[David W]

[b]cricket wrote:[/b]
[quote]For what it is worth, I rather doubt Helena would be the CMO of a major off-planet medical installation at age 29. It would make more sense to have her in her mid-thirties at the least, and even more likely a few years older than that. I’ve always thought the age of BB was probably not too far off what was appropriate for the position,[/quote]
I always took the character to be the age that I assumed the actress to be, which I thought was late-thirties (which turns out to be a little younger than BB’s actual age at the time, if the date in the IMDB is correct). Usually, unless there is some hint otherwise, or mistaken assumption on my part, I tend to assume the character is around the same age as my estimation of the actor’s.

[quote][….] I bet Helena at least knew how to use a VCR along with that record player. 🙂
And I agree about the anachronistic speech patterns, for all the reasons cited. In the hospital, we still ask for the x-ray ‘films’ when just about everything has now gone digital. :laugh:[/quote]
Yeah, I still use the term “tape” for recording a program too. My parents, sister, and I, when we’re at my parents’ place, still all call the TV-listings section of the Sunday paper the “TV Screen” even though it has been retitled away from that decades ago, and a few more times since! (We all still use those listings sometimes, as it is so much quicker to scan listings for almost 100 channels and 6 hours on each page, as opposed to the miniscule 5(?)-channel x 1.5 hour shavings that the cable provider’s unit gives in each “page” on screen. But I digress.)

–DW

[David W]

[b]PatS wrote:[/b]
[quote]As you read on to The Forsaken (assuming one hasn’t read it yet) and Shepherd Moon, you’ll see that Helena is portrayed much the same way, and that her stoicism is also interpreted as coldness,[/quote]
I really liked the portrayal of her character in [i]The Forsaken[/i]. As I stated in a review at my site (not yet summarized here), I’ve long struggled with the Y1 portrayal of her character. The character is used well in plots, thematic statements, and most other dialog, but just strikes me as so unreactive in some cases, in my perception anyway, or that the reactions that were so subtle I often had trouble picking them out without multiple viewings or others’ viewpoints.

She is a doctor, a chief one at that, so one expects a lot of detachment. There are portrayals of doctors with over the top reactions that are often not very sensible, from what I understand. Yet despite the underplayed aspect, Helena’s Y1 portrayal never really fully clicked with me for a long time. After a number of years and reading others’ reactions, seeing some of the subtle signs, and making some other assumptions myself, I sort of understand the character earlier in S19 better now.

No difficulties at all with her character in [i]The Forsaken[/i], as far as I recall. There, the various sides of her character are strongly played (well written), both in a “Y1 sense” but in transition to Y2 type of portrayal. There is no trouble for me seeing both the surface and depths, and adjustments of the character in that novel (both within that story in regard to what is happening, but also long term) — and it all works well as a different aspects of the same character.

As from that, Pat, your continuing the point about stoicism into Helena’s character is actually rather fitting and helpful.

(Not that I always had problems with her Y1 characterization. As one example, I don’t recall struggling with her portrayal in “Breakaway” or the awkward meeting there of her and John, which makes it interesting that he started seeing through her shell to who she was, as the season went on and into the next.)

If nothing else, I suppose it can be taken as a positive that someone who often struggled with Helena’s Y1 characterization, that I thought she really shined in [i]The Forsaken[/i] and I’m seeing her character well in the Y2 Omnibus so far in my detailed reviews.

[quote]although her patina was probably developed over a period of years/events rather than one huge traumatic event.[/quote]
I’ve sometimes wondered and speculated, and tend to agree there was something in her past, recent or long term, that did make her seem outwardly stoic/cold/unemotional (different viewers may have different takes). In some senses, any sort of event or events seem to be “needed” as part of me refused to believe that went all the way to the center of the character, and Y2 shows that she seems to trust others and herself enough to show more feelings, while still remaining ever the doctor, both in terms of the portrayal and the reactions of some of the other characters (including Sally Martin’s, however myopic her view may be).

Mateo, your indication regarding her past is striking, and curiously, I never really thought that far back before regarding this, that it may indeed be something more distant but powerful.

“Let’s her ‘inner Barbara Bain’ shine through.” Interesting way of putting it. Unfortunately, I’ve never really seen her act in TV outside of S19, though she does show range there. I do have the first season of MI on DVD, though I haven’t had the chance to watch it.

PatS concluded….
[quote]Therefore, their friendship/camaraderie is much more natural and understandable – after all, who can you let your hair down with other than someone who understands you?[/quote]
That seems to make sense. It always struck me that Helena in Y1 may feel an isolated character due to her outward personality and her role, and Maya knows Helena as someone who reached out to her right away. Such factors could have helped make a friendship pretty easy to form. Your point makes it clearer they may have a little more in common than I already thought.

