The Birthday (Joe 90)

Infobox Television episode
Title = The Birthday
Series = Joe 90
Season = 1
Episode = 30
Airdate = April 20, 1969
Production = 29
Writer = Tony Barwick
Director = Leo Eaton
Episode list = List of "Joe 90" episodes
Prev = Trial at Sea
Next =

"The Birthday" is the 30th and final episode of the Supermarionation television series "Joe 90". It was the 29th episode to be produced. Its original UK air date was April 20, 1969 on ATV Midlands. It was written by Tony Barwick and directed by Leo Eaton. It is a clip show episode.

Synopsis

It is Joe's tenth birthday, but his father has gone into town and no post has arrived. Joe begins to think that everyone has forgotten his special day, but is amazed when Mac, Sam and Shane spring a surprise party and reminisce over some of his many adventures.

Plot

It is morning at the McClaines' cottage and Joe wakes up in his bedroom. Today is July 7 – his tenth birthday – but Joe sees Mac drive away from the house through his window. Heading downstairs, Joe is told by their housekeeper, Mrs Harris, that his father has gone into town for the day. Joe asks if there is any post addressed to him but the woman replies that there is none. Suddenly, Mrs Harris remembers that it is Joe's birthday, but says that she forgot all about it. Joe is disappointed that everyone seems to have overlooked his special day.

That afternoon, Joe is reading in his room when Mac asks him to come downstairs. Joe is amazed to see his father with Sam Loover and Shane Weston, who have set up a surprise party and wish him a happy birthday.

In the midst of the celebrations, Joe, Mac, Sam and Shane sit at the lounge table with refreshments. Shane congratulates Joe personally and thanks him for his hard work as WIN's Most Special Agent. Doubting that any of them could forget the McClaines' introduction to WIN a year ago, Shane recalls how he put forward the idea of Joe stealing the imaginary Russian MIG 242 to reveal the aircraft's secrets to the West ("The Most Special Agent"). Mac remembers how he was concerned about his son working for WIN and Sam reminds him of Joe's first real assignment, in which he infiltrated the criminal organisation of gunrunner Mario Colletti ("Hi-jacked"). Asked to recount another mission, Mac describes how Joe transported dangerous chemicals across Africa to assist in the construction of a tunnel ("Colonel McClaine"). Eventually, Mac proposes a toast to Joe 90 and the men sing "Happy Birthday" to WIN's Most Special Agent.

Cast

Regular voice cast

*Joe McClaine — Len Jones
*Professor Ian "Mac" McClaine — Rupert Davies
*Sam Loover — Keith Alexander
*Shane Weston — David Healy

Guest voice cast

In this episode:

*Mrs Harris — Sylvia Anderson

"The Most Special Agent" flashback:

*Guard — Gary Files
*Red Leader — Gary Files

"Hi-jacked" flashback:

*Mario Colletti — David Healy
*Gregson — Keith Alexander
*Carter — Martin King

"Colonel McClaine" flashback:

*Private Johnson — Keith Alexander
*Sergeant — Gary Files

Notes

*The non-flashback footage in this episode was shot during the production of "See You Down There", with the same crew.

External links

* [http://www.fanderson.org.uk/epguides/joeeg3.html#Episode%20Twenty%20Nine Fanderson.org.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide: "The Birthday"]
* [http://www.bigrat.co.uk/episodes/episode_29.html Bigrat.co.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide: "The Birthday"]
* [http://www.clivebanks.co.uk/Joe%2090%20Timeline.htm# Clivebanks.co.uk: "Joe 90" Episode Guide]