Unfilmed Script - "A Breath of Death"

On another thread a couple people expressed interest in reading the unfilmed original Space: 1999 script "A Breath of Death". It's taken me a little while, but I've now got the script scanned and uploaded to my website at www.destinationmoonbasealpha.net - once there, click on Unfilmed Script.

Alternately, here is a direct link: http://www.destinationmoonbasealpha.net/page9/page9.html

It is a fascinating glimpse into an early phase of development of the series, but I can certainly see why it was abandoned.

Hope you all enjoy reading it!

Thank you. A very early script, indeed: MTUs and Catani. I've downloaded a copy and look forward to reading it very soon.

Thank you so much for making that available, CalgaryAlphan - it is most appreciated.

I've printed it out and am going to put it in a ring binder folder and add it to my collection of Space 1999 scripts.

Looking forward to reading it - it's just so exciting coming across new Space 1999 stuff

Thanks for posting the script Robert. I too will look forward to reading it at leisure.

*****SPOILERS******

Very interesting. A very rough concept of what the Alphans and Alpha ultimately developed into.

Thoughts as I read the script:

The all but non-verbal 'Paul', an apparent lieutenant of Catani/Carter is obviously lost in series one, although Fraser in series two might be a later analog.

The entire bit of the oxygen level being 70% Earth's is moderately interesting, as is the solution: directly injected oxygen into a arm artery. Not exactly practical, but interesting.

Definitely some 'Star Trek' language choices appearing: "I'm a doctor, not a......." 'Beam', not to mention the all but entire appropriation of the concept behind Star Trek TOS 'The Enemy Within'.

I find I much prefer the designation of Eagle to 'multiple transportation unit.'

'MTUs' apparently come in different sizes as opposed to the standard Eagle, the large MTUs with drop pods. Very different from what evolved, less of a 'this could be just around the corner' feeling than the original show possessed in the 1970s.

The characters are definitely not what developed. Koenig is downright rude to the Karim: (tougher ) 'You're the one making us wait, old man! We don't have time! We need answers!" No, nothing like the more polished character Koenig is in series one. His later, shoot-first actions are also more congruent with the rougher, series two, version of John Koenig.

Dr. Russell also comes across as much more strident, which is absolutely nothing like her series one character. Her hostility toward Bergman is especially unpleasant: (to Koenig, aside, tightly) "I can't take too much more of out wise old man."

Prof. Bergman is the one that approaches the closest to his ultimate character, being reflective and wise, except for the temper burst toward the end where he comes across more as that faux-Bergman Koenig sees in 'Missing Link'. Bergman was never in 'a towering rage' that I can recall in series one.

Actually, Catani is a close approximation of Carter as Alan certainly did have rough edges as part of his personality from the beginning. Here, though, he seems a closer confidant of Koenig than he was in the first half of series one.

Final thoughts: This might have worked as a series two episode with the appropriate adjustment of characters assignments. Verdeschi would have fit into this belligerent plot well. All in all, it plays out on a level comparable to ST: The Animated Series.



Thank you, Robert, for posting this. Like Space 1899 says, it is wonderful to obtain new material of our show.

Very interesting to see what might have developed. As I said before, I've seen a synopsis of this previously but lost it years ago. Nice to be able to read this again. Thanks for posting it...

Now, if I can only get that original script of "Siren Planet"...

Andrew Kearley wrote:Very interesting to see what might have developed. As I said before, I've seen a synopsis of this previously but lost it years ago. Nice to be able to read this again. Thanks for posting it...

Now, if I can only get that original script of "Siren Planet"...

Sorry, but I've never seen the original script of "Siren Planet".

Interesting to hear the various thoughts on "A Breath of Death" - I do agree that Bergman is the most in-character, and I quite like his opening Voice Over.