Since the day the moon broke out of its orbit, life for the Moonbase Alpha
personnel has been a strangely artificial existence, breathing made possible by the use of oxygen, life outside the base restricted
to movement in pressurised spacesuits. Now there is the prospect of normal life, with the warmth of a real sun, the
invigoration of fresh air.
They have found a new solar system with a planet Professor Bergman identifies as Ariel. Fears
that an alien attack is being made prove to be groundless when a satellite-shaped object lands, pouring out a gas which creates
fresh air. On the horizon, the long-forgotten sight of blue sky and a warm sun.
Gravity has returned. If the moon can go into orbit, the gravity will be almost exactly equivalent
to Earth's. Dubious at first, Commander Koenig and Doctor Helena Russell have to agree that the future is bright.
The Moon could become a new Earth. They could settle and build outside the Alpha base, fertilise the lunar dust and
raise crops, create rainfall with cloud-forming crystals.
Already, they can play games and sunbathe in the open, and for Paul Morrow and Sandra Benes there
is now hope of their love blossoming into a normal Earth-like relationship, creating a future with a home of their own and
children.
But a violent storm shakes the moon. Out on a recce in an Eagle, Helena, Paul and Sandra, piloted
by Alan Carter are caught in the turbulence. The Eagle crashes and they are trapped. Sandra is injured and their
water supply is contaminated. Then Paul, in search of water, finds a white substance, tastes it and finds it slakes
his thirst. They can survive.
He carries Sandra to the hut he builds, declaiming exultantly that the future is theirs, but Helena
and Alan realise that the situation is becoming even more desperate. Paul's mind has been affected by whatever it was
he tasted, and hopes of their being found by searchers from Moonbase Alpha are receding. And from the planet Ariel there
is at last verbal communication. The dream of the future is fading ...
Episode synopsis from Guide Book provided with the Digitally
Restored Network/Granada Ventures Series One Box Set
Copyright Granada Ventures
