In a rather presumptuous or perhaps optimistic move, writer Richard Matheson puts the year 1997 against this tale of deep space exploration; twenty five years after that and we're no closer to colonising another planet than we are to unlocking the answer to life, the universe and everything.
Jack Klugman plays Captain Ross of Earth spacecraft E-89, on a mission to explore the 13th planet in star system 51. Landing on the planet, Ross and his crew -- Lieutenant Mason (Ross Martin) and Lieutenant Carter (Fred Beir) -- exit the craft to examine a nearby wrecked ship identical to their own, where they are shocked to find three dead men who look just like them. Fearing that they have somehow taken a glimpse into the future, the men must decide whether to risk taking off or to stay put on the planet forever.
Death Ship features fine performances from its three main cast members, and the mystery is developed well enough, but the whole episode is let down by the ending, a variation on the old 'they're all dead' cliche. To be presented with such an uninspired conclusion after fifty minutes of intrigue and suspense can only be considered a cop-out and a disappointment.
Jack Klugman plays Captain Ross of Earth spacecraft E-89, on a mission to explore the 13th planet in star system 51. Landing on the planet, Ross and his crew -- Lieutenant Mason (Ross Martin) and Lieutenant Carter (Fred Beir) -- exit the craft to examine a nearby wrecked ship identical to their own, where they are shocked to find three dead men who look just like them. Fearing that they have somehow taken a glimpse into the future, the men must decide whether to risk taking off or to stay put on the planet forever.
Death Ship features fine performances from its three main cast members, and the mystery is developed well enough, but the whole episode is let down by the ending, a variation on the old 'they're all dead' cliche. To be presented with such an uninspired conclusion after fifty minutes of intrigue and suspense can only be considered a cop-out and a disappointment.