Babylon 5 - Third Space [VHS]

This second TV movie spin-off from the cult sci-fi series Babylon 5 occurs sometime shortly after the end of the Shadow War. On patrol in hyperspace Commander Ivanova (Claudia Christian) discovers a most peculiar object, and decides to have it investigated at the station. The fly in the ointment is an overly eager "aide" from IPX (Interplanetary Expeditions) who insists on assisting the research. The motivations of IPX clearly aren't pure, and there's something else going on in their interest toward telepath Lyta Alexander (Patricia Tallman). Before you can say "it's behind you", spooky things start happening, with crewmembers dreaming of an alien world and a small cult rising in worship of the object. The whole idea of this standalone tale is that of a haunted house in space. Lighting and design contribute to a claustrophobic atmosphere, and the soundtrack by regular series composer (and ex-Tangerine Dream member) Christopher Franke is suitably eerie, making use of the Theremin, an early electronic instrument much used in 1950s B-movies. Since it falls outside of the arc of the series' continuing storyline, Thirdspace is basically a good excuse for a Halloween Special. --Paul Tonks