Rating: 
Summary: Commendable SF-TV
Review: An excellent set of episodes through and through. Imaginative, technically well realized, superlatively acted, and just the right mix of humor and tension of philosophical import always at the appropriate times. Is violence a disease that could be communicable at the onset of puberty ("Mark of Archanon"), is ignorance of a law an acceptable defense ("Rules of Luton"), is
artificial intelligence approximating human personality a wise thing to achieve ("Brian the Brain"), can faith sometimes supercede medical science ("Catacombs of the Moon"), might God have been an alien with physical rather than transcendental power of achieving miracles or would such an alien be mistaken for God ("New Adam New Eve"), and does an alien race have the right to defend itself if the means of doing so can obliterate hapless cosmic wanderers ("A B Chrysalis")? Each episode though outwardly action-adventure has a distinct philosophical underpinning and therefore valid as a quality science fiction product.The Alphans continue to be a humane, empathetic, noble group of space travellers restoring balance of ecology or principle to alien races, stopping immoral menaces to the cosmos, and curing diseases where possible, while maintaining their struggle to survive and find a new planet on which to settle. These are excellent examples of Space: 1999's format and I fail to see why so many viewers can't appreciate them. There's nothing remotely satirical about them. They aren't "sending up" the genre. They are solemn, fantastic future adventures on alien worlds. And besides all this, they look gorgeous. Colors and
contrasts are extraordinary for television of the period.
Rating:
Summary: Space 1999
Review: I had 10 years old when I first saw the show. I t was my first love. I received as a gift the entire sets from 1 to 6. After reviewed, I rediscored my first love, I am not desapointed at all of the show. I always love the set up the design and the furnitures of the Alpha base etc. Dreamt to live in the base when I was 10 years, Now at 35 I still do :^) Unfortunally in 2002 we are far of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Confessions of a Year One Snob...
Review: I'll admit it. I am a Year One snob, and proud of it. For years I have proclaimed the first season of my all-time favorite sci-fi program, "Space:1999", as the best, most original, and creative sci-fi show out there. Even today, new programs pale by comparison to this metaphysical, moody show that questioned mankind's place in the Universe. Then someone asks about Koenig's pink/orange jacket and the disco-funk soundtrack, and I am forced to be quiet. Year Two was the bane of a :1999-er's existance, so far as I was concerned. How could any self-respecting Alphan-wannabe think Tony was cooler than Paul, or Yasko more pleasant than Sandra or Tanya? And Maya, compared to Bergman? Just another Spock-copy in a skirt. My favorite supporting characters gone, in favor of this lot? Heresy! Why, they oughtta be lined up against a wall in Command Center and blasted with stun guns! But, when Set 5 & 6 came out on DVD, I simply could not resist buying them. It had been years since the episodes first aired, and I could only remember a smattering of the stories. If nothing else, I thought they'd be good for a laugh. After screening the episodes in these sets, I have to admit it... they aren't half-bad. Some were actually pretty good. Nowheres near the quality and brilliance of Year One, but... likable. I'd be lying if I said that I did not feel like a college professor admitting that he enjoys watching "The Jerry Springer Show", but there was just something fun about watching these episodes, episodes I had railled against for decades. Set 6 contains the infamous "Rules of Luton" and "Catacombs of the Moon". Both episodes have been derided by critics and fans alike. In my case, I always remembered Luton, the three weird aliens, and the three evil trees a bit more kindly. As a kid, I would go out into the woods near our house and pretend that the flora was trying to stop me from reaching Eagle One. The episode was pretty imaginative, at least from a kid's perspective. For years, it was a great joke in our family that whenever we'd see three pine trees standing together, we'd cry, "Look out! We're on the Planet Luton!" Maybe that was the best way to take Year Two; it was a sci-fi/action