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Maya (Space: 1999)
Encyclopedia
Maya is a fictional character who appeared in the second series of the science fiction
television program Space: 1999
. Played by actress Catherine Schell
(who also made a first season appearance as a different character), Maya was introduced in the second series opener 'The Metamorph
'. Maya is in her early twenties, and is a native of the planet Psychon.
(Brian Blessed
); her mother had died before the events depicted in 'The Metamorph
'. She had one brother, also a scientist, who sat with their father on Psychon's High Scientific Council. Psychon's science and technology was far in advance of Earth's at the time of the Alphans' encounter with this planet; the manipulation and transmutation of matter at the molecular level was commonplace.
Maya recounts her upbringing as essentially idyllic. The planet Pscyhon had a peaceful and happy culture. Its people were all of one race, one religion and one government; with an over-abundance of natural resources, there was no separation of classes. The world of her youth was soon lost in an environmental disaster; intense volcanic activity laid waste to the entire planet. The escalation of the surface temperature to an average 180 degrees Fahrenheit made life there impossible. The surviving Psychons were forced to retreat to underground compounds to survive.
For some unknown reason, the Psychons were unable to manipulate the environment to save their world; Maya's brother and a thousand others instead opted to build spaceships and leave Psychon. All other Psychons followed their example, and ultimately Mentor and Maya were left alone on the dying planet. Mentor remained, believing he could restore Psychon with the help of his biological computer Psyche
. (Maya once told John Koenig
that she also knew he would never leave her late mother.)
Psyche, capable of molecular transformation, drew its power from the mental energy of intelligent beings. Unknown to Maya, rapport with Psyche left its victims brain-damaged. Mentor intimated that he may have used not only those space travellers unfortunate enough to approach Psychon as fodder for Psyche, but some of his own people as well.
The arrival in the Psychon system of Earth's wandering Moon and its 297 human inhabitants gave Mentor his best opportunity to fulfill his dream. Mentor's attempt to capture the Alphans failed; Psyche was attacked by Commander Koenig and fatally damaged. The energy released destroyed the already unstable planet. Mentor elected to stay behind and perished in the explosion, but Koenig and company managed to escape with Maya and brought her to Moonbase Alpha
to live with the Alphans.
In appearance, Maya is a slender young woman with auburn hair. A brown peak extends down from her hairline and identical brown colouring under her cheekbones resembles 'sideburns'. (In the first nine episodes, Maya has dark brown ear
s as well; this was abandoned without an on-screen explanation as some executives felt the makeup made her ears look 'dirty'; at this time, the 'sideburns' became less dramatic as well.) Her eyebrows are a line of wart-like 'octopods' that are a distinctive genetic
characteristic of the Psychon race. (Actress Catherine Schell
collaborated with Production Designer Keith Wilson
in the development of the Maya makeup and has stated she would have like to have seen Maya with a dark neck and a peak extending upwards from her chin and arms that were pigmented on the tops and light on the bottoms. Discarded concepts also included a curly white wig and contacts with white star-shaped pupils that the actress could not tolerate.)
Maya is a fully emotional being throughout the series. She has an impish sense of humor and sometimes uses her powers as a metamorph to play practical jokes ('The Exiles
', 'Journey to Where
' and 'The Bringers of Wonder, Part One
'). She tends to be a bit too trusting of others ('The Taybor' and 'Dorzak'), perhaps due to her sheltered upbringing. She enjoys a playfully flirtatious romantic connection to Tony Verdeschi
and enjoys teasing him about the lack of quality of his homemade beer
. During the stressful events of 'The Beta Cloud
', Verdeschi professes his love for her; even though later he tries to take it back, they progress to a proper relationship afterwards.
In addition to her love affair with Verdeschi, Maya has formed close friendships with John Koenig
, Helena Russell
and Alan Carter
. Alpha geologist Dave Reilly and Taybor the trader were would-be suitors that an unintersted Maya quickly discouraged.
Maya was featured in 'The Metamorph
', 'The Taybor', 'The Rules of Luton', 'New Adam, New Eve
', 'The AB Chrysalis', 'Seed Of Destruction
', 'The Beta Cloud
', 'The Bringers Of Wonder
', 'Dorzak', and 'The Dorcons
'. She was also seen, but played smaller roles in the 'double-up' episodes 'The Mark of Archanon
', 'Catacombs of the Moon
' and 'Space Warp'. Her appearance in 'Devil's Planet
' was limited to flashback images only.
. Maya is able to change into any lifeform — insect, reptile, plant, mammal, humanoid (including ugly space monsters) — for about an hour. She has used her ability to get the crew of Moonbase Alpha out of a variety of problematic situations.
