#Episode: Firebreak

[thunderbirds-showdown]

Which Thunderbirds Are Go episode is better?

Vote on which episode you think is better. Episode synopses below the cut.

Firebreak: Two rescue scouts locked inside a rogue crablogger in the centre of a raging forest fire will require the special skills of all five Tracy brothers.

Ring of Fire Part 1: A series of underwater sea quakes along the ocean floor cause a research team to become trapped in their sea lab that perilously sits near the edge of an underwater cliff. It’s up to Scott, Virgil and Gordon to rescue and bring the research team to the surface, but before doing so Gordon discovers a device which turns out to be one of several seismic destabilises which have been left at the bottom of the ocean while following a signal which he hoped belonged to their father who is 'missing in action'.

With the help of Lady Penelope, they discover that the devices causing the quakes have been created by their organisation's biggest enemy, The Hood.

[heartlandians]

Season 18 Spoilers Masterlist (episode by episode)

Pre-production April 24 - May 13, 2024

Shot between May 14 - August 28, 2024 Hiatus June 29 - July 7, 2024

Season 18 premieres Fall 2024

OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT, SO YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! I will update this post with all the new info we get.

The success of a family run ranch in the foothills of Alberta isn’t guaranteed even in the best of times, but when Season 18 begins Heartland’s future has never been more precarious. With new competition from a neighbouring ranch, and a drought threatening the health of the herd, the only solution is for the Bartlett-Fleming family to buckle down and adapt like never before. Amy’s work with horses continues to be her focus, but when she unexpectedly finds her heart pulled in two different directions, she’ll be forced to make a difficult decision. Lou will be more involved than ever in the family cattle business, often putting her at odds with Jack and Tim. But when it matters most, the entire family will come together and prove that no adversity is too great when you’re united. It will take courage, resolve, and strength of character to overcome the challenges ahead. In other words, it’ll take true grit.

PROMO SHOTS | CHARACTER BIOS | SEASON 18 TAG | EPISODE GUIDE | TRAILER

18x01 - True Grit

Heartland struggles with competition from Pryce Beef just as Amy agrees to help Nathan Pryce in a sheepdog competition. Lou, Jack and Tim are feeling the strain as a water shortage is on the horizon.

Written by: Directed by: Dean Bennett (?)

Filmed between: May 14 - May 31, 2024 (Block 1) Airs: September 29 (CBC Gem) / October 6, 2024 (CBC TV)

Characters: Amy, Jack, Lou, Tim, Lyndy, Nathan. Guest stars: Animals: Plot points: sheep herding competition with dogs (Amy + Nathan), drought.

Music: Extras:

Preview | First minutes | 18x01 tag | Screencaps

/ / / /

18x02 - Bird's Eye View

Caleb returns to help Amy with a mysterious Icelandic horse. Weather conditions force Lou to build a firebreak with the enemy.

Written by: Directed by: Ken Filewych

Filmed between: May 14 - May 31, 2024 (Block 1) Airs: October 6 (CBC Gem) / October 13, 2024 (CBC TV)

Characters: Amy, Jack, Lou, Tim, Lyndy, Caleb. Guest stars: Animals: Plot points: Caleb involved with a plane.

Music: Extras:

Preview | First minutes | 18x02 tag | Screencaps

Either episode 1 and/or episode 2: Characters: Katie, Nathan, Caleb, Logan. Guest stars: Shaun Smyth (?). Animals: dogs, horse: Spartan. Plot points: rodeo grounds, scenes at the ranch, Lou in riding/cowgirl gear, dinner scene with the family at the yard (7 characters involved), stunt work involving Lou and a horse, drone shots, house scenes with Lyndy, scene in the kitchen, Maggie's. * * * *

18x03 - (TBA)

Written by: - Directed by: Chris Potter

Filmed between: June 3 - 20, 2024 (Block 2) Airs: October 20, 2024 (CBC TV)

Characters: Amy, Jack, Lou, Lyndy, Guest stars: - Animals: - Plot points: -

Music: Extras:

Preview | First minutes | 18x03 tag | Screencaps

/ / / /

18x04 - (TBA)

Written by: - Directed by: Chris Potter

Filmed between: June 3 - 20, 2024 (Block 2) Airs: October 27, 2024 (CBC TV)

Characters: Amy, Jack, Lou, Lyndy, Guest stars: - Animals: - Plot points: -

Music: Extras:

Preview | First minutes | 18x04 tag | Screencaps

Either episode 3 and/or episode 4: Characters: Katie, Logan, Jessica, Rick, Nathan, Lisa, Brandon. Guest stars: - Animals: horse: Spartan, Champ(?), Hawk. Plot points: drone shots, Lou riding (stunt double needed), scenes with Lyndy, Logan, Amy and Jessica riding(?), Jessica helping with a polo horse, Rick at the ranch, Maggie's/Hudson, scenes with Rick at Hudson, Katie and Brandon by a library, Jessica and Katie by the Highwood Health Centre, flower shop, drought.

