Review by Craig Byrne
Back in the day, TV networks didn’t just let their pilots die; they instead aired them as TV-movies. They’d be burned off in the summer, and sometimes you could even get 2 very different pilots based on the same concept airing in the same week! This practice continued through at least the 80’s, and would usually be listed in TV Guide as simply “Pilot.” I’m sure at one point Young Me thought that was the actual name of a TV show.
One of the reference books in my collection that I always manage to come back to is Unsold TV Pilots by Lee Goldberg. The book details some of those pilots that did air on network TV, and one thing I found very curious was that a certain concept from Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry was done no less than three times in the 1970’s – and never did spawn a full-on series. That concept started off as Genesis II, was retooled as Planet Earth, and then was given a third try as Strange New World. Some cast members and story elements from the previous attempts appeared in multiple versions, although this third and final try did not have Roddenberry’s direct involvement.
Strange New World is fascinating to me as a long-time TV geek in that I haven’t seen much American science fiction from that era – most of it is restricted to just the British Doctor Who. Although Roddenberry wasn’t directly involved this time, his influence is felt with heroes who are heroic, villains who are shady, and characters who aren’t particularly sexually deviant, though the added story element that reproduction doesn’t happen anymore might have something to do with that last thing. Familiar Star Trek sound effects are heard loud and clear, and some interesting model shots are used. The lead character, Captain Anthony Vico, is played by John Saxon, who also starred in the previous try, Planet Earth, as “Dylan Hunt,” a character name that would later be used in Andromeda. Vico is one of three travelers who were in suspended animation for nearly 200 years — a time period in which Earth was hit by asteroids and the survivors have a unique way of prolonging their lives.
There are some moments where logic is questioned. Are those the only survivors? Why are all of the trees and plant life still living? Where did they get that tank-like transport vehicle? Did they feel ridiculous in their multi-colored togas? And if they want to leave, where would they go to? But ultimately, that doesn’t matter much. Again, I enjoyed this a lot for the historical context. There are scientific implications within – some such as the cloning of cells, which is something that is still scientifically debated today.
I also find it very interesting to see what passed for special effects on TV when this was made. A lot of shortcuts were used, although oddly, it looks a lot less dated than something later that would try too hard. (Anyone seen any Season 1 Star Trek: The Next Generation lately?)
If you like your TV fast-paced, this probably isn’t for you, but if you want to see a “time capsule” of a TV series that never was, I highly recommend this, one of the latest additions to the Warner Archive collection. The two earlier attempts at this concept – Planet Earth and Genesis II – are also available in the collection, and I just might have to check them out.
The Warner Archive website where you can order this DVD warns that the picture has not been remastered, but to be honest – for a nearly 40 year old program I think it looks great. There are no extras on this release, though I don’t know what extras there could be even if there were any.
The fact that these “pilots” are on DVD now — even though they are at movie length — makes me think and hope the Warner Archive eventually expands to include television that might not be on DVD in a wide release for whatever reason. The 2006 Aquaman pilot is, of course, at the top of my list, especially considering there’s a wealth of footage that didn’t make it onto the iTunes release.
Strange New World isn’t the best piece of television I’ve ever seen but it kept me entertained all the way through — even when a pre-Dukes of Hazzard Catherine Bach is attempting to act (fortunately for her, she got better). It presented a science fiction situation and what would otherwise be a familiar setting and turned it on its ear. I liked it a lot.
Strange New World is now available from the Warner Archive Collection. Check it out!
