582:, published in 1975. While being true to the script, Tubb would attempt to address the scientific criticism that shock waves cannot propagate through the vacuum of space. Bergman would theorise that the atomic blast would divert the Moon and Atheria by the creation of a 'sub-etheric' shock wave; the creation of a 'sub-atomic vortex' would act on not actual particles of matter, but on the 'sub-spatial matrix' confining them. It would be like moving bricks by moving the mortar binding them.
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The charges are detonated as first Carter's Eagle, then the Moon, are engulfed in a debris cloud billowing outwards from the volatilised asteroid. Radiation interference blots out communications and scanners. The staff compiles damage reports and monitors the functioning of the protective radiation
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They move in and dock, Carter's mysterious benefactor urging him to perform all necessary actions on his end. She then takes her leave, assuring him she is a friend. When Koenig boards the ship, he finds Carter insensate. He is stunned by what he sees through the forward ports, a huge planet that
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repeatedly tries to contact Eagle One, refusing to believe Carter is dead. When discovering that signals transmitted on the interstellar frequency can penetrate the radiation field, he reckons that three-way contact could be established between
Moonbase, a rescue Eagle equipped with a more powerful
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A brawl erupts as the two worlds rush toward each other, ending with the two 'madmen' being restrained. Helena moves to detonate the charges. Realising the countdown expired during the fight, Bergman stops her—the collision is now inevitable. The
Alphans instinctively back away from the visual of
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The Moon will continue on, Arra tells Koenig, spreading humanity throughout the deepest reaches of space. She pauses, sensing the thoughts of
Bergman and company as they finalise plans for Operation Shockwave. Three cargo Eagles are dispatched with nuclear charges, which must be deployed in space
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Though unconscious and unable to hear Morrow's signal, Carter stirs at the whisper of a woman's voice. She instructs him to answer his friend, which he does while unconscious. When trying to determine Carter's position, the same disembodied voice whispers coordinates in Koenig's ear. Watched by a
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and himself as a minuscule fragment of that gene. This missing sequence made sense of Arra's later line that the gene of which she and her people were part would mutate. Also lost was the end of the epilogue, where Koenig would leave Helena alone at the window. Gazing out into space, she was to
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powerful enough to force the two bodies apart. With no other options, Koenig orders him to start planning the operation. An in-depth analysis of the planet reveals it is marginally habitable and could support life. Should 'Operation
Shockwave' fail, the Alphans could evacuate to the far side of
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After the meeting adjourns, Helena and
Bergman reveal they were merely humouring the Commander. The doctor confines Koenig to his quarters under sedation. Morrow is directed to assume command and proceed with Shockwave. Sensing their treachery, Arra reaches out to Koenig. Roused from a drugged
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Koenig is left alone in the dark as the ship's hatches spontaneously open. The Eagle hatch closes behind him, and he enters a vast chamber draped with cobwebs. He arrives at a throne on which is seated a mysterious figure. Her veil is raised to reveal the wizened yet still beautiful face of an
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Its power restored, Eagle Four is released from the alien ship. As it departs, Koenig contacts Alpha, ordering
Operation Shockwave suspended. At a command conference, the Commander relates his encounter with Arra. With the Moon emerging from the plasma cloud, readings confirm collision with
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They make their way to Main
Mission where, at minus three minutes to detonation. After storming the room, Koenig orders Computer to seal all entrances. The two men herd everyone away from the detonation switch. Koenig tries to convince the hostages that the collision will not result in
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At the moment of contact, Atheria vanishes...the Moon ploughing through the space it occupied. Later, Koenig broods as he stares out a window into the empty space. He is joined by Helena, who apologises for her actions. He interrupts, insisting she did nothing wrong. His story
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Atheria in seven hours. The senior staff is flabbergasted by his intention to do nothing. However, Helena and
Bergman support Koenig, citing his case is based on faith. If Arra has convinced Koenig, they should place their faith in him. Koenig confirms Shockwave is cancelled.
