Rating: 
Summary: Commander Koenig Goes Disco and Freaks Out!
Review: The latest installment in the A&E "Space: 1999" DVD sets serves up another helping of the discofied second season of this amazing sci-fi series. Set 7 has much to recommend it, including a behind-the-scenes segment showing both the size of the Alpha Moonbase model, and an eagle rising on the launch pad lift. There are also copious notes on the history and contruction of Alpha, as well as some concept drawings from some early episodes. Another good thing about this set is that it shows the change in quality from the early part of the season. After a strong start, episodes quickly degenerated into tripe such as "All That Glisters". However, those growing pains seem to come to an end over the course of this particular set. Probably the worst episode here ("Space Warp"), still has a few things going for it. For one thing, there is a spectacular explosion in an Eagle hangar. Lots of good detailing in the models here, and a big helping of the show's signature sparkly explosions. "Beta Cloud" is another Year Two episode that gets a bad rap, but it too has some memorable moments. Tony takes command in a crisis and comes off looking pretty good (although he stupidly frees the monster he only just caught in the pressure chamber). Also interesting is that Tony and Maya flat out admit to loving each other, as opposed to the standard "unspoken attraction" that was the norm on many shows. We also get to see the forgotten Year Two extra, Bill Fraser, take some action as he sets up a last-ditch defense to stop the monster. Plus, Sandra (or "Saan", if you prefer), actually has a pretty good part in this one. Included in this set is the two-part "Bringers of Wonder", which again highlights the wonderful ideas and concepts the creative staff were coming up with in Year Two, only to be hamstrung by poor execution and/or writing. A case in point is Koenig's reaction to the aliens in "Bringers of Wonder". Knowing that his friends suspect his mental state, Koenig freaks out anyway, screaming, yelling, and basically going out of his way to look like anything BUT sane. After his initial reaction upon first seeing the creatures, a Year One Koenig would've tried to play it cool. But the Year Two Koenig just flips out, and it isn't until the second episode that he gets control of himself long enough to convince Helena and Maya that he's not bananas. There are some truly bizzare lines in this one, too: Koenig: "I haven't had so much fun since I burned Grandma's wig!" And then later, he turns around and says something crypticly cool, such as: "It's better to live as your own man, than to live as a fool in someone else's dream!" This half-and-half writing is typical of Year Two. All of this plays out before some great new sets, ideas, lighting, and action. The interior of the nuclear waste dome is one of the best sets, large, expansive, and sensible (in other words, a pleasant throwback to Year One). The concept of the aliens hiding their true nature is wonderful sci-fi. The "visions" of Carter and the other affected Alphans are very well done. One thing to look for is the alien taking over the crewman in the Records Section. Note the great work by Frank Watts and his lighting crew! The alien is standing at a window, looking in on the crewman. As the camera swings around the alien, his face is kept in shadow, thus creating a menacing effect. All in all, a nice installment despite the Koenig disco freak-out, and the pathetically obvious telescope-turned-prop Carter uses as a laser. I have to admit that I'm really enjoying these Year Two episodes, which is something I never thought I would ever do. I see more in them now, and more to appreciate after all these years without them. Maya and Tony aren't nearly as dopey as I remember, and in fact, they're kinda interesting. Year One is hands-down superior, but Year Two is still worth of buying as a fun, campy blast from your younger days.
Rating: 
Summary: so enjoyable it hurts
Review: The second season of Space 1999 was very different from season one. Monsters and humor abound in season two. Most of the episodes are ridiculous, but filled with guilty pleasures.
