Day: March 24, 1966

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Batman Season 1

Not Yet, He Ain’t

BatmanFramed for a robbery they didn’t commit, Batman and Robin have been captured by the Penguin and his minions and have been set up to take a fatal fall. The Dynamic Duo escapes, but Batman is unwilling to give up on clearing his name…and each time he tries puts him further outside the law, until there’s an APB out on the Batmobile and its occupants. How far will Batman go to prove his innocence…or has the Penguin really been reformed?

Download this episode via Amazonwritten by Lorenzo Semple Jr. and John Cardwell
directed by Leslie H. Martinson
music by Nelson Riddle / Batman theme by Neal Hefti

BatmanCast: Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Robin), Alan Napier (Alfred), Neil Hamilton (Commissioner Gordon), Stafford Repp (Chief O’Hara), Madge Blake (Mrs. Cooper), Burgess Meredith (The Penguin), Kathleen Crowley (Sophia Starr), Harvey Lembeck (Eagle-Eye), Al Checco (Dove), Bill Welch (Newsman George), Jim Drum (The Policeman)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Fantastic Journey, The

An Act Of Love

The Fantastic JourneyThe travelers materialize in the shadow of an erupting volcano and immediately seek shelter in a nearby cave. Awoken by a disturbing dream, Varian wanders away from their camp and meets a woman he saw in that dream. When he sees his friends again, Varian has big news: he’s giving up his travels to marry the woman he dreamed of and then met. Scott and the others find this shocking, but they’re not as shocked as Varian is to discover that, as the groom, he’s expected to allow himself to be sacrificed to the volcano to appease the “gods” that govern its eruptions.

The Fantastic Journeywritten by Richard Fielder
directed by Virgil W. Vogel
music by Dirk DeBenedictis

Cast: Jared Martin (Varian), Carl Franklin (Fred Walters), Ike Eisenmann (Scott Jordan), Katie Saylor (Liana), Roddy McDowall (Willaway), Ellen Weston (Maera), Christina Hart (Gwyneth), Jonathan Goldsmith (Zaros), Vic Mohica (Baras), Belinda Balaski (Arla), Jeffrey Byron (Heras), Jerry Daniels (The Guard), The Felix Team (Sil-L)

Notes: For someone who knows that you can’t make a deal with a volcano, Willaway should’ve warned his fellow travelers away from seeking shelter from a volcano in a nearby cave; any cave-like structure in close proximity to an active volcano would be likely to be, or have been formed by, an equally active lava tube – perhaps not the safest structure available.

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Quark

All The Emperor’s Quasi-Norms Part 1

QuarkQuark and his crew are assigned to trash pickup duty on a world whose garbage hasn’t been collected in years, but they’re intercepted by a Gorgon pirate ship commanded by the infamous Gorgon pirate Zorgon. He believes Quark is an undercover agent trying to retrieve a weapon to be used against the Gorgons, and demands to know its location on pain of death. To save his own skin and the lives of his crew, Quark names a random location on a remote asteroid, buying enough time to hatch an escape plan. But every part of that escape plan falls apart badly, and then Quark discovers something even worse: apparently he has led the Gorgons to something that will enable them to take over the universe.

written by Jonathan Kaufer
directed by Bruce Bilson
music by Perry Botkin, Jr.

Cast: Richard Benjamin (Adam Quark), Timothy Thomerson (Gene/Jean), Richard Kelton (Ficus), Tricia Barnstable (Betty), Cyb Barnstable (Betty), Conrad Janis (Otto Palindrome), Alan Caillou (The Head), Joan van Ark (Princess Libido), Ross Martin (Emperor Zorgon), Bobby Porter (Andy), Ned York (Bar-Tel), Jerrold Zimon (Professor Dinsmore), Susan Backline (Guard #1), Keith Atkinson (Guard #2)

QuarkNotes: In what may be the boldest Trek reference in the entire show, Otto Palindrome mentions the Romulans… and then states that they have noses on the back of their heads. The crushing walls of the Gorgons’ prison chamber is obviously a Star Wars riff. Even James Bond gets spoofed when Ficus is stretched out on a rack waiting to be bisected by a laser beam, a la Goldfinger.

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Incredible Hulk Season 1

Of Guilt, Models And Murder

The Incredible HulkDavid awakens, dazed, from a recent transformation into the Hulk, and unable to remember what happened. The news media is there to fill him in: the Hulk is accused of the murder of a model, and a manhunt has begun for the huge creature. David manages to get a job as a valet to James Joslin, who was present at the scene of the Hulk’s attack, and discovers another eyewitness to the event, model Sheila Cantrell. He tries to piece together his missing memories to find out what really happened, and what the Hulk really did…only to discover that the Hulk was the only one present who wasn’t directly involve in the murder.

