#vrigil tracy

[darkestwolfx]

Recharge - Re-Review #18

Here was another episode I didn’t remember very well - clearly isn’t one I’ve ended up rewatching all that much, but I do love it for so so many reasons!

So firstly, where have Grandma and EOS gone lately?

*I’ll just tap my foot and patiently (not so) wait for their return.*

Secondly;

“Last one there has to do the dishes for a week.”

“Well you better put on your rubber glove now.”

“You guys go for it. I’m just glad to be home.”

This is so believable. They are in many ways still children, and yet at the same time, they are and have to be grown ups. Indulging moments like this is something I can completely see Scott doing - especially when IR are really busy. He’s kinda in charge now and he does sometimes have to think a little like his dad would, and find the ways to bring some light-hearted humour back. I can also see how Virgil would not dive into as much, because he is older and more able to appreciate the returning home part. For Alan and Gordon, I can imagine this is a necessity.

All Thunderbird being out was a nice touch too.

Getting Jeff’s desk in the shot was a nice touch too, especially as his absence is a real focus in this episode (I do remember liking that before - I remember writing a couple of episode tags about it, oh and I’ve just had the idea for one more)!

And then look at Alan - sleeping again! Even Gordon’s giving in. Scott too looks really tired - I can so see lines under his eyes.

“Scott and I will take care of it.”

“We will?”

“They stay here.”

You tell him Virgil! I don’t think Scott is used to that happening, but strap yourself in everyone - that is the whole point of this episode! I love Scott’s new catchphrase too.

“We will?” “You will?”

The way both of those were said just make me chuckle.

MAX got his own moment! I loved him coming up into Thunderbird Two, it was a lovely change to the launch sequence (which I will be honest, I don’t often watch as I use them as my catch up with ‘typing/correcting spelling errors’ on these things time)!

Ah, the view! Closest I’ve ever got to it was Lapland... still gorgeous from there though.

It’s rare that we get to see John but-in like this either, but even he is telling Scott what to do this episode.

“I can do this.”

Sometimes, Scott, you have to accept that you can’t, and that doesn’t make you any less. Trust me on that one, I know the feeling.

MAX getting lifted int the back of the pod!

Yeah, we so know where Alan gets his crazy from. 

“Scott, follow the route. It’s too dangerous!”

“We’ll be fine. Trust me!”

You were saying, Scott?

“This is actually quite fun!”

I’m glad Brains is at least enjoying a rescue for once. It’s like a man and his dog with MAX and Brains too. Really nice touches with the photo too.

“You can go faster than that. Step on it.”

No wonder he has a love for speed - so did Grandma in ‘Unplugged’, and his Father too apparently.

Mechanical Assistant eXperimental. I’m glad someone finally told us - Scott’s face though.

“That’s it. We are going to have to wait until the fog clears.”

Keep putting your foot down Virgil, because now we get the tent and one of my favourite scenes!

“What’s going on with you today?”

“Me? We’re on a mission. We need to do everything we can to get their ASAP, and you’re taking the scenic route.”

“It’s the safe route.”

“I didn’t come here to be safe.”

“You can’t keep pushing everyone and everything to the limit.”

“I don’t push anyone harder than they need to be pushed.”

“You’re so darn determined you don’t see the danger.”

“You don’t know what you’re capable of unless you keep pushing.”

“But we are not machines.”

“Someone has got to step up. I’m just doing what Dad did; he never gave up.”

“Dad worked hard, but even he knew there were limits. He couldn’t do it all.”

“But I have to do it all. I couldn’t save Dad... but maybe I can make up for it.”

“By saving everyone else?”

Look after yourselves everyone! But particularly the men out there! You can be strong and still have feelings. We all need to talk more and I have admired the writers of TAG for a long time for putting this scene into what is essentially a children’s tv show and writing it between two men. Often you might find something like this in content aimed at adult audiences - which is great because you’re targeting the generations who have been brought up on the nonsense of keeping some feelings closed off, but children are the future generations and often that is when we learn our responses to big things like grief - and we usually copy it from those we see around us (mainly adults) and how they deal with the situation. This is the way to change things, with positive media messages. Honestly, I could write on essay on the merits of scenes like this in the entertainment industry towards helping open up about mental health. I think I might have just written a good chunk of it above, but honestly, it is another reason why I praise this first series of Thunderbirds Are Go - even with injuries and talk of events, the writers really pushed the limits for what you can feature in a children’s program and it really shows.

