| "The Birthday" | |||
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| Joe 90 episode | |||
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 30 |
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| Directed by | Leo Eaton | ||
| Written by | Tony Barwick | ||
| Production code | 29 | ||
| Original air date | 20 April 1969 | ||
| Episode chronology | |||
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| List of Joe 90 episodes | |||
"The Birthday" is the 30th and final episode of the Supermarionation television series Joe 90. It was the 29th episode to be produced. Its original UK air date was 20 April 1969 on ATV Midlands. It was written by Tony Barwick and directed by Leo Eaton. It is a clip show episode.
Contents |
It is Joe's tenth birthday, but his father has gone into town and no post has arrived. Joe begins to think that everyone has forgotten his special day, but is amazed when Mac, Sam and Shane spring a surprise party and reminisce over some of his many adventures.
It is morning at the McClaines' cottage and Joe wakes up in his bedroom. Today is 7 July – his tenth birthday – but Joe sees Mac drive away from the house through his window. Heading downstairs, Joe is told by their housekeeper, Mrs. Harris, that his father has gone into town for the day. Joe asks if there is any post addressed to him but the woman replies that there is none. Suddenly, Mrs. Harris remembers that it is Joe's birthday, but says that she forgot all about it. Joe is disappointed that everyone seems to have overlooked his special day.
That afternoon, Joe is reading in his room when Mac asks him to come downstairs. Joe is amazed to see his father with Sam Loover and Shane Weston, who have set up a surprise party and wish him a happy birthday.
In the midst of the celebrations, Joe, Mac, Sam and Shane sit at the lounge table with refreshments. Shane congratulates Joe personally and thanks him for his hard work as WIN's Most Special Agent. Doubting that any of them could forget the McClaines' introduction to WIN a year ago, Shane recalls how he put forward the idea of Joe stealing the imaginary Russian MIG 242 to reveal the aircraft's secrets to the West ("The Most Special Agent"). Mac remembers how he was concerned about his son working for WIN and Sam reminds him of Joe's first real assignment, in which he infiltrated the criminal organisation of gunrunner Mario Colletti ("Hi-jacked"). Asked to recount another mission, Mac describes how Joe transported dangerous chemicals across Africa to assist in the construction of a tunnel ("Colonel McClaine"). Eventually, Mac proposes a toast to Joe 90 and the men sing "Happy Birthday" to WIN's Most Special Agent.
In this episode:
"The Most Special Agent" flashback:
"Hi-jacked" flashback:
"Colonel McClaine" flashback: