The Mark of Archanon
Encyclopedia
"The Mark of Archanon" is the eighth episode of the second series of Space: 1999
(and the thirty-second episode overall of the programme). The screenplay was written by Lew Schwarz; the director was Charles Crichton
. The final shooting script is dated 12 April 1976, with amendments dated 21 April, 26 April, 27 April and 28 April 1976. Live action filming took place Tuesday 4 May 1976 through Tuesday 18 May 1976.
sings an absurd ditty as he strides through an underground mining gallery beneath Moonbase Alpha. Mineralogist Andy Johnson leads the way, searching for dylenide crystals (a component in the Eagles' atmosphere-scrubbing
filters). The two mates banter as they set up a sonarscope and begin probing the cavern walls for the mineral. Johnson soon detects a mineral formation that is definitely not dylenide. Using the 'scope's thermal cutter, they uncover a transparent cabinet—containing two persons.
The occupants are humanoid—a man and an adolescent boy—standing immobile and apparently lifeless. Carter, thinking he sees movement within the cabinet, tries to brush away dust for a better look. Before his hand touches the glass, he is thrown back by a powerful force-field. As Johnson kneels to check on Carter, he glances at the aliens—and is shocked to see the adult's eyes are open, glaring at him with a burning intensity.
Rescue and medical teams arrive. Carter recovers from the shock while the others continue excavating the alien chamber. Despite the astronaut′s insistence he saw the man's eyes open, scans of the aliens detect no signs of life. With an internal temperature of 4° Celsius, the cabinet is definitely not a cryogenic suspension unit. Tony Verdeschi
spies a familiar symbol etched in the glass, recognising it from a past planetfall on Krom Two. Known as Flammon the 'Death Glow', the symbol was left by a visiting god-like race to warn the indigenous population of areas containing life-threatening danger.
When focused on the adult for a longer duration, the equipment records a protracted heartbeat and a miniscule increase in volume of air in the lungs—he is alive. At the same time, another artefact is uncovered next to the cabinet: a control panel and power source. However, the excavations have weakened the cavern roof. With the ceiling collapsing, Verdeschi blindly manipulates the control panel and manages to deactivate the force-field. The adult alien is pulled to safety as the now-unprotected cabinet is smashed by falling debris. Carter risks his life by re-entering the cave-in to bring out the boy.
Though still unconscious, the aliens' vital signs normalise once removed from suspended animation
. Helena Russell
and her assistant doctor, Raul Nuñez, tend to the youth. Unobserved, the man wakes and reaches for a discarded pick-axe. As he regards the Alphans with increasing hostility, a representation of the ‘Flammon’ danger symbol glows into existence beneath the skin of his forehead. When he hears the boy is safe, both his anger and the symbol fade before he again loses consciousness. The two are taken to the Medical Centre, where tests conclude their physiology to be borderline human.
When left alone in a supposedly sedated sleep, the man, known as Pasc, rises. He awakens the boy, his son Etrec. The youth is terrified his forehead also bears the symbol and asks his father to kill him so it cannot come. Pasc, face contorted with a psychotic rage, the symbol pulsing on his forehead, reaches for Etrec's neck—but cannot bring himself to strangle his son. Instead, he wraps his head with a bandage to hide the damning mark from sight.
From Command Centre, Verdeschi and Helena transmit news of the discovery to John Koenig
on Eagle One. The Commander is leading a long-range survey mission in an area of space designated 'Blue Quadrant'. At present, his ship is traversing a dense asteroid
storm and contact is marginal. As for the aliens, Koenig insists all security procedures be strictly observed. The discussion is interrupted by the sudden entrance of Pasc and Etrec. Pasc deflects Helena's questions about the bandage and his 'wound' by telling her a man's blood holds spiritual significance on Archanon and cannot be viewed by strangers.
On the Eagle, Maya
recognises the name 'Archanon', also known as the 'Planet of Peace', before the storm cuts communications. Pasc informs them his people long ago outlawed violence, replacing evil with good. They sent forth emissaries throughout the universe to teach their philosophy. However, when the group he led arrived at Earth, they met with total failure. The entire team, apart from he and Etrec, was driven to madness by humanity's unparalleled brutality and mutinied. The mutineers—led by Pasc's wife Lyra—imprisoned father and son in the stasis chamber before going off to revel in their madness. When asked why they were not killed by the madmen, Pasc replies it is psychologically impossible for an Archanon to take a life.
