Space 1999 EPISODE ORDER

[jim244]

Watching this on ITVX (got DVDS but this is easier).
The argument on Space 1999 has always been on episode order.
Watching "Breakaway" tonight, I am still astounded by the amazing special effects and excellent story.
Now, the DVDS and Blu Rays go with broadcast order rather than production order.
This makes sense to the so called "experts" out there.
Ultimately it has been stated that Space 1999 is an anthology series that has no specific order, other than "Breakaway" at the start.
And it's stated so often on sites that "Force of Life" should be viewed as the second episode.
The "problem" with "A Matter of Life and Death" (the second episode in production order) is that they apparently talk about visiting other planets previously.
In reality, Koenig states that many inexplicable events have occurred since leaving Earths' orbit.
This could refer to anything and does not detract from this being viewed as the 2nd episode.
In the books, this is indeed the second story.
I personally believe that every forum and DVD list has got it wrong.
Space 1999 is best viewed in production order.
When they reach Meta in episode 2,as introduced in episode one, it is called Terra Nova which simply means that the computer was programed for Meta as a "New Earth", which ties in with ep 1.
Also, Helenas' lost Husband re-appearing and then dying leaves a moral code for her to foster a new relationship with John.

[DavidKW]

I can remember when Space 1999 was repeated around the ITV regions during the 1980s, the episode orders were very random and erratic region to region.

Also in 1987, the Central region's repeats of UFO were very random - one week I'd see an letter filmed episode featuring Col Virginia Lake, then next week an earlier one with LT Ellis. the Legend channel have done the same think when they repeated it.

Can get quite frustrating.

[stevezodiac]

A quick question, how did they explain the departure of Barry Morse?

[starscape]

They didn't. They didn't explain second-in-command Paul Morrow disappearing either. Nor did they explain two new lead characters and a change of design on Moonbase. Some like to believe Series 2 is set in a parallel universe.
Series 1 is, in my view, the best space opera ever written. Series 2 was very poor however.

[jim244]

A quick question, how did they explain the departure of Barry Morse?

Hi Steve.
The actor Barry Morse wanted too much money than the production team would pay.
Therefore in the first episode of Series 2,in the initial drafts for the script, it was explained that Victor had died in a faulty spacesuit.
This scene however was cut from the script and never filmed.
In the series 2 episode "Catacombs of the Moon"; the artificial heart was originally meant to be his.

[jim244]

They didn't. They didn't explain second-in-command Paul Morrow disappearing either. Nor did they explain two new lead characters and a change of design on Moonbase. Some like to believe Series 2 is set in a parallel universe.
Series 1 is, in my view, the best space opera ever written. Series 2 was very poor however.

Firstly: BRILLIANT !!! I first touched on the different dimension theory that you mention here when I was chronicling the series 2 Look-In strip version.
As Starscape says,the parallel universe theory for series 2 is indeed popular with many fans of the show.
ALSO COMPLETELY AGREE STARSCAPE.........Series 1 IS the best space opera ever written. Series 2 is woeful by comparison (although if it existed as a seperate show entirely under a different name,I would rate it higher).

[jim244]

I hope nobody minds me quoting myself but I thought that following the posts made here, this post makes sense:

"One week away and I had obviously missed a very important episode that must have shown Victor,Paul and Kano dying and introduced the new second in command Tony Verdschi.At least I got to see Maya join.
IN REALITY;the second series of this superb show was something of a reboot and this was in fact the first episode.
Main Mission was replaced by Command Centre.
New music,new actors,new producer etc.

In September 1976 Space 1999 Series 2 started and Look -In Magazine/Comic changed their strip to suit the changes in the show.
I was 8 years old,I'm 55 now.
Even Tanya the Base Ops Officer (19 Eps Series 1) had gone.
Some contemporary critics connect series 2 with an episode from Series 1,"Another Time,Another Place" as this episode features a different moon and a space storm.
Certainly at the start of episode 1 of series 2,Helena mentions a space storm."
FROM LOOK IN SPACE 1999 SERIES 2 CHRONOLOGY

[jim244]

One other thing to add that is very very strange...........................
In Series 1 we do have a chap called Tony who isn't very prominent but does feature in 18 episodes as the security chief!!!!
Strange but true!!!
Different actor from Tony series 2 but still an odd fact.

[jim244]

I can remember when Space 1999 was repeated around the ITV regions during the 1980s, the episode orders were very random and erratic region to region.

Also in 1987, the Central region's repeats of UFO were very random - one week I'd see an letter filmed episode featuring Col Virginia Lake, then next week an earlier one with LT Ellis. the Legend channel have done the same think when they repeated it.

Can get quite frustrating.

Very frustrating indeed David but at least UFO has an agreed order.
With Space 1999 their genuinelly isn't one !!!
So for example,you, I, Starscape and Steve could argue about the proper order of UFO and would be right or wrong, whereas with Space 1999,there is no correct answer other than placing "Breakaway" first.

[jim244]

I recently found a very interesting article in a very early issue of Starlog,promoting series 2.
It actually states that Moonbase Alpha went through a time warp after the moon left Earths' orbit in the first episode.
Very odd.
Starlog was a great mag and to read this in a 1976 edition makes me wonder whether this was an explanation handed out at the time by Andersons' studios ??