Visions of the Future: Sci-fi History Starter Pack

Over the past year or so, I’ve learned quite a bit about science fiction that I never knew before. Now, I can’t by any means claim to be an expert on the subject, but I have discovered a few fun things that I want to share. If you’ll remember, back in April, I made a “starter pack” of Star Trek episodes I thought would best introduce someone to the series. I’m going to do the same thing here, this time with some books, television episodes, and movies I’ve enjoyed watching, and think are a good introduction to science fiction history.

Novels of the 1800s-

1. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818)-

Sometimes the classics are the hardest to get into. You hear about them all the time, but where do you start? Well, when it comes to science fiction, I suggest you start at the beginning, with Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. While the melodramatic ‘protagonist’, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, can be a bit long winded, his depth of insight, as well as the testimony of his creation, lay the groundwork for how sci-fi would explore the human condition.

2. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne (1870)-

Yes, there are a lot of descriptions of fish, but if you can accept that, you will be able to enjoy an entertaining precursor to space exploration stories such as Star Trek. The three main protagonists, as well as Captain Nemo are all very compelling. The interactions between Professor Aronnax, Ned Land, and Conseil even remind me of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy a bit. If you are a sci-fi connoisseur or a hardcore Trekkie, this is a must-read.

3. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson (1886)-

Robert Louis Stevenson takes Shelley’s mad scientist and destructive creature and synthesizes them into the same person. This is one of those classics of literature where the title gets referenced and the plot gets recycled just about everywhere. It’s a quick read, too. I finished it in about one afternoon when I was reading it for a class.

4. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (1895)-

Wells gets two spots on this list because he introduced so many of the classic sci-fi subgenres to the mainstream reading audience. While time travel had been played with before by the likes of Mark Twain, H.G. Wells was the first one to truly theorize about the methods of time travel- not just the results. Have you ever heard of time referred to as the fourth dimension? That’s because of The Time Machine. It’s also a pretty quick book to finish.

5. War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells (1897)-

When I started reading H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, I expected them to be a bit tedious, and was therefore amazed at how they kept me turning the pages. War of the Worlds is exciting. It’s terrifying. It’s compelling, and it is the quintessential alien invasion story.

Television Episodes-

Since the 1960s, one of the main ways sci-fi has reached the general public is through television. Shows like Star Trek and The Twilight Zone have made a lasting impact on our society. Here are ten sci-fi TV episodes that I think give a good overview of some of the best features of the genre.

1.  “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” The Twilight Zone (1963)-

A fan-favorite, and a classic example of The Twilight Zone twist, this episode combines all the drama of William Shatner’s acting with all the eerie suspense of the show’s brilliant writing.

2. “The Production and Decay of Strange Particles” The Outer Limits (1964)-

If you haven’t watched The Outer Limits, you should definitely start. It’s like The Twilight Zone, but with hard sci-fi plots and happy endings. This episode is a great example of the fusion of a highly scientific concept with characters you grow to care about.

3. “The Aztecs” Doctor Who (1964)-

One of the very earliest adventures of William Hartnell’s first Doctor, this episode contains all the best elements of time travel sci-fi: intercultural confusion, the struggle over whether or not to interfere, and historical drama.

4. “Mirror, Mirror” Star Trek (1967)-

This is probably the best example of an alternate universe television episode there is. Or, at least it is the most iconic. Sure, it’s melodramatic, but that’s the fun of Star Trek. This episode takes everything you know about the Star Trek universe, and twists it just enough to make it creepy, but not so much as to make it overly dark. Plus, Mirror Spock has a goatee.

5. “The Schizoid Man” The Prisoner (1967)-

If you’re ready for a wacky, mod, surrealist adventure through the eyes of a man fighting to keep his individuality in a colorful, shiny, dystopia, you’re ready for The Prisoner. This gem of British television deserves to be watched in its entirety, (it’s only 17 episodes), but if you only have time for one, consider “The Schizoid Man”.  In it, protagonist Number Six, must fight for his sanity as his captors in The Village try to convince him by all methods at their disposal that he is someone else.

6. “Darmok” Star Trek: The Next Generation (1991)-

This episode boldly goes where no Star Trek episode has gone before, by exploring the intricacies of inter-cultural communication. Captain Picard spends time with an alien whose language is beyond the scope of the universal translator, and must learn to communicate with him.

7. “Never Fear” The New Batman Adventures (1997)-

Batman seems like a pretty fearless character, but it takes a dose of the Scarecrow’s anti-fear gas to show what his boundaries really are, and what will happen when he crosses them. This is also a great sidekick episode, as Robin (Tim Drake) has to be the one to reign Batman in.

