tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post3216450926959729196..comments2024-03-13T23:42:41.022-07:00Comments on We Are Controlling Transmission: The Bellero ShieldJohn Scolerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830334036783163702noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-85724792766331794412023-07-16T21:14:05.794-07:002023-07-16T21:14:05.794-07:00No. Still not good. Really weird. Boy Sally Kell...No. Still not good. Really weird. Boy Sally Kellerman is great to look at though CNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16648877307525667089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-55570596798948071362020-08-03T18:02:42.406-07:002020-08-03T18:02:42.406-07:00Sadly, as I periodically return here and click on ...Sadly, as I periodically return here and click on most of the review and spotlight pages of most episodes, the latest new entries averages around 2017, but there are many where the latest comments are as early as 2015. Of course, there are few OL fansites, and certainly less whose contributors offer perspectives as comprehensive and in-depth as WACT. And yet so few new comments. It could be because of the hack attack here a few years ago and that security software blocks legitimate postings. OTOH, we do have to face the fact that the show is 57 years old, and while there will likely always be some number of teens and 20-somethings who will discover and become captivated by at least 1/3 of the series episodes, times and tastes do change. As for me, I don’t really have any fav episodes; too much about nearly all of them which have become timeless pleasures. <br /><br />One thing I do wonder about is how many OL TOS fans watch the show (and Stoney Burke) via 4:3 projection systems. I’m one of the apparently few oversensitive people who can’t stand to watch 4:3 content on 16:9 TVs anymore; those thick vertical bars are too distracting, gobble up too much screen space and their mere presence kills off the realism we all enjoyed when the series aired during the last century. A ~ 55 to 60” 4:3 projection screen in a small dark room and a projector like one of these https://www.projectorcentral.com/Maxell-MC-X8170.htm <br />https://www.projectorcentral.com/Epson-PowerLite_L610.htm seems like the best way, next to equally large 4:3 OLED TVs, which sadly are not available. <br />Greghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12007548640789388359noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-29081011982733861462019-05-25T16:21:45.254-07:002019-05-25T16:21:45.254-07:00Well, no one’s stopped by just about anywhere arou...Well, no one’s stopped by just about anywhere around here for over a year. I wish the most clever and driven among us would initiate “spotlights” on “100 days”, “controlled experiment”, “mice” and “keeper”.<br /> <br />And a real treat would be for composer Larry Rapchak to return and do more specials on Frontiere’s and Lubin’s music used in these and other episodes, like the “bedroom” scene in “Keeper”, Hadley’s lab and later the cymbal clash scene in “Inheritors”, the “two note” piano cue in “Guests”, the water fountain scene in “Duplicate Man”, the finale suite in “\Demon”, the cook out scene in “Wolf” and that long, lazy, weird suite during the slow motion cigarette ash scene in “Controlled Experiment”. <br /><br />And if Larry’s not up to it than perhaps another music professional or music historian like Reba Wissner, whose commentaries appear in the OL TOS BD set. https://thebulletin.org/biography/reba-a-wissner/ But an actual composer or musician who may have the most intimate grasp of Frontiere’s and Lubin’s scoring and arranging would provide the most insightful commentary. <br /><br />If you keep looking there always seems to be something new and <br />great to be found in OL TOS. <br /><br />Maybe it’s also true of OL TNG. Perhaps the founders will one day <br />inspire the creation an OL TNG forum. <br /><br />gregnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-41830062814295864632018-06-24T08:45:54.453-07:002018-06-24T08:45:54.453-07:00Great script, great performances, stylishly shot, ...Great script, great performances, stylishly shot, a decent alien monster mask---what’s not to like about this first-rate episode. One of the best of season one, in my opinion.<br /><br />Lots of that patented Stefano-scripted family dysfunction on display in this one---which seems to be par for the course in the episodes he’s written. I can’t help but wonder if Hitchcock’s “Rebecca” was on his mind when he scripted this. Because Chita Rivra’s “Mrs Dame” character, with her utter and complete devotion to the mistress of the house, put me VERY strongly in mind of Mrs Danvers in the Hitchcock film---even her appearance reminded me of the earlier character.<br /><br />It’s a great ending, with Judith imaging that the shield still remains. She had a complete break-down, with the knowledge that her actions had forever separated her from her husband; there was no going back from that, no regaining the relationship that she had destroyed. (I confess, I didn’t at first understand that the close-ups of her hand smeared with alien blood was a comment upon the similarity of her character to Lady Macbeth---a nice touch, now that I “get” the reference!)