show slightly aimed at kids, whereas Year One was meant for grown-ups who liked the depth of films like "2001". Seeing it now, as an adult, "Rules of Luton" was, as critics have pointed out, kind of lame. However, for the first time I caught the significance of the conversation between Maya and Koenig as they talk about Psychon, Koenig's wife, and the war on Earth. It was a great moment, and I'm glad I was able to take it in. "Catacombs of the Moon" is a bit different. I do recall the underground caves from several Year Two episodes, but this particular one is (as with many Year Two concepts), very poorly executed. This is unfortunate, because there are, again, brief moments of interest. The visions of the affected crewman were very well designed, while his prattling about faith, the heat storm effect, and whether or not it was affecting his mind, were not. Maya is an incidental character in this one, and you can tell she was just "dropped in" as needed. Carter is nowhere to be found. Then there's "AB Chrysalis". I remember the bouncing glass orbs, the liftoff from the underground hangar, and the guy in the green coffin full of poison gas, but the rest was all new to me. Interesting, if not great. Every episode has incredible concepts that fairly leap off the screen, but execution that only rarely does. I have to admit now that Year Two was full of great promise (it's no Year One, but had promise nevertheless). Unfortunately, it was promise only partly fulfilled. Unless you are a die-hard Year Two fan, I think Year One fans can at least enjoy the nostalgic rush of the second season. C'mon. 'Fess up. If you ever saw three pine trees standing together, it made you think twice about picking flowers, didn't it? And yes, Year One snob that I am, I will be buying Set 7 and 8. I guess I'll just have to try and live with it. Just don't ask me about that stupid pink/orange jacket!
Rating:
Summary: highly enjoyable
Review: Im a big fan of both the first and second series of Space 1999. I remembered it being an unusual mix of 2001 and Saturday Matinee/Flash Gordon styled Sci Fi and that perspective really helped me to enjoy the show on DVD. Some of it is brilliant and some of it is just entertainingly wacky and that's what I love about it! Many of the episodes in the second series were aimed at the show's kid audience, but I watched those episodes accepting them for what they are and had a blast! The Rules of Luton is just too much fun! I think that both seriese were entertaining and all of the Space 1999 DVD sets make for highly enjoyable viewing.
Rating:
Summary: Underrated SF classic
Review: Ironically, the first season gets the respect and this is regarded as silly nonsense. But good SF is all about the script and check out the writers. Three episodes by Terrance Feely (The Prisoner, UFO, The Avengers, Thriller) three episodes by Johnny Bryne (Dr.Who) Three episodes by Donald James (UFO, The Champions, etc)two episodes by Tony Barwick (UFO, Captain Scarlet, oft regarded as Gerry Anderson's finest writer)and contributions from Terrance Dicks (Dr.Who) and Pip and Jane Baker (Dr.Who). There's even a bona fide SF author named Thom Keyes who contributes an episode. Not bad! The series seems to be remembered soley for the three episodes written by Producer Fred Freiberger under the pen name Charles Woodpecker or something equally silly! Mind you, Rules of Luton is an adequate rip off of the classic SF tale The Arena, which had been done before Star Trek (on The Outer Limits) and would be done again (on Blakes 7, for a start!). So, despite Freidberger;s bad habit of doing his own script editing and adding cheesy joke scenes, and despite his even worse habit of penning the occasional episode (Space Warp is the worst!)the series is actually very good! Barwick excells with AB Chrysalis, a suspenseful and thoughtful story, Feely is brilliant with New Adam, New Eve, and even more fun with Bringers of Wonder, while James delivers a classic with Journey to Where and gems like Seed of Destruction, The Immunity Syndrome (with its brilliant tale of a dealy but misunderstood alien intelligence) and Devil's Planet, all coming out of left feild as well.
What it lacks in atmosphere, it makes up for with good plots and good scripting. A vastly underrated series. Scrape off the cheese and enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: THE RULES OF LUTON RULES!!!!!