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hurtles through space on collision course with the Moon. As
Moonbase Alpha is located within the impact area, the staff formulates a plan to avert disaster. To guarantee the asteroid's destruction, twelve nuclear charges will be planted at strategic locations. The
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stresses there is an unknown class of radiation present in the cloud against which they may have no defence. The
Commander disregards his advice and lifts-off in Rescue Eagle Four, with Morrow as co-pilot, flying blind through the plasma cloud, sending out hails.
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Their worlds have been destined to meet in the body of time for the purpose of mutation. The collision will act as a catalyst, allowing her people to evolve into a noncorporeal form of existence. To achieve this, she asks the Alphans do...nothing.
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In the Medical Centre, Carter awakens to see a mysterious figure cloaked in black, standing at the foot of his bed. Speaking with the voice he heard earlier, the woman assures him he is safe. He lifts her veil...only to find his hands raising
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destruction, but in the evolution of the Atherians to a higher form of life. His desperation only reinforces everyone's belief he is mad. At the risk of being shot, Morrow makes a dash for the switch.
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Atheria's approaching surface on the big screen. Koenig waits for Arra...who does not appear. Clinging to his faltering faith, he calls out for her as the floor begins heaving beneath his feet.
288:'s hair. Koenig enters the care unit as Carter desperately searches for the apparition. After struggling with the nurses, he is sedated. Helena is certain the hallucinations are symptomatic of
489:, this story would showcase the author's pet theme of the perseverance of faith and trust over logic and reason. This approach would be seen in his subsequent contributions to the series ("
528:. She would tell him "You'd better get this shot, because I'm not going to last long," and they ploughed through her fifteen pages of work in an unprecedented two days.
481:", "Collision Course" is considered to be one of the programme's most successful instalments by actors, crew and fans alike, exemplifying its metaphysical approach to
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Though Koenig has complete faith in the aged monarch, he begs Arra to return with him. She refuses as she has much to do to prepare for the coming transmutation.
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The final shooting script contains unaired dialogue between Arra and Koenig. Cut for time, it had Arra explaining to the Alphan that if he were to consider the
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as Arra was a coup for the series. The accomplished and prolific British actress had appeared in stage, film and television productions on both sides of the
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sleep, he overwhelms the sentries stationed outside his quarters and escapes. Arming himself, he meets up with Carter, also called into action by Arra.
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puzzled Morrow, the Commander programmes a course without computer assistance. They soon find Eagle One drifting beyond the boundary of the cloud.
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208:. The final shooting script is dated 13 August 1974. Live-action filming took place Tuesday 27 August 1974 through Tuesday 10 September 1974.
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voices the danger of the pilots' potential exposure to radiation. Koenig disagrees, feeling the Eagles' radiation screens are sufficient.
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constructed the Atherian spaceship and nuclear charge miniatures. Both would reappear in later spaceship graveyard sequences in "
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it withstands the collision. With sensors still scrambled by the radioactive cloud, Koenig opts for a reconnaissance flight.
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Facing another collision, they make their way back to Alpha with Carter. As Carter is conveyed to Medical, Koenig rushes to
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mad. How could anyone possibly know that two planets on a collision course would not collide, but merely touch...?
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to understand her abstract and complicated dialogue. Austin recalls her being transported to and from the set via
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ancient woman. She introduces herself as Arra, Queen of Atheria—the planet whose course has terrified the Alphans.
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She announces she has been anticipating this encounter for millions of years. Koenig is confounded when informed
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at the exact position now occupied by the Atherian vessel. She tells Koenig that
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task force delivers eleven charges. However, due to a malfunction of Eagle One,
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recalls while she had no difficulty with her craft, she required direction from
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with the data from his on-board computer. After a quick analysis,
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fails to deliver the twelfth charge within the original timeline.
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668:"Collision Course" final shooting script, dated 13 August 1974
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suddenly assume an enraptured expression and utter "Arra..."
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reports the planet will impact with the Moon in 105 hours.
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has appeared out of nowhere and bearing down on the Moon.
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The Complete Gerry Anderson: The Authorised Episode Guide
485:. Penned by American-born British television writer
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708:- "Collision Course" - The Catacombs episode guide
315:must be done to interfere with this sacred event.