The subsequent discussion in this group about psychology and space medicine is interesting. I’ve had some prior off-line conversations with Cricket on this before. Even before that, I can still recall seeing “Dragon’s Domain” and assuming that Helena’s psychological discussions seemed some sort of extension of her medical skills, and not so much a whole other career within Medicine, though until I talked with Cricket, I really wasn’t sure exactly how. I was actually rather confused when seeing DD again in 1992. Perhaps another unfortunate thing in my perception of her character that I wasn’t sure how she could be more psychologist there and doctor later, and just figured it was some extension of her main practice. Took until these last few years to start hearing some good explanations.

–DW

P.S. “Powysverse” — clever term, Pat!

[David W]

[b]PatS wrote:[/b]
[quote][color=#800000]So, I missed out on the Metamorph,[/color][/quote]
I wouldn’t let that stop you! I’d certainly be interested in your comments on the Omnibus version of “The Metamorph.” Besides, chances are someone will drop in and comment on various posts of this thread anyway, at any point. You can always alter the Subject line in your reply to refer to the episode name; it does not change the overall thread title.

[quote][color=#800000]but hopefully I’ll get this in before the Next Episode is reviewed.[/color][/quote]
I have started that (nothing posted yet). 🙂

[quote][color=#800000]In my mind, TV episodes are akin to short stories[/color][/quote]
Interesting comparison. I think it is apt.

[quote][color=#800000]Plus, one thing happening after another would compress all of Y2 into much less than the 6 or so years that the status reports suggest.[/color][/quote]
Yeah, much less, it seemed. Series-wise, I would have preferred about three years for each season, but that’s a whole other conversation. I’m just glad the Omnibus has slowed the pacing relative to the first novelizations. I haven’t seen it directly use the log dates yet, but there’s some implied longer periods of time that “feel” more like the broadcast Y2, and that helps the individual chapters (not to mention the Alphan characters) “breathe” a little more!

Interestingly, though, despite the apparent crowding of incidents in the original novelizations, partway through the first of those novels, it posits something like 3-4 years after Breakaway. So the 1970’s Y2 novelizations uncrowded Y1 but crowded its own Y2 topic matter? Maybe I’m not forgetting something here.

[quote][color=#800000]I think the whole opening scene is greatly improved in the Omnibus. The transition to The Exiles in the original novelization was quite abrupt, and really the opening of the episode abrupt as well. Helena goes from a brief dictation to going into CC (The room wasn’t even blue…Ahhhhh…they are all underground now, so what is the point of even mentioning it? Oh, well. I like the idea of early morning, in any event. Sets the scene much better.)[/color][/quote]
The “blue” reference in the episode is a little confusing, but I long figured maybe there was a sort of space warp (non-jarring one) between when she recorded the log entry and when the “cameras” were then viewing space. I agree the episode’s transition felt abrupt there, like something was lost to the editing room floor.

It was a nice touch about starting in early morning, suggesting people would still keep familiar patterns even without some of the familiar cues. Lunar Time was presumably cued to some timezone on Earth (I’ve tended to assume Greenwich Mean Time, which astronomers call Universal Time), from the earliest days of moonbase construction.

Oh, that reminds me of something I noticed: these revisions use “Moonbase Alpha” rather than the first go-around using “Moon Base Alpha” — minor but nice touch to change this to the more typically used spelling.

[spoiler][quote][quote]The Omnibus added more detail, some based on a summary of an event newly-posited to occur between “Metamorph” and “Exiles” that I’m unfamiliar with (just something to add further background, or is it a loose end to an unpublished story?)…[/quote]
[color=#800000]Mateo has recently posted that this is, in fact, The Whispering Seas, by J.K. Muir. [/color][/quote]
Okay, that is excellent! Thanks for the information. Well, that makes what’s in the Omnibus a loose end then — and a good ‘teaser’ too.
[/spoiler]

[quote][quote]Interesting line about more of the Alphan males seeming to “intuit Maya’s true nature” than the females. [….] I think I can see the possible meaning behind this, that the men appreciate her outward stoicism about it, and many of the women find it a little standoffish? [/quote]
[color=#800000]I actually didn’t get this at all. When I first read it, I thought there was an implication about Maya’s being an attractive young women with whom Alphan women would have to compete. Believe me, I am not proud that this was the first thought that came into my head. Why would women be less intuitive? We’re not all catty. Gives us some more credit.[/color][/quote]
I didn’t think it was being about catty or lack of intuition. Well, the ‘catty’ possibility crossed my mind at some point when speculating on the meaning; but in my opinion, that didn’t seem to match the context content (Maya’s fast integration and little outward sign of distress) well. So I stuck with my interpretation of her reactions being interpreted as stoic by some and the same as standoffish by other characters. Just my 1.999 cents, anyway.

Assuming this, however, I would guess that word about Maya’s breaking down and sobbing on Eagle 4 did not get around. On the other hand, it mentions Helena intervening on Maya’s behalf more than once, and maybe it was to point out things like how Maya had looked humiliated and in shock after finding out about Mentor’s actions, intervened of the Alphans’ behalf, and felt completely lost after that. This could have easily proven effective intervention on Maya’s behalf by Helena.

