When the movie was broadcast on network television in 1979 as the first episode of the spin-off series, several changes were made. The original, sensual opening credits sequence was replaced with a simple starfield, some of Buck Rogers' more suggestive comments to Wilma Deering were deleted and Tigerman's death was removed (allowing the character to return in later episodes). Most notably, a newly filmed epilogue was added, introducing viewers to Buck's apartment, the notion of Buck working for Dr. Elias Huer and New Chicago and, most memorably for fans of actress Erin Gray, this marked the first appearance of Wilma's trademark catsuit.