UFO Episode Discussions -- THE RESPONSIBILITY SEAT

Hi all,

Okay, I think our time for discussing the UFO episode CONFETTI CHECK
A-OK has come and gone, so it's probably time to move onto our next
episode. We had skipped THE RESPONSIBILITY SEAT before because it
wasn't part of A&E's UFO DVD Set 1, so lets go back to that one.
Anyone have any comments on this episode? If so, please make them
within the next 2 weeks!

Marc

Marc Martin wrote:

> Okay, I think our time for discussing the UFO episode CONFETTI
> CHECK A-OK has come and gone, so it's probably time to move onto
> our next episode. We had skipped THE RESPONSIBILITY SEAT before
> because it wasn't part of A&E's UFO DVD Set 1, so lets go back to
> that one. Anyone have any comments on this episode? If so, please
> make them within the next 2 weeks!


THE RESPONSIBILITY SEAT is most notable for me for the single
dodgiest scene in any UFO episode! An actor looking just like
Straker (from the view we get) walking across the set at exactly the
same time as Straker gets shot. Nothing to do with the plot - IMO
it's just a really cheap way of generating a bit of suspense for a
few moments.

Also - it doesn't make sense that Freeman is so under-confident and
indecisive in this episode. To get to be 2IC of SHADO, he must have
had considerable leadership experience and he never appears to have
a problem taking responsibility in other episodes. For example, he
famously has the transport plane from NY diverted in AQOP.

James

Hi all,

I see we haven't had much discussion on our UFO episode up for
discussion, THE RESPONSIBILITY SEAT. Anyone else have any comments
about this episode before we move on to the next episode?

Marc

Hi All :)

Okay, The Responsibility Seat. In some ways, it's one of my favourite
episodes, as it has a great balance between SHADO/Alien action and personal
interest. In many of the other UFO episodes there seems to be either one or
the other.

It is very interesting to see Straker in a more sympathetic light, to
witness his vulnerabilities and perhaps naivety where women are concerned.
It also does go some way to explain his focus and single-mindedness with
SHADO. I think he wanted things to work out with Jo Frazer, he in some way
he even trusted her to some extent, but over-estimated his intuition, but
was saved by his sense of logic and procedure that forced him to check her
out for sure. SHADO security: where were you?

The touching scene at his house seems to indicate that he is willing to give
things a try, and he also seems to show sympathy for her story and wants to
believe it. He even trusts her to some degree, and wishes to understand why
she went about things the way she did, giving her every chance to explain
herself. This is good interpersonal stuff, and I believe for the fan fiction
writers gives (of all the episodes) the best personal background
understanding as to the psychology that makes up the character of Straker.

Of course, I cannot blame Straker, Jo Frazer is VERY pretty :)

There are a few things that bother me though:

Okay, I'll bypass the obvious observation that Jo Frazer would never have
been allowed within 10 miles of SHADO within being thoroughly vetted by
SHADO security (as I presume all visitors normally are vetted), even
standard checks would have shown her history, she didn't even appear to
change her name, then there's fingerprints, voiceprint, and the fact that
Harlington-Straker are in the media business, they would have people in the
know, and have to be pretty savvy about such gold/dirt diggers.

Then there's the inconsistency about her car. She finally admits it's hired,
and yet Straker mentions that the vehicle was logged and traced back to
her...

I find it disappointing that SHADO tracking RADAR cannot differentiate
between a weather balloon and a UFO - their RADAR signature characteristics
would be massively different, and indeed all US and European weather
balloons are tracked and their plots shared with all airline and military
flight traffic controls - and always have been.

I find it hard to believe that it is possible that the Russian Mining Rig
maintains an exact collision course for Moonbase over fifty miles, even with
all the obstacles that must be in the way, but hey, maybe it had some kind
of Moon GPS system to keep it on course, but it would seem unlikely.

Okay, also the fact that the space helmets appear to change colour; well,
this could be down to inconsistent lighting, bad colour matching or even
different film stock or processing.

I also like the jovial relationship between SHADO (Anglo-Americans) and the
Russian Sovatek base remembering that UFO was filmed during the thick of the
cold war... good foresight Gerry and Sylvia :)

...I have loads of other observations, but I guess I'll leave it there :)

Anyway, as I mentioned I think of this episode as one of my favourites.

