The Last Enemy (Space: 1999 )
Encyclopedia
"The Last Enemy" is the eighteenth episode of the first series of Space: 1999
. The screenplay was written by Bob Kellett
(with additional material contributed by Johnny Byrne); the director was Bob Kellett
. Previous titles include 'The Second Sex' and 'The Other Enemy'. The final shooting script is dated 25 October 1974. Live-action filming took place Friday, 8 November 1974 through Tuesday 19 November 1974. A three-day re-mount was scheduled from Tuesday, 25 February 1975 through Thursday 28 February 1975. This re-mount concluded the filming of the first series.
is in transit of a small solar system. John Koenig
and the Main Mission staff observe a star flanked by two small planets; one red, one blue. They are still too distant for a comprehensive survey, but long-range spectrographic
analysis reveals both planets may possess Earth-type conditions. As Helena Russell
reflects on how wonderful it would be to have a choice, far ahead on Betha (the blue planet pictured on the sun's left-hand side), a glamourous observer watches the approaching Moon with equal anticipation. Dione, a woman of considerable importance on this planet, stands in luxurious room that appears to be more sitting-room than operations centre.
An older woman—Commissioner Theia, head of Bethan Defence—appears on a screen to announce that the Council has unanimously decided to strike first, before the travelling Moon gets any closer. Dione smiles predatorily; they have waited a long time for this. Twenty-four hours later, Alpha's sensors are surveying the closer of the two planets. When Victor Bergman
announces that the planet is not only habitable but inhabited, contact procedures are initiated.
On Betha, Theia informs Dione the Moon is approaching strike position. Dione reports to her ship, the colossal battle-wagon Satazius. As she greets her all-female crew, her second-in-command informs her they have detected radio signals from the travelling Moon. Dione orders them ignored and the ship leaves orbit. On Alpha, Bergman realises that the two habitable planets revolve around their sun in such a way that they are always on opposing sides—neither planet is ever visible to the other. However, the planet survey is interrupted by the detection of an unidentified powered object
Sensors reveal it to be an enormous space vessel heading directly for the Moon. Koenig orders a red alert—armed Eagles rise on the launch pads; defence screens are raised; non-combatants are evacuated to underground shelters. Koenig briefs Alan Carter
to lead his Eagle squadron in a coordinated attack, with all ships firing simultaneously. Bergman is concerned by the Commander's uncharacteristic aggression. Koenig insists that with an adversary this large, he must assume its purpose is hostile; Bergman replies that it certainly will be once they start shooting at it.
As Satazius approaches, Dione's crew systematically disables Alpha's defences. Attack force Eagles, defence screens, communications and Computer are incapacitated. Their interference causes a fluctuating power loss that leaves Alpha operating on emergency services. Satazius settles down in close proximity to the helpless Moonbase. As Koenig and company watch from the windows, the alien ship extends a huge, multi-barreled missile launcher that seems to be taking aim directly at them.
The ship releases a thunderous missile barrage—without hitting Alpha. The guns were firing over them. Koenig mounts the observation balcony with a set of binoculars
and observes the missile strike impacting on the red planet on the right-hand side of the sun. Bergman speculates they have drifted into the middle of a war between two opponents that never have a direct line-of-sight to exchange fire; any missiles launched from either planet surface would be drawn in by the sun's gravity. The arrival of the Moon has given them a ready-made gun platform in space.
The red planet retaliates. Missiles on random trajectories batter the Moon surface in search of the enemy gunship. One finds its mark and Satazius is rocked by a tremendous explosion. With the Bethan gunship knocked out, all the affected Moonbase systems resume normal function. Koenig orders Carter's Eagle One to lift-off and reconnoitre the wreck; the astronaut notes the substantial hole blasted in one side as he approaches. As he hovers over the gunship, a tiny escape craft is launched and sets course for Alpha.
After checking the pod for any dangerous emissions, Koenig orders an airlock station opened to receive the craft. Despite the risk of provoking an attack on the base by the opposing planet, they must obtain information from the gunship's survivors. The craft lands at the designated launch pad, where Koenig, Helena, Bergman and a Security squad assemble at the airlock to greet its occupants. The hatch opens to reveal a single person: Dione.
