theLogBook.com is a chronicle of how we used to imagine the future – an ever-expanding logbook of what our entertainment, our culture, and even our brightest minds thought would happen. It’s nostalgia – and some real history – that gives factual context to the fiction, cultural context to the factual, and always looks to the future.
The ongoing remodel of the site, the ongoing video series, and more are powered by your support! Join our Patreon, get access to our Discord, and help the site grow!
Welcome to Gene-ology, a podcast by Roddenberry Entertainment that dives deep into the early TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry. Is this the best television script Gene Roddenberry wrote prior to creating Star Trek? Gene's singular episode of the popular medical drama Dr. Kildare is a powerful story full of rich characters and raw emotions – the bedrock of great television drama. Hosted by Earl Green & Ashley Thomas About Gene-ology Gene-ology explores Gene Roddenberry's early television scripts, including his lesser-known works before Star Trek using the Mission Log format popularized by Roddenberry Podcasts. We analyze the themes, writing style, and cultural impact of his scripts, and we even unearth stories from the Roddenberry archives that were never produced. Join us as we trace the roots of Gene's creative genius. In This Episode A breakdown of key moments and themes in "A Distant Thunder". Exploring Gene Roddenberry's evolving style and storytelling. How this episode ties into the broader TV landscape of the time and reflects the early seeds of Roddenberry's visionary work. Guest stars and unique production elements that bring this episode to life. Special Segment: Dramatic Recreation Since this script is not available to the public, we've brought it to life with a dramatic recreation! Special guests Jeff Gauntt and Bonnie Gordon perform a key section of the script. Listen in as they bring the story to life in this exclusive performance. Join the Conversation What did you think of this episode? Share your thoughts, theories, and favorite moments in the comments or reach out to us on social media or email us at missionlog@roddenberry.com Did you know Roddenberry Podcasts is on YouTube? Find the video versions of your favorite shows like Mission Log: Prodigy, Mission Log: The Orville, as well as exclusive content only available on YouTube. Subscribe now! https://www.youtube.com/@RoddenberryEntertainment?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/roddenberrypodcasts BLUESKY https://bsky.app/profile/roddenberrypod.bsky.social THREADS https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod Our shows are part of the Roddenberry Entertainment family. For more great shows and to learn how we live the legacy of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, follow us here: RODDENBERRY PODCASTS https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryPodcasts RODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryOfficial RODDENBERRY FOUNDATION https://www.instagram.com/TheRoddenberryFoundation Support the Show For as little as $1 a month, you can gain access to our Mission Log Discord Community! There, we continue the discussion with dedicated channels and a weekly video chat with the hosts. Become a member of our Patreon today! https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLog Subscribe and Stay Tuned Be sure to subscribe to Gene-ology for more deep dives into Gene Roddenberry's early works. New episodes are released regularly as we uncover more of Gene's television legacy. – Gene-ology is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producer Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry. Visit https://Podcasts.Roddenberry.com for more great content. Edited by Earl Green.
Streaming service CBS All Access debuts the sixth episode of Star Trek: Picard, starring Patrick Stewart, Michelle Hurd, Santiago Cabrera, Alison Pill, and Evan Evagora. Jonathan del Arco (Star Trek: The Next Generation) guest stars.
Private aerospace company SpaceX announces that a crew of two – not publicly identified by the company – have booked a private circumlunar flight scheduled to take place in 2018 aboard a SpaceX Dragon v2 capsule. The flight will utilize a free-return trajectory to the moon, around its dark side, and back to Earth, without orbiting or landing. At the time of the announcement, Dragon v2 has yet to fly into space, either with or without a crew, and the booster that would be required for this flight, the Falcon Heavy, has yet to be test-flown, either with or without a crew.
Actor Leonard Nimoy, known for nearly half a century as the face and voice of Star Trek‘s Mr. Spock, dies at the age of 83, several days after news reports that he has been rushed to a hospital with severe chest pains. A busy actor and director on stage and screen for most of his career, Nimoy became forever associated with Star Trek, and in turn became the “face” of the unlikely hit show (despite the fact that he wasn’t the show’s nominal star). Nimoy was the only cast member to carry over from the 1964 pilot, The Cage, into the rest of Star Trek in the same role. He directed several movies, including the hit comedy Three Men And A Baby, Star Trek III and Star Trek IV, but turned down an invitation to direct Star Trek: Generations in 1994. At one point, he was attached as director to a 1990s TV movie revival of Doctor Who, though he had to pass on that project as well. Mr. Nimoy had revealed, months before his death, that he was suffering from COPD.