Download this episode via Amazonwritten by James D. Parriott
directed by Larry Stewart
music by Joe Harnell

The Incredible HulkCast: Bill Bixby (David Bruce Banner), Jack Colvin (Jack McGee), Lou Ferrigno (The Hulk), Jeremy Brett (James Joslin), Loni Anderson (Sheila Cantrell), Jane Alice Brandon (Girl), Ben Gerard (Sanderson), Deanna Lund (Terri Ann), Doug Hale (TV Reporter), Rick Goldman (Elkin), Nancy Steen (Ellen), Bill Baldwin (Jackson), Vince Howard (Security Guard), Art Kimbro (1st Policeman), Ross Durfee (Collins)

The Incredible HulkNotes: The Incredible Hulk’s casting department managed to land Loni Anderson mere months before the premiere of WKRP In Cincinnati made her a household name. Jeremy Brett (1933–1995) had already made numerous TV and movie appearances by this point, though his signature role, that of Sherlock Holmes, was a few years ahead of him still. Deanna Lund had been one of the stars of Irwin Allen’s Land Of The Giants.

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Season 2 Star Blazers

Life And Death Struggle: Two Brave Men!

Star BlazersAs the Comet Empire lands in the Pacific Ocean so Zordar can begin his rule over humanity, Desslock and a badly injured Wildstar face off on the bridge of Desslock’s ship. When Wildstar falls from his own injuries, Desslock is stunned to find himself staring down the barrel of Nova’s gun – and is even more surprised when he can’t bring himself to shoot either of them. Desslock orders the Gamilons to retreat from Earth space, making a pledge to find a way for his people to live on peacefully. Wildstar returns to the Argo, only now learning that his best friend is dead – and that the Argo is barely in any shape to fight the Comet Empire now.

Order the DVDswritten by Keisuke Fujikawa & Eiichi Yamamoto
directed by Leiji Matsumoto
music by Hiroshi Miyagawa

Season 2 Voice Cast: Kenneth Meseroll (Derek Wildstar), Tom Tweedy (Mark Venture), Amy Howard (Nova), Eddie Allen (Leader Desslok), Chris Latta (Sgt. Knox), Lydia Leeds (Trelaina), Chris Latta (General Dire), Chris Latta (Captain Gideon), other actors unknown

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Blake's 7 Season 3

Death-Watch

Blake's 7Tarrant’s brother, Deeta Tarrant, first champion of the planet Teal, is killed in a gunfight which decides the fate of two warring worlds who use gladiators instead of conventional weapons to fight their battles. Tarrant challenges the victor, which Avon and Orac discover to be an android placed in combat by Servalan, who hopes the two governments will suspect each other of cheating, resulting in a real war which would allow the Federation to take over both planets.

written by Chris Boucher
directed by Gerald Blake
music by Dudley Simpson

Cast: Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan), Steven Pacey (Del Tarrant, Deeta Tarrant), Josette Simon (Dayna), Peter Tuddenham (Zen, Orac), Stewart Bevan (Max), Mark Elliot (Vinni), David Sibley (Commentator), Kathy Iddon (Karla)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Century Falls

Episode Six

Century FallsTime is running out. The only two people not taken over by Julia are Tess Hunter, Esme Harkness, and Esme’s elderly mother. Even Tess’ mother is willingly going with the rest of the villagers to the burned-out ruins of the temple, where Naismith’s plan to bring Century into being could finally come true, four decades after the last attempt had such tragic consequences. Upon learning that Esme’s willpower is being boosted by her mother, Julia sends Richard Naismith to kill the defenseless old woman. Tess goes to the temple, finding that all of the villagers’ psychic abilities are being harnessed to revive Century and direct it into its new host – Tess’ unborn sibling, and her mother as well. Nothing short of a miracle will keep Century Falls’ tragic history from repeating itself.

written by Russell T. Davies
directed by Colin Cant
music by David Ferguson

Century FallsCast: Heather Baskerville (Mrs. Hunter), Catherine Sanderson (Tess Hunter), Mary Wimbush (Esme Harkness), Tatiana Strauss (Julia), Georgine Anderson (May Harkness), Ronald Herdman (Ted Wayland), Danny Schiller (Jack Fretwell), Eileen Way (Alice Harkness), Bernard Kay (Richard Naismith), Simon Fenton (Ben Naismith), Emma Jane Lavin (Carey Naismith), Beryl Cooke (Miss Cooper), Jennifer Harris (Little Girl), Alex Mollo (Ashe), Donna Fawthorp (young Esme), Robert James (Dr. Josiah Naismith)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Space: Above And Beyond

Pearly

Space: Above And BeyondUnder fire on the planet Minerva, the 58th take shelter in a tank dubbed “Pearly,” piloted by the only surviving member of its original crew. With the Chigs hot on their trail, the Marines’ only hope of survival is the well-worn tank. But a small group of AIs is also on Minerva, and they see Pearly’s power supply as their own salvation – and even if it means forcing the humans to sacrifice their own safety and their only means of defense, the AIs won’t hesitate to take it.