Best to all

Griff

-----Original Message-----
From: Marc Martin [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2003 3:28 PM
To: SHADO Discussion Group
Subject: [SHADO] UFO Episode Discussions -- THE RESPONSIBILITY SEAT


Hi all,

Okay, I think our time for discussing the UFO episode CONFETTI CHECK
A-OK has come and gone, so it's probably time to move onto our next
episode. We had skipped THE RESPONSIBILITY SEAT before because it
wasn't part of A&E's UFO DVD Set 1, so lets go back to that one.
Anyone have any comments on this episode? If so, please make them
within the next 2 weeks!

Marc



Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

> Okay, I'll bypass the obvious observation that Jo Frazer would
> never have been allowed within 10 miles of SHADO within being
> thoroughly vetted by SHADO security (as I presume all visitors
> normally are vetted)

We can't assume that they are, in my opinion - it would be
inexplicably unusual for a film studio to turn journalists and
other visitors away without providing an adequate explanation.

There would need to be a 'firewall', metaphorically speaking,
between the studio and SHADO HQ, with an absolutely watertight
security barrier between the two. But it's clear from THE
RESPONSIBILITY SEAT - with Ford calling Straker 'Commander' over
the intercom in his office at a time when a member of the general
public could be present - that there isn't.

One thing I've often thought about - how do SHADO personnel get to
work? Do they all show up at Straker's office and use it as an
elevator? That would be rather conspicuous.

I quite like the idea that SHADO personnel have sleeping quarters
underground and spend weeks or months there without 'surfacing',
like the crew of a nuclear submarine - though there's nothing in
the canon to support this.

James

interesting thoughts on the straker / frazer interaction. my thoughts
are that straker sort of knows he isn't good with women but due to a
combination of hormones, opportunity and a sense of hope straker
pusues the relationship. i imagine there's a dichotomy for straker in
his dealings with frazer;he is being pulled by his emotions but is
tempered by his reasoning, and he is flitting between the 2. when he
gets the phone call, his good ol familiar, dependable reasoning +
sense of mission etc click in and he knows the hope was false. the
hormones subside, the opportunity has gone and the emotions are less
furtive. straker does what he does best and "robert's your father's
brother".

something like that anyway

thomas

james - i was going to recommend berwick st until you got there. also
worth mentioning that the shops that sell new cd's have some great
bargains too - mister cd + sister ray.

--- In [hidden email], James Gibbon <james.gibbon@v...> wrote:
> >
> One thing I've often thought about - how do SHADO personnel get to
> work? Do they all show up at Straker's office and use it as an
> elevator? That would be rather conspicuous.
>
>
There is another elevator close to Straker's SHADO office, behind
Alex's "Booze-a-matic"..Paul Foster has been seen using it..the
elevator I mean not the "Booze-a-matic
Tom

In my fanfic I've provided for just that James...it seems to me that would be
the best answer too.  

Mary

-----Original Message-----
From: James Gibbon [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2003 18:32
To: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [SHADO] UFO Episode Discussions -- The Responsibility Seat


I quite like the idea that SHADO personnel have sleeping quarters underground
and spend weeks or months there without 'surfacing', like the crew of a
nuclear submarine - though there's nothing in the canon to support this.

James


 

I can not believe that SHADO would be so careless as to only have one way in or out of the entire complex. Besides common sense, what would they do if the lift was damaged in case of attack or if the power went out for another reason? Or that lift was damaged in some way. How do they get large items like computers or other eqipment into the facility?
SHADOW must have some REALLY DEDICATED troops if they are willing to "Go underground" for such long peroids. Personally, I don't see it. Several of the shows showed that even the Techs had a social life outside of SHADO. You would have to tell an afwul lot of wives about what was going on, not to mention parents, land lords (Rentals) and god knows who else if you did this.
Hell, for all I know, SHADO may have its own appartment building, or two, for Techs and what have you, so that they can keep an eye on them. Any takers on that theroy?
James Gibbon <[hidden email]> wrote:

One thing I've often thought about - how do SHADO personnel get to
work? Do they all show up at Straker's office and use it as an
elevator? That would be rather conspicuous.

I quite like the idea that SHADO personnel have sleeping quarters
underground and spend weeks or months there without 'surfacing',
like the crew of a nuclear submarine - though there's nothing in
the canon to support this.

