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.