<br />octobercountryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10730345596655835129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-79860542535216849332018-04-09T11:51:04.579-07:002018-04-09T11:51:04.579-07:00I'm just glad some people are still coming her...I'm just glad some people are still coming here.Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09603892208775996594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-21053878860796280712018-04-02T08:08:27.133-07:002018-04-02T08:08:27.133-07:00One of my very favorite eps. Don't remember th...One of my very favorite eps. Don't remember this one at all from my youth. What a superb overall feeling to this one. The alien, his look, the platform with the laser beam searching the sky, the power hungry wife. The sound and the music score. It's SO good that even Landau is almost reduced to a minor character, you may notice. The father, the housekeeper character, the wine cellar scenes. I could go on.. Story holds together so well for me... Bravo!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06899760253608859423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-1256762256578057352014-04-03T21:02:54.666-07:002014-04-03T21:02:54.666-07:00It took me a long while to think of it, but the en...It took me a long while to think of it, but the ending of this episode has one thing in common with THE FORMS OF THINGS UNKNOWN (apart from the two murderesses, I mean). As everyone here knows, the alternate ending of FORMS has Kassia shooting poor Tone, thinking that he's harming Leonora. So after finding out that she didn't kill Andre, she ends up committing a killing after all.<br />The reason THE BELLERO SHIELD makes me think of that just a little is this - even though Richard tells Judith "We'll have to tell someone what we've done," you can't help wondering whether she COULD get in trouble for it, especially since the Bifrost creature just vanished into thin air. But no sooner do you wonder that than you remember what happened with Bellero Sr. and Mrs. Dame.Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09603892208775996594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-16172224100126001602013-12-12T07:02:04.859-08:002013-12-12T07:02:04.859-08:00I love the observation by my fellow Anonymous abou...I love the observation by my fellow Anonymous about Stefano's brilliant repetition of words and phrases. Don't forget the use of "executioner" in several different contexts during Zanti Misfits. <br /><br />I have a subjective love of OBIT as my all-time favorite, but Bellero is number 2 and objectively speaking it is the series' most dazzling hour, still almost literally breathtaking each time I watch. Moment by moment it is crammed to the point of overflow with genius and hard truth, like Shostakovich's Fifth Symphony. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-14657276105656443042013-07-23T11:37:22.109-07:002013-07-23T11:37:22.109-07:00This episode features one of the most striking dis...This episode features one of the most striking display of one of Stefano’s clever writing tricks : the repetition of words or sentence in two different contexts (and therefore two different meanings). After the commercial break following Judith’s entrapment under the shield, we come back to a distraught Mrs Dame who says : - Can she live without air to breathe ? Is there a perpetual supply of oxygen in that tomb of hers ? Only a few seconds later, Bellero Sr tells his son that the situation is hopeless and Landau angrily responds : - Is there a perpetual supply of hopeless words in that tomb of yours ? Clever, isn’t it ? <br /><br />Stefano does that quite a few times in the series. In the early scenes of DON’T OPEN TILL DOOMSDAY, Vivia tells Gard : - Will I spend my life keeping trespassers out of my graveyard ? A few minutes later, noticing Vivia’s reaction to her wedding bouquet on the door, Mrs Kry tells her : - Don’t let my petrified memories frighten you. It’s there to keep trespassers out of my graveyard ! <br /><br />Want another one ? In FUN AND GAMES, Laura tells Mike at one point : - We can win, I know we can win. I don’t know why but I feel it, inside me, I feel it ! Later, the Alien ‘Senator’ talks to the two gorillas from Calco and says : - I’m convinced that you will have the battle you long for. I don’t know why but I feel it, inside me, I feel it ! <br /><br />Strangely enough, I don’t think this fascinating Stefanian particularity is ever once mentioned in the 200 pages of THE OL COMPANION . <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-66980185549267174682013-01-29T15:16:49.144-08:002013-01-29T15:16:49.144-08:00This is one of my favorite episodes and I think it...This is one of my favorite episodes and I think it deserves more than two zantis. I like the dark spooky setting and the alien. I like the moralistic message, too. Good acting by the whole cast. Reese Fowlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06138534697475907588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-12704977549772295142013-01-06T15:41:36.822-08:002013-01-06T15:41:36.822-08:00And the. Strange bufrost slirn in you cannot wond...And the. Strange bufrost slirn in you cannot wonder mix with the Galaxy meeting alien inspired models Silver Surfer.