During this tale, Etrec is silent (as his father blatantly lies about the circumstances leading to their incarceration). Any further questions are prevented when Etrec passes out. A concerned Carter carries the boy to Medical, but Helena can find nothing wrong. When Etrec comes to, he announces he is hungry. Carter takes him to get a hamburger
, chalking the faint up to his not having eaten for a thousand years. After initially refusing Carter's offer to carry him, Etrec leaps on him piggy-back style as Pasc approaches the astronaut from behind, a pair of surgical scissors raised to stab him in the back.
Carter continues to bond with the boy, teaching Etrec to play rugby
in the Moonbase corridors. The two are called to the Technical Section, where the staff is trying to analyse the stasis chamber's power unit. Though the boy's scientific knowledge surpasses the Alphans, he defers to his father. Pasc feigns ignorance; as commander, he says he relied on his specialists for these matters. The unit is opened and a monitor transmitter is found inside. Pasc's startled reaction goes unnoticed as Helena calls the techlab, asking for the Archanons to report to Medical.
They leave, but Pasc drags Etrec toward the Embarkation Area instead. The transmitter was active—their people know they are free. They must flee before any Archanon officials arrive. Intending to steal the stand-by Eagle, Pasc encounters and knocks out the pilot, hiding his body in a storeroom. While waiting for their patients, Helena and Nuñez review their findings. A virus exists in both Archanons' systems—active in Pasc, dormant in Etrec. Perhaps not coincidentally, recordings of Pasc's brain waves show a series of distortions not present in the boy's. Blood samples are required for further analysis.
Helena pages the tech-lab again and is told Pasc and Etrec left some time earlier. Security men are dispatched to locate the lost aliens, who are found as they board a travel tube servicing the launch pads. During this, Carter and Johnson examine the Archanon device. An open panel contains a video-screen; inside are a series of rods that could be recording units. Plugging one into a matching slot starts a playback of Pasc's log. Ebullient, Johnson sees Pasc and Etrec outside the techlab, being escorted to the Medical Section. He calls them over to witness the discovery.
Without warning, Pasc lashes out, his powerful blow connecting with Johnson's head. Carter sounds the alarm before the homicidal alien grabs him by the throat. In the scuffle, the bandage is torn from Pasc's head and Carter sees the symbol. Etrec tries to stop his father, but Pasc one-handedly chokes Carter while simultaneously pummeling him. Carter goes limp and Etrec believes him killed. The aliens depart seconds before Verdeschi and a Security squad arrive. Carter comes to, but the critically injured Johnson requires medical care.
When responding to the emergency call, Helena is taken hostage by Pasc and held at gunpoint with her own weapon. Carter snatches the boy out of harm's way, but Verdeschi presses his stun-gun to Etrec's head. Each man threatens to kill his respective hostage, but Pasc knows humans are too weak to kill in cold blood. When asked what became of the Archanons' abhorrence to violence, Etrec reveals his father has the dreaded 'killing sickness', as denoted by the mark on his forehead. Bartering with Helena's life, Pasc demands access to the stand-by Eagle. Verdeschi concedes, but Etrec opts to remain on Alpha. Pasc tries to kill his son for his disobedience but, again, cannot follow through.
Boarding Eagle Three, Pasc finds the controls deactivated by command order. Helena tries to keep him talking to learn more about the killing sickness, which she equates with the active virus discovered in his system. While Verdeschi and staff try to determine the best way to board the Eagle unobserved, Pasc calls in. He demands the ship's controls be unlocked and Etrec brought to him in exchange for the doctor. She blurts out a message for Nuñez, but is cut off by Pasc. Nuñez speculates it had to do with their needing blood samples to analyse the virus.
Verdeschi sends a reluctant Carter to convince the boy to first give blood, then consent to leave with his psychotic father if necessary. In the Recreation Centre, Carter finds Etrec in the throes of the killing sickness. Forehead pulsing with the hated symbol, the boy turns on his friend, a steak-knife poised to strike. Instead he plunges it into his own forehead, trying to gouge out the shameful mark. Before collapsing, he offers his blood to Carter. During this, an alien spacecraft approaches the Moon
. It hails from Archanon and has come to warn the Alphans of the danger they are in from their kinsmen. Growing weaker, Etrec asks for the Archanon device. Another recording reveals the missing pieces of the puzzle.