570:The episode was adapted in the fourth Year One
194:" is the third episode of the first series of
740:
8:
18:3rd episode of the 1st series of Space: 1999
508:, winning numerous awards. Suffering from
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20:
716:- "Collision Course" - Moonbase Alpha's
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659:website "The Catacombs", Martin Willey
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604:
7:
302:the Moon being blasted out of orbit
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655:"Collision Course" episode guide;
14:
454:Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
200:. The screenplay was written by
1184:1975 British television episodes
1156:
1155:
1087:The Bringers of Wonder, Part Two
1080:The Bringers of Wonder, Part One
646:, Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, 2005
539:could be thought of as a single
678:Space: 1999 - Collision Course
44:
1:
1143:List of books and other media
443:score (drawn primarily from "
477:Along with "Black Sun" and "
887:Another Time, Another Place
680:, Futura Publications, 1975
611:Destination: Moonbase Alpha
535:as a microscopic cell, his
449:Another Time, Another Place
439:In addition to the regular
97:18 September 1975
1205:
613:, Telos Publications, 2010
543:, the solar system as one
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238:transmitter, and Carter.
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147:
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32:
936:The Testament of Arkadia
866:Matter of Life and Death
516:). Production designer
304:was no random accident.
982:One Moment of Humanity
838:Mission of the Darians
810:Death's Other Dominion
491:Death's Other Dominion
136:as Balcony Jumping Man
1115:The Immunity Syndrome
1045:Catacombs of the Moon
495:Catacombs of the Moon
1189:Space: 1999 episodes
1003:The Mark of Archanon
908:Ring Around the Moon
901:The Infernal Machine
469:were also utilised.
124:Sarah Bullen as Kate
1059:A Matter of Balance
1031:Seed of Destruction
929:The Troubled Spirit
204:; the director was
1094:The Seance Spectre
1010:The Rules of Luton
694:"Collision Course"
510:multiple sclerosis
290:radiation sickness
143:Episode chronology
130:as Operative Julie
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1170:
1131:
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1073:The Lambda Factor
1017:All That Glisters
996:New Adam, New Eve
634:Knowledge Article
632:Margaret Leighton
502:Margaret Leighton
487:Anthony Terpiloff
202:Anthony Terpiloff
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119:Margaret Leighton
110:Guest appearances
94:Original air date
72:Anthony Terpiloff
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1038:The AB Chrysalis
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852:Guardian of Piri
817:Voyager's Return
796:Collision Course
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183:List of episodes
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757:Space: 1999
718:Space: 1999
714:Space: 1999
706:Space: 1999
657:Space: 1999
572:Space: 1999
419:Alan Carter
410:Bob Mathias
383:Paul Morrow
370:Barry Morse
356:John Koenig
276:the planet—
242:Paul Morrow
235:John Koenig
227:Alan Carter
197:Space: 1999
58:Directed by
35:Space: 1999
1178:Categories
1052:Space Warp
1024:The Taybor
968:The Exiles
873:Earthbound
586:References
541:chromosome
526:wheelchair
522:Ray Austin
473:Production
441:Barry Gray
417:— Captain
392:David Kano
273:shock wave
266:David Kano
206:Ray Austin
101:1975-09-18
78:Editing by
68:Written by
62:Ray Austin
845:Black Sun
803:War Games
782:Breakaway
580:E.C. Tubb
479:War Games
445:Breakaway
415:Nick Tate
408:— Doctor
363:— Doctor
233:screens.
171:War Games
134:Alf Joint
53:Episode 3
1162:Category
1136:See also
953:Year Two
774:Year One
766:Episodes
533:Universe
506:Atlantic
218:asteroid
216:A large
154:Previous
50:Series 1
43:Episode
558:" and "
493:" and "
447:" and "
313:nothing
167: →
152:←
121:as Arra
99: (
38:episode
1101:Dorzak
574:novel
537:galaxy
460:Joe 90
435:Music
428:Tanya
223:Eagle
720:Page
698:IMDb
545:gene
497:").
212:Plot
165:Next
696:at
578:by
562:".
514:ATV
340:was
45:no.
1180::
603:^
457:,
426:—
399:—
390:—
278:if
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