James




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Hi All :)

Er... am I missing something? There are at least 3 elevators/lifts to my
knowledge:

1: Straker's elevator/office adjacent to Miss Ealand.
2: Straker's emergency escape elevator
3: The utility elevator used in Timelash

...and probably many more dotted/hidden around the complex. Maybe even the
Harlington-Straker Film Studio lifts have secret button combinations that
take them to the basement.. er that's very much lower basement... or maybe,
instead of button combinations, they use a Voiceprint system as with
Straker's office.

...just thinking out loud...

Best :)

Griff

-------------

(snip) I can not believe that SHADO would be so careless as to only have one
way in or out of the entire complex. Besides common sense, what would they
do if the lift was damaged in case of attack or if the power went out for
another reason? Or that lift was damaged in some way. How do they get large
items like computers or other eqipment into the facility?

Hi all - in regards to the comments below (sorry for keeping them in here
but I felt it was nec for readers to understand what post I was responding
to) about special facilities underground and different means of accessing
SHADO (not just Straker's office) - I've touched on these subjects in my own
UFO fan fic. I always felt during the series, that like the one turbolift on
the U.S.S. Enterprise's bridge, how the heck did they get in and/or out in
emergencies (I noticed TNG corrected that oversight, ha ha!).

I've also stipulated in some of my work that Straker's home was actually
owned by SHADO and that there were secure apt buildings for the SHADO
workers - places they could feel secure and live with their own co-workers,
so there wouldn't be any nosy neighbours.

As for the more "exotic" UFO fan fic, and the very idea of Straker showering
with Alec is disrespectful to the characters not to mention the actors,
let's not even give creedence to that genre. A long time ago Marc asked we
not discuss this type of fiction and I think he should closely moderate any
postings on it.

Pam

Postings by James and Robert:

"I can not believe that SHADO would be so careless as to only have one way
in or out of the entire complex. Besides common sense, what would they do if
the lift was damaged in case of attack or if the power went out for another
reason? Or that lift was damaged in some way. How do they get large items
like computers or other eqipment into the facility? SHADO must have some
REALLY DEDICATED troops if they are willing to "Go underground" for such
long periods. Personally, I don't see it. Several of the shows showed that
even the Techs had a social life outside of SHADO. You would have to tell an
awful lot of wives about what was going on, not to mention parents, land
lords (Rentals) and god knows who else if you did this. Hell, for all I
know, SHADO may have its own apartment building, or two, for Techs and what
have you, so that they can keep an eye on them. Any takers on that theory?"

"One thing I've often thought about - how do SHADO personnel get to work? Do
they all show up at Straker's office and use it as an elevator? That would
be rather conspicuous.I quite like the idea that SHADO personnel have
sleeping quarters underground and spend weeks or months there without
'surfacing', like the crew of a nuclear submarine - though there's nothing
in the canon to support this."

According to the 'Art of SHADO' book's plan of SHADO HQ there're also
stairs, as well as the three lifts. I also stuck in a couple of emergency
exits into my fan fiction [though I never had any scenes of anyone showering
with ANYONE ;-)]

Love to all,

Jess

Just had another thought on the SHADO HQ exit question - Griff mentioned the
'utility elevator' from Timelash - do you mean the sort of personnel lift or
teh cupboard thing with the rocket launcher in that came out onto the studio
roof? Either way, that's another one to add to the list.

Col. Lake also stepped out of an elevator in 'Mindbender' before she was
grabbed by Beaver JAmes, but that might be the same one mentioned above.

Jess
----- Original Message -----
From: Griff <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2003 8:28 PM
Subject: RE: [SHADO] UFO Episode Discussions -- The Responsibility Seat

> 1: Straker's elevator/office adjacent to Miss Ealand.
> 2: Straker's emergency escape elevator
> 3: The utility elevator used in Timelash

Appologies to you Pam, if I steped on anyones toes with my comments about certain Slash FanFic. I know that this is more or less a "family site", which is why I danced around the subject matter. Again my appologies (Offering neck for hacking, if necessary).
By the way, it wasn't Alec I was refering to, this was a cross over by a certain Klingon staring a certain vampire cop. I haven't worked my way through all of the stories yet, and I am begining to regreat having ever asked about FanFics in the first place. There isn't enough time in the day to get all of the things that I want to do done, let alone the "Fun" things. That is why I usually only check this site two or three times a week. Today has been slow, and I am being "Naughty" at work.

