[3] In this episode the moon is inexorably pulled towards a planet devastated by a nuclear war, causing Moonbase Alpha energy reserves and essential supplies to be rapidly depleted.
In a remarkable turn of events, the planet releases the moon from its orbit, leading to a restoration of energy and supplies for Moonbase Alpha.
The Alphan couple is now marooned on the planet, equipped with the necessary resources to embark on a fresh beginning, firmly believing that this extraordinary occurrence was the true purpose of the moon being dislodged from Earth's orbit.
He reflects on how their struggle to survive in a hostile universe had long erased casual recollection of the cataclysm that hurled the Moon out of Earth orbit; however, recent events on the planet Arkadia have revived this painful memory, as the Alphans were forced to reconsider their purpose in space.
The Commander's solemn words lead into an extended flashback... Days earlier, an off-duty Koenig is in the gymnasium when an urgent summons to Main Mission interrupts his Kendo work-out with resident martial-arts enthusiast Luke Ferro.
Reports come in on the mounting power loss: diagnostics of the generators reveal no faults, but the energy output continues to drop.
The team will consists of himself, Bergman, Helena Russell, Alan Carter, two Security guards and two mission specialists to be selected by Computer.
With the long-range systems affected, the survey team will have no access to Alpha's resources; all necessary equipment must be brought with them.
Computer's additions to the team are aerospace engineer Luke Ferro and research supervisor Anna Davis.
While taking photo-scans of charred, leafless trees, Ferro experiences a growing trepidation—as if they were trespassing on sacred ground.
Anna has gathered some petrified leaf remnants; as she consults a botanical text, her excitement is seen to grow with each sample she examines.
Bergman and Helena's assessment of the environment is encouraging; the radiation levels are tolerable and the soil can be rejuvenated by introducing the proper bacteria and fungi.
As she begins the herculean task of translating the passage without access to the reference library, Ferro is drawn to a skull at the head of the table.
Forensic analysis of the skeletons shows these beings were virtually human, dying 25,000 years ago from radiation poisoning.
The ancient text reveals this civilisation annihilated itself in a nuclear war, but, in spite of the destruction, it affirms that Arkadia will live on—in the hearts of an enlightened few who fled before the end, carrying the seeds of a new beginning into the depths of space.
He reveals Anna's untold discovery: the petrified remains of forty varieties of tree thought native to Earth.
Shaken by the implications of Ferro's conclusion, they move outside to discuss their situation: Alpha will be powerless in twenty-four hours and the team is no closer to discovering what force is holding the Moon a static prisoner.
The overwhelming problem is that, even with strict rationing, three hundred Alphan settlers will exhaust the current supply of food in six months' time.
With the power loss at forty-five percent, Paul Morrow argues with Bob Mathias that the extra heating allocated to the Medical Section must be withdrawn.
Unseen by the Main Mission staff, Ferro jams his gun into Kano's ribs, threatening to kill everyone in the room unless he is given the access code to the protein store.
Bargaining with the doctor's life, Ferro demands an Eagle, a moon buggy and provisions sufficient for three years time.
After Helena's safe return to Alpha, she and Koenig speculate on the role of the mysterious unknown force of Arkadia and its influence on Ferro and Anna.
While destiny may have been fulfilled with Luke Ferro and Anna Davis becoming a 21st-century Adam and Eve, he writes, the Alphans must keep faith that the Moon's ongoing journey has a greater purpose...
In addition to the regular Barry Gray score (drawn from "Breakaway" and "Another Time, Another Place"), excerpts from Paul Bonneau and Serge Lancen's composition Suite Appassionata—Andante are featured throughout the episode and Jack Arel and Pierre Dutour's 'Picture of Autumn' is used during Ferro and Anna's encounter with the Arkadian intelligence.
Melding this premise with the spirituality of the Adam and Eve story of Creation excited Tomblin, but Byrne felt it was a little too 'on the nose' with the imposed religious context.
[5] Fan response was positive, as the episode is seen to bring the (unintended) story arc of the Moon's predestined journey through space to a conclusion.
Guerrini's English proved difficult to understand and his dialogue was dubbed by renowned voice artist Robert Rietty.
[10] Though the programme was an international success, Sir Lew Grade was disappointed by the series' failure to secure an American network sale.
This was coupled with its lukewarm reception in Britain (due to the lack of a coordinated network showing on ITV and having been labelled an 'American import').
In the autumn of 1975, as work progressed on the second series, ITC Entertainment announced to the production team that, unless the format was drastically retooled (specifically favouring American viewers), Space: 1999 would be cancelled.