There's a lot to like about this episode.
Steve and Venus are at Space City while the XL5 is being overhauled when a missile (not the same one this time as the one they used in the pilot) is discovered heading for Earth. Strangely earth seems to have no defense mechanisms and is forced to launch Fireball XL1 to try to intercept the missile.
When that fails, in a rare moment of emotion Steve holds Venus tight and tells her it looks like "this is it.' ! The missile of course does not destroy the Earth but delivers seeds that start to grow uncontrollably on Earth. When the XL5 is finally ready, Zodiac and his crew track the missile back to where it came from and discover the Chlorophon, a evil plant creature who plans to rid the universe of humanity so plants can rule.
Maxwell gets to do a extra voice as Dr. Rootes, we get to meet Ken Ross, the commander of the XL1, as well as Jock Campbell, the Scottish engineer of Space City (wonder if Gene Roddenberry saw this episode before coming up with Scotty!). And once again the underutilized Robert come to the rescue when the Chlorophon tries to turn the crew into plant people! A very imaginative episode with a LOT going on!
Steve and Venus are at Space City while the XL5 is being overhauled when a missile (not the same one this time as the one they used in the pilot) is discovered heading for Earth. Strangely earth seems to have no defense mechanisms and is forced to launch Fireball XL1 to try to intercept the missile.
When that fails, in a rare moment of emotion Steve holds Venus tight and tells her it looks like "this is it.' ! The missile of course does not destroy the Earth but delivers seeds that start to grow uncontrollably on Earth. When the XL5 is finally ready, Zodiac and his crew track the missile back to where it came from and discover the Chlorophon, a evil plant creature who plans to rid the universe of humanity so plants can rule.
Maxwell gets to do a extra voice as Dr. Rootes, we get to meet Ken Ross, the commander of the XL1, as well as Jock Campbell, the Scottish engineer of Space City (wonder if Gene Roddenberry saw this episode before coming up with Scotty!). And once again the underutilized Robert come to the rescue when the Chlorophon tries to turn the crew into plant people! A very imaginative episode with a LOT going on!