Retro TV Episode: Space 1999's "Black Sun"

Barry Morse and Martin Landau in Space: 1999

Space: 1999 was one of the more ambitious science-fiction series of the mid-1970s. In those pre–Star Wars days, there were far less genre options on TV than there are in the current viewing landscape. The series, which ran from 1975-1977, was the brainchild of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, who had found fame with puppet-based children's adventure shows such as Thunderbirds. Their first foray into live-action sci-fi was the 1969 film Journey to the Far Side of the Sun, which starred Roy Thinnes. That big-screen adventure was followed by UFO, a television series featuring Ed Bishop as Col. Ed Straker, the head of an multi-national organization called SHADO, which protected our planet from villainous alien invaders.

UFO was a British production which aired in syndication here in the US. While it found some success in the ratings, it was not renewed for a 2nd year. Gerry Anderson retooled his concept for UFO’s second season, which would’ve centered on adventures on SHADO's base on the moon, into Space:1999. In this new sci-fi epic, our moon is blown out of Earth's orbit by a nuclear explosion. The runaway moon (and the crew of Moonbase Alpha) wander thru space, encountering aliens and strange phenomena as they try to find a new home. The series starred Martin Landau and Barbara Bain, the husband-and-wife team who had previously found television success on Mission: Impossible, and Barry Morse, then best known for his role as Lt. Gerard on The Fugitive.

Space:1999 featured spectacular special effects from Brian Johnson, who had worked on 2001: A Space Odyssey. The series contained elements of science-fiction laced with horror and even a touch of fantasy, and often dealt with heady concepts about our place in the universe, for which no easy answers or neat resolutions were provided by the end of the episode. This appealed to some fans but turned off other viewers, and that disparity in opinions regarding the quality of the series continues to this day. One of the best examples of this “metaphysical sci-fi” aspect of the show is "Black Sun," an episode from the first season, which originally aired on November 6, 1975.

In “Black Sun,” the moon encounters a "black sun" (essentially a black hole) which threatens the existence of Moonbase Alpha. The black sun is wreaking havoc with the base’s power systems, and Commander Koenig (played by Landau) is worried the moon may not survive the trip through the anomaly, because of its tremendous gravitational forces. Koenig and Dr. Victor Bergman (portrayed by Morse) hatch a plan to shield Moonbase Alpha from the black sun’s destructive power, but they're not sure their idea will succeed. As a backup plan, Koenig prepares to send an Eagle transport ship into space, with several crew members aboard, which will ensure that some of the crew will survive if the moon is destroyed.

The episode showcases a philosophical discussion between Koenig and Bergman about how they’ve survived their adventures thus far, and their thoughts about some kind of unknown force guiding the moon’s journey through space. As their fateful journey through the black sun grows closer, the two men share a mystical experience with a powerful entity. This 2001 style sequence (with spiritual undertones) deftly illustrates what many fans love about the show, and also what detractors of the series point to as one of its flaws: that nothing is ever really resolved, and we're left with more questions than answers. Doesn't science-fiction (at it best) make us think, and ask us to ponder the big questions about life?  In my opinion, “Black Sun,” is one of the finest episodes of the series, featuring solid work from the cast, excellent music and special effects, a fine script by David Weir (including an uncredited rewrite from story consultant Christopher Penfold) and strong direction from Lee H. Katzin.

The series was revamped for its second and final season, with producer Fred Freiberger (Star Trek, Wild Wild West) coming on board to guide the show. Barry Morse departed the series, and several other members of the supporting cast weren’t asked to return. Catherine Schell was added to the ensemble as Maya, an alien metamorph who could transform into any person or animal at will. Tony Anholt also joined the cast as security chief Tony Verdeschi. The sets were re-designed, and the somber mood of the first season was abandoned in favor of action-oriented stories, featuring more traditional TV style conflict between the characters. Fans of the series are passionate about which season they like best, with many favoring Year One's more serious approach, and others enjoying Year Two’s fast-paced outings, which also included more humor than the first season.

Whatever iteration of the series you prefer, it's available for viewing on various streaming services, and the show has also been released on Blu-ray and DVD. Space: 1999 is worth revisiting if you haven’t seen it in a while. The first season is better than it’s reputation among non-fans suggests, and there are even some solid outings in the much-maligned second season. If the show's reach sometimes exceeded its grasp, at least it was an ambitious undertaking that tried to bring something different to the genre. Here’s a trailer for a Blu-ray release of the series, featuring Barry Gray’s iconic theme from Year One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_nciw0ALw0\.