THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO: DESIGNATED DRIVER

Prepare for a trip down memory lane, Thunderbirds fans!

“We have a situation!” exclaims Scott as he bursts into Alan’s room.

Thunderbird 1 is launched, and a perplexed Alan muses over what exciting situation it might be.

Soon they are landing at Lady Penelope’s stately home. The time has come for Parker to teach young Alan to drive!

So begins the teaser for the much heralded episode written by writer and comedian, David Baddiel.

This is the episode with Penelope’s Great Aunt Sylvia who makes an appearance,dressed, incidentally as the original Lady Penelope, and voiced by none other than the lovely Sylvia Anderson, a treat in itself. But if Sylvia wasn’t enough to take us old fans back to the days of the original series, prepare yourselves for another special guest star – the original, and I mean original FAB 1!

I'm sure the more pedantic fans will be trying to work out where the old FAB 1 and the new one fit in the timeline aspects of things (it did cross my mind) but what the hell,  it’s the original FAB 1 (or Fab Zero as Parker calls it, for some reason)  in all its glory.

Note the numberplate - just plain FAB now as it's been superseded.

I have to say, in spite of my reservations on CGI, I have to admit the computer rendition of the original FAB 1 looked great. I wonder if we’ll ever see any of the original Thunderbirds making future guest appearances.

There was a couple of other blatant nods to the past – The Lady Penelope teapot (Which does have a twist!) and some very pleasing slight re workings of Barry Gray’s original incidental music.

I imagine there’s probably a few more Easter eggs (or should that be Christmas treats!) in the mix which fans will be desperately searching for.

Has this bust got some nostalgic significance?

Anyone for TEA?

For anyone interested in the plot it’s about a Stately Home Robbery!

Needless to say this episode gets an F.A.B. from me. 

CAPTAINS OF CHRISTMAS

Modern Scarlet

Up Close:

Moonbase Loft XMAS 2015

ANNUAL EVENT

Come on, admit it. Who got at least one of these as a Christmas present!

GOLDEN STARMAN'S ZENITH

That LP astronaut pose was made for this!

He's the fairy on top of the Xmas tree!

Enjoy your Yuletide readers.

IT'S CHRISTMAS!

Okay, I'm cheating a little. Santa didn't exactly drop these beauties off last night, but I was lucky enough to add some of these to my collection at various points throughout the year so what better time to display them. 

Compliments of the season to you all

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS....

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

A Merry Xmas to You From Everyone at Moonbase Central

and thanks for all your support, comments and enthusiasm once again! Without it the blog would be nothing!

Cheers,
Woodsy, Scoop and Bill