Fans of X Minus One agree that the series stands out as one of the finest from the Golden Age of Radio because most episodes were adaptations of stories by various science fiction authors. From Asimov to Heinlein and more, notable writers of the genre found their way onto radio thanks to the fact that the program’s producers had a relationship with two science fiction magazines that led to stories being turned into episodes. Even writers known for their more imaginative, even eccentric stories, especially for the 1950s, gained exposure by having tales told on X Minus One, such as Philip K. Dick.
Written by Dick, ‘Colony’ follows a team of explorers from Earth doing survey work on another planet, using one of the genre’s tropes. As they run their various tests and observations, they realize they are being stalked by an incredibly unique species, creatures with the ability to shape shift into any inanimate object. The basic concept is unique for this era, following Dick’s usually much more cerebral approach to science fiction and sometimes the elements of horror within it. Even more so, however, Dick took some risks as a writer within the story itself and the adaptation of ‘Colony’ for radio does not alter his original intent at all. Known for his use of science fiction to push his own progressive views, and sometimes fears, Dick made the leader of the team in ‘Colony’ a woman, and not just a simple woman, but one with all the leadership skills and abilities a leader should have, regardless of gender. The episode of X Minus One keeps this character the same, in gender and ability, even though a brief scene is added to show the oddity of a woman leading. Still, this was something largely unheard of in science fiction radio until this episode aired.
Journey into outer space and the darkest corners of reality in twelve episodes of X Minus One, Volume 6, restored to sparkling audio quality by Radio Archives!
#61 Stars Are the Styx
Tuesday, July 24, 1956 - 30:00 - NBC
#62 Student Body
Tuesday, July 31, 1956 - 30:00 - NBC
#63 The Last Martian
Tuesday, August 7, 1956 - 30:00 - NBC
#64 The Snowball Effect
Tuesday, August 14, 1956 - 30:00 - NBC
#65 Surface Tension
Tuesday, August 28, 1956 - 30:00 - NBC
#66 Tunnel Under the World
Tuesday, September 4, 1956 - 30:00 - NBC
#67 The Lifeboat Mutiny
Tuesday, September 11, 1956 - 30:00 - NBC
#68 The Map Makers
Wednesday, September 26, 1956 - 30:00 - NBC
#69 Protective Mimicry
Wednesday, October 3, 1956 - 30:00 - NBC
#70 Colony
Wednesday, October 10, 1956 - 30:00 - NBC
#71 Soldier Boy
Wednesday, October 17, 1956 - 30:00 - NBC
#72 Pictures Don’t Lie
Wednesday, October 24, 1956 - 30:00 - NBC