8.  “Window of Opportunity” Stargate: SG-1 (2000)-

This episode demonstrates beautifully the way that Stargate: SG-1 was able to blend science fiction with humor, and emotional depth. There are a lot of hilarious beats as the SGC is trapped inside a ten-hour time loop, and Colonel O’Neill and Teal’C are the only ones who remember. However, it’s not simply a goofy episode, as the writers also explore some deep and emotional themes of grief and letting go.

9. “A Better World” Justice League (2003)-

This episode borrows from the ideas of Mirror, Mirror, and other alternate universe stories, and adds superheroes. The result is a study in the corrupting nature of absolute power, and the significance of every life.

10. “Dinosaurs on a Spaceship” Doctor Who (2012)-

When you take The Doctor and his companions, Cleopatra, a big game hunter from the turn of the century, dinosaurs and a villainous trader and put them on a space ship together, what do you get? You get exactly the type of quirky, adventurous, sci-fi romp we’ve all come to expect from Doctor Who. That’s what you get.

Films-

1. Metropolis (1927)-

This visually stunning dystopian story from the silent film era is a classic for a reason. It pairs impressive special effects with ahead-of-its-time social commentary for a truly memorable

masterpiece of science fiction.

2. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)-

The aliens in this movie are horrifying in their invisibility. The paranoia and stress build throughout the movie to a cliff-hanger climax that has led to much speculation over the years as to the inspiration for the film.

3. Forbidden Planet (1956)-

This is the film that inspired Star Trek, Star Wars, and all the science fiction that came after them. If you’re a Trekkie or a Star Wars fan, you’re bound to recognize some element of the story or set that was pilfered for your favorite series. If you’re a sci-fi junkie, you’ll enjoy the Technicolor goodness, and the frightening revelations about the human condition.

4. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)-

If you’ve never seen Star Wars before, I’m impressed. It’s best to start with the first one released. You’ll probably recognize the plot and characters from pop culture, but it’s exciting enough that you can still enjoy the ride after multiple viewings.

5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)-

People who say that this is the best Star Trek movie ever are absolutely correct. It may seem dramatic to some, but it’s not supposed to be realistic. It’s supposed to be cinematic literature. Nicholas Meyer and Harve Bennett used all of the characters and actors from Gene Roddenberry’s groundbreaking 1960s show to their full potential in this one. Also, it’s my favorite movie ever, and I’m totally biased.

I’m still watching, reading, and listening, so I’m sure there are more things I’ll be able to add to this list in the future. Is there anything you would recommend to me? I’d love to hear about them. Let me know in the comments. I’m always game for good sci-fi!

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora

Visions of the Future: The 1960s- Opened Frontiers

The 1960s were a turbulent time. That is probably an understatement. From what people read in their newspapers and saw on their television screens, it looked like the whole world was falling to pieces. In the United States, at least, the Vietnam war and the continuing Cold War were raging on the outside, and the anti-war movement and civil rights struggles on the inside. The world was plagued by a rash of assassinations, and nuclear war continued to be a constant threat.

However, in spite of all this chaos, the arts and sciences continued to thrive. The 1960s saw an unprecedented explosion of music and popular culture, some of the icons of which continue to be popular to this day.

Exciting developments in space exploration seemed to be occurring daily. In 1961, Yuri Gagarin, a Soviet cosmonaut, became the first human being to visit outer space. The first real “Voyage to the Moon” was taken by “The First Men in the Moon”, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin, in 1969.

Science fiction was slowly becoming reality, as the 1960s saw the introduction of The first working laser, industrial robot, geosynchronous communications satellite, and supercomputer.

Science Fiction:

Literature-

In the year 1960, Walter M. Miller Jr. published A Canticle for Leibowitz, a post apocalyptic story in the unique setting of a Catholic monastery. The novel follows Miller’s world thousands of years, as the earth rebuilds. The monks of the monastery preserve scientific knowledge until they believe the rest of the world is ready for it. A Canticle for Leibowitz is hailed as both a science fiction and literary classic.

The next year, Polish author Stanislaw Lem released Solaris, a philosophical tale of first contact that explores the limitations of the human race. As earth tries to make contact with a sentient planet, its people realize just how inadequate their methods of communication are for the task.

Dune, held to be one of the best-selling sci-fi novels ever written, was released by Frank Herbert in 1965. It is the epic tale of a young noble struggling to control an important planet under the feudal system. It was later continued in five sequels.

The next year, science fiction alumnus Robert Heinlein continued his illustrious career with The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. It presents a believable future history in which a lunar colony stages a revolt against Planet Earth. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress received the 1967 Hugo Award.

A new sci-fi and fantasy award was established in 1966- The Nebula Awards. Overseen by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, it recognizes the best in American science fiction short stories, novellas, novelettes, and novels. The category of scripts and screenplays was added in 1974. The first novel award was given to Frank Herbert’s Dune, and the first short story award to Harlan Ellison’s “‘Repent Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktock Man”.

