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Welcome to Gene-ology, a podcast by Roddenberry Entertainment that dives deep into the early TV writing works of Gene Roddenberry. It features Lee Marvin in front of a high-tech viewscreen, but this is no starship – Gene-ology opens its investigation into a very unusual foray into "true crime" with Gene Roddenberry adapting the particulars of a notorious Seattle murder case into dramatic form. It's also a career milestone for Gene: the last script he would write for a show that he didn't also create. Hosted by Earl Green & Ashley Thomas About Gene-ology Gene-ology explores Gene Roddenberry's early television scripts, including his lesser-known works before Star Trek using the Mission Log format popularized by Roddenberry Podcasts. We analyze the themes, writing style, and cultural impact of his scripts, and we even unearth stories from the Roddenberry archives that were never produced. Join us as we trace the roots of Gene's creative genius. In This Episode A breakdown of key moments and themes in "Queen Anne Killer Unidentified: The Michael Olds Story". Exploring Gene Roddenberry's evolving style and storytelling. How this episode ties into the broader TV landscape of the time and reflects the early seeds of Roddenberry's visionary work. Guest stars and unique production elements that bring this episode to life. Join the Conversation What did you think of this episode? Share your thoughts, theories, and favorite moments in the comments or reach out to us on social media or email us at missionlog@roddenberry.com Did you know Roddenberry Podcasts is on YouTube? Find the video versions of your favorite shows like Mission Log: Prodigy, Mission Log: The Orville, as well as exclusive content only available on YouTube. Subscribe now! https://www.youtube.com/@RoddenberryEntertainment?sub_confirmation=1 Follow us on Social Media: INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/roddenberrypodcasts BLUESKY https://bsky.app/profile/roddenberrypod.bsky.social THREADS https://www.threads.net/@roddenberrypodcasts FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/MissionLogPod Our shows are part of the Roddenberry Entertainment family. For more great shows and to learn how we live the legacy of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, follow us here: RODDENBERRY PODCASTS https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryPodcasts RODDENBERRY ENTERTAINMENT https://www.instagram.com/RoddenberryOfficial RODDENBERRY FOUNDATION https://www.instagram.com/TheRoddenberryFoundation Support the Show For as little as $1 a month, you can gain access to our Mission Log Discord Community! There, we continue the discussion with dedicated channels and a weekly video chat with the hosts. Become a member of our Patreon today! https://www.Patreon.com/MissionLog Subscribe and Stay Tuned Be sure to subscribe to Gene-ology for more deep dives into Gene Roddenberry's early works. New episodes are released regularly as we uncover more of Gene's television legacy. – Gene-ology is produced by Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producer Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry. Visit https://Podcasts.Roddenberry.com for more great content. Edited by Earl Green.
The seventh episode of Jordan Peele’s revival of Rod Serling’s science fiction anthology series The Twilight Zone streams on CBS All Access. Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story) and Rhea Seehorn (Better Caul Saul) star.
The 28th episode of the science fiction series The Expanse, based on the series of novels by James S.A. Corey (a pseudonym for writers Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham), is broadcast on cable channel Syfy.
Big Finish Productions, under license from B7 Media, releases the sixth full-cast Blake’s 7 audio drama. Gareth Thomas, Paul Darrow, Michael Keating, Jan Chappell, Sally Knyvette, and Brian Croucher reprise their roles from the television series’ second season.
Japan’s Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), launches the unmanned Hayabusa space probe on a mission to gather material from asteroid 25143 Itokawa. Intended to reach Itokawa in two years, and then return the asteroid samples to Earth in 2010, Hayabusa will also attempt to drop a small rover on Itokawa’s surface and will test an ion engine propulsion system. The name “Hayabusa” – translating to “peregrine falcon” – is only bestowed upon the spacecraft once it reaches space; prior to that, Hayabusa is known by its engineering designation, MUSES-C. A few months after Hayabusa’s launch, ISAS itself is renamed JAXA (the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency).
Big Finish Productions releases the first Doctor Who Unbound audio drama, a limited series of unconnected audios that are also unconnected to the larger continuity of the Doctor Who universe. Starring as an alternate first Doctor is Geoffrey Bayldon.
UPN broadcasts the fifth episode of the supernatural crime comedy series Special Unit 2, starring Michael Landes (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman) and Alexondra Lee (Party Of Five).
The 76th episode of Joss Whedon’s supernatural series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, airs on the WB network. James Marsters, Anthony Stewart Head, and Alyson Hannigan also star. David Boreanaz guest stars.
The 138th episode of Chris Carter’s modern-day science fiction series The X-Files airs on Fox, starring Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny. Robyn Lively guest stars.
Fox airs the 46th episode of Tracy Torme’s alternate-universe science fiction series Sliders, starring Jerry O’Connell, Sabrina Lloyd, Cleavant Derricks, and Kari Wuhrer. Neil Dickson (She-Wolf Of London) and Tommy Chong guest star.
Showtime airs the 57th episode of The Outer Limits, a revival of the 1960s science fiction anthology series. Howard Hesseman (WKRP In Cincinnati) and Joshua Jackson (Fringe, Dawson’s Creek) guest star.
