This is the only multi part story which space: 1999 attempted, if they might have been as good as this they should certainly have made more. while previous episodes were full of rubber monsters, sci fi cliches, bad lines and tired concepts, this episode is very different, packing real chills and threats that go against year two's general philosophy of more action regardless of story. here the story is right at the centre and well though out. there are murders, violence and threat, i felt that i was watching something with a genuinely adult and mature tone which younger viewers might not get, or might worry some members of the audience. the monsters are pretty good, the slime effect makes them gruesome which automatically generates apprehension, a basic tactic lifted from the horror genre which this kind of edges into. the eagle crash at the start is exciting and so is derek wadsworth's music, particularly as the rescue crew leap into action. i just can't get that beat out of my head and i love it, i just keep thinking of that module exploding with sparks and flames as they drag koenig out. the whole activity of the swift should have raised suspicions from the start, why did they let it touch down when they did not get any signal it should have been shot out of the sky but no, they let it land on the base, doesn't make sense really unless they were already under control. the telepathy aspect gives the intruders tremendous yet very subtle power that might never be discovered in time, great idea. the way in which they attempt to take control is very carefully thought out, every move they make has a reason. the repeated attempts to kill koenig should at least have aroused serious suspicions about the visitors, but they are too far in control. i got the point that koenig's mind was influenced by the ellendorf machine helena built, so i understood that he would be immune to telepathy, that actually made sense. there was plenty of drama and action, particularly when the controlled crew member tried to kill koenig. the ending of the episode is a real jolt, it looks as if koenig is about to die for sure. you can't see any way in which he can escape this time. for year two that is a real shocker, as they would usually end on an easy laugh and an up note; not so here.
Review of The Bringers of Wonder: Part 1