“I miss him.”

I feel like that is something Scott hasn’t said aloud or in company for a long, long time.

“If I let myself think about... Keeping busy with International Rescue is the only thing that I have to stop me going crazy.”

I really do get it, Scott. I reckon a lot of us out there can relate. Or if you can’t yet, one day you’ll know the feeling. It’s nearly impossible to describe, but you’ll just know.

Way to go MAX in this episode! He was so amazing.

“Ok, Brains. Send MAX in.”

“MAX was a real hero.”

I love how they brought back everything that mattered, but thought it was the end of the world because there wasn’t anything much to bring back. Remember with computers to never just keep one copy of things! Another valuable lesson.

Rescue count: 25 (I am so including Virgil rescuing MAX).

They must really need the sleep too. I get jet lag flying every so often - the amount of times they cross the time lines... they must be exhausted.

Yeah... you’ll have to handle this one, John.

“We’ll take this one.”

Good call Gordon. I hope it’s something they can deal with - although this would suggest that the boys have made sure (to some extent) that they can cope with each others crafts... I mean, maybe this was something Three and/or Four could handle, but I do think that would be a real spot of luck. And we know Gordon can fly Two because he does in series 2 and he did via a pod in the 1st half of series one. That makes sense, because he could then get Four wherever it was needed, and he and Alan potentially would be able to go on a rescue without these Two because they would have all the equipment needed variable to them within Two.

What was that Virgil? I thought you mumbled something about cookies? And I think when Scott wakes up (and is less tired), he will have something to say about you putting your feet (and shoes) on his legs...

Phew, that was a long one.

And remember, there are charities out there such as Mind etc. Mental health matters and this episode is an ambassador for that!

Also, if you ever get the chance to go anywhere close enough to see the Northern Lights, I do highly recommend it.

[darkestwolfx]

Breakdown - Re-Review #16

Sorry for the couple days of silence! So here is the next part of the series and then I’ll be throwing up some more of my March Prompt Series tonight too. I also just wanted to say a massive thank you for the support to this series! Thank you everyone who reads, reblogs and lets me know what you think! You all keep me going.

But for now let’s stick with this gem of an episode.

So today people, is actually Sunday August 15th 2060 - no, I really want you all to imagine this with me let’s forget about the C-virus for a moment (just a moment because this isn’t me saying anything to do down the situation, rather enjoy your next five minute read and then think about it if you wish to) because we’re obviously still standing in 40 years time or IR would serve no purpose! And we are presuming the brothers have planned a surprise party - oohhh... (did anyone else think it seemed a little mean to start with)! And they’ve even managed to end up with a real rescue (I bet the distraction plan otherwise would have involved Gordon and Alan in some way)! And they’ve even stretched so far as to getting him a cake - from Paris, France! So I want to know how Virgil didn’t manage to find said cake, because they had to have picked that up in advance considering the travel time really and to factor in that they couldn’t have accounted for a rescue popping up with such appropriate timing... okay, birthday party issues out of the way- let’s go on!

If you haven’t already sussed it out, this episode is really all about Virgil. Screensaver materials, right here everyone (just doing my pubic duty for the day by pointing that out).

So we start out with everyone ‘forgetting’ Virgil’s birthday and then a rescue being called in.

And so of course, Virgil responds and heads out there to help.

“Thunderbirds go were other tow trucks can’t.”

“It will be a quick one. You’ll be there and back before lunch.”

“It’s beautiful! It looks like a... huge frosted birthday cake.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing.”

And rescues this guy - hooray!

Who said ‘Breakdown’ 6 times in the opening scene (and it’s said about 17 times during the episode in total - so no wonder it’s the episode title).

“We’ll soon have you toasty as a teacake. Hmm... cake.”