NASA/JPL’s Curiosity Mars rover unexpectedly switches to its “B-Side” backup computer after its primary onboard computer (nicknamed “A-Side”) begins to suffer memory issues. B-Side allows Curiosity to return to normal function after the A-Side issue forces the rover into a low-activity safe mode. NASA identifies the A-Side issue as a problem with its built-in flash memory.
The 16th episode of Arrow, a modern-day reboot of DC Comics’ Green Arrow superhero starring Stephen Amell, airs on the CW. John Barrowman (Torchwood, Doctor Who) guest stars.
The third episode of Joss Whedon’s futuristic “spy-fi” series Dollhouse airs on Fox, starring Eliza Dushku. Amy Acker (Angel) and Kevin Kilner (Earth: Final Conflict) guest star.
BBC2 premieres the 21st episode of Russell T. Davies’ science fiction series Torchwood, a more adult-themed spinoff of Doctor Who. Freema Agyeman reprises her Doctor Who role as Martha Jones. Richard Briers guest stars. The episode marks the TV writing debut of Joseph Lidster, whose first professionally published Doctor Who-related work had been a script for a Big Finish audio play submitted during a Big Finish “new talent” contest in 2002.
The 150th episode of Stargate SG-1 airs on the Sci-Fi Channel, starring Richard Dean Anderson, Amanda Tapping, Michael Shanks, and Christopher Judge. Amanda Tapping directs an episode written by Michael Shanks.
The 94th episode of Joss Whedon’s supernatural series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, airs on the WB network. James Marsters, Anthony Stewart Head, and Alyson Hannigan also star. Amber Benson guest stars.
The 152nd episode of Chris Carter’s modern-day science fiction series The X-Files airs on Fox, starring Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny. Krista Allen (Baywatch) guest stars in an episode co-written by novelist William Gibson (Neuromancer, Mona Lisa Overdrive).
Showtime airs the 67th episode of The Outer Limits, a revival of the 1960s science fiction anthology series. Melissa Gilbert and Doug Jones (Star Trek: Discovery) guest star.
The TV movie TekLab, the third feature-length movie based on William Shatner’s cyberpunk novel series, premieres in syndication. The Canadian-made movie stars Greg Evigan (My Two Dads), Eugene Clark (Night Heat), William Shatner (Star Trek), and Torri Higginson (Stargate Atlantis), and features Michael York (Logan’s Run). This movie is part of the Universal Action Pack syndication package (which will become better known for Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess).
The 17th episode of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman airs on ABC, starring Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher. Dean Stockwell (Quantum Leap) and Bo Jackson guest star.
The week-long national syndication window opens for the 15th episode of the fantasy series Highlander, starring Adrian Paul (War Of The Worlds), Alexandra Vandernoort, and Stan Kirsch, and based on the mythology created in the 1986 movie of the same name. Roland Gift (lead singer of Fine Young Cannibals) guest stars.
The 15th episode of the superhero series The Flash, based on the DC Comics character, airs on CBS, starring John Wesley Shipp and Amanda Pays. Robert O’Reilly (Star Trek: The Next Generation) guest stars.
The BBC announces that production of its popular science fiction series Doctor Who is to be paused to 18 months, allowing the show’s production staff to make alterations to the show’s content and style (at the request of BBC upper management following complaints of excessive depictions of violence), and affording the network an opportunity to redirect funds – temporarily – toward its new daytime TV service and the newly-started prime time soap opera EastEnders. Fans of the series rally to support the show, especially since several close to the production – including actor Colin Baker – reveal that the “18 month hiatus” is a cover for a complete cancellation of the show. Not helping matters is BBC1 Controller Michael Grade’s stated dislike for the series and its star.
NBC airs the 15th episode of James D. Parriott’s time travel series Voyagers!, starring Jon-Erik Hexum and Meeno Peluce. Will Kuluva guest stars as Louis Pasteur, and Fionnula Flanagan guest stars as Molly Brown.
