Posted by Deborah Rorabaugh-2 on
URL: https://www.shado-forum.com/Starker-Henderson-Relationship-Question-tp3942817p3942858.html

As far as I know, there is no 'official' explanation of why the relationship
between Straker and Henderson turned so antagonistic aside from it added to
the tension between the characters so writers would have something to work
with. A couple other ideas to toss into the ring - Henderson was expecting
Straker to allow him to be an advisor and have a hand in running SHADO -
something that would not have been good for the organization in the long run
- and as time went on Straker went more and more against Henderson's ideas.
It's also possible that Henderson had his own pet space projects and felt
that SHADO was doing a good enough job keeping the aliens at bay that more
space projects should be funded - but not if Straker had his way. (The
tension in Conflict seemed very territorial - both men had astronauts in
space and in a real sense Straker was telling Henderson that his
(Henderson's) team wasn't cutting it in terms of keeping things safe.)

 

Just some thoughts - VBG

 

  _____  

From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of
David Penn
Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2012 2:11 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [SHADO] Starker/Henderson Relationship Question

 

 

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?





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