UFO: What's Your Favorite?
by Denise Felt 2002
Do you have a favorite episode of UFO? One that you enjoy watching over and over again? Maybe you’re like me and have 2 or 3 favorites that you just can’t resist slipping into the VCR, even though you know every line by heart. I’ve only recently acquired my videos of UFO, but I’ve been a fan since I was 11 and first saw it on my family’s black and white television set in the early 1970's. Back then, I wasn’t aware that Moonbase trackers’ wigs were purple!
A little over a year ago, I found Marc Martin’s UFO site on the Internet and was ecstatic. There were others out there who remembered the show as fondly as I did! It was wonderful! I joined the SHADO e-group and made friends with several of the many fans there. They’ve been an invaluable source of behind-the-scenes information, as well as a lot of fun talking to. Hearing their thoughts and impressions of the show almost makes it seem as though they’re here with me as I watch my videos.
Over time, it became clear that my new friends had strong opinions about their favorite episodes from the series; they even had favorite scenes. So I thought it might be fun (as well as instructional) to get together a list of the fans’ top ten scenes from the series. But which scenes should I use for them to choose from?
My initial list included all the UFO scenes that had stayed so vividly in my mind over the years. You know the ones I mean: Straker tearing apart HQ in the opening sequence of Timelash, waving to his newborn son in Confetti Check A-OK, playing the pen back for Henderson at the end of Court Martial, etc.
Then I watched every episode, taking notes throughout. I had hoped to find at least one scene in each episode that was memorable. Unfortunately, I only found scenes in half of the episodes that were special in a way that left a lasting impression.
I compiled them together with my first list and set up the quiz at my website to get the fans’ opinions. Here is the quiz:
Rate the Top Ten Scenes in UFO
Please number your favorite ten scenes from the list below from 1 - 10, with 1 being your all-time favorite and going from there until 10. There are no wrong or right answers; what I’m seeking is your opinion.
A The end hospital scene from A Question of Priorities
B The confrontation scene with Straker, Alec, and Paul in the Leisure Sphere on Moonbase from Kill Straker!
C The bedroom scene in Responsibility Seat
D The scene where Straker finds out he’s on the movie set in Mindbender
E The outside park scene with Alec and Straker in Confetti Check A-OK
F The office scene where Paul asks Straker if he believes he’s innocent in Court Martial
G The opening scene where Straker tears apart HQ in Timelash
H The jet scene where Alec flirts with Virginia in Identified
I The courtroom scene where Jackson questions Straker in Court Martial
J The final scene with Straker and Henderson in HQ in Conflict
K The Command Sphere scene on Moonbase between Foster and Straker in Kill Straker!
L The phone call to the hospital scene where Straker checks up on his son in A Question of Priorities
M The scene where Paul hesitates to leave the submarine in Sub Smash
N The scene where Straker finds out that Alec diverted the transport in A Question of Priorities
O The scene in Straker’s office where he asks Paul for Sara’s key in Destruction
P The first scene in Henderson’s office with Straker, Henderson, Alec, and Jackson in Court Martial
Q The scene in the arms room with Straker and Paul in Kill Straker!
R The interview scene between Straker and Jo Fraser in Responsibility Seat
S The office scene with Foster, Alec, and Straker when they discover the couples’ plot in A Square Triangle
T The scene in Henderson’s office with Straker and the pen in Court Martial
U The scene at the hospital nursery window when Straker waves to his newborn son in Confetti Check A-OK
V The scene in Sara’s apartment when she first brings Paul home in Destruction
W The scene where Straker and Paul realize what the aliens are up to in the underwater dome in Reflections in the Water
X The scene where Straker and Col. Lake first check out the frozen studio grounds in Timelash
Y The Theatre 7 scene with Straker and Paul in Mindbender
Z The scene on the stairs between Straker and his wife in Confetti Check A-OK
AA The golfing scene in Destruction
I left the quiz online for quite awhile and encouraged the SHADO e-group members to share their choices. Not only did they respond, but they commented on the scenes they had enjoyed most. The results of the quiz surprised me, since the 2 top scenes ended up being the most gripping scene in the series and the orneriest scene. Here’s the top ten scenes in order:
1st – Q
2nd – T
3rd – G
4th – D
5th – K
6th – X
7th – M
8th – Y
9th – J
10th – B
The other surprise was that Q & T tied for first place. However, Q was the one scene most often chosen as the fans’ number 1 choice, so I gave it top billing. Q was a scene well-remembered from my teen years, but watching it as an adult added a powerful impact, since I finally understood exactly how much the commander was risking when he goaded Foster like that. It’s a scene that still affects me every time I watch it, in spite of my knowledge that it’s coming.
T was also a scene that I remembered well, since my sense of humor has always been a trifle ornery. Nothing (as far as I’m concerned) was as rewarding as seeing the look on Henderson’s face when that pen played back. Apparently, many fans of the series felt the same.
