‘ATLANTIC INFERNO’
Please feel free to comment on my review.
Here we are on the first episode of Season 2 of ‘Thunderbirds’. As I said in my review for ‘Security Hazard’, Season 2 of ‘Thunderbirds’ consists of 6 episodes whereas Season 1 consists of 26 episodes.
I imagine the reason why Season 2 is shorter than Season 1 is because Gerry and Sylvia Anderson focused more time on making the upcoming ‘Thunderbirds Are Go’ movie in 1966. That’s my theory.
This is clearly indicated in the new set designs for the Tracy Island lounge as well as aboard Thunderbird 5. There’s a new voice in Virgil Tracy as Jeremy Wilkin takes over from David Holliday. 🙂
I’m not sure why David Holliday didn’t return to voice Virgil in Season 2 of ‘Thunderbirds’. Maybe he decided to return to America to do Broadway. Otherwise, Jeremy Wilkin voices rather well for Virgil.
Jeremy Wilkins voiced and played characters in future Gerry Anderson productions and he later did the ‘Doctor Who’ story ‘Revenge of the Cybermen’. I wouldn’t have guessed he appeared in that. 😀
The first time I saw ‘Atlantic Inferno’ was when it was the second half of the ‘Countdown to Disaster’ VHS compilation. The first half was ‘Terror In New York City’. ‘Atlantic Inferno’ was truncated in that.
How do I know this? Because there’s an opening sequence featuring Lady Penelope and Parker in Australia where Lady P blows up a mountain! That isn’t included in ‘Countdown to Disaster’ on VHS.
This is understandable considering the opening sequence has little to do with the main plot out in the Atlantic Ocean. Mind you, it would’ve been nice to see the complete episode on VHS as a kid. 😀
There’s also the sequence showing the World Navy preparing for their target practice. I believe it’s extended in the original episode whereas in the ‘Countdown to Disaster’ compilation, it’s truncated.
Anyway in the episode, Jeff Tracy is invited to join Lady Penelope on holiday with her and Parker in Australia. Apparently she has a sheep farm there. Who knew Lady P would be interested in sheep? 🙂
Jeff is reluctant to leave his International Rescue base behind, but he grudgingly agrees. Scott takes charge on Tracy Island whilst his father’s away. Alan gets to take over as the pilot for Thunderbird 1.
Once Jeff has gone away to Australia, Scott hopes to do well in being in charge for a change. The first mission for International Rescue under Scott’s rule is to help an oil rig called Seascape in the Atlantic.
In his judgement, Scott believes it vital to put out the fire jet coming up from the sea as a result of a navy training exercise. Gordon in Thunderbird 4 places one underwater sealing device on the fire jet.
Thankfully the mission is a success, but Jeff contacts Scott and chides him for sending the International Rescue team to put out a fire at the Seascape rig, saying that their help wasn’t needed.
I think it was rather unfair of Jeff to criticise Scott’s judgement in this matter as this was his first go in being in charge of International Rescue. You could say this was a trial run for the real rescue mission.
Shortly after helping Seascape, the situation worsens when ignited gas starts pouring through cracks forming in the sea bed around the oil rig’s foundations. Blazing fires threaten to blow up the oil rig!
Initially, Scott decides to not consider Seascape being in trouble as an actual emergency. But when two men in a diving bell end up at the bottom of the sea, Scott sends out the Thunderbirds instantly.
Alan in Thunderbird 1, Virgil in Thunderbird 2 and Gordon in Thunderbird 4 are on the scene. Gordon uses Thunderbird 4’s cutting gear to free the cable of the two-man diving bell attached to Seascape.
Aboard the Seascape are Frank Hooper (voiced by John Tate) and Dick O’Shea (voiced by David Graham). There’s also Cravitiz (voiced by Jeremy Wilkin) who looks like Bob from ‘End of the Road’. 🙂
In the end, Gordon in Thunderbird 4 saves Hooper and O’Shea in the diving bell whilst Seascape collapses into pieces. Jeff returns home to find all is well on Tracy Island. Scott returns the post to him.
Lady Penelope accompanies Jeff to Tracy Island too. All in all, ‘Atlantic Inferno’ is a good episode in ‘Thunderbirds’ and a nice way to open Season 2. I’m pleased to have seen the episode in its full glory. 🙂
‘Atlantic Inferno’ rating – 8/10
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