later series like Battlestar Galactica (both versions) and Star Trek: Voyager.
Despite a small but loyal fan following, Space: 1999 never achieved mainstream popularity. The British TV series did not receive critical acclaim and the lack of popular success led to its cancellation following the end of its second season. The science, the writing, and the acting ranged from awful to the occasional good episode. The second season, designed to inject some action, sex appeal, and humor into the show, destroyed the moody, scary vibe that helped make the series successful in season one. The execution fell flat most of the time and the show was cancelled after year two.
Nevertheless, Space: 1999 made a impression on 1970’s science fiction and it’s still remembered with some fondness today. The series spawned toys, lunchboxes, novels, comic books, and a series of successful fan conventions. A fan-made film, starring one of the original Space: 1999 cast members, served as a coda to the series. The original stars even reunited for a short 19th century parody of the show!
I’ve watched the show at different times over the years and although I’m more aware of its faults, I see lots of potential with the concept. It occurred to me that if someone could (very) successfully remake Battlestar Galactica, why couldn’t someone do the same thing with Space: 1999? Heck, they’re even trying it with Star Trek!
Why couldn’t someone take the best elements of the show and them to re-imagine Space: 1999? The key concept of Earth’s Moon traveling through space would have to be preserved, as would many of the characters and conventions (e.g., Moonbase Alpha, Eagle transport ships, key characters like Koenig, Bergman, and Russell). However, this would be a chance to do it better.
Had I the resources and finances, there are ten things that I would do to make a kick ass remake of Space: 1999.
Sometimes a great idea goes awry as a result of loss of direction or poor execution. There were good idea seeds in Space: 1999 that really deserve a chance to flourish again. Hopefully some brilliant creative crew may someday read this article and use it to launch a new, better Space: 1999.
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Broadcasting Brain (aka Mark Dykeman) was a fanboy geek before it was cool. He fondly remembers $0.50 comic books, seeing the debut of Star Wars Ep. IV and his old Atari 2600. He also writes about social media and stuff at Broadcasting Brain.
Change how the Moon left Earth’s orbit. Author Harlan Ellison put it well: If the explosions occurred on the Dark Side of the Moon (the side that faces away from the Earth), then why didn’t the Moon slam into the Earth? Or fracture and explode for that matter? And, if the Moon is moving that fast, how do small reconnaissance ships ever catch up to it? My solution: a space warp is created that shifts the Moon to a new position in space. Moreover, I would make this “shifting” a regular event that can’t be prevented.
Change the meaning of 1999. Clearly, basing a new SF series in 1999 might be a hard sell. However, there’s still brand recognition that come from the name Space: 1999. Therefore, I would keep 1999 as a recurring value or theme in the reimagined series. The 1999 theme would reveal itself throughout the series in several different ways:
Give bigger roles and more meaning to the secondary characters, as per the reimagined Battlestar Galactica. Minor characters like David Kano (computer expert), Sandra Benes (data analyst), Dr. Mathias (physician), Alan Carter (Chief Eagle Pilot), and Paul Morrow (second in command of Moonbase Alpha) could be developed to add more color to the show.
John Koenig would suffer from some form of mental illness. This could be used to create ongoing tension and suspense in the series, i.e., will he finally crack under the pressure? In the original series, Koenig was a bit uptight and aloof, but he did occasionally explode. The continual possibility of Koeing having a breakdown would make things interesting. Moreover, if people started to doubt his ability to lead, then it would put Paul Morrow into the spotlight and force him to make difficult choices (loyalty to a superior officer vs. the welfare of the entire moonbase crew).
Give the chief medical officer a debilitating illness. What if Helena Russell became horribly sick? I originally thought of cancer, but since that’s awfully close to what happened with Laura Roslin on Battlestar Galactica, I would have Russell develop the symptoms of multiple sclerosis or the same disease that Stephen Hawking has. Let’s turn up the pressure a few more notches!
Compromise Prof. Victor Bergman’s character. Prof. Bergman was the kindly “space uncle” and wise old man of the original series. I’d like to keep that, but at the same time, I think Bergman would have to be compromised in some way. Maybe he’s a double agent of sorts, serving multiple agendas? I think he would be the one who receives the secret signal that I mention in point 2a.
Moonbase Alpha. When I hear that name, I think “the first moonbase.” What if there was more than one moonbase? If there were, what happened to them? I think the stories of other moonbases could tie in to some bigger mysteries in the new series.
