Breakout (Joe 90 episode)

Infobox Television episode
Title = Breakout
Series = Joe 90
Season = 1
Episode = 21
Airdate = February 16, 1969
Production = 23
Writer = Shane Rimmer
Director = Leo Eaton
Episode list = List of "Joe 90" episodes
Prev = Talkdown
Next = Child of the Sun God

"Breakout" is the 21st episode of the Supermarionation television series "Joe 90". It was the 23rd episode to be produced. Its original UK air date was February 16, 1969 on ATV Midlands. It was written by Shane Rimmer and directed by Leo Eaton.

Synopsis

While the McClaines are visiting rural Northern Canada, two convicts escape from prison and shell a rail bridge, trapping the Prime Minister's train on an isolated piece of track. When the crooks demand ransom, Joe volunteers to deliver the money, but can he stop the criminals with the brain pattern of a bobsleigh champion?

Plot

The McClaines are visiting rural Northern Canada on the invitation of Joe's uncle, Captain Pat Moran, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Joe has been given the brain pattern of a bobsleigh champion but still crashes his toboggan as he and Mac ride through the snowy wilderness. Meanwhile, a gun crew is firing a cannon on nearby Monument Hill. Joe and Mac are puzzled by the absence of a target and decide to ask Pat when they arrive back at Fort Cherook.

At the same time, Réal and Marney, inmates at the Cherook Penitentiary, are being returned to the prison in a truck after a day out on work detail. Réal has a plan to break out of jail yet still make a profit but Marney, whose parole is due in six months, refuses to help.

At Fort Cherook, Pat explains to the McClaines that the gun crew was practising a ceremonial salute to be given the next day, when Prime Minister McCormack will pass a statue of his grandfather, General James McCormack, on his way to a conference by train. Live ammunition will be used for realism, but it is safe in the hands of the gun crew.

At the penitentiary the next morning, Réal hides a gun under Marney's bed before their work detail leaves the prison. The firearm is soon discovered and the warden radios the truck, demanding Marney's return. Guard Pierre confronts Marney with a rifle, but Réal has been expecting the challenge and knocks the officer unconscious. He then seizes the weapon and shoots the other guard, Eddie. At the prospect of serving more time in jail, Marney reluctantly gives in to Réal's scheme and joins his fellow inmate.

As the Prime Minister's train approaches Monument Hill, Réal and Marney kill the gun crew and hijack the cannon. As the train moves onto a bridge, the crooks shell both ends of the structure to leave McCormack and his aide, Robbins, stranded on an isolated piece of track. Réal calls Pat to demand a ransom of one million dollars and a helijet. He also warns that they will fire on the train if any rescue attempts are made. Mac suggests that Joe deliver the money; Pat is baffled by the proposal but allows Joe to leave on a snowmobile.

Half an hour after Réal's ultimatum, the bridge is buckling under the weight of the train. With no sign of their money, Réal and Marney fire a shot over the crippled structure. However, the criminals are amused when Pat calls to reveal that a child is bringing the banknotes. Joe arrives, followed shortly by the helijet. The pilot walks clear of the aircraft and Réal inspects Joe's WIN equipment, which he dismisses as children's toys. Consequently, the crooks are not suspicious when the boy speaks into his transceiver. However, they do not know that Joe is calling Pat to report that the cannon is unmanned and that a second helijet can now fly in to rescue the train passengers. Réal and Marney eventually realise that they have been fooled and a shootout with Joe ensues. Marney is wounded, but Réal manages to disarm the boy and Joe is forced to board the helijet with the two fugitives.

McCormack and Robbins are winched from the train before the bridge collapses. Meanwhile, Réal launches the helijet. Marney is in great pain and Réal initiates autopilot before leaving the pilot's seat to tend to him. However, Joe moves into the seat and flies the aircraft recklessly until Réal and Marney are knocked out. Mac and Pat are amazed when the helijet lands near Fort Cherook and Joe presents the unconscious crooks.

Later, Joe tells Pat the truth about what happened, but the captain doubts his story. Meanwhile, Mac is puzzled how the brain pattern of a bobsleigh champion could have helped Joe to pilot a helijet. However, on closer inspection of his records, Mac is pleasantly surprised to discover that Guy Flambeau is not only an alpine ace, but also holds a helicopter pilot's licence.

Cast

Regular voice cast

*Joe McClaine — Len Jones
*Professor Ian "Mac" McClaine — Rupert Davies

Guest voice cast

In speaking order:

*Guard Pierre — Gary Files
*Warden (voice) — David Healy
*Réal — David Healy
*Marney — Keith Alexander
*Gun Captain — Keith Alexander
*Captain Pat Moran — Gary Files
*Guard Eddie — Gary Files
*Robbins — Gary Files
*Prime Minister McCormack — Keith Alexander

External links

* [http://www.fanderson.org.uk/epguides/joeeg3.html#Episode%20Twenty%20Three Fanderson.org.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide: "Breakout"]
* [http://www.bigrat.co.uk/episodes/episode_23.html Bigrat.co.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide: "Breakout"]
* [http://www.clivebanks.co.uk/Joe%2090%20Timeline.htm# Clivebanks.co.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide]