questions about A Question Of Priorities

I just watched A Question Of Priorities again. It is a very powerful episode, and it shows part of the huge personal Ed has paid in order to protect humankind at the helm of SHADO. (Great acting by Ed Bishop in this show.) My 9-year-old son really likes UFO, but I won't let him watch this episode until he's older.

A few nitpicky questions come to mind, though. I'm not dissing the episode - as said, I think it's one of the best. But some things abou the plot make me wonder...

Others have suggested the obvious: Why doesn't Ed simply tell Alec why he ordered the transporter to fly to London?

Also:

Why don't they have mobiles in the UK that they can send to Ireland? After all, virtually all of the UFOs that land go to England (if I recall correctly, this is only one of three episodes where they go anywhere other than southern England (the others being Computer Affair (northern Canada) and Destruction (South Atlantic) - ok, Reflections In The Water is in the north Atlantic, but it's near the Cornwall coast). If that's the case, there should be mobiles permanently stationed in the UK.

Is it really that difficult to find the exact location of the alien? Mrs. O'Connor's house appears to be right at the shore. The wreckage of the UFO is 100 yards offshore, and SkyDiver is right next to the wreckage. Can't it surface to try to locate the source of the transmission?

Even if the transporter has to land in Ireland, can't Ed send another aircraft to Ireland to pick up the drug there?

The doctor told Ed the drug has been tested. But has it been approved for use in Britain by its counterpart of the FDA?

Would it be a conflict of interest for a SHADO staff person (even if it is Straker) to use a SHADO plane for personal purposes?

If Mary reall doesn't know that Ed is still doing something related to the military (after all, Ed used to be in Air Force Intelligence, and she was a secretary at the Ministry of Defence; how hard would it be to figure out Ed's job at the studio is a cover for *something*?), how could she realistically expect a movie studio CEO to be able to get a drug from across the ocean sent by supersonic transport in just a few hours?

Why doesn't Rutland get off his sorry butt and use his navy connections to get the drug shipped over?

Wouldn't it be better to have helicopters rather than mobiles? Or those cool VTOL aircraft that they showed in Ordeal?

I know I shouldn't deconstruct episodes to this extent, but that's what nitpickers do.

Nonetheless, it's one of my faves.

Dave T in Canada














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

Hi Dave,
 
Just a few guesses on my part, but here goes:
 
"Others have suggested the obvious: Why doesn't Ed simply tell Alec why he ordered the transporter to fly to London?"
---------------------------------------
Before or after Alex had diverted it?  I get the impression that Straker is the type to internalize his personal problems/life instead of discussingthem openly with anyone, even Alex.  He also doesn't want to show anyoneanything that could be interpreted as a sign of weakness to anyone.  Using a transport for "personal business" would appear as such in the eyes of some folks.  And perhaps there wasn't much point in telling Alec after Alec had already diverted the transport to Ireland, as it was probably almostalready there.  He did make sure to tell Alec to get the transporter back in the air for London as soon as possible, though.
 
 
"Is it really that difficult to find the exact location of the alien? Mrs. O'Connor's house appears to be right at the shore. The wreckage of the UFO is 100 yards offshore, and SkyDiver is right next to the wreckage. Can't itsurface to try to locate the source of the transmission?"
----------------------------------------
 
I remember in the episode Close Up, where Skydiver had surfaced to track the signal of a space probe (in Earth orbit, I think).  As soon as a ship was spotted in the distance, they submerged again immediately so as to avoidbeing seen.  I would assume that the closer Skydiver would get to shore,the better the chance of someone spotting her.  Apparently something they try to avoid.
 
 
 
"The doctor told Ed the drug has been tested. But has it been approved for use in Britain by its counterpart of the FDA?"
-------------------------------------------
 
I don't think that was a consideration at this point.  The goal was to try to save John's life.  As it had already been given the ok for human trials in the US, Straker deemed the risk acceptable.
 