The Bethan woman, as would any military officer, stubbornly refuses to provide any information. That being the case, Koenig threatens her with expulsion from Alpha. She counter-threatens that should she be harmed, her people will send a fleet of warships to overwhelm the Alphans. When Koenig orders her taken her back to her craft, she realises she has no choice but to capitulate. Now exuding charm and gratitude, a cooperative Dione relates the history of the conflict and an overview of her mission—to use the Moon as a base to attack her enemies on the planet Delta.
Koenig rebukes her for involving the Alphans in their conflict. She insists this was not her intention; her surprise strike was supposed to be swift and decisive—but the Deltans seemed prepared for this strategy. Helena's comment ‘Enemies usually are,’ earns her a cagy look from Dione. Soon, the meeting is interrupted by the arrival of a large gunship from Delta. Dione offers to call her military command for sufficient reinforcements to protect Alpha. Koenig declines, knowing that the two opposing forces will end up shooting at each other, leaving Alpha the little guy in the middle.
The Deltan gunship launches missiles at Betha, with Dione's people replying in kind. During a lull in the exchange, Dione expresses sympathy for the Alphans' plight, suggesting that in the event Moonbase is hit, they should seek refuge on her planet. The barrage continues, ending when a guided missile from Betha obliterates the Deltan gunship. With both gunships knocked out, Koenig sees the current stalemate as an opportunity for Alpha. He proposes negotiating a cease-fire between the two planets.
Unexpectedly, Dione supports this plan—without the element of surprise, she reflects, her mission has failed. After making a play for Koenig where she flirtatiously repeats her invitation to settle on Betha, she assists in setting up a three-way communications link between Alpha and the two planets. When negotiations commence, it becomes apparent this is a literal war of the sexes between male- and female-dominated planets. At first, Talos, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Delta is intractable. After Betha's Commissioner Theia makes certain tactical concessions, an agreement is reached.
The Alphans are given the responsibility of policing the cease-fire: the Moon's unique position in space allows them to observe both planets. Koenig crosses his fingers that the treaty lasts for at least four hours—the time it will take for the Moon to move beyond missile range and become useless to both planets. He gathers his advisors for a serious discussion regarding Dione's offer. Helena finds the proposition of committing the Alpha people to a life on a planet at war unthinkable. Suspicious of the alien woman, she questions Koenig's motives for trusting Dione.
Secretly pleased with the turn of events, Dione is escorted to Sandra Benes
' quarters to rest. Sandra then goes for refreshments. At Koenig's orders, there are guards outside the locked door and the Bethan woman is left without the mean to trigger the commlock panel. When certain she is alone, Dione puts her fingers to her temples, concentrates, and dematerialises. When she is discovered missing, a search commences—until the lift-off the of the Bethan escape pod reveals Dione's whereabouts.
Dione reboards her ship, arriving on an undamaged bridge staffed by an uninjured crew. She contacts Theia and reports everything has gone as planned. When Koenig calls, Dione smugly informs him he has been the victim of an elaborate deception. The 'destruction' of Satazius was the detonation of an explosive charge during a near miss—her ship is fully operational and she plans to bombard Delta until out of range. After Dione's first salvo is launched, Talos calls, demanding an explanation. Insisting the Alphans are innocent dupes, Koenig informs him of the Bethans' treachery.
The Deltan leader wants the coordinates of the Bethan gunship. Koenig refuses, declaring Alpha a neutral party. Talos savagely proclaims there can be no neutrality, as the Moon's intrusion has upset the military balance between their two worlds. He delivers an ultimatum: Alpha will be bombarded at intervals until he receives the coordinates or the ship is destroyed. Having listened in on the channel, Dione promises Koenig that if he gives in to Talos, she will turn her guns on Alpha and fire at point-blank range.
The Alpha complex endures the first Deltan salvo. As outlying buildings are pummeled by missiles, damage and casualty reports flood in. With an air of desperation, Koenig contacts Dione, declaring his intent to come out and meet with her on Satazius. Startled, she asks whether he intends to abandon his command. With the staff voicing similar suspicions, the seemingly hysterical Commander pulls a stun-gun on them, again telling Dione he is coming out. After the channel is closed, he reveals his behaviour was a ruse, then orders Technical Section to stand by for instructions.
