War of the Worlds/Choirs of Angels

Choirs of Angels
Season 1, Episode 13
Airdate	January 16, 1989
Written by	Durnford King
Directed by	Herbert Wright
Produced by	Jonathan Hackett
← 1x12 Among the Philistines	1x14 → Dust to Dust
War of the Worlds — Season One

Choirs of Angels is the thirteenth episode of the first season of War of the Worlds.

Jared Martin (Harrison Blackwood), Lynda Mason Green (Suzanne McCullough), Philip Akin (Norton Drake)

and Richard Chaves (Colonel Ironhorse)

Special Guest Stars: John Novak (Alien #1), Alex Carter (Alien #2), Heidi Von Palleske (Alien #3)

and Jan Rubeš (Dr. Von Deer)

Also Starring: Billy Thorpe (Billy Carlos), Michael Rudder (Advocate #3), Ilse Von Glatz (Advocate #2)

Featuring: David Calderisi (Advocate #1), Karen Wood (Receptionist), Wally Bolland (Policeman) (credit only)

Plot Overview

The aliens use subliminal embeds in music to brainwash a brilliant scientist into thinking they are great beings of peace and mercy, so as to develop a vaccine for them against Earth's bacteria. Unfortunately, Harrison inadvertently falls for the same delusions and becomes a danger to the mission, forcing the others to try to bring him back to his senses.

Notes

Teaser Quote

"You will help us bring a new age to this planet."

Base Three

• Three operatives are in charge of the getting the vaccine from Von Deer.

Arc Advancement

Happenings

• It's discovered that even the tiniest bit of ammonia causes an allergic reaction in the aliens and can prove fatal.

Characters

• Harrison becomes so brainwashed that he claims his parents' death was their fault.

• Even when being attacked, Ironhorse confesses to respecting Harrison.

Trivia

The Show

• One of the two Billy Carlos compositions that play throughout the episode bears an audible resemblance to the season's closing theme music.

Behind the Scenes

• Musician Billy Carlos is played by Billy Thorpe who composed the music for the first season of the show.

Allusions and References

• As Norton examines the subliminal message in the music, Ironhorse recalls the "Paul is dead" urban legend of the 60s in which it was claimed that many Beatles recordings had clues that member Paul McCarthy was dead.

Memorable Moments

• The female alien records an outgoing message on Carlos's answering machine and breaks the fourth wall.

• The aliens plant the embed into Carlos's music, complete with editing the speeds up as the music gets faster and louder.

• The aliens open the trunk of their limo to get their guns, at which point we can a glimpse of the body of their driver.

Goofs

• When Norton is studying the music, at one point when his back is to the camera and we hear him talk, but his jaw is not moving.

• Additionally, during this scene, Harrison points to the computer screen, but when it cuts to Harrison, this same hand is up to his mouth.

Quotes

• Alien #3: Hello. This is Billy Carlos' answering machine. He's on tour... and you're not.

• Von Deer: So you know about the travellers.

Suzanne: Is that what they call themselves?

Von Deer: Why are you so condescending? They are our only hope for the future.

Suzanne: Eric, in 1953, your travellers invaded this planet. It was a holocaust then and they want it to be a holocaust now.

• Harrison: It's time we faced the truth. We've got to stop hurting the aliens!

Ironhorse: Hurting the aliens? I don't remember invading their planet!

Harrison: It's not an invasion! Didn't I tell you that? It's self-defence!

Norton: Then the aliens were justified in killing your mother and father?

Harrison: Yes. Yes, it was... it was... It was my parents' fault! (breaking down) It was their own fault.

• Ironhorse: Suzanne also said that Von Deer flipped out, just like you. Only he was a lot worse, a month worse.

Harrison: I guess that makes sense. If it was something in the music, he had a lot more direct exposure than I did. Besides he was a lot crazier to start. (off Ironhorse's look) Okay. Not a lot crazier.

• Advocate #1: How can this be?

Advocate #2: The human scientist was the most brilliant of his race.

Advocate #3: It is obviously a task beyond the scope of human intellect.