The Starlost - Gallery Of fear (1973)
We start with our lone crusaders, to save the Ark from a Sun driven death, deliberately blown into a far-out dome. Unlike the other "world" domes this is something completely different, que Monty Python theme. Immediately, they find themselves fighting for survival in a psychedelic world controlled by an insane computer known as.."Maaaaaagnus". Rachel & Devon are put into a trance by a beautiful prop.
Okay, this is truly a first class mind.....something or other. Magnus doesn't waste time in trying to manipulate our trio c'ept Devon's not taking the bait. Poor Rachel sees her mother that she'll probably never see again as does Garth, whose "father" has a go at the sceptical Devon. But, they are greeted by a mysterious, beautiful woman obviously conjured up by Magnus. She was once a crew-member, a daughter of someone important during the original Ark mission.
Our Rachel, being from her 'Little House On The Prairie' world dome complements her beauty in the only way she can! That she's never seen anyone like her before! I couldn't agree more. indeed, this woman belongs in a Star Trek TOS episode! Not anything that Rachel could possibly comprehend! Immediately they're treated from psychedelic trick/illusion after illusion. Devon, being unique & more enlightened than I'll ever be in this .. type situation, is not buying anything going on here. The illusions are such as the beautiful. far-out art is created via the subconscious of their own minds, which poses a problem if Magnus intends to use their own fears against them, like a bad trip (?)
Of course, the fact that The Ark has been driven off course, since the ye centuries olde accident is brought up by Devon. Magnus' solution? Bring up a hologram of the original Admiral, who, upon realising he's been snuff & worm bait for centuries, warns them that "Maaaaagnus" was a dangerous, Hal - like computer from the beginning! But, Magnus is sentient now, surely? & deserves to live (?)
After many a far-out torture, Devon decides that Magnus must be destroyed! Though, (bless her) Rachel has her doubts & that doing so would mean murder! Allowing Magnus around the Ark would be too dangerous. They 'kill' Magnus by ripping out his circitury, only to be surprised by other computer sentient beings, threatening judical revenge!
This, truly is a way-out episode. Okay, Magnus is Borg-like in mind control. Devon isn't fooled by Magnus, probably because of his unique up bring in prairie world. Both his parents were killed in a barn fire & was an outcast as a result, he discovered a key outside to contained Worlds beyond. Yes, comprehension, aboard the giant Earth ship Ark.
Keep on trucking beyond the stars,
Borgduck alias Stewart.
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