Dione's crew soon sights a moon buggy
approaching with a single occupant. Over the radio, Koenig demands shelter on the gunship, but Dione tells him to turn back. He will, but only on the condition she stop firing. She declines, suggesting that the Alphans might survive if she can destroy the remaining Deltan missile bases. Koenig cryptically comments that, if this is her final decision, she only has herself to blame. She then realises the moon buggy is a trap. As the vehicle rolls beneath the ship (and out of the sight-line of the guns), the driver's helmet falls off...revealing the spacesuit is empty. Safe in his office, Koenig bids Dione good-bye as the remote-controlled moon buggy comes in contact with the hull—setting off its load of nuclear charges.
The Deltans are quickly informed of the gunship's destruction. They acknowledge, destroying the next wave of missiles on target for Alpha. Bergman condemns the Bethan-Deltan conflict as a futile exercise in sheer waste; he hopes they can eventually learn to live together. After the Moon has left the system, Koenig broods over the lost opportunity. Helena disagrees; she would rather take her chances drifting through space than live under a permanent state of war. Koenig smiles, reflecting that they still have all of space in which to find a new home...somewhere.
score—drawn primarily from 'Breakaway
' and 'Another Time, Another Place
'— Georges Teperino's composition 'Cosmic Sounds No. 3' (previously heard in 'Force of Life') was used as atomsphere during the Dione-on-Betha scenes; played at a slower speed, it gave the women's planet an ethereal quality.
, published in 1975. The adaptation was drawn exclusively from the final shooting script, dated 25 October 1974; none of the re-mounted material from February 1975 was included.
Space: 1999
Space: 1999 is a British science-fiction television series that ran for two seasons and originally aired from 1975 to 1977. In the opening episode, nuclear waste from Earth stored on the Moon's far side explodes in a catastrophic accident on 13 September 1999, knocking the Moon out of orbit and...
. The screenplay was written by Bob Kellett
Bob Kellett
Bob Kellett is an English film director, film producer and screenwriter.-Filmography:*Tightrope to Terror...
(with additional material contributed by Johnny Byrne); the director was Bob Kellett
Bob Kellett
Bob Kellett is an English film director, film producer and screenwriter.-Filmography:*Tightrope to Terror...
. Previous titles include 'The Second Sex' and 'The Other Enemy'. The final shooting script is dated 25 October 1974. Live-action filming took place Friday, 8 November 1974 through Tuesday 19 November 1974. A three-day re-mount was scheduled from Tuesday, 25 February 1975 through Thursday 28 February 1975. This re-mount concluded the filming of the first series.
Story
The MoonMoon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
is in transit of a small solar system. John Koenig
John Koenig
John Koenig is a fictional character from the television series Space: 1999. He was played by Martin Landau. He is American, apparently in his early forties.-Character Biography:...
and the Main Mission staff observe a star flanked by two small planets; one red, one blue. They are still too distant for a comprehensive survey, but long-range spectrographic
Spectrograph
A spectrograph is an instrument that separates an incoming wave into a frequency spectrum. There are several kinds of machines referred to as spectrographs, depending on the precise nature of the waves...
analysis reveals both planets may possess Earth-type conditions. As Helena Russell
Helena Russell
Helena Russell is a fictional character from the television series Space: 1999. She was played by Barbara Bain. She is American and apparently in her mid-thirties....
reflects on how wonderful it would be to have a choice, far ahead on Betha (the blue planet pictured on the sun's left-hand side), a glamourous observer watches the approaching Moon with equal anticipation. Dione, a woman of considerable importance on this planet, stands in luxurious room that appears to be more sitting-room than operations centre.
An older woman—Commissioner Theia, head of Bethan Defence—appears on a screen to announce that the Council has unanimously decided to strike first, before the travelling Moon gets any closer. Dione smiles predatorily; they have waited a long time for this. Twenty-four hours later, Alpha's sensors are surveying the closer of the two planets. When Victor Bergman
Victor Bergman
Professor Victor Bergman is the name of a recurring character on the UK science fiction television series Space: 1999. The role was portrayed by actor Barry Morse.-Character Biography:...
announces that the planet is not only habitable but inhabited, contact procedures are initiated.
