Episode no. Episode 22 Written by Tony Barwick Editing by Bob Dearberg | Directed by Robert Lynn Cinematography by Ted Catford Production code 25 | |
"Flight 104" is the 22nd episode of the Supermarionation television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. It was first broadcast in the United Kingdom on 1 March 1968 (1968-03-01) on ATV Midlands, was written by Tony Barwick and directed by Robert Lynn.
In this episode, the Mysterons threaten to sabotage a secret conference and take over an airliner containing Scarlet, Blue and a leading astrophysicist.
Plot
A top-secret conference of the World President and scientific advisors is due to be held at Lake Toma, Switzerland, to discuss a proposed human return to Mars. One delegate, prominent astrophysicist Dr Conrad, is due to fly to Geneva Airport accompanied by Captains Scarlet and Blue. The Mysterons, however, have threatened to sabotage the conference. During a pre-flight stay at the Adelphi Hotel, Scarlet and Blue contend with a reporter, Harry, and his photographer, Joe, whose editor is desperate for news stories. Recognising Conrad, Harry and Joe follow the Spectrum group to Novena Airport and attempt to secure seats on Flight 104, which will be carrying Scarlet, Blue and Conrad to Geneva. Spectrum has anonymously reserved all the seats to ensure that Scarlet, Blue and Conrad travel alone. However, Scarlet and Blue decide that the journalists should be admitted so that no information collected so far on Conrad will be published.
After Flight 104 has taken off, the aircrew are discovered drugged in a store room. It is revealed that the attacker was Captain Black, and that Flight 104 is being piloted by the Mysteron influence. Launched from Cloudbase, the Angels intercept Flight 104 and emit red hazard smoke. This prompts Scarlet and Blue to shoot out the cockpit door and wrestle with the controls, but the plane is descending into the Alps. Flight 104 narrowly avoids crashing into a power station, but the electricity subdues the Mysteron influence over the aircraft and Scarlet and Blue regain control. However, on the approach to Geneva Airport, it is found that one of Blue's bullets has damaged the circuit which activates Flight 104's undercarriage. With the others gathered at the tail of the aircraft, Scarlet effects an emergency landing, but is killed when Flight 104 crashes into a bunker and explodes. Assured by Blue that Scarlet is fine, Harry and Joe decide that this tale of survival would be a worthy news story.