Growing Pains

Growing PainsSeason 3, Episode 5
Air date	April 28, 2018 (UK) June 6, 2018 (AUS)
Written by	Patrick Rieger
Directed by	Theo Baynton
Episode Guide
previous	Night and Day
next	Life Signs

"Growing Pains" is the fifth episode of Thunderbirds Are Go! season 3. It was broadcast on April 28, 2018, in the UK.

Plot

The Chaos Crew interrupts the pleasant and quiet life of Ned Tedford, to steal the orchard growth serum inside the highly- secure Global Seed Vault. Kayo and Captain Rigby respond, with the help of John Tracy, but things take a turn when a computer virus infects EOS and the serum touches Ned's pet geranium, Gladys - turning her into Giant Gladys!

Cast

Regular Cast

• John Tracy - Thomas Brodie-Sangster
• Kayo - Angel Coulby
• EOS - Teresa Gallagher
• Fuse - Craig Stein
• Havoc - Aimee-Ffion Edwards
• Captain Wayne Rigby - Marc Silk

Guest Cast

• Ned Tedford, Computer voice - Kayvan Novak
• Gladys

Quotes

John: "Ready for your first mission in the field, EOS?"
EOS: "Is my program backed up in case something goes wrong?"
John: "That's just a growth serum in a seed vault. What could possibly go wrong?"
EOS: "John..."
John: "Yes, you're backed up. We need to work on your sense of humor."

International Rescue Equipment Used

• Thunderbird 5
• Thunderbird Shadow

Non-International Rescue Equipment Used

• Chaos Cruiser
• Captain Rigby's Bike

Gallery

The Chaos Cruiser

Title Card

"I'm approaching to your position now, Captain Rigby."

"Ned Tedford at your service."

"She doesn't look friendly..."

"Protect the you-know-what."

"What exactly is the you-know-what?"

"Sorry, that's top secret."

"You're guarding the Orchard Industries' growth serum."

"Have you got it yet? I'm freezing out here."

"At least let me turn on the heat!"

"Kayo to Thunderbird 5, we have a situation."

"Ready for your first mission in the field, EOS?"

"Is my program backed up in case something goes wrong?"

"That's just a growth serum in a seed vault. What could possibly go wrong?"

"We're touching down now."

EOS gets a virus

"We have a slight delay..."

They ride on the seed bots

"You have to get through us first!"

"EOS, this is our stop."

"That might be a problem..."

"Havoc stole my bike. I need to borrow yours."

"John, my systems are failing."

They try to reach Ned.

The source code from Havoc is being downloaded.

"Fuse, get me out of here."

"The door's been sealed, just like the rest of the vaults!"

"Download complete."

"Control regained."

"We made it!"

"Welcome back, EOS."

Trivia

• This episode borrows plot points from both the Thunderbirds 2086 episode Kudzilla and the classic episode Attack of the Alligators!
• It's also a continuation of Attack of the Reptiles.
• This episode features several series "firsts":
  • First to feature the Chaos Crew, without The Hood.
  • The first time someone other than Kayo drives Thunderbird Shadow.
  • And the first in which Thunderbird 5 is the only Thunderbird craft from the original series to appear in the story (except for the opening and closing credits).
  • This is the first time we see a EOS-drive.
    • Therefore this episode marks the first - and, to date, only - assignment for EOS as a member of International Rescue
• Speaking of TB5 - its Space Elevator is shown landing somewhere other than at Tracy Island.
• This is the third episode to only feature one member of the Tracy family; this time, it's John.
• Sadly, this episode features the first - and, to date, only - on-screen ‘death’ of a character in the reboot series...since poor Gladys is unfortunately destroyed as a result of the growth serum.
  • As such, it is, rather appropriately, the final appearance of Ned in the series.
• The Global Seed Vault was probably inspired by The Svalbard Global Seed Vault located in Svalbard.

Goofs

• In Chaos Part 1, Kayo is shown to have a grapple line launcher in her arsenal, as she uses it to catch Havoc. It's (in)conveniently missing in this episosde, despite specifically setting out in pursuit of the Chaos Crew.