[quote][color=#800000](Ack – Art imitating life, if you have read about Barbara Bain’s supposed reluctance to have Catherine Schell on the show…Though how much of that is true and how much is conjecture is anyone’s guess)[/color][/quote]
I’ve heard that story, I think, including not wanting Catherine Schell appear without her Maya makeup. Also that part of a “Beta Cloud” scene had a cut over that. As you say, who knows, and regardless, I do not take it as reflective of any whole. Reportedly, some of the male actors had some ego reactions too, again if you count some of the hearsay as perhaps having some truth.

[quote][quote]In terms of Maya starting to adjust, there was good replacement for that in the new novelization. … Helena’s mostly happy about the progress, though, seeming almost giddy at one point (worded in a way, however, that I had trouble making sense of it). [/quote]
[color=#800000]??[/color][/quote]
I think I was trying to say that the wording seemed slightly over the top in a few places. Minor quibble in what was really some good character development.

[quote][quote]Oh, that reminds me…. I had to chuckle at a good line Helena used in discussing that incident for her log: “Following events on the planet Ekimmu—already recorded on film….” [/quote]
[color=#800000]Truth be known, I cringed a bit at the anachronism (film?!?!?), though it is consistent with the video recording in “BoW”[/color].[/quote]
Actually, I’m pretty sure the BOW camera Clive Kander “was” digital. It looked too small for film, and he is later putting square cards (some S19 analogue to flash memory?) into a viewer and watching video.

Unfortunately, that does add strength to your suggestion this written statement is a little anachronistic. Then again, people sometimes do tend to use older terms even when the tech is newer. For music, I still say “record” from time to time, even though I generally say the tech-neutral(?) “album” most of the time. It’s funny because I only ever owned a few vinyl items (including the sound — dialogue and such — of the movie “Star Wars”) via gifts, and when I first started buying music, it was as tapes and then CD’s.

So maybe it’s merely a linguistic anachronism on the character’s part rather than the author’s. Difficult to say.

[quote][quote]Also, there is more on Helena and Maya starting to become friends, and Maya learning about human culture…[/quote]
[color=#800000]Yes – although while the Omnibus and the original novelizations have more detail that leads up to that scene, if you go to the Catacombs and check out the script-to-screen, the entire scene (greatly truncated on-screen) is a much better than either. Even a bit of foreshadowing re: Helena’s scratching Cantor at the end. Too bad that couldn’t have made it into the Omnibus.[/color][/quote]
Huh, I was unaware it was scripted as a longer scene. Also explains one of the puzzling publicity photos of Maya holding something flat and shiny to her temple. I didn’t connect that to disks and Zamara doing something similar in the next episode. More sophisticated tech in those disks than I had assumed. I thought those disks were just foreshadowing CD’s (albeit in a smaller form — more like mini-CD size).

Anyway…. The additional material puts a rather different spin on the scene. The way it was cut, I had assumed it was Helena that cajoled Maya into the practical joke (which since it is canon I’ll still assume), but the extension makes for an interesting alternative, and a chance for Helena to unwind and one of the more visible signs of Maya learning about human culture, not just the external trappings but social details, at least indirectly. Plus, I see it is the source of some of the material in the novelization versions.

I also see what you mean by the foreshadowing you pointed out.

[quote][color=#800000](An aside – at your archives, David, there is a clever comment in the ExE discussion of this episode. Something about what the heck was Helena thinking, letting the new girl kiss her man?)[/color][/quote]
Can’t quite seem to find this, though it is late in the evening as I look, so maybe I missed it. I did run across an interesting comparison of some of the characters to chess pieces. 🙂

[quote][color=#800000]As originally written, [… Tony] “fancies” her already? Oi.[/color][/quote]
Yeah, if one’s going to posit an early jump to the feelings, it might have been more typical if it had been love at first sight, or an attaction mostly denied even to oneself (forget even admitting to another), but the way the original was written didn’t fit either and just seemed an odd thing to say in the middle of a relative contextual desert.

[quote][color=#800000]In the Omnibus, not only is the discussion between JK and Tony much more believable, but it also establishes something of a fraternal relationship between JK and Tony.[/color][/quote]
Yes, that’s also a very good and point, which makes a lot of sense on its own and when considering prior events in some earlier Powys novels.

[quote][color=#800000]While I understand some of the grouping of the stories for the 70’s novelizations, tying them together with a common theme, having these in production order (and for the most part, the order they aired) makes a whole lot more sense in character development. The titles of the individual novelizations suggest a common theme among the stories, so I’d guess this was the basis of the ordering.[/color][/quote]
Interesting. I went back to a list of what episodes are represented in each novelization, and yes, there does seem to be some thematic connection between novel titles and episodes, for the most part.

