Buck Rogers actor's cosmic final message

Three months have passed since I first intended to make this post but never got round to writing it. Well, here it is, delayed but still relevant and poignant.

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century was a TV serial that ran from 1979 to 1981.

Its main star was Gil Gerard, who played the role of a cocky astronaut who'd been frozen in suspended animation since the year 1987 until he thawed out and returned to a very changed planet Earth. 

Anyone who grew up watching this television series, which came during the Star Wars-led science fiction renaissance of the late 1970s and early 1980s, will know how delightful the show was in terms of special effects not previously seen on TV, and its mostly playful story lines. 

Gerard was a perfect fit for the lead role, although he had his own reservations about the consistently non-serious side of his character's personality.

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century was a reflection of its time; providing light-hearted escapism that easily slotted into the weekly TV schedule. Fresh-faced Gerard became an instantly recognisable hero bringing some of the glamour of cinema's blockbuster science fiction genre to the small screen. Indeed, the extended pilot episode was released initially on the big screen, and I recall seeing it first at the cinema.

The aesthetic of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century was pleasing to the eye - from the clean sets to the futuristic uniforms and non-stereotypical robots and computers, which made the show feel fresh.

I remember watching Buck Rogers as a youngster when I'd seek out any science fiction in the vein of Star Wars and the earlier TV show Space:1999. In formative years, while growing up, certain shows and actors feel as though they are part of our lives, and remain so even when the memory of them is far in the past. Often it is only when we hear of the passing of one of the main stars that we stop and reflect on what they meant to our younger selves.

And so it was for me when I heard the news of Gil Gerard's passing a week or so before Christmas last year. 

But I was also cheered to read his final message to his fans, which was posted on his Facebook account by his wife Janet. In it Gerard gave a heartfelt thanks for opportunities he'd had in life, for the people he'd met and for the love he'd given and received. He encouraged others not to waste time on anything that does not thrill them or bring love. And, in his final parting words, in true Buck Rogers style, said he'd one day meet us out somewhere in the cosmos.
It leaves a picture in my mind of the youthful Gerard, invariably as Buck Rogers circa 1979-1981, in space and untouched by the march of time, waiting to continue that connection first felt watching his exploits on TV.

Gil Gerard died on December 16, 2025 from a rare and aggressive cancer. He was 82.

Here is Gil Gerard's Facebook message, posted by his wife Janet the day after he died:

If you are reading this, then Janet has posted it as I asked her to.

My life has been an amazing journey. The opportunities I’ve had, the people I’ve met and the love I have given and received have made my 82 years on the planet deeply satisfying.

My journey has taken me from Arkansas to New York to Los Angeles, and finally, to my home in North Georgia with my amazing wife, Janet, of 18 years. It’s been a great ride, but inevitably one that comes to a close as mine has.

Don’t waste your time on anything that doesn’t thrill you or bring you love. See you out somewhere in the cosmos.

'The Magic Lake' from 26 years ago

Although I have to pinch myself to fully believe so much time has elapsed, it is 26 years since this small excerpt from a planned novel I was working on found its way into a small science fiction and fantasy fanzine in West Australia.

At the time I was breaking loose and exploring the world - or more accurately the vast island continent of Australia - as a backpacking 21-year-old. It was early 1988 and the previous year I had put together the short-run paperback Inspired, featuring a selection of five writers and poets of which I was one.

As I travelled through West Australia I'd planned to complete a fantasy novel and in the first few months did some work towards that goal. When I came across a small fanzine called WAFTAM, with a unicorn on the cover, I recognised a moment of serendipity as my work-in-progress novel was centered around unicorns. I sent a short contribution to the publication.

The fanzine editor duly published my work in the next edition of the fanzine, which was also renamed WOFTAM. Although this writing project never fully matured, here for posterity is a snapshot of my writing from 26 years ago, as published in issue one of the WOFTAM fanzine, in Perth, West Australia in March 1988:

THE MAGIC LAKE

Jarrad looked up to see the rain clouds had parted and a full moon was shining brightly in the night sky. However, what was even stranger were the horses. He noticed they were all outside the cave, standing perfectly still and silent. Their gaze seemed to be fixed distantly on the lake, as was Melinda's. The strange harp-like music, although still distant, was much more noticeable.

"What is it?" he asked, bewildered.

"Look at the lake," Melinda pointed. "Do you see the moon's reflection?"

"Yes, what about it ... Hey! It's moving, and it's changing shape," Jarrad checked himself and looked back up at the moon. Indeed, the moon had not changed. It was still the same uniform circle of brightness, unobscured by any night clouds.

That being so, thought Jarrad, then the reflection on the lake should also be a clear, circular patch of light. He looked back at the lake. It wasn't.

Jarrad was thinking up his next question when Breeze, the king's fair-haired daughter answered it.

"A unicorn," she spoke in a hushed tone. "It's a unicorn."

Jarrad blinked, looking once more at the blurry ball of light which seemed to be skating across the lake's surface. Indeed, now that he came to think about it, it did resemble a unicorn.

"A real unicorn?" he blurted out. Melinda turned, a dreamy contentment etched on her face.