Arch-enemy/nemesis. Space: 1999 should have its equivalent of the Cylon, the Romulans, the Shadows, or the Borg. Maybe a race of shape-shifters like the Skrull from Marvel Comics would add some excitement. And, speaking of shapeshifters…
Maya 2.0. Maya was a shapeshifting character introduced in the second season of Space: 1999. She replaced Bergman while providing a love interest for one of the other main characters. She could be a sex-changing sexpot or another Odo. Maybe a traitor?
A purpose for their journey through space. Just as Battlestar Galactica should end when the Colonials reach Earth, the journey of Earth’s Moon through space should lead to some destination. It doesn’t have to be a physical destination, but we do need some answers!
I have fond memories of this show. I would welcome a reimagining of this show. I like a lot of your ideas on how to do it.
Maria Schell’s character was cool.
[...] guest post is humbly entitled 10 Ways To Make a Kick Ass Version of Space:1999. It’s based on the 1970’s TV show, which I talked about in a previous Broadcasting [...]
You mean Catherine Schell – but I agree with ya. Maya was the only really interesting character. Too bad the writers tended to use her as a plot novelty (IMHO).
The character of John Koenig was never really well defined I think. The writers never really settled on a core set of attributes for him. (One episode he’s psychotic and on the verge of insanity, the next he’s cool & calm in the face of total destruction, then the next he shows signs of actually out-thinking his opponents.) Let’s face it: They don’t put you in charge of an entire moon-base if a little stress turns you into a raving lunatic! I always thought he should have been the cool, calm, out-witting type who rarely picks up a weapon.
Personally I thought it was a little odd on many occasions the moon-base itself would be almost completely blown up, yet the next episode it was all back to normal. They never explained how that was possible. I came to the conclusion that the part of the moon-base that we see on the surface was actually only perhaps 5% of the whole base – the rest of the base was actually a vast underground complex. (This idea was hinted at in one episode, but never officially stated.) And why is it that, after so many years floating around in space and having encountered so many advanced races, that their best base-defense weapons turned out to be…lasers?
I adore SPACE: 1999 and I would pay top dollar to see your version. Well done!
How’s this for a nemesis–a legion of automaton marionettes, woot!
[...] of Doom speculates on 10 Ways To Make a Kick Ass Version of ‘Space: 1999′ in light of the news of an upcoming revival of the [...]
As the success of the new BSG is hard to ignore, I can easily imagine a similar attempt with Space: 1999. And although I’m sure that a lot of the elements that have helped propel BSG to its current status could be employed, I would hope that any group of self-respecting “re-creators” would avoid co-opting too many of them…
Thanks for the read!
I imagine a moonbase alpha after twenty-years, with life support systems at the end: new characters (the new generations) and a changed serial atmosphere, from “clean” science-fiction (star trek, space: 1999) to “dirty” (alien, new battlestar galactica).
.50 cent comics! feh! You piker! I remember when they were .10 cents and getting upset when they went to .12 cents!
Anyways… One good way to revive that show would be to have the females wear the fishnet shirts like the woman on my my Space 1999 lunchpail wore, which I used to get teased about…
Funny, I don’t remember seeing that on the show- it’d probably still be in production if it were…
Well, I am a big fan of a BSG style remake here, but I would have to say… This is a BIG opportunity to do sci fi tv the right way and avoid the “formula” unimaginative products that have been shoved down the throats of viewers for so many decades because of the great fear of profit loss and the failure of execs to understand the nature of sci-fi fans and their hunger for more well written, beautifully crafted and intellectually stimulating sci-fi shows that are more character driven and make sense to intellegent fans without the STTNG style “logic fixes” to patch up plot holes. I personally would kill to see a remake of Space 1999 which had a production tone & value more in line with (no pun intended) 2001 a space oddity. I feel this is the perfect vehicle to avoid the cliché “Trek” clone formula that so many shows try to acheive and try something new and refreshing. Stimulate our minds and souls not our crotches & bellies. Also, heres a good fix for the “1999″ conundrum… what if “1999″ was a countdown before the moon was ripped out of orbit?? That is a decent plot hole fix that doesn’t go too far out of the baselines and isn’t too silly. Elegant in simplicity as it were. Also, what if a higher power (ie; a more advanced civilization) were responsible for tearing the moon out of earths orbit? You could tie in the Nuclear waste angle (an advanced civilization might find it so objectionable that we pollute the moon with nuclear waste, and fear our growing need for newer waste dumps further out into spaced that they might just decide to reach out and “swat” us) this would give us a much more plausable plot vehicle/premise and also a recurring adversary/plot arc goal… to acheive an understanding with the alien force and get them to return moonbase alpha to earths orbit. Just a few thoughts off the top of my head here. I would have to insist on the lack of gravity and other more scientifically plausable production devices on any remake. :)
ping-back:
http://thegalaxyexpress.blogspot.com/2008/07/e xtreme-makeover-battle-beyond-stars.html
Color me gobsmacked when I came across a post at Geeks of Doom titled “10 Ways To Make A Kick Ass Version of Space: 1999.”
