War of the Worlds (TV Series)

The Resurrection: Part 1 (1988)

Lynda Mason Green: Suzanne McCullough

Quotes 

• Dr. Harrison Blackwood : In 1953, we experienced what can only be described as a war of the worlds. If it wasn't for common everyday bacteria attacking the aliens' immune systems, they would've won this war, and you and I would not be having this conversation!

  Dr. Suzanne McCullough : But we are having this conversation, which I don't want! So I fail to see your point!

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : My point is that although the bacteria stopped the aliens, I don't think it killed them!

  Dr. Suzanne McCullough : Excuse me, but I think you have been sitting too close to your television set.

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : Really? How do you explain the radio signals? How do you account for the barrels? The barrels that entombed what were supposed to be dead aliens forced open from the inside? What the hell happened to the hundreds of other barrels that used to be stored in that location?

  Dr. Suzanne McCullough : Just because I don't have an answer doesn't mean there isn't a logical explanation for your... paranoia!

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : I am attempting to offer you a logical explanation. In 1953, bacteria forced the aliens into a state of hibernation, or suspended animation or estivation or anabiosis. I don't know the terms; that's your field, not mine. But now, something has happened to wake the aliens up. That nuclear disposal site was hot with radioactivity, right? Maybe that's it. Maybe the bacteria which infected the aliens is now being wiped out by exposure to radiation

  Dr. Suzanne McCullough : So now, the aliens, hundreds of them...

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : At least!

  Dr. Suzanne McCullough : ...are loose?

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : Yes!

  Dr. Suzanne McCullough : You're nuttier than I thought.

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : That doesn't make me wrong! At least listen to my proof!

• Dr. Harrison Blackwood : The alien attack wasn't three days old before my parents were killed. They were colleagues of Dr. Forrester's. Anyway... Dr. Forrester, who was practically my second father as he was, ended up taking me in. I grew up steeped in this research, listening to his theories... seeing how broken he was when nobody took him seriously. He said that if the aliens invaded once, they could do it again. Nobody wanted to hear that. He said that until we get adequate research, we couldn't even be sure the aliens were really dead. Apparently, their bodies weren't decaying as might be expected. Well, that really drove people crazy. Instead of expanding its research, the U.S. Government collected the alien remains and sealed them in steel drums... out of sight, out of mind. You still think I'm a nutcase?

  Dr. Suzanne McCullough : Have you ever heard of the African lungfish? The lungfish can survive for... at least four years, maybe as many as ten, without water. It goes into such a profound state of anabiosis that the average person would think the fish was long dead. However, pour water over it, and... it's like a resurrection. The fish is alive and swimming again.

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : So you don't think I'm a nutcase?

  Dr. Suzanne McCullough : Definitely a nutcase. However... like you said, that doesn't make you wrong.

  [tears up her letter of resignation] 

  Dr. Suzanne McCullough : And I can always write another resignation.

• Dr. Harrison Blackwood : Oh, thank God you're still here.

  Dr. Suzanne McCullough : I'm not. I'm leaving.

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : I've got something I want to try out on you first.

  Dr. Suzanne McCullough : There's more? You're satisfied with having dragged me out into the middle of nowhere looking for who knows what? Or have me drive all night seven hours without a stop, without you uttering one single word? What more could you possible want to try out on me? I have worked hard, damn hard, to get where I am. And mistreatment is not part of my job description.

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : What would you say if I told you that Earth was being invaded by aliens from another planet?

  Dr. Suzanne McCullough : Read my letter.

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : I'm serious.

  Dr. Suzanne McCullough : Okay. See a psychiatrist first. Then read my letter. It's my resignation.

• Dr. Suzanne McCullough : For obvious reasons, I would prefer not to work too many nights and weekends.

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : Me either.

  Dr. Suzanne McCullough : Being a parent really does change your priorities, doesn't it?

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : Well, I wouldn't know about parenting. I just hate to work nights and weekends.

• Colonel Paul Ironhorse : Dr. McCullough?

  Dr. Suzanne McCullough : Uh, yes?

  Colonel Paul Ironhorse : Blackwood.

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : Present and accounted for.

  Colonel Paul Ironhorse : I've checked. You're clear to leave.

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : But we don't want to leave. We, uh, want to wander on the road apiece.

  Colonel Paul Ironhorse : Sorry, that's in the vicinity of a restricted military installation.

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : But these are public roads.

  Colonel Paul Ironhorse : Presently under military authority. Besides, there's nothing for you to see.

  Dr. Suzanne McCullough : Which explains your reluctance to let us see for ourselves.

  Colonel Paul Ironhorse : We can do this one of two ways. You can turn around and go home, or you can force me to detain you until I've had a chance until I've had a chance to reverify your backgrounds. With the Army, that's been known to take several days. Which is it, doctors?

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : Is it, uh, Captain?

  Colonel Paul Ironhorse : Lieutenant Colonel Ironhorse.

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : Ah, does it make any difference, Colonel, that we both have top secret clearances?

  Colonel Paul Ironhorse : Not to me, it doesn't. Around here it's "need to know", doctor, and you don't need to know. Now, if you'll excuse me.

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : Aren't you the slightest bit curious as to what may have brought us out here in the first place?

  Colonel Paul Ironhorse : Officially, I can't ask.

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : Last night, one of my associates intercepted some radio transmissions originating from this location.

  Colonel Paul Ironhorse : What kind of transmissions?

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : For the moment, let's just say that they were, uh... they were highly unusual.

  Colonel Paul Ironhorse : You wouldn't happen to have a copy of these transmissions?

  Dr. Harrison Blackwood : Is this the beginning of a negotiation, Colonel?