#Eternity Unleashed

[hyperfashionist]

A Spoiltastic Journey

through the Entire Space: 1999 Canon

up to “Odysseus Wept”

Story 1: Eternity Unleashed

Chapter 2 of 12

Hello, imaginary reader! I'm back, with a chapter-by-chapter commentary on Eternity Unleashed. I can shout into this concrete bucket forever.

Spoily Chapter 2 commentary follows, under the cut. You have been warned.

Back to Chapter 1 of this story

Forth to Chapter 3 of this story

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Return to Series Preface

Forth to Story 2: The Touch of Venus

Chapter Two of Eternity Unleashed: A Spoiler-Filled Commentary

Talian is grown up and has become Milsa’s full-time carer after Bexan’s death.

Balor (now famous) shows up and says he’s quit the ezir (scandal! shock!) and become a medic.

Also, he’s found a cure for Milsa’s illness. Actually, he’s found a cure for death. 

Golly.

Technology

Transformation of Matter

A noteworthy feature of the technology of the planet Progron is that its buildings have dynamic architecture. These are introduced in the form of staircases, which reconfigure themselves as Balor traverses them, in response to his thoughts.

A full paragraph of poetic nonsense is dedicated to describing the scientific basis of this transformation of matter, and it is an exemplary piece of writing.

Transformation of matter at will is the key innovation within the last generation or so. Talian remembers visiting his grandad’s cabin in the woods on vacation and being confused when a window doesn’t appear on command.

Wearable Technology

By the time all the kids have grown up and Bexan has passed on, Milsa is wearing clothing made of the latest fashion, “expressan”, a fabric that changes colour with the wearer’s moods. It would have been nice to see what colours appeared during the scene Milsa was wearing it, since she admits to Balor in that same scene that she puts a brave face on it. There is mention of a “glow” of genuine positive feeling from her at the end of the scene, and I infer that that glow is coming from the expressan.

The nearest thing we have in present reality would be thermochromic paints and dyes, which, like ye olde-fashioned "mood rings", only react to temperature. It's imaginable that body-worn sensors might be able to detect mood with ballpark accuracy within the foreseeable future, and that this could be represented by colour changes in a wearable object.

Information Representation

They have books with pages, an interesting example of decentralized, distributed knowledge representation in a format which will already be familiar to some Earth readers. They write by hand on paper.

Transportation

They have “vehicles” which might as well be cars. Only these private "vehicles" are ever mentioned. No transportation infrastructure or networks are ever mentioned, except for a passing mention of the existence of streets.

Housing

People live in houses.

Communication

No communications networks are in evidence, and all messages seem to be delivered in person. News travels by word of mouth. Only a hundred pages in is there any mention of “listening devices” and then of a “signal stream”.

Arts and Culture

Ezir are not encouraged to read fiction, except in advanced classes for analytical purposes. They sometimes do read fiction recreationally, but only on the quiet.

I infer that fiction is frowned upon because it breaks the principle of alienation that seems to be the reasoning behind the strict separation of ezir (policy/thought) from ezariat (practice/implementation).

I further infer that emotional investment, or belief, or some combination thereof, is considered to be the root cause of the problems that resulted in the rise of the cult of Demeth. At least that is how it looks from the perspective of page 140.

Gender Balance

Not Specified

No new characters.

NB running total = 2

Female

No new characters.

F running total = 8

Male

Talian's grandad

M running total = 12

Back to Chapter 1 of this story

Forth to Chapter 3 of this story

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Return to Series Preface

Forth to Story 2: The Touch of Venus

[vulcanette]

wral_michaels ig story update

[andstuffsketches]

[fake cover illustration for "Nancy Drew: The Abandoned ARK". It features Nancy (drawn in a cartoony style like the humans in Sonic Unleashed) and Rouge the Bat on the space colony ARK, specifically on one of the open bridges of the Eternal Engine level. Nancy is pointing a flashlight and looking off to the left in concentration. Rouge is flying next to her, pointing in that direction]

did you know these two share a voice actress

[daemon-is-perfectly-unhinged]

Daemon: They threatened my sons, bloodshed is inevitable.

Rhaenyra: And how do we protect the boys from all of this?

Daemon: I do not wish for them to see me as a monster, but I cannot sit idly by while threats to our family go unanswered.

[finnglas]

What is a gender and why is mine this

Starting to think my pronouns aren't the singular they.

[ben-talks-art]

Speedsters

(I know I'm using Wally twice) 🤫

[wardogsong]

// @fasciinating tfw when you just KNOW you could traumatize Spock by introducing him to Khan 2.0 but that's not enough.