Color me gobsmacked when I came across a post at Geeks of Doom titled “10 Ways To Make A Kick Ass Version of Space: 1999.”
oops–I thought my post didn’t take the first time–sorry for the double post (at least I did it right the second time!)
Yes, I was a big fan as a teenager and have been thinking it deserves another chance. One thing that I think would make an interesting format is to ditch the wandering moon device and keep the action set entirely within our solar system. Set the series enough in the future so that the moonbase is but one of many outposts in the solar system, and is kind of the “Ponderosa Ranch” for exploration and drama. Mining colonies, private settlements and science stations would feature, but the political context of a future spacefaring human civilization would fuel the story arcs.
I have very fond memories of this show, and I like some of your ideas, but why make Koenig a lunatic? He’s a central character, so why would anybody want to watch him fall to pieces? It was uncomfortable enough during the original show when everybody thought he was nuts in certain episodes. I think a better plot would be to deepen the relationships between the characters, have Helena & Koenig be married or at least living together, and see more of the secondary characters.
Oh, and I meant to add this: aint no “dark side” of the moon. The moon rotates in orbit, so there isn’t a side that permanently faces away from the sun, and Harlan Ellison should have known better! :)
…or alternately, if there is some plausible way to blast the moon out of orbit, it would of course take decades just to drift out of the solar system. Make that the new “purpose” for the journey through space: exploring our own neighbourhood.
Fans can dream but a remake or reimagining of “Space 1999″ will never happen. For one, that would require someone old enough in Hollywood to remember the show. The general consensus was the show was not that great or memorable. Seeing as a kid, it fired up my imagination. Though I see many of its flaws now as an adult, I also see many things that do work or could be improved on. The concept of a moonbase (not the premise of how the moon was blasted out of orbit) but the idea of people living on the moon is a fascinating subject. Done right, a remake would surprise many people.
I don’t like numbers 3 and 4…bad idea.
I also don’t like the shapeshifter nemesis idea as this will IMMEDIATELY be compared to the Changelings in Deep Space Nine. I agree they should have a continuing menace of some kind.
Other than that — I love your ideas!
I would keep the “Mysterious Unknown Force” idea that was developed in Year One — the implication that something was watching over them…or that they had some great destiny awaiting them.
One thing I would do is have more aliens that are NOT humanoid. With CGI, ANY kind of alien is possible…a new “1999″ should explore that.
I would tie “Project 1999″ into something connected to S.H.A.D.O.W. from Gerry Anderson’s UFO. That way, if the new “1999″ is successful then you could do UFO as a prequel (As it was originally planned to be).
There’s a WEALTH of potentially great stories here.
If you really like the old show, why are you trying to remake it into just another cheap piece of Hollywood scifi trash? Keep the wonderful, restrained British tone of the series and add a modern update. The idea to make more use of the secondary characters and to explore the possibilities of a Moonbase Beta and Theta are very good. HOWEVER, making Koenig a flake would be the cheapest blow imaginable, and don’t make Maya into just another starlet sexpot. And for the sake of the MUF, why must there be ‘answers’ to everything? That’s just bloody Star Trek-ism.
Perhaps it’s for the best the show NOT be remade if this is its fate.
What if 1999 was the number of staff on the moonbase when it goes awol?
Space 1999 doesn’t have to be remade or changed. It was a show of the 70s, so you had to be there. Back then, was much different then now. There was no blood, guts or boobs…(maybe a bit of cleavage). It’s not like today where you have big budgets, computers, graphic animator etc. Even on thier 1st show Breakaway, they only had 2 eagles.
