Posted by Marc Martin on
URL: https://www.shado-forum.com/New-in-the-SHADO-Library-tp3037403p3067454.html

> Alec clearly says that HQ is completed at that point (this takes at least 6-7 years!

Well, you're welcome to your opinion, but I don't agree.  The building of
SHADO HQ was the *easiest* thing they had to do to get SHADO up and running, and
in CCAOK Alec mentions that it would take "months" to construct the underground
headquarters.

And when Straker says "the worst is over", he is referring to the training
for those initial 8 SHADO recruits.  In fact, they've barely begun working
on SHADO as a whole, and it will take another 8 years to complete.

I think you're misinterpreting what is said and shown onscreen.

The amount of time that passes between the SHADO go-ahead and Johnny's
birth is also hinted at in the script -- just search on the word "months"
and you'll find the following:

----
                         HENDERSON
               Apparently I'm stuck in this chair for another couple of
               months. Things are happening, Ed. A lot of it's going to
               fall on your shoulders.
----
                         STRAKER
               In a couple of months you'll be up and about... as fit as ever.
----
          PULL BACK TO SHOW THE ROOM IS NOW FULLY FURNISHED. A COUPLE OF MONTHS
          HAVE ELAPSED.  MARY IS IN THE ROOM - A CHANGE OF DRESS.
----
                         HENDERSON
               Very well. In a couple of months the studio may be worth a visit.
----
          START ON THE PHONE, PULL BACK TO SHOW MARY LOOKING AT IT.  SHE IS 6
          MONTHS PREGNANT.  SHE WALKS ON INTO THE LOUNGE CHECKING HER WATCH.
          STRAKER IS LATE AGAIN.
----
                         MARY
               021-4834....  Oh, it's you Mother.  How are you ? ....  I'm
               fine...  Yes, I saw him today...  Yes, he said it should be the
               first week in April....  Hmm, just another two months... of course...
----
                         FREEMAN
               Well, security checks, aptitude tests, six months of training and
               further tests, it's a pretty tough schedule.  The original fifty
               have been whittled down to eight.
----
                         FREEMAN
               In about two months.  It'll be spring; a good time to start.
----
          PAN DOWN FROM STRAKER TO A BUNCH OF FLOWERS ON THE SEAT BESIDE HIM.
          HE SINGS TO HIMSELF, THE UNDERGROUND HQ IS COMPLETE, THE FIRST
          OPERATIVES ARE ABOUT TO MOVE IN, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MONTHS THE
          PRESSURE IS OFF.

----

So again, the flashback in CCAOK really only spans a couple years, no
matter what your wiki claims... :-)

Marc