seaQuest DSV - 1x05 - Games
Episode Guide
Created: March 26, 2003
Last Updated: April 24, 2003
Episode Credits
Written by: David Venable
Directed by: Joe Nopolitano
Guest star: Alan Scarfe
Summary
When a bio-warfare criminal escapes from a cryogenic ice prison, the seaQuest crew must figure out who he is and how to stop him before he can unleash his fury on the world.
Story Analysis
-It is interesting that no one(like redshir...I mean, blue jump-suit ensigns) end up dying in this episode. I can see only two plausible reasons why Dr. Zellar would have bothered not to let his "venom" kill any of the crew. The first is risk of self-contamination, since he apparently values his own life very highly. The second is that he doesn't want to anger Bridger (or the already malevolent Ford) too greatly so as to keep him more willing to cooperate since he hasn't hasn't hurt any of his(Bridger's) people. It is possible that he managed to hack into Bridger's file since "obviously [he] tapped into our communications." From this, Dr. Zellar would have learned that one of the most important things to Bridger is the safety of his crew, cushioning his belief that Bridger would submit to his demands. There is, of course, a third possibility that he didn't have enough materials available to make his "venom" lethal. However, given the vast array of chemicals that the labs aboard seaQuest are probably equipped with(and having seen a couple of McGyver episodes) I seriously doubt it.
Story Facts
- Dr. Westphalen's brother, Dr. James R. Westphalen, led a multi-national geological research team on an expedition to Island A-247 in the Indian Ocean. All 500 members of this team were "exterminated" by an unknown toxin. Bio-warfare specialist, Dr. Rubin Zellar claimed responsibility. This incident is recorded as "A-247 Incident Indian Ocean" in the UEO database. The testimonial file is dated: "Date 04-07." If there was a third set of numbers for the year(Ex. 04-07 -03) it was cut off the screen. In addition, I believe we can safely assume that, since this was produced and filmed in the USA, the 04 stands for the month and the 07 stands for the day. April 7th, ???? Now whether or not this date is an indication of when the described events took place or when the court case was opened or when the case was closed is unknown.
-Dr. Rubin Zellar, bio-warfare specialist with degrees in bio-chemical engineering, nuclear physics, and laser technology is thought to be "...responsible for thousands of deaths. Most by toxic poisoning." Allegedly, he was hired by the governments of more than one sovereign nations to carry out biological warfare. After the wars in which this warfare was used ended in 2010 these "countries burned their files" on him. He claimed responsibility for the "extermination" of the geological research team on Island A-247. A joint assembly of the UN sentenced him to life in prison. At some point it was decided to put him in cryogenic freeze send him to the Kersh Ice Prison in the Arctic Ocean. For over a year he remained the prison's only inmate. He was later taken aboard seaQuest under the assumption he was the prison's warden when the prison caught fire in 2018. His ploy was eventually foiled. After his time aboard seaQuest he was frozen and sent to Pearl Harbor where it was expected he would be moved to a proper facility. Presumably he would have been kept "on ice" until his body deterioted beyond the preservative measures of cryogenics. But who knows... "I have this terrible habit of over-estimating my opponents." -Dr. Rubin Zellar
- Kersh Ice Prison was located under the Mackenzie Shelf in the Arctic Ocean. It was destroyed in 2018. All personel, including Warden Briggs and his two assistants, were reported dead. The only survivor was the prison's only inmate, Dr. Rubin Zellar. It is believed that a fire in the power station is what prompted an evacuation and led to its destruction. Anything beyond that is unknown.
-Krieg attempts to sell 250 pairs of self-heating thermal long-johns on the blackmarket. Of course, Bridger puts a stop to that plan. Poor Krieg and poor Lucas are forced to wash the clothes by hand...after the crew have worn them for awhile...
Screen Notes
-Look at the screen behind Dr. Zellar when they're in Missile Control. Displayed on it is a security camera view of the seaQuest's missile launch bay. CG, but very well done.
-Take note of Bridger's Launch Key. It looks kinda neat.
-The layout and configuration of the seaQuest's nuclear missiles is also visible in this episode.
Quotes
Lucas: This thing is wrapped tighter than Krieg's wallet.
Lucas: So, I ran a multi-cross-systems global searching dump.
Bridger: Well, that sounds painful. What the hell is that?
Bridger: There are two kinds of people in this world that make me crazy; those who take advantage of people and those who watch and don't turn them in. You two have a nice day.
Ballard Facts
Hi, I'm Bob Ballard from Wood's Hole. The DSV in seaQuest stands for Deep Submergence Vehicle. The seaQuest is the deepest diving submarine in the year 2018. The doors behind me are closed when seaQuest makes a deep dive and these outer compartments are flooded to protect the crew from the tremendous pressures of the deep. seaQuest is our look into the future which will challenge the next generation of explorers. Join us on the continuing adventures of seaQuest DSV.
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Compiled by Daniel G. Williams with help from Patricia Lovelady
Source: A copy of seaQuest DSV episode 1x05 Games
The script was not used in compiling this episode guide.
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