Robert Thomas wrote:

> SHADOW must have some REALLY DEDICATED troops if they are willing
> to "Go underground" for such long peroids. Personally, I don't see
> it.

Why not? Nuclear submarine crews remain submerged in much more
claustrophobic conditions for weeks or months at a time.
Besides, Moonbase personnel must spend weeks away from home, too.

> Several of the shows showed that even the Techs had a social life
> outside of SHADO. You would have to tell an afwul lot of wives
> about what was going on, not to mention parents, land lords
> (Rentals) and god knows who else if you did this.

I'm under the impression that most of the SHADO personnel -
interceptor astronauts, SkyDiver crew, Moonbase personnel and so on
- do not have 'front' professional identities like Straker does,
rather their families and friends know that they work for a secret
part of the military without knowing anything about SHADO. So for
SHADO HQ personnel, spending weeks away from home might not be any
more suspicious than for SkyDiver crews.

James

Hi Robert and all:

I was referring in my post to the fact that Marc has been very protective of
the site, prohibiting flaming, bad posts aimed at insulting other posters
and of course omitting mention of a "certain genre". I think it's just as
well, altho I understand you weren't really trying to get anything started.
One writer I hope will begin placing his recent UFO work on the shadowlibrary is
Neil May. His current novella is totally fab and jam-packed with wonderful
asides, integration of other Gerry Anderson characters, and kick-ass
action-adventure. He is a MUST read!!!

Pam

Re different entrances to SHADO:
Isn't there a special medical entrance too? I seem to recall an alien
being brought in through a special medical entrance.

-- Y

> One writer I hope will begin placing his recent UFO work on the shadowlibrary is
> Neil May. His current novella is totally fab and jam-packed with wonderful
> asides, integration of other Gerry Anderson characters, and kick-ass
> action-adventure. He is a MUST read!!!

Are his novellas available to read anywhere currently?

Dave.

Yuchtar <[hidden email]>
asked:
>Re different entrances to SHADO:
>Isn't there a special medical entrance too? I seem to recall an alien
>being brought in through a special medical entrance.

Yes. In Identified, I think. It led from the hospital or something,
supposedly an underground entrance. Do I have that right? Anyone watched
Identified recently and can clarify?
Denise

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If they don't have "Front IDs", do they put SHADO under the name of their employer, when they fill out W-2s? Or would you think that they would be carried by the studio or one of its "Sub"-contractors (Pun intended)?
Somehow, I can't see all of them being "Military" since someone might start asking questions if this was a regular military "Black Budget" outfit. I would be willing to bet that they are "Carried" on the lists of a whole bunch of Black projects, all over the British and US Commands. That way no one could come up with a complete SHADO roster by violating one sections security. Not that SHADO hasn't managed to advertise itself from time to time.
Hmm, three shifts of, say forty people, in the HQ section, plus at least one Quick Reaction team standing by at an airfield with Mobiles (Another twenty?) and various and sundry other installations spread across the world...SHADO must have one hell of a payroll.
I wonder what their retirement options are? A shot of Amnesia drug and a gold watch from a cover organization?
James Gibbon <[hidden email]> wrote:Robert Thomas wrote:

> SHADOW must have some REALLY DEDICATED troops if they are willing
> to "Go underground" for such long peroids. Personally, I don't see
> it.

Why not? Nuclear submarine crews remain submerged in much more
claustrophobic conditions for weeks or months at a time.
Besides, Moonbase personnel must spend weeks away from home, too.

> Several of the shows showed that even the Techs had a social life
> outside of SHADO. You would have to tell an afwul lot of wives
> about what was going on, not to mention parents, land lords
> (Rentals) and god knows who else if you did this.

I'm under the impression that most of the SHADO personnel -
interceptor astronauts, SkyDiver crew, Moonbase personnel and so on
- do not have 'front' professional identities like Straker does,
rather their families and friends know that they work for a secret
part of the military without knowing anything about SHADO. So for
SHADO HQ personnel, spending weeks away from home might not be any
more suspicious than for SkyDiver crews.

James





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