The Exiles (Space: 1999)
Alphans rescue exiles who then take hostages.
"The Exiles" was the third episode produced for the second series of *Space: 1999*, a British science fiction show from the 1970s made by Gerry Anderson Productions for ITC Entertainment. Donald James wrote the script, Ray Austin directed, and filming took place at Pinewood Studios across February, March, and June 1976. The episode debuted on London Weekend Television on 18 September 1976, and critical reaction was mixed.
The series follows the crew of Moonbase Alpha after a nuclear blast knocks the Moon out of Earth's orbit, sending it drifting through interstellar space. In this episode, the Alphans rescue two aliens drifting in space, but the newcomers take the base hostage to further a civil war on their homeworld.
A fleet of 52 cylinders enters lunar orbit. Suspecting they might be missiles, the Alphans capture one and bring it to a secure lab. Inside, they find a male humanoid in suspended animation whose vital signs are failing. They try to defuse what they fear is a warhead by pumping in liquid nitrogen, but the cylinder bursts open. The alien survives because he was already in cryonic suspension, and Dr. Russell's team revives him with defibrillation at increased voltage to overcome a fine insulating membrane on his skin. He introduces himself as Cantar of Golos. With his help, they safely open a second cylinder containing his wife, Zova.
The other cylinders hold more of their people, exiled into space after losing a civil war to Golos's despotic rulers. Unless recovered, the cylinders will break up in the Moon's gravity. Commander Koenig refuses to rescue the others because Alpha's life support is already strained. In exchange for sanctuary, Cantar and Zova promise to improve Alpha's recycling and share their cryopreservation technology.
Soon, the aliens reveal powerful psychic abilities. While working on life support, they trigger a deafening buzz that overwhelms the Alphans. They reach a power plant, knock out anyone in their way with a touch, and arm themselves with lasers. Tapping into Alpha's power, they teleport to Golos, taking Dr. Russell and Controller Verdeschi as hostages. They materialize in a facility controlling the planet's biosphere. Cantar threatens to destroy it—and all life on Golos—unless his enemy, Ragnar, faces him.
On Alpha, Zova says Russell and Verdeschi will be spared if Koenig retrieves the other cylinders. To force
- First aired
- 18 September 1976
- Production order
- Third episode of Series 2
Lore & Background
In the episode, a fleet of 52 cylinders approaches the Moon and enters orbit. Believing them to be missiles, the Alphans capture one and find a male humanoid in suspended animation. He is revived and introduces himself as Cantar of the planet Golos. With his help, a second cylinder is opened to reveal his wife, Zova. The other cylinders carry more of their people, exiled after losing a civil war on Golos. Commander Koenig initially refuses to rescue the others due to life-support limitations, but Cantar and Zova offer to boost Alpha's recycling capacity in exchange for sanctuary.
Reader's Guide
The episode explores themes of exile, revenge, and the consequences of time dilation. Cantar and Zova reveal powerful psychic abilities and take hostages, teleporting to Golos with Dr. Russell and Controller Verdeschi. On Golos, Cantar threatens to destroy the planet's biosphere unless his enemy Ragnar faces him. However, he learns that his exile occurred more than 300 years ago and Ragnar is long dead. When Russell scratches Cantar's face, breaking his protective skin barrier, exposure to Golos' atmosphere causes him to age rapidly and die. The Alphans are thanked by the current leader and returned to the Moon, which then deflects the remaining cylinders back into space. The episode received mixed critical response, with some praising its atmosphere and tension while others criticized dubbing and reused sets.
Did You Know?
- The episode was originally written for Space: 1999 Series 2, with Verdeschi's role intended for a character named Simon Hays, not Professor Bergman.
More in Space: 1999 episodes 1-24
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