Helena Russell
| Character | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Helena Russell |
| Occupation: | Chief Medical Officer |
| Relationships: | John Koenig |
| Fandom: | Space: 1999 |
| Other: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Helena Russell was a main character during both Year One (Season One) and Year Two (Season Two) of Space: 1999 played by Barbara Bain.
The character is seen in 47 episodes (not Devil's Planet), and she also appears in the fan film The Return of Victor Bergman.
Russell is the daughter of a physician. Following in his medical footsteps, she entered medical school shortly after her father's death.
She became one of the top experts in her chosen field of space medicine.
Helena worked for the Space Commission where she met and later married astronaut Lee Russell. The marriage ended abruptly when he disappeared on a space mission.
She retreated into the routine and security of her job until she developed a strong attachment for Commander John Koenig.
Since joining the Space Service in 1992, Dr. Russell has won many awards for her achievements in space medicine.
Her best friends on Moonbase Alpha are Victor Bergman and John Koenig.
Fan Reaction
In ComLoC Issue 2, a fan references Bain's portrayal of Russell:
"From what I have seen of both seasons, I like the second season much better, if only because of the acting. In the first season Bain may as well have been an automaton instead of a flesh-and-blood person. In the second season she has much better roles."[1]
Also in ComLoC 2:
"Journey to Where. After watching this episode, I dare anyone to tell me that Space: 1999 isn't superb!... Gee, didn't Helena get sick fast? Guess she wanted to make up for all the times that John nearly bought it. Seriously, some great acting by Barbara; she really looked deathly ill. And let's have a standing ovation--John finally kissed her. No wonder she got sick, she had waited two years for him to do more than to be hot and bothered!... Nice effort all around."[2]
Fan Fiction
A large number of fanzines contain stories, commentary, and artwork focusing on Helena Russell. Specific titles that contain stories featuring the character of Russell include Everything Yet To Be, The Alpha Files, and Moonscape.
Fan Club
The Landau/Bain Fan Association was formed by fans and run by Terry S. Bowers. One of the goals was to honor their characters from Space: 1999; Doctor Helena Russell and Commander John Koenig. The group published quarterly newsletters initially entitled "Mission: 1999", then changed to The Landau/Bain Concordance. In 1983, the club also split into separate entities and Barbara Bain International was formed. Jointly and separately, the clubs were in existence for more than 25 years.
Fan-Produced Stage Play
Bain was reunited with her co-star from Space: 1999, Barry Morse, when they performed a production of A.R. Gurney's Love Letters in Culver City, California at the Breakaway convention on September 11, 1999, produced by Robert E. Wood and Anthony Wynn.
Fan Art
Cover of Command Center, Sep/Oct 1978
Cover of ComLoC Issue 8, July 1979
Cover of Command Center, Jul/Aug 1981
Interior drawing from Reconnaissance Quarterly Vol 1, Issue 2, April 1983
Cover of Reconnaissance Quarterly Vol 1, Issue 3, May 1983
Cover of The Alpha Files, 1985
by Candance Olsen, 1987 (It was purchased in 1992 at a charity auction held at a SPACE: 1999 convention in Los Angeles; it features John Koenig and Helena Russell from the Year One episode "Collision Course".)