Review: More great episodes of season two. More offbeat, more weird than any other sci-fi show. This set has a short behind the scenes featurette and more stills. The first episode is the infamouse Rules of Luton. Koenig and Maya pick a flower and are sentanced to fight three aliens to the death for their crimes against botany. Then there is The Mark of Archanon about an alien father and son un-earthed (or is it un-mooned)from a cave. Brian the Brain is about a psychotic robot that kidnaps Helena and Koenig. New Adam,New Eve is about as good as a Star Trek episode. The A B chrysalis is about an alien planet sending out destructive shock waves that threaten Moonbase Alpha. Slow motion photography is used when the alien spheres float around giving a really creepy feeling to the episode. What is so interesting about this episode is the way the aliens learn to communicate with humans. They start off using mathematics. Many scientists have sugested that math is a universal language that we could use to communicate with alien life forms. This idea was also used successfuly in Carl Sagens' Contact. The aliens living in chlorine gas is also really original and makes the episode very realistic, not all life forms in the universe would breathe our air. This is another episode that is a bridge back to year one, the special effects and production values are flawless and the script is original, thought-provoking and well done. Catacombs of the Moon is about Helena trying to give somebody a heart transplant while Moonbase Alpha seems to be on the verge of a catastrophe. To make matters worse, right when Helena perfects the artificial heart the patient is kidnaped! There are some really creepy dream scenes of a burning four poster bed hovering over the barren lunar surface, images once seen will never be forgotten. I have already watched many of these episodes several times over and can hardly wait for the rest of season two, espicialy The Beta Cloud.
Lets bring back Space 1999,join the revival campaign ,write to Carlton and A and E!
Long Live Moonbase Alpha!
Rating:
Summary: Space:1999 Returns...and with Extras!
Review: Set 6 of Space:1999(Volumes 11 and 12, episodes 31-36) includes "The Rules of Luton," "The Mark of Archanon," "Brian the Brain," "New Adam, New Eve," "The AB Chrysalis," and "Catacombs of the Moon." As a devoted fan since its premiere, I can say without hesitation that Year 2 possessed some of the most rediculous and scientifically inane episodes of the series. I, however, enjoy them nonetheless as escapist television viewing from a nostalgic and sentimental perspective of my childhood. Technically speaking, the colors for the most part, vary from episode to episode, but are excellent and the sound is satisfactory for digital mono(the box advertises as Mono, but my machine reads it as 2.0, stereo or 2 track mono) on A&E/Carlton's latest batch of DVD's. The introduction music sounds slightly basier on some episodes("The Rules of Luton," for instance, versus "Brian the Brain"). The colors are slightly paler in "Luton," versus "New Adam, New Eve". Although, the Image Entertainment laser discs were infrequently more colorful/saturated with some of these episodes, the DVD's are inherently superior with more lifelike shading and higher definition and sharpness of image. The animated menu sequence of the second season DVD's has improved in creativity with a small Eagle spacecraft that flies inward, accompanied by Derek Wadsworth's opening music. The beginning of the menu's music, however, clips(at least on my Sony CX850D), a minor complaint. The usual variety of photos in the extra feature's photo gallery is present on both discs, but are disappointing, with only a few actual "new" shots or "publicity" shots, if you will. The rest are images taken from the episodes. Disc 11 has a BRIEF, but nice 2 minute and 20 second featurette that was used to promote the series to business execs. I waited six months to see this featurette and only 20 seconds of it is actually interesting, showing a momentary behind-the-scenes FX shot, specifically, an Eagle in flight and a good look at a Swift model! You'll want to see it, too. Disc 12 has 3 thirty-second promo spots used for local TV stations, which are almost identical to each other with the exception of the tag lines, mentioning different channel numbers. It's fun to see Martin Landau and Barbara Bain flirt with each other on camera. Lastly, Disc 12 has about a half dozen 8-second clips of each actor introducing himself and asking the viewer to stay tuned for next week's clips. These are historically, a real treat for the avid fan. I can hardly wait for DVD sets 7 and 8. Hopefully, the long unavailable "Bringers of Wonder"(the only 2-part episode) will be released with the sets and perhaps some recent interviews could be added for the features section, as well!