* * * *

18x05 - (TBA)

Written by: Ken Craw/ Mika Collins(?) Directed by: Michelle Morgan

Filmed between: June 21 - July 17, 2024 (Block 3) Airs: November 3, 2024 (CBC TV)

Characters: Amy, Jack, Lou, Tim, Lyndy, Miley, Logan. Guest stars: Skylar (?). Animals: - Plot points: fan day event/colt starting competition (Logan involved), barrel racing (Miley), Jack having trouble with announcements/Tim helping.

Music: Extras:

Preview | First minutes | 18x05 tag | Screencaps

/ / / /

18x06 - (TBA)

Written by: Ken Craw/ Mika Collins(?) Directed by: Michelle Morgan

Filmed between: June 21 - July 17, 2024 (Block 3) Airs: November 10, 2024 (CBC TV)

Characters: Amy, Jack, Lou, Lyndy. Guest stars: - Animals: - Plot points: -

Music: Extras:

Preview | First minutes | 18x05 tag | Screencaps

Either episode 5 and/or episode 6: Characters: Katie, Lisa, Peter, Parker, Brandon, Caleb. Guest stars: Animals: a young dog. Plot points: bisons, scenes with Parker and Katie at Dude Ranch, night scenes with the teenagers (and Peter), telescope, scenes at Calgary (Garland Foods involved?), dance or bar scenes (Caleb and Amy involved), rodeo grounds, scenes with Lou, Lisa and Amy, scenes at the ranch.

* * * *

18x07 - (TBA)

Written by: - Directed by: Melanie Scrofano

Filmed between: July 19 - August 8, 2024 (Block 4) Airs: November 17, 2024 (CBC TV)

Characters: Amy, Lou, Jack, Tim, Lyndy. Guest stars: - Animals: - Plot points: -

Music: Extras:

Preview | First minutes | 18x07 tag | Screencaps

/ / / /

18x08 - (TBA)

Written by: - Directed by: Melanie Scrofano

Filmed between: July 19 - August 8, 2024 (Block 4) Airs: November 24, 2024 (CBC TV)

Characters: Amy, Lou, Jack, Tim, Lyndy. Guest stars: - Animals: - Plot points: -

Music: Extras:

Preview | First minutes | 18x08 tag | Screencaps

Either episode 7 and/or episode 8: Characters: Katie, Shane, Nathan. Guest stars: Marcus Della Rosa (?), Gita Miller (?). Animals: - Plot points: scenes with birds (owl, hawk), Hudson, scenes at the ranch, police, Heartland Beef and Pryce Beef at farmer's market (Amy, Lyndy, Lou, Tim, Jack, Shane), Amy and Lou have a disagreement.

* * * *

18x09 - (TBA)

Written by: Directed by: Cazhhmere Downey

Filmed between: August 9 - August 28, 2024 (Block 5) Airs: December 1, 2024 (CBC TV)

Characters: Amy, Lou, Jack, Tim, Lyndy. Guest stars: - Animals: - Plot points: -

Music: Extras:

Preview | First minutes | 18x09 tag | Screencaps

18x10 - (TBA)

Written by: Directed by: Cazhhmere Downey (?)

Filmed between: August 9 - August 28, 2024 (Block 5) Airs: December 8, 2024 (CBC TV)

Characters: Amy, Lou, Jack, Tim, Lyndy. Guest stars: - Animals: - Plot points: -

Music: Extras:

Preview | First minutes | 18x10 tag | Screencaps

Either episode 9 and/or episode 10: Characters: Lisa, Jessica, Nathan, Peter, Caleb. Guest stars: Edward Simon (?). Animals: - Plot points: scenes in the barn, Hudson High Hornets, scenes by the river (Jack involved/fishing), Lou in comfortable clothes, Mustang Meadows, stunt work with Lou (thrown off a horse?/hurts her ankle), scenes in Calgary, scene with Lou and Peter standing next to each other at Heartland Open House, Caleb in a car (?), drone shots, scenes with Amy, Lou, Katie, Lisa and Jessica together in the woods/meadows (stunt work/riding scenes, Katie, Jessica and Lisa ride side by side), scenes at the attic room, Katie talking to a phone in the kitchen, Lisa in the kitchen, Amy and Caleb riding.

[leasthaunted]

Episode 111: Firestarter

Due to Sequoidea Productions and the Least Haunted Headquarters being based in California, the boys think (worry) about fires a lot and fire season is in full swing here. Cody actually reported a fire while on vacation in Plumas County and there was a fire near the LH HQ also while Cody was away! Quite the Spooky Check!

These recent happens sparked an idea for the boys!

