V: KEY
CORPSE OF THE WEEK – Seldom has so many series regulars and recurring characters laid down their lives in so short a time. These are the details.
STOCK FOOTAGE – As early as The Final Battle the producers were cutting corners by recycling footage, either feeding on the show's own archive or other films and TV shows.
TONIGHT'S MENU – Stuck for ways to boost the ratings? No money for anything impressive? Fear not! Just show one of the Visitors snacking and... bingo... more viewers! You hope!
CHARACTER NOTES - Notes... about the characters.
BATES MOTEL – Nathan Bates and Science Frontiers.
SECURITY ALERT – Examples of poor security.
GROUND FORCES – For the weekly series, he aliens abandoned their high-tech transport in favour of Earth vehicles.
HARDWARE – Visitor technology.
THE CULTURE SHOW – Details of the Visitor culture, religion and society.
RED ALERT – Details of the Red Dust.
FROCKS ON THE BOX – A complete guide to Diana and Lydia's wardrobe.
BLOOPERS – Yeah, you know... bloopers.
JEDI MINDTRICKS – Elizabeth's trick-of-the-week. Groan.
OBSERVATIONS – All the other stuff.
LIBERATION DAY
aka The Pursuit of Diana.
“The budget for the mini-series was about double what we had per hour, so that's what was really difficult. It's impossible to retain the quality of the show with half the money, half the time to shoot things, half the special effects, half the sets, half the characters and half of everything.”
David Ambromowitz, Executive Story Consultant. Interviewed in The V-Files Book Five: The Conclusion.
CORPSE OF THE WEEK
Martin dies at the hands of Diana.
Martin dies at the hands of Diana.
STOCK FOOTAGE
The footage of the Mothership in space is a mixture of stock from the mini-series and a new wide-shot.
The Skyfighter combat sequence originally produced for the first mini-series' second night is blatantly recycled several times beginning with this episode.
Diana's crashing Starfighter effects were originally produced for the attack on the Resistance base in the hills for the first mini-series, recompisited here to add a new location for the crash.
The footage of the Mothership in space is a mixture of stock from the mini-series and a new wide-shot.
The Skyfighter combat sequence originally produced for the first mini-series' second night is blatantly recycled several times beginning with this episode.
Diana's crashing Starfighter effects were originally produced for the attack on the Resistance base in the hills for the first mini-series, recompisited here to add a new location for the crash.
TONIGHT'S MENU
Apart from a few comments, Diana doesn't get anything to eat.
Apart from a few comments, Diana doesn't get anything to eat.
GROUND FORCES
None. The invasion fleet is hiding behind the moon.
None. The invasion fleet is hiding behind the moon.
BATES MOTEL
How did an organisation called Science Frontiers exist during the first invasion? Surely anything with “science” in the title would make it a prime alien target.
Why does Nathan Bates assume the Visitors are telling the truth about having a cure for cancer?
Bates has a personalised number plate.
How did an organisation called Science Frontiers exist during the first invasion? Surely anything with “science” in the title would make it a prime alien target.
Why does Nathan Bates assume the Visitors are telling the truth about having a cure for cancer?
Bates has a personalised number plate.
SECURITY ALERT
How do the media know about the Starchild and where she is living? As very few people watched her powers manifest themselves on the Mothership bridge, someone in the group must have sold her out to the press during the following year.
Security outside Diana's trial is very slack. The ambulance which takes her away has no police escort and no-one else attempts to follow (which is unlikely, the press would go to any lengths to follow. Did Bates and Tyler engineer it all?
Why doesn't Tyler notice the helicopter? You would expect him to have an eye (and an ear) for such things.
How do the media know about the Starchild and where she is living? As very few people watched her powers manifest themselves on the Mothership bridge, someone in the group must have sold her out to the press during the following year.
Security outside Diana's trial is very slack. The ambulance which takes her away has no police escort and no-one else attempts to follow (which is unlikely, the press would go to any lengths to follow. Did Bates and Tyler engineer it all?
Why doesn't Tyler notice the helicopter? You would expect him to have an eye (and an ear) for such things.
CHARACTER NOTES
Elias has a line of footwear, the Club Creole and is technical advisor on a film (presumably about the first alien invasion).
Elias has a line of footwear, the Club Creole and is technical advisor on a film (presumably about the first alien invasion).
Martin is now working with Donovan as his camera assistant.
Donovan has been offered an anchorman's position but is going to turn it down (“that's showbiz”). Julie is in charge of Science Frontier's Mothership project (despite not having a technical background).
Ham Tyler runs a security agency (the services of which Nathan Bates attempts to engage).
Mike's son Sean is at a special school in Ohio. Donovan thinks he will resist attempts to de-convert him.
Donovan seems very willing to defend Diana's right to a fair trial. Maybe he is just confident that the evidence against her is overwhelming and she won't get away with it.
Ham's role in the escape of Diana, and Donovan's knowledge of it is conveniently forgotten after this episode. It should have been a major source of conflict between the two as well as a motivator for Ham to get revenge on Diana.
Donovan is willing to hand over responsibility for Diana's recapture to local law enforcement.
What happened to Polly Maxwell after the end of the first invasion?
Mike's son Sean is at a special school in Ohio. Donovan thinks he will resist attempts to de-convert him.
Donovan seems very willing to defend Diana's right to a fair trial. Maybe he is just confident that the evidence against her is overwhelming and she won't get away with it.
Ham's role in the escape of Diana, and Donovan's knowledge of it is conveniently forgotten after this episode. It should have been a major source of conflict between the two as well as a motivator for Ham to get revenge on Diana.
Donovan is willing to hand over responsibility for Diana's recapture to local law enforcement.
What happened to Polly Maxwell after the end of the first invasion?
HARDWARE
How does Martin know it is Diana's fighter making an escape? Does it have a unique identity code (or her name printed on the wing)?
Donovan exits his Skyfighter through just the lower part of the hatch.
Diana has special secret codes that are preventing the unlocking of the secrets of the Mothership, including the Conversion Process.
How does everyone get on and off the Mother Ship in Liberation Day? It's hovering just off the surface with no visible means of access yet nobody has any problems gaining access. Martin even tells Donovan that he will meet him “outside”.
How does Martin know it is Diana's fighter making an escape? Does it have a unique identity code (or her name printed on the wing)?
Donovan exits his Skyfighter through just the lower part of the hatch.
Diana has special secret codes that are preventing the unlocking of the secrets of the Mothership, including the Conversion Process.
How does everyone get on and off the Mother Ship in Liberation Day? It's hovering just off the surface with no visible means of access yet nobody has any problems gaining access. Martin even tells Donovan that he will meet him “outside”.
THE CULTURE SHOW
Why do the Visitors continue to wear their human disguises throughout the series now that the truth is well-and-truly out. What value does maintaining the deception have? Why do the humans allow Diana to stand trial in her human disguise?
Diana's crimes (according to Bates): Crimes against humanity, genocide and cannibalism Bates and Diana never met (she appears to have never even heard of him or Science Frontiers) during her year of captivity.
Why does the alien fleet remain in Earth's solar system after their retreat when they are full of essential supplies (food and water) for the home world? Are the crews feeding off the humans in their holds?
Why do the Visitors take so long (a year) to address the issue of Diana? Surely her capture would represent a significant security threat. Even if the Red Dust prevented ground operations, surely a surgical strike could either rescue her or kill her before the humans learnt too much.
Why do the Visitors allow the humans to hold the LA Mothership and analyse its technology? Why not just destroy it from space?
Why do the Visitors continue to wear their human disguises throughout the series now that the truth is well-and-truly out. What value does maintaining the deception have? Why do the humans allow Diana to stand trial in her human disguise?
Diana's crimes (according to Bates): Crimes against humanity, genocide and cannibalism Bates and Diana never met (she appears to have never even heard of him or Science Frontiers) during her year of captivity.
Why does the alien fleet remain in Earth's solar system after their retreat when they are full of essential supplies (food and water) for the home world? Are the crews feeding off the humans in their holds?
Why do the Visitors take so long (a year) to address the issue of Diana? Surely her capture would represent a significant security threat. Even if the Red Dust prevented ground operations, surely a surgical strike could either rescue her or kill her before the humans learnt too much.
Why do the Visitors allow the humans to hold the LA Mothership and analyse its technology? Why not just destroy it from space?
