#crablogger

VIDEO: Century 21 Tech Talk: The Crablogger

Welcome to Series 3 of Century 21 Tech Talk, hosted by the head of International Rescue – Jeff Tracy! In this briefing we’ll be learning about the Robotics International mobile processing unit – the Crablogger! Starring Jon Culshaw as Jeff Tracy.

So, firstly this episode title comes directly from the TAG episode of the same name. In that, we saw the Crablogger go on rampage, and although that is not the case here, there are still many similar elements. And of course we do get to see the Crablogger in this series (in the end, as it did take some time for those episodes to finally air) which is a nice touch.

It was all going well to start with, like many scenarios.

And then this happens.

Well, the boys did want more rock slides.

“I’ll call for a lift.”

But we’re at the top of a mountain. Who’s going to reach us?”

“I know just the team.”

Yep, we all do.

Now, I’ll be honest, this is a scene I didn’t remember and it is a scene I never thought I’d see. I’m so glad we did get to see it though! I mean, other than showing us that the boys do other things as opposed to just waiting around or hiding away from Grandma’s cooking, I’m not sure what purpose this snippet really serves.

(You know, apart from complete fan fulfilling happiness which is totally worth everything).

And back to the episode. Gosh, John must be used to interrupting some really odd moments on the Island.

“As in the dangerous tends to blow up if you look at it in the wrong way kind?”

Because that sums up a dangerous explosive perfectly.

“I’ll head over in Thunderbird Two.”

“Want me to tag along?”

“Mmmm.”

The sounds, the expressions, the body language. It’s perfect.

“What?”

“It’s just... the mission may need a delicate touch.”

“I can be delicate. When am I not delicate.”

“Are you coming or not?”

I love this so much. We’re not even that far into the episode and I’ve fallen in love with the opening scenes. That’s the way it should work.

“That’s my trainee, Sophie, waving, in the back.”

“Hiya!”

“Damage report, Greenhorn.”

“Oh right.”

Because that’s what you do when you see International Rescue. You wave for your life.

Never fear, the boys have a plan. Clear the rocks and take the scenic route.

“Were you always this brave?”

“Hardly. You get the hang of it after a while.”

Isn’t that just so true of life.

These mountains are a little creepy. They remind me of the mountains in TOS’ ‘Edge of Impact’.

“John, run a scan near the pod. Are you seeing this?”

“It looks like a detonator.”

“This was no accident. Someone cause d that rockslide.”

“It’s Chaos Crew alright. It’s Fuse.”

Yes, yes it is.

“Hand over your cargo, or something goes boom.”

Hmm... I wan’t all that afraid of him.

“Thunderbird Two’s engines could trigger a rock slide even worse than before.”

“I’ll take the Mountain Pod. Gordon, was one of features a speed enhancer.”

“I think so.”

Because Gordon never reads the product specifications, of course.

Fuse has a driverless car! That’s encouraging for the future (really not, that idea scares me).

“Be very delicate.”

Not careful, take note.

“I will. Guys, a little trust here!”

And then Gordon triggers a rockslide. Very delicate.

But our boys don’t go down that easily, thank goodness.

“I love causing chaos!”

Because your choice of name didn’t make that obvious?

“That can’t be good.”

How many ‘good’ situations do you end up in, Virgil?

“How did you know?”

“The kid wants our cargo, right?”

Good thinking... and now it seems the Mountain Pod is in the truck escort business.

“I’m trying, but they’re being stubborn.”

That’s a good description.

“It’s not every day we can take down the Tracy’s.”

You know, I had hopes for The Hood’s story in this series. He’s been evil before, and we’ve seen that, but with his lair now and the giving of all the orders, he really appeared like an evil mastermind. I mean, we didn’t know at this point why he was out to get the boys, but I really believed his intent to do them harm.

“Take out whoever’s in the way.”

And I think it’s a shame where that story ended up.

Maybe staying on top of that tank wasn’t Gordon’t best idea ever. And Virgil being taken out by all those rocks was not nice to see.

And does Fuse have to say “power punchers” every single time?

“Thunderbird Five to Mountain Pod.”

“I’m fine, John.”

“You’re buried in a rock pile. That’s not fine.”

He has a point. See, these are the sort of scenes that even without showing John, show what he has to face with his brothers on the ground.

I thought Fuse was a piece of work in these early episodes. I mean, I like what they did with his character and how they fleshed him out, because it did real justice to Scott’s view on the world - that people can make some pretty evil mistakes, but still be human. But that just makes me even more bitter as to how The Hood (and to some extent The Mechanic’s) story lines ended

“Here’s an idea: what if we all step away from the dangerous explosives?”

“No.”

Exactly, because no one ever sees the sense in doing as Gordon suggests.

“This will be fun to watch.”

Bye, bye, Mountain Pod.

“Aren’t you glad I tagged along?”

I love little scenes and moments like these. They’re such little actions, but they make the biggest of differences.

Sophie ended up quite the good little driver.

Bringing the GDF in... not so sure about that when Fuse has already tried his damnedest.

“I’ll bring in Thunderbird Two.”

“Maybe I could take the controls for a while?”

What do you think the answer will be, Gordon?

I love this shot as well. It’s just so nice to see the pair of them together. They work really well together, as usual.