Flight 104
Encyclopedia
"Flight 104" is the 22nd episode of the Supermarionation
television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
. It was first broadcast in the UK on on ATV Midlands, was written by Tony Barwick
and directed by Robert Lynn
.
In this episode, the Mysteron
s threaten to sabotage a secret conference and take over an airliner containing Scarlet
, Blue
and a leading astrophysicist.
and scientific advisors is due to be held at Lake Toma, Switzerland
, to discuss a proposed human return
to Mars
. One delegate, prominent astrophysicist Dr Conrad, is due to fly to Geneva Airport accompanied by Captains Scarlet
and Blue
. The Mysteron
s, however, have threatened to sabotage
the conference. During a pre-flight stay at the Adelphi Hotel, Scarlet and Blue contend with a reporter, Harry, and his photographer, Joe, whose editor
is desperate for news stories. Recognising Conrad, Harry and Joe follow the Spectrum group to Novena Airport and attempt to secure seats on Flight 104, which will be carrying Scarlet, Blue and Conrad to Geneva. Spectrum has anonymously reserved all the seats to ensure that Scarlet, Blue and Conrad travel alone. However, Scarlet and Blue decide that the journalists should be admitted so that no information collected so far on Conrad will be published.
After Flight 104 has taken off
, the aircrew
are discovered drug
ged in a store room. It is revealed that the attacker was Captain Black
, and that Flight 104 is being piloted by the Mysteron influence. Launched from Cloudbase
, the Angels intercept Flight 104 and emit red hazard smoke
. This prompts Scarlet and Blue to shoot out the cockpit
door and wrestle with the controls
, but the plane is descending into the Alps
. Flight 104 narrowly avoids crashing into a power station
, but the electricity subdues the Mysteron influence over the aircraft and Scarlet and Blue regain control. However, on the approach to Geneva Airport, it is found that one of Blue's bullet
s has damaged the circuit which activates Flight 104's undercarriage
. With the others gathered at the tail of the aircraft, Scarlet effects an emergency landing
, but is killed when Flight 104 crashes into a bunker
. Assured by Blue that Scarlet is fine, Harry and Joe decide that this tale of survival would be a worthy news story.
Supermarionation
Supermarionation is a puppetry technique devised in the 1960s by British production company AP Films. It was used extensively in the company's numerous Gerry and Sylvia Anderson-produced action-adventure series, the most famous of which was Thunderbirds...
television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons, often referred to as Captain Scarlet, is a 1960s British science-fiction television series produced by the Century 21 Productions company of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, John Read and Reg Hill...
. It was first broadcast in the UK on on ATV Midlands, was written by Tony Barwick
Tony Barwick
Tony Barwick was a British television scriptwriter who worked extensively on series created and produced by Gerry Anderson....
and directed by Robert Lynn
Robert Lynn (director)
Robert Lynn was a British film and TV director.He was the son of actor Ralph Lynn.-Selected filmography:* Information Received * Postman's Knock * Victim Five * Coast of Skeletons...
.
In this episode, the Mysteron
Mysteron
The Mysterons are a fictional race of extraterrestrials, native to the planet Mars, which appear in the British science fiction Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons and Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet, symbolised by ubiquitous projected green rings and the deep...
s threaten to sabotage a secret conference and take over an airliner containing Scarlet
Captain Scarlet (character)
Captain Scarlet is the fictional main character in Gerry Anderson's British Supermarionation science fiction television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons and its CGI remake Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet....
, Blue
Captain Blue (Captain Scarlet)
Captain Blue is a character in the 1967 Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. He is a senior officer of the Spectrum organisation and a close friend of Captain Scarlet....
and a leading astrophysicist.
Plot
A top-secret conference of the World PresidentWorld government in science fiction
In both science fiction and utopian/dystopian fiction, authors have made frequent use of the age-old idea of a global state and, accordingly, of world government.- Overview :...
and scientific advisors is due to be held at Lake Toma, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, to discuss a proposed human return
Manned mission to Mars
A manned mission to Mars has been the subject of science fiction, engineering, and scientific proposals throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century...
to Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
. One delegate, prominent astrophysicist Dr Conrad, is due to fly to Geneva Airport accompanied by Captains Scarlet
Captain Scarlet (character)
Captain Scarlet is the fictional main character in Gerry Anderson's British Supermarionation science fiction television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons and its CGI remake Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet....
and Blue
Captain Blue (Captain Scarlet)
Captain Blue is a character in the 1967 Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. He is a senior officer of the Spectrum organisation and a close friend of Captain Scarlet....
