Subsmash

Martin wrote:

>tonight's episode 'subsmash' oh my how cool is straker even
>under 'pressure' (!) still does not succumb to the lady always the
>cool, detached one is our hero


"Subsmash" – such a frustrating episode! :-) Edited twice for this
screening; the dialogue between Straker and Chin about the escape
hatches; also where Straker goes into the Captain's cabin for the
first time – looking in the shaving mirror etc. etc.

This is an annoying episode because we *know* more than one person
can get into the escape hatch at one time! However, there may be a
reason why they couldn't under the circumstances. Are there any
submariners on this list, who might be able to justify this?  
Furthermore, why couldn't they simply open the escape hatch inner
door to let the water out into the sub, rather than wait for
the "failing" pumps to do the job each time?

The ending is particularly annoying; almost a "deux et machina",
although they do offer an explanation of sorts in the final scene but
it isn't very believable – blowing it off the ledge with explosives
seems pretty unlikely to succeed to me. Somebody correct me if I'm
wrong, please :-)

There's so much going on in this episode, which for a relatively slow-
moving story is pretty amazing; perhaps confirming that it really is
a character driven show.  

On his commentary, Ed B. says he didn't agree with the fact that
Capt. Waterman piloted Sky 1 and therefore left his command, going
against the "rules of the sea". Knowing nothing about military
command, I wondered whether because Straker was aboard, as
Commander-in-Chief of SHADO and of this operation in particular, he
was technically "in command" and therefore should have remained until
the end, as actually happened. Again, can anyone out there confirm
or refute whether this is how things would work under the
circumstances?

Another question for any medics out there :-) Does a lack of oxygen
typically induce hallucinations? The relevant scene implies this is
what is happening to Straker and he is not deliberately choosing to
recall the distressing memories we see him experiencing. Furthermore,
wouldn't it be a totally lunatic thing to do to open the crash dive
flood tube door like that after its cover had been blown, because
wouldn't it then flood the entire sub? Anyway, I've always believed
he was doing this because he thought he would see Mary and was
completely stunned to find it was actually Nina. It seems this *was*
what was meant, from the original script (see Marc's site for this)
and it got him back to "reality".

I remember reading in the archives discussion about whether there was
a "relationship" between Straker and Nina, mainly because of this
episode and its infuriating ending! The script definitely implies
there wasn't and wouldn't ever have been. Seems it's meant to be
more to do with the closeness people feel as a result of sharing a
distressing life-threatening experience like that, about which both
show some embarrassment later on. I think it's just really sweet, a
big "aaahh" moment :-D    

Interestingly Wanda Ventham says in her commentary that she thought
there was a lot of admiration for Straker in Col. Lake's
characterization and not just because he was such a heroic commander;
although it sounds (to me) more like this came from Wanda, not
Virginia :-D Apparently, Ed B. thought there was no sexual
attraction between the characters whatsoever and I agree with him on
that one. Considering the stereotypical TV "heroes" particularly of
that era, it's rather amazing to have a lead male character that
apparently isn't remotely affected by the considerable attractiveness
of the female SHADO members :-) Same applies to Nina in this
episode, IMHO :-)

Anyway, just my "take" on this episode; love to hear some feedback,
especially about the questions I've asked.  

Sarah

Just my humble opinion on your questions. Subsmash has always been one of my favorite eps because it takes place mainly in the water and shows how the SHADO operatives have rotations on the various vehicles. Although you never see a female in an Interceptor or in Sky One.        
I am not sure why only one person could leave at a time. It seemed to me the hatch was too small but it may have been artistic license. Inone of the previous episodes I think it was established that Straker is a claustraphobe but I may be wrong. Letting water into the sub would have been worse because of the delicate electronics and chance of shock. It would also have made the sub more unstable, also water displaces air so the air would have run out faster.
   
I also did not like the explosive conclusion. I think you are right about Capt. Waterman leaving the way he did. It could also have been dramatic license. We like Capt Waterman but we (viewers at that time) want to see Straker in trouble not one of the cast members that could easily be replaced.
It is a well used device that lack of oxygen can cause hallucinations but I think a person is more likely to pass out first. Med studentshelp me here. I used to wrestle and a friend said he could put me in a sleeper hold . He made me pass out but I don't remember hallucinating.
People always want the Commanding Officer to have a love interest but it usually makes for a lower fan base. Mary's PI thought that Straker and Nina were having an affair but completely missed the others at the meeting when SHADO was being formed. Most audiences want the hero to save the day and get the female of that episode. Col. Lake would have made aninteresting love interest but he would be rescuing her every other week. Col Lake was a strong character so she might have saved Straker a few timestoo. In Star Trek Capt Kirk had a different love interest every othe week. It wasn't until the movies came out that it turned out the Capt. may havehad his flings but he always loved Carol. I think that Straker was basicly a man with deep feelings but as long as the aliens were there he was married to the job. His love for Mary never faded but his dedication to the alien solution was upper most in his mind. Just my opinion.
             

moonbasegirl <[hidden email]> wrote:
Martin wrote:

>tonight's episode 'subsmash' oh my how cool is straker even
>under 'pressure' (!) still does not succumb to the lady always the
>cool, detached one is our hero


"Subsmash" – such a frustrating episode! :-) Edited twice for this
screening; the dialogue between Straker and Chin about the escape
hatches; also where Straker goes into the Captain's cabin for the
first time – looking in the shaving mirror etc. etc.

