#ned tedford

[my-atlantic-inferno]

TAG Conspiracies Part 3: Wealth

TAG wants us to believe that this show is set in a utopia. I call bullsh*t.

Let's not forget, the world of both TOS and TAG is highly, highly capitalist. There are episodes in both shows that depict the desperation of less wealthy people trying to earn money or move up in society.

Comparing all the people we meet on screen, the wealth gap is extraordinary.

Our beloved heroes, the Tracy family, OWN. AN. ISLAND.

And regardless of whether it was previously inhabited or not, it definitely used to lie inside the territory of a Pacific nation – maybe Aotearoa, maybe Vanuatu, or Fiji, or somewhere else – but the Tracys appear to have complete independent control of that island.

The fact that whoever sold part of their territory to this family didn't rat them out at any point to either the World Council or the Hood is telling of a very generous and continuous 'donation' (read: Bribe) from the Tracys

Scott, as CEO of Tracy Industries, is likely one of the wealthiest people in history. Lady Penelope is an aristocrat and socialite. Francois Lemaire, well, he shows that money can still be accumulated and spent frivolously rather than using it to help others or create a better world.

However, unlike our world, these billionaires seem entirely apolitical. They aren't involving themselves with the World Council to curry favour but are happily doing their own thing. The situation reminds me a lot of Imperial Rome: all the senatorial class, who'd spent their entire lives displaying their status by political stations, were rendered effectively useless and puppets to the emperor. It was during this time that Villa Culture exploded as they had nothing better to do than compete with each other economically.

Now compare all of that to the likes of Ned Tedford, who is constantly seeking low-level or entry-level employment with very poor job security and no mention of any educational qualifications.

Or Marion van Arkel, who was unemployed and desperate enough to support herself and her family that she was willing to break into a radioactive mine and sell uranium on the black market.

If they lived in a utopia, why should anyone be unemployed if they can't support themselves?

Black markets only exist because of the greed of the rich wanting to exploit the poor. The GDF definitely has the means to shut down any and all black market trading, especially since there is no economic revenue going to the World Council, but they don't. So they clearly have a vested interest in maintaining economic imbalance and ensuring their position cannot be challenged due to lack of stability and resources.

This doesn't even go into the possible avenues of technology and AI taking over and automating roles that removes the need for human workers. The perspective of the audience firmly stays on the wealthy want-for-nothing Tracys and their rich friend. That doesn't mean that they are corrupted by their wealth, but there are definite indicators that this utopia is only for those who can afford it.

Come and join me under my tin foil hat!

[spectre-0ne]

My friend has just bought this flower. Guess what he’s named it?

[coco9728]

Thunderbirds are go Quiz! What colour is Ned Tedford's geranium pot plant (Gladys)?

Red

Purple

Yellow

Pink

Blue

Voting ended onNov 8, 2024

Find the answer below after answering the question!

The answer is......

Pink

[darkestwolfx]

It's Wednesday - so small present for you all!

I don't normally share works in progress and technically this one is a little bit closer to finished, but thought given my recent absence I should start sharing what I can with you. And I know some of you will be pleased with the hint this will drop (*cough cough, looking at you dear tsari @tsarinatorment*) of what is soon to come!

"It was only after a while sunbathing that he opened his eyes, blinked twice and finally took in the growth of trees opposite the pool. The island was full of trees, yes, an entire jungle worth of assorted sprouts to be more specific, so these shouldn’t be anything worth noting, but there was something… they hadn’t been there when he… left. They seemed now to border and block in the little garden area he’d cut aside for his mother when she’d insisted if they were moving to a tropical island that she still wanted a normal garden. So he and Kyrano had put some paving stones down from the stairway he’d made around the back of the buildings, and maintained a lawn amongst all the fast growing greenery. Kyrano had planted a couple shrubs in the centre and some plants around the edges, but that was the best Jeff knew he could manage to maintain. It wasn’t really a garden as such, but it had worked to keep his mum happy. He’d wondered, maybe once or twice, how the boys would maintain it, considering they seemed to inherit his skill in gardening from what he’d remembered and so the last thing he’d expected to see were trees."

I hope you like it so far! I'll bring the whole thing shortly once I can finish proof reading :)

[bonsaiiiiiii]

Can I just say I love this mf man???

Sure, he might be reckless/goofy and too quick to judge a book based on its cover but he's actually very sweet and a very nice man! And i insert this pic because I love the way he looks at Gladys like he's his daughter and not just a plant and this means he loves people the same way and values every connection very seriously

Or he might just be lonely...msmksllsl yeah, but anyways

NED TEDFORD APPRECIATION POST BECAUSE HE'S A REALLY NICE GUEST (?) CHARACTER AND DESERVES A SMOOCH apart from when he chooses random places like an asteroid or the bottom of the ocean or whatever to work in bless the poor soul

there's more to this man than he lets on and I intend to find out so if you have any headcanons bc you thought about him at least once pls share!!!!

[incorrect-thunderbirds-quotes]

Alan: We gotta get through this locked door. Hand me your credit card

Ned: Ok, here

Alan *pocketing it*: Thanks. Kayo, kick the door down

[alexthefly]

Hello,

For the Character Opinion Bingo, let's have I'm obsessed with their character arc.

Thank you!

Ooh, my first bingo question is an interesting one!

You might think I'm going doo-lally, but the character arc I find most interesting is Ned Tedford.

Yes, that Ned Tedford.

When we first meet Ned in Slingshot, he's terrified and lashing out. He constantly questions Alan's age, his and Kayo's expertise, and spends the whole episode generally declaring doom to all who'll listen. It's a understandable reaction I guess, but it does nothing at all to endear him to the audience.

In his next episode he doesn't react much better. In fact at one point he's panicking so much as to border actual hysteria, and Gordon has to talk him down with breathing exercises.

But by the time we get to Up from the Depths, something has changed. Ned is offered the chance to evacuate, but instead chooses to stay and defend the iridium vault from The Mechanic. He's determined not to let anyone past, and even chucks a couple of bricks at Scott when he mistakes him for an intruder. The GDF suggests that he just doesn't want to lose his job, but that doesn't quite tally with the determination he shows here.

There then follows a bit of a gap until Ned's final appearance in Growing Pains. In this one Ned is once again defending a vault, and once again determined to bravely stand his ground. At one point he even faces down Havoc one-on-one (which, I mean, she's terrifying!) Even when it all seems hopeless and the gang are moments away from being poisoned, he keeps his head enough to use his insider knowledge and help them to find a way out.

This is not the same Ned we met back in Slingshot. Gone is the cowardly, distrusting complainer. He's braver, more selfless, and better able to keep himself together. There's no obvious reason given for this change within the canon, but I like to think that repeated exposure to International Rescue has rubbed off on him. Perhaps being around brave and self-sacrificing people has helped him to discover a better, nobler, more heroic (if still slightly inept) self.

And that thought makes me pretty darned happy, TBH.

Thankyou so much for the ask!

[selene-tempest]

New Chapter (finally)

Look at this plant, isn't it sweet, wouldn't you think his collection's complete? Wouldn't you think John's the boy, the boy who has... everything?

He's got gadgets and gizmos aplenty, he's got whoozits and whatsits galore. You want thingamabobs, he's got 20.

But who cares? No big deal.

He's got one mooooooore!

The plant wants to be where no people are. The plant wants to see, see the stars dancing...

Yeah I'm gonna stop now. But if you want to read it, hit this little linky link 🌱🪴🌿