So, anyone read the new script?

Hi all,

Well, it's been a week, and we've had discussions about HDTV,
search engines, a TV show called "Search", etc., but I haven't
seen much discussion about the new UFO script. Anyone read
it? Anyone have an opinion?

Do people even read the UFO scripts on my site? Is there
demand for more? I have the scripts for CONFLICT, ESP,
and COURT MARTIAL that I could add to the site, but I
won't bother if nobody reads them!

Marc

Yes, I read it and thought it was great. I am disappointed it never saw
production. Many other shows were making political statements thinly
disguised as Sci-Fi. I wish this show would have aired.

I would love it if you posted the other scripts!

Thanks for all your hard work on the site, it is greatly appreciated.

Martin

Marc Martin wrote:

I thought it was ok... It certainly needed another draft or two as there
were several situations
in it that defied logical thinking (painting Sky1 at the drop of a
hat?)... overall it was an interesting concept that was executed with
little flair. The dialogue was clunky as well.
AT

>>Hi all,
>>
>>Well, it's been a week, and we've had discussions about HDTV,
>>search engines, a TV show called "Search", etc., but I haven't
>>seen much discussion about the new UFO script. Anyone read
>>it? Anyone have an opinion?

I thought it seemed a bit grim towards the end, with Straker arranging for a lot of people to be killed just so that the UFO threat could eremain secret and thus avoid mass panic. He didn't seem so extreme in the series, or perhaps that's how I see it, anyway. Perhaps if it had been produced, and went out before Computer Affair, it could be the background to Alec offering Straker his resignation.

Marc Martin <[hidden email]> wrote:Hi all,

Well, it's been a week, and we've had discussions about HDTV,
search engines, a TV show called "Search", etc., but I haven't
seen much discussion about the new UFO script. Anyone read
it? Anyone have an opinion?!

Marc


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

MICK DICKENS wrote:
> I thought it seemed a bit grim towards the end, with Straker arranging
> for a lot of people to be killed just so that the UFO threat could remain
> secret and thus avoid mass panic. He didn't seem so extreme in the series

I think Straker was more extreme even in the script version of COMPUTER
AFFAIR than he was in the finished episode, so I think the original
concept for this character was toned down as the series proceeded.

Marc

--- In [hidden email], Marc Martin <marc@u...> wrote:
> MICK DICKENS wrote:
<< I thought it seemed a bit grim towards the end, with Straker
arranging for a lot of people to be killed just so that the UFO threat
could remain secret and thus avoid mass panic. He didn't seem so
extreme in the series >>

Marc Martin wrote:

<< I think Straker was more extreme even in the script version of
COMPUTER AFFAIR than he was in the finished episode, so I think the
original concept for this character was toned down as the series
proceeded. >>


I've been trying to decide where in the running order of the existing
episodes this new script would've best fitted – in view of it
demonstrating a considerably more hard-a$$ed Straker than we had in
any of the actual 26 eps.(mandatory insertion of: "IMO" at this point).

For me, it didn't fit naturally anywhere in the series. I can only see
it as the start (or part) of a new series – particularly following the
Long Sleep. For me, that episode had an uncharacteristic Straker - his
attachment to the Tessa Wyatt character (Catherine, was it?) struck an
odd note. So, after she dies (because of the drug SHADO used blah
blah) and Straker strides moodily off into the garden, perhaps that
further hardens him against his emotions – hence, in this new script,
he can give the order to…


(SPOILER ALERT –
STOP READING IF YOU DON'T WANT A PLOT POINT REVEALED)


... can give the order to SKY ONE to wipe out the rebel detail
accompanying the ambulance... with Christine and the unsuspecting
SHADO staff member.

If it had been filmed – and I agree with someone that posted earlier
in that there were some wrinkles in need of a hot iron – eg the SKY
instant paint job – I suspect it would have been considerably toned down.

Anyone else have a view on where it would have fitted into the
existing episodes?

Carly

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

>
> Anyone else have a view on where it would have fitted into the
> existing episodes?
>
> Carly

I agree, it seems so unlike any other episode.
In a foreign country and during a civil war?
As far as we know SHADO is a one country system that looks after the
whole world,it would have to be since hardware such as Skydiver and
SHADO mobiles have to be moved moved from one country to another
without reasonable delay considering the urgency of counter measures
against alien attack. The presence of Straker in this story would
support this.Although he did send Alec to Canada in "The Computer
Affair" episode.
Yes,the script could be used to launch a new series, but out of the
current choice of actors,who could be cast as the leading players,
and what sort of audience would it be aimed at?
Do the original SHADO hardware models still exist, would probably
look better than the computer generated versions.

Kevin.

I skimmed the script and saw the reference to
"Sullivan" which implies he is Straker's superior.

Was Sullivan reporting to General Henderson, or
possibly from the UN?

In later scripts, such as Timelash and The Long Sleep,
Henderson is still around, so I doubt that Sullivan
took Henderson's place.

Ron



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--- In [hidden email], "Marc Martin" <marc@u...> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Well, it's been a week, and we've had discussions about HDTV,
> search engines, a TV show called "Search", etc., but I haven't
> seen much discussion about the new UFO script. Anyone read
> it? Anyone have an opinion?
>

> Marc

I have a few thoughts about the new script and why it wasn't
produced. The major one was production and time costs. I could be
wrong but it seems to me that it would take a lot of money to
produce this script and it probably use up a lot of time to
coordinate it as well. That being said I'm not a producer so what do
I know.

The other thought was that Straker was painted a little to harsh. I
know he can seem a little cold-hearted at times but I really can't
see him sending one of his men off to be killed and I really don't
think it was necessary. If they were going to target the convoy
surely it could have been done without putting one of their men
onboard or at least he could have been warned beforehand so he could
jump ship so to speak.

Another thought was the fact that if I were the rebel leader I would
be keeping hold of Straker and using him as a bargining piece
instead of letting him go free.

I have to admit that I didn't care for the script. To much politics
for my taste. I prefer to wonder what the aliens next move is rather
than some rebel group in Africa. Sorry if that sounds harsh to some
but I'd just rather watch stuff on sci-fi.

Karen

> I skimmed the script and saw the reference to
> "Sullivan" which implies he is Straker's superior.
>
> Was Sullivan reporting to General Henderson, or
> possibly from the UN?

It notes that there is a "UN car" parked out front,
so it could be that it's some OTHER superior. It's
my feeling that if they actually filmed this, they
would have transferred these lines to Henderson,
since he's the one always seen in these sorts of
conflicts with Straker.

Also note that in some of the other early UFO scripts,
Straker's superior was named "James Douglas", but
they did a name change by the time they started
filming.

Marc

>"carlyjward" wrote: for me, it didn't fit naturally anywhere in the
>series. I can only see it as the start(or part)of a new series -
>particularly following the Long Sleep.

IMHO, this script could fit in early on in the series, especially
before AQOP, something of a watershed for the Straker character. The
only aspect that possibly doesn't fit is Straker leaving HQ, but the
story couldn't develop the way it does otherwise. The trouble with
just reading scripts is having no idea how the respective actors
would actually act, I think the episode could have worked. It seems
strange becuase it never got filmed, so we can only imagine how it
might have come across.

>For me, that episode had an uncharacteristic Straker - his
>attachment to the Tessa Wyatt character (Catherine, was it?) struck
>an odd note.

I recently read an interview with Mike Billington on Marc's site in
which he states that Straker's role was written for Foster's
character. The original script had Straker falling in love with
Catherine, which would make more sense if it were Foster. In the
finished episode, it appears that this has been watered down so that
Straker feels an overburdening sense of duty to take care of her,
perhaps a kind of compromise under the circumstances, but still out
of character. Mike B. shouldn't have p***ed off the boss!

I can't resist adding I've always thought it a shame Ed Bishop had
to endure another session in the ladies hair salon, all for a scene
lasting less than a minute.

Sarah