Maybe the then-“missing” Taybor novelization should have been in [i]The Space-Jackers[/i] and “A Matter of Balance” moved to [i]The Psychomorph[/i]. {shrug}

[quote][quote]… other aftermath from Psychon, including how the loss of three people at Psychon — and damage the moonbase took — hit morale as well.[/quote]
[color=#800000]What is interesting, and I never thought of it until this moment, was that the first episode of Y2, and the last, both had Alpha withstanding incredible destruction because (indirectly/directly) of Maya. I’m sure there was any number of people who wished they could call Taybor back to take her away once and for all.[/color][/quote]
Stewart seemed ready to just let the Dorcons take her away. Once welcomed as Alphan (by most) it seemed she became part of the theme of Alphans always fighting to save each other, yet with the also realistic thought that some would not always be so eager to take the risk trying to save someone else.

[quote][color=#800000]Ya know, what were they thinking when they designed Life Support Systems to run on rare materials.[/color][/quote]
Well, probably not of the Moon breaking away! 🙂

[quote][color=#800000]Not very forward-thinking, and thank goodness the Omnibus straightened out the continuity so they weren’t looking for titanium one week (rare? C’mon), milgonite the next, and tiranium at the end.[/color][/quote]
Yes, that was still good to straighten out.

The thing I don’t know, however, is whether astronomers in the 1970’s really knew if there was much titanium on the Moon. I’ve long heard it is considered relatively metal-poor, but I haven’t a clue how that translates in terms of theoretical or practical mining possibilities. Either that or the series producers needed more scientific advice on the series (something that could have helped at times in both seasons). A more recent lunar mission suggests a fair amount of titanium, especially on the near side, though again, I don’t know how that would translate to potential mining.

http://www.lunargeographic.com/info/resources.shtml

[quote][color=#800000](I think tiranium is the WD40 or duct tape of the 1999 universe.)[/color][/quote]
Yes, I think you’re right! Or maybe the “unobtanium” of the S19 universe. I think that’s an old reference among physicists sometimes used in knowingly-wishful thinking or as a joke, that sometimes makes its way into movies as something a character presumably thought would be amusing to dub onto a newly-discovered substance or one which is still exceedingly rare.

My point is that sticking to “tiranium” in the Omnibus does make some sense.

[quote][color=#800000]And thank you, Powys, for having the laser slide to where Zova was standing, instead of puma/Maya pacing about while Zova had a chance to reach it.[/color][/quote]
I’ve tended to assume her intelligence in that form is partially limited by the “brain-power” innate in that form, and also that if she transforms hastily, she may not be able to prepare any “now guard that three-sided stick” reaction patterns. Time and time again, it seems like her reactions get simpler in simpler forms. (Of course, in filming “simpler” animals, there’s not as much to work with.) Perhaps not a perfect explanation, but I find it does tend to explain a lot, and how a number of her transformations don’t help as much as expected, or go outright sideways!

Still, it is nice that the Omnibus simply got rid of the need for explanation in this case! It will be interesting to see how this unfolds in some other cases.

[quote][quote]Also effective is how John tries to draw on his relationship with Helena at one point, in a way she does not like, rebuffing this at that moment. No real relationship is without its awkward moments.[/quote]
[color=#800000]You ain’t seen nuthin’, yet. Their occasional clashes are some of the most realistic situations in the whole series. In the oft’- reviled “All That’s Glisters” there is a slight exchange between them when he is saying something and she is trying to get his attention. He turns to her and snaps, “What?”[/color][/quote]
I’ll have to look for that in the episode the next time. Interesting, and yes, something that is realistic for a stable relationship, as you point out. So such touches of realism show up more in the Omnibus, I take it.

[quote][quote]I had some problems with the novelizations (both versions) having John bring Helena’s clay self-sculpture to Command Center…[/quote]
[color=#800000]I think the difficulty they had to struggle with was why he would take Zova back to his quarters to discuss the situation? Except, perhaps, to make it a private conversation. It’s a weak plot point. Perhaps if Zova had waved her hand and made the bust appear, translocated from his quarters to the desk, or something along those lines, it would have been stronger.[/color][/quote]
Good point, and that would have worked well. Either that or that after appearing in the power room that she made a beeline for his quarters to try finding further leverage over him. She could reach there if there was a “don’t shoot” order from Koenig. Or having her stay in the power room, John and Maya go there, and to have the latter two surprised to see the bust already sitting on a table near Zova.

[quote][quote]The events in the Golosian control center felt somewhat more compressed in the episode, [….][/quote]
[color=#800000]Cat and mouse doesn’t work well on the page. How to capture the lighting used to highlight her hiding, or her shuffling back on the floor as he stalks her?[/color][/quote]
It can probably work if re-written to be less visual, but yes, it can still become tedious or confusing if not written well, and it is a confined space in this case. I think the novel is fine for compressing this, in any case.

