ITV 4 Episode 'Court Martial'

Hi everyone,

ITV 4 broadcast the UFO episode "Court Martial" yesterday.

This is one of my less favourite episodes.
Here are just some of the reasons why:
As Prosecuting Officer, Dr Jackson seems an odd choice.
Why is he now working for Henderson? He was based a SHADO HQ before
and after this episode.
When Miss Grant was speaking on the phone to her contact, unless she
suspected there to be more to Harlington Straker Film Studios than
just film making she would surely assume that the information that
"appears to be military" was just a piece of movie business.
Straker would never interrogate and then threaten Jane Grant in his
office at the studio, more likely in her apartment or on some more
neutral ground. To tell her that she has put a man's life in danger
would be giving away too much.
The whole story just seems too implausible to me.

Foster's escape, chase and shooting was a good bit of action though.

Now if Foster had woken up in the sauna at the end of this episode
too! That would all make a lot more sense.

I only spotted one obvious cut in this showing:
Foster in the escape lift after diving through the display behind
Straker's desk then emerging through the doors of Stages 1-2.
I thought the original had a shot of Miss Grant in her car but I think
I am getting my memories crossed with The Responsibility Seat.

I am sure Moonbasegirl Sarah will have a much more to say on this
episode along with a more complete and detailed list of edits.
I look forward to her comments.

Kevin (Spiffer)

--- In [hidden email], "Spiffer" <spiffer@...> wrote:
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> ITV 4 broadcast the UFO episode "Court Martial" yesterday.
><snip>
> I am sure Moonbasegirl Sarah will have a much more to say on this
> episode

:-D Sure will! At least, when I've had the time I'll add to your
comments...... Kevin, I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one
watching this run of UFO in the UK! With the membership increasing
every day, I'm curious to know - is there anyone who has joined who
had never seen UFO before this ITV 4 run?

To the other Kevin - do you have a cartoon for 'Court Martial' - or
do you need ideas? :-)

Later

Sarah

--- In [hidden email], "moonbasegirl" <shaded2cinders@...>
wrote:
>

> To the other Kevin - do you have a cartoon for 'Court Martial' - or
> do you need ideas? :-)
>
> Later
>
> Sarah
>

I'd be happy to read your suggestion for "Court Martial" thanks Sarah.
I did do one, but I'm sure your idea would be better.

Regards, Kevin.

Further to my observstions on Court Martial:

--- In [hidden email], "Spiffer" <spiffer@...> wrote:
>

> Straker would never interrogate and then threaten Jane Grant in his
> office at the studio, more likely in her apartment or on some more
> neutral ground. To tell her that she has put a man's life in danger
> would be giving away too much.

Of course!
I had completely forgotten about the amnesia drug.

Maybe it's not so implausible after all.

Some stories you look back on and wonder, "how did they fit all that
into 50 minutes?" A Question of Priorities is a good example of this.
There are others though, such as Court Martial, where one is more
likely to question how they managed to stretch it out for more than
20 minutes.

We did learn about the escape lift (elevator) behind Straker's office
though. Or rather we should have learnt this if ITV4 hadn't cut it!

I am grateful to ITV4 for giving us the opportunity to view UFO
again, though we could just get out the DVDs. When the show is
broadcast to the masses it acts as a prompt for us to discuss a
particular episode on a forum such as this. However I do wish they
wouldn't squeeze in the extra ad breaks as they do. UFO, and most
other ITC series for that matter, has natural ad break fades edited
in. But quite often on the ITV4 showings they break for commercials
mid sentence. This does detract from the enjoyment of the programme
somewhat.
Still… Mustn't grumble.


Kevin S

--- In [hidden email], "croprobz" <croprobz@...> wrote:

> I'd be happy to read your suggestion for "Court Martial" thanks  
Sarah.

I'll see if anything strikes me when I watch it - I can't think of
anything off the top of my head ;-)


>I did do one, but I'm sure your idea would be better.

