In Review: Thunderbirds Are Go – Grandma Tourismo

Synopsis: Virgil and Grandma are resupplying Thunderbird 2 when a distress call comes in. A mine is in danger of collapsing. Then Virgil gets caught in a massive sandstorm.

Review: This episode uses Grandma to great effect. Where normally she would be making cookies and be the brunt of some of the playful humor on the show. This episode really empowers Grandma to a point where she gets to show the youngsters how it’s done.

The episode starts off with a shopping trip and Virgil being asked if he requires any backup. Which proves to be an even funnier joke when he actually does need back up. As Virgil and Grandma gather supplies for Tracy Island. A distress call comes in from a mine, which is in the middle of a horrendous sandstorm. So Virgil and Grandma have to leave the supply store without paying to get the rescue underway.

As they arrive at the rescue site. Virgil sets about going into the mine in order to find the men trapped there and get them out. Then another distress call comes in from a nearby location. Being that Virgil can’t be in two places at once. Grandma takes Thunderbird 2 and attempts a rescue.

This was a great episode with lots of fun and a pretty strong message for younger viewers not to underestimate their grandparents. The relationship that forms between Grandma and Kate who she rescues is a lot of fun to watch, but its also fun seeing Grandma actually fly Thunderbird 2.

Virgil still gets to do his thing and initiates a pretty solid rescue, but winds up needing his Grandma’s help to do it.

I enjoyed the sequence where Grandma is going through the various vehicles stored within Thunderbird 2’s module and her enthusiasm when it comes to driving the mole.

This episode does a great job of turning a character of fun into a serious team member of Thunderbirds Are Go. We also get to learn a bit more about Grandma along the way. Stuff like her first name and the fact that it was her that taught her husband the founder of Thunderbirds how to fly.

Overall. A fun episode, which turns Grandma into much more of a force to be reckoned with.