Order the DVDwritten by Richard Whitley
directed by Charles Martin Smith
music by Shirley Walker

Guest Cast: Doug Hutchison (Elroy El), Martin Jarvis (Major Cyril MacKendrick), Adam Goldberg (Sgt. Louie Fox), Guy Garner (Marine), Kimberly Patton (Feliciti)

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Season 05 Star Trek Voyager

The Fight

Star Trek: VoyagerStardate not given: Voyager encounters a temporal-spatial anomaly called chaotic space, a phenomenon which threatens to tear the ship apart while it surrounds and traps Voyager. Chakotay experiences strange visions involving an alien boxer he has never actually encountered. The Doctor chalks these visions up to a latent gene in the first officer’s family, the same gene which once left Chakotay’s great grandfather “crazy.” When it is discovered that there is indeed an alien presence in chaotic space, Chakotay prepares to fight to save his ship and his sanity – and the gloves are coming off.

Order the DVDsteleplay by Joe Menosky
story by Michael Taylor
directed by Winrich Kolbe
music by Jay Chattaway

Guest Cast: Ray Walston (Boothby), Carlos Palomino (Alien Boxer), Ned Romero (Chakotay’s Great Grandfather)

Notes: Olympic boxer Carlos Palomino was not only Chakotay’s opponent in the ring, but actor Robert Beltran’s boxing coach for this episode; Palomino also once appeared as an alien athlete in an episode of Buck Rogers.

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Farscape Season 2

Vitas Mortis

  • By Dave
  • March 24, 2000

FarscapeD’Argo, Crichton, and Zhaan discover a dying Luxan elder, a holy woman known as an Orican. The Oricans enter death through a ritual that can only be performed with the aid of another Luxan, but at first Nilaam refuses D’Argo’s aid. When she eventually reconsiders, she is surprised by the apparent strength of D’Argo’s life force, and performs a renewal ritual that leaves her young and healthy. The two quickly become lovers and plan their return to Luxan space. Those plans are quickly compromised when Moya and Pilot begin aging rapidly, and it soon becomes clear that D’Argo’s was not the only life force being tapped.

Order the DVDswritten by Grant McAloon
directed by Tony Tilse
music by Subvision

Guest Cast: Melissa Jaffa (old Nilaam), Anna Lise Philips (young Nilaam)

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Clone Wars Star Wars Tartakovsky Series, Vol. 2

Chapter 24

  • By Dave
  • March 24, 2005

Star Wars: Clone WarsOn Coruscant, the battle rages as the Jedi urge Chancellor Palpatine to retreat to his bunker. The Chancellor seems unconcerned – until General Grievous breaks into his office. On Nelvaan, Anakin finds a series of cave paintings that recount the legend of the “ghost hand” – a warrior who, in the fight against a dark power, was eventually consumed by that power. The paintings inspire a vision that suggests Anakin’s own future. Unnerved, the young Jedi continues his search – and finds members of the Techno-Guild conducting experiments to mutate and mechanize the Nelvaanian warriors.

Order the DVDsstory by Bryan Andrew, Darrick Bachman, Paul Rudish and Genndy Tartakovsky
directed by Genndy Tartakovsky
original music by John Williams
new music by James L. Venable and Paul Dinletir

LogBook entry by Dave Thomer

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Discovery Season 1 Short Treks Star Trek

Welcome To Section 31 (Untitled Epilogue Scene)

Star Trek: DiscoveryStardate not given: Following the armistice between the Kllingon Empire and the Federation, former Emperor Phillipa Georgiou remains on the Klingon homeworld, biding her time in a shady bar frequented by off-worlders. One off-worlder, who seems to be a Trill, takes a special interest in Georgiou, though she makes it very clear that the interest isn’t mutual…until he reveals that he is a recruiter for a top-secret security organization which defends the Federation by any means necessary. Section 31 has plans for Georgiou, especially since she operates entirely outside of the Federation’s code of morality…but will she fit in with an organization that’s part of the Federation?