This is the One Hundred and Eleventieth episode! In New Zealand they dial 111 for emergencies, so here we are, talking arson and summer fun. Cody and Garth discuss some recent brushes with rapid oxidation and then we travel to England to get to the bottom of a spooky photograph of a burning city hall. Come and join us and we promise we won't put on a ring of invisibility and never be seen 'round these parts again. Clean a firebreak and we'll teach you to burn!

Check out the images below discussed in this week's episode and please come join the episode discussion on the Least Haunted Discord!

The first image of The Gold Fire in Plumas County California. Taken by Cody's wife Alison as he was calling it in to emergency services.

The same fire six hours later.

The glow of the fire from the same angle once the sun went down, aka "Mordor."

A video, courtesy of Garth, of a helicopter dropping water on the fire near LH HQ.

The Wem Ghost Photograph taken during the Wem Town Hall fire in November 1994.

Little Girl on Postcard of Downtown Wem 1922

The two images of the ghost and girl side by side.

Original television broadcast story about the photograph from 1995: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm1gEf4_v8s&t=7s

[kopykunoichi]

Initial thoughts on episode 6 of The Bad Batch

Tech found a side gig - chain code forger

Omega has a bad feeling about the station, Echo goes in to prep the ship. Comes back immediately to find her gone. Echo: I take my eyes off her for two seconds and she takes off! Every. Kriffing. Time.

GUNGI! MY POOR FUZZY SON!

Omega's superpower is befriending everyone in the galaxy in 0.5 seconds.

Echo, you found her...set a new record with that one.

Omega: We have to help him. Echo: *tired dad sigh*

TBB:1 Creepy droids:0

This is like a wildlife catch and release: feed him, water him, release him into his natural environment.

Hunter putting his hand on Echo's shoulder when he tells him Gungi is a Jedi, he'll never be safe...🥺

Oh yay...space spiders again. I hate you people. I feel my xenoarachnophobia acting up.

Peaceful spiders? Plot twist. Bet they won't feature heavily in the story later.

Trandosians. It had to be trandosians.

Nice shootout. No one under cover. Charging tanks. Armorless child. I can't believe Omega hasn't gotten winged at least once yet. Plot armor > plastoid I suppose.

Dig a firebreak. Smart. How does Echo operate a shovel with only one hand?

Big meow meow. Me want to ride too.

Echo helping baby girl down. 🥺

Echo no likey jungle water. 😂

Wrecker just takes the whole communal bowl. OMG! Someone had to drain that from like 12 jungle leaves this morning, dude.

Echo is so loyal and just love him so much for that. Hunter's like, "You had me at saving kids".

Oh good, another reckless shootout with tanks. Good idea, use yourself as human bait. Seriously, how are any of them alive?

Ah, yes, here we go...here's how the space spiders are relevant to the plot. Naturally, they know who to eat and who not to eat. Poor chipped clones.

Gungi, why are you jumping INTO the ring of fire? I ask as Johnny Cash's voice rises unbidden in my head.

Kid, I love you, but you have a lightsaber. That should be a cakewalk. But luckily the nice spiders are coming to the rescue. I almost feel bad for that trandosian. Almost.

Hunter: where are the kids? Kids. Plural. He's already adopted Gungi in his brain. Papers are on the table waiting to sign. Echo snaps his head around. Every episode with Echo and Omega is literally just him repeating the line "Well she's not (here) NOW!"

That trandosian is still screaming as he's being carried off by space spiders. Maybe I do feel bad for him.

Of course Hunter and Echo went to go look for the kids. Between Hunter's tracking skills and Echo's parental instincts, they have the best chance. And you found them, good job. And more digging. One handed digging.

Wait, did Wrecker just SPEAK wookie?

Echo likes the jungle water. I was kind of hoping it was going to make them drunk or weird. Can you imagine Echo drinking jungle water, but it's like Sokka drinking cactus juice? IT'S THE QUENCHIEST! *Cheers, mate*

Hunter goes to talk with the old matriarch (yep, already forgot her name)...Tech immediately jumps up to be relevant and translate. Aww, baby, you're doing so good.

"They're just kids." So are you, Hunter.

The trees cry when they go and sing when they come back? It's me. I'm the trees.

Hunter: Someplace far away from war.

Hunter, sweetie...you don't seem to know what story you're living. But it's Star WARS. Your girl has a fight on her hands and you can't change that. Time to take a page out of Echo's book and just make sure she's ready for whatever comes her way.

[iztopher]

Nine people you'd like to know better

I was tagged by @amanitajack !