The 99th episode of The Six Million Dollar Man is broadcast on ABC, starring Lee Majors and Richard Anderson. Robert Walker Jr. (Star Trek’s Charlie X) and Peter Mark Richman (Electra Woman and Dyna Girl) guest star.
The week-long syndication window opens for the ninth episode of The Next Step Beyond, a revival of the 1950s/60s supernatural anthology series One Step Beyond, hosted and directed by John Newland. William Campbell (Star Trek) guest stars in the final television credit for writer Jerry Sohl (Star Trek, The Invaders, The Outer Limits).
The 77th episode of The Six Million Dollar Man is broadcast on ABC, starring Lee Majors and Richard Anderson. Paul Mantee guest stars; future CBS president Les Moonves makes an early appearance in his brief acting career.
The 40th episode of Larry Cohen’s science fiction series The Invaders, starring Roy Thinnes and produced by Quinn Martin’s QM Productions, is broadcast on ABC. Ed Asner (Lou Grant) guest stars.
The 55th episode of Irwin Allen’s adventure series Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea airs on ABC, starring Richard Basehart and David Hedison. Peter Mark Richman (Electra Woman And Dyna-Girl) guest stars.
The 22nd episode of the syndicated series Highway Patrol, starring Broderick Crawford, is broadcast in the United States. This story, titled Human Bomb, is an early TV script written by future Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. Roddenberry, still on active duty with the Los Angeles Police Department, is also the show’s “technical advisor” on police procedure. Due to Roddenberry’s current police employment, the episode is credited to his pseudonym, Robert Wesley.
The first meeting of the Upper Atmosphere Research Panel, known more informally as the V2 Panel, is held, comprised of researchers from various universities, industry, and the military, to decide on peaceful uses for the nearly 80 rockets’ worth of German V2 rocket hardware seized in Germany at the end of World War II. The technology of the rockets themselves will be studied, while payloads are proposed to study the properties of Earth’s upper atmosphere, radiation received from the sun, and the environment of space itself. Also of key importance will be reverse-engineering the V2 to aid in the design of American-made sounding rockets. Eventually the German scientists and engineers who were taken into custody with the captured hardware will be brought to the U.S. to continue their research.
Absolutely no generative AI was used in the creation of the content on this website. It’s mostly just some guy named Earl.
Streaming service CBS All Access debuts the sixth episode of Star Trek: Picard, starring Patrick Stewart, Michelle Hurd, Santiago Cabrera, Alison Pill, and Evan Evagora. Jonathan del Arco (Star Trek: The Next Generation) guest stars. 
The CW airs the 82nd episode of The Flash, a modern-day reboot of DC Comics’ superhero starring Grant Gustin. 
Private aerospace company SpaceX announces that a crew of two – not publicly identified by the company – have booked a private circumlunar flight scheduled to take place in 2018 aboard a SpaceX Dragon v2 capsule. The flight will utilize a free-return trajectory to the moon, around its dark side, and back to Earth, without orbiting or landing. At the time of the announcement, Dragon v2 has yet to fly into space, either with or without a crew, and the booster that would be required for this flight, the Falcon Heavy, has yet to be test-flown, either with or without a crew.
Actor Leonard Nimoy, known for nearly half a century as the face and voice of Star Trek‘s Mr. Spock, dies at the age of 83, several days after news reports that he has been rushed to a hospital with severe chest pains. A busy actor and director on stage and screen for most of his career, Nimoy became forever associated with Star Trek, and in turn became the “face” of the unlikely hit show (despite the fact that he wasn’t the show’s nominal star). Nimoy was the only cast member to carry over from the 1964 pilot, The Cage, into the rest of Star Trek in the same role. He directed several movies, including the hit comedy Three Men And A Baby, Star Trek III and Star Trek IV, but turned down an invitation to direct Star Trek: Generations in 1994. At one point, he was attached as director to a 1990s TV movie revival of Doctor Who, though he had to pass on that project as well. Mr. Nimoy had revealed, months before his death, that he was suffering from COPD.
