The highlight of the Backlot Festival yesterday was undoubtedly the Sci-Fi thriller - "Inalienable" - starring Richard Hatch, Walter Kroenig, and Courtney Peldon.
In the opening scenes - which move along quickly to establish the basic plotline - the audience learns that the lead character (Hatch) is a research scientist who is still recovering from the loss of his wife and child a few years earlier.
When a friend stumbles on a curious specimen among the charred ruins of a meteor, he drops it off for the good doctor to examine; but, Hatch's character - Dr. Norse - is too busy and too sapped of energy to even humor him.
The duffel bag that contains the specimen is tossed aside as the scientist tucks into bed that night for some much-needed rest and relaxation.
The following day, the doctor suddenly feels ill, and is shocked to discover there appears to be a cyst festering in his side.
He turns to a doctor he trusts, who takes an extensive series of tests. Both are startled by x-ray chart results that suggest the unexplained growth may actually be a parasite feeding off Norse's life functions.
The prognosis?
If the growth is surgically removed the doctor may face instant death.
In a curious twist, the scientist ends up giving "birth" to an alien child.
But now, the complications escalate.
The Feds swarm in and place father and "child" in quarantine until the Government can make a determination as to what further action to take to ensure the American people are not in potential danger of alien attack.
The script by Walter Koenig (Star Trek) is tight and well-crafted and makes for an entertaining Sci-Fi thriller.
In particular, I found the courtroom scenes that focus on a myriad of legal fine points (Constitutional issues), and hypotheticals, intriguing and thought-provoking.
Mr. Koenig certainly knows how to stir up the pot.
Richard Hatch turns in a surprisingly believable performance, in spite of the unusual challenges he faces in this role. With dead earnest, and integrity, he acts out the scenario without cliché or melodrama.
The supporting cast rises to the occasion, too.
I particularly found the Judge who presided over the legal maneuverings amusing, bang on in her characterization (played by Judy Levitt); while Mr. Koenig carried off an admirable turn as a villain with aplomb.
"InAlienable is a work of love by all that were involved," Walter Koenig stated. "I'm extremely proud of our production team, cast and crew."
They should be - it’s a little gem.
