"Mr Steelman" is the second story in Danger and Deception, part of Anderson Entertainment's Thunderbirds's series. It was adapted by Genevieve Gaunt from the comic of the same name, originally published as part of TV Century 21's Lady Penelope series.
Told as a flashback, the story is set in early 2065, mere weeks after Lady Penelope's 26th birthday. It concerns her first mission working with International Rescue as she attempts to destroy the Doomsday Documents from Luthvia, teaming up with safe-cracker Aloysius Parker in the process, as well as coming up against the villanous Mr. Steelman for the first time.
Synopsis[]
Lady Penelope and Parker meet for the very first time and embark on a mission to save the world from the scheming villainy of the terrifying criminal genius known as Mr. Steelman. Danger lurks at every turn and if they’re not careful, the intrepid duo’s first mission could also be their last!
Cast[]
- Genevieve Gaunt - Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward, Duchess of Royston
- Jon Culshaw - Aloysius Parker, Jeff Tracy
- Wayne Forester - Brains, Slavek, Mr. Steelman
- Joe Jameson - Roger Lyon, Luigi
- Justin T. Lee - Gardoni, mercenary
- Andrew Clements - Dunwell computer voice
Equipment Used[]
- FAB 1
- Raptor
- Seabird
Trivia[]
- The Duchess of Royston makes a surprise cameo, having previously only appeared in The Duchess Assignment. It is her safe that Parker attempts to steal before meeting Lady Penelope for the first time.
- This is the first story in which Parker is referred to by his full name Aloysius Parker. The name had previously originated in the 1967 Thunderbirds annual.
- The code which Roger Lyon uses to gain access to the nuclear plant reads: "3.0.0.9.6.5", which is a reference to 30th September 1965, the original transmission date of Trapped in the Sky.
- Both Lady Penelope and Roger Lyon make references to "the Bureau", which is presumably the Federal Agents Bureau.
- The audio version of Mr Steelman depicts Lady Penelope's first assignment as International Rescue's London agent, and presumably takes place shortly before Introducing Thunderbirds.
- As in the original comic strip, Lady Penelope and Parker use one of her ladyship's private yachts Seabird I, which gets destroyed by Mr. Steelman.
- FAB 1's auto-drive, which is in its trial stages in this story, would later being used in The Vanishing Ray.
- Parker requests himself to have a pilot's license, which he gets in Blazing Danger.
- In the audio-version, Parker gets his new uniform at the end of the story, whereas in the original comic strip, Parker gets his new uniform before his first mission with her ladyship.
- A certain Dr. Holliday is mentioned in the story, possibly a reference to David Holliday, who was the first voice-actor of Virgil Tracy.
- At the end of the episode, Lady Penelope quotes: "Stand by for Action!", which is a reference to Stingray.