The Testament of Arkadia
| "The Testament of Arkadia" | |
|---|---|
| Space: 1999 episode | |
| Episode no. | Series 1 Episode 23 |
| Directed by | David Tomblin |
| Written by | Johnny Byrne |
| Editing by | Derek Hyde Chambers |
| Production code | 24 |
| Original air date | 12 February 1976[1] |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Testament of Arkadia" is the twenty-third episode of the first series of Space: 1999. The screenplay was written by Johnny Byrne; the director was David Tomblin. The final shooting script is dated 5 February 1975, with a revised final shooting script dated 25 February 1975. Live-action filming took place Tuesday 11 February 1975 through Tuesday 25 February 1975.[3]
Synopsis
In this episode the moon is inexorably pulled towards a planet devastated by a nuclear war, causing Moonbase Alpha energy reserves and essential supplies to be rapidly depleted. The Alphans make a startling discovery: the planet was once inhabited by an ancient human civilization predating Earth's own. Some of these humans evacuated the planet and settled on Earth, adding an intriguing layer to humanity's history.
One Alphan couple becomes convinced that their destiny lies in rekindling life on the planet. Defying the wishes of Commander Koenig, they seize vital supplies from Moonbase Alpha. In a remarkable turn of events, the planet releases the moon from its orbit, leading to a restoration of energy and supplies for Moonbase Alpha.
The Alphan couple is now marooned on the planet, equipped with the necessary resources to embark on a fresh beginning, firmly believing that this extraordinary occurrence was the true purpose of the moon being dislodged from Earth's orbit.
Plot
Late into the simulated Alpha 'night',
Days earlier, an off-duty Koenig is in the gymnasium when an urgent summons to
At an emergency meeting,
Their only chance for survival may be the planet. With forty-eight hours of life-support remaining, Koenig quickly organises a survey mission. The team will consists of himself, Bergman,
As the power loss climbs to thirteen percent, Eagle One departs. Computer's additions to the team are
A low-altitude reconnaissance reveals no sign of life on the barren and inhospitable surface. Though discouraged, Koenig and company touch down and make camp. Keenly aware their very survival depends on any answers found, the Alphans then set off in teams of two across the desolate landscape. While taking photo-scans of charred, leafless trees, Ferro experiences a growing trepidation—as if they were trespassing on sacred ground. Anna has gathered some petrified leaf remnants; as she consults a botanical text, her excitement is seen to grow with each sample she examines.
Bergman and Helena's assessment of the environment is encouraging; the radiation levels are tolerable and the soil can be rejuvenated by introducing the proper
As the others assemble in the de facto crypt, Bergman makes another discovery. Text inscribed on the rock wall resembles
Overwhelmed, the Alphans cannot reconcile the presence of human skeletons and an ancient human language uncountable light-years from Earth. Humans could not have travelled here over 25,000 years ago. With a strange intensity, Ferro astounds everyone by asserting it was the Arkadians who travelled to Earth. He reveals Anna's untold discovery: the petrified remains of forty varieties of tree thought native to Earth. As stated in the inscription, the Arkadian survivors took the seeds with them...when they settled Earth and became Mankind.
Shaken by the implications of Ferro's conclusion, they move outside to discuss their situation: Alpha will be powerless in twenty-four hours and the team is no closer to discovering what force is holding the Moon a static prisoner. Should they migrate to the planet, it will take two years to reclaim the soil and begin growing crops. The overwhelming problem is that, even with strict rationing, three hundred Alphan settlers will exhaust the current supply of food in six months' time. Koenig reckons the planet buys them time...enough to hope for a miracle.
In the cave, Ferro and Anna are packing their gear. They are distracted by a prolonged, eerie chord, building in intensity. Though frightened, the pair is drawn to the skeletons—which they briefly perceive as flesh-and-blood men. A long-dormant intelligence has been activated, choosing this man and woman to be the agents of its will. During a silent dialogue, the couple's fear turns to understanding and elation. After the communion concludes, Ferro and Anna are empowered by a new purpose. The pair joyfully embrace when Koenig calls with the news he has decided to abandon Alpha.