<br />Doc Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08255204147754923490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-35051675654152924502013-01-06T13:29:36.515-08:002013-01-06T13:29:36.515-08:00When I was young,this one knockef off my rocker, o...When I was young,this one knockef off my rocker, okay with that goofy goofy stuff about the bar for sale in little machine increase for shields I musta missed the ending was looking wasn't sure the shield disappear or she was just nuts now I see a more likely she's rich just nuts where is the bet you see this Bifrpst alian.with ball like contron in hand what that could be just to stay in a more containers enough murder I like to the goofy catfish looking to get to have John who plays I have no problem is get up with Elvis call the guy here says whatever strange thing theDoc Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08255204147754923490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-77895012787470943762012-10-10T14:14:29.570-07:002012-10-10T14:14:29.570-07:002 Zantis is exactly right. Both Sally and Hayden ...2 Zantis is exactly right. Both Sally and Hayden Roarke are pretty nutty in this one. Dig his line to Sally: "Your ambition is singularly the most active form of violence I've ever encountered"- pretty srton for someone who works in the military field! A waste of very good actors- Roarke and Rivera overact, Landau/Sally good as usual. Way too talky. That she gets trapped is the best touch. Some good photography, particulary in the cellar. Main problem is all the father-son conflict is tough to take. Also this is too similar to the Galaxy Being.Cmacnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-33987719595404965672011-12-12T08:55:39.227-08:002011-12-12T08:55:39.227-08:00There's one clever line from Judith that almos...There's one clever line from Judith that almost has to be have double meaning, considering her ego - <br />I crawled to get away from it. I CRAWLED, Richard."Grantnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-80932102809972763692011-11-26T12:52:32.730-08:002011-11-26T12:52:32.730-08:00I think the horse statue is a reference to the Bel...I think the horse statue is a reference to the Bellerophon/Pegasus legend that DJS mentions.<br /><br />Boy, did I have a sleepless night after I saw this episode! And despite hating everything Judith Bellero represents, I couldn't help but feel sorry for her at the end, even though she brought her fate on herselfMark Lungohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14470025194827675845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-60204804600912657402011-02-03T23:27:33.311-08:002011-02-03T23:27:33.311-08:00This is what I consider among OL's -- probably...This is what I consider among OL's -- probably that season of all shows -- best episodes. The story was of classic nature but had all the human elements, including sexy feet. Each performer was right on the mark to the point that it seemed impressively intense for what was essentially a stage production. The direction was top notch, shimmering from tight closeups to science fiction trick shots. The special effects did neither distract nor seem ridiculous, which is one of the biggest problems I have with most episodes. And the story was well-honed; the natural way that they introduce classical elements was seamless.<br />Sally-K truly emerged out of her shell as she revealed her ulterior motives, while Chita-R was reliable, loyal and powerful. Landau and Hamilton did their parts, while how they managed to get Hoyt to take this virtually invisible role is beyond me, but he created one of my favourite 'bears' of all times. But I've had issues with the 'bear' shell game so far, with so many of the creations unbelievable and just shoddy.<br />One more thumb's up for the music -- that four-note spectre that loomed over the heavy scenes was extremely effective. Nine Zantis (converted to Four-point-five on Krel) for this one!rockfishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02835472375196889875noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-58132948748007405122011-02-02T21:23:04.034-08:002011-02-02T21:23:04.034-08:00I got to agree with our hosts on this one. Pretty...I got to agree with our hosts on this one. Pretty decent episode, but nothing outstanding. 2 Zantis. I actually liked it a lot until the ending, which was sort of anti-climatic. It didn't seem as if the Femme Fatale got the comeuppance she deserved. <br /><br />For some reason, I thought the ending would have Sally Kellerman transported back to the alien's home planet, where she would stand trial, then be executed. Maybe my generation is just a little blood thirsty.Jockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16292833295819266389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-24921425775076661732011-02-02T21:01:43.473-08:002011-02-02T21:01:43.473-08:00Ted--
