Short-ish one today I’m afraid, but let’s see how much we can get through!

Firstly, meet Buddy and Ellie Pendergast (probably also soon to be series regulars, let’s be honest) who once again have a camera and film their adventures! Hell, it’s like Francios Lemaire all over again... although these two at least have some sense and skill. Oh, and Gordon loves them, so they’re instantly better than Mr F. Lemaire.

“Buddy and Ellie Pendergast are missing? That’s terrible!”

“They do have a flair for the dramatic!”

“Then what are we waiting for? We gotta rescue them!”

“This is no ordinary rescue, Gordon. They’re on Europa. It’s the sixth closest moon to Jupiter.”

“For starters we should take Thunderbird Four. That means you’ll go Gordon.”

“Yes! Maybe I can get their autographs?”

“Oh man! Why does Gordon get all the good missions?”

Um, Alan, I wouldn’t say Gordon necessarily gets all the good missions. I mean, he gets trapped in sea caves, nearly knocked unconscious, nearly breaks his back, nearly gets squished by a plane (thank you @psychoseal for the reminder) gets trapped in an ancient tomb, nearly falls into a pressure high sea trench, goes potentially life-threatening fishing inside a gravity well, nearly gets blown up... let me know if I’ve missed anything there anyone - please feel free, @psychoseal, yes I’m looking at you!

“He won’t be going in alone. Europa isn’t exactly next door. You’ll be in command from Thunderbird Three.”

“Command from? You mean..?”

Uhh... Scott? Are you sure about that? Oh, too late, he’s said it now, watch as the power goes to Alan’s head;

“We’d like you to take the lead on this mission Alan. You’ll be in charge.”

“Don’t worry, Scott! I won’t let you down!”

“Really?”

Although I must admit, I’m still kinda with Gordon on this one.

“Alan’s our best deep space pilot and I want him to get more decision making experience under his belt. You think he can handle it?”

“I’ll keep an eye on him.”

In fairness, that would never have happened in Series 1. Back then it was all, keep Alan at home, and make sure he studies, and don’t let the youngest near the danger unless we must. It does show that the family are seeing his growth and that they are taking it seriously. It’s a nice little thread of development.

Anyhow, it could only ever be these two for this rescue. If it had been anyone else in place of one or either of them, then the episode would be half the length, because we all know Scott and Virgil would have turned around sooner.

And as much as these two love each other and play off each other, it was nice to see them genuinely annoying each other at points. After all, it’s only natural that it would happen, and the two of them have completely opposite specialties: space and water are two very different things.

“Oh, how many of these do you have?”

“Only twelve seasons! They haven’t released the thirteenth yet.”

Yeah... definitely missed the point there, Gordon, top marks, well done.

Oopps... just realised I spent so much time watching the episode that I haven’t written much... oh dear.

Um, basically, it’s ice, they drill beneath it, they find Buddy and Ellie and launch a rescue attempt! Oh, and they only have 10 minutes until their way out freezes back over leaving them trapped and likely to die. Did I forget to mention that bit?

It’s nice to see Thunderbirds Three and Four out on the same mission though.

“Scott put me in charge, it’s my call.”

Yeah, there we go, went straight to his head. Wait for it;

“Of course you could try and talk me out of it!”

“It’s all on you little brother.”

Of course it is, because there is no way Gordon is letting Alan pilot Four.

“We could be the first human beings to see something extraordinary.”

What? You mean beside like the whole International Rescue, special equipment and mass mission set extraordinary that you already see and do every day? I mean, really Gordon, you want more? Hes’s like Oliver.

“Do you want to spend the rest of your life wondering what you’ve missed?”

“Scott would never consider risking our lives for something crazy like this.”

“But you’re not Scott. He put you in charge! This is your decision, Alan.”

Yeah, nicely done there, Gordon. He really is the master of exploitation.

Their faces at the alien life... it looked like fish to me...

Haha, Gordon’s eyes looks red at one point in this episode.

And... the way out is gone... Of course it is. Although that was the shortest three minutes of my life, I will be honest.

“This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have let us get sidetracked!”

“I would have done the same thing, Alan. We all would.”

“Look, if anyone’s to blame, it’s us.”

Oh hoorah! Look, they know how to accept blame as well, unlike a certain other member of the regular rescue club, not naming names. *Lemaire*. Did someone say something? No? Good, let’s go on.

“We just sort of got swept up in the moment.”

“Swept up..? That’s it. Gordon, steer the ship back into the current. The strongest current you can find.”

“I think I know what you’re thinking, and I like it.”

Of course Gordon does. He loves a thrill. Still, nice thinking though on Alan’s part really. He is capable of being in charge, even if he is still young. In fact, this is the sort of experience he needs to be gaining, and I think it’s great that the writers - his brothers have managed to realise that now. It’s a good call, even if it could come with some risks.

I have a feeling this photo is probably in Gordon’s bedroom, and that he probably got a copy signed at some point.