Sorry. I mentioned Thunderbirds. If I leave it at that, you'll just think I'm a tease. So this is for those of you who had an awesome childhood in front of the television like me:
Sorry. I mentioned Thunderbirds. If I leave it at that, you'll just think I'm a tease. So this is for those of you who had an awesome childhood in front of the television like me:
22 comments:
Thunderbirds are GO! Produced by the same folks who brought us Space 1999!
I think Wilbur's suit was created in Videcolor. (You know Giella's art must be in Supermarionation.)
So, the lesson of this long, somewhat tasteless plot is that Wilbur and Dawn survived? What's Dawn's take on all this?
I was hoping for so much more:
* Dawn comes to the aid of that crying blond girl who was separated from her parents. OR
* Wilbur sacrifices his life to save his daughter, who then begins a life of purpose, helping others. OR
* Dawn finds true love with both Keno twins. (Yes, both!) OR --
* Mary refuses to give up Ask Wendy and Wilbur throws a hissy fit.
Alas, no. But - Thunderbirds are GO!
Thanks, Wanders!
Just one more thing:
Even though this has been one of the more infuriating plots, it's generated some of the best comments and funniest lines ever in this blog.
I'm so thankful that I discovered Mary Worth and Me! Cheers to everyone. If you ever need to be rescued, may you all have safer harnesses than Dawn!
The ongoing technical anomalies in this strip remind me of those kids' puzzles about "How many things are wrong in this picture". Is Uncle Joe amusing himself in this way?
However, I've gotta love the strained expression on the rescuer in panel two. Not only is Wilbur what the airlines delicately call a "Person of Size", the weight of his sports jacket alone must be, well...brutal.
It seems Wilbur may be enjoying his rescue a little too much, judging from the intimate contact he is having with his rescuer, and the look on his face. But it's interesting how he is focusing on the positive aspects of this situation, while yesterday, Dawn focused on the negative.
Although this storyline has been much maligned, I have enjoyed Mary's total absence during the last three weeks. It's been nice having a break from her meddling and platitudes, and the ever-changing interior of her apartment. The only problem is, in the future we may have to endure weeks if strips where Wilbur and/or Dawn relate their experience to Mary in flashbacks.
I can't add anything to the cogent comments of my colleagues 1-4, but...
IS THAT A GUN BARREL IN PANEL ONE?
I thought the Westons were on a cruise ship and not a gunboat. That thing looks like a cannon. What the heck?
Also, I think that, from now on, regardless of the context of the letter, all of my correspondence will close with "Thunderbirds are Go!" I like it. It's very upbeat.
@nance - Wilbur probably got a discounted price on their cruise tickets because he agreed to travel on a navy war ship. Seems reasonable, given the brutality of this trip.
To its credit, this story did hustle along (well, as far as one "hustles" in a Mary Worth strip).
And Wilbur, don't you worry about all of the people who drowned while trying to swim to the island or who will suffer from PTSD for years to come--you are safe, and truly that is all that matters.
@Nance, I also wondered about the thing that looks like a gun barrel - what the heck?
Considering that the copter is hovering only about 15 feet above the deck, I guess a flimsy harness like this suffices, even for Wilbur's girth.
I have to admit it, I was unacquainted with Thunderbirds, so thanks, Wanders. Is the Tracy family sort of like the Osmond Family? And is Engineer Brains not a Tracy?
Just remember folks, Wilbur will need to recap the story for both Mary and his editor, and then Mary will relay the story to both Toby and Dr. Jeff, at a minimum. Also, there is no guarantee that Wilbur and Dawn won't run into many more life-threatening situations while they are in Italy just to get the point drilled into Dawn's head - helicopter crash into the ocean, riots in Rome, train wrecks, a beat-down by Giorgio's thugs, . . . who knows?
Alas, tisn't a gun barrel but a strange perspective of one of the ship's smokestacks.
Looking down on the ship what appears to be a gun is the smoke stake/funnel. The RMS Titanic had four. One was a fake. It gave Titanic look better. Image is everything.
So life IS brutal? That's the point?
Life was certainly brutal for the Spaniard, and at least one little blonde girl, and perhaps 4000 others. But not for Wilbur and Dawn, who survived. And that's all that matters!?
Meanwhile, Mary Worth reminds hopeless readers of the bigger picture which is... "Well at least you're alive!"
It's safe to say that any life lesson offered to us through this story will not be humanitarian in nature.
So if this is indeed a smokestack, what is it doing smooshed way over to the side of the deck? On the other hand, a helicopter with wheels like one of the Wright brothers' first flying machines and a rescue harness so flimsy it should really cut Wilbur in half, this makes total sense.
On the plus side, after changing his pants (or perhaps de-layering in anticipation of a date with the big blue sea), Wilbur has sported the same rip in his right knee for at least three days now. Kudos for Kontinuity!
That is, indeed, the ship's funnel, not a cannon. Apparently the Unita del Mare, like the Costa Concordia, settled on its side. The gunmetal gray coloring enhances the illusion of full battle array, though.
The Unita must be a really old ship,, since newer cruise ships don't usually have smokestacks or funnels.
I hope we have at least one panel depicting other survivors. I'd like to think thar the Burlykenos and the Mama-Aiuto waif made it to safety.
@Shmoopie - 1:32 PM: I noticed the rip in Wilbur's pants today, but didn't on Sunday. (I tend to not scrutinize "Summary Sunday" strips, since they are the weekly recap.) I wonder what happened to cause the rip, besides almost falling overboard...
Wouldn't it be great if the whoosh of the helicopter blades dislodged Wilbur's combover, causing those six long hairs to wrap around the blades, snatch Wilbur up and decapitate him?
GI Joe looks none too pleased to be smashed up against Wilbur like that. And Wilbur's expression is disturbing me. (I can't say much because this is a family-friendly blog!)
i agree with with that 100% !!!! wilbur looks smitten
I was a little nervous for a second, Before I saw the clip I was confusing Thunderbirds for "Fireball XL5" (Which had the most terrifying puppetry known to man)
Wilbur looks like he is having an out of body experience although he probably just wet himself upon being hoisted into the air.
But, GACK!
I forgot about the inevitable rehashing of the story... and the moral, so you don't forget!... ad nauseum.
I'm betting that even after all this, Dawn hasn't learned a thing! Now she'll be whining about wanting to go home and make up with Dave.
By the looks of things our rescuer is regretting the decision between the Navy and Coast Guard. Nothing trained for having to be smooshed next to sweaty overweight guys with combovers.
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