Space 1999: The Rules Of Luton

'The Rules Of Luton' was the second episode of the second and last series of 'Space 1999'. It pinches its main storyline from the Star Trek episode 'Arena' (the one where Kirk has to fight that giant lizard with only a load of rubber rocks as weapons), with a cruel intelligence kidnapping alien life forms to fight against each other for their sick amusement. Commander Koenig and muttonchopped shapeshifter Maya are pitted against, well, some blokes in crappy suits, Maya turns into an eagle, a lion and a rottweiler and, ultimately , they triumph over their rivals, only to find that the evil abductors behind it all are talking trees. Yes, trees.  What a load of shit. 

The title was chosen from a road sign by the US producer as he drove up the M1. He thought it sounded exotic and other worldly. Those amongst the crew that had been to Luton chose not to tell him the brutal truth.