I doubt it! :-) I can't remember now what your cartoon was -
couldn't you put it up anyway?

I'll take this opportunity to express my appreciation of your
cartoons; they always cheer me up! You're a good artist Kevin!
Thank you very much :-D

Sarah

It isn't just on ITV4, I'm afraid. It's creeping into ITV (I refuse to call it by their trendy name of ITV1. Just because some moron thinks it's sooo cooollll to name it as such doesn't make it all right with me.) Lately I've noticed that their afternoon showings of Poirot have been mucked about with in a similar way - someone will just have finished a line, then the adcaption appears and we get the ads. Then we're back into the episode and we pick up with someone reacting or replying to the line of dialogue that was spoken before Mr Moron decided to put adverts in. In other words, a scene has been crudely interrupted so ITV can do what it's really there for - put adverts on; the programmes are just an interruption. As yet, we haven't got to the state where ITV will cut into a scene mid-sentence, for example in the 80s when TVAM were showing Batman and would do just that, but give them time and they will.  
   
Given that, I wouldn't bother watching UFO or any other series on the likes of ITV or its digital pretend networks - I don't have them anyway - but I'd get the DVDs instead.

Kevin <[hidden email]> wrote:
I am grateful to ITV4 for giving us the opportunity to view UFO
again, though we could just get out the DVDs. I do wish they
wouldn't squeeze in the extra ad breaks as they do. UFO, and most
other ITC series for that matter, has natural ad break fades edited
in. But quite often on the ITV4 showings they break for commercials
mid sentence. This does detract from the enjoyment of the programme
somewhat.
Still… Mustn't grumble.


Kevin S

               
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On Wed, 29 Mar 2006 00:54:25 -0800 (PST)
MICK DICKENS <[hidden email]> wrote:

> It isn't just on ITV4, I'm afraid. It's creeping into ITV (I refuse to
> call it by their trendy name of ITV1.

Mick - it's only because there are now a number of ITV channels, and they
want to avoid confusion. 'ITV' refers to the network as a whole.

>
> Given that, I wouldn't bother watching UFO or any other series on the
> likes of ITV or its digital pretend networks

Pardon? Apparently roughly 70% of British households now have access to
the digital networks, nothing 'pretend' about those channels!

James

Hi All :)

I know this might be a little late notice for some (I only just discovered this
right now by accident), but "Journey to the far side of the sun" is on in the UK
in about 10 minutes (Sky Cinema 2.)

Best to all :)

Griff

Any chance to have someone make a digital recording?
Thank you. teresa

----- Original Message -----

ITV4 also do it to Space 1999 it'll be like somebodys'
about to say something and they put the ads it's like
the episode Ring Around The Moon Bergman says 'I've a
nasty feeling we're being watched' and he says
something after that and ITV4 put an ad break and then
about a minute later there was a fade out to a
commercial break why couldn't they put the commercial
break there?

Andrew

--- In [hidden email], "moonbasegirl" <shaded2cinders@...>
wrote:
>
>
> >I did do one, but I'm sure your idea would be better.
>
> I doubt it! :-) I can't remember now what your cartoon was -
> couldn't you put it up anyway?

This is the "Court Martial" cartoon mentioned which was put on
some years ago.
link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SHADO/files/court.jpg

Also:
My apologies to John, Dave and Mark. I just realised _after_
posting above message that a cartoon using their suggestions
was also based on "Court Martial" and a much better idea than my
original one I was refering to in my previous posting.
This one was done last year some time as I recall and is still in
the file section here:
link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SHADO/files/ourt.jpg

>
> I'll take this opportunity to express my appreciation of your
> cartoons; they always cheer me up!
>
> Sarah

Thanks Sarah, also to Denise, Jeanster and Steve among others who
have made similar comments.I usually try and take a low profile
after puting these cartoons on. I hope people don't think I'm rude,
but I don't know if I should respond to these kind comments or not,
so usually only answer them if there is a direct question or
suggestion.
I am quite happy to spend the 8 hours plus doing each cartoon if
someone can get some pleasure out of them.
Without suggestions from John, Dave, Mark and more recently Marc
and yourself, these cartoons would have finished some time ago.
Thanks also to those who don't like these cartoons for being so
tolerant.

