Planet Earth

In 1973 the CBS network broadcast the made-for-TV movie “Genesis II,” which was the pilot episode for a new science fiction series created by Gene Roddenberry. Initially the network had approved the series, and several story treatments had been created for future episodes. Then CBS had withdrawn from the project in favor of a “Planet of the Apes” series, which proved to be short-lived. However the ABC network invited Roddenberry to give his ideas a second try and create a new pilot movie. The basic storyline would be retained. A man from the year 1979 would be preserved to the year 2133 in a suspended animation chamber. A global thermonuclear war would destroy civilization except for a group of scientists called “PAX.” After he is revived “Dylan Hunt” joins PAX in their quest to establish peace and prosperity throughout the world. In this new version some things were preserved from the first pilot, but many things were changed. The futuristic “subshuttle” underground transportation system was retained. But PAX was no longer in Carlsbad Caverns. It was now an above-ground city. A matte painting of the city of “Terrania” from the first movie was repurposed to represent PAX, and footage was once again filmed on the campus of the “University of California, Riverside.” The PAX exploration team members now wore snazzy uniforms, (very similar to those worn later on “Star Trek: The Next Generation”). Also there would be an almost entirely new cast. One of the story treatments for proposed “Genesis II” episodes was called “Poodle Shop,” and this was developed into the plot of this new pilot.

This week’s movie was “Planet Earth” from Warner Bros., broadcast the evening of April 23, 1974. The script was by Gene Roddenberry and Juanita Bartlett, and it was directed by Marc Daniels, who had directed 15 episodes of the original “Star Trek.” John Saxon stars as “Dylan Hunt,” the man from the 20th century. The story opens with Hunt leading a team that includes “Harper-Smythe,” (now played by Janet Margolin), new telepathic character “Baylok,” (Christopher Cary), and “Isiah,” (Ted Cassidy, returning from the first movie). They are escorting the renamed character “Pater Kimbridge,” (now played by Rai Tasco), when the team encounter a vicious mutant race called the “Kreeg.” Kimbridge is shot and severely wounded. He is rushed to PAX, where it is determined that he requires a special surgery and only one doctor can perform it. His name is “Jonathan Connor,” (Jim Antonio), but he has gone missing while on a research mission to the “Confederacy of Ruth.” This is a society where women rule and men are kept subservient by drugs in their gruel. Hunt becomes the property of the brutal but sensual “Marg,” (Diana Muldaur). The PAX team must find Jonathan Connor and escape from this society, but must also warn the warrior women of the impending threat of the militaristic Kreeg.

This movie is more fun than the first pilot. The cast changes are actually improvements. John Saxon makes a fine action hero, and Diana Muldaur manages to be threatening, amusing, and attractive all at the same time. This series seemed to be on the right track.

But ABC didn’t think so. They liked the basic idea and they certainly liked John Saxon. The network offered to finance one more pilot movie. This time Gene Roddenberry declined to participate. So ABC and Warner Bros. decided to proceed without him. The new pilot movie would be called “Strange New World.”

Diana Muldaur had appeared on two episodes of the original “Star Trek,” and would be a regular for one season of “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

The makeup for the mutant “Kreeg” race featured a bony skull ridge. This feature would later be reused on the updated “Klingon” makeup starting with “Star Trek: The Motion Picture.”