Trapped (TUGS episode)

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"Trapped" was the third episode of the children's series TUGS. The title referred to the Star Tugs' predicament of being trapped up the canal - with very little chance of getting out...or so they think.

[edit] Brief Synopsis

There is a time when, incredibly, the Star Tugs and Z Stacks take on a big job together. Timber and tanning bark have to be brought from the sawmills Up River.

On this day, Zug is pulling a large tramper to the breaker’s yard. Captain Zero said to take it on his way and deliver it before working with Zorran on the timber and bark job. But this extra task has now made him very late.

An Alligator Tug, named Billy Shoepack, works Up River. He transports dangerous loads, notably dynamite, from Mittsville to the logging camp. Billy sees O.J. and Big Mac, who just want him to get away with his load!

Zug sees Zorran waiting – impatiently. Zorran says how they’re all supposed to be on log detail. Zug tells Zorran how Captain Zero told him to take the old tramper to the breaker’s yard on his way. “On your way?” says Zorran. “It’s a mile further Up River.” Zorran jumps in to “help” Zug get the old tramper to the breaker’s yard faster. But Zorran pushes too hard, which causes the vessel to go out of line and jam right across the river. No-one can get past it either way. Zorran is pleased that all the Stars are trapped Up River, leaving the harbour entirely to the Z Stacks, or so he thinks… Zorran steams off and leaves Zug there. Top Hat and Sunshine find Zug, on their way down. Sunshine goes back Up River for help.

Back Down River, at Mittsville, Zorran is surprised to see Ten Cents. He thought all the Stars were Up River! But Ten Cents was pulled off log detail to deliver timber-cutting machinery to Mittsville. Zorran tells Ten Cents about the “accident”. Ten Cents goes to head up there, and tells Zorran to inform Captain Star, Captain Zero and the salvage team. But one knows how Zorran can be Zorran…

Back at the tramper, on the Up River side, Billy Shoepack sees what has happened, and says how he can use dynamite to blast a hole right through the tramper! Ten Cents has arrived on the lower side. He calls out, and Top Hat raises his wheelhouse to talk to him. Ten Cents says he will fetch help. Big Mac and O.J. are also now on the other side. O.J. comes up with a bright plan: To make a battering ram, lashing up three or four barges.

Back at Mittsville, Ten Cents finds Little Ditcher, the A-frame crane, of whom Ten Cents asks if he can help with the tramper.

At the site, all the tugs have the barge ram ready. They charge forward but only manage to buckle the tramper. Zug gets trapped between the barges and tramper. Sunshine arrives with Billy Shoepack, all ready with dynamite!

Zorran passes Ten Cents, and comments that the tramper will crush Little Ditcher! Ten Cents suspects Zorran has not fetched any help.

Sunshine pulls Zug clear, leaving Billy Shoepack ready to rig the dynamite and blast the tramper apart. After a tense countdown – nothing happens! Billy finds the fuse has become wet. He fixes the problem, and the countdown begins once more, just as Zorran arrives on the lower side the tramper exploded apart, and the current caused takes Zorran downstream, and the trapped tugs escape down fast. After their ride down the rapids, the tugs find Zorran stuck up on rocks. Everyone finds it a great joke, even Zug (secretly). The tugs thank Billy, except Zorran of course, and soon Ten Cents and Little Ditcher and Ten Cents teases Zorran

[edit] Notes

  • First appearances of Billy Shoepack and Little Ditcher
  • The Warrior, Hercules, Zebedee and Captain Zero characters are absent in this episode
  • This is the only episode Warrior is absent.
  • The first time we see the different title sequence at the beginning of the episode.
  • Billy Shoepack is the first tug to get his own individual theme (incidental character music).
  • Ten Cents broke the 4th wall by revaling Warrior's voice actor is Sean Barrent.
  • Cameos by Zak and Zip.
  • Only episode where we see the Top Hat & Sunshine characters work together.
  • Billy Shoepack only moves his head once - when he leaves.
  • Billy Shoepack only made two appearances through the series, the other being Up River.

[edit] Featured Characters

Director: Chris Tulloch

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