Psychobombs etc

I am watching this on DVD now. This occurred to me-

*Why do the UFOs always land in the UK? (aside from script
convenience.)

Shouldnt straker have a driver, and not his own car, for security?
if they knew what route he would be driving for the guy to be
standing in the road..why not just fly over his house and blast it?

Don't the aliens realize that if they landed in, say, Cincinnati,
there might not be such a swift response?

Why is SHADO under a movie studio? Why not in the side of a
mountain out in the middle of nowhere? Why does Straker have to
bother acting as a movie studio head- how can he possibly have
anytime or inclination to do any movie work?

And..if SHADO is a military operation, why does everyone wear
uniforms execept the officers, who can wear their own duds?

I have no really good answers to your questions. But here are a few bad ones:

I THINK a UFO landed in Canada once.

Would YOU want to land in Cincinnati?

Not sure what good a driver/car would do. Didn't the diplomat (?) that met Henderson & Straker at the airport in "Identified" have his own driver/car (a Rolls, no less), and it didn't do much good? Even before the existence of SHADO, the aliens were apparently tracking Straker's/Henderson's whereabouts. Although MY argument against the value of a car/driver just validates your point about the aliens just flying over Straker's house and blasting it.

Just a guess, but people seeing other people driving to work at a movie studio looks less suspicious than people seeing other people driving to the middle of nowhere. Maybe if Area 51 in the United States was under a movie studio instead of out in the boonies, it would have had less attention drawn to it.

You make a good point about the uniforms. Also, why is there no indication of rank on the uniforms, and does EVERYONE in SHADO have a rank?

Jeff

Brinke <[hidden email]> wrote:



I am watching this on DVD now. This occurred to me-

*Why do the UFOs always land in the UK? (aside from script
convenience.)

Shouldnt straker have a driver, and not his own car, for security?
if they knew what route he would be driving for the guy to be
standing in the road..why not just fly over his house and blast it?

Don't the aliens realize that if they landed in, say, Cincinnati,
there might not be such a swift response?

Why is SHADO under a movie studio? Why not in the side of a
mountain out in the middle of nowhere? Why does Straker have to
bother acting as a movie studio head- how can he possibly have
anytime or inclination to do any movie work?

And..if SHADO is a military operation, why does everyone wear
uniforms execept the officers, who can wear their own duds?









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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Most of your comments probably relate to costs of series production.
Filming in the USA would have been expensive and using the Film studio
where they shot the series as a cover means cheap sets!!!

Although the USA actually had cold war hideouts built under hotels and
similar buildings in the USA, so the idea of building a secret base
under a film studio might not be so wild. And of course a lot of
building work going on wouldn't attract as much attention (say from
the media) as it might in the middle of no where.

I think most of the time the Aliens were trying to attack SHADO which
is why attacks were concentrated on either Moonbase or England where
much of SHADO's defences were based.

Martin


--- In [hidden email], "Brinke" <brinkeguthrie@y...> wrote:

On Wed, 12 Jan 2005 00:39:04 -0000
"Brinke" <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> I am watching this on DVD now. This occurred to me-
>
> *Why do the UFOs always land in the UK? (aside from script
> convenience.)

There's at least one UFO landing in Northern Canada, but now
you mention it, there should have been a few more UFO incidents
abroad. I'm sure SHADO must maintain SHADO Mobiles in foreign
parts as well as here in dear old Blighty, and I'm sure the
English countryside could stand in for the scenery in some
other country.

Why is SHADO under a movie studio? Why not in the side of a
mountain out in the middle of nowhere? Why does Straker have to
bother acting as a movie studio head- how can he possibly have
anytime or inclination to do any movie work?


I remember the reason that was given for this was in an effort not to attract a lot of curiosity.
The premise was that being a movie studio, they could truck in and out all manner of gadgets and large equipment without a tremendous amount of attention.

Best Regard

JMD

CONTENTS DELETED

Plus a couple of landings in the sea that I can think of.

Just thought I'd add my 2 cents worth:


> *Why do the UFOs always land in the UK? (aside from script
> convenience.)

They don't always land in the UK. There was that time in Canada, and once
in Ireland and a few times in the ocean too, as well as on the moon. I'm
sure had the series gone on longer, they would have eventually used other
places as well.

> Shouldnt straker have a driver, and not his own car, for security?
> if they knew what route he would be driving for the guy to be
> standing in the road..why not just fly over his house and blast it?

Good point...however, the car was equipped with different alarms for his
protection. And, having a driver just doesn't seem like Straker's style.
He was supposed to look the part of a 'hip' movie studio executive. But a
driver and/or body guard wouldn't have looked right.

> Don't the aliens realize that if they landed in, say, Cincinnati,
> there might not be such a swift response?

Ah...but is that so? In the episode where Johnny is lying in the hospital
dying, it seems pretty clear that the transport in New York was carrying
mobile units. Which leads me to believe, they had these bases set up all
over the globe with the main headquarters in London.

> Why is SHADO under a movie studio? Why not in the side of a
> mountain out in the middle of nowhere? Why does Straker have to
> bother acting as a movie studio head- how can he possibly have
> anytime or inclination to do any movie work?

Again...need a little 'hip' look to the show, and besides, it would be
cheaper to use their own studio. Plus, NOTHING really looks inconspicuous
on a studio lot. ;-)

> And..if SHADO is a military operation, why does everyone wear
> uniforms execept the officers, who can wear their own duds?

Again, the officers were supposed to look like studio execs. They didn't
spend all of there time below. But if you noticed Colonel Lake has a
"special" moonbase outfit that is silver, but not as sassy as the other gals
on moonbase. ;-) (Wanda talks about her outfits with Sylvia while doing
the commentary on Timelash...it's really interesting to hear their banter as
you watch the episode).

Now....here's a connundrum for someone else to answer...if the aliens want
earthlings for replacement parts or even the earth because it can still
support life...why would they try to destroy ALL life on the planet as in
"Destruction". I mean it's a nice episode and you get to see the guys out
of the office actually enjoying themselves on the golf course, and of course
Foster charming another pretty girl, but the overall premise of the story is
kind of unlike all the rest of the episodes. The aliens are not trying to
just destroy SHADO...but ALL LIFE ON EARTH...wouldn't that defeat the
purpose of coming here? Hmmm. Of course the aliens attacking the ship only
to be rescued by Skydiver is very suspenseful. ;-)

Samantha

It is script convience and money issues, more of the latter. It costs extra
to set up location shots, and you cant control everything like you can in
the studio.

Again, why under a movie studio? money, nothing to build, for the backlot
already exists for you to shoot in. In the episode where they are showing
SHADO being built, they mention also a federal office building being built
too.

Why doesn't he have a driver? to keep a low profile I would guess. Why the
head of a movie studio? Why not? Remember one of the directors said to him
after he ok'd a script for shooting, he likes a studio head like Straker,
stays out of the way, not realizing, he just doesn't have time to interfere.

they only wear uniforms inside any shado building, never outside. and ever
hear the remark...rank has its privileges...? :)

Bruce

Indeed - if they ever captured a UFO (No. 1 on Straker's
priority list) they could simply stick it on a low-loader
and park it outside the studio! :)
--
Rob


Too Funny Rob!

> *Why do the UFOs always land in the UK? (aside from script
> convenience.)

I forgot to add...remember the target audience...people in the UK. ;-)

Samantha
------------------------------------------------
The Queen's Tailor
http://www.geocities.com/starlamedra1/queenstailor.html

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Speaking of "Destruction", I'm guessing that Ed Bishop had never swung a baseball bat, or a cricket bat, or even a golf club before that episode. When golfing, look at his hands. He is holding the club the way a leftie would, but is swinging right handed. I found it rather funny...

Jeff

I don't play golf but I noticed that as well.
I figured it was wrong.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeffrey Nelson" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2005 7:54 PM
Subject: Re: [SHADO] Re: Psychobombs etc

Hello, everyone. I joined the group a few days ago.

I originally caught the series in the US in the 1970s and then caught a few
episodes on the Sci-Fi channel a few years ago.
Bought the DVD set in December and am at the last disc now. Just two more
episodes to go (plus the Col. Lake/Sylvia Anderson commentary). I think I
will be lost once I'm finished. I know I can watch them again, but it would
have been GREAT if UFO had just survived another 20 episodes or so.

Anyway, here's my question: I think the "Close Up" episode has to be the
worst one of all. The script takes a wild turn at the end and a lot of the
interaction between Lt. Ellis and Straker is kind of baffling. Agree or
disagree?

{The only saving grace of the episode is that the beautiful Gabrielle Drake
has such a large role in it.)

It could be a case of them having only a left handed set of clubs for him to
use and then flopping the film so it is backward and looks right except for
the grip. If you think this is to much work I will remind you that they did the
same thing for the film The Pride of the Yankees where Gary Cooper played Lou
Gehrig who was left handed while Cooper was not. They also did the same with
Paul Newman in The Left Handed Gun. Both of these were for most of the films
scene where the character is shown using his left hand not just a single
scene as it would have been in UFO.

James K.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Welcome to the group, Dennis!
I wasn't particularly fond of "Close Up" myself. I know what you mean about the plot twist at the end. When I saw the episode for the first time as a kid, the anticipation of knowing that SHADO would finally have the answers to many questions, and then being told those answers would NOT be forthcoming was certainly an anticlimactic and disappointing ending.

And I'd SWEAR Straker was hitting on Lt. Ellis before Foster walked in and interrupted the conversation. And Ellis looked to me to be somewhat nervous/uncomfortable in the one on one with Straker. Whether she was nervous interacting with the boss, who can be such a hard-ass perfectionist, or uncomfortable because he seemed to be hitting on her, I can't be sure.

Jeff

You weren't reminding me, you were teaching me! I had no idea they did that in Pride of The Yankees, or The Left Handed Gun. Learn something new everyday. Thanks! : )

But in the case of UFO, I don't think so. Both Foster and Straker are each shown pulling a bag/cart full of clubs, and Foster looks normal swinging his club. And Straker could have used one of Foster's right handed clubs.
Besides, what are the chances they'd only have access to left handed clubs (rolls eyes)?

