A Space Oddity (CSI)
Encyclopedia
"A Space Oddity" is the 20th episode of the ninth season
of the CBS
show, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
. It first aired in May 2009.
Tricia Helfer
and Mark Sheppard
, who respectively played Number Six
and Romo Lampkin
on Battlestar Galactica, both appeared in the CSI season two episode "The Hunger Artist". Melinda Clarke
, who plays Lady Heather
on CSI, auditioned for the role of Number Six, but finally lost to Helfer.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (season 9)
The ninth season of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation premiered on CBS on October 9, 2008 and ended May 14, 2009.-Notable cast members:-Episodes:-References:...
of the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
show, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
. It first aired in May 2009.
Summary
The Lab rats solve a murder that takes place at a Science Fiction convention about Astro Quest. A "re-imagining" of this very well known cult sci-fi show is being promoted at the convention by a wannabe filmmaker (a fan of the show), but the die-hard fans hate the re-imaging (which appears to run counter to the original series' philosophy), which makes for a large suspect pool after he is found murdered. Hodges and Wendy bump into each other at the convention, and both quietly realize they are kind of perfect for each other (Hodges even stating this in Velikon, a language Wendy cannot understand and has to translate). Hodges has elaborate fantasies throughout the show, enacting scenes and characters from the famous sci-fi show, which affect his work, something he blames Wendy for, leading to an argument where they confess their feelings, Wendy finally exclaiming "It's good you're having fantasies because it means you're not as oblivious as everyone around here seems to think!" though despite advice and encouragement from other CSI's neither seems willing to make the first move.Allusions and parodies
- Astro Quest is a spoof of Star TrekStar TrekStar Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
. The costumes and sets are similar to those from Trek. One of the episodes depicted even mimics the sets and situations of "The Gamesters of Triskelion". The episode was written by former Star Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
writer/producer Naren ShankarNaren ShankarNaren Shankar is a writer, producer and director of several television series. As a writer Shankar has contributed with works for Farscape, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Night Visions, The Outer Limits, The Chronicle, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, seaQuest 2032, and Star Trek: Voyager.After...
. Ronald D. MooreRonald D. MooreRonald Dowl Moore is an American screenwriter and television producer best known for his work on Star Trek and the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica miniseries and television series, for which he won a Peabody Award for creative excellence in 2005 and an Emmy Award in 2008.-Early life and...
was also a Trek writer/producer, Liz Vassey was a guest star on the Star Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
episode "Conundrum", and Kate Vernon and Wallace Langham were also guest stars on Star Trek: VoyagerStar Trek: VoyagerStar Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while...
. - Liz Vassey spoofs characters from two episodes from Star Trek: TOS, the first being "Shahna" from "The Gamesters of Triskelion" then the Orion Dancing Girl from the pilot episode "The Cage". Liz Vassey also spoofs the character of Yeoman Janice Rand from Star Trek: TOS at the Astro Quest convention scene.
- Wallace Langham spoofs both Captains James T. Kirk and Christopher Pike from "Star Trek: TOS".
- Conversely, Astro Quest Redux is similar to the re-envisioned Battlestar GalacticaBattlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)Battlestar Galactica is an American military science fiction television series, and part of the Battlestar Galactica franchise. The show was developed by Ronald D. Moore as a re-imagining of the 1978 Battlestar Galactica television series created by Glen A. Larson...
, whose producer Ronald D. Moore along with Galactica actors Grace ParkGrace Park (actress)Grace Park is an American-born Canadian actress. She gained recognition as Sharon Valerii on Battlestar Galactica, as well as Shannon Ng in the Canadian television series teen soap Edgemont...
and Rekha SharmaRekha SharmaRekha Shanti Sharma is a Canadian actress best known for her portrayal of Tory Foster on Battlestar Galactica.Her ancestors are from the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, which they left during the British period. Her family resettled in the Fiji Islands and her parents moved to Canada...
, make cameo appearances. (The three appear in a science fiction convention scene, with Moore denouncing the grimmer tone of the remake while Park and Sharma play audience members.) - The Bridge set for Astro Quest Redux was a reused set from both the USS Prometheus NX-59650 and the USS Dauntless NX-01 from the Star Trek: VoyagerStar Trek: VoyagerStar Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while...
episodes "Message in a Bottle" and "Timeless" - When HodgesDavid Hodges (CSI)David Hodges is a fictional character on the CBS crime drama, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, portrayed by Wallace Langham. Hodges has a habit of giving far more information than anyone wants to hear while explaining things and is very afraid of germs....
discovers the murder, he flips opens his cell phone in the manner of a Star Trek communicator and calls Det. Jim BrassJim BrassJames "Jim" Brass is a fictional character from the CBS crime drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, portrayed by Paul Guilfoyle. Jim appeared in every episode, with exception of "Felonious Monk" from season two, "Gum Drops" and "The Unusual Suspect" from season six, "Leaving Las Vegas" from season...
. "There's a situation with one of the exhibitors," he says. "He's dead, Jim like Leonard McCoy. - The "Vellikon" language used in the episode is a spoof of KlingoneseKlingon languageThe Klingon language is the constructed language spoken by the fictional Klingons in the Star Trek universe....
