IMDb meta-data is 49 episodes of 50 minutes each, rated 7.3 by 6734 cinematizens.
Genre: Sy FY
Verdict: Zzzzzzz.
The moon has solved Earth’s only problem, namely, where to bury the spent uranium to keep Kim Ill Jung’s hands off it.
The leads are a catatonic Martin Landau and confused Barbara Bain, the latter’s entire script consists of screenwriterese for medical gobbledegook. To create tension between playing with toys, see below, she objects to his actions on cue with the nonsense. No wonder she split.
So underwritten I watched only one episode in 1975 and painfully another in 2020.
In one part, it was an effort to cash-in on the market revealed by syndication of Star Trek, and also to continue where UFO (1970), another Anderson production, had left off. The Andersons, say no more. See below for more!
The leads were Americans with a following from their tenure on Mission: Impossible (1968+) but the production was Brit and Empire (including one Strine).
All of that is reduced to Lego toys by those very British producers Gerry and Sylvia Anderson (yes, Thunderbirds Are Go) from swinging London. Toys. Check. The second hallmark of an Anderson production is the absence of script. Check. The third is the absence of any humour, wit, or insight in favour of boring mechanical movement so we can see the toy models. Check. In spite of the Anderson kiss of death, it lasted two seasons, but took a hit below the waterline when the Andersons divorced and their lawyers fought over the IP, before the concept existed.
A few differences from ST are quick to see. The cast is only human. No Spock. But the biggest difference is the approach to problem-solving. When the usual problems are thrown-up (yes, that is exactly the right word), the response is for all eyes to turn to Landau. Leaden direction. Check. Another Anderson hallmark. He then goes into a catatonic close up. The fraternity brothers went the fridge for beer, and stayed there at this point. Then ignoring evidence or suggestions of others, he embarks on derring do. Still on the Anderson check list: stupid. Check.
Whoa! Martin Landau as an action hero? Hardly.
In ST for all of his action-hero posturing, Kirk always put the team to work, had conferences with them in private to canvass options, asked for evidence, delegated research for precedents. Two of his common lines in staff meetings were: ‘We need options’ and ‘Find answers.’ Off the specialists then went to seek and find…. along way Kirk would fight bare chested a few aliens and turn his bedside manner on for woman, human or not. The point is his staff didn’t stare at him waiting for oracular utterances, but instead worked at enlightenment pseudo science.
Then there are the nylon double-knit body suits with flared pant legs in beige. The less said about the fashions, the better. That is Barry Morse crouching in the lower left, trying to hide from the camera. At least he had enough sense to do that.