Posted by
pyschobomb on
URL: https://www.shado-forum.com/Fw-SHADO-Various-Questions-tp2392403p2437942.html
Hi. Just a quick note.
First, agreeing on everything that has been said about Straker's "loneliest man
on Earth" comments; enjoyed the character breakdown and analysis.
I will write later in more depth but have just watched "Journey".. for the
first time possibly since 1993 on dvd. If you know the film (which incs a heavy
cast list of UFO regulars) then pay attention to the non UFO regular, EUROSEC's
Head, Jason Webb (Patrick Wymark). He is a precursor of Cmd Straker if ever I
saw one. He is quite stubbon, hardlined and sometimes callous when he needs to
get what he wants from people; he is a colder and more detached character than
any of the cast and makes Cmd Straker look human and approachable.
Stevan
________________________________
From: J A <
[hidden email]>
To:
[hidden email]
Sent: Fri, February 4, 2011 7:53:58 PM
Subject: [SHADO] Re: 'Confetti Check... A-OK' (was 'Various Questions')
I think I need to clarify my stance on this. I've received e-mails offlist
enquiring as to why my take on Straker is what it is.
Understand, I'm NOT calling Straker soulless, friendless or uncaring. In fact,
the problem, if you wish to call it such, is that he cares almost TOO much; look
at the task he's been charged to carry out. That proves that he's a caring man.
It's apparent to me now that I didn't word my post correctly. The comment I
made about Straker being possibly the loneliest man on Earth is the crux of it.
He's a human being who has hopes and aspirations with the best of us, but he's
chosen to safeguard us as a species, and in order to do that, he has to maintain
a certain level of detachment from those under his command. There's every real
possibility that each time he scrambles an Interceptor, Sky 1 or a Mobile may
well be the time he sends them to their deaths. He has to go against the
(human) nature of wanting to befriend the people he works with in order to do
his job effectively.
Straker, especially as portrayed by Ed Bishop, conceals the anguish of his
position in juxtaposition with his nature with extreme gravitas. He can't
afford to be seen as 'weak' in a moment of crisis, as he's got an entire complex
under his command, yet his facial expressions betray him constantly (to us, the
viewers) as to the agony and gravity of his role as the decision maker.
-- Jamie
--- In
[hidden email], An Delendir <andelendir@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Stevan,
>
> > I recall the episode and remember Ed trying to persuade
> > Alec that he should tell Mary of his true nature of work
> > as it is putting strain on a already fractured marriage;
> > Alec talks him out of it. It shows Straker as a vulnerable
> > soul wanting everthing to work; his home life and his
> > dedication to duty.
>
> Very perceptive!
>
> Indeed Bishop played the character with a constant, major subtext of this wish
>and Straker's inner dilemma, rejection and resentment of some of what he has to
>do and be as SHADO commander.
>
>
> This comes out into the open again in The Long Sleep and is quite in contrast
>to Ordeal (where Straker is seen only through the eyes of Foster).
>
> Cheers,
>
> An
>
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