V: The Original Mini-Series, 1983.

V: The Original Miniseries was a science-fiction two-part miniseries written and directed by Kenneth Johnson. Fifty saucer-shaped Motherships arrive on Earth, with the visitors declaring they come in peace. The visitors promise to share their advanced technology in exchange for vital minerals to help their ailing Planet. However, a small band of people become aware of the visitor’s true intentions, and in time, their real motive is finally revealed.

Childhood memories are precious. Riding a bicycle for the first time, your first crush and watching a humanoid lizard dislodge its jaw and inhale a live hamster. Okay, inside the modern landscape of reality television, this is nothing new, but in times gone by, it was a revelation. V first came into my life in 1984 when I was ten years old! That sentence seems practical and bland, but for five glorious nights during that summer, my imagination went to a place of wonder, spectacle and fear. I remember feeling excited about the first episode, but I had no idea I would still be thinking about that exact moment today. At that age, science-fiction was new to me, with Star Wars leading the way. However, V felt like my first step into the adult world of storytelling. The aliens were coming to Earth, and I can still feel the excitement and anticipation as I waited for the first episode to begin. It’s fun to read how this show made the same impact on others in England that summer and across the World. It felt like something truly unique was happening, a global event, and I am forever grateful that I witnessed it first hand.

I have watched many films, read many books and often daydreamed about our first encounter with another species, but this mini-series beat them all for authenticity. It feels ludicrous to make such a statement, but Kenneth Johnson made me believe this groundbreaking incident was really happening. On the other hand, I learnt at an early age to respect the stories told by others. If I give something my time and attention, I will go all the way and believe in the fictional world that has been crafted for my pleasure. The opening for V was perfect in its execution. Fifty gigantic Motherships suddenly appearing across the planet is frightening. Why are they here, and what do they want? News bulletins and radio broadcasts become the only connection between the people of Earth and the unknown. The War of the Worlds 1953 radio drama comes to mind, as this show felt like reality and fiction intertwined. I’m not sure if what happened next was a happy accident or simply pure genius, but as the visitors are about to reveal themselves for the first time, the News at Ten in England interrupted the schedule for the news! All I could think about was the shuttle that had entered New York City’s skyline, and who or what was aboard it. That half-hour interval was, and still is, the longest thirty minutes of my life. Alternatively, this series of events added a more ethereal quality to the story. What a way to start a show, but this was only the beginning. 

Now that I have begun to understand the origins of the V and how Kenneth Johnson approached the mini-series, it feels different to me as an adult. Johnson wrote an adaptation of Sinclair Lewis’ It Can’t Happen Here, 1935. Storm Warnings, 1982 was rejected by NBC, claiming it was too cerebral for the average television viewer. Johnson later rewrote the script to make it more marketable. Now, the American fascists of his original pitch were replaced by man-eating extra-terrestrials. I can see how this change would have attracted me to the show, but I hope that the original message of his work wasn’t lost in the process. I often think of science fiction as an olive branch, with writers like Johnson leading me toward a greater understanding of the human condition. However, as a child, I was all for the lizards. I loved the style of the uniforms, their reaction to light and those distinct voices. If this had been a real-life situation, I would have been on my way to Sirius, freeze-dried and sold as a ready meal for one. I spoke earlier about authenticity, and I think it is because the show concentrates on the characters at ground level. These people are your family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. Do you follow the rules to protect your family, or do you strike out at something that feels wrong? However, life is never that simple, and you cannot always believe everything you hear. Kenneth Johnson is aware of the complexity of such a situation and delivers it in a way that teases your emotions until it is too late. 

Unfortunately for V, television productions have improved significantly. This leaves the mini-series in a time period that may not appeal to modern viewers. However, it also relies on two specific crafts that modern science-fiction television shows often ignore. If your television show has a great script and a talented cast of actors, the background scenery will become irrelevant. I am not saying the visual aesthetics of the mini-series are not as important. The mini-series has a lot of sets that are still impressive by modern standards, but I believe the writing and performances are what should carry the show. Visual and practical effects cost a lot more in time and money in the eighties, which left the right people to do the heavy lifting. Mike Donovan Marc Singer is a news cameraman who already feels a sense of responsibility to help others. Alternatively, he is also a father, son and ex-husband. His character has depth, his background brings scale, and his place in the World feels real. Diana Jane Badler is a visitor, and you are instantly aware that her character is not simply one-dimensional. Her ambition, hatred, and curiosity about humanity and our resilience are far greater than her orders from the home planet. And my final example is Julie Parrish Faye Grant. Julie slowly becomes the leader of the resistance. However, she was not looking to become a leader. There is doubt and fear, but she becomes a symbol for something far more noble than she could have imagined. Great leaders are neither born nor made, they are chosen. And that is just three characters. Each one is given time to grow, make mistakes and become important. It’s the performance of the actors and the quality of the writing that is important here. These characters are relevant to the past, believable in the present and just as important in the future.

The mini-series runs for one hundred and eighty-nine minutes, and there could be much more to discuss. However, these are just a couple of insights into why I love the show. V is a story that has been told many times before. I believe there are a lot of good people on this planet we call home. Unfortunately, there will always be other influences that change our perception over time. Some of those influences can easily be seen and avoided, but others could be a few words from someone we know. Life is complicated, and choices can be difficult. But it is imperative to stay true to your own feelings.

Alternatively, V is Dallas, a soap opera with lizards. Even a science-fiction nerd like myself enjoys a bit of drama. It just depends on which way you want to take it. It can be fun and a reminder of simpler times. The visitors made us a promise, but it was never authentic. However, it is not long before the truth begins to unravel, and the visitors learn that humanity always has a way of finding things out. The scientific community is the first to suffer. The media and public turn their backs on these people, but we are all connected somehow. In one scene, Julie Parrish and fellow scientist Benjamin raid a Pharmaceutical Company for lab equipment. During the raid, Benjamin is shot and injured by the visitors. Julie, also injured from weapon fire, manages to rescue her friend and flee the scene. Julie cannot call for an ambulance without alerting the police. Instead, she chooses to take him to Benjamin to his brother, Elias. Benjamin had already asked his brother for help, but Elias had always felt like he had lived in his brother’s shadow. Unable to let these feelings go, he turned him away. Elias quickly learns that regardless of your place in society, this will affect you, and this realisation for Elias comes with the death of his brother. The resistance is born, and the war is upon us. The message is becoming clear for the visitors. The final battle is about to begin. 

There is still a lot to learn about the history of this franchise, and I am just a fan of this series and want to know more about its history. I have recently purchased Sinclair Lewis’ novel, and I will be reading it soon. I am also aware that Kenneth Johnson left V during the production of The Final Battle, and I want to look deeper into that as I discuss the next installment. Thankfully, this is only the beginning for me, and I will cover most of the story as I finish the series. If you have watched the mini-series before or are thinking about watching it for the first time, I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

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