Nope. Just watched it again. In a particular section of the scene, without cutting, they both grab right handed irons out of their bags, and Straker hits his ball with a left-handed grip on a right handed club. You can even see the club face hitting the ball. Even if there had been a cut, or they decided to flip the film, they would have had to move their wrist watches to their left wrists, and move the breast pocket on Foster's shirt. The REALLY funny thing is that in the dialog of the scene, Straker gives Foster certain tips making it appear that he (Straker) has golfed plenty before, but that this may be Foster's first round. Let's face it. All American Ed Bishop apparently spent his childhood playing with Barbies, 'cause any kid that has swung a bat would realize you grip a golf club somewhat similarly. Reversing the position of the hands would feel unnatural.

Jeff

[hidden email] wrote:


It could be a case of them having only a left handed set of clubs for him to
use and then flopping the film so it is backward and looks right except for
the grip. If you think this is to much work I will remind you that they did the
same thing for the film The Pride of the Yankees where Gary Cooper played Lou
Gehrig who was left handed while Cooper was not. They also did the same with
Paul Newman in The Left Handed Gun. Both of these were for most of the films
scene where the character is shown using his left hand not just a single
scene as it would have been in UFO.

James K.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]







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Actually I do like this episode for the lesson in perspective. I was only a child of 10 when the show aired so I could have cared less for Gabrielle Drake's leg. I thought it was cool that the city was actually a dust mote or whatever it was. Now as an adult i can appreciate Gabrielle Drake's leg and the lesson on perspective is still cool to me. I do think that Straker was giving Ms Drake the eye but I think he realised that she was too young for him plus Foster would have more time to give her. Just my opinion. bsl
D Persica <[hidden email]> wrote:

Hello, everyone. I joined the group a few days ago.

I originally caught the series in the US in the 1970s and then caught a few
episodes on the Sci-Fi channel a few years ago.
Bought the DVD set in December and am at the last disc now. Just two more
episodes to go (plus the Col. Lake/Sylvia Anderson commentary). I think I
will be lost once I'm finished. I know I can watch them again, but it would
have been GREAT if UFO had just survived another 20 episodes or so.

Anyway, here's my question: I think the "Close Up" episode has to be the
worst one of all. The script takes a wild turn at the end and a lot of the
interaction between Lt. Ellis and Straker is kind of baffling. Agree or
disagree?

{The only saving grace of the episode is that the beautiful Gabrielle Drake
has such a large role in it.)








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I think the final part of the episode where we see Gabrielle Drake in
her skimpy mini being used to make a fool out of Straker was a
deliberate way for her to get back at Straker. I think today his
approaches would probably be seen as harassment in our PC world.

Nice scene mind you. We never got enough of Ms Drake as far as I'm
concerned.

One thing on that episode. I always got the impression that the
scientist who worked on the project (the one who wanted more money for
his other projects) had sabotarged the camera in the probe deliberatly
to get back at Straker.

Martin

>
> Hello, everyone. I joined the group a few days ago.
>
> I originally caught the series in the US in the 1970s and then
caught a few
> episodes on the Sci-Fi channel a few years ago.
> Bought the DVD set in December and am at the last disc now. Just two
more
> episodes to go (plus the Col. Lake/Sylvia Anderson commentary). I
think I
> will be lost once I'm finished. I know I can watch them again, but
it would
> have been GREAT if UFO had just survived another 20 episodes or so.
>
> Anyway, here's my question: I think the "Close Up" episode has to be
the
> worst one of all. The script takes a wild turn at the end and a lot
of the
> interaction between Lt. Ellis and Straker is kind of baffling. Agree or
> disagree?
>
> {The only saving grace of the episode is that the beautiful
Gabrielle Drake

Re "Destruction" and why the aliens would want to destroy all life on Earth, which would defeat the object of their entire exercise - just as, in "Question of Priorities", there is at least one alien who tries to defect to SHADO, presumably because he doesn't agree with his fellow aliens' way of thinking, there may well be another group of the aliens who similarly disagreewith what is going on and have decided to take radical action against the alien race as a whole. Said action being to deprive the aliens of their "stock", so to speak, by annihilating the human race in "Destruction".  

Samantha Peterson <[hidden email]> wrote:
Now....here's a connundrum for someone else to answer...if the aliens want
earthlings for replacement parts or even the earth because it can still
support life...why would they try to destroy ALL life on the planet as in
"Destruction". I mean it's a nice episode and you get to see the guys out
of the office actually enjoying themselves on the golf course, and of course
Foster charming another pretty girl, but the overall premise of the story is
kind of unlike all the rest of the episodes. The aliens are not trying to
just destroy SHADO...but ALL LIFE ON EARTH...wouldn't that defeat the
purpose of coming here? Hmmm. Of course the aliens attacking the ship only
to be rescued by Skydiver is very suspenseful. ;-)

Samantha

               
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