RED ALERT
Martin has to take an antidote for the Red Dust every twelve hours for the rest of his life. The antidote is manufactured by Science Frontiers. With the exceptions of Willie and Diana, are there any other Visitors stranded on Earth? It must be costly to manufacture the antidote for just three aliens.
The effects of the Red Dust are not immediate. Diana is able to escape her bubble and grab Martin's pills apparently without suffering any ill-effects from limited exposure.
Why cant the aliens develop an antidote to the Red Dust? Are they even trying?
Martin has to take an antidote for the Red Dust every twelve hours for the rest of his life. The antidote is manufactured by Science Frontiers. With the exceptions of Willie and Diana, are there any other Visitors stranded on Earth? It must be costly to manufacture the antidote for just three aliens.
The effects of the Red Dust are not immediate. Diana is able to escape her bubble and grab Martin's pills apparently without suffering any ill-effects from limited exposure.
Why cant the aliens develop an antidote to the Red Dust? Are they even trying?
FROCKS ON THE BOX
How did Diana acquire the civilian disguise in Liberation Day? Was the redneck she attacked a secret cross-dresser?
Diana carries her neatly-folded uniform to hide the Visitor laser pistol she stole from Martin.
How did Diana acquire the civilian disguise in Liberation Day? Was the redneck she attacked a secret cross-dresser?
Diana carries her neatly-folded uniform to hide the Visitor laser pistol she stole from Martin.
BLOOPERS
When Donovan takes the Skyfighter from the Mothership landing bay at the beginning of episode one, Visitor troops rather than Resistance fighters can be seen through the viewport.
In close-up Donovan leaps just before the shot ends, then in the long-shot he chases Diana for another couple of metres before leaping.
When Diana boards the Skyfighter at the end of the episode, the bullet holes on her tunic don't match the shots fired by Donovan.
While fighting Donovan, Diana's eyes turn briefly 'lizard' but this is impossible as her human eyes are really just elaborate contact lenses.
Mike's body changes location (watch the trees) after being knocked-out by Martin.
When Donovan takes the Skyfighter from the Mothership landing bay at the beginning of episode one, Visitor troops rather than Resistance fighters can be seen through the viewport.
In close-up Donovan leaps just before the shot ends, then in the long-shot he chases Diana for another couple of metres before leaping.
When Diana boards the Skyfighter at the end of the episode, the bullet holes on her tunic don't match the shots fired by Donovan.
While fighting Donovan, Diana's eyes turn briefly 'lizard' but this is impossible as her human eyes are really just elaborate contact lenses.
Mike's body changes location (watch the trees) after being knocked-out by Martin.
JEDI MINDTRICKS
Young Elizabeth can force a helicopter off-course at close range.
During the early stages of Elizabeth's transformation (which Julie attends very quickly), her skin begins to peel and then pulsate.
Elizabeth has learnt to ride a horse during her year at the Ranch. She knows exactly where to go to complete her transformation.
Young Elizabeth can force a helicopter off-course at close range.
During the early stages of Elizabeth's transformation (which Julie attends very quickly), her skin begins to peel and then pulsate.
Elizabeth has learnt to ride a horse during her year at the Ranch. She knows exactly where to go to complete her transformation.
OBSERVATIONS
The whole of V: The Series was given a Certificate '15' by the BBFC, the same as the two mini-series, when released on home video in the UK.
The opening scenes are a direct continuation of the events in THE FINAL BATTLE before skipping ahead to one year of peace.
Diana understands more than most the deadly effects of the Red Dust yet she pilots her Skyfighter towards Earth rather than following the retreating fleet (which must still be reachable).
The Mothership is still in space when Diana's fighter launches but when Donovan launches and the subsequent ariel combat, all recycled, take place in Earth's atmosphere.
Jenny Beck reprises her role as Elizabeth.
The Maxwell Ranch is first referenced in the first mini-series when the family talk about going to “their place in the mountains”.
June Chadwick, Jennifer Cooke and Jeff Yager all appear in the credits for Liberation Day but don't appear in the show itself until episode two.
Diana's assassination is a direct lift of the fate of Lee Harvey Oswald.
