Space Island One is a British/German science fiction television series that ran for 26 episodes beginning in 1998. A co-production between the UK's Sky One channel and the German Vox channel, it starred Judy Loe as Kathryn McTiernan, the commander of the multinational crew of the space station Unity. Described as “a mix of Moonbase 3 and Jupiter Moon, but more turgid than either, other sources describe it as
"The best science fiction show you've never heard of… The show unflinchingly looks at the implications of for-profit science… and provides the most realistic look ever at life in space, including bone-mass loss. A few episodes are dull, but the show is often surprisingly weird and fun… It also features some of the most complex, believable characters of any television show".
Apart from the show's creator, Andrew MacLear, other script-writers for the show included well known TV writer P. J. Hammond, acclaimed science fiction novelist Stephen Baxter and young adult writer Andrew Lane.
Best Episodes of Space Island One
All the News that Fits
S1 Ep2
7.3
14th Jan 1998
A visiting journalist uncovers the background to an aborted space mission, as Paula begins her sexual pursuit of Dusan, and Harry has some startling news.
Unfinished Business
S2 Ep1
7.0
17th Aug 1998
The arrival of a maintenace shuttle brings an unexpected visitor, Anderson from the failed Clementine mission. Commander McTiernan is concerned as the details surrounding Anderson's mission are vague and his shuttle is registered to a nonexistent company.
Worst Episodes of Space Island One
Message from Keeler
S1 Ep1
4.0
7th Jan 1998
Newly arrived environmental specialist Paula Hernandez finds slotting into place with the rest of the Unity team is harder than she expected after her over-curiosity triggers a bomb left behind by her mysterious predecessor.
Nemesis
S1 Ep12
5.0
25th Mar 1998
Abandoned stealth armoury is accidentally reactivated by one of Shannon's probes and it identifies the space station as a hostile entity.
Space Island One Episode Guide
Message from Keeler
S1 Ep1
4.0
7th Jan 1998
Newly arrived environmental specialist Paula Hernandez finds slotting into place with the rest of the Unity team is harder than she expected after her over-curiosity triggers a bomb left behind by her mysterious predecessor.
All the News that Fits
S1 Ep2
7.3
14th Jan 1998
A visiting journalist uncovers the background to an aborted space mission, as Paula begins her sexual pursuit of Dusan, and Harry has some startling news.
Dangerous Liaison
S1 Ep5
6.5
4th Feb 1998
A visitor has a personal agenda, which involves the destruction of Unity when his child prodigy, a member of the crew, appears to have turned against him.
Crew Test
S1 Ep6
7.0
11th Feb 1998
A group dynamics expert exposes cracks and resentments in the crew by purposely digging into their privacy and provoking arguments and confrontations.
Sarcophagus
S1 Ep8
25th Feb 1998
A devious entrepreneur utilises Unity as a platform from which to perform somewhat questionable space burials for the benefit of new television audiences.
Spring Fever
S1 Ep9
4th Mar 1998
Crew discipline slides when Kathryn takes ground leave and Shannon is left in charge. An experiment in pheromones results in Paula attempting the seduction of an increasingly distant Dusan.
The Third Man
S1 Ep10
11th Mar 1998
Desperate circumstances aboard a stricken mining vessel result in madness and cannibalism to stay alive after being lost for three years. The survivors are rescued by Unity and attempts must be made to uncover the truth.
Awakening
S1 Ep11
18th Mar 1998
A laser, designed to zap space junk, malfunctions resulting in chaos aboard Unity. Shannon's poor health raises concerns with Paula. While tensions aboard Unity climb, Harry, Lyle and Commander McTiernan are unable to be awakened from an induced sleep experiment. Kaveh and Dusan ignore Paula's concerns, and as a result Shannon's health deteriorates resulting in a stroke.
Nemesis
S1 Ep12
5.0
25th Mar 1998
Abandoned stealth armoury is accidentally reactivated by one of Shannon's probes and it identifies the space station as a hostile entity.
A Child is Born
S1 Ep13
1st Apr 1998
The various personal problems of Unity's crew have been driving them apart, but the occasion of the first child to be born in space brings a return to harmony...eventually.
