"The Taybor" is the sixth episode of the second series of ''
Space: 1999'' (and the thirtieth overall episode of the programme). The screenplay was written by
Thom Keyes; the director was
Bob Brooks
Bob Brooks (26 December 1927 – September 2012) was an American film director, photographer and advertising creative. He created numerous advertising campaigns, directed several thousand TV commercials in the UK, US and Europe, and directed ...
.
Story
Several Alphans have taken the day to sunbathe in the Solarium Area. Suddenly a strangely shaped silver item appears in the solarium, and elsewhere on the base similar items appear. When the items are picked up by two curious crew members, they blind one and comatose the other.
Doctor Russell says the abrasions seem superficial and the blindness is temporary, she hopes. With a flourish of horns, the main view screen shows a rainbow of colors and a booming voice cries "Ahoy there, permission to land.". Koenig refuses permission to land until the voice identifies himself, and suddenly the rainbow screen clears to reveal a startling red spaceship landed on the surface of the
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only natural satellite. It is the fifth largest satellite in the Solar System and the largest and most massive relative to its parent planet, with a diameter about one-quarter that of Earth (comparable to the width of ...
, and almost immediately a rotund, jovial man appears in Main Mission. "Taybor's the name, trading's my game. Master of the SS ''Emporium''. Greetings, friends.". Then, with a gesture of his hand, Taybor activates the large cannon on a sort of space
tank
A tank is an armoured fighting vehicle intended as a primary offensive weapon in front-line ground combat. Tank designs are a balance of heavy firepower, strong armour, and good battlefield mobility provided by tracks and a powerful engin ...
on the surface of the moon, and it begins to swing toward Alpha.
Taybor is fascinated by Maya, and the other Alphans enjoy find his manner amusing, especially after Taybor explains that no harm has come to the injured Alphans, and they will soon recover. Tony comes around when it's clear that Taybor enjoys his home brew, often cited as unfit for human consumption by those who have tried it in the past.
Over dinner and drinks, the Taybor discusses
hyperspace
In science fiction, hyperspace (also known as nulspace, subspace, overspace, jumpspace and similar terms) is a concept relating to higher dimensions as well as parallel universes and a faster-than-light (FTL) method of interstellar travel. ...
and the "Jump Drive", the method of propulsion for his ship. Koenig wants to learn how to build one, but a drunken Taybor explains he doesn't know how it works before passing out at the table.
Later, in the Command Center, Koenig asks Taybor if he can transport the residents of Alpha to the Earth, and he agrees. The Taybor notes that Maya seems unhappy about transport to Earth, and she explains that he can't take her to her home planet because it has been destroyed. Koenig offers the Moon in trade for passage to the Earth, and the bargain is struck.
Taybor begins questioning Koenig on how to find the Earth, but it soon becomes apparent that Taybor can't find the Earth without more information, and Alpha can't provide the information needed. Taybor invites Koenig to join him on his ship, and they both disappear in a flash of rainbow-colored light.
The SS Emporium is a collection of shelves and knickknacks of strange and intricate design that Taybor has spent years and effort "to accumulate this incomparable collection." Taybor shows Koenig the drive, then takes him on a journey through hyperspace. Tony and the other Alphans are sure Taybor has betrayed them, and launches Eagles to search, but neither Commander Koenig nor the Emporium can be found.
Aboard the Emporium, Taybor threatens to take Koenig to the zoo, "where he belongs" but after Koenig pulls out his laser, Taybor claims it was just a joke, and agrees to return them to Alpha. The negotiation begins anew, and Taybor finally gives his terms: the Jump Drive for Maya. Koenig offers a duplicate Maya, able to talk to him, and would never grow old. The Taybor agrees.
Dr. Russell builds an exact replica of Maya; it does not move but speaks, and responds, to his conversation. Taybor is delighted and begins to assemble the plans to the Jump Drive, while finding time to also engage in trade with the Alphans: Bonsai Tree for ball, a sweater for a mirror, a ship in bottle for another ball, perfume, as a gift, for Dr. Russell. In the meantime, Commander Koenig places a tracing device on the SS Emporium.