NASA/JPL’s Curiosity Mars rover unexpectedly switches to its “B-Side” backup computer after its primary onboard computer (nicknamed “A-Side”) begins to suffer memory issues. B-Side allows Curiosity to return to normal function after the A-Side issue forces the rover into a low-activity safe mode. NASA identifies the A-Side issue as a problem with its built-in flash memory.
The 16th episode of Arrow, a modern-day reboot of DC Comics’ Green Arrow superhero starring Stephen Amell, airs on the CW. John Barrowman (Torchwood, Doctor Who) guest stars.
Big Finish Productions releases the 144th Doctor Who audio drama in its main monthly range, starring Colin Baker and Maggie Stables. 
Sci-Fi Channel airs the 70th episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. 
The third episode of Joss Whedon’s futuristic “spy-fi” series Dollhouse airs on Fox, starring Eliza Dushku. Amy Acker (Angel) and Kevin Kilner (Earth: Final Conflict) guest star.
Cartoon Network airs the 19th episode of the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. 
BBC2 premieres the 21st episode of Russell T. Davies’ science fiction series Torchwood, a more adult-themed spinoff of Doctor Who. Freema Agyeman reprises her Doctor Who role as Martha Jones. Richard Briers guest stars. The episode marks the TV writing debut of Joseph Lidster, whose first professionally published Doctor Who-related work had been a script for a Big Finish audio play submitted during a Big Finish “new talent” contest in 2002. 
Big Finish Productions releases the 105th Doctor Who audio drama in its main monthly range, starring Colin Baker and India Fisher. 
Big Finish Productions releases the 92nd Doctor Who audio drama in its main monthly range, starring Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred. 
Big Finish Productions releases the 66th Doctor Who audio drama in its main monthly range, starring Peter Davison, Sarah Sutton, and William Russell. 
The 150th episode of Stargate SG-1 airs on the Sci-Fi Channel, starring Richard Dean Anderson, Amanda Tapping, Michael Shanks, and Christopher Judge. Amanda Tapping directs an episode written by Michael Shanks.
The 16th episode of the Star Trek prequel spinoff Enterprise premieres on UPN. Robert Pine (father of future “Captain Kirk” actor Chris Pine) guest stars. 
UPN airs the 162nd episode of Star Trek: Voyager. Don Most (Happy Days) guest stars. This is the second part of a two-part story. 
The 94th episode of Joss Whedon’s supernatural series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, airs on the WB network. James Marsters, Anthony Stewart Head, and Alyson Hannigan also star. Amber Benson guest stars.
Sci-Fi Channel premieres the 28th episode of Lexx. Nigel Bennett (Forever Knight) guest stars as Prince. 
The 152nd episode of Chris Carter’s modern-day science fiction series The X-Files airs on Fox, starring Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny. Krista Allen (Baywatch) guest stars in an episode co-written by novelist William Gibson (Neuromancer, Mona Lisa Overdrive).
Pay cable channel Showtime premieres the 20th episode of Stargate SG-1. Ronny Cox (Robocop) guest stars. 
Showtime airs the 67th episode of The Outer Limits, a revival of the 1960s science fiction anthology series. Melissa Gilbert and Doug Jones (Star Trek: Discovery) guest star.
The week-long national syndication window opens for the 62nd episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. 
UPN airs the seventh episode of Star Trek: Voyager. Aaron Lustig guest stars. 
The week-long American syndication window opens for the 15th episode of Gerry Anderson’s sci-fi police series Space Precinct. 
The TV movie TekLab, the third feature-length movie based on William Shatner’s cyberpunk novel series, premieres in syndication. The Canadian-made movie stars Greg Evigan (My Two Dads), Eugene Clark (Night Heat), William Shatner (Star Trek), and Torri Higginson (Stargate Atlantis), and features Michael York (Logan’s Run). This movie is part of the Universal Action Pack syndication package (which will become better known for Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess).
The 17th episode of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman airs on ABC, starring Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher. Dean Stockwell (Quantum Leap) and Bo Jackson guest star.
The week-long national syndication window opens for the 15th episode of the fantasy series Highlander, starring Adrian Paul (War Of The Worlds), Alexandra Vandernoort, and Stan Kirsch, and based on the mythology created in the 1986 movie of the same name. Roland Gift (lead singer of Fine Young Cannibals) guest stars.