And then he goes home, has a lovely birthday party and some great cake! For anyone who doesn’t know me that well and has yet to realise, I Love cake. My best friend now has her own business and that is great, but at the same time, makes me eat loads of cake!

Anyhow, Virgil had a lovely birthday party, all was well, end of review! See you tomorrow :)

Yeah, not what happened (though what we might have liked to happen), as well all know. A birthday party isn’t a rescue and clearly the writers thought we wouldn’t want to watch that - I would have, thank you very much, but hey - so on we go with the rescue, part 2.

So because Virgil is really good at thinking, he realises there is a tunnel and goes down there! I mean, I think this is another one of these ‘red button’ moments... just because you can see one, doesn’t mean you have to press it. Likewise, just because there’s a tunnel...

But it’s his birthday so I won’t criticise!

“Did someone call a tow truck?”

I think Thunderbird Two is a little more sophisticated than that but that was Virgil’s choice in words.

“Perhaps we should change our name to International Breakdown?”

“International Breakdown, we have a situation. Hmm, doesn’t quite have the same ring to it.”

It was a good call to go down there though because he meets Dr Peck (whose also in red - there’s so many red uniforms in this episode). First time I watched this episode, I was like: ‘You’re an idiot man’.

I still feel a little like that, but I really do understand where he was coming from. It was a pretty valid cause to be undertaking something like this, unlike some we know *cough*Lemaire*cough*Fischler*cough*.

“It’s incredibly inconvenient!”

He sounds a bit like them though, but better cause, still I remind myself.

I still think Virgil’s heavy lifting equipment would have caused the ice to crack further after he nearly fell... but that’s not my are of expertise.

“Thunderbird Five, does the big book of saving people say anything about saving someone who doesn’t actually want to be rescued?”

“Does he seem like he’s lost his mind or acting against his will?”

“He’s weird and rude and kinda frustrating.”

“I’m due a little birthday luck.”

That you were Virgil, and that was such a close call. Any later and Thunderbird Two would have fallen down with the ice.

Rescue count: 22

“He’s on his way back.”

“Hooray!”

And then hours still pass before Virgil comes back.

And Doctor Peck (standing up now despite his injury) kindly rings Virgil which was a really nice touch and ends up being the only person to actually wish him happy birthday, which is both yay and aww and I still don’t know which one I’m leaning towards it being for me.

But do you mind ringing him back Virge and asking if he can;

1. jump 40 years into the future

2. Jump out of a fictional tv show and become real

3. Find us a cure?

Because he owes you right?

I’ve had to resort to my birthday collage from my original review, because 5 years later and it is still impossible to find good photos of these scenes. The balloons just gradually giving up over the course of the episode made me chuckle.

Also - anyone else notice the party hats? This is kinda a small image, but go back and watch it if you want to see properly, although you can sorta see it in the image below;

Basically, Scott’s is blue and red, Gordon’s is yellow, Kayo’s is black, Alan’s is red - matching the colours of their Thunderbirds (or in Scott’s case, the ones he pilots/co-pilots). Grandma’s is purple - matching what she wears, and Brains I didn’t quite get to. I wonder if Virgil’s would have been green and John’s orange...

So... on like a final note, I’d also kinda like to have known what was in the presents....

I mean, let’s face it, it probably couldn’t have been worse than Alan’s 21st birthday present in TOS ‘Attack of the Alligators’.

Yeah... that present was no a success...

See alligators (it’s a pygmy alligator pictured), I don’t mind so much, but crocodiles creep me out. I’ve studied them (because Orinoco crocodiles are critically endangered) and I’ve seen a Black Caiman (just think large, like really large for both - so Orinoco’s are the only crocodiles bigger than BC’s in the neotropics).

As a huge dolphin/whale lover, I was heartbroken to see a dead Amazon River Dolphin (also endangered) from the continued impact of BC crocodile’s teeth, and I stayed with a family out there whose son had a run in with one and was lucky to escape with his arm after being pulled under by one. The scar was horrific! If you want any context, these things have the bite force to shatter a turtle shell so... Anyhow enough that relates to my work - if anyone really does want to hear any more about anything above, just let me know and I will post about it.