 
 
 
"Would it be a conflict of interest for a SHADO staff person (even if it isStraker) to use a SHADO plane for personal purposes?" 
------------------------------------
 
One would think so.  Maybe that's why Straker never explained to Alex whythe transporter was leaving New York earlier Than planned.  But in this case, because the transporter was flying back to the UK from New York anyway, and Straker wasn't having it make a special trip, it probably seemed justifiable in Straker's eyes.  But once Alec diverted the transport to Ireland, Straker realized at that point that having it immediately turn around back for London, without having dropped the Mobiles in Ireland, would have been a MAJOR conflict of interest.
 
 
"If Mary reall doesn't know that Ed is still doing something related to themilitary (after all, Ed used to be in Air Force Intelligence, and she was a secretary at the Ministry of Defence; how hard would it be to figure out Ed's job at the studio is a cover for *something*? ), how could she realistically expect a movie studio CEO to be able to get a drug from across the ocean sent by supersonic transport in just a few hours?"
---------------------------------------
 
Perhaps figuring that Ed still has connections, military-wise, and would have a better chance of getting the drug in time than her new husband (as we don't know what connections he has, or what he does for a living).
 
By the way, ARE the transporters that haul the Mobiles capable of supersonic flight?
 
 
 
"Why doesn't Rutland get off his sorry butt and use his navy connections toget the drug shipped over?"
-----------------------------------------
 
LOL!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
--- On Mon, 9/21/09, Dave T <[hidden email]> wrote:


From: Dave T <[hidden email]>
Subject: [SHADO] questions about A Question Of Priorities
To: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
Date: Monday, September 21, 2009, 5:24 AM


 



I just watched A Question Of Priorities again. It is a very powerful episode, and it shows part of the huge personal Ed has paid in order to protect humankind at the helm of SHADO. (Great acting by Ed Bishop in this show.) My9-year-old son really likes UFO, but I won't let him watch this episode until he's older.

A few nitpicky questions come to mind, though. I'm not dissing the episode - as said, I think it's one of the best. But some things abou the plot makeme wonder...

Others have suggested the obvious: Why doesn't Ed simply tell Alec why he ordered the transporter to fly to London?

Also:

Why don't they have mobiles in the UK that they can send to Ireland? After all, virtually all of the UFOs that land go to England (if I recall correctly, this is only one of three episodes where they go anywhere other than southern England (the others being Computer Affair (northern Canada) and Destruction (South Atlantic) - ok, Reflections In The Water is in the north Atlantic, but it's near the Cornwall coast). If that's the case, there should be mobiles permanently stationed in the UK.

Is it really that difficult to find the exact location of the alien? Mrs. O'Connor's house appears to be right at the shore. The wreckage of the UFO is 100 yards offshore, and SkyDiver is right next to the wreckage. Can't it surface to try to locate the source of the transmission?

Even if the transporter has to land in Ireland, can't Ed send another aircraft to Ireland to pick up the drug there?

The doctor told Ed the drug has been tested. But has it been approved for use in Britain by its counterpart of the FDA?

Would it be a conflict of interest for a SHADO staff person (even if it is Straker) to use a SHADO plane for personal purposes?

If Mary reall doesn't know that Ed is still doing something related to the military (after all, Ed used to be in Air Force Intelligence, and she was asecretary at the Ministry of Defence; how hard would it be to figure out Ed's job at the studio is a cover for *something*? ), how could she realistically expect a movie studio CEO to be able to get a drug from across the ocean sent by supersonic transport in just a few hours?

Why doesn't Rutland get off his sorry butt and use his navy connections to get the drug shipped over?

Wouldn't it be better to have helicopters rather than mobiles? Or those cool VTOL aircraft that they showed in Ordeal?

I know I shouldn't deconstruct episodes to this extent, but that's what nitpickers do.

Nonetheless, it's one of my faves.

Dave T in Canada

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people. Go to Yahoo! Answers and share what you know at http://ca.answers. yahoo.com

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
















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

I'd just like to apologize for referring to "Alec" as "Alex" numerous timesin my previous post.  I was kinda engrossed in an episode of Bonanza at the time, and wasn't thinking clearly, lol...

