| "Lone-Handed 90" | |||
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| Joe 90 episode | |||
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 24 |
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| Directed by | Ken Turner | ||
| Written by | Desmond Saunders Keith Wilson |
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| Production code | 20 | ||
| Original air date | March 9, 1969 | ||
| Episode chronology | |||
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| List of Joe 90 episodes | |||
"Lone-Handed 90" is the 24th episode of the Supermarionation television series Joe 90. It was the 20th episode to be produced. Its original UK air date was March 9, 1969 on ATV Midlands. It was written by Desmond Saunders and Keith Wilson and directed by Ken Turner.
Contents |
As Mac, Sam and Shane argue over a breakdown on the BIG RAT, Joe falls asleep while watching television. Dreaming that he is a sheriff in the Wild West, Joe must thwart the notorious WIN Gang as they plot to rob a gold consignment.
At the McClaines' cottage, Professor McClaine, Sam Loover and Shane Weston are having a heated argument concerning a recent breakdown on the BIG RAT, which is urgently required for Joe to complete a mission in Arizona. Joe has a suggestion, but is angrily shouted down by the three adults and returns to the sitting room to continue watching a Western film. Falling asleep in front of the television, Joe imagines himself receiving a brain transfer inside the BIG RAT...
In Spoke City in old Arizona, the notorious "WIN Gang" – composed of Shane, Sam and Mac, all in Wild West attire – wrap up a bank robbery, committing arson and leaving the teller trapped inside the building while making a getaway in their victim's car. For their next raid, Shane, the ringleader, has his eye on a gold consignment soon to be shipped from Altuna railroad station. As the trio arrive in the nearest town, Joesville, a Doc rushes to alert the sheriff - who is none other than Joe. Wearing his BIG RAT glasses, Sheriff Joe tracks the WIN Gang to a bar where, following a shootout, the criminals are arrested.
Joe is called out to the Triple Creek Rodeo, leaving the Doc to man the Sheriff's Office alone. While the old man dozes, Shane, Sam and Mac throw a hooked piece of string through the bars of their cell, picking up the keys that have been left on the desk and breaking out of the jailhouse. Joe returns to find the building in flames and the Doc lying bound, gagged, and half-suffocated on the floor. After rescuing his friend, Joe boards the mail train bound for Altuna, Texas Belle, to protect the gold consignment and watch out for the WIN Gang.
Shane, Sam and Mac are indeed in pursuit of Texas Belle, but Mac, the driver of the stolen car, fears that the vehicle will not reach Altuna in one piece and demands that they cross the border out of Arizona instead. In the time that the gang have wasted arguing, the train has overtaken them. Standing in the cab with the driver, Hank, Joe engages the criminals as they open fire on the train. Eventually, Shane and Sam are thrown clear of the battered car as Mac attempts to navigate the rough mountain road with the supercharger activated. The vehicle finally grinds to a halt across the track, with the train fast approaching. Mac dives for cover as Texas Belle collides with the car and derails, crashing down the mountainside and killing all onboard...
In the sitting room, Joe is woken by Mac, who informs him that the dispute regarding the BIG RAT has been resolved and that his mission in Arizona will go ahead. Mac is curious to know the details of his son's dream and the three men listen as Joe begins his story.
In speaking order: