One of the marvellous things about 'Space;1999' in its first season was the horror element; even now, years later, certain scenes give me a frisson as I think about them - the grotesque mutants tormenting Koenig in 'Missing Link', the death of 'Dr.Rowland' ( Brian Blessed ) in 'Death's Other Dominion', and, most nightmarish of all, the monster that wiped out the Ultra Probe crew in 'Dragon's Domain'. It annoyed me when incoming producer Fred Freiberger threw out the horror in favour of pulp sci-fi in Year 2.
'End Of Eternity' is a fondly remembered Johnny Byrne story from Year 1. The Alphans discover an asteroid drifting through space. It is hollow and contains horrific paintings depicting torture and pain. Their artist - Belor ( Peter Bowles ) - is also there. He claims to have been exiled from his home planet of Progon because of of his political views. Koenig becomes suspicious. Belor's race developed immortality, and then stagnated as they no longer had anything left to live for. Belor suggested torture and terror as an alternative. So the Alphans must deal with a being possessed of incredible strength ( he battles a squad of security guards in one memorable scene by throwing them around like rag dolls ) and who cannot be killed...
Peter Bowles is known primarily for comedy roles, yet there is nothing 'bounder'-like about 'Belor'. He is evil incarnate. Clad in a black outfit with huge sleeves ( thankfully lacking that moustache ), he looks awesome. He delivers his lines in a silky smooth manner that would have done credit to the late George Sanders. Not surprisingly, when Powys Media came to publish its first 'Space:1999' original novel - 'Resurrection' by William Latham - they brought the character back. The author later expanded the story into 'Eternity Unbound', containing new material explaining Belor's past.
The scene everyone remembers is when Belor affects the mind of an Eagle pilot called Baxter ( James Smillie ) so that he tries to kill Koenig by repeatedly smashing him in the face with a model plane. Even though no blood is on screen, it remains a disturbing image.
Had this been a Year 2 story, the problem of 'what to do with Belor' could have been solved by the intervention of the lovely Maya ( Catherine Schell ). Here the Alphans must look for an alternative solution. The one they come up with is both exciting and credible.
'End Of Eternity' is a fondly remembered Johnny Byrne story from Year 1. The Alphans discover an asteroid drifting through space. It is hollow and contains horrific paintings depicting torture and pain. Their artist - Belor ( Peter Bowles ) - is also there. He claims to have been exiled from his home planet of Progon because of of his political views. Koenig becomes suspicious. Belor's race developed immortality, and then stagnated as they no longer had anything left to live for. Belor suggested torture and terror as an alternative. So the Alphans must deal with a being possessed of incredible strength ( he battles a squad of security guards in one memorable scene by throwing them around like rag dolls ) and who cannot be killed...
Peter Bowles is known primarily for comedy roles, yet there is nothing 'bounder'-like about 'Belor'. He is evil incarnate. Clad in a black outfit with huge sleeves ( thankfully lacking that moustache ), he looks awesome. He delivers his lines in a silky smooth manner that would have done credit to the late George Sanders. Not surprisingly, when Powys Media came to publish its first 'Space:1999' original novel - 'Resurrection' by William Latham - they brought the character back. The author later expanded the story into 'Eternity Unbound', containing new material explaining Belor's past.
The scene everyone remembers is when Belor affects the mind of an Eagle pilot called Baxter ( James Smillie ) so that he tries to kill Koenig by repeatedly smashing him in the face with a model plane. Even though no blood is on screen, it remains a disturbing image.
Had this been a Year 2 story, the problem of 'what to do with Belor' could have been solved by the intervention of the lovely Maya ( Catherine Schell ). Here the Alphans must look for an alternative solution. The one they come up with is both exciting and credible.