--- On Mon, 9/21/09, Jeffrey Nelson <[hidden email]> wrote:


From: Jeffrey Nelson <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [SHADO] questions about A Question Of Priorities
To: [hidden email]
Date: Monday, September 21, 2009, 12:43 PM


 



Hi Dave,
 
Just a few guesses on my part, but here goes:
 
"Others have suggested the obvious: Why doesn't Ed simply tell Alec why he ordered the transporter to fly to London?"
------------ --------- --------- ---------
Before or after Alex had diverted it?  I get the impression that Straker is the type to internalize his personal problems/life instead of discussingthem openly with anyone, even Alex.  He also doesn't want to show anyoneanything that could be interpreted as a sign of weakness to anyone.  Using a transport for "personal business" would appear as such in the eyes of some folks.  And perhaps there wasn't much point in telling Alec after Alec had already diverted the transport to Ireland, as it was probably almostalready there.  He did make sure to tell Alec to get the transporter back in the air for London as soon as possible, though.
 
 
"Is it really that difficult to find the exact location of the alien? Mrs. O'Connor's house appears to be right at the shore. The wreckage of the UFO is 100 yards offshore, and SkyDiver is right next to the wreckage. Can't itsurface to try to locate the source of the transmission? "
------------ --------- --------- --------- -
 
I remember in the episode Close Up, where Skydiver had surfaced to track the signal of a space probe (in Earth orbit, I think).  As soon as a ship was spotted in the distance, they submerged again immediately so as to avoidbeing seen.  I would assume that the closer Skydiver would get to shore,the better the chance of someone spotting her.  Apparently something they try to avoid.
 
 
 
"The doctor told Ed the drug has been tested. But has it been approved for use in Britain by its counterpart of the FDA?"
------------ --------- --------- --------- ----
 
I don't think that was a consideration at this point.  The goal was to try to save John's life.  As it had already been given the ok for human trials in the US, Straker deemed the risk acceptable.
 
 
 
 
"Would it be a conflict of interest for a SHADO staff person (even if it isStraker) to use a SHADO plane for personal purposes?" 
------------ --------- --------- ------
 
One would think so.  Maybe that's why Straker never explained to Alex whythe transporter was leaving New York earlier Than planned.  But in this case, because the transporter was flying back to the UK from New York anyway, and Straker wasn't having it make a special trip, it probably seemed justifiable in Straker's eyes.  But once Alec diverted the transport to Ireland, Straker realized at that point that having it immediately turn around back for London, without having dropped the Mobiles in Ireland, would have been a MAJOR conflict of interest.
 
 
"If Mary reall doesn't know that Ed is still doing something related to themilitary (after all, Ed used to be in Air Force Intelligence, and she was a secretary at the Ministry of Defence; how hard would it be to figure out Ed's job at the studio is a cover for *something*? ), how could she realistically expect a movie studio CEO to be able to get a drug from across the ocean sent by supersonic transport in just a few hours?"
------------ --------- --------- ---------
 
Perhaps figuring that Ed still has connections, military-wise, and would have a better chance of getting the drug in time than her new husband (as we don't know what connections he has, or what he does for a living).
 
By the way, ARE the transporters that haul the Mobiles capable of supersonic flight?
 
 
 
"Why doesn't Rutland get off his sorry butt and use his navy connections toget the drug shipped over?"
------------ --------- --------- --------- --
 
LOL!!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
--- On Mon, 9/21/09, Dave T <myspeedometer@ yahoo.ca> wrote:

From: Dave T <myspeedometer@ yahoo.ca>
Subject: [SHADO] questions about A Question Of Priorities
To: "SHADO@yahoogroups. com" <SHADO@yahoogroups. com>
Date: Monday, September 21, 2009, 5:24 AM

 

I just watched A Question Of Priorities again. It is a very powerful episode, and it shows part of the huge personal Ed has paid in order to protect humankind at the helm of SHADO. (Great acting by Ed Bishop in this show.) My9-year-old son really likes UFO, but I won't let him watch this episode until he's older.

A few nitpicky questions come to mind, though. I'm not dissing the episode - as said, I think it's one of the best. But some things abou the plot makeme wonder...

Others have suggested the obvious: Why doesn't Ed simply tell Alec why he ordered the transporter to fly to London?

