The Man From TB5 - Re-Review #46
Definitely another strong favourite today!
Let me take you back to one of Lady Penelope’s main episodes from TOS - ‘The Man From MI5′. Nice play on the title here. But, when we might have expected this to be a job for Gordon, it’s actually one for er- John?
P.S. Did you know O’Hagan and Aisling made a Thunderbirds Picture Storybook edition?
So yes, after all the asking, it’s John, and she is sticking with John. Gordon really must be gutted. This scene was absolutely golden as well.
“Did I hear party? Do you need a date? I could be there in no time! (Scott, let me borrow Thunderbird One).”
“Thank you Gordon, but I already have a date.”
“No way! You actually got him to leave Thunderbird Five.”
“He wanted it kept quiet.”
“But I’m the obvious choice! John hates social... anything. Besides, whose gonna’ do space monitor duty?”
“Funny you should mention that.”
“And who do you think’s taking him up there?”
Also, I like the fact that Lady Penelope has a wildlife preserve.
Yes, the date is none other than John. Not a second of doubt that he can handle a ‘little’ social situation.
“Speaking of amazing how do you like that custom tuxedo I designed? Didn’t you notice all the cool hidden functions? Like the radio in your collar.”
“This isn’t a spy mission, Brains.”
I don’t know, John, you are with the UK’s top spy.
“It’s just a quiet, little charity auction.”
“I may haveunderstand the quiet part, a bit.”
Yeah, thanks for that Parker! So the only part she actually told him about correctly was that it’s a charity auction. Thankful for that radio now, John?
“I thought there’d be less this. People. Talking. In person. I mean communications is my job, I talk to people from all over the world, I’d just rather do it from space.”
I think John could be socially autistic.
Look at Sherbet though, sitting so happily on Penelope’s arm.
“Place like this his ha ‘ot-bed for pick pockets. hIn my day, this would ‘ave been ha gold mine.”
“No one will be picking anyone’s pockets tonight.”
“Not while hI’m hon watch duty, M’Lady.”
Definitely famous last words. Wait for it.
I love how one minute Lady Penelope is pulling John away from people and telling him who to talk to, and then the next just walks off and leaves him to fend for himself.
“Did I mention the cufflinks?”
“Will they make me invisible to crowds?”
“Why didn’t I think of that?”
Because you are not John who is currently very desperate to disappear from the face of the Earth.
Also, I love how Scott has a laptop. Obviously he’s doing Tracy Industry work today.
“What exactly do you do, Dear boy?”
And could you be any more patronising? I mean, go on, give it a try.
Did I see Kat in crowd as well?
And the focus on the food? It was spot on really. It’s the little things that help to make episodes like this. This episode had a great balance of humour and tense moments, with a brilliant rescue, a great appearance by The Hood and a very nice view of a different side to John.
With some absolutely brilliant moments by Parker. Only he and Sherbet could end up in a fight with kitchen staff in a Chateau kitchen at a party whilst he’s meant to be looking out for pick pockets.
“Wonderful party isn’t it?”
“’ey? ‘e’s cheered hup. No kitchen staff? Goood grief, hit’s-”
“You weren’t supposed to see that!”
“hIndeed. Now, drop that weapon, hor hI’ll be hobliged to serve you ha Parker ‘aymaker.”
And they actually showed more of the ‘fight’ than I expected them to. I mean, hitting someone’s head with multiple saucepans..? Because that’s PG.
“Welcome everyone, and- *Clatters* - And, they’re obviously preparing our very delicious desert.”
It’s a good thing she can talk her way out of almost anything.
Just throw and smash your glass... yes, that’s exactly what I would do at a formal charity auction. As I’m sure we all would.
“And how does he expected to pay for it? By robbing us?”
Yes, Parker, they made it past you. Just.
“What makes you think I’ll willingly give you any of my money, hey?”
“I placed laser cutters on the cables, that hold up this Chateau. Would you like a demonstation?”
