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“Earthbound” |
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A Kaldorian spaceship bound for Earth has room to bring one Alphan home. Commissioner Simmonds is determined to see that it’s him — at all costs. Writer: Anthony Terpiloff Director: Charles Crichton Guest Cast Roy Dotrice as Simmonds Christopher Lee as Zantor |
Commissioner Simmonds returns in this episode, though it’s never explained where he’s been since “Breakaway.” He’s upset because nobody seems to want to try to return to Earth, just because it’s impossible. “The impossible takes just a little longer,” he insists. It would have been interesting to have him interfering in some of the other adventures of the Alphans, especially in episodes like “War Games” and “The Last Enemy.” But he only appears in these two episodes. Unlike just about everyone on Alpha, Simmonds is not a scientist; he’s a politician, and a ruthless one at that. One gets the impression that Koenig is glad he’d been keeping a low profile all this time; there are times he must want to blow Simmonds out of an airlock. Well, what happens to him in this episode is even more delicious. Simmonds gets his way, and leaves with the Kaldorians. But his suspension chamber is not configured correctly, so the process doesn’t take. He’s trapped on this ship for the next 75 years, with no food or water. He didn’t even take his toothbrush. Oh, and of course, when Computer finally does decide who gets to go... it picks Simmonds. I think we all saw that one coming a mile away. What really makes this episode great is Christopher Lee, the perennial Dracula of a hundred Hammer horror movies, as the benevolent Captain Zantor. His style fits in well with the low-key atmosphere of Space: 1999. His Draculian partner, Peter Cushing, will also appear on the show, in the episode “Missing Link.” Both would go on to roles in the Star Wars series. |
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RELATED PAGES: [Ken Scott] [Martin Willey] |
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Alpha Chronicle Online ©2001 by Matt Butts. Space: 1999 ©1975 Carlton
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