Verdeschi contacts Pasc, but instead of meeting his demands, he replays the recording for Helena's benefit. Pasc's wife, Lyra, relates how Pasc was discovered to have the neurological pathogen known as the killing sickness. After murdering two of their team, he was overpowered. A stasis chamber was prepared and, knowing susceptibility to the disease is carried in the gene
s of the male line, both husband and son were imprisoned until a cure was found. As Pasc watches his wife's tear-stained face, Nuñez tells Helena the virus is curable. He has prepared a serum
from the boy's blood...but Etrec seems incapable of replacing the blood volume he has lost.
Pasc is devastated; with Etrec dying, he is left with nothing. He threatens to kill Helena unless the Eagle is released. Helena pleads with him to save his son by giving him a blood transfusion
. The virus can be killed by first treating his blood with the serum. His refuses—he does not save life, he takes it...even his own son's. She berates him for his cowardice, running rather than fighting for the life of his child. Unexepctedly, Pasc agrees to the procedure. The transfusion is performed and Etrec's condition improves. Pasc, however, is fading fast.
An Archanon woman, Maurna, is escorted from her ship to the care unit. Father and son gape at the striking resemblance she bears to Lyra. She is told of Helena's cure for the killing sickness, and reveals this procedure is known on Archanon. Physiologically unable to produce blood rapidly, no Archanon could give the amount required to prepare the serum and survive. With irony, Pasc tells Helena it is the privilege of the killing sickness to last kill one's self, and he expires. Maurna, a descendant of Lyra, takes the cured Etrec into her care. Before they depart, a wistful Carter presents the boy with his rugby ball as a memento.
Days later, Koenig returns from the Blue Quadrant survey and consoles a brooding Helena. As a physician, she does not feel that ignorance is a satisfactory defence for malpractice. Koenig reminds her she should be grateful for curing the boy. She admits she is grateful for that...and for other things, as she kisses him.
and draws primarily from the scores of 'The Metamorph
' and 'The Exiles
'.
and J. Jeff Jones published in 1977. The story would be adapted from the 12 April 1976 shooting script and contained many of the unrevised and deleted items present in this draft.
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...
(and the thirty-second episode overall of the programme). The screenplay was written by Lew Schwarz; the director was Charles Crichton
Charles Crichton
Charles Crichton was an English film director and film editor. He became best known for directing comedies produced at Ealing Studios...
. The final shooting script is dated 12 April 1976, with amendments dated 21 April, 26 April, 27 April and 28 April 1976. Live action filming took place Tuesday 4 May 1976 through Tuesday 18 May 1976.
Story
It is 640 days after leaving Earth orbit, and 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:...
sings an absurd ditty as he strides through an underground mining gallery beneath Moonbase Alpha. Mineralogist Andy Johnson leads the way, searching for dylenide crystals (a component in the Eagles' atmosphere-scrubbing
Carbon dioxide scrubber
A carbon dioxide scrubber is a device which absorbs carbon dioxide . It is used to treat exhaust gases from industrial plants or from exhaled air in life support systems such as rebreathers or in spacecraft, submersible craft or airtight chambers...
filters). The two mates banter as they set up a sonarscope and begin probing the cavern walls for the mineral. Johnson soon detects a mineral formation that is definitely not dylenide. Using the 'scope's thermal cutter, they uncover a transparent cabinet—containing two persons.
The occupants are humanoid—a man and an adolescent boy—standing immobile and apparently lifeless. Carter, thinking he sees movement within the cabinet, tries to brush away dust for a better look. Before his hand touches the glass, he is thrown back by a powerful force-field. As Johnson kneels to check on Carter, he glances at the aliens—and is shocked to see the adult's eyes are open, glaring at him with a burning intensity.
Rescue and medical teams arrive. Carter recovers from the shock while the others continue excavating the alien chamber. Despite the astronaut′s insistence he saw the man's eyes open, scans of the aliens detect no signs of life. With an internal temperature of 4° Celsius, the cabinet is definitely not a cryogenic suspension unit. Tony Verdeschi
Tony Verdeschi
Tony Verdeschi is a fictional character who first appeared in the second series of the science fiction television series Space: 1999. He is in his early thirties....
spies a familiar symbol etched in the glass, recognising it from a past planetfall on Krom Two. Known as Flammon the 'Death Glow', the symbol was left by a visiting god-like race to warn the indigenous population of areas containing life-threatening danger.