Every episode in set 7 is a real hoot! "Seed of Destruction" is about an evil mirror image of Koenig who takes over Alpha. Evil Koenig is a mean S.O.B.! The only thing better than an evil Koenig is when Koenig freaks-out in "Bringers of Wonder". Classic! "The Beta Cloud" involves a nasty cloud that sends a wild bug-eyed monster to steal the entire life support system of Alpha. The creature runs amok on the moon base for the entire episode
while the cloud tries to persuade the Alphans that it's a non-violent cloud and they should just give up the life support system and die, but the Alphan's just wont listen. They are a stubborn lot. "A Matter of Balance" features the lovely Lynn Frederick! There's also a bald translucent anti-matter spirit, a bug-eyed samurai creature, and Maya turns into a monkey! Tony makes more bad beer in this one too, and he makes Lynn drink it and then makes her cry! Who in their right mind would make the lovely Lynn cry?! Damn that Tony! First he get's Maya and now this! "Space Warp" is about Maya going bananas and transforming into various dangerous forms that attack the base, but the absolute best is that she turns into the bug-eyed monster from the "Beta Cloud"! It's back and running amok and attacking Alpha again, BUT this time it's wearing a wild wig that looks like dread-locks! Plus, Barabara Bain and Nick Tate chase it around the moon's surface in a moon buggy! Keep plenty of oxygen on hand for this one! "Bringers of Wonder" is a two part episode with slimy aliens that only Koenig can see. There's nothing like a talented actor freaking-out with slimy aliens. This one includes the classic Koenig line: "I haven't had this much fun since I burned grand ma's wig"! Nobody freaks-out like Koenig! Set 7 is filled with addictive gems such as these. Ed Wood would be proud of these episodes. This is one of the best DVD purchases I've ever made.
Rating:
Summary: very entertaining 70's tv
Review: What a great show this was and is. Set 7 includes Bringers Of Wonder in which really gross and goopy aliens take over the base by appearing to be the loved ones of the people on the base, but Koenig can see them for the slimy creatures they really are. Landau gives a wonderful performance of reacting to their true disgusting forms. This is not serious science fiction, but Landau is excellent, and the other cast members give it their best too. The goopy monsters are amusing and also pretty darn disgusting and creepy. The glops of slime oozing down the eyes of the aliens is a great touch.
Rating:
Summary: Bringers of Wonder Still Wondrous
Review: Would the first season Koenig have flipped out in
the way he does in Bringers of Wonder? Heck yes.
He has temper tantrums in several first season
shows. In BoW tho, he wakes up from a sleep to
find his base invaded by hideous aliens and everyone
around him is acting like everything's okay and
that they're about to be rescued. When John first
sees the aliens he goes rigid and freezes but is
fairly calm. It's only when his people disbelieve
him that he loses his cool. Wouldn't anyone? His base
has been invaded by huge gross-out aliens and everyone
thinks they're pals and buddies and lovers from
Earth. The notion would drive anyone around the
twist. Also John tries to speak calmly to his people later
but when it's clear they won't listen to him, he
understabdably loses his cool again. Something
sinister is afoot and he's in restraints, nobody
will take him seriously, and he can't do anything.
Isn't borderline hysteria a natural reaction? However,
John finally stays calm enough to reason with Maya
and get her on side and it's fitting that she's be
the one to first convince since she doesn't come
from Earth and has nobody for the aliens to impersonate. There's nothing wrong plotwise to BoW save for the date
error in part 2. Some of the moon surface scenes are
error strewn but they always are in this show, first
and second season.
Rating:
Summary: Year Two continues...
