Flight to Atlantica

Infobox Television episode
Title = Flight to Atlantica
Series = Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons
Season = 1
Episode = 30
Airdate = April 30, 1968
Production = 28
Writer = Tony Barwick
Director = Leo Eaton
Episode list = List of "Captain Scarlet" episodes
Prev = Traitor
Next = Attack on Cloudbase

"Flight to Atlantica" is the 30th episode of the Supermarionation television series "Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons". It was the 28th episode to be produced. Its original UK air date was April 30, 1968 on ATV Midlands. It was written by Tony Barwick and directed by Leo Eaton.

Synopsis

When the Mysterons threaten to destroy the World Navy Complex at Atlantica, Captains Captain Blue and Ochre take over an operation to bomb a wreck drifting towards the underwater base. Meanwhile, on Cloudbase, personnel have taken leave of their senses and Captain Scarlet and Colonel White try to uncover the cause of their behaviour. Is there a chance that the champagne at a celebration to mark Spectrum's first anniversary was drugged?

Plot

On Cloudbase, Spectrum personnel are expecting a gathering. In the Lounge, Captain Scarlet proposes that he and his fellow officers head down to the Conference Room. In the Control Room, Colonel White is curious why Lieutenant Green is constantly checking the time but does not pursue the matter.

Downstairs, the captains inspect a set of champagne bottles. The Angels are on their way and Captain Blue radios Green to suggest that he collect a report. White is too preoccupied with his work to notice the Lieutenant leave his post. With everyone except the Colonel present, the champagne is opened, but no one notices the Mysteron rings pan over the bottles.

Scarlet reminds the party that it is July 7 and that Spectrum's inaugural charter is now precisely one year old - today is the organisation's first anniversary. Scarlet proposes a toast, but while everyone else starts to drink, Blue accidentally knocks Scarlet's glass, which smashes on the floor.

Meanwhile, White has noticed Green's absence. Entering the Conference Room, the Colonel furiously demands an explanation for the party. Scarlet says that the champagne is non-alcoholic, and was sent by a well-wisher but has been cleared by security. Nevertheless, White orders all personnel to return to their stations and guarantees further disciplinary action.

Transmitting to Earth, the Mysterons threaten to destroy the World Navy Complex at Atlantica. On Cloudbase, Captain Scarlet runs through the layout of the underwater base: if any aircraft were to cross the outer Defence Warning System ring, sea-to-air missiles would blast off to destroy the intruder. The Defence System is run by electronics in the Control Tower and nearby submarines would destroy any surface or undersea raider. Although the complex already looks impregnable, Colonel White orders for Symphony Angel to be launched for aerial patrol. However, once airborne, Symphony does not respond to Lieutenant Green's radio calls and almost deliberately nosedives into the ocean. She eventually regains control of herself and gives Green details of her current visibility.

On Cloudbase, White reveals that, in view of the Mysteron threat, Spectrum is taking over an operation to bomb and disperse a wreck drifting towards Atlantica. He assigns Captains Blue and Ochre to use a V17 Air Force Bomber for this purpose.

At Maxwell Field, Blue and Ochre are briefed on their mission by Commander Williams, who explains that the two bombs to be dropped have been custom-made for the task. The Spectrum officers are inattentive and appear to be unaware of their duties. As they leave, Captain Black knocks a door into Ochre's hand and the Spectrum officers' instructions and navigation documents fall to the ground. Blue and Ochre are in such a dreamlike state that do not notice Black switching the papers with an alternative set. They take off absent-mindedly in the V17 with Blue as pilot and Ochre as navigator and bombardier.

Meanwhile, on Cloudbase, Green cannot get a response from Symphony and informs White that she is over 200 miles off course. Angels Two and Three are launched to investigate, but all three pilots are soon flying erratically. Green and other Cloudbase personnel also fall into an irresponsible state and White and Scarlet discover that they are the only unaffected individuals. White suspects the unauthorised champagne and Scarlet realises that, because he dropped his glass, he and the Colonel were the only people who did not drink.

Onboard the V17, Ochre reads the instructions and vacantly says that they must drop the first bomb onto the Defence System Control Tower and the second onto Atlantica Base itself. In the Cloudbase Sickbay, Scarlet feeds a sample of the champagne into an auto-analyser. He confirms that the compound induces amnesia and general irresponsibility. White is contacted by Commander Williams and tells Scarlet that, although the Angels have landed safely, Blue and Ochre have crossed Atlantica Base's outer defence ring. The men leave Cloudbase in a Spectrum Jet to investigate.

The drugged Blue and Ochre release the first bomb and the Control Tower explodes, creating havoc with the defence missiles. Ochre deliriously falls asleep and Blue blocks out all emergency messages with jazz music as he prepares to drop the second charge on the base itself. Scarlet and White reach the danger zone. Seconds before the bomb release, they fire an air-to-air missile from their Jet and the V17 is crippled. Blue eventually ejects both himself and Ochre before the aircraft plunges into the ocean and explodes on the seabed.

Some time later on Cloudbase, White has gathered all personnel in the Conference Room. He announces that the Mysterons have had a partial success and reminds Scarlet of the need for discipline. The Colonel goes on to reveal that in fact today, July 10, is Spectrum's first anniversary - because the World President signed the organisation's charter three days after it was drawn up. White proposes a toast to Spectrum - this time with real champagne. Seeing that the bottles bear his name, Scarlet enthusiastically agrees.

Cast

Regular voice cast

*Captain Scarlet — Francis Matthews
*Captain Blue — Ed Bishop
*Colonel White — Donald Gray
*Lieutenant Green — Cy Grant
*Captain Ochre — Jeremy Wilkin
*Symphony Angel — Janna Hill
*Voice of the Mysterons — Donald Gray

Guest voice cast

In speaking order:

*Commander Williams — Gary Files
*Sergeant — Shane Rimmer

External links

* [http://www.fanderson.org.uk/epguides/scarleteg3.html#Episode%20Twenty%20Eight Fanderson.org.uk: "Captain Scarlet" Episode Guide: "Flight to Atlantica"]
* [http://www.clivebanks.co.uk/Capt%20Scarlet%20Timeline.htm# Clivebanks.co.uk: "Captain Scarlet" Episode Guide]