The Mighty Atom (Thunderbirds)
The Hood steals an AI mouse to photograph Thunderbird secrets.
"The Mighty Atom" is the sixth episode of the first series of Thunderbirds, a British Supermarionation television series. It features the artificially intelligent Mighty Atom surveillance device and is the only episode to include all regular characters and all Thunderbird machines.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Thunderbirds
- Episode
- 6
- Director
- David Lane
- Writer
- Dennis Spooner
- Photographer
- Paddy Seale
- Editor
- Harry Ledger
- Air date
- 30 December 1965
Facts from the source article.
Plot
A security guard discovered him, and a gunfight caused a fire that consumed the facility. Unable to shut down the reactor, Controller Wade and his staff were airlifted to safety before the plant exploded. A radioactive cloud threatened Melbourne but was dispersed by strong winds. A year later, the disguised Hood hypnotised science conference delegates and stole the Mighty Atom, an artificially intelligent roaming surveillance device resembling a mouse. In the Sahara, he used it to photograph the interior of a new automated irrigation plant run by Wade and Collins. He then detonated explosives around the plant's reactor, fatally destabilising it. Wade called International Rescue. Jeff Tracy sent Scott in Thunderbird 1. Lady Penelope, visiting Tracy Island with Parker, joined Virgil and Gordon in Thunderbird 2 carrying Pod 4. Gordon launched Thunderbird 4 to the seawater inlet. Scott and Virgil entered the reactor room to realign control rods. Gordon destroyed the inlet with a torpedo, preventing an explosion. Left alone in Thunderbird 2, Penelope screamed when the Mighty Atom prepared to photograph the cockpit. At his Malaysian temple, the Hood connected the device to a computer and saw only images of Penelope's terrified face. He destroyed the Mighty Atom by smashing it with his fist.
Production
Originally filmed as 25 minutes, the script was extended by adding two new acts showing the Australian disaster and the theft of the Mighty Atom. The first 18 minutes feature none of the regular characters. This episode marks the first appearance of Thunderbird 4 on a rescue mission.
Broadcast and reception
In some UK regions, a two-part version separated the older footage from the expansion material, with some scenes altered. TV Zone magazine named it the worst episode of Thunderbirds, criticising the first half's absence of International Rescue, the Hood's ineptitude, and the lazy writing that lets Penelope's fear of mice thwart the villain. Tom Fox of Starburst gave a three-out-of-five rating, noting curious aspects despite the outlandish plans. Chris Bentley found the episode surprisingly effective, calling the radioactive cloud scenes among the eeriest of the series. Marcus Hearn praised the sinister music but argued that Penelope and Parker clutter the plot and that her phobia diminishes her character. Sylvia Anderson wrote that the Mighty Atom strains credibility and compared the nuclear explosion to the Chernobyl disaster. Michael Park of WhatCulture argued the episode essentially predicted Chernobyl, giving children and adults sleepless nights. Media historian Nicholas J. Cull noted the episode plays on themes of nuclear weapons and wider nuclear fears.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed The Mighty Atom (Thunderbirds)?
The Mighty Atom was directed by David Lane.
Who wrote The Mighty Atom (Thunderbirds)?
The Mighty Atom was written by Dennis Spooner.
When did The Mighty Atom (Thunderbirds) first air?
The Mighty Atom first aired on 30 December 1965.
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