Search - Space 1999 - 30th Anniversary Edition Megaset (17DVD) on DVD

30th Anniversary MegaSet of Space: 1999

E. Dunn | Chicago, IL | 05/29/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Having the original MegaSet of Space: 1999, I was hoping to have 'extras' on the 30th Anniversary MegaSet DVD's. The DVD containers have been changed and condensed, but otherwise the offerings are the same as the original MegaSet -- the addded 'Bonus Disc' is the same that has been available at all the Space: 1999 Conventions since 2005. The 'Special Features' throughout the MegaSet are the same as on the original MegaSet. It would have been "special" if the Anniversary MegaSet had 'bloopers', 'behind the scenes' that weren't on the original MegaSet DVD's, et al. A purchase of this MegaSet is more for nostalgia and to support the continuing life (after cancellation) of Space: 1999."

Despite the errors, the show has much to offer

D. Merchant | Ruston, LA USA | 08/02/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"1. The show does have many scientific errors, which can make some of the plots implausible. However, my approach is to watch the show more for its treatment/depiction of philosophical issues than for its scientific treatments/depictions. Look at the episodes as allegories, as science fiction fairy tales, and you will find them enjoyable (after all, most fairy tales are very implausible).



2. Some of the critiques of the plot errors are a bit unfair - they show that the reviewer hasn't really watched the show closely. For instance, the Amazon review bemoans that "In 'Earthbound,' aliens traveling to Earth state it will take them 75 years to reach their destination, making one wonder why it didn't take the moon that long to encounter the aliens." Uhm, maybe because two episodes earlier the Moon had an encounter with a small black hole which caused the Moon to be hurled far away from the Earth. That is why in the episode "Earthbound" the Moonbase Alphans didn't know what direction Earth was in anymore - with help from the aliens they learned at least what direction Earth was in. So while you can certainly argue with some of the science in the show, at least for the fictional/fantasy world the show exists in, there is consistency in it.



Another complaint is how season two has different uniforms and different decoration of the set from season one. The show had a one year hiatus and I suppose they thought the audience would just assume that some time had passed and the Alphans made some modifications - heck we change fashions here on Earth over time, why not for the Moonbase? What is so unbelievable about that? Also, with time, there would be a change in personnel as people die, and/or needs of the Moonbase change and people get reassigned. Of course, this doesn't explain Barry Morse's character being replaced by Maya (the Mr. Spock rip-off). That, I will easily concede, is not a nit-picky minor detail to be overlooked.



3. And other critiques say things like "without regard to any physical laws." Balooney. Without enough regard, I'll agree with. But to insinuate that the show had no regard to _any_ physical laws is harsher than it needs to be. Yes, the show didn't pay enough regard to physical laws.



Anyway, again, treat each episode by itself - treat them as allegories, treat them as futuristic fairy tales, and just enjoy the stories themselves. Back to the episode "Earthbound" (with guest star Christopher Lee), it is a new twist on the "lifeboat" type of philosophical dilemma - if you only have enough room to save one person, who goes? Actually, several moral questions are raised and treated in that episode.



And that is what is best about Space: 1999. It is a very thought provoking show - for some though, they can't stop complaining about the science errors that create some implausible staging for the plots to unfold upon. It's like going to a play and complaining how the set pieces aren't real, or going to a movie and complain that it is implausible for superman to fly. Superman is a metaphor - by straining at the gnat details, you are missing the meaning. The show was never about hard science. So don't expect it.



Relax, and just enjoy the stories for the stories, for their metaphors, for their thought provoking treatment and discussion of moral and philosophical issues. If you want more hard science science fiction, there are other shows you can watch and enjoy."