. Its written alphabet is Aurebesh.
| Actual Sci-Fi Crossovers | ||||
| Actor | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Star Trek (TOS - Spinoffs) | Battlestar Galactica | Other Sci-Fi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liz Vassey Liz Vassey Liz Vassey is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Emily Ann Sago on All My Children, Captain Liberty in The Tick, and Wendy Simms in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.- Career :... |
Wendy Simms Wendy Simms Wendy Simms is a fictional character on the CBS crime drama, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, portrayed by Liz Vassey.-Fictional character biography:... , DNA Tech |
Kristin (TNG Episode: Conundrum) 1992 | N/A | N/A |
| Wallace Langham Wallace Langham James Wallace Langham II is an American actor. He currently plays the role of David Hodges in the American crime drama television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.-Film career:... |
David Hodges David Hodges (CSI) David Hodges is a fictional character on the CBS crime drama, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, portrayed by Wallace Langham. Hodges has a habit of giving far more information than anyone wants to hear while explaining things and is very afraid of germs.... , Trace Analyst |
Flotter T. Water (VOY Episode: Once Upon a Time) 1998 | N/A | N/A |
| Kate Vernon Kate Vernon Kate Vernon is a Canadian-born film and television actress. She is best known for her roles as Lorraine Prescott on the CBS soap opera Falcon Crest from , the stuck-up and popular Benny Hanson in the comedy film Pretty in Pink , Mary-John Lovejoy in The Lost Colony Feature of Lovejoy and... |
Dr. Penelope Russell | Cmdr. Valerie Archer (VOY Episode: In The Flesh) | Ellen Tigh | "The Outer Limits" as Judy Warren in episode "Josh" (1998) and Tricia Lange in episode "Blood Brothers" (1995) |
| Grace Park Grace Park (actress) Grace Park is an American-born Canadian actress. She gained recognition as Sharon Valerii on Battlestar Galactica, as well as Shannon Ng in the Canadian television series teen soap Edgemont... |
Convention Attendee | N/A | Lt. Sharon 'Boomer' Valerii / Lt. Sharon 'Athena' Agathon / Number Eight | "The Outer Limits" as "Satchko" in episodes "Time to Time" (2001) and as a "Virtual Avatar" in "Bits of Love" (1997) |
| Ronald D. Moore Ronald D. Moore Ronald Dowl Moore is an American screenwriter and television producer best known for his work on Star Trek and the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica miniseries and television series, for which he won a Peabody Award for creative excellence in 2005 and an Emmy Award in 2008.-Early life and... |
Convention Attendee | Co-Producer/Executive Producer of Star Trek: TNG, DS9, and Voyager | Producer of Battlestar Galactica and its spinoff Caprica | Producer of TV series "Virtuality" |
| Rekha Sharma Rekha Sharma Rekha Shanti Sharma is a Canadian actress best known for her portrayal of Tory Foster on Battlestar Galactica.Her ancestors are from the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, which they left during the British period. Her family resettled in the Fiji Islands and her parents moved to Canada... |
Convention Attendee | N/A | Tory Foster | TV Series "Smallville" as Dr. Harden, The Outer Limits episode "Mind Reacher" (2001) as "Reese", and Dark Angel as Dr. Beverly Shankar |
Tricia Helfer
Tricia Helfer
Tricia Janine Helfer is a Canadian actress and former model, best known for her roles as Number Six in the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica miniseries and television series, "Carla" on Burn Notice, and FBI Special Agent Alex Rice on Dark Blue, as well as for hosting the first season of Canada's...
and Mark Sheppard
Mark Sheppard
Mark Andreas Sheppard is an English actor and musician, born in London of an Irish-German background. He is often credited as "Mark A. Sheppard".-Personal life:Mark Sheppard is the son of actor W. Morgan Sheppard...
, who respectively played Number Six
Number Six (Battlestar Galactica)
Number Six is a family of fictional characters from the reimagined science fiction television series, Battlestar Galactica. She is portrayed by Canadian actress and model Tricia Helfer. Of the twelve known Cylon models, she is the sixth of the "Significant Seven"...
and Romo Lampkin
Romo Lampkin
Romo Lampkin is a fictional character in the television remake of Battlestar Galactica. He is portrayed by Mark Sheppard. He first appeared in the third season episode, "The Son Also Rises"....
on Battlestar Galactica, both appeared in the CSI season two episode "The Hunger Artist". Melinda Clarke
Melinda Clarke
Melinda Patrice Clarke is an American actress who has primarily worked in television. Clarke is best known for playing Faith Taylor on the daytime drama Days of our Lives, the manipulative and cunning Julie Cooper-Nichol on The O.C., and the professional dominatrix Lady Heather on CSI...
, who plays Lady Heather
Lady Heather
Heather Kessler, also known as Lady Heather, is a fictional character on the CBS crime drama CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, portrayed by Melinda Clarke....
on CSI, auditioned for the role of Number Six, but finally lost to Helfer.
Related episodes
Lab Rats episodes:- "Lab Rats"
- "You Kill Me"
- "Field Mice"