[quote][color=#800000]The aging? Without the beard and hair growth, it would have been easier to suspend my disbelief.[/color][/quote]
I didn’t say it was a small suspending of disbelief. 🙂 I noticed that too, and it probably does make a bigger suspension than it already would have been without the beard. I’ve long thought it unrealistic the cells would just degrade that fast, but it is something of a well-established image in fantasy, science fiction, and horror, and for whatever reason, I usually just give this particular case a pass. {shrug}

[quote][quote]There’s something about preserved ancestors that I did not entirely follow on first read…[/quote]
[color=#800000]Beats pyramids.[/color][/quote]
🙂

[quote][quote]Koenig decides they cannot take on 53 more people here. This was an already understandable difficulty in the series, including in this situation where it interferes with what at first seems like the chance to rescue 50+ people…There is also Koenig’s suspicion about Cantar and Zova. Though he’s always been pretty canny about such things, he still takes some striking actions here…[/quote]
[color=#800000]Alphans, and JK in particular, can sometimes be seen as generous to a fault. They respond to distress signals over and over and over again, or try to help again and again, and it gets them into trouble. Mission of the Darians, The Last Enemy, The Infernal Machine, The End of Eternity, Deaths Other Dominion (can’t blame them there, though), The Exiles, The Mark of Archanon, Brian the Brain, Dorzak…Powys novels old and new. Guys, I’m all for altruism, but…? [/color][/quote]
Yes… but actually, that’s something I welcome about the Alphans in a thematic sense, that they never let events cause them to devolve into a mere semblance of themselves, at least not as a whole or among most of the characters, though again, there are signs this is not always a unified front, which is a good move too.

What should have happened — and seemingly did to some degree — was for more caution to take over. “The Exiles” is mixed on this front: Koenig is suspicious, yet also brings down the other pod of the pair, though there is some degree of explanation (arguably better in the Omnibus than in the episode). In “Dorzak”, it took some convincing for Tony to relent and allow Sahala’s ship to land, only for Maya to promptly get shot, but it turned out that Sahala was right (except for shooting Maya, which besides the immediate presumption of guilt, did make it more difficult to get her point across).

Besides keeping most of their compassion (while still having a hard nose about some things like not being able to take on the 53 in “The Exiles”), and I think enough viewpoints do show up in the series, to make it seem like a more complicated decision on the Alphans’ parts. The Omnibus version of “Exiles” certainly added a lot more layers to this part of the conversation, via Koenig, Russell, and Verdeschi arguing.

Plus, there is simple human curiosity. IMO, a perfect example is the [i]Daria[/i] in MOTD. This gigantic spaceship drifts by; hard to imagine them not wanting to check it out, barring an outright sign of an imminent attack. I didn’t think Gwent left much option but to come on board, but I could be mis-remembering.

So I guess what I’m saying is that I like the theme of the Alphans essentially retaining their compassion but that I liked seeing the various arguments play out and often lead to more cautious approach even though the results usually still left them in trouble. If nothing else, having some initial caution or at least playing out the arguments probably “prepared” them in some ways, priming some reactions if/when things did go south. At least that’s my opinion.

[quote][color=#800000]As you read on, David, there are more things you’ll appreciate as far as continuity and gaping plot holes are concerned.[/color][/quote]
Sounds good. 🙂

[spoiler][quote][quote]Also, I’ve always found it interesting that Tony, generally untrusting at first but never paranoid (IMO), is actually more trusting of Cantar than Koenig is…[/quote]
[color=#800000]I think Tony is still getting his chops at this point, because he far less suspicious here than other episodes, even One Moment of Humanity.[/color][/quote]
I’ve sometimes wondered if Maya didn’t have something to do with that. He was obviously around in some “off-camera” role in Security in Y1, and saw a lot of the alien-caused problems. Powys novels get into some details, and at one point there’s the “I’ll [i]never[/i] get used to aliens” quote from him. He’s not paranoid there either, but has clearly mixed feelings. Maybe in meeting Maya and remembering the Kaldorians, his opinion rebounds, but after the Exiles some of his caution returns.[/spoiler]

[quote][quote]This novelization version also “restores” the ending of the episode, as a denouement that works better in this case than just trying to launch directly into the next encounter…[/quote]
[color=#800000]One of the least disappointing “light” endings. Revenge is a dish best served at 0 degrees Kelvin.[/color][/quote]
I’ve generally liked the endings in S19, serious or humorous (barring the occasional thud IMO like the “yellow trolley” line), but this is certainly one of the more amusing ones, thanks to both the particular bits of humor.

–DW

[David W]

I just recently read and posted [url=http://www.space1999.net/~metaforms/oth-revu/y2omni02.htm]a webpage review[/url] on “The Exiles” chapter of [i]Year Two[/i]. (If anyone noticed it previously, please note it was revised earlier tonight.) I found more to comment on than I expected. I will summarize here, with some relatively mild (I think) spoilers hidden at a couple points in this note.