When focused on the adult for a longer duration, the equipment records a protracted heartbeat and a miniscule increase in volume of air in the lungs—he is alive. At the same time, another artefact is uncovered next to the cabinet: a control panel and power source. However, the excavations have weakened the cavern roof. With the ceiling collapsing, Verdeschi blindly manipulates the control panel and manages to deactivate the force-field. The adult alien is pulled to safety as the now-unprotected cabinet is smashed by falling debris. Carter risks his life by re-entering the cave-in to bring out the boy.
Though still unconscious, the aliens' vital signs normalise once removed from suspended animation
Suspended animation
Suspended animation is the slowing of life processes by external means without termination. Breathing, heartbeat, and other involuntary functions may still occur, but they can only be detected by artificial means. Extreme cold can be used to precipitate the slowing of an individual's functions; use...
. 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....
and her assistant doctor, Raul Nuñez, tend to the youth. Unobserved, the man wakes and reaches for a discarded pick-axe. As he regards the Alphans with increasing hostility, a representation of the ‘Flammon’ danger symbol glows into existence beneath the skin of his forehead. When he hears the boy is safe, both his anger and the symbol fade before he again loses consciousness. The two are taken to the Medical Centre, where tests conclude their physiology to be borderline human.
When left alone in a supposedly sedated sleep, the man, known as Pasc, rises. He awakens the boy, his son Etrec. The youth is terrified his forehead also bears the symbol and asks his father to kill him so it cannot come. Pasc, face contorted with a psychotic rage, the symbol pulsing on his forehead, reaches for Etrec's neck—but cannot bring himself to strangle his son. Instead, he wraps his head with a bandage to hide the damning mark from sight.
From Command Centre, Verdeschi and Helena transmit news of the discovery to 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:...
on Eagle One. The Commander is leading a long-range survey mission in an area of space designated 'Blue Quadrant'. At present, his ship is traversing a dense asteroid
Asteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
storm and contact is marginal. As for the aliens, Koenig insists all security procedures be strictly observed. The discussion is interrupted by the sudden entrance of Pasc and Etrec. Pasc deflects Helena's questions about the bandage and his 'wound' by telling her a man's blood holds spiritual significance on Archanon and cannot be viewed by strangers.
On the Eagle, Maya
Maya (Space: 1999)
Maya is a fictional character who appeared in the second series of the science fiction television program Space: 1999. Played by actress Catherine Schell , Maya was introduced in the second series opener 'The Metamorph'...
recognises the name 'Archanon', also known as the 'Planet of Peace', before the storm cuts communications. Pasc informs them his people long ago outlawed violence, replacing evil with good. They sent forth emissaries throughout the universe to teach their philosophy. However, when the group he led arrived at Earth, they met with total failure. The entire team, apart from he and Etrec, was driven to madness by humanity's unparalleled brutality and mutinied. The mutineers—led by Pasc's wife Lyra—imprisoned father and son in the stasis chamber before going off to revel in their madness. When asked why they were not killed by the madmen, Pasc replies it is psychologically impossible for an Archanon to take a life.
During this tale, Etrec is silent (as his father blatantly lies about the circumstances leading to their incarceration). Any further questions are prevented when Etrec passes out. A concerned Carter carries the boy to Medical, but Helena can find nothing wrong. When Etrec comes to, he announces he is hungry. Carter takes him to get a hamburger
Hamburger
A hamburger is a sandwich consisting of a cooked patty of ground meat usually placed inside a sliced bread roll...
, chalking the faint up to his not having eaten for a thousand years. After initially refusing Carter's offer to carry him, Etrec leaps on him piggy-back style as Pasc approaches the astronaut from behind, a pair of surgical scissors raised to stab him in the back.
