Having now both seen, UFO as well as Space 1999, I find it hard to name a favorite. But if I had to choose, I think I would pick Space 1999 because it has a bit more SCI-FI and it really does look fantastic on Blu-ray. Drawback is the fact that the episodes are slow going while UFO really has fast paced stories and another pro for UFO, there is some story-arc in it, this is mainly Straker’s family situation. It is recommended to watch it in order like it is put on this DVD release, because in the last 8 episodes or so, you’ll find that there is some chronological order to these episodes. Plus the character changes seem more logical this way. This chronological order you can also find on the UFO page here on the site. Did I enjoy UFO, hell yes, will I watch it again some time in the future, for sure, but it will take more than a few years.

Premise:

So, the general premise of UFO is that an organization called SHADO, an acronym for Supreme Headquarters Alien Defense Organization, is monitoring the Earth and the Moon for unidentified flying objects from alien origin. Set in 1980, our earth is visited by many UFO’s, always the same type of saucer, so, presumably, it is only one alien race that comes to visit us. SHADO is a big and very expensive organization, they have offices on Earth, SHADO is based underneath a film studio, Ed Straker, the commander of SHADO, poses also as a film studio boss. SHADO also has a base on the Moon, which also mainly monitors for UFO’s and there is also a SHADO submarine, Skydiver, which can unleash an aircraft, Sky One, should a UFO get past the Moonbase monitoring equipment. First theory was that the aliens used our organs because the aliens were a dying species, but Dr. Jackson now surmises after his last autopsy on a dead alien body, that the aliens control the human body by activating only the necessary parts of the brain, instead of just taking the organs. This happens in episode 19, “The Cat with 10 Lives”.

Production values / special effects

I believe that back in 1970 this was quite impressive, production values are more than okay, the special effects for that time is also very good, remember that in those days a color television was a luxury for many people and even when a household had a color tv, it must have looked fantastic to them. Yes, now you see it is miniature landscaping, miniature vehicles, but I think in those days, even with a color tv, this looked really stunning. And yes, nowadays it is obvious, but still, it looks okay, you accept it because you know when this was created.

Characters:

Ed Straker, played by Ed Bishop, is the commander of SHADO, he is very committed, he expects more than the best of everybody under his command, because if SHADO fails, people will die! Ed Straker is so committed, he lost his wife to the job which is very demanding. Ed also looses his only son, and he might have been saved, if he’d weren’t so damned committed to SHADO. While Ed Straker is the lead character, a favorite of mine, I think his second in command for 2/3rds of the series, Colonel Alec Freeman, played by George Sewell is my favorite character all around. He basically is Ed’s righthand man, he is very loyal, he won’t ever betray Ed but Freeman is honest, is not afraid to tell Straker when he thinks Ed is wrong or makes the wrong decision. Freeman’s final episode is 17. “Sub-Smash” and to me that is the best episode of the series, later on that. No explanation is given, his replacement is Colonel Virginia Lake, played by Wanda Ventham, although she is a stunning woman to look at, she was not in the same league as George Sewell’s character Freeman. Virgina Lake was Ed’s second in command for the last 9 episodes, she is also briefly in the pilot episode "Identified". Colonel Paul Foster, played by Michael Billington, was the third in command, a former test pilot, his plane was critically damaged because of SHADO’s Sky One. Foster was persistent in finding out the truth, so Ed offered him a job.

Lieutenant Nina Barry, played by Dolores Mantez, works as a space tracker at Moonbase and later replaces Lieutenant Ellis as its commanding officer. She also serves aboard Skydiver in "Sub-Smash". Lieutenant Gay Ellis, played by Gabrielle Drake, she was the Moonbase commander during the first part of the series, she temporarily was reassigned to SHADO HQ when it was suggested that she may be romantically involved with interceptor pilot Mark Bradley ("Computer Affair"). Lieutenant Ayshea Johnson, played by Ayshea Brough, she is a SHADO headquarters officer in 14 episodes, and later becomes SHADO's communications officer following the departure of Lieutenant Ford. Lieutenant Keith Ford, played by Keith Alexander is a former television interviewer who became a founding member of SHADO and its main communications officer. Actor Keith Alexander left the series after the production break, so the character disappears at the two-thirds mark of the series. Doctor Douglas Jackson, played by Vladek Sheybal, he is the SHADO psychiatrist and science officer, he speaks with a strong Eastern European accent. Miss Ealand, played by Norma Ronald, is Straker’s secretary. Finally Ed Strake’s commander, General James Henderson, played by Grant Taylor, serves as the president of the International Astrophysical Commission, which is a front for SHADO and is responsible for obtaining funds and equipment from various governments to keep SHADO operational. Straker and Henderson clash frequently over the needs of SHADO and economic realities. (characters with help from Wiki).

Episodes:

Because the blog is already become too big, I only mention my four favorite episodes:

My favorite episode of the season, I said it already, is: “Sub-Smash”: After an underwater UFO has attacked and sunk a freight ship in the ocean, Straker, Foster and SHADO lieutenant Nina Barry join a submarine crew to find out what they can. However, they too are attacked by the UFO's vessel and, as a result, their submarine is grounded on a ledge. Straker has to overcome his claustrophobia in order to work out an escape plan. Note - The tension, being couped up in that tight space, not sure if you are going to be saved. Straker who is claustrophobic, still does not panic and makes sure his co-workers first get the chance to escape to the surface. Really felt for Nina Barry who was stuck in that tube, talking about claustrophobia! There is no real continuity but still, make sure you watch two episodes first before watching this episode: A Question of Priorities & Confetti Check A-O.K.

My second favorite: “Timelash”, Straker and Lake are combatting someone (Turner) who is in league with the aliens who can meddle with time. Therefore Turner is almost invincible because he can move through time. Meanwhile the other SHADO crew are frozen in time and Straker gives himself shots to avoid being frozen in time also. Note: At the end Turner does make an error because he truly believes he is invincible, Straker, with his keen mind takes advantage of this and kills Turner, Turner was hugely annoying but it was a strong episode. First time we get to see Lake in that purple blouse from the publicity photo’s.

Two more favorites I want to mention are: “A Question of Priorities” & “Confetti Check A-O.K.”. Both episodes revolve around Straker and his personal life, these definitely are some of the best episodes where we get a little bit of a closer look into Straker’s life.

Final Word:

All in all, a very entertaining TV show, almost no lows, a few highs and for the rest a very solid season which I would grade a 7.5/10. It was never boring, or dull, fast paced storytelling, in comparison to Space 1999, the 47 minutes were gone before I knew it. Yes, it will take at least 5-7 years before I take this of the shelf again but I can only recommend it to any SCI-FI fan. I know I am several decades too late but I finally watched it!