Episodes

The Testament of Arkadia (Year 1 / Episode 24)

ITC Press Release

"THE TESTAMENT OF ARKADIA" Original ITC press release Is it the end for the Moon - or the beginning of a new life? In far-off outer space are found the origins of life on Earth itself as the Moon's random progress comes to a sudden, inexplicable halt. Since the time the Moon broke out of its orbit, life for its Earth inhabitants has taken on a semblance of normality, but with one ever-present imponderable question mark. Where is it heading for? Its direction cannot be controlled. Now suddenly and alarmingly, it comes to a complete halt. At the same time the power drops and continues to drop at such a rate that it soon becomes terrifyingly clear that life cannot be sustained for more than a matter of days. The only possible explanation is influence emanating from an unidentified planet which is within flying distance, and Commander Koenig (MARTIN LANDAU) has no option. A visit must be paid to the planet. He chooses the team with care - Dr. Helena Russell (BARBARA BAIN) Professor Bergman (BARRY MORSE), pilot Alan Carter (NICK TATE) and specialists Luke Ferro (ORSO MARIA GUERRINI) and Anna Davis (LISA HARROW). The planet is dead, with no signs of habitation. There are rock formations and petrified, leafless trees, all indicating that this was once a living world. But whatever it was that struck it was a long, long time ago. The atmosphere has now stabilised. Then, in a cave, they find human skeletons and inscriptions on the wall which Bergman identifies as being Sanskrit. Anna Davis a trained philogist, recognises it as a very early form of the basic mother of English and, with Luke Ferro's help is able to translate what was the last message from the dead world of Arkadia, but with a declaration that Arkadia lives on in the bodies, hearts and minds of those who left in time, taking the seeds of a new beginning. Realization dawns, confirmed by identification of the trees as those native to Earth ..... Earth originated on this planet, the seeds of life carried to a new planet by those who escaped the holocaust! Koenig has a grim decision to make. The Moon's power loss has now dropped to the point when everyone will freeze to death within a day. Evacuation to Arkadia is the only hope. The chances of survival are slim, but they will at least be buying time. Then, quite suddenly, the power loss ceases. Plans to evacuate are cancelled. But Luke and Anna have been strangely affected. It is as though they have received some sort of message. They are in love and determined to live on the planet, tricking Koenig into providing supplies and spacecraft to take them there. It is their destiny. The Arkadians brought life to Earth. Now life must be brought back to the dead world of Arkadia. And as they reach their Eden, full power returns to the Moon and, once again, it is on the move. The search for a new home continues........... NB All spelling and punctuation as in the original. SCREENPLAY BY JOHNNY BYRNE DIRECTED BY DAVID TOMBLIN Guest Stars ORSO MARIA GUERRINI LISA HARROW with PRENTIS HANCOCK as PAUL MORROW CLIFTON JONES as DAVID KANO ZIENIA MERTON as SANDRA BENES ANTON PHILLIPS as DR MATHIAS NICK TATE as ALAN CARTER

Episodes are in production order.