Thunderbirds Are Go Unplugged review

Here's what you need to know; While en route to London, Thunderbird 2 gets hit and crippled by an EMP that wipes out all power in London, now grounded with no equipment, Virgil must save the day alone while Penelope and Parker hunt down the source of the EMP.

This episode, like Crosscut, doesn't have much Thunderbirds action, instead focusing more on Virgil and grandma Tracy and Penelope and Parker, while this is an interesting approach, it ultimately isn't as entertaining as it could be, mainly because of the episode's somewhat preachy nature, that peachiness comes in form of the episode's insistent message that you can still be a hero without all the fancy gear that the Thunderbirds use. I hate it when children's shows force in these messages, because they often compromise the story. And the lack of Thunderbirds, while interesting in this context, is a bit lacking. Something that is more interesting is the Penelope and Parker story as they unravel another sinister plan involving the Hood, and a more ridiculous plan with the Technology hating Luddites cutting the power to London, and it allows for some funny Parker moments. Also, an issue I have with the story is that the episode deals with a city wide power out, something that would have consequences, consequences that are not explored, while this isn't as big a plot hole as the same hole in Ring of Fire, it is worse in this episode because of the episode's focus on the EMP, I understand that these consequences wouldn't be addressed in a children's show, but consequences is something that is very important. And finally, one little question I have is how did Virgil manage to crash land Thunderbird 2 in the centre of London without causing any damage at all, no crushed cars, no damage to infrastructure, nothing, that is impossible. This episode carry's on a trend that Crosscut seems to have started, with less interesting, les fun episodes that lack the energy and excitement of pervious episodes, and I am not terribly fond of this episode, I want to see more Thunderbirds in this show called Thunderbirds.