Ep 9. Mission of the Darians

In the "Space: 1999" season 1 episode titled "Mission of the Darians," the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha encounter a colossal 50-mile long spaceship that has been drifting through space for centuries. This episode delves into the themes of societal breakdown, the consequences of a technological catastrophe, and the ethical dilemmas faced by a civilization in decline.

As the episode begins, the Alphans detect a distress signal emanating from the massive vessel. Their curiosity piqued, Commander John Koenig, played by Martin Landau, assembles a reconnaissance team to investigate the source of the signal. Accompanied by the mission's second-in-command, Dr. Helena Russell (Barbara Bain), and other key personnel, Koenig leads a daring mission aboard the Eagle spacecraft to rendezvous with the enigmatic ship.

Upon docking with the Darian vessel, the Alpha team quickly discovers that it once housed a highly advanced society with technology far surpassing their own. But now, instead of a bustling ship filled with life, they find haunting vestiges of a once-glorious civilization. The crew members must navigate through ghostly corridors, abandoned areas, and the remnants of a world that hangs in the balance between order and entropy.

The explorers learn that the ship is the remnant of the Darian people, a race that experienced a catastrophic nuclear event nearly 900 years prior, which has shaped their civilization in unimaginable ways. Through their interactions with the Darians, the Alphans witness firsthand the societal stratification and deviations that have taken root as a result of the disaster.

As they delve deeper into the ship, they learn that the Darians have clung to the hope of reaching a new planet to call home. However, the effects of the nuclear devastation forced the society to adapt in unexpected, and often morally questionable, ways. They uncover a rigidly hierarchical system that has evolved among the survivors, with a privileged few maintaining the proud traditions of the past, while others have been reduced to a struggle for mere survival inside the same vessel.

Commander Koenig and his team grapple with the ethical implications of such a society. They face an internal struggle between the desire to offer assistance and the risk of interfering with the internal dynamics of another civilization. The team members each respond differently to the moral complexities of the situation, providing a rich tapestry of human emotions and philosophical stances on what it means to be a compassionate and ethical being in the face of suffering and decay.

Throughout the episode, "Mission of the Darians" presents the viewers with thought-provoking questions about the human condition, leadership, and the scope of duty to others. The Alphans are not merely explorers but become mirrors reflecting the Darians' lost humanity, challenging the status quo and potentially paving the way for transformative changes.

The journey through the Darian ship is not just physical but also metaphorical. It represents a probing into the darker corners of civilization—one where progress and technology have soared but at a perilous cost to societal norms and ethical boundaries. The Alphans come face-to-face with the horrors of a caste divided, confronting the stark differences between those who cling to the old ways and those who have been marginalized.

Visually, "Mission of the Darians" makes use of the show's characteristic 1970s aesthetic, with elaborate set designs that provide an atmospheric and surreal, yet believable, glimpse into the world of the Darians. The episode's sets, costumes, and production values contribute to creating a believable universe filled with intrigue and mystery.

Throughout this high-stakes episode, the series continues to explore the fragility of human societies and the lengths to which people will go to preserve their culture and their very existence.

"Mission of the Darians" is an unforgettable venture into the world of "Space: 1999," an episode that offers thrilling adventure combined with deep, moral dilemmas, ultimately compelling the audience to reflect on their own understanding of civilization, progress, and the delicate balance between the survival of the fittest and the necessity of altruism. As one of the series' early episodes, it sets a high bar for the thought-provoking storytelling that "Space: 1999" is known for.