Space:1999 The Infernal Machine

*"The Infernal Machine"* is the **18th episode** of *Space: 1999* Season 1, originally aired on **January 8, 1976**. The episode follows Moonbase Alpha as it encounters a **massive alien spacecraft**, which defies all known rules of aerospace engineering. The ship, known as **Gwent**, is an extension of its creator's mind and personality, making it a sentient machine. Commander Koenig, Dr. Helena Russell, and Professor Victor Bergman are invited aboard the vessel, where they meet an elderly man called **Companion**, who serves Gwent. However, as events unfold, the Alphans realize that Gwent is **not just a machine**—it is a lonely, demanding entity that seeks more than just supplies; it wants **companionship**.