When I saw the name H.B. Warner in your pos...Ted--<br /><br />When I saw the name H.B. Warner in your post, I was sure you were going to compare the Bifrost alien to Warner's performance as Christ in the 1927 King of Kings, where he is often bathed in a gentle, radiant glow.<br /><br />The array of influences from which Stefano's scripts were created seems endless. Here, they blend together quite seamlessly, producing TOL's most elegant and lustrous episode, visually and verbally.<br /><br />John Hoyt's performance belongs in the top tier of TOL cast achievements, but it is the CONCEPT of the being that is so remarkable and memorable. From his description of the ethereal world he inhabits to the gentle, pulsating hum of his speech, this graceful and benevolent figure is perhaps the series' most perfectly realized alien entity. Thus, the reprehensible qualities of his feckless human hosts are magnified greatly by his demise.<br /><br />TOL's ultimate chamber-drama, beautifully rendered.<br /><br />LRLarry Rapchaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-56472336833429445002011-02-02T20:50:51.633-08:002011-02-02T20:50:51.633-08:00Ted: Your reading of the horse-and-rider statue is...Ted: Your reading of the horse-and-rider statue is sound, and I wonder now if it fades from prominence as the Belleros lose their grip on the situation (and the alien). I'll rewatch at some point to check, and hope DJS has some insight. Guess we've reached the trainspotting portion of WACT now...<br /><br />Looking forward to your take on "Children of Spider County"; I have reservations as well.Mark Holcombnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-91552345581430367552011-02-02T20:01:20.758-08:002011-02-02T20:01:20.758-08:00I can't identify the statue either, Mark. It&...I can't identify the statue either, Mark. It's prominently framed in the composition, so it's clearly not just set dressing---that wouldn't be TOL. I've always thought of it as a conquering hero prancing in glory---the antithesis of Richard and the frustrated ambition his father would see him attain.<br /><br />If DJS doesn't know, that's what we're stuck with.<br /><br />Glad my thoughts could at least give you pause. But I'm not disappointed that I couldn't swing your vote. Tomorrow you may be a bit disenchanted with me, judging by your feelings about "Spider County" on your splendid site.<br /><br />My props of the day to you for the delicious phrase "belligerent fecal cupcake"!Ted Rypelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-91068073422876917262011-02-02T18:56:05.776-08:002011-02-02T18:56:05.776-08:00This is the antithesis of yesterday's episode ...This is the antithesis of yesterday's episode -- hushed and classical rather than hysterical and baroque, with cold machinations aimed at social gain instead of desperate measures taken for personal fulfillment. Its characters are corrupt to a man (and woman), too -- no virgins here -- and even the benign, luminescent alien is a total flip from "Doomsday"'s belligerent fecal cupcake.<br /><br />So how come I don't like it more? Too schematic and overly eager to wear its influences on its sleeve, I suppose -- I prefer the murky antics of Stefano's other OL genre-shredders to this pat Shakespeare lesson. In that regard even Hall's work is too binary (although I can't get enough of that glow effect), and the things I admired about Brahm's work on "ZZZZZ" seem stuffy here. Plus, with no one to identify with except for the light-man, and his fate is foregone the second he slides into frame, there's too little at stake. I pity him; let the rest of them burn.<br /><br />Then again, this may be my favorite <i>Outer Limits</i> alien ever, and John Hoyt does a really beautiful job; his silent pauses speak circles around the arch dialogue. Hoyt's is one of the best performances of the entire series, I think, up there with Jeff Corey and Miriam Hopkins.<br /><br />Maybe I've just got a tin ear for poetry. For what it's worth, Ted, your analysis <i>almost</i> changed my mind, and Christa Faust's noir-focused Spotlight added dimension. And Hollywoodaholic, I caught the prominence of that horse statue, too; anybody have any theories on this? Another of Villa di Stefano's geegaws as unbilled guest star?Mark Holcombnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-26693792722866493742011-02-02T12:34:51.375-08:002011-02-02T12:34:51.375-08:00Wow---sorry for the repeated paragraph in my exten...Wow---sorry for the repeated paragraph in my extended comments above. Luminous beings were obviously dancing in my head. This tends to happen when I wear out my allotted welcoming space and scramble to extend it!Ted Rypelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-81431092340158136242011-02-02T12:27:03.499-08:002011-02-02T12:27:03.499-08:00The conclusion is a mighty whisper, followed by a ...The conclusion is a mighty whisper, followed by a forlorn howl in the dark.<br /><br />We have the satisfying character beat when Richard's filial resentment finally boils over. When he excoriates his father for "hopeless words in that tomb of yours." Only moments earlier, the old man had practically teetered on tiptoes, giddy with the proposition that "great men are FORGIVEN their murderous wives." And now he's a whimpering shell of a man, pouring out a lifetime's regret. Did Bellero Sr.'s guilt projection crystallize out of another of Stefano's own counseling sessions? It doesn't matter.