Atlantic Inferno
This episode is the first of the "second season" of "Thunderbirds;" the date on the title card changes to "1966." The series was briefly renewed for six episodes before being canceled by Lew Grade.
One of the most popular episodes of the series, "Atlantic Inferno" details the family dynamics within the Tracy household, the core of International Rescue. It allows the "boys" to be themselves and prove that they are truly the men who are the strength of the organization.
New marionettes made for the film "Thunderbirds Are Go" are seen for the first time in the series. They sport more refined faces and new "civilian" outfits; they are noticeably more baby-faced and youthful-looking than their predecessors.
Down on Lady Penelope's ranch in Bonga Bonga, Australia, she actually attempts to count her 200,007 sheep...with an electric meter which only displays 5 characters.
Virgil Tracy must be ambidextrous: he's seen painting with his right hand in this story, while back in "Move And You're Dead" he was seen painting with his left hand.
Both Gordon and John Tracy are left-handed. Gordon is seen writing with his left hand in "The Uninvited," and John nearly always uses his left hand for holding the microphone or his clipboard and for pushing buttons to operate equipment.
Lady Penelope's wall portrait and those of the Tracy boys were all changed in the series as of this episode to match the sets from their first theatrical film.
Because voice actor David Holliday was unavailable at the time of recording, Jeremy Wilkin became the voice of Virgil Tracy for the final six episodes.
Poor John puts his foot in it again by suggesting that it was time for Jeff to have a rest! Jeff's grunt in response guarantees that John will be spending a lot of time in space for the foreseeable future...or at least through the end of the series!
Jeff is seen flying his spiffy private VTOL jet---as in Vertical Take Off and Landing, that is.
A nervous Scott calls John several times as he takes command of International Rescue in his dad's absence. A surprised John must be wondering if his brother thinks he's suddenly become clairvoyant and can predict the next disaster. Must have been a nice change to have someone call up there merely to inquire about his health, though.
John loses his handsome boyish curl to a cruel stylist and spends the rest of the series with his hair brushed unattractively flat.
Thanks to "Thunderbirds Are Go," all of the primary sets were remodeled with new floor tiles and wall treatments. Even the Thunderbirds crafts were refitted with gold and brass fixtures, new steering mechanisms and more gadgets.
Thunderbird 5's tranquil blue interior becomes amber and gold in this episode. It also was outfitted with new furniture and a curious-looking free-standing atomic hotdog grill in the middle of the Communications Deck. (Just kidding---no explanation for what that thing is)!
Also aboard the satellite, John's room was altered completely with a new radio console and microphone placed directly next to his bed...all to insure that he'll never get away from those voices coming from every speaker in the place!
Lady Penelope obviously anticipates a long and interesting evening: she's seen freshening her make-up as Jeff calls Scott to announce his arrival at Penny's ranch.
Fresh from the theatrical "Thunderbirds" project, Thunderbird 2's familiar red steering wheel was replaced with a larger white mechanism. Scott's pilot seat in Thunderbird 1 was refitted with a wrap-around microphone and more high-tech details in the cockpit.
Each of the characters were fitted with mohair wigs (save Lady Penelope, who had a real human hair wig). Unfortunately, the hot lights of the studio eventually caused the original wigs to dry out and disintegrate.
Jeff chastises Scott by reminding him that IR is "not dealing with chances," yet he's previously stated that if he's made aware of a situation which anticipates a disaster, he's all for intervening!
Deathwish logic: A column slips on the Seascape drilling rig and there are tidal waves washing all around it...so O'Shea and Hooper go down in a diving sphere and are, of course, trapped under the ocean, just as they are due to be airlifted off of the rig anyway. Smaaart....
South Pacific Java Joint: As seen throughout the series, coffee is apparently the answer to any problem on Tracy Island.
In episodes like "Atlantic Inferno," there is a marked difference in how missions are led which began as far back as "Danger At Ocean Deep." The boys don't wait to be told what to do, with Scott or Virgil often designating which pod they'll need. Having had a little taste of freedom in this story...they run with it!
Sylvia's screen credit changes from "Character Visualization" to the more descriptive "Characters Created By...." as was her due.
While lounging on her patio, Penny is seen reading a suspense novel called "The Day Of The Herbivores!"
Artist Frank Bellamy drew the enormously popular series of Thunderbirds comics of the 1960s, continuing the tales of International Rescue. John Theydon, among others, allowed us to follow their adventures in novel form.