Exposed (UFO)


"Exposed" is the second episode aired of the first series of UFO - a 1970 British television science fiction series about an alien invasion of Earth. The screenplay was written Tony Barwick and the director was David Lane. The episode was filmed between 13 May to 23 May, 1969 and aired on the ATV Midlands network on 23 September, 1970. Though shown as the second episode, it was actually the fifth to have been filmed.
The episode introduces Colonel Paul Foster, who was to become a regular character for the rest of the series.
The series was created by Gerry Anderson and Sylvia Anderson with Reg Hill, and produced by the Andersons and Lew Grade's Century 21 Productions for Grade's ITC Entertainment company.

Story

When the Sky One interceptor aircraft intercepts and destroys a UFO, the explosion causes the nearby experimental test aircraft XV-104, which refused the order to leave the area, to crash. While the co-pilot Jim is killed, the pilot Paul Foster survives, temporaneously blinded.
After waking in hospital and re-acquiring view, Foster claims that the cause of the aircraft crash was a UFO but his commanding officer and a RAF investigator, Dr. Douglas Jackson, do not believe him as evidence, showing Sky One but not any UFOs, points to pilot error. Believing a cover-up is taking place, Foster undertakes his own investigation in the events surrounding the crash. He is aided by the sister of the dead co-pilot.
Foster's investigation leads him to Commander Edward Straker. Straker agrees to meet Foster at the Harlington-Straker Studios, that are used as a cover for the secret SHADO Control base located beneath. Straker is in fact testing Foster to see if he is capable of joining the SHADO organisation. Foster passes the induction and Straker reveals all about the UFO threat facing Earth, meanwhile revealing that both Jackson and Jim's sister were actually SHADO operatives.

Cast

Starring

An original score was composed for this episode by Barry Gray.

Production notes

Actor Basil Moss is one of 11 actors to have appeared in the TV series and the 1969 movie Doppelgänger.
Locations used for the filming included MGM-British Studios, Borehamwood Studios and Neptune House, BBC Elstree Studios, Borehamwood.