<br /><br />What has branded its portent into my capsule-recall of this stellar episode, more than Kellerman's "Out, damned spot" guilt-ridden madness, is the moment that precedes it. It's the single most damning passive indictment of humanity's lack of intuitive compassion that I've ever seen played.<br /><br />The luminous being has just exhausted its last lumen-drop to free Judith from the shield before it expires. Mrs. Dame recounts her confrontation with it:<br /><br />"I expected it to kill me. Then I heard myself say, 'Can you help?' And it said... 'Can I NOT?'"<br /><br />A pin dropping, in the aftermath of a bomb.Ted Rypelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-89878274242621250752011-02-02T12:16:32.997-08:002011-02-02T12:16:32.997-08:00Perfectly constructed classical tragedy. Well-des...Perfectly constructed classical tragedy. Well-designed in every respect, from the gothic mansion lab to the searing performances to the dialogue, which I find Stefano's most eloquent and dazzling, this side of "Forms."<br /><br />We slide, with the "space-angel," from heaven to hell in a single traverse of "the Trembling Way" from a celestial "amplification of light" (as unique a statement of "place" as I've ever heard in sf) down into the fermenting acid pit of the Belleros' wine cellar. From high aspiration to corrupting lust.<br /><br />Once again Stefano displays his disdain for science: Can a being composed of solidified light be shot to death? And once again an amazing laser weapon is lightly discarded as irrelevant to the purpose. ("Naivete and mindless courage"---the province of children and scientists.) But the caustic character interplay overwhelms such concerns.<br /><br />We're treated to favorite Frontiere music cues at poignant moments. Wonderful characters played like fine instruments: Martin Landau's harried, desperate-for-affirmation Richard. John Hoyt's surprising turn as a softly shimmering entity of pure piety, replete with gently modulated voice that hums in resposne to "what your eyes teach me" (he reminds me somewhat of H.B. Warner in LOST HORIZON). Sally Kellerman's ulceratingly ambitious Evil Queen and her sinister familiar, Chita Rivera, with her silent assassin's feet and severe beehive hairdo (I'm just glad Joanna Frank didn't sport one). Even tiny moments between this subtextually bonded pair speak volumes: "Stay," Judith tells Mrs. Dame at one point, as if evincing a mistress-pet relationship. And Neil Hamilton's purse-lipped, impossible-to-please captain of industry.<br /><br />Judith and Bellero, Sr. are fun to watch, pitted ego-to-ego in their death-match of iron wills, Kellerman languidly exuding pure hubris.<br /><br />It's all excitingly staged by Brahm and photographed by Hall, deep shadows limning actors and isolating conspiracies in sharp relief. Every frame oozes intrigue and tension. Is there a moment of release, save for the very brief tender exchange between Richard and Judith, underscored by the "Architects" love theme?<br /><br />And, of course, there is the quotable dialogue, line after line, worth highlighting here:<br /><br />"Fear is the spur."<br />"Until I've acquainted myself with ALL your weapons"<br />"He wants your love. I want your empire."<br />"We must show these men what great men they are."<br />"Rule the world---or SAVE it, if you prefer."<br />"It's customary for one to comfort a broken enemy before you discard him." (Mrs. Dame's searing note of triumph here echoes both Shakespeare and Bergman, where any humble character might spout lucid philosophy. This is followed by a breathtaking dramatic turnabout, as Dame's egotism melts into abject defeat and panic.)<br />"Fathers often demand what strangers don't even expect."<br /><br />Then we have the satisfying character beat when Richard's filial resentment boils over. When he excoriates his father for "hopeless words in that tomb of yours." Only moments earlier, the old man had practically teetered on tiptoes, giddy with the proposition that "great men are FORGIVEN their murderous wives." And now he's a whimpering shell of a man, pouring out a lifetime's regret. Did Bellero Sr.'s guilt projection crystallize out of another of Stefano's own counseling sessions? It doesn't matter. <br /><br />What ensues is the real meditation.Ted Rypelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-35306215365904045202011-02-02T11:50:34.208-08:002011-02-02T11:50:34.208-08:00Wish I had a housekeeper who was that capable, dep...Wish I had a housekeeper who was that capable, dependable, and devoted!<br /><br />Gosh, I don't have much to add other than to lend my thumbs up to this episode as well. It's a solid job, and DJS and our hosts, along with the bloggers above, have captured most of the reasons. Great ensemble cast, each with a powerful showcase scene; assured directing and photography; effects that really look good (and some of the best sound effects in the whole series); and a literate script with a clear narrative that aspires to big themes. Great all the way!David Hornenoreply@blogger.com