Moonbase Alpha Encounters a "Black Sun"

Barry Morse and Martin Landau

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 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, an intriguing television series featuring Ed Bishop as Ed Straker, the head of a 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 ratings success, 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. The concept of the series was that 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 fame 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 entwined with horror and fantasy, and often dealt with powerful concepts about humanity and our place in the universe, for which no easy answers or neat resolutions were provided by the end of the story. Episodes such as "Another Time, Another Place" and "The Testament of Arkadia" prominently featured this heady mix of science-fiction and philosophy. One of the best examples of the show's "spiritual sci-fi" entries is "Black Sun," an episode from the series first season which originally aired on November 6, 1975.

In “Black Sun,” the moon encounters a "black sun" (aka 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 an idea to shield Alpha from the black sun’s destructive power. As a backup plan, Koenig prepares to send an Eagle transport ship into space, with several crew members aboard, which will ensure that some members of the crew will survive if the moon is destroyed.

The episode showcases a philosophical discussion between Koenig and Bergman on how they’ve survived thus far, and if there’s some kind of otherworldly force guiding the moon’s journey through space. As their fateful journey through the black sun begins, the two men have a mystical experience with a powerful entity. Is this being who has protected the Alphans….God? This 2001 style sequence, with strong mystical undertones, deftly illustrates what some fans love about the show, and also what detractors of the series point to as one of its flaws. I think “Black Sun,” is one of the best episodes of the series, featuring great work from the cast, as well as excellent music and special effects. There’s also a fine script by David Weir and solid direction from Lee H. Katzin. 

The thoughtful approach of the first season appealed to some fans but turned off other viewers. The series was revamped for its second and final season, with producer Fred Freiberger (Star Trek, The Wild Wild West) coming on board to guide the show. Barry Morse departed, and several other members of the supporting cast weren’t asked to return. Catherine Schell was added to the show as Maya, an alien shape-changer who could transform into any person or animal. 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 more action-oriented stories. Fans of the series are quite passionate about which season they prefer, with many favoring Year One's more serious approach, while others enjoy Year Two’s faster-paced entries, which also included more humor than the first season.

Whatever iteration of the series you prefer, Space:1999 is available for viewing on various streaming services. The series has been also been released on Blu-ray and DVD. Space: 1999 is worth revisiting if you haven’t seen it in a while, and worth checking out if you're a newcomer to the show. The first season is better than it’s reputation suggests, and there are several solid outings in the much-maligned second season. Here’s a trailer for a Blu-ray release of the series, featuring Barry Gray’s iconic them from Year One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_nciw0ALw0\. 

This post is part of the 12th Annul Favourite TV Episode Blogathon, hosted by Terence, a fellow blogger over at A Shroud of Thoughts. For more info and to view more entries in the blogathon, head over to https://mercurie.blogspot.com/2026/01/announcing-12th-annual-favourite-tv.html.