"E.S.P." is the sixth episode aired of the first series of ''

UFO An unidentified flying object (UFO) is an object or phenomenon seen in the sky but not yet identified or explained. The term was coined when United States Air Force (USAF) investigations into flying saucers found too broad a range of shapes ...

'', a 1970 British television science fiction series about an

alien invasion Alien invasion or space invasion is a common feature in science fiction stories and films, in which extraterrestrial lifeforms invade Earth to exterminate and supplant human life, enslave it, harvest people for food, steal the planet's resource ...

of Earth.

Alan Fennell Alan Leslie Fennell (10 December 1936 – 10 December 2001) was a British writer and editor best known for work on series produced by Gerry Anderson, and for having created the magazines '' TV Century 21'' and ''Look-in''. Fennell wrote episod ...

wrote the screenplay and it was directed by Ken Turner. The episode was filmed between 23 October and 4 November 1969 and aired on the

ATV Midlands ATV Network Limited, originally Associated TeleVision (ATV), was a British broadcaster, part of the ITV (Independent Television) network. It provided a service to London at weekends from 1955 to 1968, to the Midlands on weekdays from 1956 to ...

network on 21 October 1970. Though shown as the sixth episode, it was actually the fifteenth to have been filmed. The series was created by

Gerry Anderson Gerald Alexander Anderson (; 14 April 1929 – 26 December 2012) was an English television and film producer, director, writer and occasional voice artist, who is known for his futuristic television programmes, especially his 1960s production ...

and

Sylvia Anderson Sylvia Beatrice Anderson (; 25 March 1927 – 15 March 2016) was an English television and film producer, writer, voice actress and costume designer, best known for her collaborations with Gerry Anderson, her husband between 1960 and 1981. In ...

with

Reg Hill Reginald Eric Hill (16 May 1914 – 31 October 1999) was an English model-maker, art director, producer, and freelance storyboard artist. He is most prominently associated with the work of Gerry Anderson. Early life Born on 16 May 1914, Hill ...

, and produced by the Andersons and

Lew Grade Lew Grade, Baron Grade, (born Lev Winogradsky; 25 December 1906 – 13 December 1998) was a Ukrainian-born British media proprietor and impresario. Originally a dancer, and later a talent agent, Grade's interest in television production ...

Century 21 Productions AP Films or APF (renamed Century 21 Productions in 1966) was a British independent film production company of the 1950s until the early 1970s. The company became internationally known for its imaginative children's action-adventure marionette t ...

for Grade's

ITC Entertainment The Incorporated Television Company (ITC), or ITC Entertainment as it was referred to in the United States, was a British company involved in the production and distribution of television programmes. History Incorporated Television Programme C ...

company.

Plot

Returning home after seeing his psychiatrist, John Croxley, a man with very powerful ESP, is stopped by SHADO personnel due to an incoming UFO. The UFO crashes into Croxley's house killing his wife and injuring Col. Foster who was monitoring the UFO from a SHADO mobile. Foster is taken to hospital and SHADO sends a team to investigate the crash site. Croxley, now under alien influence, is able to read the minds of the SHADO team and learns all about SHADO's operations. Croxley believes that Straker and Freeman caused his wife's death and sets out to kill them. Foster believes that someone or something is watching him – a response to his mind being read by Croxley. Croxley sends Straker what looks like a film script but is instead a full, detailed description of SHADO's organisation and its operations, including places and times. After visiting Croxley's psychiatrist, Straker and Freeman learn of Croxley's ESP ability and are told to meet Croxley at his ruined house where Croxley, still under alien influence, intends to kill them both. Foster, who has been told that revisiting the site of his injuries will help his recuperation, also arrives at the house. Although Croxley's ability allows him to be aware of Foster's presence he does not stop Foster, who shoots Croxley just as he is about to kill Straker and Freeman.

Regular cast

Production

Locations included Sara Lee Factory, Slough; Neptune House at

ATV Elstree Studios The BBC Elstree Centre, sometimes referred to as the BBC Elstree Studios, is a television production facility, currently owned by the BBC. The complex is located between Eldon Avenue and Clarendon Road in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England. Th ...

, Borehamwood; and

MGM-British Studios MGM-British was a subsidiary of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer initially established (as MGM London Films Denham) at Denham Film Studios in 1936. It was in limbo during the Second World War; however, following the end of hostilities, a facility was acquired ...

, Borehamwood.

Reception

Review website ''anorakzone.com'' ranks the episode the third-worst of the series, adding that "it's arguably the cheapest-looking episode of ''UFO'', and does strain credulity." The review also criticises the ending's "corny expositionary dialogue".

John Kenneth Muir John Kenneth Muir (born December 3, 1969) is an American literary critic. As of 2022, he has written thirty reference books in the fields of film and television, with a particular focus on the horror and science fiction genres. Biography Bor ...

comments that "there is nothing in particular wrong with 'E.S.P.'; yet it is never terribly original, or even thought-provoking."

References

External links

* {{UFO (TV series) 1970 British television episodes Television episodes about mind control Television episodes about telepathy UFO (British TV series) episodes