The 26th episode of the science fiction comedy Red Dwarf airs on BBC 2. 
The 15th episode of the superhero series The Flash, based on the DC Comics character, airs on CBS, starring John Wesley Shipp and Amanda Pays. Robert O’Reilly (Star Trek: The Next Generation) guest stars.
The BBC announces that production of its popular science fiction series Doctor Who is to be paused to 18 months, allowing the show’s production staff to make alterations to the show’s content and style (at the request of BBC upper management following complaints of excessive depictions of violence), and affording the network an opportunity to redirect funds – temporarily – toward its new daytime TV service and the newly-started prime time soap opera EastEnders. Fans of the series rally to support the show, especially since several close to the production – including actor Colin Baker – reveal that the “18 month hiatus” is a cover for a complete cancellation of the show. Not helping matters is BBC1 Controller Michael Grade’s stated dislike for the series and its star.
NBC airs the 15th episode of James D. Parriott’s time travel series Voyagers!, starring Jon-Erik Hexum and Meeno Peluce. Will Kuluva guest stars as Louis Pasteur, and Fionnula Flanagan guest stars as Molly Brown.
The third episode of Brian Daley’s radio drama adaptation of the Star Wars sequel The Empire Strikes Back airs on National Public Radio stations in the U.S. Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels reprise their movie roles. 
BBC1 premieres the 21st episode of Terry Nation’s science fiction series Blake’s 7. Kevin Stoney and John Abineri guest star. 
BBC1 premieres the ninth episode of Terry Nation’s science fiction series Blake’s 7. David Bailie guest stars, and future series regular Glynis Barber makes a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance unrelated to her role in the show’s fourth season. 
The 99th episode of The Six Million Dollar Man is broadcast on ABC, starring Lee Majors and Richard Anderson. Robert Walker Jr. (Star Trek’s Charlie X) and Peter Mark Richman (Electra Woman and Dyna Girl) guest star.
The week-long syndication window opens for the ninth episode of The Next Step Beyond, a revival of the 1950s/60s supernatural anthology series One Step Beyond, hosted and directed by John Newland. William Campbell (Star Trek) guest stars in the final television credit for writer Jerry Sohl (Star Trek, The Invaders, The Outer Limits).
The 287th episode of Doctor Who airs on BBC1. Roger Delgado appears again as the Master. Michael Sheard guest stars.
The 40th episode of Larry Cohen’s science fiction series The Invaders, starring Roy Thinnes and produced by Quinn Martin’s QM Productions, is broadcast on ABC. Ed Asner (Lou Grant) guest stars.
The 55th episode of Irwin Allen’s adventure series Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea airs on ABC, starring Richard Basehart and David Hedison. Peter Mark Richman (Electra Woman And Dyna-Girl) guest stars.
The 60th episode of Doctor Who airs on the BBC. This is part three of the story now collectively known as The Web Planet.
The 22nd episode of the syndicated series Highway Patrol, starring Broderick Crawford, is broadcast in the United States. This story, titled Human Bomb, is an early TV script written by future Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. Roddenberry, still on active duty with the Los Angeles Police Department, is also the show’s “technical advisor” on police procedure. Due to Roddenberry’s current police employment, the episode is credited to his pseudonym, Robert Wesley. 
The 50th episode of The Adventures Of Superman airs in syndication, starring George Reeves, Noel Neill, and Jack Larson. Lawrence Ryle guest stars.
The 71st episode of the science fiction anthology series Tales Of Tomorrow airs on ABC. Much of the second season is missing, including this episode.
The first meeting of the Upper Atmosphere Research Panel, known more informally as the V2 Panel, is held, comprised of researchers from various universities, industry, and the military, to decide on peaceful uses for the nearly 80 rockets’ worth of German V2 rocket hardware seized in Germany at the end of World War II. The technology of the rockets themselves will be studied, while payloads are proposed to study the properties of Earth’s upper atmosphere, radiation received from the sun, and the environment of space itself. Also of key importance will be reverse-engineering the V2 to aid in the design of American-made sounding rockets. Eventually the German scientists and engineers who were taken into custody with the captured hardware will be brought to the U.S. to continue their research.