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» » Space: 1999 The Troubled Spirit (1975–1977)

Short summary

Dan Mateo, one of Alpha's botanists, believes that he can increase their food supply by communicating telepathically with his plants. After passing out during one of his electronic experiments, Alpha seems to become haunted by a murderous and disfigured spirit.

Guest star Giancarlo Prete was originally chosen to portray series regular Chief Eagle Pilot Alfonso Catani as part of a deal made with the Italian TV company RAI, who had invested in the series. When that fell through (causing RAI to not be involved with series two), it paved the way for Nick Tate to join the show as Alan Carter, originally slated to play Collins on "Breakaway".

Before the concluding ordeal with Mateo strapped up in Section Five, there's a deleted scene in the Commander's office in which Victor explains in detail the principle of what they're going to attempt to try and rid themselves of their ghost problem.

Final role of Hilary Heath who plays Laura.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Iaiastta
    This is a strange entry into the space 1999 franchise. The music used comes from a sitar and people do get in trance by this kind of music. Although not that strong it do has a great opening and that by the full use of the possibilities of the camera. Steadycam wasn't available back then so this is done with a dolly. But once a seance goes wrong this episode doesn't offer that much except that eerie music.

    There aren't really that much off effects used and the story itself is rather weird as said before. Only for the real geeks of space 1999 because the acting somehow didn't work out too.

    Gore 0/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 1/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 0/5
  • comment
    • Author: Abandoned Electrical
    While I love sci-fi and watched this series faithfully when I was a kid, I have to admit that the episodes are hit or miss--some very good ones and some horrible one as well as a lot in between. This particular show clearly belongs in the category of horrible! There is very little to recommend it and it's simply too painful to watch. How I got all the way through it is a testament to my masochism.

    The show begins with LOTS of sitar music playing--loudly and frantically. While I love Indian food and movies, I have never developed much of a taste for this type of music--at least when it is played very, very fast and intensely. It is certainly not soothing or enjoyable--and I assume this is the same reaction most will have--especially since the music seems to go on and on and on throughout the episode! This certainly sure didn't help in my enjoyment of this particular show.

    As the music is droning, you see a small circle of Moonbase personnel having some sort of a séance-like gathering. And, as they are channeling the spirits of plants in an effort to communicate with them (I am NOT kidding--this really is the plot), one of them starts writhing as if he's having a seizure! Oddly, at the same time there is a rush of freezing cold air that whooshes through the base. Yet, when he's taken for medical help, he is crazed and insists he'd okay--even though he clearly isn't.

    A bit later, more weird things start happening--such as the deaths of anyone who opposes the Italian guy in his experiments. You see, even though he nearly died the last time the knucklehead insisted on continuing with his work. The results are pretty bad- I'm talking bad 1960s sci-fi film bad! There's a double for this guy who looks like half his face was melted and you aren't sure if he's a giant killer veggie that looks human or some sort of killer alter-ego. All I know is that this melty face started killing people and the only thing that could stop him was an exorcism---yes, an exorcism!t! Talk about bad! This type of episode is exactly the reason "Space: 1999" was not a successful series. When it was good, it could be very good--but when it was bad it was phenomenally bad!
  • Episode complete credited cast:
    Martin Landau Martin Landau - Commander John Koenig
    Barbara Bain Barbara Bain - Dr. Helena Russell
    Barry Morse Barry Morse - Prof. Victor Bergman
    Giancarlo Prete Giancarlo Prete - Dan Mateo
    Hilary Heath Hilary Heath - Laura Adams (as Hilary Dwyer)
    Anthony Nicholls Anthony Nicholls - Dr. James Warren
    Prentis Hancock Prentis Hancock - Paul Morrow
    Clifton Jones Clifton Jones - David Kano
    Zienia Merton Zienia Merton - Sandra Benes
    Anton Phillips Anton Phillips - Dr. Mathias
    Nick Tate Nick Tate - Alan Carter
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