As the party breaks camp and departs for home, the power situation on Moonbase becomes desperate. Most activities and services are severely curtailed, if not cancelled. Lighting and heat are radically reduced and all personnel wear cold-weather gear. With the power loss at forty-five percent,
Koenig suspends the evacuation, pending his return. Ferro and Anna are disturbed by this development and its potential effect on their new agenda. Once on Alpha, Koenig questions their chances of survival with a permanent fifty-percent power loss. When the experts confirm the food-production and life-support systems can cope with the situation, Koenig cancels Operation Exodus. After the announcement, Ferro and Anna confront the overstressed Commander. Citing that destiny has carried them here to revitalise this planet, they request permission to settle on Arkadia...just the two of them.
Koenig refuses; they would need to take half the current food supply with them to survive—condemning Alpha to starvation. When they persist, he harshly dismisses them. However, the fanatical pair have a back-up plan. Anna makes for the Supply Section as Ferro casually approaches
Kano complies, and Ferro relays the sequence to his waiting accomplice. After stunning the sentries, Anna uses the code to gain entry to the food stores. Kano shoves Ferro off him and sounds the red-alert klaxon. Making his way to an exit, Ferro encounters Helena and takes her hostage. Bargaining with the doctor's life, Ferro demands an
Unexpectedly, Koenig agrees to their demands. He alone recognises the danger of the two fanatics—not to mention that of the alien force motivating them. However, when boarding the Eagle, Ferro refuses to release Helena; she will stay with them to prevent any acts of reprisal. The unarmed survey Eagle will accompany them to Arkadia. Once safely out of range, the two will dock and Helena will be transferred to the other ship. Any sign of pursuit and the doctor dies. Again, Koenig acquiesces. The Commander is shunned by Bergman and the others, as his apparent 'cowardice' has condemned them to starvation.
The two ships, with Carter piloting Reconnaissance Eagle Two, set off for Arkadia. During the flight, Helena attempts to make Ferro and Anna see reason. The fugitives, in turn, try to convince the doctor that they are neither mad nor brainwashed puppets. Profoundly affected by their experience on the planet, they are willing servants of a higher destiny. The return of life to Arkadia gives purpose to the Moon's odyssey...and if Alpha's role is that of sacrificial lamb, so be it.
After establishing orbit around Arkadia, the two ships dock and the exchange is made. As Ferro descends to the surface, Carter sets course for home. Once in radio range of Alpha, the astronaut reports that Helena is aboard and safe. With that fact certain, Koenig redeems himself. He reveals his secret order to place a homing transmitter on Ferro's Eagle. In addition, Eagles Three and Five are standing by to lift off; their mission is to locate the fugitive ship and retrieve the supplies.
As Ferro touches down on Arkadia, the Moon unexpectedly lurches into motion. Not coincidentally, the power loss begins to lessen. Koenig cancels the pursuit mission; with full power returning, the lost supplies are irrelevant. He immediately calls Carter, ordering him to hit the throttle so as not to be left behind. On Arkadia, as Ferro and Anna unload the Eagle, they are shocked to see the Moon in motion. The couple holds each other, watching the Moon dwindle in size. Though completely alone on a barren world, they are comforted by the knowledge of having come home.
After Helena's safe return to Alpha, she and Koenig speculate on the role of the mysterious unknown force of Arkadia and its influence on Ferro and Anna. The viewer returns to the present as Koenig concludes that, with Earth settlers returning life to Arkadia, events have come full circle. While destiny may have been fulfilled with Luke Ferro and Anna Davis becoming a 21st-century Adam and Eve, he writes, the Alphans must keep faith that the Moon's ongoing journey has a greater purpose...