I got wonderful feedback from those who participated in the quiz. Several had suggestions for extra scenes that they felt were worthy of note. Andy Lovie thought that the female fans might have wanted Foster’s sauna scene in Ordeal added to the quiz, while he admitted that his personal favorite (as a guy) was Ellis’ costume change in Identified. Marc Martin liked a few of the battle scenes with the aliens best, while a few others loved any or all of the scenes in Timelash. Yuchtar rated Paul’s escape scene through Straker’s light mural in Court Martial in her top ten, while Lorraine found the scene in Ordeal where Foster’s helmet is removed most memorable.
Jonathan Wood noted that the scenes I chose for the quiz were all emotional confrontations rather than visually superb scenes. It’s quite true. If I had included all of the visually stunning scenes from the series, the quiz would have been 5 pages long! UFO was such a feast for the eyes! Even 30 years later, it’s still one of the most beautifully filmed sci-fi series ever made.
As an avid UFO fan, I found it very difficult to narrow my favorite scenes down to 10. However, I did it, and since many of those participating in the quiz wanted to know my personal top ten, I’ll share them here. 1. Q – Obviously a scene that remains so powerful even after repeated viewings deserves first. 2. P – As I said, I’m ornery. Well, I’m also sassy, so Henderson’s remarks (as well as Alec’s) get a chuckle from me every time. 3. T – Straker gets the last laugh, and it’s about time. 4. Y – A very surreal scene, made even more so by the taut contrast of Paul’s inside jokes and Straker’s grief. 5. U – I’m a sucker for a hard man with his guard down. 6. I – I loved the entire courtroom scene, but it was especially enjoyable to see Straker giving Jackson a hard time. 7. C – A heartbreaking scene, made more so by the fact that Jo’s hard heart is completely unaware of it. 8. D – A real mind fry. Only a powerful performance by Bishop keeps this scene from descending into the ridiculous. 9. G – I love a great opening scene, and this one is the best! 10. L – Even as a self-absorbed teenager, I was moved by this scene. It still chokes me up.
I’d like to thank those great UFO fans who took the time to participate in the quiz and especially those who shared their thoughts and ideas: Helen Weber, Marc Martin, Pam McCaughey, Anny Theberge, Lisa Williams, Deborah Rorabaugh, James Shelton, Griff, Sarah, James Killian, Alison Jacobs, Jonathan Wood, Lorraine, Jon D’Alton, Yuchtar, dragon, and Andy Lovie. You guys are the greatest!
Do you have a favorite episode of UFO? One that you enjoy watching over and over again? Maybe you’re like me and have 2 or 3 favorites that you just can’t resist slipping into the VCR, even though you know every line by heart. I’ve only recently acquired my videos of UFO, but I’ve been a fan since I was 11 and first saw it on my family’s black and white television set in the early 1970's. Back then, I wasn’t aware that Moonbase trackers’ wigs were purple!
A little over a year ago, I found Marc Martin’s UFO site on the Internet and was ecstatic. There were others out there who remembered the show as fondly as I did! It was wonderful! I joined the SHADO e-group and made friends with several of the many fans there. They’ve been an invaluable source of behind-the-scenes information, as well as a lot of fun talking to. Hearing their thoughts and impressions of the show almost makes it seem as though they’re here with me as I watch my videos.
Over time, it became clear that my new friends had strong opinions about their favorite episodes from the series; they even had favorite scenes. So I thought it might be fun (as well as instructional) to get together a list of the fans’ top ten scenes from the series. But which scenes should I use for them to choose from?
My initial list included all the UFO scenes that had stayed so vividly in my mind over the years. You know the ones I mean: Straker tearing apart HQ in the opening sequence of Timelash, waving to his newborn son in Confetti Check A-OK, playing the pen back for Henderson at the end of Court Martial, etc.
Then I watched every episode, taking notes throughout. I had hoped to find at least one scene in each episode that was memorable. Unfortunately, I only found scenes in half of the episodes that were special in a way that left a lasting impression.
I compiled them together with my first list and set up the quiz at my website to get the fans’ opinions. Here is the quiz:
Rate the Top Ten Scenes in UFO
Please number your favorite ten scenes from the list below from 1 - 10, with 1 being your all-time favorite and going from there until 10. There are no wrong or right answers; what I’m seeking is your opinion.
A The end hospital scene from A Question of Priorities
B The confrontation scene with Straker, Alec, and Paul in the Leisure Sphere on Moonbase from Kill Straker!
C The bedroom scene in Responsibility Seat
D The scene where Straker finds out he’s on the movie set in Mindbender
E The outside park scene with Alec and Straker in Confetti Check A-OK
F The office scene where Paul asks Straker if he believes he’s innocent in Court Martial
G The opening scene where Straker tears apart HQ in Timelash
H The jet scene where Alec flirts with Virginia in Identified
I The courtroom scene where Jackson questions Straker in Court Martial
J The final scene with Straker and Henderson in HQ in Conflict
K The Command Sphere scene on Moonbase between Foster and Straker in Kill Straker!
