‘INTRODUCING THUNDERBIRDS’

Please feel free to comment on my review.

To celebrate 50 years of ‘Thunderbirds’ in 2015, a mini-series of new episodes were created for ITV, based on the soundtracks of three 1960s audio plays. It took me a while to check them out on Britbox, but I was excited to check out three new ‘Thunderbirds’ episodes which I loved watching. 😀

The new ‘Thunderbirds’ episodes themselves are about 25 to 29 minutes in length compared to the 45 minute length of a ‘Thunderbirds’ episode in the TV series. The first episode called ‘Introducing Thunderbirds’ is based on the 1965 audio play of the same name. I found the first episode exciting! 🙂

It takes place before the events of ‘Trapped In The Sky’. Lady Penelope (voiced by Sylvia Anderson) and Parker (voiced David Graham) visit Jeff Tracy (voiced by Peter Dyneley) on his Tracy Island. Jeff gives Penelope and Parker a tour of the island and shows them the incredible Thunderbird machines.

I like how this episode reintroduces the Thunderbirds machines in a brand-new way, especially when Jeff is introducing his International Rescue organisation to Penelope and Parker. It’s surreal to see Jeff getting to know Penelope and Parker as this is one of their earliest meetings before the series. 🙂

It was amusing when Parker had to carry in Penelope’s luggage and sometimes he finds it hard work. Penelope, in her lady-like way, tells Parker to get on with it and not dawdle about. 😀 She also tells Parker to carry the International Rescue box around for Jeff when they are given a tour of the island.

We are each given the launch sequences of the Thunderbird machines as Jeff shows Penelope and Parker around the island. He shares with Penelope about Thunderbird 5 first before we see the launches of Thunderbird 1, Thunderbird 2, Thunderbird 4 from Pod 4 and last of all, Thunderbird 3. 🙂

David Graham also voices Brains in the episode. We also see stock footage of Scott (voiced by Shane Rimmer) and Virgil (voiced by David Holliday) when they’re loaded into Thunderbirds 1 and 2 before the launches. Alan, Gordon, John and Brains are also seen via stock footage in this certain episode. 🙂

I like how the episode ended with Jeff showing Penelope his secret safe before it’s discovered Parker actually broke into it himself. Jeff is amused by Parker’s safe-cracking abilities and is looking forward to working with Penelope in the future. Overall, this is a brilliant reintroduction to the Thunderbirds.

‘Introducing Thunderbirds’ rating – 9/10