Space 1999.

[ETDC]

I don't think I'd like to see a remake - I prefer it how it was.

[harryfielder]

I'm trying to see the repeats on ITV4......

Aitch,

[tangaloomababe]

I didn't mind this actually, maybe my memory is fading. There were a few crummy episodes but overall I quite enjoyed it.
There was also the fact that an Australian was in it, made things a little more interesting. Nick Tate, I always looked forward to seing how much of a part he got each week, sometimes it was just the one word.
It did look terribly sterile and the outfits were all to much alike, but obviously that was intentional.
I wouldn't like to see it redone, it would be like doing Blakes 7 again. Some things are best left alone. If someone were to give me the DVD I would watch them again but I shan't be rushing out to buy them, unlike Blakes 7 which I couldn't wait for it to come out on DVD, I was waiting whilst the lady unpacked them, I think she thought I was a little crazy!!!!

[cricket99]

Originally Posted by ETDC

I don't think I'd like to see a remake - I prefer it how it was.

Absolutely. A remake would never capture that inexplicable combination of acting, stories and exclusive dependence on models. Let's leave well enough alone. In any case, for its time it was exceedingly progressive as far as gender roles and equality. In rewatchings, it holds up exceptionally well, especially series 1.

Originally Posted by Dave

Space 1999
The first season of Space 1999 was pretty dull and sterile looking. The plots were too complicated and the dialogue was serious.

Well, this is certainly one way of looking at it, and I probably would have agreed when I was 10. Now I find incredible depth in the dialogue and wonderful subtlety in the acting of Martin Landau, Barbara Bain and the late Barry Morse. You certainly cannot dismiss the calibre of the actors, and their performances so often characterized as 'wooden' can also be read as very 'grown-up', as opposed to the more over-the-top acting so typical of scifi shows.

The second series was much more colourful, full of action...

...and silly. Don't forget that part. Still, it had its moments and Catherine Schell and Tony Anholt were very capable actors that made the most of the sometimes laughable scripts.

The Eagle spacecraft were probably the best part of the show IMHO.

Absolutely!

Originally Posted by Technomage

I still want to see the conclusion to Space 1999 - I hate it when a series is abandoned in the middle of a story.

Series one's last episode did provide closure of sorts with the reviving of Arkadia by the Alphans Luke and Anna. The final image of Koenig closing his hardcopy journal and resting his pen on the cover can be seen as a 'story done' motif.

Originally Posted by harryfielder

I'm trying to see the repeats on ITV4......

Aitch,

I always enjoy catching your appearance in the series 2 episodes, Harry! (really... Harry is (? was) an actor who shows up in a handful or two of the stories!!)

[harryfielder]

1. "Space: 1999" .... Command Center Technician / ... (3 episodes, 1976-1977)
   ... aka Spazio: 1999 (Italy)
   - The Immunity Syndrome (1977) TV Episode (uncredited) .... Survey Team Member
   - The Seance Spectre (1977) TV Episode (uncredited) .... Security Guard
   - The Lambda Factor (1976) TV Episode (uncredited) .... Command Center Technician
2. Star Wars (1977) (uncredited) .... Death Star Trooper
   ... aka Guerra de las estrellas, La (USA: Spanish title)
   ... aka Star Wars IV: A New Hope (USA: video box title)
   ... aka Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (USA: reissue title (new title))
3. Aitch,

[andrew.v.spencer]

I loved the series (esp seris 1). The models were fantastic and the lifespans of the Alphans aphid short.

One episode in particular that gave me the collywobbles (when I was a kid) was a ships graveyard, with some sort of monster in it that skeletonised its victims.

I loved the one where they went to war with the Hawk ships.

Also the encounter with a generation ship was pretty good.

Unfortunately the problem with a remake would be the problem I had as a kid, the physics, I could never square that. The size of a nuclear explosion large enough to wrench the moon out of orbit always seemed implausible, and they would have to be traveling at light speed, and if they were how come they passed planets slowly enough to visit them?

Gee I was a nerdy kid.

[cricket99]

Hello, Harry. Thanks for the summary. I recall seeing your posts in the S99 Net Forum before it sadly shut down. Thanks for the list!

Originally Posted by andrew.v.spencer

One episode in particular that gave me the collywobbles (when I was a kid) was a ships graveyard, with some sort of monster in it that skeletonised its victims.

Dragon's Domain

I loved the one where they went to war with the Hawk ships.

War Games

Also the encounter with a generation ship was pretty good.

Mission of the Darians

Unfortunately the problem with a remake would be the problem I had as a kid, the physics, I could never square that. The size of a nuclear explosion large enough to wrench the moon out of orbit always seemed implausible, and they would have to be traveling at light speed, and if they were how come they passed planets slowly enough to visit them?

Gee I was a nerdy kid.

Yep, suspension of disbelief was pretty much a given in watching this show. (But, can't we say the same for many of our favorites?) Quite a few fanfiction stories have attempted to provide explanations; some of the creativity and writing is quite good.

THE site for all things Space 1999 would have to be Martin Wiley's Catacombs. I can't link as my post count is too low, but if you have not yet come across this wonderful resource just google 'Space 1999 Catacombs'. It's the first hit.

I think many of us who love this old show would fall under the category or 'nerdy kids'. I certainly was, still am, and proud of it!