Comet Chasers - Re-Review #21
Don’t mind us sitting by the pool, we’ve just been animated in to prove we still exist because we won’t be featuring or playing a big part in this episode. And because we are capable of doing things other than rescuing people.
Yeah, in fairness, this is something they did do a really good job of (in most places, we won’t bring EOS into the debate) in just little shots.
Grandma waking Alan up is priceless!
“You were flying in your sleep again.”
Exactly how many times has Alan reminded them I wonder?
“Did you know we won’t see it again for another 75 years?”
“It’s not the first time you’ve reminded us of that, Alan. Or the second. Or the third. Or the-”
Alan making you feel old, Scott? Because let’s face it, Scott probably wouldn’t live to see it again, and if he did he’d be quite old to see it properly. So yeah, Alan’s probably making him feel old - or at least, that’s my vote.
“Uh, uh, Franci-what-his-name!”
Whatever you say Alan... We’ll just run with it.
“What a magnificent ball of fire and ice.”
“Actually it’s just ice.”
Yeah, we’ll go with whatever you say Lemaire.
“It’s a risky move, but as long as he stays out the comet’s tail, he’ll probably be ok.”
“I had planned to make this a fly by, but it would be a shame not to see it a little closer. So I have decided this very moment to go inside the comet’s tail.”
“No! That is a seriously bad idea!”
“Wow. You do realise he can’t actually hear you?”
This is the sort of shouting at the character moment that we usually have from the outside of the box, Scott. But hey, we’ll run with you as well, but seriously stop learning to speak too soon!
Okay everyone! So this is going to be a slightly short edition to the Re-Review series today (because my internet is seriously playing up and I’m working through a massive list). Anyway, buckle up, and prepare to meet one of the most annoying men you will ever have the unfortunate chance of making your acquaintance with!
Francois Lemaire originally appeared in TOS as a fashion designer in the episode ‘Alias Mr Hackenbacker” (the resemblance to the original is like so well done, I mean like imagine the lack of HD and try to tell the difference). And Madeline (though not then Lemaire) was a model and his closest confidant. It kinda makes sense to have married them. From what I remember though, he was annoying out of his paranoia, not because he was actually annoying. This guy on the other hand doesn’t have much in his personality to love, isn’t a fashion designer, isn’t overly smart and ignores the smart calls of his wife. And is about to sign himself a gold pass for the International Rescue ‘Always in Need of a Rescue’ Club - which is probably the worst one to join, let’s be honest. At least Ned is a nice guy.
“You see I don’t always act like I know everything.”
But... point is that Lemaire does. When actually it’s Madeline who does know everything;
“Next time read the manual.”
Come on mate, switch your head on.
“Just think of it like a game.”
Does Alan live in games? The answer is yes. But it does seem to have given him so serious flight skills so maybe that is a good thing.
I agree with John - I’m surprised this thing is still in one piece.
And why does he have cheese on board? I mean, I personally love halloumi, but priorities!
And leaving a very jealous Alan, I’m sure.
“A snake pit would be wonderful compared to this.”
Ha! She should try talking to Alan.
“Actually I don’t really know much else about it.”
Of course you don’t, Lemaire, of course.
I wonder exactly how stuck they were at the Mariana Trench - I would have thought they’d have sent Gordon not Scott, but there we go. And what sort of birthday party do you have at the Mariana Trench.
“Is all of that necessary?”
I think Scott enjoyed saying that. Although he probably forgot they were arguing on a live camera feed. He did remember later to stick his hand over it though... maybe a bit too late though.
“That could have been us.”
Finally he gets it! I wonder how long it took him to revert to form... oh, I’m betting on all of five seconds. Maybe three. Or possibly one.
It’s like a leap of faith. Did anyone else ever watch Raven on CBBC? Remember the leap of faith in that? That’s what this reminded me of.
Alan coming down to stand foot on the comet. He seriously just couldn’t resist.
Why do images like this always make you go ‘oh no’? But then Lemaire is an idiot so maybe we’ll just watch him fall and laugh because we know IR are there and will sort it.
And hey, look at that! What a nice save by Alan. No, I say that like I don’t mean it and I do. I think it was one of the first moments where we see Alan’s confidence in a rescue and Scott’s worry when it’s actually unfounded. The kid’s grown up and he can cope now. Yes, you’ll always worry about him (big brother’s privilege and all that), but it’s probably no longer a necessity of training.
“Scream if you want to go faster.”
That’s what they say at fairgrounds on rollarcoasters right? I think the Tracy brothers might have used to spend a lot of time in those sorts of places. Seriously, we’ve got John’s skills with arcades machines, Alan and Gordon’s knack for games, now we’ve got fairground hints and who here doesn’t think Virgil’s strong enough for those... um, what do you call them things? where you score points based on how well you swing a mallet? But seriously, that is the nugget that this episode gave me. Fairgrounds and arcades, and then an island. So yeah...
Now we know Alan’s secret. With a little bit of natural talent thrown in of course.
“Down to one engine. It’s gonna’ take forever to get home.”
“But we have such fine company.”
And he even has the decency to be charming on the journey home.
“36 hours is the best we can do.”
“Three days to get back to Earth?”
“One and a half actually.”
“What are we supposed to do? There’s nothing back here in your cargo hold.”
“Oh, and Lemaire, Alan and I have been discussing it and given the obvious inconvenience, we’re not gonna bill you for the trip home.”
Oh,, missed opportunity! Scott you so should have billed him.
We all know Gordon would have, just saying.
