No man is an island, entire unto himself. Each of us is the product of the influence of many other people, from parents and friends, teachers and spouses, those we have admired and those we have sworn never to emulate. As part of its rigorous training programme, SHADO gives each new member a questionnaire to answer. The results are then used to determine each person’s role model. Answer the…
Background Characters
I recently wrote a story in which the Hood takes on Tracy Island, simply because the Tracys aren’t there. He conveniently forgets about everyone else on the island simply because they are only there when the plot line suits. Is that true for the rest of the characters? We know very little about them. I think that point is proved by the adaptation for the film – nearly all of…
The Women of SHADO
Of all the women who appear in UFO, none seem to have quite the same ‘lure’ as Gay Ellis. There is a ‘china doll’ prettiness about her that is both appealing and, dare I say it, virginal. Perhaps it is that scene in Identified, (Oh go on – you know EXACTLY which scene I am referring to!) that puts her firmly into the ‘drool’ factor for guys. Even ‘Joanna’ in…
Alternate Universe
UFO fans may be unaware of the fact that there are numerous alternate UFO universes. In some of these universes (universi?) you might find Ed Straker having sex with a dragon and getting a tattoo, or discovering that he has magical abilities or even, perish the thought, falling in love with a member of his own organisation. Following strenuous searches, and a considerable amount of bribery, over the past months…
P.D.I. (Personal Development Interview)
It was bloody annoying really. Starting to cry. Especially when she was driving to work. On the motorway as well. But there was the comfort of it being an early morning in January so it was dark. No one could see her feeble attempts to stem the tears that trailed down the side of her nose. Bugger. Her handkerchief was in her trouser pocket. No chance to get at…
Home
First in a series of vignettes. He signed his name, a neat squiggle at the bottom of the final page. His initials were enough for the rest of the documents, but they insisted on a full signature to complete the transaction. Done. The woman held out her hand as if to shake his, but the man, busy folding the papers and putting them in his briefcase, was oblivious to the…
The Third Interceptor Rule
Dear Dr Jackson, I’ve had enough – the widespread smoking both up on Moonbase and at HQ is giving me a right pain in the chest. I went to see Commander Straker and the first thing he did after lighting a cigar was to say “So what’s the burning issue?” Nicholas O’Tine Dear Nick. I have read through your file and note that your last psychometric evaluation was two months…
The Virginia Monologues #4
Her: How do I tell him? Surely he must have noticed by now. I mean, it is glaringly obvious, and I am sure even someone like Ford must have seen. It stands out a mile and…. yet I cannot bring myself to tell him. He will be devastated, I am sure. It will be such a blow to his esteem, such a deep wound, something that I am sure he…