L The phone call to the hospital scene where Straker checks up on his son in A Question of Priorities
M The scene where Paul hesitates to leave the submarine in Sub Smash
N The scene where Straker finds out that Alec diverted the transport in A Question of Priorities
O The scene in Straker’s office where he asks Paul for Sara’s key in Destruction
P The first scene in Henderson’s office with Straker, Henderson, Alec, and Jackson in Court Martial
Q The scene in the arms room with Straker and Paul in Kill Straker!
R The interview scene between Straker and Jo Fraser in Responsibility Seat
S The office scene with Foster, Alec, and Straker when they discover the couples’ plot in A Square Triangle
T The scene in Henderson’s office with Straker and the pen in Court Martial
U The scene at the hospital nursery window when Straker waves to his newborn son in Confetti Check A-OK
V The scene in Sara’s apartment when she first brings Paul home in Destruction
W The scene where Straker and Paul realize what the aliens are up to in the underwater dome in Reflections in the Water
X The scene where Straker and Col. Lake first check out the frozen studio grounds in Timelash
Y The Theatre 7 scene with Straker and Paul in Mindbender
Z The scene on the stairs between Straker and his wife in Confetti Check A-OK
AA The golfing scene in Destruction
I left the quiz online for quite awhile and encouraged the SHADO e-group members to share their choices. Not only did they respond, but they commented on the scenes they had enjoyed most. The results of the quiz surprised me, since the 2 top scenes ended up being the most gripping scene in the series and the orneriest scene. Here’s the top ten scenes in order:
1st – Q
2nd – T
3rd – G
4th – D
5th – K
6th – X
7th – M
8th – Y
9th – J
10th – B
The other surprise was that Q & T tied for first place. However, Q was the one scene most often chosen as the fans’ number 1 choice, so I gave it top billing. Q was a scene well-remembered from my teen years, but watching it as an adult added a powerful impact, since I finally understood exactly how much the commander was risking when he goaded Foster like that. It’s a scene that still affects me every time I watch it, in spite of my knowledge that it’s coming.
T was also a scene that I remembered well, since my sense of humor has always been a trifle ornery. Nothing (as far as I’m concerned) was as rewarding as seeing the look on Henderson’s face when that pen played back. Apparently, many fans of the series felt the same.
I got wonderful feedback from those who participated in the quiz. Several had suggestions for extra scenes that they felt were worthy of note. Andy Lovie thought that the female fans might have wanted Foster’s sauna scene in Ordeal added to the quiz, while he admitted that his personal favorite (as a guy) was Ellis’ costume change in Identified. Marc Martin liked a few of the battle scenes with the aliens best, while a few others loved any or all of the scenes in Timelash. Yuchtar rated Paul’s escape scene through Straker’s light mural in Court Martial in her top ten, while Lorraine found the scene in Ordeal where Foster’s helmet is removed most memorable.
Jonathan Wood noted that the scenes I chose for the quiz were all emotional confrontations rather than visually superb scenes. It’s quite true. If I had included all of the visually stunning scenes from the series, the quiz would have been 5 pages long! UFO was such a feast for the eyes! Even 30 years later, it’s still one of the most beautifully filmed sci-fi series ever made.
As an avid UFO fan, I found it very difficult to narrow my favorite scenes down to 10. However, I did it, and since many of those participating in the quiz wanted to know my personal top ten, I’ll share them here. 1. Q – Obviously a scene that remains so powerful even after repeated viewings deserves first. 2. P – As I said, I’m ornery. Well, I’m also sassy, so Henderson’s remarks (as well as Alec’s) get a chuckle from me every time. 3. T – Straker gets the last laugh, and it’s about time. 4. Y – A very surreal scene, made even more so by the taut contrast of Paul’s inside jokes and Straker’s grief. 5. U – I’m a sucker for a hard man with his guard down. 6. I – I loved the entire courtroom scene, but it was especially enjoyable to see Straker giving Jackson a hard time. 7. C – A heartbreaking scene, made more so by the fact that Jo’s hard heart is completely unaware of it. 8. D – A real mind fry. Only a powerful performance by Bishop keeps this scene from descending into the ridiculous. 9. G – I love a great opening scene, and this one is the best! 10. L – Even as a self-absorbed teenager, I was moved by this scene. It still chokes me up.
I’d like to thank those great UFO fans who took the time to participate in the quiz and especially those who shared their thoughts and ideas: Helen Weber, Marc Martin, Pam McCaughey, Anny Theberge, Lisa Williams, Deborah Rorabaugh, James Shelton, Griff, Sarah, James Killian, Alison Jacobs, Jonathan Wood, Lorraine, Jon D’Alton, Yuchtar, dragon, and Andy Lovie. You guys are the greatest!