Ep 9. Designated Driver

Determined to prove himself and earn his spot on the team, Gordon Tracy - the youngest of the Tracy brothers - takes charge of a complex rescue operation in the latest episode of Thunderbirds Are Go. The episode begins with Gordon heading up Thunderbird 4 as John Tracy mans Thunderbird 5, monitoring the rescue effort from above.

The situation itself is a tricky one, with a group of people stranded on a damaged ferry that's rapidly filling with water. In addition to rescuing the passengers, Gordon has to make sure that the ferry's hull stays afloat with the help of Thunderbird 4's powerful thrust. Despite the high stakes, Gordon is determined to show his worth to the team and pulls off an impressive rescue that saves everyone on board.

However, the plot takes an unexpected turn when the passengers begin to fall ill, and Gordon himself starts to experience symptoms shortly after the rescue. It turns out that the passengers were exposed to a toxic substance prior to being stranded, and Gordon's exposure during the rescue operation means that he's now a carrier.

As a result, the other members of International Rescue need to find a way to stop the spread of the toxin before it starts to spread throughout the rest of the island. With the passengers and Gordon in quarantine, the team works against the clock to design and develop a special vehicle that can decontaminate the affected areas of the ferry without putting the crew at risk.

The upshot of all this is that Gordon, who up until this point has been seen as the impulsive daredevil of the team, has to step up and take on a more sobering role. He's no longer the designated driver, so to speak - instead, he's the one who has to navigate the complexities of medical testing, containment, and rescue. It's a tough job, but he's up to the challenge.

Overall, Designated Driver is a standout episode of Thunderbirds Are Go thanks to its intense action sequences and its exploration of the different facets of Gordon's character. With impressive animation, thrilling action, and compelling character development, this episode is sure to be a hit with fans of the series.