Maya was instructed on how to change form by Mentor, and from mastery of this skill has come to be known as a metamorph capable of molecular transformation. She achieves this transformation by concentrating on the molecular structure of the creature she wishes to emulate. While transformed, she retains her own knowledge and identity. In 'All That Glisters
', it is noted that she can transform into anything organic. It is noted that Maya can only hold a form for one hour. In 'The Taybor', a kidnapped Maya is able to win her freedom from her captor by threatening to lock herself into a hideous transformation "forever" (one must assume she was understandably fibbing in this case). In the episode 'The Rules of Luton' is also implied that, after the hour, she must change back to her original form rather than transforming directly to a different form. (This was seen to not be true as Maya had been pictured changing directly from one animal form to another in 'The Metamorph
' and 'The Taybor'.) Maya has also been witnessed transforming selected parts of her body; for example, her hairstyle. Her clothing and any accessories in contact with her body, if desired, can also be involved in the transformation.
When seriously ill or feverish, Psychons have been known to lose 'molecular control' and, in their delirium, transform uncontrollably into random lifeforms. During the events of 'Space Warp' a delirious Maya used her abilities to thwart any attempt to restrain or control her while transformed; her sub-conscious mind was still able to make appropriate transformation choices for each situation. The Alphans were finally able to capture her and nurse her back to health before she attained her delusional goal: to escape from the Moon and return to Psychon — to save her father.
The ability to shape-change is not known by all Psychons, as mentioned in the episode 'Dorzak' which featured the deranged Psychon prisoner of that name. He did not initially know how to transform, but used his powers of hypnosis on Maya to make her teach him how to do so. The fact that he learned it so quickly could indicate it is possibly a latent ability in all Psychons, but this is never expanded upon.
Although never stated in the programme, this talent may have something to do with the unique regenerative characteristics of the Psychon brain-stem, which is sought by their imperialistic enemies the Dorcons
. The Dorcons have hunted Psychons throughout their history as they believe a Psychon brain-stem grants them virtual immortality when surigcally grafted onto a Dorcon brain. In an encounter with the Imperial Archon and his entourage in 'The Dorcons
', the Alphans witnessed the infighting within the imperial court that destroyed the dying leader and his heir. There is no guarantee that other members of this species will not, some day, come searching for what they believe is the last of the Psychons.
(who had previously worked on Star Trek
) to create a female version of the Mr. Spock character. She, however, became a hit with many viewers and Schell's performance as Maya was considered by many to be the main upside to the second series of Space: 1999. A third series of Space: 1999 was in the works, with a spin-off
series based on Maya running in conjunction, but neither transpired by the end of the run.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
television program Space: 1999
Space: 1999
Space: 1999 is a British science-fiction television series that ran for two seasons and originally aired from 1975 to 1977. In the opening episode, nuclear waste from Earth stored on the Moon's far side explodes in a catastrophic accident on 13 September 1999, knocking the Moon out of orbit and...
. Played by actress Catherine Schell
Catherine Schell
Katherina Freiin Schell von Bauschlott is an Hungarian-born actress best known for her work on British televison.Schell rose to fame in various British film and television productions in the 1960s and 1970s...
(who also made a first season appearance as a different character), Maya was introduced in the second series opener 'The Metamorph
The Metamorph
"The Metamorph" is the first episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Johnny Byrne; the director was Charles Crichton. Previous titles were 'The Biological Soul' and 'The Biological Computer'. The final shooting script is dated 19 January 1976...
'. Maya is in her early twenties, and is a native of the planet Psychon.
Character biography
Maya is the daughter of the accomplished Psychon scientist MentorMentor
In Greek mythology, Mentor was the son of Alcimus or Anchialus. In his old age Mentor was a friend of Odysseus who placed Mentor and Odysseus' foster-brother Eumaeus in charge of his son Telemachus, and of Odysseus' palace, when Odysseus left for the Trojan War.When Athena visited Telemachus she...
(Brian Blessed
Brian Blessed
Brian Blessed is an English actor, known for his sonorous voice and "hearty, king-sized portrayals".-Early life:The son of William Blessed, a socialist miner, and Hilda Wall, Blessed was born in the town of Goldthorpe, West Riding of Yorkshire, England...
); her mother had died before the events depicted in 'The Metamorph
The Metamorph
"The Metamorph" is the first episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Johnny Byrne; the director was Charles Crichton. Previous titles were 'The Biological Soul' and 'The Biological Computer'. The final shooting script is dated 19 January 1976...
'. She had one brother, also a scientist, who sat with their father on Psychon's High Scientific Council. Psychon's science and technology was far in advance of Earth's at the time of the Alphans' encounter with this planet; the manipulation and transmutation of matter at the molecular level was commonplace.
Maya recounts her upbringing as essentially idyllic. The planet Pscyhon had a peaceful and happy culture. Its people were all of one race, one religion and one government; with an over-abundance of natural resources, there was no separation of classes. The world of her youth was soon lost in an environmental disaster; intense volcanic activity laid waste to the entire planet. The escalation of the surface temperature to an average 180 degrees Fahrenheit made life there impossible. The surviving Psychons were forced to retreat to underground compounds to survive.
For some unknown reason, the Psychons were unable to manipulate the environment to save their world; Maya's brother and a thousand others instead opted to build spaceships and leave Psychon. All other Psychons followed their example, and ultimately Mentor and Maya were left alone on the dying planet. Mentor remained, believing he could restore Psychon with the help of his biological computer Psyche
Psyche (psychology)
The word psyche has a long history of use in psychology and philosophy, dating back to ancient times, and has been one of the fundamental concepts for understanding human nature from a scientific point of view. The English word soul is sometimes used synonymously, especially in older...
. (Maya once told John Koenig
John Koenig
John Koenig is a fictional character from the television series Space: 1999. He was played by Martin Landau. He is American, apparently in his early forties.-Character Biography:...
that she also knew he would never leave her late mother.)
Psyche, capable of molecular transformation, drew its power from the mental energy of intelligent beings. Unknown to Maya, rapport with Psyche left its victims brain-damaged. Mentor intimated that he may have used not only those space travellers unfortunate enough to approach Psychon as fodder for Psyche, but some of his own people as well.
The arrival in the Psychon system of Earth's wandering Moon and its 297 human inhabitants gave Mentor his best opportunity to fulfill his dream. Mentor's attempt to capture the Alphans failed; Psyche was attacked by Commander Koenig and fatally damaged. The energy released destroyed the already unstable planet. Mentor elected to stay behind and perished in the explosion, but Koenig and company managed to escape with Maya and brought her to Moonbase Alpha
Moonbase Alpha
Moonbase Alpha is a fictional moon base and the main setting in the science fiction television series Space: 1999.-Moonbase Alpha:Located in the Moon crater Plato and constructed out of quarried rock and ores, Moonbase Alpha is four kilometres in diameter and extends up to one kilometre in areas...
to live with the Alphans.
In appearance, Maya is a slender young woman with auburn hair. A brown peak extends down from her hairline and identical brown colouring under her cheekbones resembles 'sideburns'. (In the first nine episodes, Maya has dark brown ear
Ear
The ear is the organ that detects sound. It not only receives sound, but also aids in balance and body position. The ear is part of the auditory system....
s as well; this was abandoned without an on-screen explanation as some executives felt the makeup made her ears look 'dirty'; at this time, the 'sideburns' became less dramatic as well.) Her eyebrows are a line of wart-like 'octopods' that are a distinctive genetic
Genetics
Genetics , a discipline of biology, is the science of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms....
characteristic of the Psychon race. (Actress Catherine Schell
Catherine Schell
Katherina Freiin Schell von Bauschlott is an Hungarian-born actress best known for her work on British televison.Schell rose to fame in various British film and television productions in the 1960s and 1970s...
collaborated with Production Designer Keith Wilson
Keith Wilson
Keith Wilson may refer to:*Keith Wilson , English writer, performance poet, musician and broadcaster*Keith Wilson , American mixed martial artist...
in the development of the Maya makeup and has stated she would have like to have seen Maya with a dark neck and a peak extending upwards from her chin and arms that were pigmented on the tops and light on the bottoms. Discarded concepts also included a curly white wig and contacts with white star-shaped pupils that the actress could not tolerate.)
Series Two
Maya was rapidly integrated into the Alpha community; in less than two months after her arrival, she had attained the position of scientific officer, was head of the Research Section and had a posting in Command Centre. Maya is a brilliant intellect and has lightning-fast computational skills; she has proven to be quicker than Alpha's Main Computer, thanks to her training in Psychon's advanced mathematics. She has proven to be an able pilot and accompanies many of the exploratory missions.Maya is a fully emotional being throughout the series. She has an impish sense of humor and sometimes uses her powers as a metamorph to play practical jokes ('The Exiles
The Exiles
"The Exiles" is a science fiction short story by Ray Bradbury. It was originally published as "The Mad Wizards of Mars" in Maclean's on 15 September 1949 and was reprinted the following year by Fantasy Fiction, Inc...
', 'Journey to Where
Journey to Where
"Journey to Where" is the fifth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Donald James; the director was Tom Clegg. The final shooting script is dated 18 February 1976, with amendments dated 2 March, 4 March, 11 March, 17 March, 18 March, 22 March and 25 March 1976...
' and 'The Bringers of Wonder, Part One
The Bringers of Wonder, Part One
"The Bringers of Wonder, Part One" is the seventeenth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Terence Feely; the director was Tom Clegg. The final shooting script is dated 23 June 1976...
'). She tends to be a bit too trusting of others ('The Taybor' and 'Dorzak'), perhaps due to her sheltered upbringing. She enjoys a playfully flirtatious romantic connection to Tony Verdeschi
Tony Verdeschi
Tony Verdeschi is a fictional character who first appeared in the second series of the science fiction television series Space: 1999. He is in his early thirties....
and enjoys teasing him about the lack of quality of his homemade beer
Beer
Beer is the world's most widely consumed andprobably oldest alcoholic beverage; it is the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of sugars, mainly derived from malted cereal grains, most commonly malted barley and malted wheat...
. During the stressful events of 'The Beta Cloud
The Beta Cloud
"The Beta Cloud" is the fourteenth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Charles Woodgrove ; the director was Robert Lynn. The final shooting script is dated 11 June 1976...
', Verdeschi professes his love for her; even though later he tries to take it back, they progress to a proper relationship afterwards.
In addition to her love affair with Verdeschi, Maya has formed close friendships with John Koenig
John Koenig
John Koenig is a fictional character from the television series Space: 1999. He was played by Martin Landau. He is American, apparently in his early forties.-Character Biography:...
, Helena Russell
Helena Russell
Helena Russell is a fictional character from the television series Space: 1999. She was played by Barbara Bain. She is American and apparently in her mid-thirties....
and Alan Carter
Alan Carter (Space 1999)
Alan Carter is a fictional character from the television series Space: 1999. He was played by Nick Tate. He is of Australian origin and is in his early thirties.-Character biography:...
. Alpha geologist Dave Reilly and Taybor the trader were would-be suitors that an unintersted Maya quickly discouraged.
Maya was featured in 'The Metamorph
The Metamorph
"The Metamorph" is the first episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Johnny Byrne; the director was Charles Crichton. Previous titles were 'The Biological Soul' and 'The Biological Computer'. The final shooting script is dated 19 January 1976...
', 'The Taybor', 'The Rules of Luton', 'New Adam, New Eve
New Adam, New Eve
"New Adam, New Eve" is the tenth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Terence Feely; the director was Charles Crichton. The final shooting script is dated 29 April 1976...
', 'The AB Chrysalis', 'Seed Of Destruction
Seed of Destruction (Space: 1999)
"Seed of Destruction" is the thirteenth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by John Goldsmith; the director was Kevin Connor. The final shooting script is dated 25 May 1976...
', 'The Beta Cloud
The Beta Cloud
"The Beta Cloud" is the fourteenth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Charles Woodgrove ; the director was Robert Lynn. The final shooting script is dated 11 June 1976...
', 'The Bringers Of Wonder
The Bringers of Wonder, Part One
"The Bringers of Wonder, Part One" is the seventeenth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Terence Feely; the director was Tom Clegg. The final shooting script is dated 23 June 1976...
', 'Dorzak', and 'The Dorcons
The Dorcons
"The Dorcons" is the twenty-fourth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Johnny Byrne; the director was Tom Clegg. Original titles were 'Last of the Psychons' and 'Return of the Dorcons'. The final shooting script is dated 17 November 1976...
'. She was also seen, but played smaller roles in the 'double-up' episodes 'The Mark of Archanon
The Mark of Archanon
"The Mark of Archanon" is the eighth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Lew Schwarz; the director was Charles Crichton. The final shooting script is dated 12 April 1976, with amendments dated 21 April, 26 April, 27 April and 28 April 1976...
', 'Catacombs of the Moon
Catacombs of the Moon
"Catacombs of the Moon" is the eleventh episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Anthony Terpiloff; the director was Robert Lynn. The original title was 'The Catacombs of the Moon'. The final shooting script is dated 18 May 1976, with amendments dated 26 May, 9...
' and 'Space Warp'. Her appearance in 'Devil's Planet
Devil's Planet
"Devil's Planet" is the twenty-second episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Michael Winder; the director was Tom Clegg. The original title was 'Devil's Moon'. The final shooting script is dated 9 September 1976...