On Betha, Theia informs Dione the Moon is approaching strike position. Dione reports to her ship, the colossal battle-wagon Satazius. As she greets her all-female crew, her second-in-command informs her they have detected radio signals from the travelling Moon. Dione orders them ignored and the ship leaves orbit. On Alpha, Bergman realises that the two habitable planets revolve around their sun in such a way that they are always on opposing sides—neither planet is ever visible to the other. However, the planet survey is interrupted by the detection of an unidentified powered object
Sensors reveal it to be an enormous space vessel heading directly for the Moon. Koenig orders a red alert—armed Eagles rise on the launch pads; defence screens are raised; non-combatants are evacuated to underground shelters. Koenig briefs Alan Carter
Alan Carter (Space 1999)
Alan Carter is a fictional character from the television series Space: 1999. He was played by Nick Tate. He is of Australian origin and is in his early thirties.-Character biography:...
to lead his Eagle squadron in a coordinated attack, with all ships firing simultaneously. Bergman is concerned by the Commander's uncharacteristic aggression. Koenig insists that with an adversary this large, he must assume its purpose is hostile; Bergman replies that it certainly will be once they start shooting at it.
As Satazius approaches, Dione's crew systematically disables Alpha's defences. Attack force Eagles, defence screens, communications and Computer are incapacitated. Their interference causes a fluctuating power loss that leaves Alpha operating on emergency services. Satazius settles down in close proximity to the helpless Moonbase. As Koenig and company watch from the windows, the alien ship extends a huge, multi-barreled missile launcher that seems to be taking aim directly at them.
The ship releases a thunderous missile barrage—without hitting Alpha. The guns were firing over them. Koenig mounts the observation balcony with a set of binoculars
Binoculars
Binoculars, field glasses or binocular telescopes are a pair of identical or mirror-symmetrical telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point accurately in the same direction, allowing the viewer to use both eyes when viewing distant objects...
and observes the missile strike impacting on the red planet on the right-hand side of the sun. Bergman speculates they have drifted into the middle of a war between two opponents that never have a direct line-of-sight to exchange fire; any missiles launched from either planet surface would be drawn in by the sun's gravity. The arrival of the Moon has given them a ready-made gun platform in space.
The red planet retaliates. Missiles on random trajectories batter the Moon surface in search of the enemy gunship. One finds its mark and Satazius is rocked by a tremendous explosion. With the Bethan gunship knocked out, all the affected Moonbase systems resume normal function. Koenig orders Carter's Eagle One to lift-off and reconnoitre the wreck; the astronaut notes the substantial hole blasted in one side as he approaches. As he hovers over the gunship, a tiny escape craft is launched and sets course for Alpha.
After checking the pod for any dangerous emissions, Koenig orders an airlock station opened to receive the craft. Despite the risk of provoking an attack on the base by the opposing planet, they must obtain information from the gunship's survivors. The craft lands at the designated launch pad, where Koenig, Helena, Bergman and a Security squad assemble at the airlock to greet its occupants. The hatch opens to reveal a single person: Dione.
The Bethan woman, as would any military officer, stubbornly refuses to provide any information. That being the case, Koenig threatens her with expulsion from Alpha. She counter-threatens that should she be harmed, her people will send a fleet of warships to overwhelm the Alphans. When Koenig orders her taken her back to her craft, she realises she has no choice but to capitulate. Now exuding charm and gratitude, a cooperative Dione relates the history of the conflict and an overview of her mission—to use the Moon as a base to attack her enemies on the planet Delta.
Koenig rebukes her for involving the Alphans in their conflict. She insists this was not her intention; her surprise strike was supposed to be swift and decisive—but the Deltans seemed prepared for this strategy. Helena's comment ‘Enemies usually are,’ earns her a cagy look from Dione. Soon, the meeting is interrupted by the arrival of a large gunship from Delta. Dione offers to call her military command for sufficient reinforcements to protect Alpha. Koenig declines, knowing that the two opposing forces will end up shooting at each other, leaving Alpha the little guy in the middle.