The week-long national syndication window opens for the 42nd episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Andrew Robinson guest stars in the first DS9 episode to revisit the alternate universe of the original Star Trek episode Mirror, Mirror.
The ninth episode of RoboCop: The Series airs in syndication, starring Richard Eden, Yvette Nipar, Blu Mankuma, and Andrea Roth. David Hemblen (Captain Power, Earth: Final Conflict) guest stars.
NBC airs the 30th episode of Donald Bellisario’s science fiction series Quantum Leap, starring Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell. Susan Diol guest stars in the second season finale.
The week-long national syndication window opens for the 24th episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. This is the goriest episode of the series’ entire run; even improved make-up effects in later seasons never quite match up to this story’s exploding head and torso (graphic visuals which any network with creative input or oversight would likely have nixed). Despite ending on an obvious cliffhanger, this story is never revisited by any later episodes or spinoff series.
NASA and JPL launch Mariner 8, the first of two identical “Mars ’71” orbiters designed to visit Mars. Where previous missions have simply flown past the red planet, Mariners 8 and 9 are intended to put themselves in orbit and remain there to map the majority of the Martian surface. The second stage of the Atlas-Centaur booster used to launch Mariner 8 fails, however, and the robotic Mars explorer crashes into the Atlantic Ocean. Some of its mission objectives are transferred to the identical Mariner 9, due for launch at the end of the month.
The 272nd episode of Doctor Who airs on BBC1. Most of the regular and recurring cast members double as “fascist alternate universe” versions of themselves; Olaf Pooley and Christopher Benjamin guest star.
The 17th episode of Larry Cohen’s science fiction series The Invaders, starring Roy Thinnes and produced by Quinn Martin’s QM Productions, premieres on ABC. Ralph Bellamy (The Eleventh Hour, The Most Deadly Game) guest stars in an episode that concludes the series’ first season.
Following two years of aborted or otherwise unsuccessful attempts to launch another robotic lunar lander toward the moon, the Soviet Union sends Luna 5 on its way. Intended to be an automated soft-landing mission, Luna 5 encounters major technical problems as it coasts from Earth to the moon. It does eventually reach the moon, but does so out of control and unable to brake for a survivable landing; the plume of material created by the impact of the 3,000-pound Luna 5 is large enough to be spotted from Earth-based telescopes for several minutes.
The 25th episode of Doctor Who airs on the BBC. This is part five of the story now collectively known as The Keys Of Marinus. Geroge Colouris guest stars.
The third episode of the western series Jefferson Drum is broadcast on NBC in the United States, starring Jeff Richards as the titular old west newspaper editor. R.G. Armstrong guest stars in an episode written by future Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry.
The 32nd episode of ABC’s science fiction anthology series, Tales Of Tomorrow, airs on ABC, with each episode’s opening titles proclaiming that the series is produced “in cooperation with the Science-Fiction League of America”, a collective of sci-fi writers including Isaac Asimov and Theodore Sturgeon among its members. This episode stars Gene Lockhart.
The CW airs the 38th episode of Superman & Lois, starring Tyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch, Michael Bishop, and Alex Garfin. 
The CW airs the 84th episode of Legends Of Tomorrow, starring Caity Lotz, Matt Ryan, Jes Macallan, and Tala Ashe.
The CW airs the 33rd episode of Batwoman starring Javicia Leslie, Rachel Skarsten, and Meagan Tandy.
The seventh episode of Jordan Peele’s revival of Rod Serling’s science fiction anthology series The Twilight Zone streams on CBS All Access. Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story) and Rhea Seehorn (Better Caul Saul) star.
The 28th episode of the science fiction series The Expanse, based on the series of novels by James S.A. Corey (a pseudonym for writers Ty Franck and Daniel Abraham), is broadcast on cable channel Syfy.
The CW airs the 67th episode of The Flash, a modern-day reboot of DC Comics’ superhero starring Grant Gustin. 
Rob Dougan releases the instrumental EP The 22nd Sunday In Ordinary Time Sessions, recorded with a full orchestra after a crowdfunding campaign. 
Big Finish Productions, under license from B7 Media, releases the sixth full-cast Blake’s 7 audio drama. Gareth Thomas, Paul Darrow, Michael Keating, Jan Chappell, Sally Knyvette, and Brian Croucher reprise their roles from the television series’ second season. 
UK cable channel Disney XD airs the 15th episode of K-9. The Australian-made series features no Doctor Who-related characters other than K-9. 
Sci-Fi Channel airs the 59th episode of Ronald D. Moore’s re-imagining of Battlestar Galactica. Nana Visitor (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) guest stars. 
ABC airs the 67th episode of the J.J. Abrams-produced series Lost. Andrew Divoff and Nestor Carbonell guest star. 