Of course, something immediately notable about the Omnibus, compared to the earlier novel versions, is that “The Metamorph” is followed by “The Exiles” instead of “The AB Chrysalis” (ABC). I was previously aware the Omnibus would be working with the order posited in 22 of the 24 episodes of Y2, so that was no surprise. I was curious to see two things on this point: how the revised versions managed the move from each chapter/episode to the next, and how these transitions compared to the original.

Also, there is an additional transition between the first and second stories of Y2, namely of a new member of Alpha, Maya. The episodes made no particular point of this, unfortunately, though there are some subtle signs here and there. In the original novelizations, there were additional details in the ABC novelization; some were brief but effective, one aspect fell a bit flat (more shortly).

The Omnibus added more detail, some based on a summary of an event newly-posited to occur between “Metamorph” and “Exiles” that I’m unfamiliar with (just something to add further background, or is it a loose end to an unpublished story?), and some based on other development which have occurred between Psychon and the Golos area. This was effective nonetheless, I think, and it involved discussion of some difficulties adjusting — on all sides — including some surprises.

[spoiler]It is indicated John feels some guilt in his role in leaving Maya without a father or a planet, and that turns into a struggle on his part that leaves some confusion for Maya, as well as for Helena observing his reactions. This in turn has Helena reflecting on her deepening relationship with John. Also, there is more on Helena and Maya starting to become friends, and Maya learning about human culture.

Tony is not so sure about making her into Alpha’s science officer, even while Helena has noticed that Maya has caught Tony’s eye. Tony, in a conversation with John about Maya and his and Alpha’s reactions to her, admits he already likes her. Interestingly, the two novel versions use a similar line of dialogue, that in the original fell flat, but that in the revision rings much more true — due I think to there being more detailed and subtle setup regarding the very earliest stages of this relationship.
[/spoiler]
Equally improved in various other ways is how the reordering of the novelizations is how this prompted the dropping of the very rapid transition in the earlier version from “Metamorph” to ABC. That earlier attempt, though welcome in one way as an attempt to imply continuity, was so very abrupt I thought it “claustrophobic,” positing the chlorine planet’s disturbances so close to Psychon I had trouble making sense of such timing.

The pacing here in the Omnibus is much less abrupt, and thus allows other developments, such as the ones already discussed, as well as other aftermath from Psychon, including how the loss of three people at Psychon — and damage the moonbase took — hit morale as well.

On all of these points, character, plot, and thematic, these are very positive changes in this revised novelization, and all very appropriate and well-handled.

There is good depth added to a point already made in Y1 and in “The Exiles” episode itself, about life support limitations. Just as importantly, there is Koenig’s early suspicion about Cantar and Zova, and the action he took at one point, hitting Cantar with a stun beam. The episode sets up both sufficiently, and the original novelization did add more depth, while the revised novelization adds further. It draws more background to Koenig’s concerns, adding some effective background points.

[spoiler]What makes some of these improvements more effective is that instead of some brief, sweeping generalizations about past events instilling some suspicion, for example, the Omnibus gets more specific, drawing, in different places, to some specific prior instances, including to a key one within the Powys framework. This is good character development here as well, but it also speaks to one point in the theme of how Alphans perceive past events.

Also effective is how John tries to draw on his relationship with Helena at one point, in a way she does not like, rebuffing this at that moment. No real relationship is without its awkward moments.

I had some problems with the novelizations (both versions) having John bring Helena’s clay self-sculpture to Command Center. Even with a relationship, and her in peril, this just seemed somewhat out of character for him. Even aside from that, I thought the scene involving just John, Maya, and Zova, in quarters (in the episode) was more effective, than the novels having it all set in CC. The novelization does not ruin its version of the scene, but I prefer the episode’s.

The events in the Golosian control center felt somewhat more compressed in the episode, with the main plot events present but less of the cat and mouse of Cantar vs. Helena, and Cantar aging faster, but actually, was just one I filed under a different interpretation of the scene which worked about as well. Plus, it had a curious additional use of the suspended animation technology that had me thinking for a bit. Also, eliminating the curious “remote viewing on one’s hand” thing and positing a more direct connection between Cantar and Zova probably works better in the written medium, though it also seems to eliminate a little bit of plot setup present in the episode.
[/spoiler]
Episode to novelization, there was some plot “compression” of the story at a few points, yet in that are some improvements — and some differences I questioned. There was more detail in some places on the core material of the episode, which is worked as definite positives to this reviewer. Where this version really shined though was there being a lot more development that helps fill story gaps I’ve long felt existed between “The Metamorph” and “The Exiles” — especially in regard to characterization. It even suggests an entire plot event as well, and (in reprise) resulting character development. Intriguing. This novelization version also “restores” the ending of the episode, as a denouement that works better in this case than just trying to launch directly into the next encounter.

