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XCOMUFO & Xenocide

X-com And S. H. A. D. O


NKF

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I thought this might interest some fans of the X-Com UFO series

 

I was keenly partaking in one of my other hobbies of collecting toy robots and browsing my local auction site. I spotted up for auction a S. H. A. D. O. Interceptor and UFO playset from the UFO TV series by Gerry Anderson (responsible for shows like Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, etc.)

 

Before anyone asks, of the various possible meanings SHADO could have, I'm referring to the "Supreme Headquarters Alien Defence Organisation".

 

Naturally, that caught my interest, so I did a quick research on Google and found a wikipedia entry on Gerry Anderson's UFO series.

 

So what does this have to do with X-Com, you might ask? Well, read a bit of the above wikipedia entry and you start to see the parallels. Such as the similarities in plot, the secret organisations fighting aliens in flying saucers, interceptors armed with lasers and whatnot. I mean the resemblance is uncanny.

 

My knowledge of X-Com historical trivia is practically nil, so I don't know if X-Com is meant to be a nod towards the series or was developed completely independantly (not that it's hard - the whole story is based on a cliche). Someone out there might know. Although I do seem to have this vague recollection that that this series was the sole reason why the first X-Com game had to be marketed under two different names in the States and Europe during its initial run.

 

I've never seen the show before, but am now quite interested to get my hands on a few episodes some day.

 

Anyway, I thought I'd bring it up to see if it sparked any interest.

 

- NKF

Edited by NKF
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Yep I knew about that show as inspiration. I loved that show as a kid. Funny how you see things again as an adult and it's not quite the same. Wha'd you think of the interceptors with their massive /single/ shot. <_>
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I've never seen the show before, but am now quite interested to get my hands on a few episodes some day.

 

Anyway, I thought I'd bring it up to see if it sparked any interest.

 

- NKF

The whole set came out in as a boxed DVD set a couple of months ago. Drop around my place some time and you can borrow it if you like.

Or you can buy your own copy: http://www.gpstore.co.nz/DVDs/1546871.html

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I'll keep an eye out for that. What's another title to my long list of TV shows I'd like to get on DVD? ;)

 

- NKF

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I read that article over on Wikipedia, and it definitely seems to be a seminal work for XCOM. I'm not sure how I feel about alien-infested cats controlling XCOM agents as a plot feature, but hey - maybe you had to be there.

 

Anyone watch the new Battlestar Galactica, seeing as we're talking about space shows with aliens in them?

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  • 1 month later...
  • 3 weeks later...

You have to admit though that there was something very satisfying about the old typewriters. Not particularly efficient, but they had a certain weighty presence about them.

 

It's amazing how you can look back on a lot of old TV shows and think that the space-age technology they used actually ends up looking very ancient. Like rolls of celluloid for cameras (which still has a strong following today) or magnetic tape (in large canister drums) for storing data in the future?

 

Much fun and I suppose it's still very cool in its own way.

 

- NKF

Edited by NKF
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I forgot about Strakers ugly brown car! The guy who made this show also made the Thunderbirds; boy does it show. The best part: 1980! The future!

 

I watched that show a lot as a kid. Fond memories. I should probably not try to watch it again. I /had/ fond memories of the original Galactica. Then I watched it again as an adult. I no longer have fond memories of Galactica.

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I read xcom came about because of the tv show. Abductions, interceptors, bases, mind control, autopsies, and even the soldiers remind me of the game. TFTD is like it too.

 

The show comes on almost every day on the family channel (9486 on dish network)...in fact it is on at this moment. 10pm 6:30pm and 300pm ect.....

 

The stories are really good ,but the special effects make me laugh sometimes. I'm surprised how sexy the women are...and the outfits they wear. If you force yourself to watch a few episodes you will love it. (if you like xcom)

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  • 3 years later...

I'm watching episode one right now. :D First impression: very-very old fashioned. However, it isn't ridiculous unlike the sci-fi shows of the eastern bloc in that era, but the purple haired ladies on the moonbase look creepy.

 

I hope the stories will equalize the dated settings...

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