Japan’s Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), launches the unmanned Hayabusa space probe on a mission to gather material from asteroid 25143 Itokawa. Intended to reach Itokawa in two years, and then return the asteroid samples to Earth in 2010, Hayabusa will also attempt to drop a small rover on Itokawa’s surface and will test an ion engine propulsion system. The name “Hayabusa” – translating to “peregrine falcon” – is only bestowed upon the spacecraft once it reaches space; prior to that, Hayabusa is known by its engineering designation, MUSES-C. A few months after Hayabusa’s launch, ISAS itself is renamed JAXA (the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency).
Big Finish Productions releases the first Doctor Who Unbound audio drama, a limited series of unconnected audios that are also unconnected to the larger continuity of the Doctor Who universe. Starring as an alternate first Doctor is Geoffrey Bayldon. 
UPN airs the 168th episode of Star Trek: Voyager. 
UPN broadcasts the fifth episode of the supernatural crime comedy series Special Unit 2, starring Michael Landes (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman) and Alexondra Lee (Party Of Five).
The 76th episode of Joss Whedon’s supernatural series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, airs on the WB network. James Marsters, Anthony Stewart Head, and Alyson Hannigan also star. David Boreanaz guest stars.
The 138th episode of Chris Carter’s modern-day science fiction series The X-Files airs on Fox, starring Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny. Robyn Lively guest stars.
Fox airs the 46th episode of Tracy Torme’s alternate-universe science fiction series Sliders, starring Jerry O’Connell, Sabrina Lloyd, Cleavant Derricks, and Kari Wuhrer. Neil Dickson (She-Wolf Of London) and Tommy Chong guest star.
Showtime airs the 57th episode of The Outer Limits, a revival of the 1960s science fiction anthology series. Howard Hesseman (WKRP In Cincinnati) and Joshua Jackson (Fringe, Dawson’s Creek) guest star.
The week-long national syndication window opens for the 42nd episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Andrew Robinson guest stars in the first DS9 episode to revisit the alternate universe of the original Star Trek episode Mirror, Mirror. 
The week-long national syndication window opens for the 174th episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. 
The ninth episode of RoboCop: The Series airs in syndication, starring Richard Eden, Yvette Nipar, Blu Mankuma, and Andrea Roth. David Hemblen (Captain Power, Earth: Final Conflict) guest stars.
NBC airs the 30th episode of Donald Bellisario’s science fiction series Quantum Leap, starring Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell. Susan Diol guest stars in the second season finale.
The week-long national syndication window opens for the 24th episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. This is the goriest episode of the series’ entire run; even improved make-up effects in later seasons never quite match up to this story’s exploding head and torso (graphic visuals which any network with creative input or oversight would likely have nixed). Despite ending on an obvious cliffhanger, this story is never revisited by any later episodes or spinoff series. 
Avalon Hill, a company best known for its boardgame and tabletop wargaming catalog, releases Shuttle Orbiter for the Atari 2600. 
ITV airs the 54th episode of the anthology series Tales Of The Unexpected. John Mills guest stars.
NASA and JPL launch Mariner 8, the first of two identical “Mars ’71” orbiters designed to visit Mars. Where previous missions have simply flown past the red planet, Mariners 8 and 9 are intended to put themselves in orbit and remain there to map the majority of the Martian surface. The second stage of the Atlas-Centaur booster used to launch Mariner 8 fails, however, and the robotic Mars explorer crashes into the Atlantic Ocean. Some of its mission objectives are transferred to the identical Mariner 9, due for launch at the end of the month.
The 272nd episode of Doctor Who airs on BBC1. Most of the regular and recurring cast members double as “fascist alternate universe” versions of themselves; Olaf Pooley and Christopher Benjamin guest star. 
The 17th episode of Larry Cohen’s science fiction series The Invaders, starring Roy Thinnes and produced by Quinn Martin’s QM Productions, premieres on ABC. Ralph Bellamy (The Eleventh Hour, The Most Deadly Game) guest stars in an episode that concludes the series’ first season.
Following two years of aborted or otherwise unsuccessful attempts to launch another robotic lunar lander toward the moon, the Soviet Union sends Luna 5 on its way. Intended to be an automated soft-landing mission, Luna 5 encounters major technical problems as it coasts from Earth to the moon. It does eventually reach the moon, but does so out of control and unable to brake for a survivable landing; the plume of material created by the impact of the 3,000-pound Luna 5 is large enough to be spotted from Earth-based telescopes for several minutes.
The 25th episode of Doctor Who airs on the BBC. This is part five of the story now collectively known as The Keys Of Marinus. Geroge Colouris guest stars.
The 119th episode of Rod Serling’s The Twilight Zone airs on CBS. Gladys Cooper and Wilfrid Hyde-White star.
The third episode of the western series Jefferson Drum is broadcast on NBC in the United States, starring Jeff Richards as the titular old west newspaper editor. R.G. Armstrong guest stars in an episode written by future Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. 
The 32nd episode of ABC’s science fiction anthology series, Tales Of Tomorrow, airs on ABC, with each episode’s opening titles proclaiming that the series is produced “in cooperation with the Science-Fiction League of America”, a collective of sci-fi writers including Isaac Asimov and Theodore Sturgeon among its members. This episode stars Gene Lockhart.