Also:

Why don't they have mobiles in the UK that they can send to Ireland? After all, virtually all of the UFOs that land go to England (if I recall correctly, this is only one of three episodes where they go anywhere other than southern England (the others being Computer Affair (northern Canada) and Destruction (South Atlantic) - ok, Reflections In The Water is in the north Atlantic, but it's near the Cornwall coast). If that's the case, there should be mobiles permanently stationed in the UK.

Is it really that difficult to find the exact location of the alien? Mrs. O'Connor's house appears to be right at the shore. The wreckage of the UFO is 100 yards offshore, and SkyDiver is right next to the wreckage. Can't it surface to try to locate the source of the transmission?

Even if the transporter has to land in Ireland, can't Ed send another aircraft to Ireland to pick up the drug there?

The doctor told Ed the drug has been tested. But has it been approved for use in Britain by its counterpart of the FDA?

Would it be a conflict of interest for a SHADO staff person (even if it is Straker) to use a SHADO plane for personal purposes?

If Mary reall doesn't know that Ed is still doing something related to the military (after all, Ed used to be in Air Force Intelligence, and she was asecretary at the Ministry of Defence; how hard would it be to figure out Ed's job at the studio is a cover for *something*? ), how could she realistically expect a movie studio CEO to be able to get a drug from across the ocean sent by supersonic transport in just a few hours?

Why doesn't Rutland get off his sorry butt and use his navy connections to get the drug shipped over?

Wouldn't it be better to have helicopters rather than mobiles? Or those cool VTOL aircraft that they showed in Ordeal?

I know I shouldn't deconstruct episodes to this extent, but that's what nitpickers do.

Nonetheless, it's one of my faves.

Dave T in Canada

____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _
Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people. Go to Yahoo! Answers and share what you know at http://ca.answers. yahoo.com

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

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
















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

The big delta wing with the underslung turbofans? I would say not with thatkind of engine.

Regards,
Barry


--- In [hidden email], Jeffrey Nelson <1shado1@...> wrote:
>  
> By the way, ARE the transporters that haul the Mobiles capable of supersonic flight?
>  

Hi again.

Thanks for the comments, Jeffrey and Barry. I appreciate having a group of fellow fans with whom we can closely examine the show.

Sorry if I was wrong about the transporters being SST.

Also, just to note, my assumption about Rutland being in the Navy is based on the fact that Philip Madoc also plays the naval captain in Destruction. But I'm not sure if it really is the same character, or not.

Dave ////

Yeah, that's the one!  What if the thing had afterburners?  Or would turbojets be a better option?  I know nothing about this stuff.  It also looks too ungainly to me to be able to fly at supersonic speeds.  A 1968 Ford cargo van in reverse is probably as aerodynamic, lol.
 
Jeff
 

--- On Mon, 9/21/09, naughtyhector <[hidden email]> wrote:


From: naughtyhector <[hidden email]>
Subject: [SHADO] Re: questions about A Question Of Priorities
To: [hidden email]
Date: Monday, September 21, 2009, 3:47 PM


 



The big delta wing with the underslung turbofans? I would say not with thatkind of engine.

Regards,
Barry

--- In SHADO@yahoogroups. com, Jeffrey Nelson <1shado1@... > wrote:
>  
> By the way, ARE the transporters that haul the Mobiles capable of supersonic flight?
>  
















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

Hey Dave,
 
Don't know if my comments made any sense or not, as I have a relatively simplistic view of most things.  But still fun to discuss, in any event.
 
As for whether the transports are SST's or not, I don't think anyone actually knows.  I wasn't claiming that you were wrong, but merely trying to foster discussion on the subject.
 
I'm not sure if the characters Philip Madoc plays in the two episodes are the same guy or not.  In Destruction he plays Captain Steven.  In Question, he plays Steven Rutland.  So unless British Naval Captains are usually referred to by their first names, I'm guessing they are supposed to be two different people.
 
I did always get the impression from Question that Mary wasn't all that thrilled being married to Rutland, though.  Am I the only one?   Or maybe it was just a tense situation what with both the ex and current husbands being present at the same time.
 
