User Reviews

There is a lack of imagination in these episodes. This is probably the eighth where a research scientist is demeaned by the press and the scientific community for a finding what should have been met with adulation. In this case, the inventor of an incredible camera finds that there is some kind of activity going on on the dark side of the moon. He knows this because spectrography shows that the metals exuding light are actually alloys. Reporters talk about this man as a nut case. Of course, the university won't back him up either and give him his walking papers. He also has a hysterical wife who shows little or no support for his work and harps at him to spend more time at home. The women in the show are often viragoes who are only interested in themselves. The scientists, of course, are classic nerds with few social graces. Anyway, this is a more interesting effort than most, though it is a bit unsatisfying.

An astronomer (Skip Homeier) develops a new camera that detects a cloud of radioactive dust surrounding the moon, suggesting that someone (or something) is active on the far-side. The rocket sent to discover what is happening over the Lunar horizon is destroyed by intense radiation but the astronomer's final set of pictures provides the solution. The 'twist' ending revolves around a moderately sophisticated issue that was topical then (and still is) and so can be forgiven for not making a lot of practical sense (it's a big universe, so why Earth's moon?). Truman Bradley leads into the story with an irrelevant discussion of heat-rays and paint on spaceships and B-queen fan-favorite Beverly Garland is along for the ride as the astronomer's long-suffering 'widow to science'. Homeier may be best known for playing the punk gunfighter-wannabe who shoots Johnny Ringo (Gregory Peck) in 'The Gunfighter' (1950) and for starring in perhaps the worst episode of Star Trek TOS - 'The Way to Eden' (the much reviled 'hippies in space' adventure).

The premise of this episode is interesting from the standpoint that it is similar to a good sci-fi short story. A scientist who has created an amazing instrument that can take fantastic photographic images of astral bodies has discovered evidence of activity occurring on the dark side of the moon. However, instead of being hailed for the technical and scientific achievement he has made, he is ridiculed by the scientific community, is thrown to the wolves by the dean of the university, and is harangued by his wife who doesn't support his work and wants his attention all to herself. Fortunately, even against all these odds, he preservers.

What is kind of interesting is that the scientific world is shown as being somewhat cut throat back then as it is now when someone comes out with new theories or scientific proof (can we say the detractors against climate change, anyone?) So the episode hits the mark there.

Skip Homeier (from Star Trek fame - Patterns of Force and This Way to Eden) also hits the mark as a typically geeky scientist who somehow lucked out(although that's debatable) by marrying the attractive Beverly Garland, whose character, unfortunately turns out to be a shrew. Unfortunately, as with most of Sci-Fi Theater's episodes, the pay off at the end is weak and leaves the viewer somewhat unsatisfied. However, it's not bad for twenty minutes of Youtube time.