Rating:
Summary: silly, but fun TV
Review: Space 1999 set 6 contains many of my favorite episodes:
Rules Of Luton involves talking trees and some weird looking aliens, Brian The Brain features a "cute" robot who turns out to be a nasty mutha, and New Adam, New Evil is a fun episode guest starring God, ape people, giant lizards, and a really awful looking mutant! Loved this set!
Rating: 
Summary: The worst Space 1999 had to offer
Review: Space 1999 was a combination of exceptionally great and particularly awful sci-fi. This compilation falls into the latter category: 1) "The Mark of Archanon" has what is still the poorest death scene ever acted. "I'm dying.... argghhhh... no wait, I'm not dead yet, here take my kid.... ok now I'm dying..." 2) A space-disco theme song wasn't enough so "Brian the Brain" starred a robot with a strobe-light for a head. Even in the far-flung reaches of space, computers still crack bad jokes. 3) In "The Rules of Luton" we learn World War III happened (and racism ended) back in 1987; and don't get me started on the killer trees. Not to mention "Luton" was a ...of the Star Trek episode where Kirk battles the green lizard. Was anyone else waiting for Koenig to build a cannon out of a tree stump? 4) In "New Adam New Eve" we learn that even God can fall for the old 'hide the branches and leaves over a pit" trick. 5) "A.B. Chrysalis" stars a bunch of chlorine breathing aliens who would've destroyed Moonbase Alpha, except that Tony is such a hunk! Too bad all that chlorine gas didn't blow that long hair out of the way. And what happens when you run out of goofy looking rubber creature outfits? Easy. Create an "evil" Martin Landau. 6) "Catacombs of the Moon", errr... what was the point of that whole 'nothing can shake the power of faith' thing anyway? Did faith have anything to do with how they got into or out of their predicament? Dig the artificial heart - - a lightbulb with wires! Of course you know nothing I said really matters because a true Space 1999 fan is going to buy this set anyway. Just be sure to pop in one of the other sets when company comes over - - unless you're going for laughs.
Rating:
Summary: The worst Space 1999 had to offer
Review: Space 1999 was a combination of exceptionally great and particularly awful sci-fi. This compilation falls into the latter category: 1) "The Mark of Archanon" has what is still the poorest death scene ever acted. "I'm dying.... argghhhh... no wait, I'm not dead yet, here take my kid.... ok now I'm dying..." 2) A space-disco theme song wasn't enough so "Brian the Brain" starred a robot with a strobe-light for a head. Even in the far-flung reaches of space, computers still crack bad jokes. 3) In "The Rules of Luton" we learn World War III happened (and racism ended) back in 1987; and don't get me started on the killer trees. Not to mention "Luton" was a ...of the Star Trek episode where Kirk battles the green lizard. Was anyone else waiting for Koenig to build a cannon out of a tree stump? 4) In "New Adam New Eve" we learn that even God can fall for the old 'hide the branches and leaves over a pit" trick. 5) "A.B. Chrysalis" stars a bunch of chlorine breathing aliens who would've destroyed Moonbase Alpha, except that Tony is such a hunk! Too bad all that chlorine gas didn't blow that long hair out of the way. And what happens when you run out of goofy looking rubber creature outfits? Easy. Create an "evil" Martin Landau. 6) "Catacombs of the Moon", errr... what was the point of that whole 'nothing can shake the power of faith' thing anyway? Did faith have anything to do with how they got into or out of their predicament? Dig the artificial heart - - a lightbulb with wires! Of course you know nothing I said really matters because a true Space 1999 fan is going to buy this set anyway. Just be sure to pop in one of the other sets when company comes over - - unless you're going for laughs.
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