3 Ships

quick clarification that I don't really do romantic shipping so these are all secret third things or friendships:

te'ijalahad (aveyond). this one goes without saying but if i don't say it i'll explode. they are everything to me. world's worst qpr

06&22 (archivist wasp/latchkey/firebreak/etc)! after reading and loving archivist wasp a couple years ago i've been making a point to go through nicole kornher-stace's works in earnest and i am in love with these two

battler & beatrice. i don't know what these two have going on but danny and i just finished episode 3 of umineko last night and i feel like a changed person. i'm obsessed with them

First Ship - te'ijalahad lmao

Last Song - If I Burn by Emilie Autumn; I've been listening to my (work in progress) te'ijal mix lately.

Currently Reading - I literally just finished Flight & Anchor by Nicole Kornher-Stace this morning, so I'm counting it. Outside of that, The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements (which I've mostly just been calling "The Disappearing Spoon" because wow what a long title, I have to google it to be able to say it lol) by Sam Kean!

Last Film - Danny and I tried to watch Videodrome yesterday, but we only got 17 minutes into it before I was like "okay, yeah, I can't actually handle this one" LMAO. So the last movie I watched was Jigsaw (2017) last week! Danny and I are making our way through the Saw franchise, I'm so excited to show him Saw X.

Currently Craving - Frankly? More Umineko. I want to be spending every waking moment with this story rn.

Tag 9 people (no pressure to anyone!): @ninjaturtleinthetardis @anonymphae @chillingoose @gehayi @the-terrible-theys @spacecravat @legendary-chemistry @casualbirdscribbles @seasnidd

[sonatanotwo]

Everyone: 

Me: 

...#priorities >.>

*adds another mark to the number of eps where Virg and Scott have shared a couch count*

[sparkwithinme]

Ah! FilmReviewOnline has info for the next ep! It’s called “Firebreak”! (Linked to in the source link at the bottom.) Spoilers below the cut!

Story Teaser: All five Tracy Brothers unite to stop a raging forest fire.

Cast

Brains… Kayvan Novak Virgil & Gordon Tracy… David Menkin Scott & Alan Tracy… Rasmus Hardiker John Tracy… Thomas Brodie-Sangster Bee… Hannah Moncur Henry… Matthew Gilmour Wright Chief Carter… Tanya Moodie

Production Credits

Writer… Patrick Rieger Directors… Tim Gaul & Ben Milsom

Last two eps then should be off and away!

(Also OMG there is a character called BEE. WHUT.)

[gumnut-logic]

He waited until they made it home, the cockpit of Two stinking of wildfire smoke despite her filtration systems. No doubt it was leeching off their uniforms and it sunk into everything.

Throughout the rest of the mission, Gordon had kept an eye on his brother. He knew he would hide a missing leg if he could and if he wasn’t entirely focussed on watching out for Virgil, it could have been easily missed. the subtle flinches, the shortened breaths, the way he didn’t turn fully to join in the tired discussion on the way home.

After it happened, first chance he got, Gordon commed John to give him the lowdown on Virgil’s condition and begged his big brother not to notify his eldest brother.

“Gordon, Scott needs to know.”

“Not yet, please, John. Scott is under enough stress, let me handle this one.”

The silence at the other end of the comline was enough to give Gordon hope as he galloped the pod towards the old dam wall.

“It’s a question of safety and whether he is fit to fly. His respiration and heart rates are up. He’s obviously in some pain. His blood pressure is steady and there is no sign of bleeding...yet. This could endanger his life.”

Gordon swallowed. He knew what Scott would do if he found out. “Keep an eye on him, then. Just don’t tell Scott. He doesn’t need to worry.” He didn’t need to worry about Virgil telling Scott anything. The man rarely admitted to injury unless he had to. “You monitor him from up there. I’ll co-pilot home.”

“Scott will not be happy if he finds out.”

“You let me worry about that. I owe Virg this.”

“You’re scared Scott won’t let him launch with us.”

Of course he was. “We can’t launch without him, John. I’ll look after him, I promise.”

His space bro had grumbled some more, but eventually let it slide with some dire threats if Virgil’s health deteriorated.

A few words to Alan and the incident was secure for the moment.

Of course, Virgil then picked the damn crablogger off the forest floor. Having seen him move an entire tanker, something that weighed so much more than the old logging machine, it seemed a small thing, yet the tanker had required everything Two could put into her rear thrusters. The crablogger was relying on Two’s VTOL which, while strong, had nowhere near the shove of those rockets sticking out her tail.

Two struggled and Virgil with her. John pinged Gordon twice, concerned about Virgil’s blood pressure and the strain he was under. If Gordon was honest, his own blood pressure skyrocketed at the news, but he hung on. Don’t tell Scott.

So it was with some relief when Two picked up her pod and Gordon was finally able to re-board the green behemoth and check on her pilot himself.

Virgil’s hands were steady on the yoke as they turned for home, but he was pale and his breathing faster than it should be. He looked exhausted.

“Hey, Virg, want me to take over? This was a rough one.”

