Colonel McClaine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

“Colonel McClaine”
Joe 90 episode
Episode no. Season 1
Episode 5
Written by Tony Barwick
Directed by Ken Turner
Production no. 16
Original airdate October 27, 1968
Episode chronology
← Previous Next →
"Hi-jacked" "The Fortress"
List of Joe 90 episodes

"Colonel McClaine" is the fifth episode of the British Supermarionation television series Joe 90. It was first broadcast on October 27, 1968 on ATV Midlands.

Footage from this episode was later used as a flashback in the clip show episode, "The Birthday".

Contents

[edit] Synopsis

In Africa, a tunnel project is struggling due to sabotaged supply runs. Equipped with the brain pattern of an army driver, Joe is assigned to transport the required liquid blasting explosive overland. However, he is unaware that the canisters are rigged to explode at high altitude…

[edit] Plot

In Africa, the Kuchunga Tunnel is being constructed with the intention of joining two neighbouring countries, providing an economic boost for millions of people. However, the canisters of U114 liquid explosive used for the blasting keep exploding as they are flown to the site by World Army helicopter. With U114 stocks running low – probably due to sabotage – the project looks set to be cancelled.

Kopal, a national from one of the countries, wants the project to be abandoned so that his government will not have to compete with its partner. Lieutenant Pierce, the army officer and saboteur behind the botched supply runs, has been accepting payments from Kopal, but with the deaths of so many helicopter pilots he no longer wants to be a part of his associate's scheme. However, when Kopal threatens to expose Pierce's treachery to the army, the lieutenant is forced to remain obedient.

In light of the helicopter disasters, the Army decides to ship the next consignment of U114 overland in a three-truck convoy. WIN takes over the operation and Joe 90 is given the brain patterns of both a top army driver and an explosives expert to lead the mission. Professor McClaine is concerned that Joe will not be able to use two sets of impulses simultaneously, but after the boy successfully test-drives a truck while wearing his special glasses, Sam Loover and Shane Weston are convinced that he can manage the assignment.

At the World Army base, Lieutenant Pierce briefs a sergeant, and a private, Johnson, to participate in the mission. The officers will each drive a truck containing 50 litres of U114 and will be instructed by a "Colonel McClaine". The men are curious to learn that, for security reasons, they must rendezvous with their commander a mile from the base. At the meeting point, they are even more confused when the third truck arrives and nine-year-old Joe steps out. Initially believing that the boy is part of a prank, the sergeant questions Joe's authority, but the child's acquired military knowledge quickly convinces him to put an indignant Johnson on a charge for being improperly dressed. Now in control, Joe reminds the officers that U114 is very unstable and will easily explode if subjected to extreme vibration or pressure drops. With each man driving a truck, the team set off on their 200-mile journey to Kuchunga.

During the mission, Johnson grows increasingly resentful of Joe, and despairs as the sergeant, who is normally a close friend, becomes ever more subservient to the colonel's orders. Despite obstacles such as swamps and difficult terrain, the group makes steady progress towards Kuchunga. However, the expedition is complicated by a mudslide triggered by a heavy downpour, completely blocking their path along the mountain road. Joe manoeuvres his vehicle up the hillside using a towline attached by Johnson to a tree, but the cable snaps during the sergeant's ascent and his truck plunges back down the slope. The sergeant is unable to jump clear before he crashes into the third vehicle and is killed when the U114 detonates. A grim Joe is determined to save the mission with the last vehicle; Johnson is losing his patience with his superior but reluctantly agrees to accompany him to Kuchunga.

Later, Sam calls Joe's transceiver to report that Lieutenant Pierce has been arrested and has confessed that he was the one who sabotaged the helicopter runs. However, Pierce has also tampered with Joe's shipment, rigging the U114 canisters to explode within minutes if they are taken above 5,000 feet. Joe and Johnson are alarmed to find that they have passed the danger threshold and Joe frantically tries to reduce the truck's altitude before they run out of time. On the way, Joe asks Johnson if he would like to save himself, but the private has now changed is attitude and is resolute on staying with the mission. After a chaotic race for survival, involving skidding down a hill and then driving across a rickety bridge, the truck is below 5,000 feet and Joe brings the vehicle to a stop, the U114 stabilised. With the Kuchunga Tunnel now only a short distance away, Joe commends Johnson on his loyal character and says that he will now leave the rest of the mission to him. As Johnson drives away, Joe calls Sam to report mission accomplished.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Regular voice cast

[edit] Guest voice cast

In speaking order:

  • Radio (voice) — Keith Alexander
  • Preston — Gary Files
  • King — Keith Alexander
  • Kopal — Gary Files
  • Lieutenant Pierce — Keith Alexander
  • Sergeant — Gary Files
  • Private Johnson — Keith Alexander

[edit] External links