[kavalyera]

HII!!! youre doing journalism now right?! that sounds so cool ngl... how do you like it so far? :)

haii omg i didnt see this yesterday 😭😭 honestly its so fun i get to be a fucking news nerd with like other people ausbshxhs NEWS TRAINING!!!! we get to drive out to locations for local news and yeagh its really fun. i have to go somewhere on monday to help w/ interviews and stuff

[glitchback]

[hyperfashionist]

A Spoiltastic Journey

through the Entire Space: 1999 Canon

up to “Odysseus Wept”

Story 1: Eternity Unleashed

Return to Series Preface

Forth to Eternity Unleashed, Chapter 1

Skip to Story 2: The Touch of Venus

WHAT?

"Eternity Unleashed" is the first story in the Powysverse canon of Space: 1999, which unifies and continues the timeline of the 1970s TV series, novels, and novelizations. 

It is the first part of William Latham's original novel, "Eternity Unbound". It is the backstory to the filmed episode "End of Eternity", which I won't link because I'm keeping call forwards to a minimum as I work through the storyline.

According to the author, it's "a brand new novella at the beginning that tells you all about Balor’s rise and fall on Progron".

"He saw a future without pain, without suffering, without end.

​"He unlocked the mysteries of life and death, and united a world, launching a new age.

"Only to find that death was sacred. That life without death led to damnation.

"And salvation would be found in pain and suffering.

​"From the depths of madness, he will change a world, forging a new path leading ultimately to exile in the far reaches of space.

​"Where he will face eternity...alone."

All this is fully consistent with the cheerful tone of Space: 1999 Y1, so we're starting as we mean to go on.

WHEN?

Chronologically, "Eternity Unleashed" takes place "centuries before 'End of Eternity'."

Sequentially, "Eternity Unleashed" is the first story in the Powysverse and the backstory to "End of Eternity" 23 stories later.

"Eternity Unleashed" is the first part of the book "Eternity Unbound", published in February 2005, the joint-third Space: 1999 book published by Powys Media.

WHO?

The novel is written by William Latham. 

Its central character is a guy by the name of Balor, who we'll meet in person when his episode comes up for discussion.

According to Powys: "ETERNITY UNLEASHED chronicles his ascent from outsider to honored scientist, from ruthless despot to imprisoned exile." 

According to the author "There’s a little bit of Napoleon in Balor’s story, I suppose.  A little bit of Hitler."

WHERE?

Balor hails from the planet Progron. Hi to all my Progron readers out there. Represent!

Powys Media are in the USA. I don't know if there are any copyright libraries in the USA that might have it. I searched the Library of Congress and didn't find it there.

As for public libraries, I swear I did a search that turned up one (1) copy in one library somewhere in Florida. However, I can't find it in my history. It's very unlikely that many public libraries will have copies. I assume it turned up in Florida because of proximity to the Space Coast.

The only way to buy the book is on the second-hand market because it is permanently out of print. It is extremely rare because Powys used a print-on-demand service and did not publish ebooks.

WHY?

According to the author: "He’s a fun character to play with, first of all. […] I convinced Mateo [Latosa, head of Powys Media] that it made sense to at least try looking into Balor’s past a little, and those flashbacks were just way more intense than I think we’d been expecting them to be.  There was more of a story there than just the little glimpses we got in 'Resurrection'. Back-story, I mean." 

Also according to the author: "[Mateo Latosa] was interested in seeing the novella from me because I’d never really written any science fiction about a whole new culture or anything like that, and he was curious to see what I might do with it."

And: "I think by the end of The Balor Saga, we’ll know why Balor acts the way he acts, or at least we’ll see the evolution of his particular brand of evil."

HOW?

The author says: "The first story has elements of 'Frankenstein' in it, I suppose, but not really as many as you’d think. There’s something of a love story in there, believe it or not."

About the process, the author says: "Stepping back, I had to take Balor in 'End of Eternity', subtract the influence of a thousand years of isolation from him, and then figure out who he was.  So he needed flavors of who he is in the later stories, but he obviously couldn’t be the same guy.  Then, I needed to map out a beginning, a middle, and an end for the novella, that basically shows Balor coming to power and then losing it so he can be exiled."

The Story So Far

"Eternity Unleashed", book section from original novel "Eternity Unbound", 2005 (Y1)

Spoiler-Filled Analysis

The Bad News

I haven't really got any spoilers, because I don't have the book UPDATE: I got it! Read the chapter-by-chapter commentary, starting here.

The only information I have about the book is what's on the open web. Most of the reviews I could find online give little or nothing away.