Sincerly, Kevin.

Great, I wish a very happy birthday to a wonderful woman!
Osvaldo

----- Start Original Message -----
From: "Griff" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Subject: [SHADO] Happy Birthday Gabrielle

----- End Original Message -----

Be that as it may, I still think it's because some plank decided it would be soo cooolll and trendy to rename it ITV1. Just because the TV companies are dumbing down they think that flashy gimmicks will obscure that they are dumbing down. I don't have digital/cable/satellite because there's barely anything worthy of looking at on the terrestrial channels and any classic material that is shown on the digital gets messed about with. Probably to make it look as bad as the rubbish that is made these days.

Looks as if we'll have to agree to disagree ala Cmmdr Straker and General Henderson...

James Gibbon <[hidden email]> wrote:
Mick - it's only because there are now a number of ITV channels, and they
want to avoid confusion. 'ITV' refers to the network as a whole.

>
> Given that, I wouldn't bother watching UFO or any other series on the
> likes of ITV or its digital pretend networks

Pardon? Apparently roughly 70% of British households now have access to
the digital networks, nothing 'pretend' about those channels!

James

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Perhaps they've got a percentage on the DVD sales and if they mess about with the programmes people will go out and buy the DVDs for the proper versions of the shows?

Or they've kept it quiet but ITV4 is really supposed to be an all-ads channel and they're gradually working towards that end by hacking those pesky shows that get in the way of the ads to bits?

Andrew Beet <[hidden email]> wrote:
ITV4 also do it to Space 1999 it'll be like somebodys'
about to say something and they put the ads it's like
the episode Ring Around The Moon Bergman says 'I've a
nasty feeling we're being watched' and he says
something after that and ITV4 put an ad break and then
about a minute later there was a fade out to a
commercial break why couldn't they put the commercial
break there?

Andrew

---------------------------------
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Andrew Beet <beet_a@...> wrote:

>…it'll be like somebody's about to say something and they put the
>ads it's like the episode Ring Around The Moon Bergman says 'I've a
>nasty feeling we're being watched' and he says something after that
>and ITV4 put an ad break and then about a minute later there was a
>fade out to a commercial break why couldn't they put the commercial
>break there?


Hmmm. From watching the uncut DVDs (of UFO) it seems obvious that
the show was originally produced with clearly defined moments in
each episode where advert breaks could be made. Production of all
the Anderson's ITC shows was biased towards the US market and I've
always assumed these moments were there so that US networks had
plenty (at least five or six) clearly defined points where they
could cut to a commercial break. I've no idea whether US networks
used all of these breaks or not in their original broadcasts, or in
subsequent ones (?)

When I first saw UFO in 1988, ITV only ever put two commercial
breaks in an hours slot and rarely made edits – ITV 4 are putting in
three breaks of ads and endless trailers, with another five minutes
between programming; obviously hacking it to pieces in the process!  
In 1988, the adverts always came at two of the specified moments in
the story, whereas ITV 4 are, as Andrew says, cutting to commercials
at random; sometimes this is where an `edit' is made – when it
restarts, there is a bit missing!


Mick wrote:-

>Perhaps they've got a percentage on the DVD sales and if they mess
>about with the programmes, people will go out and buy the DVDs for
>the proper versions of the shows?

We live in hope, but possibly many people just don't realise what
they are seeing is butchered! Buying the DVDs is the *only* way to
stand any chance of seeing a TV show or film as it was intended.  
Even then you can't guarantee it won't have been edited and if the
source used for the DVDs was `garbage', it will look and sound
awful. We were very lucky with UFO - S:1999 fans have had to fork
out twice now. (BTW, what is the surround sound track like?)