The raised eyebrow glare he received in answer was a very clear negative.

Stubborn idiot.

So it wasn’t until Two finally settled on her turntable and wound down to silence, that Gordon was able to take his bull-headed brother by the horns.

He waited that extra moment for Alan to skedaddle out of the cockpit and start working on the module reset, before tackling Virgil head on.

“So are they broken, cracked or just bruised?”

Virgil’s head turned on his neck so fast, Gordon was surprised he didn’t hear it snap. “What?”

“Virg, I’m not an idiot. I’m the one who shot you with the magnetic grapple. I saw what it did to you.”

His brother closed his eyes. “Don’t tell Scott.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it. Even pinged Johnny to stop him from following procedure.”

“He knows?”

“Of course, he does. Your suit screamed at him.”

“But Scott doesn’t?”

“Not from me, Alan or from Johnny.”

“Oh, thank god.” Virgil wilted where he sat, head falling into his hands with a groan.

Gordon almost commed Scott right in that moment. It always hurt to see a brother hurt, but the bigger the brother the scarier it was and Virgil was one of the biggest. He swallowed and took it on. “Okay, we gotta get you checked out.”

A ragged breath. “I don’t think it is too bad.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” He climbed out of the co-pilot’s chair and offered his brother a hand. “C’mon, Virg.”

Virgil pushed his chair back and with the upmost care, leveraged himself out of it.

A wince and a couple of words under the man’s breath and they made their way to the infirmary.

Alan was waiting there for them.

“Alan!” Gordon hissed at his brother. “You’re supposed to be covering for us with the module.”

“I just want to see if Virgil is okay.” His little brother’s blue eyes were wide with worry. “I saw what happened, too.”

Virgil sighed. “I’m okay, Allie, I promise.”

“But what if you can’t come with us?”

Virgil straightened and strode over to Alan, his two big hands landing on those much smaller shoulders. “Nothing is stopping me from going to get Dad. I’m not staying behind.”

Gordon swallowed behind him, knowing that if push came to shove, it would be him that burst that bubble. God, please let Virgil be okay.

“C’mon, Virg. Strip and up on the bed. Alan, go be the distraction I told you to be.”

Alan’s lips thinned and he glared a little, but it was more worry and sad than anger. “You let me know as soon as you can.”

“I will, just go! Scott will be back soon and if that module is still sitting there in that condition, he’ll start asking questions we can’t answer. I’ll be down to help as soon as possible.”

“Okay, okay, I’m going.” His hand brushed over Virgil’s arm and squeezed gently as he walked past. He didn’t say anything, but the intent was obvious.

Virgil’s eyes followed him. “Thanks, Allie.”

A small smile and he was gone.

“Strip, Virg, we gotta get this done before Scott gets back.”

-o-o-o-

Virgil had a lump in his throat. He was caught between what was right and what he wanted.

He shed his clothes down to his undershorts, noting every movement, every spark of pain.

The magnetic grapple had caught him side on, flipping him into a mid-air roll and flinging him across the ground. The exo-suit took most of the impact, but his body strained against the padding that could only take so much.

As he climbed up on the bed, every damned bruise on his body complained.

“Shit, Virg.”

He straightened on the edge of the bed and looked down at himself. Yeah, it felt pretty much like that.

His right arm had some serious complaints about its treatment as the impact point. Again, the exo-suit claw had taken the brunt of the force, or it would have been likely he’d be missing said arm, but the bruising was blatant, mottling an outline of the suit’s contact points. His shoulder wasn’t happy at the wrench it had received either.

But none of that compared to where the arm of the exo-suit had collided with his torso and hip. The padding was there, but as a lower point of stress on usual use, it was thinner and his ribs had taken a beating.

He was reminded with every breath.

“Lie down and let the scanner tell us what the damage is.” Gordon’s expression was ever so worried.

Lying down hurt. Gordon helped him get horizontal.

Virgil let the breath from his body escape and relaxed ever so slowly into the mattress. “Ow.”

“No kidding.”

Gordon hit the sensors and a holographic version of Virgil’s innards appeared above him.

A moment as Gordon studied the readouts.

Virgil held his breath.

“Oh, thank god.” Gordon wilted beside the bed. “You tough bastard. Lots of bruising, but nothing broken.” A frown. “No wait.” Virgil sucked in another breath. “A crack. You’ve cracked a single rib.” An exhausted sigh. “Hell, Virg, you’re black and blue, but mostly in one piece. It’s a damned miracle.”

Virgil closed his eyes in relief.

And his exhausted body took the opportunity for what it was and attempted to drag him under.

“Hey, don’t fall asleep here. Only a few more minutes. Just need to make sure I double check everything.” His aquanaut brother played the medbed’s controls to run a variety of scans. “You’re going to need pain relief.”

“I��ll manage.”