Overall, I very much like the improvements in the this story’s novelization in the Omnibus over the original novelizations, and in many ways, feel it improves on the episode (one I already do like even though it’s not one of my favorites).

Comments?

–DW

[David W]

However, today I was wondering if I had lost a summary statement in reorganizing the main review for posting a few days ago. Sure enough, I did. 🙁 I have added one there now, but I’ll just quote it here, as something similar should have ended up in my posting above, as well. Not that I’m going to comment in this much detail each chapter, but I did intend to do so in this case. Anyway, here’s the added paragraph….

Overall, I think the changes to this episode’s revised novelization from the original novelization are positive. Clarifications were made, some consistency changes, and various tweaks to dialogue or descriptions were made. What tie-ins were kept or added seem logical, and what was removed, though a good effort under what seems to have been time pressure, was not something I would miss if I hadn’t been doing a more detailed review. Of course, this is just the first chapter, so it’s a little soon to judge overall; but it is a good start, in my opinion.

[David W]

Thanks, and please, feel free to read along, join in, reply, comment on your own, or whatever! 🙂

I am working on the review of the next chapter (“The Exiles”).

–DW

[David W]

[b]PatS wrote:[/b]
[quote]Your reviews are always so wonderfully crafted and enjoyable to read. I suppose I shall have to read [u]Resurrection[/u] [i]yet again[/i] to make any reply worthy. There is always a tidbit or two to pick up upon re-reading.

Just wondering – did you read [u]Resurrection[/u] as a stand-alone, or as part of [u]Eternity Unbound[/u]?

Good to see you on this forum!
[/quote]
Pat, it is good to see you on this forum as well!

Thank you for the compliment on my reviews. I appreciate it. I do tend to get detailed at times, but I’m glad to know some others do enjoy these reviews.

I read [i]Resurrection[/i] from the stand-alone novel. I do have [i]Eternity Unbound[/i], but have yet to read it. (When I do, I am likely to review it as well, at some point. :)) Given the interesting conversation which followed my post, between you and Mateo, I was struck with the thought that when I do get to reading and reviewing EU, that what I may do is read the new material from the book, but when reaching the [i]Resurrection[/i] portion of EU, may instead switch to the audiobook (which I see has been announced for pre-orders).

Mateo, would I be correct in assuming that the [i]Resurrection[/i] portion of [i]Eternity Unbound[/i] is the same as the former is stand-alone? Or are there some differences in these written versions?

Thanks,

–DW

[David W]

Very generally speaking, I find there is something curious when it comes to my favorites of filmed material. Aside from favorites, going from the filmed version to the written version, I more often than not find greater richness across the board. With favorites, however, I usually like the original form so much that the novel version, while adding in some places, it may feel like it falls short in others. Sometimes it is very much so, actually, if the written version is just not that good. That was not the case with Michael Butterworth’s first chapter, novelizing the Johnny Byrne script for “The Metamorph” — my favorite episode of [i]Space: 1999[/i]. While not surpassing the episode overall, and falling short in a few places, Butterworth did an excellent job taking the characters, plot, and themes and expanding on them, adding further depth in many places, especially in regard to the characters and themes.

The revision also took the opportunity to correct many character names present early in the scripting process for Y2, but which were changed by the time the final episode was ready — after Butterworth had finished novelizing “Metamorph” due to scheduling factors (which he discusses in his foreward to this Omnibus). Also, some of the dialogue was altered to better fit the episode. Of course, this is still a novelization, and it does have the freedom to not only add, but slightly alter the story in an attempt to better fit the written format and its opportunity for more detail or to tell a better written story.

One simple but effective addition, for example, was adding a little more to character, of Fraser saying something encouraging to the otherwise distracted Torens during the crisis of their original capture, even though Fraser knew by that point it was hopeless, and soon got caught up himself in the same feeling. A form of leadership among the ranks. Another is altering vague references to Koenig’s past with a couple of firm examples, one first laid out in Y1, and another in foreshadowing to events in a later Y2 episode. Additional bridging points are added as well, including, in nicely-done fashion, to at least two other Powys Y1-timeframe novels, namely to events in [i]The Forsaken[/i] and [i]Survival[/i].

Many of the additions went to more major points (for this particular story) than the above examples, as well, some to neutral effect in my opinion, some for the better, and some not. I’ll cover those more in the (light) spoilers section below.

[spoiler]
A change (in the novelization) is how soon the Alphans see Maya (in any form). She is seen by them as a lioness in an early communication, and as herself in a later communication, whereas the episode has her first seen by Koenig when he is on the planet and in a cell. This change works reasonably well, and even though I still prefer the original way I still enjoyed this change and again treated it as it is, one of the changes which can be expected in a novelization. (An additional point here: sometimes things in a filmed version can hit the editing room floor or be otherwise necessarily compressed; a novelization often has more room to “breathe” or simply keep things edited out of the episode.)