Amazon UK has no reviews, but I did find some in other countries, where it is rated 5 out of 5 stars and accompanied by three reviews that praise it highly.

According to this review: "First, a brand new account of Balor of how Balor became who he became - from his childhood on Progron, through adulthood and his progression into a psychopath. And all possibly sparked by being spurned in love…..!"

BUFFY: Every maladjust has a reason.

I generally assume that the Powys books are for an audience of existing Space: 1999 fans who are very familiar with the material. However, this review says "Eternity Unbound" is a standalone novel that can be enjoyed by anyone.

Up Next: The Touch of Venus (story of past events)

I hope to do one post a day, but that isn't always going to be possible.

Hopefully tomorrow, though, we'll move on to the next "story of past events", the portion (pp. 2-42) of John Kenneth Muir's original short story "The Touch of Venus" that takes place before Breakaway was even thought of.

UPDATE: or go to my commentary on Chapter 1 of Eternity Unleashed!

Return to Series Preface

Forth to Eternity Unleashed, Chapter 1

Skip to Story 2: The Touch of Venus

[aziraphalalala]

I love when people send asks to Neil they’re either like ”hello Neil I hate you do you enjoy our pain I have a question”

or

”Dear Mr Lord Gaiman Sir thank you, I’m a huge fan I have a question please and thank you love you”

We’re fine. Obviously. Totally normal about Good Omens. Yup. Big normal fans, us.

[leetaemine]

so who else is living in fear because of taemin's 'sexy in the air' teaser...

[ofglories]

Squishes Arthur's face in her hands. "My little star grew too tall, alas."

"C-come now, I'm hardly a child anymore!" Ah, he's no good with this kind of teasing. It was embarrassing. Deeply so, even if it's a different sort of embarrassment than the kind his dearest Bedivere can bring about. Something far more akin to what he so often sees in Kay's face when Ector starts on those stories of childhood. "I'm not even that tall..."

[harmonyhealinghub]

Embracing the Creative Journey: Stay Inspired, Never Stop Creating Shaina Tranquilino February 23, 2024

It's easy to feel overwhelmed and drained of inspiration. Whether you're an artist, writer, entrepreneur, or anyone pursuing a creative endeavour, the journey is often fraught with challenges that can dampen your spirit. However, the key to a fulfilling and successful creative journey lies in staying inspired and never ceasing to create. In this blog post, we'll explore some powerful strategies to keep the creative flame burning and encourage you to push through the inevitable obstacles. Cultivate a Curious Mind:

One of the most effective ways to stay inspired is to maintain a curious and open mind. Embrace a lifelong learning mentality, explore new ideas, and seek inspiration from various sources. Attend workshops, read diverse genres, and engage with people from different walks of life. The more you expose yourself to new perspectives, the richer your well of inspiration becomes. Embrace Failure as a Stepping Stone:

Failure is an inherent part of any creative process. Instead of viewing it as a roadblock, see it as a stepping stone toward growth and improvement. Every setback offers valuable lessons that can fuel your creativity. Thomas Edison once said, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Embrace the journey, learn from mistakes, and use them as building blocks for your next creation. Establish a Consistent Routine:

While creativity often thrives on spontaneity, having a consistent routine can provide a stable foundation for your creative pursuits. Set aside dedicated time each day or week for your craft. This routine not only fosters discipline but also creates a conducive environment for inspiration to strike. Whether it's a designated writing hour, painting session, or brainstorming period, a routine can help keep your creative juices flowing. Surround Yourself with Inspiration:

Your environment plays a crucial role in shaping your creative mindset. Surround yourself with things that inspire you – be it artwork, books, nature, or even inspirational quotes. Create a workspace that reflects your personality and fuels your creativity. When you're immersed in an environment that resonates with your passion, you're more likely to stay inspired and motivated. Collaborate and Connect:

Creativity thrives in collaboration. Engage with fellow creatives, share ideas, and collaborate on projects. Networking not only opens doors to new opportunities but also exposes you to fresh perspectives. Attend creative meet-ups, join online forums, and build a supportive community that encourages you to keep creating.

In the journey of creativity, staying inspired is not a destination but a continuous process. Embrace challenges, cultivate curiosity, learn from failures, establish routines, surround yourself with inspiration, and connect with a community of like-minded individuals. By adopting these strategies, you'll find that the creative spark within you remains alive and well, propelling you forward on an ever-evolving and fulfilling creative journey. Remember, stay inspired, and never stop creating.

[ofallthingsnasty]

deleting horny posts from my drafts like the silly little goober i am.... 🤡🤡🤡