The Deltan gunship launches missiles at Betha, with Dione's people replying in kind. During a lull in the exchange, Dione expresses sympathy for the Alphans' plight, suggesting that in the event Moonbase is hit, they should seek refuge on her planet. The barrage continues, ending when a guided missile from Betha obliterates the Deltan gunship. With both gunships knocked out, Koenig sees the current stalemate as an opportunity for Alpha. He proposes negotiating a cease-fire between the two planets.
Unexpectedly, Dione supports this plan—without the element of surprise, she reflects, her mission has failed. After making a play for Koenig where she flirtatiously repeats her invitation to settle on Betha, she assists in setting up a three-way communications link between Alpha and the two planets. When negotiations commence, it becomes apparent this is a literal war of the sexes between male- and female-dominated planets. At first, Talos, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Delta is intractable. After Betha's Commissioner Theia makes certain tactical concessions, an agreement is reached.
The Alphans are given the responsibility of policing the cease-fire: the Moon's unique position in space allows them to observe both planets. Koenig crosses his fingers that the treaty lasts for at least four hours—the time it will take for the Moon to move beyond missile range and become useless to both planets. He gathers his advisors for a serious discussion regarding Dione's offer. Helena finds the proposition of committing the Alpha people to a life on a planet at war unthinkable. Suspicious of the alien woman, she questions Koenig's motives for trusting Dione.
Secretly pleased with the turn of events, Dione is escorted to Sandra Benes
Sandra Benes
Sandra Benes is a recurring character in the British science-fiction television series Space: 1999. She is of Western European/Burmese origin and is in her late twenties. Her role was played by actress Zienia Merton.-Character Biography:...
' quarters to rest. Sandra then goes for refreshments. At Koenig's orders, there are guards outside the locked door and the Bethan woman is left without the mean to trigger the commlock panel. When certain she is alone, Dione puts her fingers to her temples, concentrates, and dematerialises. When she is discovered missing, a search commences—until the lift-off the of the Bethan escape pod reveals Dione's whereabouts.
Dione reboards her ship, arriving on an undamaged bridge staffed by an uninjured crew. She contacts Theia and reports everything has gone as planned. When Koenig calls, Dione smugly informs him he has been the victim of an elaborate deception. The 'destruction' of Satazius was the detonation of an explosive charge during a near miss—her ship is fully operational and she plans to bombard Delta until out of range. After Dione's first salvo is launched, Talos calls, demanding an explanation. Insisting the Alphans are innocent dupes, Koenig informs him of the Bethans' treachery.
The Deltan leader wants the coordinates of the Bethan gunship. Koenig refuses, declaring Alpha a neutral party. Talos savagely proclaims there can be no neutrality, as the Moon's intrusion has upset the military balance between their two worlds. He delivers an ultimatum: Alpha will be bombarded at intervals until he receives the coordinates or the ship is destroyed. Having listened in on the channel, Dione promises Koenig that if he gives in to Talos, she will turn her guns on Alpha and fire at point-blank range.
The Alpha complex endures the first Deltan salvo. As outlying buildings are pummeled by missiles, damage and casualty reports flood in. With an air of desperation, Koenig contacts Dione, declaring his intent to come out and meet with her on Satazius. Startled, she asks whether he intends to abandon his command. With the staff voicing similar suspicions, the seemingly hysterical Commander pulls a stun-gun on them, again telling Dione he is coming out. After the channel is closed, he reveals his behaviour was a ruse, then orders Technical Section to stand by for instructions.
Dione's crew soon sights a moon buggy
Space 1999 moon buggy
The Moon Buggy is a fictional vehicle in Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's TV series Space: 1999. It is Moonbase Alpha's all purpose land vehicle...
approaching with a single occupant. Over the radio, Koenig demands shelter on the gunship, but Dione tells him to turn back. He will, but only on the condition she stop firing. She declines, suggesting that the Alphans might survive if she can destroy the remaining Deltan missile bases. Koenig cryptically comments that, if this is her final decision, she only has herself to blame. She then realises the moon buggy is a trap. As the vehicle rolls beneath the ship (and out of the sight-line of the guns), the driver's helmet falls off...revealing the spacesuit is empty. Safe in his office, Koenig bids Dione good-bye as the remote-controlled moon buggy comes in contact with the hull—setting off its load of nuclear charges.