>Or they've kept it quiet but ITV4 is really supposed to be an all-
>ads channel and they're gradually working towards that end by
>hacking those pesky shows that get in the way of the ads to bits?


A while back, when this list was discussing commercial digital
broadcasts, I researched the standards these channels are required
to meet. If ITV 4 *is* `ITV', then they should comply with the ITC
transmission code. Imo, they're not – by a long, long way, in
respect of transmission quality and both the timing and amount of
advertising during the screening.

I hope I'll have the motivation to write a letter of `complaint'
to 'Oftel' (consumer watchdog) about this, once UFO has finished its
run. This seems to be ITV 4's sole saving grace; that they will
have shown UFO continuously for all twenty-six episodes – except
Christmas Eve - and only *if* the remaining six episodes are
shown!


Rant over ;-)


Sarah  

> Rant over ;-)

Glad i've got the DVDs of UFO and i'm glad i taped
Space 1999 when BBC 2 showed it a few years back. must
admit good to watch them on ITV4.

Andrew Beet

On Thu, 30 Mar 2006 00:49:17 -0800 (PST)
MICK DICKENS <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Be that as it may, I still think it's because some plank decided it
> would be soo cooolll and trendy to rename it ITV1. Just because the
> TV companies are dumbing down they think that flashy gimmicks will
> obscure that they are dumbing down. I don't have digital/cable/satellite
> because there's barely anything worthy of looking at on the terrestrial
> channels and any classic material that is shown on the digital gets
> messed about with. Probably to make it look as bad as the rubbish that
> is made these days.

There's some really good stuff on BBC3 & BBC4 in my opinion - but I
would agree that the output of the traditional analogue channels has
never been of a lower standard.

--
Dig It : a forum for Beatles fans - http://beatles.dyndns.org/

Bad news about BBC2's showing of Space 1999 - IIRC some episodes were cut. The most obvious example was the title sequence, where they decided we could do without the This Episode section of the opening titles. When BBC2 ran UFO, they cut bits out all over the place - for example, in Exposed, right after the opening titles, Auntie decided that we didn'y need to see an establishing shot of Harlington-Straker Studios and Miss Ealand tidying up her desk.

Andrew Beet <[hidden email]> wrote: > Rant over ;-)

Glad i've got the DVDs of UFO and i'm glad i taped
Space 1999 when BBC 2 showed it a few years back. must
admit good to watch them on ITV4.

Andrew Beet


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--- MICK DICKENS <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Bad news about BBC2's showing of Space 1999 - IIRC
> some episodes were cut.

Hi Mick

i remember when BBC 2 showed UFO they did cut a lot
of the episodes. i din't watch any of the episodes on
BBC 2 because i knew they were going to cut. The
complete book of UFO i've got tells you the dates when
BBC2 showed the episodes of UFO. as i said in my last
email i'm glad i've got the 2 boxsets on DVD.

Same here - they were a steal when I saw them at one of HMV's Biggest Ever Sales @ £19.99 each a few years ago. But when BBC2 started running UFO Inaively thought that at last I could collect the series and it would be complete. Sure, I'd have to put up with BabbleGabble YatterYatter Man burbling over the end titles, but I could just tolerate it. But then I noticed that something was wrong and fortunately I had one of the Channel 5 videos for comparison purposes. Yep, as has been said before, the Beeb's Mr Scissors had been at it again!  
   
Makes you wonder if they hadn't made a deal with the video companies: "We'll make a real dog's dinner of the episodes which will brass the peasantsoff so they'll buy the videos to get the proper versions of the show. Then the video company will send us a comission."

Andrew Beet <[hidden email]> wrote:
i remember when BBC 2 showed UFO they did cut a lot
of the episodes. i din't watch any of the episodes on
BBC 2 because i knew they were going to cut. The
complete book of UFO i've got tells you the dates when
BBC2 showed the episodes of UFO. as i said in my last
email i'm glad i've got the 2 boxsets on DVD.

                       
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