Ep 5. New Adam New Eve

The episode "New Adam New Eve" of the science fiction television series Space: 1999's second season, revolves around the events that transpire when the Alphans - the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha - stumble upon a planet that appears to be an uninhabited paradise. The planet, named Paradise, is a lush green world with a temperate climate, pure air, and abundant water resources. As the Alphans are struggling to survive in their rundown Moonbase, Paradise provides a glimmer of hope for a fresh start.

A team consisting of Commander Koenig, Dr. Russell, and a few others set out to explore the planet. Their initial experience on the planet is marred by a strange force field, which causes their Eagle spacecraft to malfunction. However, they soon discover that the force field is a protective barrier that keeps the planet intact and prevents it from being destroyed by a nearby supernova.

As they explore further, the team discovers that Paradise is not as uninhabited as they initially thought. They come across two human-like beings, a man and a woman, who are unresponsive to their presence. They find that the two beings have been genetically engineered with a limited set of emotions, memory, and intelligence. They are essentially Adam and Eve, created by a group of scientists who had intended to start a new society on Paradise after Earth's destruction.

Despite their one-dimensional personalities, the two beings are physically perfect and attractive. Dr. Russell devises a plan to break the genetic barrier and allow them to experience emotions and intelligence. The plan works, and the two beings start to transform into independent and sentient individuals. However, their newfound self-awareness comes at a cost. They experience feelings of loneliness, inadequacy, and the knowledge of their origin.

Meanwhile, back on Moonbase Alpha, a group of astronauts has been conducting experiments on creating life using DNA sequencing. When they lose control of their experiment, they inadvertently create a deadly virus that threatens to wipe out the entire population of the Moonbase. Koenig and his team race against time to find a cure for the virus, even as the Adam and Eve characters on Paradise try to find their place in a new world.

The episode "New Adam New Eve" explores the implications of genetic engineering, the nature of intelligence, and the meaning of humanity. It presents a future where humans have the ability to manipulate DNA and create perfect beings, but at the cost of their self-determination and free will. The episode also delves into the loneliness and isolation of being the first inhabitants of a new world, and the human need for companionship and connection. It is a thought-provoking and poignant episode that showcases the strengths of the Space: 1999 series.