The Deltans are quickly informed of the gunship's destruction. They acknowledge, destroying the next wave of missiles on target for Alpha. Bergman condemns the Bethan-Deltan conflict as a futile exercise in sheer waste; he hopes they can eventually learn to live together. After the Moon has left the system, Koenig broods over the lost opportunity. Helena disagrees; she would rather take her chances drifting through space than live under a permanent state of war. Koenig smiles, reflecting that they still have all of space in which to find a new home...somewhere.
Starring
- Martin LandauMartin LandauMartin Landau is an American film and television actor. Landau began his career in the 1950s. His early films include a supporting role in Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest . He played continuing roles in the television series Mission: Impossible and Space:1999...
— Commander John KoenigJohn KoenigJohn Koenig is a fictional character from the television series Space: 1999. He was played by Martin Landau. He is American, apparently in his early forties.-Character Biography:... - Barbara BainBarbara BainMillicent Fogel , known professionally as Barbara Bain, is an American actress.-Early life:Bain was born in Chicago. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in sociology. She moved to New York City, where she was a dancer and high fashion model. Bain studied with...
— Doctor Helena RussellHelena RussellHelena Russell is a fictional character from the television series Space: 1999. She was played by Barbara Bain. She is American and apparently in her mid-thirties....
Featuring
- Prentis HancockPrentis HancockPrentis Hancock is a British actor, best known for his television roles.He was a regular cast member of the first season of science fiction series Space: 1999 as Paul Morrow, and also appeared in a number of Doctor Who stories throughout the 1970s - Spearhead from Space and Planet of the Daleks...
— Controller Paul MorrowPaul MorrowPaul Morrow is a fictional character who first appeared in 'Breakaway', the premiere episode of the science fiction television show Space: 1999, and was portrayed by Prentis Hancock. He is a British national who appears to be in his early thirties.... - Clifton JonesClifton JonesClifton Jones is an actor, mostly known for his roles on British television.His most prominent role is probably that of David Kano during the first season of the science fiction series Space: 1999....
— David KanoDavid Kano (Space 1999)David Kano is a fictional character who regularly appeared during the first season of the science fiction television series Space: 1999. He is of Jamaican origin and in his mid-thirties. He was played by actor Clifton Jones.-Character biography:... - Zienia MertonZienia MertonZienia Merton is a British actress born in Burma. Her mother was Burmese, and her father half English, half French. She was raised in Singapore, Borneo, Portugal, and England....
— Sandra BenesSandra BenesSandra Benes is a recurring character in the British science-fiction television series Space: 1999. She is of Western European/Burmese origin and is in her late twenties. Her role was played by actress Zienia Merton.-Character Biography:... - Anton PhillipsAnton PhillipsAnton Phillips is an actor who found success appearing in British television. He remains best known for his role as Dr. Bob Mathias in the science fiction series Space 1999.-Early life and education:...
— Doctor Bob MathiasBob Mathias (Space: 1999)Bob Mathias is a fictional character from the British science-fiction television series Space: 1999. He is played by actor Anton Phillips.-Character Biography:... - Nick TateNick TateNicholas John "Nick" Tate is an Australian actor best known for his role as Eagle pilot Alan Carter in both seasons of the 1970s science fiction television series Space: 1999, as well as for playing the role of Gordon Hamilton's errant brother James in the 1980's soap opera "Sons and...
— Captain Alan CarterAlan Carter (Space 1999)Alan Carter is a fictional character from the television series Space: 1999. He was played by Nick Tate. He is of Australian origin and is in his early thirties.-Character biography:... - Maxine AudleyMaxine AudleyMaxine Audley was an English theatre and film actress. She made her professional stage debut in July 1940 at the Open Air Theatre. Throughout her career, Audley performed with both the Old Vic company and the Royal Shakespeare Company multiple times...
— Commissioner Theia - Kevin StoneyKevin StoneyKevin Stoney was an English actor, best known for his television roles.During World War II, Stoney served with the Royal Air Force....
