Devil's Planet
Commander Koenig faces a penal planet of whip-wielding guards.
"Devil's Planet" is the 21st episode of Space: 1999's second series (the 45th overall). Michael Winder wrote the screenplay, and Tom Clegg directed. Originally titled "Devil's Moon," the final shooting script was dated 7 September 1976. Filming ran from 1 November to 19 November 1976. The episode first aired in the UK on 2 September 1977 on ITV, after debuting on KRON-TV in San Francisco on 19 March 1977.
The Moon passes a system with two potentially habitable planets. Commander Koenig and co-pilot Blake Mitchell take an Eagle for reconnaissance. The larger planet has breathable air, vegetation, and a city—but only one life reading, which stops after they land. They find a booth surrounded by dead humanoids who died from a neurological disease. A man materialises inside, steps out, and collapses dead.
Koenig and Mitchell go to the other planet. Their Eagle hits a force field and crashes. A man flees from whip-wielding women. As the Alphans try to help, Mitchell is vaporised by an invisible energy barrier. Koenig is captured and taken to the women's headquarters.
This is Entra, a penal planet for political dissidents teleported from neighbouring Ellna. Governor Elizia leads the all-female prison staff. Koenig watches a sham trial where a prisoner convicted of sedition is sentenced to "the Hunt": survive the whip-wielding guards and reach the Sanctuary Column to win parole back to Ellna.
A mind probe reveals Koenig's knowledge of the Ellnan plague—news Elizia has suppressed to control the restless prisoners. She orders the information removed, but Koenig's alien brain defeats their technology. He is placed in a cell with three prisoners. He tells them about the plague, but after Elizia's propaganda broadcast claiming all is well on Ellna, they don't believe him. Elizia, sexually interested in Koenig, offers freedom if he submits; he refuses.
An Eagle arrives searching for Koenig and Mitchell. Elizia tells pilots Bill Fraser and Alibe both men died in the crash and shows fabricated evidence. Grieving, they leave for Alpha.
Elizia orders Koenig to entertain her to stay alive. Appearing to capitulate, he kisses her—then throws her off and escapes. He reaches the Eagle wreckage, retrieves a homing transmitter, and uses a fire extinguisher to incapacitate pursuing guards. He activates the transmitter, but Entra's force field blocks the signal. He return
- Episode number
- 21st of second series, 45th overall
- Writer
- Michael Winder
- Director
- Tom Clegg
- Original title
- "Devil's Moon"
- Final shooting script date
- 7 September 1976
- Filming dates
- 1 November 1976 to 19 November 1976
- First UK broadcast
- 2 September 1977
Lore & Background
The plot follows Commander Koenig and co-pilot Blake Mitchell as they reconnoiter two potentially habitable planets. On the first, they find a booth surrounded by dead humanoids who succumbed to a neurological disease. On the second planet, Entra, a penal colony for political dissidents from Ellna, Mitchell is vaporized by an invisible energy barrier, and Koenig is captured by an all-female prison staff led by Governor Elizia. Koenig learns of a plague on Ellna that Elizia has suppressed to control the prisoners. After refusing Elizia's sexual advances, he escapes, activates a homing transmitter, and seals himself in a teleportation booth, daring Elizia to follow. He arrives on Ellna, where Elizia dies of the plague, and is rescued by fellow Alphan
Reader's Guide
The episode is the last of the 'Koenig Double-Up' scripts, intentionally crafted to feature Martin Landau alone; Barbara Bain, Catherine Schell, and Tony Anholt appear only in library footage. The story, derived from The Most Dangerous Game and set in an alien prison reminiscent of Devil's Island, showcases a bevy of catsuited, whip-wielding dominatrices. Reception was mixed: SFX magazine rated it "B-plus", calling it a "slightly pervy S&M hetero-fantasy" but a "good romp". Dreamwatch found it "very dry" and reminiscent of dull European science fiction films of the Sixties. TV Zone criticized its "overbearing sexism". John Kenneth Muir saw it as Space: 1999's "sad slide into the depths of science fiction mediocrity", though he praised the characterisation and dialogue between Landau and Neil. The episode was novelised in The Time Fighters by Michael Butterworth.
Did You Know?
- The original title of the episode was "Devil's Moon".
- The episode was first broadcast in the US on KRON-TV, San Francisco on 26 March 1977, before its UK broadcast.
- Barbara Bain, Catherine Schell, Tony Anholt, and Nick Tate were off filming the opposing double-up episode "Dorzak" during this episode's production.
- The role of Alibe was given to American actress Alibe Parsons after Zienia Merton was forced to depart for a lead role in the Norwegian film Kosmetikkrevolusjonen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in the Space: 1999 episode "Devil's Planet"?
The Moon drifts past a star system with two potentially habitable worlds, and Koenig flies an Eagle with co-pilot Blake Mitchell to scout them. The larger planet turns out to be a harsh penal colony where Koenig is subjected to punishment overseen by whip-wielding guards.
Who wrote and directed "Devil's Planet"?
Michael Winder wrote the screenplay and Tom Clegg directed the episode. The final shooting script is dated 7 September 1976, and filming took place between 1 and 19 November 1976.
What was the original working title for "Devil's Planet"?
Before its final name was locked in, the episode was known as "Devil's Moon." It is the 21st episode of the second series and the 45th overall in the Space: 1999 run.
When did "Devil's Planet" first air, and where?
The episode debuted on KRON-TV in San Francisco on 19 March 1977, ahead of its UK broadcast. ITV aired it in the United Kingdom on 2 September 1977.
What makes "Devil's Planet" a standout second-series episode for fans?
It places Koenig squarely in the crosshairs of danger on a brutal penal world, a setup that gives the episode a more personal, survival-focused tone than many of its second-series peers. The dual-planet reconnaissance premise also sets it apart structurally from the more common single-threat format.
More in Space: 1999 episodes 1-24
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