Taybor gives Maya a necklace that erases her memory, and they both transport to Taybor's ship. Back on Alpha, Russell and Koenig swoon under the effect of Taybor's gift perfume, but Koenig fights his way clear of the effect. Taybor contacts Alpha and taunts them about the fact that he has the real Maya, and sends the robot Maya back to explode in Command Center. Maya removes the necklace and regains her memory, realizing The Taybor has kidnapped her. She uses her power to transform herself to try and fight, or scare Taybor, but finally assumes the image of an old crone, and Taybor relents, not wanting to spend his life with Maya in that form.
Maya is returned, as well as all the objects traded with the rest of the Alphans. Koenig thinks about the perfume, and Dr Russell assures him "we don't need perfume."
Legacy
* Taybor is similar to the black market salesman Dorium Maldovar from ''
Doctor Who
''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the u ...
'' episode 12
The Pandorica Opens
"The Pandorica Opens" is the twelfth episode of the fifth series of British science fiction television programme '' Doctor Who'', first broadcast on 19 June 2010 on BBC One. It is the first in a two-part finale; the second part, "The Big Bang" ...
Series 5 (2010).
Cast
Starring
*
Martin Landau
Martin James Landau (; June 20, 1928 – July 15, 2017) was an American actor, acting coach, producer, and editorial cartoonist. His career began in the 1950s, with early film appearances including a supporting role in Alfred Hitchcock's ''North ...
– Commander
John Koenig
*
Barbara Bain
Barbara Bain (born Mildred Fogel; September 13, 1931) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Cinnamon Carter on the action television series '' Mission: Impossible'' (1966–1969), which earned her three Primetime Emmy Awar ...
– Doctor
Helena Russell
Also starring
*
Catherine Schell
Catherine Schell (born Katherina ''Freiin'' Schell von Bauschlott, 17 July 1944) is a Hungarian-born actress who came to prominence in British film and television productions from the 1960s. Her notable roles include the Bond girl Nancy in '' ...
–
Maya
Maya may refer to:
Civilizations
* Maya peoples, of southern Mexico and northern Central America
** Maya civilization, the historical civilization of the Maya peoples
** Maya language, the languages of the Maya peoples
* Maya (Ethiopia), a populat ...
Featuring
*
Tony Anholt
Anthony Anholt (19 January 1941 – 26 July 2002) was a British television actor, known for his role as Charles Frere in the BBC drama series ''Howards' Way'' (1985–90). In 1974 he was cast as Mark Colebrook, a crooked architect in ''Contact B ...
–
Tony Verdeschi
Guest stars
*
Willoughby Goddard
Willoughby Wittenham Rees Goddard (4 July 1926 – 11 April 2008) was an English actor whose trademark rotund figure was well known on television and in films for more than 40 years.
Biography
Goddard was born in Bicester, Oxfordshire. He pl ...
– Taybor
Also featuring
*
Jeffery Kissoon
Jeffery Kissoon (born 4 September 1947) is an actor with credits in British theatre, television, film and radio. He has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company at venues such as the Royal National Theatre, under directors including Peter ...
– Doctor Ben Vincent
*
Yasuko Nagazumi
is a Japanese producer and manager responsible for print advertising campaigns on behalf of clients such as Armani, Donna Karan, Guess?, Pirelli and ''Vogue'' magazine, working with photographers such as Peter Lindbergh, Herb Ritts, Helmut Newt ...
– Yasko
* John Hug - Fraser
*
Rita Webb
Olive Rita Webb (25 February 1904 – 30 August 1981), later known as Olive Rita Thompson, was an English character actress, mainly in comedy roles. She was the eldest child of Henry Augustus Webb (1880–1926) and Rose Jeannette Keysor. She had ...
– slatternly woman
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Taylor, The
1976 British television episodes
Space: 1999 episodes