Review: Year Two continues... Escape into worlds beyond belief with the seminal sci-fi series from producer Gerry Anderson (Thunderbirds, UFO, Captain Scarlet) and Freddie Frieberger (Wild Wild West, Star Trek). SPACE: 1999 features thought-provoking stories, exceptional special effects by Oscar® winner Brian Johnson (Alien, The Empire Strikes Back) and a remarkable cast. This DVD set includes 6 original episodes, digitally remastered from the original 35mm film elements, along with a host of bonus features and extra footage. The legendary cast features Oscar®-winner Martin Landau (Ed Wood, Crimes & Misdemeanors), Emmy®-winner Barbara Bain (Mission: Impossible), Catherine Schell (The Return of the Pink Panther) and, as always, a host of international guest stars. From the Original ITC press releases: "Seed of Destruction"
An ice-cold replica of Commander Koenig takes control of the Moon - and orders its destruction. "The Beta Cloud"
A mystery illness strikes the Moon. An eerie cloud utters a sentence of death. And a frightening space creature runs amok [as Maya, Tony, Frasier and Sandra frantically work to stop this seemingly indestructable being]. "Space Warp"
Eagle One gets lost in space and, as if that isn't enough, Moonbase Alpha has problems of its own when Maya's ability to transform herself into any living being goes out of control. [The Eagle hangar f/x sequence remains one of the highpoints of Brian Johnson's directing within this series.] "A Matter of Balance"
While exploring an apparently lifeless planet a member of Alpha's crew comes under the influence of an "anti-matter" being and suddenly all Alphans are in danger of having their futures swapped for the past. "The Bringers of Wonder part 1"
Everyone on Moonbase is electrified by the arrival of a spaceship from earth. Everyone, that is, except Commander Koenig. Where the others see long-lost friends and relatives, he sees hideous aliens, bent on taking over the Moonbase. "The Bringers of Wonder part 2"
People from Earth have landed on Moonbase Alpha, promising to take the Alphans back home. Commander Koenig, however, sees not fellow human beings, but aliens. [Koenig must convince his fellow Alphans of the threat as the aliens initiate their scheme for survival -- and one which will destroy Moonbase Alpha!] See also: Eagle One Media's and Powys Media's lines of new "Space: 1999" books.
Rating: 
Summary: "Futility, Mr. Verdeshi. An exercise in futility..."
Review: You can almost hear Spock saying a line such as that one. There are many lines and ideas and storylines Fred Friedberger continued to rip-off from Star Trek and shove into Space:1999. There are many ridiculous concepts and explanations in this series, but Season 2 adds more reasons why the general public never caught onto the program. There also seems to be a lack of creativity in monsters and alien races. The same ludicrous and dated alien/monster appears in three consecutive stories, only slightly altered so the viewer won't be able to tell the difference. And not to improve on imperfection, the teleplays(script editing) and acting can be really embarassing at times. Though the production values still look good as with the model effects. If there was one thing Friedburger achieved for Season 2, was that the characters are little more likable. Season 1 featured too many wooden performances and not enough character interaction. Now, some of the interaction between characters in Season 2 is just unbearable at times, it can be amusing. And, this is also the best looking of the DVD releases. The extras have a certain crispness to it. But those theatrical trailers are COD-awful!
Seed of Destruction: Ok, a remake of the last Star Trek serial from Season 3. Landau could've played it a little more hammier.
And the ending couldn't have been more rushed.
The Beta Cloud: A guilty pleasure with Anholt and Schell trying to steal the show with their acting. there are so many unanswered questions and ridiculous concepts in this one, you couldn't count them on repeated viewings. The bug-eyed robot/monster will appear re-dressed in the next 2 adventures. A Friedburger classic.
A Matter of Balance: Would've been tolerable without the ludicrous concept of antimatter. Shouldn't it have been "another dimension"?
Space Warp: Is only good for it's model effects. The Eagle Hangar crash scene is not to be missed. Other than that, you were warned about another Friedburger classic.
The Bringers of Wonder Parts 1 & 2: The best of the lot, and one of the best of the season, but that's not saying much. There are discontinuity problems and of course ridiculous explanations. But Part 1 is great, with Landau completely overacting at the sight of the creatures. he also has some stupid lines at the beginnig: "I haven't had this much fun since I burned Grandma's wig!" and "Big daddy's coming in!! Yaaaaaa!!!!" Part 2 does let down, but there's a great Season 1 line at the end. But of course, all Season 2 serials end with a frozen laugh scene. This show may be absolutely stupid, but I still enjoy it and get a guilty pleasure from a program I grew up with...
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