Jeff
 
Jeff

--- On Mon, 9/21/09, Dave T <[hidden email]> wrote:


From: Dave T <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [SHADO] questions about A Question Of Priorities
To: [hidden email]
Date: Monday, September 21, 2009, 4:40 PM


 



Hi again.

Thanks for the comments, Jeffrey and Barry. I appreciate having a group of fellow fans with whom we can closely examine the show.

Sorry if I was wrong about the transporters being SST.

Also, just to note, my assumption about Rutland being in the Navy is based on the fact that Philip Madoc also plays the naval captain in Destruction. But I'm not sure if it really is the same character, or not.

Dave ////















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

I'm sure she knew that his job was still with the military, and that his studio exec persona was just a cover. It was the DETAILS of what he did with the military that he couldn't discuss. Some people have the idea that she thinks he's just a film exec now.

I always thought Mary caught a lot of undeserved critiscism from some of the other members of this group. She got caught in a relationship that turned out to be much lonelier than she had anticipated. Even starting out with the best of intentions, the non stop neglect of a husband, whether intentional or not, can be very wearing. In the end she just had enough.

Poor writing and contrived plot led to some of the rest of the confusion.
Dave H.


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


----- Original Message -----
From: Dave T
To: [hidden email]
Sent: Monday, September 21, 2009 6:24 AM
Subject: [SHADO] questions about A Question Of Priorities


I just watched A Question Of Priorities again. It is a very powerful episode, and it shows part of the huge personal Ed has paid in order to protect humankind at the helm of SHADO. (Great acting by Ed Bishop in this show.) My 9-year-old son really likes UFO, but I won't let him watch this episode until he's older.

A few nitpicky questions come to mind, though. I'm not dissing the episode - as said, I think it's one of the best. But some things abou the plot make me wonder...

Others have suggested the obvious: Why doesn't Ed simply tell Alec why he ordered the transporter to fly to London?

Also:

Why don't they have mobiles in the UK that they can send to Ireland? After all, virtually all of the UFOs that land go to England (if I recall correctly, this is only one of three episodes where they go anywhere other than southern England (the others being Computer Affair (northern Canada) and Destruction (South Atlantic) - ok, Reflections In The Water is in the north Atlantic, but it's near the Cornwall coast). If that's the case, there should be mobiles permanently stationed in the UK.

Is it really that difficult to find the exact location of the alien? Mrs. O'Connor's house appears to be right at the shore. The wreckage of the UFO is 100 yards offshore, and SkyDiver is right next to the wreckage. Can't it surface to try to locate the source of the transmission?

Even if the transporter has to land in Ireland, can't Ed send another aircraft to Ireland to pick up the drug there?

The doctor told Ed the drug has been tested. But has it been approved for use in Britain by its counterpart of the FDA?

Would it be a conflict of interest for a SHADO staff person (even if it is Straker) to use a SHADO plane for personal purposes?

If Mary reall doesn't know that Ed is still doing something related to the military (after all, Ed used to be in Air Force Intelligence, and she was a secretary at the Ministry of Defence; how hard would it be to figure out Ed's job at the studio is a cover for *something*?), how could she realistically expect a movie studio CEO to be able to get a drug from across the ocean sent by supersonic transport in just a few hours?

Why doesn't Rutland get off his sorry butt and use his navy connections to get the drug shipped over?

Wouldn't it be better to have helicopters rather than mobiles? Or those cool VTOL aircraft that they showed in Ordeal?

I know I shouldn't deconstruct episodes to this extent, but that's what nitpickers do.

Nonetheless, it's one of my faves.

Dave T in Canada

__________________________________________________________
Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people. Go to Yahoo! Answers and share what you know at http://ca.answers.yahoo.com

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






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---....Hey, Everyone..!! I just thought that I would interject a little note here; it would be my assumption that the "Transporters", would be High-Sub-Sonic (or near Sonic/Super-Sonic), in terms of Speed. In, other words approxomately 95-99% the Speed of sound... Leo


In [hidden email], Jeffrey Nelson <1shado1@...> wrote: