#fireflash

a.k.a. Scott’s Therapist-Mandated 100 Word Diary

Fireflash

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It was nearly Kayo today.

If it hadn’t been for Virgil ignoring my instructions we’d have lost her and all those passengers.

Shoulda checked landing gear sooner, diverted for a water landing to neutralise sparks. Not my best moment. Some Commander.

Would Dad have made a better call? He always held Two back until we were sure of the ask. But that’s the second rescue in a row Virgil’s ignored me and been right to do it.

I think Kayo has lost confidence in me. She’s been weird with me ever since we got back.

Next time, I’ll do better.

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@thunderversary-rewatch-party

Sooo ... these two are probably the closest in terms of TOS/TAG episodes. So I thought I'd do a comparison, and say which I thought was better on certain bits. Obviously my opinion :D

Fireflash itself: TOS was better

The Fireflash aircraft on TOS is pretty impressive. Not just the super glam interior but the exterior too. The TAG one looks like I made it out of plasticine. I like my plasticine models, but it doesn't have the style and intricacy of the Gerry Anderson models.

Length of episode: TAG was better

Trapped in the Sky was supposed to be 30 mins long (with adverts? Anderson experts will know) which is fairly similar to TAG, but then it was elongated to 50 mins. Because of that, parts of it feel very slow and the failed rescues don't really work as filler. CLOSE THE HATCH. Please.

On board action: TAG was better

Kayo is absolutely kicking butt in this episode. 'Spoiling your plans is the best part of my job' 'I didn't throw it' - YES! We seem to forget Tin-tin is on the aircraft and she does nothing. We never see her during actual rescue attempts.

The Hood: TAG is better (marginally)

The Hood is pretty terrifying in both really. These two showcase that he's quite a different character with different skills. He still talks to himself in both, and in both of these has an apparent motivation for his villainous actions. I just find him more scary somehow without the psychic powers.

The actual International Rescue Rescue: TOS was better

This may be controversial but for me the TAG rescue doesn't work as well as it could. We know those PODs can be remote controlled, why are Gordon and Alan in them? Then the actual landing is majorly problematic even with Virgil's Big Rope (not the Really Big Rope). The TOS one however, somehow without any CGI, manages to be great even with a very wobbly puppet Virgil. He is also The Right Virgil :-)

After the rescue: TOS was better

What are they doing in TAG? Why are they as big as the plane even taking into account perspective? Why is getting them home Virgil's problem with his imaginary Really Big Rope? It just rounds off a good Kayo episode with cringe for me. Meanwhile, the Tracy Island Piano tune is very nice and the doctor bit is quite clever.

Overall for the build up I prefer TAG, but then for the dramatic rescue bit and aftermath I prefer TOS. It's odd it works out like that because with CGI you'd think the dramatic bit could be improved. Then again the original Thunderbirds cost a LOT and TAG never got anywhere near the equivalent.