Carter continues to bond with the boy, teaching Etrec to play rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
in the Moonbase corridors. The two are called to the Technical Section, where the staff is trying to analyse the stasis chamber's power unit. Though the boy's scientific knowledge surpasses the Alphans, he defers to his father. Pasc feigns ignorance; as commander, he says he relied on his specialists for these matters. The unit is opened and a monitor transmitter is found inside. Pasc's startled reaction goes unnoticed as Helena calls the techlab, asking for the Archanons to report to Medical.
They leave, but Pasc drags Etrec toward the Embarkation Area instead. The transmitter was active—their people know they are free. They must flee before any Archanon officials arrive. Intending to steal the stand-by Eagle, Pasc encounters and knocks out the pilot, hiding his body in a storeroom. While waiting for their patients, Helena and Nuñez review their findings. A virus exists in both Archanons' systems—active in Pasc, dormant in Etrec. Perhaps not coincidentally, recordings of Pasc's brain waves show a series of distortions not present in the boy's. Blood samples are required for further analysis.
Helena pages the tech-lab again and is told Pasc and Etrec left some time earlier. Security men are dispatched to locate the lost aliens, who are found as they board a travel tube servicing the launch pads. During this, Carter and Johnson examine the Archanon device. An open panel contains a video-screen; inside are a series of rods that could be recording units. Plugging one into a matching slot starts a playback of Pasc's log. Ebullient, Johnson sees Pasc and Etrec outside the techlab, being escorted to the Medical Section. He calls them over to witness the discovery.
Without warning, Pasc lashes out, his powerful blow connecting with Johnson's head. Carter sounds the alarm before the homicidal alien grabs him by the throat. In the scuffle, the bandage is torn from Pasc's head and Carter sees the symbol. Etrec tries to stop his father, but Pasc one-handedly chokes Carter while simultaneously pummeling him. Carter goes limp and Etrec believes him killed. The aliens depart seconds before Verdeschi and a Security squad arrive. Carter comes to, but the critically injured Johnson requires medical care.
When responding to the emergency call, Helena is taken hostage by Pasc and held at gunpoint with her own weapon. Carter snatches the boy out of harm's way, but Verdeschi presses his stun-gun to Etrec's head. Each man threatens to kill his respective hostage, but Pasc knows humans are too weak to kill in cold blood. When asked what became of the Archanons' abhorrence to violence, Etrec reveals his father has the dreaded 'killing sickness', as denoted by the mark on his forehead. Bartering with Helena's life, Pasc demands access to the stand-by Eagle. Verdeschi concedes, but Etrec opts to remain on Alpha. Pasc tries to kill his son for his disobedience but, again, cannot follow through.
Boarding Eagle Three, Pasc finds the controls deactivated by command order. Helena tries to keep him talking to learn more about the killing sickness, which she equates with the active virus discovered in his system. While Verdeschi and staff try to determine the best way to board the Eagle unobserved, Pasc calls in. He demands the ship's controls be unlocked and Etrec brought to him in exchange for the doctor. She blurts out a message for Nuñez, but is cut off by Pasc. Nuñez speculates it had to do with their needing blood samples to analyse the virus.
Verdeschi sends a reluctant Carter to convince the boy to first give blood, then consent to leave with his psychotic father if necessary. In the Recreation Centre, Carter finds Etrec in the throes of the killing sickness. Forehead pulsing with the hated symbol, the boy turns on his friend, a steak-knife poised to strike. Instead he plunges it into his own forehead, trying to gouge out the shameful mark. Before collapsing, he offers his blood to Carter. During this, an alien spacecraft approaches the Moon
Moon
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...
. It hails from Archanon and has come to warn the Alphans of the danger they are in from their kinsmen. Growing weaker, Etrec asks for the Archanon device. Another recording reveals the missing pieces of the puzzle.
Verdeschi contacts Pasc, but instead of meeting his demands, he replays the recording for Helena's benefit. Pasc's wife, Lyra, relates how Pasc was discovered to have the neurological pathogen known as the killing sickness. After murdering two of their team, he was overpowered. A stasis chamber was prepared and, knowing susceptibility to the disease is carried in the gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
s of the male line, both husband and son were imprisoned until a cure was found. As Pasc watches his wife's tear-stained face, Nuñez tells Helena the virus is curable. He has prepared a serum
Blood serum
In blood, the serum is the component that is neither a blood cell nor a clotting factor; it is the blood plasma with the fibrinogens removed...
from the boy's blood...but Etrec seems incapable of replacing the blood volume he has lost.