I liked season 1. There were more people on the set, the command center was different. It seemed like Alan and Victor had roles. Season 2, we lost Paul as well as Victor and there was too much of Maya – sometimes, I wondered why she didn’t morp into something or I wondered how she’d morp into a plant, or a rock….but hey, it was a kids show – so anything is possible.
With shows like Star Trek, Gillians Island, BeWitched, Partridge Family, Brady Bunch, Hogans Heros, this Sci Fi rocked.
My favourite programme of all time but the more ‘british’ feel in series 1 was definately the best as far as I’m concerned. I know it’s science fiction but it should still be believable – a point that seemed to be lost in series 2. Koneig breakdown…..I’m with Molly here….don’t mess with the Commander…..lets get him together with Dr Russell and see their true relationship develop. Develop characters like Kano, Sandra and Alan to name and lets watch as they all rise to the challenges they face ……did anyone else notice that if a new character suddenly appeared at the beginning of an episode you just knew that they would end up dead by the end of that
episode…. !! BRING BACK SPACE 1999 ….Oh I know this won’t really happen but how I wish it was possible…….
I whole heartedly agree. We have some very sharp up and comers in movie industry that are rebooting some oldies with amazing results. Sure, when I was a kid growing up in the 70’s I was blown away by 1999 and UFO. The looks of those shows were unique, much related to Rudi Gernreich’s costumes.
At the time, I ate up the second season due to Maya changing into plastic and fiberglass monsters! Now as I am older and have caught the occasional episode here and the, the stories from the first season were far better written and acted.
If you ever get a chance to catch the first season episode ‘The Troubled Spirit’ it is pure genius. The haunting sitar music lays the foundation for a
ghost story line none other!
This show in the right hands can be a ground breaking remake.
Great Idea’s! I’ve had a few too… 2099 five or more bases on the moon, 2 american, 1 russian, 1 chinese, 1 international (Alpha)are swept up in a cosmic thread that is attracked to the nuclear waste. The moon is ripped from orbit, some of the waste explodes damaging all of the bases. The chinese evacuate their base and as they try to reach earth, we see massive distruction like in the movie 2012. The leader of the internation base, Alpha is killed, the main leader of the heavily damaged american base takes over (Alpha) but then cracks and falls apart. A young Commander Koenig of the heavily damaged 2nd american base takes over, his cowboy ways do not win him many fans at Alpha, but he finds ways to lead and find answers. The space thread/warp would be attracked to planetary systems on a regually scheduled event. Entering some of these systems would be hazardous to the moon and people there. Meteor showers, graviational problems etc… Plus having other nations on the moon for internal problems. Just as one side would get the upper hand, bam something happens. Having 5-8 different bases, some abandoned…what better way to replace that “Eagle 1″ that was just destroyed! A base that seems to have the upper hand, best conditions, then bam! damaged and in desparate need of help. Half way through, an earth type planet is found, some colonize it and the people who remain on the moon find that would have been a better choice than to stay on the moon. The journey would then continue.
Space:1999 wasn’t canceled because of poor ratings. It was a big hit back in its day. Lew Grade, the British owner of Independent Television Corporation funded the episodes but was a bit fickle. After two years of supporting Space:1999 he decided to make movies, so the next year he put his money into “Raising the Titanic” instead, leaving sci fi fans very disappointed.
There is now an enhanced version of Space:1999 in the works– Space:2099 which is the original show with upgraded special effects like what has been done recently with Star Trek TOS. It isn’t official because it hasn’t been produced by a large company, but it is being done by industry professionals who are fans of the show. Until it is accepted by the owners of Space:1999 it won’t be released on DVD, but there is a web site about it.
Does the show deserve another chance? Of course it does – just stick on the DVDs of the first series and absorb it. (The second series you can take or leave…) It’s the most awe-inspiring tv show of all time. Every idea I’ve ever heard suggested for a “remake” consists of trying to change the show into something it isn’t – something more like the usual American genre shows, rather than the wonderful unique experience the original was. We should accept it and celebrate for everything it was, not try and make it into something else. Just go and make an original show if that’s your intention.
Regarding suggestion no. 10 – you did actually see the show, right? The purpose of their journey through space was explained in the show – see the episodes “Collision Course” and “The Testament of Arkadia” – there are your answers right there.