User Reviews

"War Games" was easily one of the better "Space: 1999" episodes. The episode featured exciting action but concluded in a much more cerebral way.

Moonbase Alpha was inexplicably attacked by ships from a nearby alien planet. The desperation of the Alphans was well depicted when the damage to the base meant an inevitable death sentence for the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha. However, if the Alphans were to colonize the planet in order to survive, human fears would contaminate the culture of the advanced alien civilization which already inhabited that world, resulting in the destruction of the peace and harmony within that alien culture.

The episode did feature some puzzling moments. Why were the Alphans not more surprised by the fact that they were being attacked by ships of Earth design? One could argue that the inhabitants were more concerned about defending themselves than about who was attacking them. Why did Commander Koenig start destroying the alien equipment? The argument could be made (although not convincingly) that Koenig was desperate to get the response he wanted from the aliens, even if his actions were not typical for his character. Why did the aliens attempt to recruit Dr. Russell by placing her inside one of their transparent containers? That one is more difficult to explain, especially considering that Commander Koenig had demonstrated the more violent nature of human beings only moments before.

Most of "War Games" was more logical than many other "Space: 1999" episodes. The episode's story was generally well thought out and was occasionally thought-provoking in many ways. In most instances, the actions by the characters were believable; and, the story was generally engaging. Overall, the episode was enjoyable in spite of a few flaws.

I saw War Games like when I was six. Some episodes did not age well. I guess my standards and opinions have change much from when I was in grade 1 or 2. But War Games was okay. The special effects aged well. The acting not too bad, with the mix of Alpha being at war. A star wars type feel. There was a memorable ending. Commander Koeing had to make a moral decision which created a memorable ending. I liked the decision a good man Koeing was. 7 stars one of the better episodes.

War Games is the perfect title for this episode of Space 1999. It is one of the most powerful and memorable episodes of season one.

This story has both war games and mind games combined with one another. It is one of the highlights of all the Gerry Anderson's television programmes.

Anthony Valentine who is the guest star of this episode, dominates it with his powerful performance as an sinister alien.

I recommend this one.

Although I was a devoted fan of this series when I was a kid, I wasn't so devoted a fan that I could ignore the show's deficiencies. I liked it because there just wasn't much sci-fi on TV back then--but I realized that sterile sets, overly subdued acting and occasionally insane scripts (like this episode) helped to doom the show to only two seasons. Even with the re-tooling of the show in the second season, it was just too little too late.

This episode, up to at about the halfway point, was actually very good. Moon Base is attacked by ships that appear to be Earth-style ships (though they didn't think this was amazingly odd or question this). After a short battle, about half the people and much of the base is destroyed--and they have no choice but to try to colonize the nearby planet from which these hostilities arose. Good premise...so far. But, when Koenig and Russell land on the planet to try to talk things out, two goofy things happen--Koenig starts smashing things and acting a bit like a chimp on crack (great way to negotiate, Koenig!) and the aliens turn out to be as interesting as watching paint dry. These aliens are superior creatures who mostly sit around inside clear Plexiglas boxes and think--not the sort of aliens you love to hate like the Klingons or Romulans! And, out of the blue, they ask Dr. Russell to join them in her own little cubicle and they think....and talk...and think some more!! By the time it was all over, I could see why Koenig got mad and started breaking things--I felt like doing this as the episode got WAAAAY too cerebral and dull. Many more episodes like this would spell doom to this series--and it's too bad, as it started off so well. Overall, it's a very disappointing episode and not at all worth your time---unless like dull sci-fi. I so much wanted to enjoy this one.

The crew of Moonbase Alpha are attacked by alien's as they approach a planet and the base is so badly damaged that it can longer support life which is going to force the crew to evacuate to the planet, when Cmdr. John Koenig (Martin Landau) & Dr. Helena Russell (Barbara Bain) go to the planet to discuss there situation with the alien's they discover that the alien's have developed mind control ability's and that it is the Alpha crew's own fear's that are damaging the moon base and killed so many of the crew. The alien's then release control of Cmdr. John Koenig's & Dr. Helena Russell's mind's which allow's them to realise that the alien's have shown them what will happen if they attack the ship's and so are able to halt the first attack and save the base and all life's but the alien's tell them that they are not allowed to land on the planet.