"The horses believe it to be real. That is why they stand so silently, with such reverence. The night owls are silent now. All the other nocturnal animals are quiet. They can all hear the music, and all see the unicorn on the lake," she said. She smiled at Jarrad, then turned again to the lake. "But it is not a real unicorn, unfortunately. It is merely an illusion created by the magic lake. The magic which tonight's full moon has activated."

'Elysium' adds a new sci-fi peak to 2013

This year is turning out to be a particularly good one for sci-fi films that are more than just shoot-'em-up soap operas in space.

After the surprise of 'Oblivion' earlier in the year, the latest release 'Elysium' is another intelligent addition to the genre. It is well filmed, has some stunning special effects and carries an underlying social message.

Throw into the mix a well delivered menacing performance by Jodie Foster, and the equally menacing Sharlto Copley, and you have a movie treasure.

On a hot, sunny Sunday afternoon in Bermuda I ventured to the Southside Cinema to catch the just-released picture. I wasn't alone. The matinee showing was well attended, which is a good sign because I've often seen very sparse audiences at the 'way out east' cinema.

'Elysium' was directed by Neill Blomkamp, whose previous endeavour 'District 9' (2009) was also a much hailed sci-fi.

In 'Elysium' he creates a dystopian future where the inhabitants of Earth live in terrible poverty, in a polluted and overcrowded world, while the rich have fled to an orbiting space station filled with mansions, manicured lawns, swimming pools, and a healthcare system that eradicates illnesses and injuries.

The pace of the swirling story never drops, and cleverly builds to a climactic finale with plot twists to keep the viewer on edge.

There are some things that could have been done better. The hand-to-hand fighting scenes are confusingly filmed, and there are a few unlikely scenarios - such as the prevalence of USB technology in the year 2154. Also, lead actor Matt Damon could have done more to add a deeper dimension to his character Max. He gives a solid performance, but there was a real opportunity to humanise Max in the manner Carlton Heston achieved in 'Omega Man' (1971). Those who are familiar with 'Omega Man' will see shades of the Heston character arc shadowed in 'Elysium'

As I left the cinema I noticed many in the audience, like myself, appeared somewhat shell-shocked by the energetic two-hour movie ride that 'Elysium' had taken them on.

Both 'Elysium' and 'Oblivion' are strong contenders for best sci-fi film of the year.

Movie 'Oblivion' sets out a great premise

Today I went to the cinema to watch 'Oblivion'. The science fiction movie stars Tom Cruise and Morgan Freeman, among others, and has been generating some interesting reviews for a Sci-fi feature.

It was a day off from work, so I had the luxury of settling in to watch an afternoon matinee. There was just me and about four other people in the 162-seat cinema. That wasn't a problem as I actually prefer to have a quiet space to soak up a movie and really get involved in what is on the screen, rather than be distracted by chattering or noise.

'Oblivion' is a well-made science fiction, beautifully filmed with breathtaking scenes and high production standards. The acting of the main characters, of which there were four, was also of a high standard. But best of all was the quirky story and its twists and turns. The premise set up during the first hour was thought-provoking and engrossing. For that first hour alone I give this film the thumbs up. The second part of the movie varied in enjoyment level due to the pacing going a little astray and the story descending into somewhat predictable territory. However, there was enough interest to carry 'Oblivion' through to the finale.

The movie drew inspiration from other Sci-fi classics, with elements of 'The Planet of the Apes', 'Star Wars', 'Blade Runner', 'Wall-E' and even 'Buck Rogers' (the 70s remake) evident. On the plus side, the fact that it was an all-new story as opposed to a long-running franchise, such as 'Star Trek' or one of the many super hero films being made these days, separates 'Oblivion' from the rest of the pack. The slow set-up of the premise and the revealing of the initial plot twists in the film's first half was skillfully done.

There is a point in the movie where 'Oblivion' could have capitalised on its intriguing foundations and headed into even deeper territory of the mind and the human condition, and that is what I would have loved to have seen. In the end it takes a more traditional route to a climax that felt somewhat hurried.

'Oblivion' is not a bad movie. It has plenty of haunting imagery and thought-provoking ideas to satisfy, and it may well be the best Sci-fi outing of this year.

But it is the latest in a string of big budget movies that I feel could have been true classics if they had either pulled back when they hit a natural high point, or continued pushing their more quirky story-telling path. 'Super 8' and 'Django Unchained' are two striking examples that built up superb first halves only to wrap up in predictable "Hollywood expects" fashion.

'Oblivion' trails off in a similar way, although not badly enough to undo its stunning first hour of story-telling. The focus on a handful of key characters, and the human story that links them, is given major screen time - refreshingly, as often a film of this genre can overshadow such character-play with special effects. If the invention of the film's opening half had continued as strongly to the end, then 'Oblivion' would have been a true classic.

For me, seeing this film teaches the importance of having a structured roadmap for a story that carries its intrigue and surprises all the way to the end, rather than end up rushing something and ending up with a rather predictable finale.

As it is, 'Oblivion' is a great Sci-fi outing, visually gripping, well acted and with a novel premise. Worth seeing? Yes, especially on a big screen.