V (1984–1985)

A year after Liberation Day, courtesy of the red-dust bacteria, the humanoid, lizard-like aliens develop a resistance to the micro-organism and try to regain control of the Earth--only now some humans are knowingly working with them.

Creator:

Kenneth Johnson

Stars:

Jane Badler, Faye Grant, Marc Singer

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Jane Badler	...	Diana (19 episodes, 1984-1985)
June Chadwick	...	Lydia (19 episodes, 1984-1985)
Jennifer Cooke	...	Elizabeth Maxwell (19 episodes, 1984-1985)
Robert Englund	...	Willie (19 episodes, 1984-1985)
Faye Grant	...	Dr. Julie Parrish (19 episodes, 1984-1985)
Marc Singer	...	Mike Donovan (19 episodes, 1984-1985)
Jeff Yagher	...	Kyle Bates (19 episodes, 1984-1985)
Michael Ironside	...	Ham Tyler (13 episodes, 1984-1985)
Lane Smith	...	Nathan Bates (13 episodes, 1984-1985)
Blair Tefkin	...	Robin Maxwell (13 episodes, 1984-1985)
Michael Wright	...	Elias Taylor (13 episodes, 1984-1985)
Howard K. Smith	...	Howard K. Smith (10 episodes, 1984-1985)
Aki Aleong	...	Mr. Chiang (8 episodes, 1984-1985)

Storyline

The Earth has been invaded by lizard-like beings from another planet called Visitors. A small resistance of rebels led by photojournalist Mike Donovan, Dr. Julie Parrish and mercenary Ham Tyler fight the Nazi-like reign. The aliens usually appear disguised as humans, and are led by Diana, their queen.

---

Plot Keywords:

alien | alien invasion | 1980s | one letter title | teen | 

---

Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller

---

Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 October 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

V: The Series

Filming Locations:

Sable Ranch - 25933 Sand Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,100,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (19 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The name of the aliens' species is never revealed.

---

Quotes

Diana: The scorpion?
Lydia: I ate it. And I saved the best part for you.
[throws the tail at Diana]

---

Crazy Credits

Real-life newscaster Howard K. Smith, who has a recurring cameo in this series, is sometimes given a guest star credit on episodes in which he does not appear.

---

Connections

Featured in I Love the '80s Strikes Back: 1983 (2003)

User Reviews

The humans continue their battle against the lizards

The original mini-series was intelligent, engaging and a television event of the 1980s that cleverly melded refreshing science fiction with a dark chapter of human history. The second mini-series was almost just as good and demanded much patience from the viewer. Then came this ongoing series. While most of the characters returned, the budget and intelligence in the writing didn't.

The one and only season of "V" followed the story of the human resistance trying to survive while the lizards continually struggled with their own in-fighting. Most of the characters from the first two productions returned, the ladies with their big eighties hairstyles and the men pulling weak but amusing fight scenes.

Occasionally we were treated to a new alien weapon or a new character who promises to bring change to the ongoing story but some episodes drag on with long and slow moments that seem out of place. Unfortunately, the series ended on a cliffhanger when it was axed, so many things were left open and the viewer may feel short-changed by the closing credits of the last episode.

Still, if you want to see more adventures of Donovan and co. then you can watch this, but don't expect too much. "V" was something too good to be left alone, but sadly it was a poor effort.

Note: Very different to the new 2000s series.