Helena Russell - Series Two

Series Two

In the show's second series, Helena Russell became more outgoing and personable. Her relationship with Commander Koenig is open and deeply loving in the second season, and they often flirt and tease one another. The love between the two was most evident in episodes such as Brian the Brain, in which Helena Russell and Commander Koenig are given a "love test" by the maniacal computer Brian (see Brian the Brain). During the test the two are placed in separate airlocks, and display the depth of their love for each other by transferring all the air to each other, saving each others' lives. Koenig also shows the strength of his passion and devotion in Journey to Where (see Journey to Where), as he tenderly cares for an ailing Helena, even kissing her deeply when she reveals she will soon be near death from viral pneumonia. Their passion is also shown in The Taybor, (see The Taybor), as under the influence of a mind-altering perfume they prepare to make love. The ending of this episode makes it clear that Koenig will follow Helena to her bed to resume their interrupted lovemaking.

The sudden change in Dr. Russell's personality was the result of a deliberate attempt by the show's producers to "spice up" the chemistry between the main characters and to make them more lively and interesting.

Her make-up and altered hairstyle also reflected her new, softer persona. Her hair was lightened and her makeup warmer and more flattering. She was observed on several occasions in high-end (and somewhat revealing) formal gowns (see One Moment of Humanity and The Taybor).

Professionally, Helena continued as Alpha's Chief Medical Officer. She also became responsible for overseeing the Moonbase Life Support Section. During the course of Series Two, Helena diagnosed and devised a cure for the Archanon 'Killing Sickness', only to find out that her cure was known to this race, but fatal in its execution. She and Dr. Ben Vincent also constructed an artificial heart based on the Dorfman model devised in 1987 and successfully implanted it into Alpha operative Michelle Osgood. She also experimented with the Ellendorf Quadrographic Brain Complex and its abilities to accelerate patient recovery from coma and other traumatic brain injuries. In The Lambda Factor, Helena led the investigation into the elevated mental powers of the Alpha personnel influenced by a space phenomenon/entity.