Happy Birthday To Blade Runner’s Sean Young: Today In Science & Science Fiction
Being one of the lead roles in Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner is a feat any actor would be proud to have on their resume. Even though it wasn’t a financial success and earned mixed reviews at the time, its reputation has only grown as the years passed, and now it’s widely regarded as one of the best science fiction film of all time. For actress Sean Young, the role of the unwitting replicant Rachel has defined her career from that moment forward, which has got to be a blessing and a curse. She’s continued to appear in films and TV in the years since, but none of those roles have pulled her out from under Rachel’s long shadow. Still, the fact that people still remember and connect with that role some 30 years later, that’s an accomplishment few performers can claim. Young turns 54 today, and GFR wishes her a happy one!
Today in Television
Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Marathon (BBC America, 2 a.m. / 1 a.m. Central)
David Tennant’s tenure is arguably the most beloved of the modern incarnations, because damn did he give good Doctor. If you’re looking for an excuse to revisit the Tennant years, BBC America has got your back with a day-long Tennant marathon. Most of today’s episodes are from the fourth season, leading up to the standalone “one-shot” specials that wrapped up Tennant’s tenure.
How the Earth Works (Science, 10/9c) — “Ice Age or Hell Fire?”
I’m not sure if that’s supposed to be a hypothetical question. “Evidence of the Ice Age is sought in North America.”
Nova (PBS, 8/7c) — “At the Edge of Space”/”Asteroid: Doomsday or Payday?”
Get a double-dose of science!
At the Edge of Space: A high-flying weather observation plane skirts the earth-space boundary zone in a search for sprites, which are fleeting flashes that flicker upwards from thunderstorms for a split-second. Included: footage shot from the International Space Station.
Asteroid: Doomsday or Payday?: The dichotomy that surrounds asteroids is examined. On the one hand, a large asteroid could end life on Earth. On the other hand, however, some asteroids could provide a massive payday for intrepid entrepreneurs, as they can contain billions of dollars’ worth of such elements as iron, nickel and even platinum.
Revolution (NBC, 8/7c) — “Everyone Says I Love You”
Rachel’s relationship with Gene remains strained; Charlie demonstrates her maturity; Neville gives Jason a determined proclamation.
The Tomorrow People (The CW, 9/8c) — “Limbo”
NO MANS LAND — When Stephen (Robbie Amell) decides to have some fun with his newfound powers, Jedikiah (Mark Pellegrino) takes extreme measures to make sure it doesn’t happen again. After John (Luke Mitchell) and Russell (Aaron Yoo) return from their trip, John feels a strange tension between himself and Cara Peyton List). Stephen tries to handle a new and dangerous breakout on his own, but finds himself in over his head and needing help from his fellow Tomorrow People. Meanwhile, Stephen has a moment of clarity when it comes to his father, and is more determined than ever to figure out what happened to him.
Today in Comics
Battlestar Galactica: Starbuck #1 (Dynamite Entertainment)
Not the cute badass blonde. This is back when Starbuck was still Face from The A-Team.
Finally, the origin of Lt. Starbuck is told by #1 New York Times bestselling author Tony Lee! See how Starbuck became a Viper pilot, his first meeting with Apollo and why Adama treats him like a son — as he pieces together what really happened the night he was orphaned, and the name of the traitor who ordered it…
Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time #12 (IDW Publishing)
Our yearlong celebration of Doctor Who‘s 50th anniversary concludes! All eleven Doctors must team up if there’s any hope of defeating his latest and most surprising adversary! Everything has been leading up to this epic conclusion!
Mars Attacks: The Human Condition (IDW Publishing)
Mars Attacks The Holidays and Mars Attacks: Classics Obliterated are collected into one volume by some of comics’ most talented creators. Halloween, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas aren’t safe from these alien invaders and neither are such literary classics as Moby Dick, Jekyll & Hyde, and Robinson Crusoe.
Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi — Force War #1 (Dark Horse Comics)
The fearsome Rakata have invaded the Tython system, and war rages on every world. With Forcesabers in hand, the Je’daii have aligned themselves with unlikely generals: Daegen Lok, the mad Je’daii, and the stranger, the Force Hound Xesh—one the devil they know, the other the wild card they don’t!
