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On December 26, science fiction fans, the world over, were saddened by the passing of an icon in the sci-fi world; Gerry Anderson. Most widely known for his “Supermarionation” series The Thunderbirds, Gerry was the creator of several other science fiction programs, Stingray, Captain Scarlett and the Mysterons, Space: 1999, to name a few. One series, a show that many will argue was his finest work, was my personal favorite, UFO.
Hailed by many as the best speculative science fiction show to ever grace the television screen, UFO was his first attempt at a live action series. Unlike his previous work, this show was adult orientated, a fact missed by many of the networks of the time.
In UFO, Gerry created a somewhat better world than we live in, with the nations of the world working together against a common foe. And yet it was not a perfect world, as many of the episode touched on sensitive subjects, such as, drug use, marital infidelity, and the endless Straker/Henderson battles over the budget. Not all of the episodes had a happy ending making for a more believable series. I have to wonder if Gerry knew just how ground breaking the series really was?
Although Gerry has passed on, joining many of those he worked with, his creative spirit lives on in the collective efforts of his loyal fans. Discussion boards host many interesting, (and sometimes spirited) conversations about the shows, the neat hardware, and the timeless characters. Model makers and artists continue to keep his visions alive even adding new conceptions to the Anderson Universe. In Fanfiction, the characters, we all know and love, are kept alive in countless new adventures, sometimes moving in directions that Gerry himself never dreamed of.
Farewell, Gerry, we still have you on positive track.
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Gerry Anderson: Gone, but not forgotten. (Read 889 times)
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