' was limited to flashback images only.
A Metamorph
The Psychon race, due to its unique cellular and molecular structure, has the ability to metamorphoseMétamorphose
"Métamorphose" - a song by French singer Amanda Lear released in 1989 by Carrere Records.- Song information :"Métamorphose" was the first single from Amanda's French-Italian album Tant qu'il y aura des hommes. The album was actually a re-release of Uomini più uomini, and consisted mostly of down-...
. Maya is able to change into any lifeform — insect, reptile, plant, mammal, humanoid (including ugly space monsters) — for about an hour. She has used her ability to get the crew of Moonbase Alpha out of a variety of problematic situations.
Maya was instructed on how to change form by Mentor, and from mastery of this skill has come to be known as a metamorph capable of molecular transformation. She achieves this transformation by concentrating on the molecular structure of the creature she wishes to emulate. While transformed, she retains her own knowledge and identity. In 'All That Glisters
All That Glisters (Space: 1999)
"All That Glisters" is the fourth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Keith Miles; the director was Ray Austin. The final shooting script is dated 9 March 1976...
', it is noted that she can transform into anything organic. It is noted that Maya can only hold a form for one hour. In 'The Taybor', a kidnapped Maya is able to win her freedom from her captor by threatening to lock herself into a hideous transformation "forever" (one must assume she was understandably fibbing in this case). In the episode 'The Rules of Luton' is also implied that, after the hour, she must change back to her original form rather than transforming directly to a different form. (This was seen to not be true as Maya had been pictured changing directly from one animal form to another in 'The Metamorph
The Metamorph
"The Metamorph" is the first episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Johnny Byrne; the director was Charles Crichton. Previous titles were 'The Biological Soul' and 'The Biological Computer'. The final shooting script is dated 19 January 1976...
' and 'The Taybor'.) Maya has also been witnessed transforming selected parts of her body; for example, her hairstyle. Her clothing and any accessories in contact with her body, if desired, can also be involved in the transformation.
When seriously ill or feverish, Psychons have been known to lose 'molecular control' and, in their delirium, transform uncontrollably into random lifeforms. During the events of 'Space Warp' a delirious Maya used her abilities to thwart any attempt to restrain or control her while transformed; her sub-conscious mind was still able to make appropriate transformation choices for each situation. The Alphans were finally able to capture her and nurse her back to health before she attained her delusional goal: to escape from the Moon and return to Psychon — to save her father.
The ability to shape-change is not known by all Psychons, as mentioned in the episode 'Dorzak' which featured the deranged Psychon prisoner of that name. He did not initially know how to transform, but used his powers of hypnosis on Maya to make her teach him how to do so. The fact that he learned it so quickly could indicate it is possibly a latent ability in all Psychons, but this is never expanded upon.
Although never stated in the programme, this talent may have something to do with the unique regenerative characteristics of the Psychon brain-stem, which is sought by their imperialistic enemies the Dorcons
The Dorcons
"The Dorcons" is the twenty-fourth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Johnny Byrne; the director was Tom Clegg. Original titles were 'Last of the Psychons' and 'Return of the Dorcons'. The final shooting script is dated 17 November 1976...
. The Dorcons have hunted Psychons throughout their history as they believe a Psychon brain-stem grants them virtual immortality when surigcally grafted onto a Dorcon brain. In an encounter with the Imperial Archon and his entourage in 'The Dorcons
The Dorcons
"The Dorcons" is the twenty-fourth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Johnny Byrne; the director was Tom Clegg. Original titles were 'Last of the Psychons' and 'Return of the Dorcons'. The final shooting script is dated 17 November 1976...
', the Alphans witnessed the infighting within the imperial court that destroyed the dying leader and his heir. There is no guarantee that other members of this species will not, some day, come searching for what they believe is the last of the Psychons.
Series Three/Spin-Off
Maya was viewed by many as an attempt by new producer Fred FreibergerFred Freiberger
Fred Freiberger was an American film and television screenwriter and television producer, with a career spanning four decades including The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Star Trek, and Space: 1999...
(who had previously worked on Star Trek
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
) to create a female version of the Mr. Spock character. She, however, became a hit with many viewers and Schell's performance as Maya was considered by many to be the main upside to the second series of Space: 1999. A third series of Space: 1999 was in the works, with a spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
series based on Maya running in conjunction, but neither transpired by the end of the run.
External links
- Space 1999 Cybermuseum - Moonbase Alpha Technical Manual Bio Maya
- Space 1999 Catacombs - Character Profile Maya