“Manage to hide this from Scott? You know him. He’ll freak.”

“I’ve had worse.”

Those brown eyes looked down at him in concern. “Virgil, we’re going into space. You know as much as I that we will be out of our comfort zone.”

“I can handle space.” A frown. “Are you okay?”

A glare. “Of course, I’m okay. I’m just saying that it is space bro territory, not ours. Both of us will be outside our specialisation. That in itself will require extra thought on a daily basis. Not to mention that this is about Dad. The next few days are going to be anything but restful. With these injuries on top of it all and the need to keep them from Scott...there is no shame in the need for pain management.”

“I cannot face this fogged out of my brain on pain pills.” He pushed himself up into a sitting position, his legs sliding off the side of the bed.

Ow, god damnit, ow!

Gordon grabbed him, helping him up. The holograms blinked out.

“At least take some paracetamol. It won’t mess with your head.”

He sighed and everything hurt. “Fine. Give me the damned pills.”

It was a sign, obviously, that Virgil didn’t get up and get them himself. The next few days were going to suck big time.

Gordon dug through the cabinet, came back with a box of pills and handed them to Virgil. “Be kind to yourself, please.”

Virgil sighed, taking the box with resignation. “Thanks, Gordy.”

An arm wrapped gently around his shoulders and he found himself subject to a Gordon hug. “Sorry I had to shoot you.”

Virgil let his head drop gently against Gordon’s. “Had to be done. Thank you.”

“John, Alan and I will be keeping an eye on you.”

“I figured.”

“Look after yourself. I don’t want to have to tell Scott.”

“Neither do I.” Hell, it wasn’t just about whether he would be allowed to go on the mission. The thought of adding injury to the worry Scott already had... “I’ll do my best.”

“Your best is pretty damned good.”

Virgil smiled just a little. “Family trait.”

Gordon snorted and pulled away gently. “Get your clothes on before eagle-eye gets home. Cover those bruises up. Look after that rib.”

“Thanks, Gordy.”

“Anytime. I’ve got to go cover for you with Alan. Go hide in your room and let the Terrible Two tackle our authority figure.”

“Don’t do anything stupid.” Okay, so technically he was used to being part of that authority.

Gordon grinned. “Trust me, Virg.”

Flat glare. “Yeah, sure.”

“You wound me.” A mock hand to his chest. “And after I shot you to save you. This is the gratitude I get.”

He ducked out the door before the pillow could hit him.

-o-o-o-

Whatever the Terrible Two did, it worked. Scott returned after taking the rescue scouts home and no doubt getting caught up in reminiscing about his own days as the leader of their pack. Scott never did anything by halves and his career as a rescue scout was a prime example of starting at the bottom and taking out the top by conquering it. The man was a hard act to follow and Virgil was well experienced in that following thing.

It was a good thing, though. His big brother came back happy for the first time in ages. Scott was sentimental to some extent. He liked to look back.

Looking back at their father was fast becoming looking forward.

Virgil crawled out of bed for the debrief. He kept up the facade of happy and healthy despite the looks three of his brothers managed to throw him on a semi-regular basis.

He snuck out and went to bed early, claiming he had a project he was working on. The next morning, he wondered how the hell he was going to do this.

He could barely move.

He was shirtless, on his belly and everything just hurt.

Hell, damn, how?

“Lie still, Virgil.” Gordon’s voice was quiet.

“Gordy?” His voice was morning rough and muffled by his pillow.

“Stiff as a board?”

“Ow, yeah.”

“I can help with that. Give me a second.”

“What?”

But then something wonderfully warm touched his back. It was moist and smooth and god, it gently rubbed out the stiffness.

Virgil groaned into his pillow.

Gordon snorted. “I finally get to return the favour for all those post swim meet rubdowns you so kindly did for me.”

Another groan. It hurt, but god, the relief...

Gordon worked gently over his back and arm, some fragrant cream allowing his hands to slide smoothly across his skin.

“How does that feel?”

A grunt.

Another snort. “Don’t bother going back to sleep, Brains has gone over Two and will be reporting his findings in the lounge in half an hour.”

Shit.

Virgil flung himself out of bed and everything moved.

Including the room.

Gordon grabbed him. “Hey, slow down, give yourself a moment.”

He scrunched his eyes closed. Breathing still hurt like hell. Maybe he could hide in his studio for most of the day and curl up on the couch there.

“Here.” He opened his eyes to find Gordon offering him a couple of pills and a glass of water. “It’s only paracetamol, I promise.”

At this point he was almost willing to try the harder drugs. Wordlessly he took the glass and the pills and threw them down his throat.

“Thank you, Gordon.”

“Not a problem.” But his brother’s eyes were assessing him. “You sure you can do this?”

A single nod. “I have to.”