. The Mysteron
Mysteron
The Mysterons are a fictional race of extraterrestrials, native to the planet Mars, which appear in the British science fiction Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons and Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet, symbolised by ubiquitous projected green rings and the deep...
s, however, have threatened to sabotage
Sabotage
Sabotage is a deliberate action aimed at weakening another entity through subversion, obstruction, disruption, or destruction. In a workplace setting, sabotage is the conscious withdrawal of efficiency generally directed at causing some change in workplace conditions. One who engages in sabotage is...
the conference. During a pre-flight stay at the Adelphi Hotel, Scarlet and Blue contend with a reporter, Harry, and his photographer, Joe, whose editor
Editor
The term editor may refer to:As a person who does editing:* Editor in chief, having final responsibility for a publication's operations and policies* Copy editing, making formatting changes and other improvements to text...
is desperate for news stories. Recognising Conrad, Harry and Joe follow the Spectrum group to Novena Airport and attempt to secure seats on Flight 104, which will be carrying Scarlet, Blue and Conrad to Geneva. Spectrum has anonymously reserved all the seats to ensure that Scarlet, Blue and Conrad travel alone. However, Scarlet and Blue decide that the journalists should be admitted so that no information collected so far on Conrad will be published.
After Flight 104 has taken off
Takeoff
Takeoff is the phase of flight in which an aerospace vehicle goes from the ground to flying in the air.For horizontal takeoff aircraft this usually involves starting with a transition from moving along the ground on a runway. For balloons, helicopters and some specialized fixed-wing aircraft , no...
, the aircrew
Aircrew
Aircrew are the personnel who operate an aircraft while in flight. The composition of the crew depends on the type of aircraft as well as the purpose of the flight.-Civilian:*Aviator** Pilot-in-command** First officer** Second officer** Third officer...
are discovered drug
Drug
A drug, broadly speaking, is any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control law, government regulations, medicine, and colloquial usage.In pharmacology, a...
ged in a store room. It is revealed that the attacker was Captain Black
Captain Black (Captain Scarlet)
Captain Black is the fictional nemesis of Captain Scarlet and recurring Mysteron agent in the 1960s British supermarionation science fiction television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons and its CGI remake Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet...
, and that Flight 104 is being piloted by the Mysteron influence. Launched from Cloudbase
Cloudbase
Cloudbase is the fictional skyborne headquarters of international security organisation Spectrum, from Gerry Anderson's science fiction television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons .-Appearance in Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons:...
, the Angels intercept Flight 104 and emit red hazard smoke
Smoke signal
The smoke signal is one of the oldest forms of communication in recorded history. It is a form of visual communication used over long distance.-History and usage:...
. This prompts Scarlet and Blue to shoot out the cockpit
Cockpit
A cockpit or flight deck is the area, usually near the front of an aircraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft. Most modern cockpits are enclosed, except on some small aircraft, and cockpits on large airliners are also physically separated from the cabin...
door and wrestle with the controls
Yoke (aircraft)
A yoke, alternatively known as control column, is a device used for piloting in most fixed-wing aircraft.- Principle :The aviator uses the yoke to control the attitude of the plane, usually in both pitch and roll. Rotating the control wheel controls the ailerons and the roll axis...
, but the plane is descending into the Alps
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
. Flight 104 narrowly avoids crashing into a power station
Power station
A power station is an industrial facility for the generation of electric energy....
, but the electricity subdues the Mysteron influence over the aircraft and Scarlet and Blue regain control. However, on the approach to Geneva Airport, it is found that one of Blue's bullet
Bullet
A bullet is a projectile propelled by a firearm, sling, or air gun. Bullets do not normally contain explosives, but damage the intended target by impact and penetration...
s has damaged the circuit which activates Flight 104's undercarriage
Undercarriage
The undercarriage or landing gear in aviation, is the structure that supports an aircraft on the ground and allows it to taxi, takeoff and land...
. With the others gathered at the tail of the aircraft, Scarlet effects an emergency landing
Emergency landing
An emergency landing is a landing made by an aircraft in response to a crisis which either interferes with the operation of the aircraft or involves sudden medical emergencies necessitating diversion to the nearest airport.-Types of emergency landings:...
, but is killed when Flight 104 crashes into a bunker
Bunker
A military bunker is a hardened shelter, often buried partly or fully underground, designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks...
. Assured by Blue that Scarlet is fine, Harry and Joe decide that this tale of survival would be a worthy news story.
External links
- "Flight 104" at Fanderson.org.ukFandersonFanderson is the official appreciation society for the works of Gerry Anderson. It is a not-for-profit organisation endorsed by Anderson Entertainment Ltd, Gerry Anderson Productions plc and ITC Entertainment Group Ltd...
- "Flight 104" at CliveBanks.co.uk
- "Flight 104" at TheVervoid.com