Pasc is devastated; with Etrec dying, he is left with nothing. He threatens to kill Helena unless the Eagle is released. Helena pleads with him to save his son by giving him a blood transfusion
Blood transfusion
Blood transfusion is the process of receiving blood products into one's circulation intravenously. Transfusions are used in a variety of medical conditions to replace lost components of the blood...
. The virus can be killed by first treating his blood with the serum. His refuses—he does not save life, he takes it...even his own son's. She berates him for his cowardice, running rather than fighting for the life of his child. Unexepctedly, Pasc agrees to the procedure. The transfusion is performed and Etrec's condition improves. Pasc, however, is fading fast.
An Archanon woman, Maurna, is escorted from her ship to the care unit. Father and son gape at the striking resemblance she bears to Lyra. She is told of Helena's cure for the killing sickness, and reveals this procedure is known on Archanon. Physiologically unable to produce blood rapidly, no Archanon could give the amount required to prepare the serum and survive. With irony, Pasc tells Helena it is the privilege of the killing sickness to last kill one's self, and he expires. Maurna, a descendant of Lyra, takes the cured Etrec into her care. Before they depart, a wistful Carter presents the boy with his rugby ball as a memento.
Days later, Koenig returns from the Blue Quadrant survey and consoles a brooding Helena. As a physician, she does not feel that ignorance is a satisfactory defence for malpractice. Koenig reminds her she should be grateful for curing the boy. She admits she is grateful for that...and for other things, as she kisses him.
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
- Tony AnholtTony AnholtAnthony "Tony" Anholt was a British actor best known for his roles as Security Chief Tony Verdeschi in the second season of Gerry Anderson's television series Space: 1999 , Paul Buchet in The Protectors and as Charles Frere in the highly-successful BBC drama series Howards' Way .Anholt was...
— Tony VerdeschiTony VerdeschiTony Verdeschi is a fictional character who first appeared in the second series of the science fiction television series Space: 1999. He is in his early thirties.... - 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:...
Also Featuring
- Veronica Lang — Lyra and Maurna
- John AlkinJohn AlkinJohn Alkin was a British actor turned spiritual healer.Alkin is best remembered for 2 roles, namely that of DS Tom Daniels in The Sweeney, and as barrister Barry Deeley in the long running daytime TV Drama Crown Court...
— Andy Johnson - John Hug — Astronaut Bill Fraser
- Anthony Forrest — Security Guard Carson
- Raul Newney — Doctor Raul Nuñez
- Yasuko NagazumiYasuko Nagazumiis a producer and manager in Hollywood responsible for print advertising campaigns for clients such as Armani, Donna Karan, Guess?, Pirelli, Vogue Magazine and working with photographers Peter Lindbergh, Herb Ritts, Helmut Newton and others....
— Yasko
Uncredited Artists
- Annie LambertAnnie LambertAnnie Lambert is a British actress, best known to fans of the science fiction television series Doctor Who for her role as Enlightenment in the 1982 serial Four to Doomsday....
— Command Centre Operative - Quentin Pierre — Security Guard (Pierce)
- Terry WalshTerry Walsh (actor)Terry Walsh was a British actor stuntman, stunt arranger and fight arranger who contributed much to British television and film, especially during the 1970s. He stunt-doubled for Michael Caine, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker and David Warner amongst others.Walsh is known for his work on the science...
— Eagle Three Astronaut (Stuart) - Barbara KellyBarbara KellyBarbara Kelly was a Canadian-born actress, possibly best-known for her television roles in the United Kingdom opposite her husband Bernard Braden in the 1950s and 1960s and for many appearances as a panelist on the British version of What's My Line?.-Early years:Barbara Kelly was born in...
— Computer Voice
Music
The score was re-edited from previous Space: 1999 incidental music tracks composed for the second series by Derek WadsworthDerek Wadsworth
Derek Wadsworth was a British jazz trombonist, session musician, composer and arranger....
and draws primarily from the scores of '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...
' and 'The Exiles
The Exiles
"The Exiles" is a science fiction short story by Ray Bradbury. It was originally published as "The Mad Wizards of Mars" in Maclean's on 15 September 1949 and was reprinted the following year by Fantasy Fiction, Inc...
'.