— Supreme Commander Talos - Carolyn Courage — First Bethan Girl (Satazius Second-in-Command)
Uncredited Artists
- Suzanne RoquetteSuzanne RoquetteSuzanne Roquette is an actress, who remains best known for her role as Tanya Alexander in the science fiction television series Space 1999....
— TanyaTanya AlexanderTanya Alexander is the name of a semi-recurring character on the UK science fiction television series Space: 1999. The role was portrayed by German actress Suzanne Roquette.-Character Biography:... - Linda HooksLinda HooksLinda Hooks is the second delegate from Great Britain to win the Miss International crown in 1972, three years after Valerie Susan Holmes earned the title....
— Second Bethan Girl - Tara Faraday — Third Bethan Girl
- John Lee-Barber — Eagle Five Astronaut
- Alan BennionAlan BennionAlan Bennion is a British actor. He is best known for his work on the science fiction television series Doctor Who and the police drama Z-Cars...
— Male Bethan (replaced in the 1975 re-mount)
Music
In addition to the regular Barry GrayBarry Gray
Barry Gray was a British musician and composer who is best known for his work for Gerry Anderson.-Life:...
score—drawn primarily from 'Breakaway
Breakaway (Space: 1999)
"Breakaway" is the first episode of the first series of Space: 1999. The screenplay was written by George Bellak ; the director was Lee H. Katzin. Previous titles include 'Zero-G', 'The Void Ahead' and 'Turning Point'. The final shooting script is dated 22 November 1973...
' and 'Another Time, Another Place
Another Time, Another Place (Space: 1999)
"Another Time, Another Place" is the sixth episode of the first series of Space: 1999. The screenplay was written by Johnny Byrne; the director was David Tomblin. The final shooting script is dated 20 January 1974, with blue-page amendments dated 25 January and 1 April 1974. Live-action filming...
'— Georges Teperino's composition 'Cosmic Sounds No. 3' (previously heard in 'Force of Life') was used as atomsphere during the Dione-on-Betha scenes; played at a slower speed, it gave the women's planet an ethereal quality.
Production Notes
- The original idea for this 'battle of the sexes' corollary reportedly came from series star Barbara BainBarbara BainMillicent Fogel , known professionally as Barbara Bain, is an American actress.-Early life:Bain was born in Chicago. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a bachelor's degree in sociology. She moved to New York City, where she was a dancer and high fashion model. Bain studied with...
. Writer/director Bob KellettBob KellettBob Kellett is an English film director, film producer and screenwriter.-Filmography:*Tightrope to Terror...
gave the concept a science-fiction twist in his only credited writing contribution to the programme with the age-old conflict between men and women carried out with space-age warfare. The original title, ‘The Second Sex’, is an obvious reference to Simone de BeauvoirSimone de BeauvoirSimone-Ernestine-Lucie-Marie Bertrand de Beauvoir, often shortened to Simone de Beauvoir , was a French existentialist philosopher, public intellectual, and social theorist. She wrote novels, essays, biographies, an autobiography in several volumes, and monographs on philosophy, politics, and...
's 1949 book of the same nameThe Second SexThe Second Sex is one of the best-known works of the French existentialist Simone de Beauvoir. It is a work on the treatment of women throughout history and often regarded as a major work of feminist literature and the starting point of second-wave feminism. Beauvoir researched and wrote the book...
.
- The final cut ran short, prompting script editor Johnny Byrne to write several new scenes and re-work others already shot to extend the episode to the required fifty minutes. (Viewers can tell which footage was original and which was filmed later by the variations in quality of guest artist Caroline Mortimer'sCaroline MortimerCaroline Mortimer is a British actress.Caroline Mortimer was the daughter of the novelist Penelope Mortimer from her first marriage to the journalist Charles Dimont and the stepdaughter of the playwright Sir John Mortimer...
hair-dressing and make-up.) All scenes on Satazius were part of the re-mount, as was Dione's visit to Sandra's quarters. Footage was added to nearly all the Main Mission scenes involving Dione. The ending was greatly extended with the last-minute addition of Koenig's plan to either convince Dione to cease fire or destroy her should she refuse. Originally, Koenig revealed Dione's coordinates and watched as a Deltan missile destroyed her.
