Posted by dep1701 on
URL: https://www.shado-forum.com/Starker-Henderson-Relationship-Question-tp3942817.html

Hello,

I just joined this group at the suggestion of Marc Martin regarding a topic I posted at Fanderson. He thought my question might be a good topic of discussion here. This my original post, to which I will add soome additional info:

"I recently pulled out some Dinky toys from storage to display in my "geek room".
Amongst them are the SHADO 2 Mobile and Interceptor. this prompted me to watch
some episodes of UFO, which I haven't done in a few years.

Watching them again reminded me of a nagging question I've had since seeing the
series in it's entirety decades ago. Has anyone heard of an official explanation
of the change in the relationship between the characters of Straker and
Henderson? During their brief scene together in "Identified" they are obviously
superior and subordinate, but they seem to work without friction as a team. In
the flashback scenes of "Confetti Check A-OK" they get on well, and obviously
respect and admire each other. However, in every other episode, their
relationship is barely tolerant at best, and downrght antagonistic and hostile
the rest of the time.

Obviously, the change occurs after the formation of SHADO, when Straker is put
in command and Henderson is at the IAC. As shown in the episodes, many of the
disagreements stem from funding for SHADO. Henderson takes a positive delight
in denying Straker's requests and hindering his objectives. Since SHADO is
partially Henderson's idea, the expense of the operation can't be his only
motivation. There's something more personal lurking beneath. But unless I've
just completely missed or forgotten about it, we're never really given an
on-screen explanation for the change.

Anyone got any information or ideas?

Davidp"

Some ideas were the natural antagonism between those who control the money and those who spend it, and the idead that perhaps Henderson turned bitter of not being given command of SHADO. It was pointed out the original draft of "Conflict" did not include Henderson, and the production team decided to bring him back as a foil for Straker.

While I agree that these are all plausible motives, I still feel that there is/was a missing piece of the story. Since "Conflict" came closely after "Identified" in production order, the hostility seems quite believable. However, when we later get to "Confetti Check A-Ok" it's obvious thate's been a significant rift.

I also suggested that if they had written Henderson as the father of Ed's estranged wife, Mary, and that he had been against the union, his disapproval of Straker would make a lot of sense ( especially given the way things turned out ).

If there had been a second season of UFO, I wonder if they would have addressed this issue ( although since Grant Taylor's health was declining, they would have had to re-cast him with another actor ).

Any thoughts, ladies and gents?