Season 2, Episode 11: Seed of DestructionThis blog comes with the generalized warning that any post may contain spoilers. That is especially true of these Space: 1999 posts. So if you haven't seen this episode, intend to watch it, and therefore don't want spoilers, then don't read.
Plot Synopsis
While he is investigating a strange asteroid, Koenig is replaced by an impostor who goes back to Alpha in his place. On Alpha, the impostor gives orders that endanger the base, while his senior staff wonder if it's time for mutiny.
My Thoughts
After several episodes that were exercises in silliness, it was a pleasure to watch this one. It's serious science fiction, and there's tension and suspense. It's definitely one of the better episodes. I hesitate to say "best," but it's up there.
I really enjoyed the conflicts on Alpha, as the crew debate about loyalty and service, trying to figure out at what point mutiny is justified. But in some ways the characterizations seemed hollow. A couple times this season I've noticed some inconsistencies in how the characters are written -- like their personalities haven't been solidified yet. Maybe I'm just imagining it.
The ending is somewhat weak, especially when one considers that Maya is still on the asteroid when the Alphans emerge victorious. I would expect that the asteroid would explode, or the air pocket that was provided for her would dissipate, so it's not at all clear that or how she survived. I would have preferred that the writers had resolved that plot point.
It's easy to laugh at the mistakes and the absurdities that were built in in order to make the plot work. But then I have to recall the licenses that Star Trek took, and realize that trekkies have no basis for criticizing the silliness of S99.
Sandra is back, and that's good news, since Yasko was hardly an adequate replacement.
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