V

Inspired by Sinclair Lewis' antifascist novel It Can't Happen Here (1935), director–producer Kenneth Johnson wrote an adaptation titled Storm Warnings in 1982. The script was presented to NBC for production as a television miniseries, but the NBC executives rejected the initial version, claiming it was too "cerebral" for the average American viewer. To make the script more marketable, the American fascists were recast as man-eating extraterrestrials in order to capitalize on the popularity of franchises such as Star Wars. V, which cost $13 million ($35,000,000 today) to make premiered on May 1, 1983 .

The two-part miniseries ran for 200 minutes; the first part was the second-most popular program of the week, with 40% of the viewing television audience at that time watching it Its success spawned a sequel, V: The Final Battle which aired in three parts which aired in the U.S. in May 1984.

 It averaged a 25.1 rating and 37 share, beating ABC's miniseries The Last Days of Pompeii, which aired on the same days as The Final Battle. Ed Siegel of The Boston Globe stated that The Final Battle was "by far the better" of the two and "spirited escapist entertainment",  

Kenneth Johnson left V during production of The Final Battle due to disagreements with NBC over how the story should progress .

Later that year V the TV Series aired in the United States on NBC from October 26, 1984, to March 22, 1985. The production suffered due to lack of budget and part way through half the series regulars left. 19 episodes were produced and a 20th planned with the script written but the show was cancelled and the story was never concluded on TV.

The Summer of 1984 in the U.K. ITV wanted Event TV to rival the BBC coverage of the Olympics. The original 2 part V Miniseries had been shown in  the U.S the year before  and the 3 part Final battle had been aired in 1984. ITV bought both miniseries and aired them nightly in one batch just under the title V. 

I love sci fi and the arrival of the Visitors was spectacular. The big reveal that not all was as it seemed to be was gripping. Full of action, suspense and emotional drama V had it all. The design of the shuttle craft and motherships was amazing and this 16 year old was gripped. 

The broadcasts had taken place late at night to compete with the Olympics so I had to video each episode meaning I could rewatch as much as I liked. I remember my parents going on holiday and for the first time ever I stayed at home on my own and I watch the final episodes alone.   

This really was some of the best TV I'd ever seen at that point. I've since discovered that a lot of stuff was going on behind the scenes and that creator Kenneth Johnson was not involved in the Final Battle. To me I didn't notice any real change in the style or writing of the show. For me it holds up all the way through. I loved the alien baby, star child  and the red dust stories.

I eagerly bought the novel to re-live the story in book form and started collecting the other novels but found them less interesting. 

Then came the TV series the following year. I had high expectations and it started off okay but quickly it was evident that they couldn't keep the story going. I watched u8ntil the end and bought those episodes on video and then DVD but it is the 2 miniseries that ultimately hold my attention for repeat viewing. 

I was also excited when they made a remake but again this didn't live up to the original.