One difference that struck me as a odd was how quickly Mentor shows his hand regarding Psyche and what is planned for Torens and Fraser. In the novelization it is soon after the second Alphan party is captured but well before they reach the Grove of Psyche. This does not work so well, in my opinion, and even renders Fraser’s shouted warning feeling almost completely superfluous.

Also, from much later, after Psyche is destroyed, Mentor is dead, the novelization loses a powerful scene fragment the episode had, namely of Maya staring at the flaming wreckage of her life, tears streaming down her face, standing alone and in shock for a few moments.

That said (a few lesser instances of such), there are strong additions, as well. Several points from Koenig’s POV outlining his seen wariness in more detail, demonstrating his leadership further. More detail on Mentor that adds even more depth to his already visible two faces, his decline into psychosis on one side, and his feeling sadness about it and more importantly protecting his daughter from it, using the last of his decency and honor to raise her as one of the best of Psychons even while he otherwise devolves into one of the worst of them trying to save his planet. Also, further detail is likewise added from Maya’s POV, about her nagging concerns yet her shock at Koenig’s words, and her subsequent mental and emotional transformation when she flees from Koenig but nonetheless decides to confront the truth.

Of course, the novelization (either version) does afford the opportunity, taken well, of adding additional lines you just can’t have in the episode, such as this non-dialogue bit: “While father and daughter looked at each other in a moment of mortification.” Excellent line.
[/spoiler]

Overall, while finding a few things weakened from the episode in the novelization, many were strengthened, making this a worthy piece that stands alongside the episode very well. It is still my favorite episode, and the novelization didn’t surpass it, but made the written version one I want to read as well, more than once, for the places where it adds further depth to a what is in my opinion an excellent episode.

The full review, including many more detailed analysis points (and more spoilers, clearly marked), can be found at [url=http://www.space1999.net/~metaforms/oth-revu/y2omni01.htm]this link[/url].

A review of “The Exiles” (and subsequent chapters of the Omnibus) will follow at later points (and probably in briefer form).

Comments? 🙂

–DW

[David W]

Greetings, all!

[b]kalthon wrote:[/b]
[quote]And when the book in question finally appears, there is a brief rash of “Thanks!” “Great!” “When’s the next one?” – and that is it. Hardly another word of discussion about what people liked, didn’t like, ideas…..

I don’t think this actually implies displeasure, or disinterest. I think it’s just that people find reading less of an effort than…actually putting any thoughts or opinions down themselves. A shame really.
[/quote]
It is unfortunate, but I think is somewhat unintentional. I have to plead to being a little bit guilty about that too, in part because when I comment on a book I’ve read, it tends to be a rather detailed review and analysis, and that can take awhile sometimes. I’ve done/posted such for [i]Resurrection[/i] and [i]The Forsaken[/i], and am working on that for [i]Survival[/i] and will for [i]Year Two[/i] and [i]Eternity Unbound[/i] at some point. I forget it would be easy to just drop a “quick note” on something and say “more detailed comments” will follow at a later point. Too much all or nothing at times.

I also suspect some people just don’t always get a chance to read something right away on receipt, either. I think a lot of the nagging questions on intended release is in hopes the enterprise isn’t fading away, and anxious to get books and make sure they have them even if reading can’t always follow right away.

I don’t think slights are intended by readers; but yes, I would encourage other readers to comment here and/or elsewhere, not just due to Simon’s (Kalthon) points, but for the fun of it. I enjoy analysis (with “Spoiler” warnings/tags as appropriate, of course), and the more detailed, the more interesting the conversation, IMO; but even brief comments can get the ball rolling, or just be helpful or fun to read! 🙂 That the authors can learn what worked, maybe see some constructive criticism too, etc., is another side benefit, of course.

Anyway, I wax lengthy (which to anyone who has seen me in other fora, know I’m prone to do) even in my first note here, but let me get to a few more comments, some on slightly different subtopics….

I really like the intentional play on words of this thread name. It is highly appropriate on several levels, and I like the declaration and its content. I’ve just ordered my next round of book, and plan on enjoying reading them over the coming months after I’m caught up on some I already have. For some reason I am still stuck in the mode of savoring what S19 reading material I find, like it is rare; but lately, there seems to be a lot, and now with four new books (one which I was completely unaware was being released until just today) pretty much at once, a redesigned and relocated web site, an so on, hopefully the trend will continue (well, not expecting four books at a time every few months, but just keeping momentum going!).

Kudos to Mateo and all of Powys (authors, artists, etc.) for all of their hard work. 2010 is shaping up to be a very enjoyable year for my favorite science fiction! Very good considering that until 16 years ago, I didn’t even know there were S19 books, organized fans, or various other such efforts. Even though [i]Space: 1999[/i] had been a favorite since childhood, I had assumed it had been largely forgotten by the world, because I rarely saw mention of it. Now, there are quite a few original novels and reworked novelizations out. Excellent!

–David

[Author]

Posts