Buck Rogers in the 25th Century - "Space Vampire"

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

"Space Vampire"
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century - Season 1 Episode 14
Originally aired January 3, 1980

Space Vampire

Buck and Wilma are dropping off Twiki for a tune-up at a space station, when a derelict space-freighter crashes into the station.  The ship is the I.S. Demeter, carrying 8 crew members and 1 passenger, with all on board appearing to be dead.  The passenger was a bounty hunter named Helson.  If these names sound a little familiar, that's because "Demeter" was the name of the ship that Dracula traveled from Transylvania to England on in the novel "Dracula," and "Helson" is derived from Professor Van Helsing.  That's right, this episode is Buck Rogers vs. Space Dracula!

Space Vampire Gets Zapped by Buck

Believing the people on the I.S. Demeter to be the victims of a disease, the space station is quarantined.  Soon enough, the people on the space station start falling victim to the same malady, which is a state of suspended animation closely resembling death.  But the real threat is not a disease but a space alien known as a "Vorvon," which sucks the life energy out of it's victims' necks using two extended fingers.  Unfortunately, the monster can only be seen by it's intended victims, and it has set it's sights on Wilma.  The creature also has the ability raise his victims from their "death" and have them serve him as zombies.  Fun stuff. 

Buck is Attacked by an Astro Zombie

Most of the episode has the alien stalking Wilma, while Buck Rogers begins to suspect that he is fighting a Space Vampire, but has a hard time convincing anyone else that it is real.  He eventually lays a trap to destroy the Vorvon, but by then Wilma has been enthralled by the vampire and she gets caught in the trap as well, forcing Buck to make a last-ditch effort to save her life.

Wilma's Eyes Glow With Evil Energy

All in all, it's just a quick retelling of the Dracula story in sci-fi drag, but it is colorful, fast-paced and entertaining.  If you're a fan of horror and 1970s and '80s sci-fi cheese, there are worse ways to spend and hour this Halloween season.  

Talk to the Hand

More screencaps after the break...

Wilma and Buck Space Truckin'

Set the Controls

The Crash Site

Red Energy

Breaking the Darkness

Bodies are Found on the Demeter

Colorful Space Doodad

Netflix and Chill, 25th Century Style

Space TV

Weird Marks on the Dead Man's Neck

Deep Thoughts

Evil Glowing Vampire Eyes

Seeing Red and Raising the Dead

The Doctor's Body is Discovered

Wilma Feels an Evil Presence

 Witness the Man Who Raves at the Wall

The Space Vampire Materializes in the Morgue

Pale Dead Skin

Buck is Given a Rear End Bear Hug by an Undead Lumberjack

Sassy Vampire

Snarling Vampire

Wilma Tends to Buck

The Space Vampire Stalks the Cafeteria

Red Wilma

Fangs for the Memories

Prop Re-Use Alert!  Buck discovers the Space Vampire is allergic to the medallion Adama wore on Battlestar Galactica!

Putting Wilma Under His Spell

 Heavy Metal Neck Salute

"Hiss!!!"

"Whattaya say we go eat some people, Wilma?"   "Sounds groovy, Vamps!"

Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun

Energy Overload

The Flight of Icarus