Prior Posts



(From February 20, 1999)

Thank you for visiting my site. This is my first web page so please consider it a work in progress. Although there are many fine "V" web sites around, I hope you will find that this one offers something unique. I have been a fan of "V" ever since I saw the original miniseries when it was first broadcast in 1983. I consider it one of the best sci-fi dramas ever created for television. Unfortunately, the potential of "V" was never fully realized due to the departure of its creator, Kenneth Johnson. The sequel miniseries, "V: The Final Battle," was a worthy effort but did not measure up to the original. The short-lived television series which followed suffered from a lack of creative direction and quickly degenerated into comic-book camp. I have always been bothered by the fact that a series with so much potential ended on such a disappointing note. Ever since its cancellation, I have had a number of story ideas for a revival of "V." However, as the years went by, the possibility of bringing "V" back seemed increasingly remote. It was not until the Sci-Fi Channel rebroadcast the original miniseries that I started giving the idea serious thought again. Even after 15 years, the story of "V" remained compelling. I sat down and started to write what, after two years, would become a series of scripts. This web page has been created as a means to share them with fans of "V" like yourself.

I have tried to make this site as easy to use as possible. The first section is entitled "V: The Miniseries" and provides a brief summary of the story and the main characters of both the original miniseries and The Final Battle. Not every plot point and character is covered because I have focused only on those characters and events which have some relevance in my proposed "V" sequel. The second section is entitled "V: The Television Series" and provides an outline for a three-hour miniseries based on the original television series. Essentially, I have attempted to preserve the essence of the series by editing together most of the first, second, and last episodes and adding a few pieces of new footage. The third and final section is entitled "V: A New Beginning" which is the working title of my script for a new four-hour miniseries set shortly after the last episode of the television series. It is the first of four scripts that I intend to publish on this site over the coming months.

Like this web site, I consider these scripts to be works in progress. Although I am pleased with how they have turned out so far, I know there is room for improvement. That is why I am turning to the fans of "V" for their input. Presently, my chief areas of concern are plot structure and dialogue. I will go into more detail about these in future posts. In the meantime, I invite you to read my first script installment and contact me via e-mail or my guestbook if you have any constructive ideas or suggestions.

GMartin146 @geocities.com





(From March 8, 1999)

I have added the second installment of my four part revival of V. Entitled “Homecoming,” the story covers Julie Parrish’s escape to Manhattan where she is reunited with her family. Diana returns as well as does another familiar character. Throughout the process of coming up with a new story for V, I have strived to maintain continuity with both miniseries and the television series. At the same time, I have attempted to remain faithful to Kenneth Johnson’s original vision of V as a contemporary, sci-fi retelling of Sinclair Lewis’ tale of a fascist takeover of America in “It Can’t Happen Here.” This was not easy given what happened to V after Johnson's departure. However, I believe my efforts were successful, and I hope you will agree.

In addition to big conceptual questions, I have been occupied with the nuts and bolts of writing the story in a screenplay format. Unlike a novel, a screenplay has fixed length because the story must be told in a limited amount of time. For instance, a script for a two-hour program on television usually cannot exceed 105 pages. Therefore, the screenwriter must bring economy and efficiency to the art of storytelling. This can be seen in the areas of plot structure and dialogue. In a script, the plot must be tightly constructed and include only that which is essential to moving to story forward. Unlike a novel, it cannot digress into numerous subplots no matter how interesting they may be. This may explain why people often find screenplay adaptations to be less satisfying than the novels they are based upon. Similarly, screenplay dialogue must be lean and short because, in a movie, the story should be told more by what is seen than what is said. A good screenplay, therefore, avoids long-winded speeches and chitchat which slow the pace of the story. Of course, there are times when a character has to communicate large amounts of information, e.g., John explaining the Visitors’ mission when he addresses the world at U.N. headquarters. This is called exposition and must be used sparingly and presented in an exciting way. In the end, producing good, crisp, and interesting dialogue is one of the most challenging aspects of writing a screenplay.

As I stated in my previous post, the scripts that I am publishing on this page are works in progress. At present, the two-part script for “Homecoming” will have to be cut by a third if it is to fit within a four-hour screenplay format. This will require further streamlining of the plot (and subplots) and reducing the reliance on dialogue (particularly exposition) in telling the story. As always, you are invited to contact me via e-mail or my guestbook if you have any comments or suggestions.

GMartin146 @geocities.com





(From March 28, 1999)

I have added the third installment of my proposed V revival which is tentatively entitled "Alien Nation." Although it is not my intention to steal from another one of Kenneth Johnson's television series, I have kept this title for now because it sums up the story so well. It suggests that America not only has been taken over by "alien" invaders but also has been subverted by an "alien" ideology of human origin. In a sense, the true enemy is not the Visitors but the human sympathizers who aid them. These collaborators, with their many motivations, have been some of the most interesting characters in V and will play an important role in this latest installment.

Another intriguing aspect of V is its recurrent allusions to Nazism. The Visitors, of course, are modeled after the Nazis. Hence, their swastika-like emblem and their devotion to "the Leader." The human resistance takes its inspiration from the anti-Nazi resistance as evinced by its adoption of the "V" symbol. I have attempted to introduce additional parallels. One is the tension between the Visitor military and the Shadow Guard which mirrors the rivalry between the German Wehrmacht and the Nazi SS. The former is tradition bound and exhibits a certain degree of independence while the latter is fanatically devoted to their Leader's New Order. Another is General Vaughn and the provisional government which are based on Marshal Petain and the collaborationist government of Vichy France. Even the name of the Visitors' enemy, the Alliance, should have a familiar ring.

Finally, this latest installment will explore the origins of the starchild's unusual powers which were first revealed at the end of the Final Battle. Like many fans, I believed that the injection of this mystical element into V was ill conceived. However, even ill conceived ideas can work if they are properly executed as I hope this new story will show. As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.

GMartin146 @geocities.com

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