Ep 1. Trapped in the Sky

Trapped in the Sky is the first episode of the 1960s British science-fiction television series Thunderbirds. The show is set in the year 2065 and revolves around the exploits of the International Rescue team, a secret organization that uses advanced technology to save lives and prevent disasters around the world.

In this episode, we are introduced to the team members of International Rescue and witness their first mission. The episode opens with a tense scene aboard Fireflash, a supersonic airliner en route from London to Tokyo. The plane's landing gear fails to retract, and despite the efforts of the crew, the plane is unable to ascend above 40,000 feet. The situation becomes even more dire when it is discovered that the plane's hull is damaged and it cannot safely descend to a lower altitude.

Meanwhile, the International Rescue team is alerted to the danger and begins to mobilize. Jeff Tracy, the organization's founder, reassures his sons Scott, Virgil, and Alan, who are also members of the team, that they are well-prepared for the mission. The team's headquarters, which is located on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean, is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and a fleet of advanced vehicles. Jeff assigns Scott to lead the mission and orders him to take Thunderbird 1, the organization's fast and agile spacecraft, to the scene.

Scott arrives at Fireflash and quickly establishes a line of communication with the plane's captain, Ned Cook. He learns that there are 600 passengers and crew on board, and that the plane's fuel will run out in less than two hours. Scott contacts his brothers Virgil and Alan, who are on standby with Thunderbirds 2 and 3, respectively. Virgil is tasked with transporting a new kind of equipment called the Mole, which has the ability to burrow through solid rock, to the scene. Alan, meanwhile, is ordered to monitor the situation from Thunderbird 5, a space station orbiting Earth.

As time runs out, the International Rescue team must work quickly to rescue the passengers and crew of Fireflash. The tension builds as Scott and Virgil race against time to deploy the Mole, which is only suited for underground rescues, into the plane's cabin. They must first create a hole in the plane's hull, using some innovative techniques, which they successfully manage.

The team's efforts are hampered by an unexpected turn of events, but they manage to overcome the obstacles and successfully rescue all of the passengers and crew. As the episode ends, the team returns to their headquarters and reflects on the success of their first mission.

Trapped in the Sky is a thrilling and action-packed episode that sets the tone for the rest of the series. The advanced technology and innovative rescue techniques featured in the show were ahead of their time, and the attention to detail in the animation and design of the show has led to its enduring popularity over the years. The episode also introduces us to the central characters of the show and their dynamic, which is a key element in the success of the series.