This is an annoying episode because we *know* more than one person
can get into the escape hatch at one time! However, there may be a
reason why they couldn't under the circumstances. Are there any
submariners on this list, who might be able to justify this?
Furthermore, why couldn't they simply open the escape hatch inner
door to let the water out into the sub, rather than wait for
the "failing" pumps to do the job each time?

The ending is particularly annoying; almost a "deux et machina",
although they do offer an explanation of sorts in the final scene but
it isn't very believable – blowing it off the ledge with explosives
seems pretty unlikely to succeed to me. Somebody correct me if I'm
wrong, please :-)

There's so much going on in this episode, which for a relatively slow-
moving story is pretty amazing; perhaps confirming that it really is
a character driven show.

On his commentary, Ed B. says he didn't agree with the fact that
Capt. Waterman piloted Sky 1 and therefore left his command, going
against the "rules of the sea". Knowing nothing about military
command, I wondered whether because Straker was aboard, as
Commander-in-Chief of SHADO and of this operation in particular, he
was technically "in command" and therefore should have remained until
the end, as actually happened. Again, can anyone out there confirm
or refute whether this is how things would work under the
circumstances?

Another question for any medics out there :-) Does a lack of oxygen
typically induce hallucinations? The relevant scene implies this is
what is happening to Straker and he is not deliberately choosing to
recall the distressing memories we see him experiencing. Furthermore,
wouldn't it be a totally lunatic thing to do to open the crash dive
flood tube door like that after its cover had been blown, because
wouldn't it then flood the entire sub? Anyway, I've always believed
he was doing this because he thought he would see Mary and was
completely stunned to find it was actually Nina. It seems this *was*
what was meant, from the original script (see Marc's site for this)
and it got him back to "reality".

I remember reading in the archives discussion about whether there was
a "relationship" between Straker and Nina, mainly because of this
episode and its infuriating ending! The script definitely implies
there wasn't and wouldn't ever have been. Seems it's meant to be
more to do with the closeness people feel as a result of sharing a
distressing life-threatening experience like that, about which both
show some embarrassment later on. I think it's just really sweet, a
big "aaahh" moment :-D

Interestingly Wanda Ventham says in her commentary that she thought
there was a lot of admiration for Straker in Col. Lake's
characterization and not just because he was such a heroic commander;
although it sounds (to me) more like this came from Wanda, not
Virginia :-D Apparently, Ed B. thought there was no sexual
attraction between the characters whatsoever and I agree with him on
that one. Considering the stereotypical TV "heroes" particularly of
that era, it's rather amazing to have a lead male character that
apparently isn't remotely affected by the considerable attractiveness
of the female SHADO members :-) Same applies to Nina in this
episode, IMHO :-)

Anyway, just my "take" on this episode; love to hear some feedback,
especially about the questions I've asked.

Sarah




















Yahoo! Groups Links







 



signature

test'; ">
               
---------------------------------
Yahoo! Shopping
Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Yahoo! Shopping

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

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

Martin wrote:

Furthermore, why couldn't they simply open the escape hatch inner
door to let the water out into the sub, rather than wait for
the "failing" pumps to do the job each time?
 
On his commentary, Ed B. says he didn't agree with the fact that
Capt. Waterman piloted Sky 1 and therefore left his command, going
against the "rules of the sea". Knowing nothing about military
command, I wondered whether because Straker was aboard, as
Commander-in-Chief of SHADO and of this operation in particular, he
was technically "in command" and therefore should have remained until
the end, as actually happened. Again, can anyone out there confirm
or refute whether this is how things would work under the
circumstances?
 
1. I've always asked myself just that, why they didn't just open the
hatch's inner door, and let the water out in the sub (and, just like
for the emergency exit tunnel... that escape hatch looked big enough
for two people to use it at the same time).

One possibility, maybe the esxape hatch as a mechanism that prevents
it's inner door from opening, unless it's completly empty ?

Further, along those lines, why not just flood the sub and they could
then have all escaped via the escape hatch or the coning tower ?

2. The Skydiver Captain leaving the ship... well, for one thing, Ed
Straker basically ordered him out (by Sky 1). Also, at that time, I
don't think they knew how much trouble they were in, damage-wise.