A hand landed on his shoulder and squeezed gently. “I want to check you out again today. Alan is going to drag Scott out to the sensor bank on the far side of the Island at two o’clock. You meet me in the infirmary?”

Another single nod.

“Grab yourself a shower and I’ll have some breakfast ready for you downstairs. If you can make it past Grandma, Scott should be a breeze.”

Virgil groaned.

“Yeah, well, that’s the deal. Hopefully one day we will be able to look back and share this story with a laugh, but right now, you’ve got to get through this without endangering yourself or anyone else.”

“Thanks, Gordy.”

“You’ve already said that. Just remember this next time Scott comes to you with blue hair looking for me, yeah?” And his goofy little brother grinned at him.

Oh, right, he might be paying for this forever.

A small smile.

It was worth it.

-o-o-o-

Half an hour later when the good news that Thunderbird Two had survived the mission better than he had, came through, he definitely was elated enough to throw himself off the couch and offer Brains another hug.

But he was ever so glad when the man refused it.

They were going after Dad.

Finally.

The determination in his big brother’s eyes was a fire that burned within them all.

And together they could do this.

-o-o-o-

Read the sequel.

[tag-rewatch]

TAGrewatch: Firebreak

This week (Saturday 4th December - Friday 10th December) we are rewatching Firebreak (S3E24)! To participate all you have to do is watch the episode and make a post on Tumblr talking about it! Use the tag #TAGrewatch

We want to encourage discussion and sharing the enjoyment of Thunderbirds together, so we’d love to see you join us!

If you’re inspired by the rewatch and want to exercise your creative flair in response go for it!!! Or if you’ve been inspired in the past and want to share your work again that’d also be amazing! Feel free to tag with #TAGrewatch as above, and we will share!

Note: Critiques are welcome! If you read a critique people, please remember it is not a personal attack - the things you enjoy and who you are as a person are not the same thing! Keep it in perspective!!

[scribbles97]

A Little Hope

Post Firebreak Fic

Everyone is hopeful of finding Jeff... yet nobody has realised just how this hope is affecting the youngest brothers.

Gordon simply watched as Alan launched another stone into the sea, watching as it skimmed over the still waters of the sheltered lagoon before sinking to the depths. They had been sent away from the house, told to give their brothers some space to talk to Brains. The situation with the ship to find their father was a delicate one, Virgil hadn’t wanted them around if Brains had bad news and Scott reacted badly. 

Gordon couldn’t say he particularly wanted to be around in that case either. 

He had only been lingering on the balcony prior to Brains’ previous announcement because Alan had wanted to hear what was going on and he hadn’t wanted to leave his only little brother alone if things had turned south. For him, finding out second hand if the news was either positive or negative was just fine. 

It meant dodging Scott’s extremes of mood for a start. 

Alan was frustrated by the decision though, the youngest convinced that it was his age that meant he had been forced out of the conversation he so desperately wanted to be involved in. 

Gordon was still trying to convince him otherwise. 

“I’m not a kid any more.” Alan stated as he turned to pick up another stone, “There’s no reason that we can’t be involved in their conversations.”

Continue on Ao3

[flyboytracy]

[thunderbirds-showdown]

Which Thunderbirds Are Go episode is better?

Vote on which episode you think is better. Episode synopses below the cut.

Power Play: International Rescue must save a hydro-dam after the Mechanic sabotages it. Scott crawls inside to rescue the crew while Virgil and Gordon attempt to seal a growing crack in the dam.

Firebreak: Two rescue scouts locked inside a rogue crablogger in the centre of a raging forest fire will require the special skills of all five Tracy brothers.

[heartlandians]

Heartland : Bird's Eye View

Season 18, Episode 2 First Aired: October 6 (CBC Gem) / October 13 (CBC TV)

Caleb returns to help Amy with a mysterious Icelandic horse. Weather conditions force Lou to build a firebreak with the enemy.

[aic-american]

The Prairie on Fire, Alvan Fisher, 1827, Art Institute of Chicago: American Art

Alvan Fisher was a pioneering American landscapist whose work offered an important precedent for the Hudson River School. This painting depicts a subject from James Fenimore Cooper’s 1827 novel The Prairie, the third of the five Leatherstocking Tales. In this scene, Natty Bumppo, the hero of the series, has created a firebreak to protect the story’s protagonists. As a Romantic-era artist, Fisher preferred such dramatic episodes, which involved striking contrasts between light and dark. Unlike contemporaneous illustrations of the scene, which give little sense of setting, in this version the figures are dwarfed by nature, and the prairie grasses are exquisitely rendered, underscoring the landscape’s beauty as well as its dangers. The work thus suggests the significance of the prairie in Cooper’s text. Perhaps for this reason, the author declared that it was “the only good illustration he had seen from his books.” Through prior acquisition of the George F. Harding Fund; restricted gift of Jamee J. and Marshall Field; Americana Endowment Fund Size: 61 × 83.8 cm (24 × 33 in.) Medium: Oil on canvas

https://www.artic.edu/artworks/196282/

[lenle-g]

Tbirds Liveblog | Firebreak

I was pulling stupid faces to the thunderbirds countdown long before the scrambled presenters were #hipster

uM!!!! Is that a disabled kid!!! THANKYOU REPRESENTATION!!!!!!!