In 1968, Philip K. Dick published Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, a post apocalyptic classic about androids, which explores what it means to be human. Then again, what else would you explore in a novel about androids? Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep served as the inspiration for the 1982 film, Blade Runner.

Magazines and Comics-

The science fiction magazine industry was in a period of change during the 1960s, with everything from titles to editors in flux. John W. Campbell changed the name of Astounding Science Fiction to Analog Science Fact and Fiction; Frederick Pohl took over as editor for Galaxy and If magazines; and Michael Moorcock was put in charge of New Worlds in Great Britain.

The ‘60s also saw the rise of many of the great superhero teams we know today, including: The Justice League (1960), The Fantastic Four (1961), The X-Men (1963), The Avengers (1963), and The Teen Titans (1964).

Movies-

In 1960, George Pal, who had previously produced H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds, directed and produced the film adaptation of The Time Machine. It starred Rod Taylor, as the Time Traveler, and served as an exciting and culturally relevant romp into Wells’ predicted future.

Planet of the Apes, directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Charlton Heston, and written in part by Rod Serling, came out in 1968. It explored themes of evolution, social acceptability of ideas, time travel, suspended animation, and post-human life, and launched a franchise which has spanned 47 years of film and television history.

The same year, an unusual collaboration between author Arthur C.Clarke and director Stanley Kubrick resulted in a film and a novel, both entitled 2001: A Space Odyssey. The story is an evolutionary history of mankind that explores humanity’s ultimate end and place in the universe. The movie, though slow-paced, and slightly psychedelic at times, is remembered for its realistic science, and groundbreaking special effects, and is considered by some to be one of the best science fiction films of all times.

Television-

If the 1930s were the decade when sci-fi magazines became popular, and 1950s were the decade when sci-fi broke into the film industry, then the 1960s were the decade when science fiction television came into its own. With new widespread access to the medium, television became an important conveyor of news, popular culture, and stories.

Most of the science fiction on television in the 1950s was in the form of anthologies, such as The Twilight Zone, (which ran until 1964), or children’s shows. It was in the 1960s that high quality, science fiction serials came into the mainstream.

In 1963, the BBC released the first episodes of a quirky family time travel show starring William Hartnell as an enigmatic character called “The Doctor”, Carole Ann Ford as his granddaughter Susan, and William Russell and Jacqueline Hill as their schoolteacher companions. The very first episode, “An Unearthly Child”, was aired twice, as its original release date was November 23rd, the day after U.S. President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

Over the fifty years since its inception, Doctor Who has grown from a quirky evening seriall, to a staple of British pop culture, to a worldwide phenomenon. The show’s longevity is due in part to the clever decision to write the inevitable change of lead actors into the lore. When William Hartnell’s failing health led to his leaving the show in 1966, the authors decided that the Doctor’s race, the Time Lords, could renew their physical forms when they became damaged to the point of death. So, William Hartnell was replaced with Patrick Troughton. Today, the Doctor is on his twelfth ‘regeneration’, played by Peter Capaldi.

In January of 1966, established comic book hero Batman appeared on the small screen with his sidekick Robin in the satirical, pop art serial, Batman. This campy, moralistic show was incredibly popular, and brought several superhero and Batman tropes into the mainstream, including visible sound effects (Bam! Pow! Whamo! etc) during fight sequences, and Robin’s constant use of exclamations such as “Holy Remote Control Robot, Batman!” (There is a list of all of them on Wikipedia. You should look it up. It will brighten your day.)

Alright, guys. I’ve made it.

Later that same year, On September 8th, 1966, the first episode of a certain technicolor space exploration series aired. The episode  was called “The Man Trap”, and it starred William Shatner as Captain Kirk of the starship Enterprise, DeForest Kelley as the ship’s surgeon, and Leonard Nimoy, as the mysterious, pointy-eared first officer, Mr. Spock.

Star Trek, the creation of Gene Roddenberry, was a weekly exploration of themes about humanity through the bizarre and exciting adventures of the diverse, lovable crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise. It changed forever the way the general public saw science fiction, and inspired generations of scientists, doctors, engineers and astronauts, as well as writers, and artists.

What started out as a show that was barely able to stay on the air three seasons through fan campaigns has evolved over the past forty-nine years into a franchise consisting of six television series, ten movies (alright, fine, twelve), and numerous novel, comic book, and video game adaptations. Obviously, I have much more to say about Star Trek, and I have plans to say it next year, as I blog through The Original Series in honor of the show’s fiftieth anniversary.

The next year, 1967, saw the debut of an influential British spy science fiction show called The Prisoner. It starred Patrick McGoohan as a former secret agent trapped in a prison designed to look like a peaceful, (albeit slightly dystopian), village, and ran for 17 episodes.

Keep on glowing in the dark,

Elora