Regular cast
- John Koenig
- Helena Russell
- Victor Bergman
- Paul Morrow
- David Kano
- Sandra Benes
- Bob Mathias
- Alan Carter
- Tanya(uncredited)
Music
In addition to the regular Barry Gray score (drawn from "Breakaway" and "Another Time, Another Place"), excerpts from Paul Bonneau and Serge Lancen's composition Suite Appassionata—Andante are featured throughout the episode and Jack Arel and Pierre Dutour's 'Picture of Autumn' is used during Ferro and Anna's encounter with the Arkadian intelligence.[4]
Production
Script editor Johnny Byrne and director David Tomblin worked closely together to craft this final episode—mostly, Byrne recalls, as there was little money left in the series' budget. The idea of the 'ancient astronaut' was popularised by Swiss author Erich von Däniken in his book Chariots of the Gods? published in 1968. Melding this premise with the spirituality of the Adam and Eve story of Creation excited Tomblin, but Byrne felt it was a little too 'on the nose' with the imposed religious context. Though enjoying the story, he felt it was let down by the time limitations of the one-hour episode format and the necessary under-budgeting.[5] Fan response was positive, as the episode is seen to bring the (unintended) story arc of the Moon's predestined journey through space to a conclusion.[3]
Orso Maria Guerrini was the last of four Italian artists employed by the series as per an agreement with RAI, the Italian production company and series financial partner. Guerrini's English proved difficult to understand and his dialogue was dubbed by renowned voice artist Robert Rietty.[3] Tony Allyn and Quentin Pierre had played unnamed Security guards throughout the series.[6] The script for this episode listed their surnames as 'Irwin' and 'N'Dole', though these were never spoken aloud. Koenig's voice-over narration throughout the story was a last-minute addition, used to clarify several abstract plot points.[7]
Producer
It was decided hiring an American head writer would end the time-consuming necessity of ITC New York vetting the scripts (plus bring a more American outlook to the programme). Experienced writer/producer
Though the programme was an international success, Sir Lew Grade was disappointed by the series' failure to secure an American network sale. This was coupled with its lukewarm reception in Britain (due to the lack of a coordinated network showing on ITV and having been labelled an 'American import'). In the autumn of 1975, as work progressed on the second series, ITC Entertainment announced to the production team that, unless the format was drastically retooled (specifically favouring American viewers), Space: 1999 would be cancelled.[3]
Novelisation
The episode was adapted in the sixth Year One Space: 1999 novel Astral Quest by John Rankine, published in 1975.[11]
References
- ^ Fanderson - The Official Gerry Anderson Website. Original ATV Midlands broadcast date
- ^ Mis-printed in on-screen credits as 'Liza Harrow'. "The Testament of Arkadia" episode guide; Space: 1999 website 'The Catacombs', Martin Willey
- ^ a b c d Destination: Moonbase Alpha, Telos Publications, 2010
- ^ "The Testament of Arkadia" episode guide; Fanderson - The Official Gerry Anderson Website
- ^ Johnny Byrne interview re: "The Testament of Arkadia"; Space: 1999 website 'The Catacombs', Martin Willey
- ^ In "Earthbound", their spacesuit helmets were labeled with the names 'Allan' and 'Quinton' out of necessity, but these names were never spoken aloud, noted in a script, or noticeable with the relatively poor television resolution at the time of broadcast.
- ^ "The Testament of Arkadia" final shooting script dated 5 February 1975
- ^ Sylvia Anderson bonus commentary on 'The Testament of Arkadia'; US A&E DVD, set four, disc eight, 2002
- ^ Yes, M'Lady, Smith Gryphon, 1991
- ^ The Making of Space: 1999, Ballantine Books, 1976
- ^ Space: 1999 - Astral Quest, Futura Publications, 1975
External links
- "The Testament of Arkadia" at IMDb
- Space: 1999 - "The Testament of Arkadia" - The Catacombs episode guide
- Space: 1999 - "The Testament of Arkadia" - Moonbase Alpha's Space: 1999 page
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