Production Notes
- With Sir Lew GradeLew GradeLew Grade, Baron Grade , born Lev Winogradsky, was an influential Russian-born English impresario and media mogul.-Early years:...
's late renewal order for the second series, a strict ten-month production schedule was imposed by ITCITC EntertainmentThe Incorporated Television Company was a British television company largely involved in production and distribution. It was founded by Lew Grade.-History:...
New York. To stay on schedule, producer Fred FreibergerFred FreibergerFred Freiberger was an American film and television screenwriter and television producer, with a career spanning four decades including The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Star Trek, and Space: 1999...
devised the 'double-up' concept. Two episodes would be filmed simultaneously by two first-unit companies. The scripts would be written to heavily feature one of the stars; the other would appear in a reduced capacity while working on their own, concurrent story. The supporting cast would also be divided between the two productions.
- In the case of this 'Helena Double-Up' script, 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...
was the featured star with supporting actors 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...
and Tony AnholtTony AnholtAnthony "Tony" Anholt was a British actor best known for his roles as Security Chief Tony Verdeschi in the second season of Gerry Anderson's television series Space: 1999 , Paul Buchet in The Protectors and as Charles Frere in the highly-successful BBC drama series Howards' Way .Anholt was...
joining her for a story set primarily in the standing Moonbase sets on Stage 'L'. Short scenes involving 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...
and Catherine SchellCatherine SchellKatherina Freiin Schell von Bauschlott is an Hungarian-born actress best known for her work on British televison.Schell rose to fame in various British film and television productions in the 1960s and 1970s...
were filmed in the Eagle command module, with Landau and Bain appearing together on-screen only in the epilogue. ('The Rules of Luton' was filmed simultaneously on location, with Landau and Schell receiving the majority of the screen time.)
- 'The Mark of Archanon' shooting script dated 12 April 1976 contained scenes either cut for time or revised by the subsequent amendments: (1) The use of dylenide crystals in the Eagles' air filters was mentioned in dialogue between Carter and Johnson during the hook. (2) The cave-in would be an accident caused by a careless technician; when not in use, the thermal cutter was left turned on and pointing at the ceiling; (3) Carter's use of the nickname 'Bluey' for Johnson was explained as Australian slang for people with red hairRed hairRed hair occurs on approximately 1–2% of the human population. It occurs more frequently in people of northern or western European ancestry, and less frequently in other populations...
; (4) The plan to gain access to Pasc's Eagle by burning through the propulsion-tube's inspection hatch with acid was visualised and carried out by two Alphans. This sequence was removed for budgetary reasons; (5) The new character of Raul Nuñez was created when a scheduling conflict would prevent actor Jeffery Kissoon from portraying Ben Vincent, as intended by the script.
- In an attempt to appeal to the American audience, the voices of Michael Gallagher (Etrec), John AlkinJohn AlkinJohn Alkin was a British actor turned spiritual healer.Alkin is best remembered for 2 roles, namely that of DS Tom Daniels in The Sweeney, and as barrister Barry Deeley in the long running daytime TV Drama Crown Court...
(Andy Johnson) and Anthony Forrest (Carson) were dubbed by voice-artists speaking with American accents.
Novelisation
The episode was adapted in the second Year Two Space: 1999 novel Mind-Breaks of Space by Michael ButterworthMichael Butterworth
Michael Butterworth is a British author and publisher who has written many novels and short stories, particularly in the genre of science fiction...
and J. Jeff Jones published in 1977. The story would be adapted from the 12 April 1976 shooting script and contained many of the unrevised and deleted items present in this draft.
External links
- Space: 1999 - 'The Mark of Archanon' - The Catacombs episode guide
- Space: 1999 - 'The Mark of Archanon' - Moonbase Alpha's Space: 1999 page
| Last produced: "The Rules of Luton" |
List of Space: 1999 episodes | Next produced: "Brian the Brain Brian the Brain "Brian the Brain" is the ninth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Jack Ronder; the director was Kevin Connor. The final shooting script is dated 5 May 1976, with amendments dated 11 May 1976... " |
| Last transmitted: "New Adam, New Eve New Adam, New Eve "New Adam, New Eve" is the tenth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Terence Feely; the director was Charles Crichton. The final shooting script is dated 29 April 1976... " |
Next transmitted: "The Rules of Luton" |