See it on YouTubeteleplay by Gretchen J. Berg & Aaron Harberts
story by Akiva Goldsman & Gretchen J. Berg & Aaron Harberts
directed by Akiva Goldsman
music by Jeff Russo

Cast: Michelle Yeoh (Philippa Georgiou), Alan Van Sprang (Leland)

Star Trek DiscoveryNotes: The title given to this short scene is speculative, as CBS has not given it a title other than “Michelle Yeoh And Alan Van Sprang’s Section 31 Bonus Scene From Star Trek Discovery”. Released directly to YouTube after the end of the first season on CBS All Access, this is a rather odd place to drop a major story development, especially considering the announcement, nearly a year later, of a Section 31 spinoff starring Michelle Yeoh. Leland uses holographic technology to disguise himself as a Trill, the same symbiotic species seen more frequently in 24th century Star Trek, including Jadzia Dax (DS9), Odan (TNG), and Ezri Dax (DS9). The entire cast of Star Trek: Discovery, including Jason Isaacs, is credited in the end credits, though only Yeoh and Alan Van Sprang have dialogue in the scene.

Star Trek DiscoverySection 31 was first introduced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in the 1998 episode Inquisition, and would be featured several more times in that series (primarily in the person of Section 31 agent Sloan), though its presence extends at least as far back as the era of Captain Jonathan Archer’s Enterprise (in a few episodes of Star Trek: Enterprise‘s fourth season), and exists during James T. Kirk’s command heyday in both an alternate timeline (Star Trek: Into Darkness, 2013) and in possibly apocryphal events in the prime timeline (Star Trek Continues: To Boldly Go, Part I, 2017). Though not officially designated a “Short Trek”, this short scene (of its 4+ minute run time, not even two and a half minutes of story are followed by nearly two minutes of credits) can easily be seen as a trial balloon for the series of stand-alone shorts to follow.

LogBook entry by Earl Green

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Picard Season 2 Star Trek

Watcher

Star Trek: PicardSeeking better shelter than the power-drained La Sirena can offer, Picard and Jurati set up camp in the currently abandoned Picard family chateau. They also use the time to compare notes about the information Jurati took from the Borg Queen’s mind, and realize that they have only three days to set the future right. Other information gleaned by Jurati leads Picard to Los Angeles as well – specifically, #10 Forward Avenue, where he finds a young Guinan getting ready to retire from the business of tending bar and listening. She’s not just going out of business, but preparing to leave Earth rather than watching the human race tragically squandering its potential, but she’s also not the watcher that Picard is looking for – nor does she want to tangle with that watcher. Rios is fast-tracked for deportation, and Raffi and Seven stop worrying about how much attention they’re drawing in their quest to save him. Jurati finds herself having to continue upping the stakes in her deal with the devil (or at least the Borg Queen) to help the others. And when Picard finally does meet the watcher, he is surprised to find she has a familiar face.

Order DVDsteleplay by Juliana James & Jane Maggs and Christopher Monfette
story by Travis Fickett and Juliana James
directed by Lea Thompson
music by Jeff Russo
additional music by Sam Lucas

Star Trek: PicardCast: Patrick Stewart (Jean-Luc Picard), Alison Pill (Dr. Agnes Jurati), Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine), Michelle Hurd (Commander Raffi Musiker), Orla Brady (Tailinn), Santiago Cabrera (Captain Cristobal Rios), John de Lancie (Q), Annie Wersching (Borg Queen), Madeline Wise (Yvette Picard), Ito Aghayere (Guinan), Leif Gantvoort (ICE Officer #1), Penelope Mitchell (Renee Picard), Sol Rodriguez (Dr. Teresa Ramirez), Chloe Wepper (Gabi), Karl T. Wright (Francis Puga), Oscar Camacho (Pedro), Sean Freeland (Tall Man), Kelli Dawn Hancock (Officer Stauss), Isabella Meneses (Small Girl), Brian Quinn (Dale), Kirk Randolph Thatcher (Mohawk Punk), Danielle Thorpe (LAPD Officer #1), Dylan Von Halle (Young Picard) and Luna

Star Trek: PicardNotes: The boom-box-toting punk on Raffi and Seven’s bus ride is, indeed, the same character who ran afoul of Kirk and Spock in 1986 (Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home), hence his more cooperative attitude on lowering his volume, and he’s played by the same actor. When we first meet Renee Picard (and see Q again), they are both at Jackson Roykirk Plaza, named after the scientist responsible for the Nomad robotic probe launched in 2000 and lost shortly afterward (The Changeling, 1967).

LogBook entry by Earl Green