Why is Martin that bothered about Diana signalling the fleet? If the aliens were monitoring Earth's transmissions they would already know she was a captive. At this point no-one knows that the Red Dust is useless.
It is lucky that the South-western automated tracking facility is close to where Diana was held prisoner before her escape. How far did she have to drive before her stolen car broke down?
The tracking station is unmanned but has a lovely lobby.
The tracking station is packed-full of old-fashioned computer technology.
At least they remember to put Diana in sunglasses while she is outside, even if she is very confused by a beeping digital watch.
Why does Diana stop and turn when Donovan calls her name? How can she be certain that his bullets wont penetrate her uniform? What happens if he aimed at her head or legs? Are all alien uniforms bullet proof or was Diana, a senior member of the fleet, issued with a special super-strong version?
What happened to the humans stored on the LA Mothership? Did they get defrosted?
The Visitor's eyes are sensitive to bright light in the mini-series (hence the sunglasses and visors for guards and shock troopers) but this becomes hit-and-miss in the series.
Considering she is responsible for the attempted genocide of the human race (and certainly the death and disappearance of thousands, maybe millions, of people), surprisingly few people turn up to protest outside Diana's trial.
No reference is made to the fate of all the humans contained in the holds of the fleet after the retreat.
Realistically, Earth would be devastated after the alien retreat: Governments, politicians, businessmen and leaders “converted” during the invasion would find themselves without instruction and accused of collaboration by the population. The systematic targeting of the scientific community would leave the planet without its greatest scientific minds, essential for rebuilding, analysing captured alien tech and devising a longer-term defence against re-invasion.
Earth's population (and water supplies) would be severely depleted by the actions of the Visitors.
The whole of V: The Series was given a Certificate '15' by the BBFC, the same as the two mini-series, when released on home video in the UK.
The opening scenes are a direct continuation of the events in THE FINAL BATTLE before skipping ahead to one year of peace.
Diana understands more than most the deadly effects of the Red Dust yet she pilots her Skyfighter towards Earth rather than following the retreating fleet (which must still be reachable).
The Mothership is still in space when Diana's fighter launches but when Donovan launches and the subsequent ariel combat, all recycled, take place in Earth's atmosphere.
Jenny Beck reprises her role as Elizabeth.
The Maxwell Ranch is first referenced in the first mini-series when the family talk about going to “their place in the mountains”.
June Chadwick, Jennifer Cooke and Jeff Yager all appear in the credits for Liberation Day but don't appear in the show itself until episode two.
Diana's assassination is a direct lift of the fate of Lee Harvey Oswald.
Why is Martin that bothered about Diana signalling the fleet? If the aliens were monitoring Earth's transmissions they would already know she was a captive. At this point no-one knows that the Red Dust is useless.
It is lucky that the South-western automated tracking facility is close to where Diana was held prisoner before her escape. How far did she have to drive before her stolen car broke down?
The tracking station is unmanned but has a lovely lobby.
The tracking station is packed-full of old-fashioned computer technology.
At least they remember to put Diana in sunglasses while she is outside, even if she is very confused by a beeping digital watch.
Why does Diana stop and turn when Donovan calls her name? How can she be certain that his bullets wont penetrate her uniform? What happens if he aimed at her head or legs? Are all alien uniforms bullet proof or was Diana, a senior member of the fleet, issued with a special super-strong version?
What happened to the humans stored on the LA Mothership? Did they get defrosted?
The Visitor's eyes are sensitive to bright light in the mini-series (hence the sunglasses and visors for guards and shock troopers) but this becomes hit-and-miss in the series.
Considering she is responsible for the attempted genocide of the human race (and certainly the death and disappearance of thousands, maybe millions, of people), surprisingly few people turn up to protest outside Diana's trial.
No reference is made to the fate of all the humans contained in the holds of the fleet after the retreat.
Realistically, Earth would be devastated after the alien retreat: Governments, politicians, businessmen and leaders “converted” during the invasion would find themselves without instruction and accused of collaboration by the population. The systematic targeting of the scientific community would leave the planet without its greatest scientific minds, essential for rebuilding, analysing captured alien tech and devising a longer-term defence against re-invasion.
Earth's population (and water supplies) would be severely depleted by the actions of the Visitors.
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