Ep 1. Planet 46

Fireball XL-5 is a British sci-fi television series chronicling the adventures of a team of astronauts who venture into the vast reaches of space to protect the universe from harm. The show features a variety of unlikely characters including the daring Captain Steve Zodiac, the practical Lieutenant Ninety, and the cheeky co-pilot, Venus.

Season 1 Episode 1 of Fireball XL-5 is titled "Planet 46" and follows the heroics of the crew as they attempt to save the inhabitants of a distant planet from a menacing asteroid hurtling towards them. The episode takes place in the year 2062, and begins with Captain Steve Zodiac, Lieutenant Ninety, and Venus on board the Fireball XL-5 space station, monitoring the latest happenings in the universe.

Suddenly, their control center alerts them to an emergency on Planet 46, a small, remote planet located in the outer reaches of their galaxy. Upon further investigation, the crew discovers that an enormous asteroid is headed straight for the planet, and if it strikes, it will cause massive destruction and loss of life.

The crew of Fireball XL-5 sprang into action, quickly charting a course to Planet 46 in an attempt to save the planet's inhabitants. They are joined by Professor Matthew Matic, an intelligent robot who can speak directly into the captain's mind.

Upon landing on the planet, the team quickly realizes that they are in for a fight. The planet's population, a race of humanoid aliens known as Zoonies, are a primitive people who are living in a pre-technological society. They are entirely unaware of the impending danger they face, and have no concept of the technology required to save their world.

The crew of Fireball XL-5 work hard to teach the Zoonies the skills they need to help defend themselves and Planet 46 from the asteroid's impact. The episode features an exciting series of events that include an action-packed space mission where the crew tries to deflect the massive asteroid with a powerful laser that they mounted on Fireball XL-5. After a series of setbacks, they ultimately succeed in rescuing the Zoonies and saving their planet.

The episode serves as a great introduction to the characters of Fireball XL-5, showcasing their strong sense of humanity, as they work tirelessly to save an entire planet. We see the determination and camaraderie exhibited by Captain Steve Zodiac, Lieutenant Ninety, Venus, and Professor Matthew Matic, each valuable members of the team with their unique skills and views.

The episode also offers an exciting glimpse into the world of the Zoonies, adding a new dimension to the series with the introduction of humanoid alien creatures. Despite their primitive way of life, the Zoonies are shown to be a kind-hearted and resilient people who work hard to learn the ways of the spaceship and defend their planet alongside the XL-5 crew.

Overall, "Planet 46" offers an enjoyable and thrilling start to Fireball XL-5's first season, full of action, adventure, and a strong sense of moral duty and adventure that characterizes the show. The series feels at once both nostalgic and inventive as it delivers a classic tale of good versus evil in an entirely new and exciting world. Fans of classic sci-fi series will undoubtedly enjoy Fireball XL-5 and its first-season opener "Planet 46."