- Guest artist Alan BennionAlan BennionAlan Bennion is a British actor. He is best known for his work on the science fiction television series Doctor Who and the police drama Z-Cars...
, better known for his appearances in Doctor WhoDoctor WhoDoctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
as the Ice Warrior Commanders Slaar ('The Seeds of DeathThe Seeds of DeathThe Seeds of Death is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which originally aired in six weekly parts from 25 January to 1 March 1969...
'), Izlyr ('The Curse of PeladonThe Curse of PeladonThe Curse of Peladon is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in four weekly parts from 29 January to 19 February 1972.-Synopsis:...
') and Azaxyr ('The Monster of PeladonThe Monster of PeladonThe Monster of Peladon is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in six weekly parts from 23 March to 27 April 1974.-Synopsis:...
'), was filmed as a male Bethan subordinate conferring with Dione, but his dialogue was reworked and given to Maxine AudleyMaxine AudleyMaxine Audley was an English theatre and film actress. She made her professional stage debut in July 1940 at the Open Air Theatre. Throughout her career, Audley performed with both the Old Vic company and the Royal Shakespeare Company multiple times...
's character Theia for the re-mount.
- Ironically, several segments originally filmed were dropped: (1) A scene in which Bergman and Helena express their anxiety as the first gunship approaches Alpha: Bergman states that tension makes him cheerful and chatty and Helena congratulates him for suffering from 'Lyle's Syndrome'. (2) Koenig ordering the Alphans to board the Eagles and stand by to fly to Betha in the event of a missile hit on Main Mission and subsequent shots of people boarding the ships and the ships standing by in the maintenance hangar.
- An insight into the close relationship between the male- and female-dominated societies would have been provided with the visual effects: the gunships of both planets were originally intended to be the same model with two different paint colours. Taking into account that many British households in the early 1970s did not have a colour television and most viewers would not be able to discern any difference, this idea was dropped and the Martin BowerMartin BowerMartin Bower is a model maker and designer of special effects miniatures for both film and television. His credits include the television series Space: 1999 and the films Alien , Flash Gordon and Outland...
'Alpha Child'/'War GamesWar Games (Space: 1999)"War Games" is the seventeenth episode of the first series of Space: 1999. The screenplay was written by Christopher Penfold; the director was Charles Crichton. The final shooting script is dated 15 October 1974...
' battleship was altered to portray the Deltan gunship.
Novelisation
The episode was adapted in the fifth Year One Space: 1999 novel Lunar Attack by John RankineJohn Rankine
John Rankine is a British science fiction author, who has written books as John Rankine and Douglas R. Mason...
, published in 1975. The adaptation was drawn exclusively from the final shooting script, dated 25 October 1974; none of the re-mounted material from February 1975 was included.
External links
- Space: 1999 - 'The Last Enemy' - The Catacombs episode guide
- Space: 1999 - 'The Last Enemy' - Moonbase Alpha's Space: 1999 page
| Last produced: "War Games War Games (Space: 1999) "War Games" is the seventeenth episode of the first series of Space: 1999. The screenplay was written by Christopher Penfold; the director was Charles Crichton. The final shooting script is dated 15 October 1974... " |
List of Space: 1999 episodes | Next produced: "The Troubled Spirit The Troubled Spirit "The Troubled Spirit" is the nineteenth episode of the first series of Space: 1999. The screenplay was written by Johnny Byrne; the director was Ray Austin. The final shooting script is dated 11 November 1974... " |
| Last transmitted: "The Testament of Arkadia The Testament of Arkadia "The Testament of Arkadia" is the twenty-fourth and final episode of the first series of Space: 1999. The screenplay was written by Johnny Byrne; the director was David Tomblin. The final shooting script is dated 5 February 1975, with a revised final shooting script dated 25 February 1975... " |
Next transmitted: "The Metamorph The Metamorph "The Metamorph" is the first episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Johnny Byrne; the director was Charles Crichton. Previous titles were 'The Biological Soul' and 'The Biological Computer'. The final shooting script is dated 19 January 1976... " |