UMMM IS THAT THE FUCKING CRABLOGGER FROM TOS

omg IT ISSSSSS

These kids are so cute and so well-trained not to panic, gotta think that at least some of the Tracy boys were Scouts as kids, definitely Scott. Their uniform looks modelled on the IR one... or the IR uniform is based on the Scout one? If they were scouts as kids it seems likely. I’ve already drawn Scottt in uniform so XD

“Is he worried, he looks worried.” “He always looks like that.” BRAINS BLESS YOU

READY TO LAUNCH THE ZERO-X IN A COUPLE OF DAYS AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa

OMG VIRGIL HUG that’d break some bones XD

They’rE ALL GOING NICEEEEE had to be for the last ever classic rescue before the finale (still so upset about that)

Won’t have time to launch again for years??? Why bRains???? Why???? IS it a space thing i bet it’s a space thing

OOOO nice shot of TB5 in space NICE SHOT OF JAWNNY BOI

ALAN DON’T BE MEAN ABOUT PARKER

AWWW THE KIDS

Hoo that’s a LOT OF fire, is funny they’re airing this one with all the fire in Aussie land going on, bet it was based off them, they’ve been going on long enough and WETA is just next door

Sound cannons? To put out a fire? There’s got to be more efficient ways of doing that???????????????????????????????????? Has Brains not invented a fire suppressant? Have they got no water?

UH OH IS SCOTT GONNA GET TOASTED ALIVE

‘Exposure to that radiant heat will soon be deadly.’ Sound more worried about that will you John

HER NAME IS BEATRICE SHORT FOR BEE?!?!?!?! I’M GONNA KILL SOMEONE WHAT THE HELL?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?! OMGGGGGG

ITV HAVE YOU BEEN READING OUR BLOGS ALL THIS TIME

HOLY FUCK WE WERE RIGHT ABOUT SCOTT BEING A SCOUT WE WROTE THAT YEARS AGO OMG

?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

I HAVE ART OF SCOTT AS A SCOUT OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD

ITV HAVE YOU BEEN READING MY BLOG ALL THIS TIME?!?!?!?!

SCOTT TYING KNOTS IM SCREAMING!!?!?!?!?! JEFF TAUGHT HIM ABOUT BEING A RSCUE SCOUT, IM GONNA MURDER SOMEONE, WERE THEY ALL RESCUE SCOUTS HELP!!!!

“That’s Alan’s first bath in weeks!” “It’s been two days!” love bro banter oh my gooood

Oh my god that shot of Virgil coming down from two is SO GOOOD

OUCH!?!?!?! VIRGIL JUST GOT HIT BY A HEAVY GRAPPLE FOR PULLING AROUND TREES OR BUILDINGS OR WHATEVER???? THATS A FEW BROKEN RIBS RIGHT?!?!?!?!?!

“We got your back bro, now go get Scott’s”  Hell yeah, that’s just how this family dynamic works, perfect

VIRGIL IS SO OUT OF BREATH AAAAA broken ribs broken ribs

BEE’S GOT STRIPEY BLACK AND YELLOW KNEEPADS OMG

AAA SCOTT’S PROUD SMILE I’M GONNA CRY IM ACTUALLY CRYING, WHAT THE HELL FACE ?!?!?!?! WHY ARE YOU LEAKING?!?!?! OH MY GOOOD

“A rescue scout is...” “Calm, thankyou, sometimes even we need to be reminded.” YEAH YOU DO SCOTT YOU’RE THE MOST HOT-HEADDED AND IMPULSIVE OF THEM ALL

What the hell those drones are strongggg

Gordon’s pleased little smile as he blows the damn up omg aint a Gerry Anderson till something blows up

I don’t think i could have imagined a better final episode before the big finale, this is so good, also even has nice amount of john coordinating, im so glad there was an equal amount of all of the bros involved (in fact i think everyone but penny at least gets a mention)

“Brains i could hug you!!!” “Please don’t.” BLESS YOU VIRGIL TRACY YOU MOUNTAIN OF A MAN, can’t believe it’s cannon that Virgil gives giant bear hugs, ITV stop reading my blog

“Scott are you ok?” HE’S STARING AT THEIR DAD’S EMPTY DESK, THIS IS NOT A DRILL,  HE’S STARING AT THEIR DAD’S EMPTY DESK, IM GONNA BREAK

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA THAT WAS SO GOOD WHAT THE HELL