Why did you even say anything man?
“This one doesn’t show up on the system.”
I did find it hard to believe that The Hood wouldn’t recognise John though. I mean, he’s even been to Tracy Island, he’s seen their portraits. I know John looks a little different in a suit, but still. I mean, it does look like The Hood is considering him, but I still think there would have been recognition there.
“If I could get outside, I could try and disable them.”
“You’ll need a distraction. Parker?”
“Right ‘away, M’Lady. hOi! hIf you’re gonna rob hus, hat least ‘ave the decency to serve proper canapes!”
Now chair throwing! This is perfect! Exactly my type of party.
Oh Bottomsly really is an idiot. I mean the name did hint.. A candlelabra? Great choice of weapon. TAG really risked their Universal rating on this one.
“Fool! You’ve activated the laser cutters!”
For once, and only once, I agree with The Hood. Bottomsly, you are a fool.
Well... nearly. When have we ever known The Hood not to have some kind of escape plan at the ready? I mean, he did in ‘Legacy’ and he really should have been done for then.
Nice of him to give us a little bow as well.
Now to go off topic for two seconds and see if I can give anyone a laugh for today;
You know what, I will give you the two images that popped into my head during this scene, particularily from the above photo.
1. Titanic. Iconic moment that I need not say more on.
I will advise though that I’m not really a fan of this film, so I don’t quite know why it came to me.
2. Richard III (Ian McKellen’s version) - where, defeated Richard III falls into the fire below, arms wide and smiling. I never really understood this version of the film. It’s set in Nazi Germany... I will say no more.
“Hairstyle not recognised. And not very stylish.”
“We speak of this to no one.”
Oh my gosh, the humour with this pair and EOS (finally someone wrote an episode with EOS)! This was so so needed in this episode and had me in fits.
“I’d like to see the reports for myself.”
“I’m not sure you’d understand them. But I’ve found a wonderful puppet show you might find entertaining.”
Best thing is - I reckon Gordon would have really liked that puppet show.
“Gordon to John. You’re AI is being evil again.”
I wouldn’t quite say this counts as evil, Gordon, more like mean, but your choice of words.
Oopps, nearly gave it away.
“I mean... How can I assist?”
See, there you go! Bond over your love for John. Probably the only thing (besides humour) that these two have in common. It was also really nice to see Gordon in Thunderbird Five. He never made it up there in TOS.
“I’d still take this over the crowds.”
John really does have a better head for heights than I do then.
“Scott, we need you now!”
Yep... like overdue need you that should have been.
Yeah, because Kayo does the Bad Guy Chasing not the Rescuing.
“You expect me to slide down that wire? What, in a dining chair?
“No, Bottomsly, I expect you to help the others first. And if you’re lucky, you’ll get to leave before this whole place falls down on your head like a rock!”
Maybe a little harsher than it needed to be said like, but it did need saying. I love how Sherbet gets to go first!
Don’t we all at the moment, Hood. Care to share?
“Surely you have something up your sleeve?”
“Actually I do. Brains said something about cufflinks.”
And probably should have finished explaining about them.
“He put a laser up my sleeve!”
That could have gone very wrong.
“Hang tight, I’m coming to get ya’.”
Did Scott forget to say that he meant that literally?
Kind of you to save your brother from possible death.
“Thanks, Scott. Just put me down anywhere. Anywhere but here!”
I love how John was desperate enough to try and climb away! That was a little mean of Scott to try it though.
“Much happreciation for fishing FAB hOne hout hof the sea.”
I love Parker’s priorities! In fact, there might be a fanfiction coming based of this. Stay tuned.
“I’ve been sent dozens of messages inviting the mysterious hero to parties everywhere. Shall I forward them?”
“It’s a chance to see the world.”
“Thanks, but the world looks just fine from Thunderbird Five.”
Couldn’t agree more. I’d love to hace that view.
