Identified

I just spent the morning viewing my copy of Identified made from the
Japanese laser disc set a friend sent me a few months ago. It was a chance
to relive the sense of wonder I felt when I first saw the series 30 years ago
come this September.
Over those 30 year I had forgotten things and misremembered other and
even added elements that weren't there, like the the girl in the show on
Moonbase<g>(where did that come from I wonder?)
The episode does a great job of introducing us to all the main characters
as original intended to be in the series and all the main locations and
equipment that would make up the main scene of actions during the show.
The opening with Carlin and his sister and the the other girl Jean
filming the UFO and then the attack sets up the opening and is continued by
the cut to Henderson and Straker beening met by the British official and
being taken to met the Prime Minister an then the UFO attacking the Rolls.
This is a good hook. You want to know what next. Then you find that 10
years have past which is made clear by Straker refering to the fact several
times. And we get our first look at the characters and equipment that make
the series so exciting and so much fun to watch. The episode is carefully
construsted to answer the questions why the aliens come and what happen to
Leila Carlin. The answer is of course the aliens come to collect humans
organs for transpants the need to live and Leila became an unwilling donor.
I remember when I first watched UFO all those years ago as I was
recovering from being very ill I was hooked after the first episode. I also
recall that I was not too fond of Straker who I though was rather cold. It
took me about 3 or 4 episodes to see that actual Straker was a better model
for a commanding officer that we got in other series. He had to be hard and
tough and cold not because he was a cold person be rather because he had to
deal with the responsiblity of leadership and couldn't play favorites just
because he as the leader. If operative so and so was the best person to send
on a mission that is who you send even if they might get killed. You don't
knock them out and go yourself because they are your friend. That was used
so often in Star Trek it became a cliche of the series.
Also see the episode again as I said I saw many things I had forgotten.
The fact that when Jean is shot by the alien it impact of the three round
burst of fire knocks her back several feet. Also I didn't remember how torn
and ripped Leila's dress had gotten as she ran throught the forrest. It can
be seen that one shoulder is torn open and the the skirt is ripped up to the
hip.
Also I had forgotten about Straker blowing the cigar ash from his desk
onto Freeman as he comes in<g> Also how could I forget Ayshea walking toward
the studio in that pink mini skirt and sweater?<veg>. And had forgotten that
Mayland Hospital can be reached by underground tunnels connected to SHADO.
A very good first episode IMHO!

James K.


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