Flagrantly Random

The season (and series) finale of this short lived show airs this weekend with the aptly named episode “The Discarded”, starring John Hurt (V for Vendetta, Hellboy), Brian Dennehy (Assault on Precinct 13, Cocoon), and James Denton (Desperate Housewives) and directed by Jonathan Frakes (Star Trek: Insurrection, Star Trek: First Contact) from an adapted screenplay by Harlan Ellison and 2005 Academy Award nominee Josh Olson (A History of Violence).

“The Discarded” is based on the 1959 short story “The Abnormals” by seven-time Hugo Award winner, three-time Nebula Award winner and Science Fiction Grand Master Laureate Harlan Ellison. It is the story of a band of despised minorities forever adrift in the darkness of outer space. As a last resort – born out of their loneliness and despair – they are forced to make an ominous pact with those responsible for their plight, in the hope that they will finally be offered refuge at home on Earth.

The SF Site says that “‘The Discarded’ is clearly the strongest of the quartet of episodes aired during the show’s run”. While this is definitely the series finale for Masters of Science Fiction, there are two more episodes that ABC have chosen not to air. Hopefully they make it to DVD someday, to quench the completist in me.

As always, watch the promo ad here, and a couple of preview clips after the jump:

Masters of Science Fiction: “The Discarded” - preview clip 1

Masters of Science Fiction: “The Discarded” - preview clip 2