"Parker in Need" was the title later assigned[1] to a special Thunderbirds audio produced for Children in Need in 1987. It was written and directed by Dirk Maggs and broadcast on BBC Radio 2 over four days. Due to the story's nature, it regularly referred to Children in Need and the importance of its work in dialogue.
Parker in Need was notable as the first Thunderbirds audio story not based upon a pre-existing television script since The Stately Homes Robberies in 1966 and the first performed Thunderbirds media of any kind since the film Thunderbird 6 in 1968. David Graham, Shane Rimmer and Matt Zimmerman returned to reprise their roles from the original series, with Graham doing double duty as both Parker and Brains.
The story was also noteworthy from a narrative perspective, constituting one of the latest timeline placements in the franchise's history. By the time of its events, Scott has taken over from Jeff as the permanent head of International Rescue. Jeff is evidently no longer living on Tracy Island suggesting he may have passed away, or has retired and moved elsewhere.
In 2019, Anderson Entertainment released a visualisation of the story edited by Andrew Clements. It was dedicated to the memory of Shane Rimmer, who had died earlier that year.
Plot[]
A policeman out on patrol reports a suspicious vehicle parked outside of BBC Broadcasting House, a pink Rolls-Royce with the registration FAB 1. The officer he's speaking to recognises it as belonging to Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward and they deduce her chauffer Parker is probably using it because she is currently out of the country. The officer on patrol recalls arresting him once for safe-cracking but is assurred by his colleague that his breaking-and-entering days are over.
Meanwhile, Parker is breaking into Broadcasting House, albeit for the benevolent purpose of personally delivering Lady Penelope's secret donation for the Children in Need appeal. He wonders where to leave it too long and is accidentally trapped in the record library by the vault's time lock. He muses he won't be short of music to listen to until Thursday when he is released, surrounded by the requests for Children in Need, but slips and breaks his ankle while attempting to investigate a record at the bottom of a pile. Parker then resorts to calling International Rescue for help with his miniature transmitter.
On Tracy Island, Scott, now head of International Rescue, shares his doubts with Alan about whether they are doing enough for people. Alan comforts him by saying they've been saving lives for years but Scott considers all the children out there who could do with a better start in life. Brains suddenly comes over the radio to inform the Tracy boys of Parker's precidament in London, adding that he may need medical attention. Alan realises the Children in Need is how they can help those kids but Scott notes they should first rescue Parker. Alan proclaims "launch Thunderbird 1!" and Scott, briefly grumbling about that being his line, goes to pilot the craft due to the absences of Virgil and Gordon.
Brains contacts Scott after examining the floor plan of the BBC record library with the news they will have to burrow in with the Mole to rescue Parker. Scott tells him and Alan to launch Thunderbird 2 with the Mole in Pod 4. In the record library, Parker is keeping himself entertained by listening to a variety of tracks.
Later, Scott has arrived and has set up the Mobile Centre. He speaks to a police constable who claims he cannot park his Thunderbird there, then hurriedly tells him to get out of the way as he is standing where Thunderbird 2 is about to land. Scott tells Alan to launch the Mole, with he and Brains successfully reaching Parker during the playing of "I am a Mole and I Love in a Hole" by The Southlanders. They examine Parker and determine his leg is only sprained. Parker explains he was selecting the records he wanted to hear when he pledged his donation to Children in Need. Brains reflects it is certainly better to phone in than break in, noting the lines are open from 7PM tonight. Alan agrees and comments there is one tune in particular he would like to hear again. Parker and Brains seem to know the one he is referring to and all three begin humming a familiar theme in unison.
Cast[]
- David Graham: Parker, Brains
- Shane Rimmer: Scott
- Matt Zimmerman: Alan
- Alan Dedicoat: Additional voices
- A message from Gerry Anderson encouraging listeners to donate to Children in Need also played during the credits.
Trivia[]
- The absence of Lady Penelope is due to Her Ladyship being out of the country, while Virgil and Gordon do not appear as they are busy performing a refit to Thunderbird 4.
- With Virgil and Gordon unavailable, Alan pilots Thunderbird 2 while Scott returns to field duty in his former role as Thunderbird 1's pilot.
- At the end of the trailer for the story, Alan shouts "Tin-Tin, keep those kids quiet, will ya!". This is another indication of the story's timeframe, with Alan and Tin-Tin becoming engaged at the end of the novel Danger Zone!.
- Parker listens to "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley while waiting to be rescued, which he says reminds him of his old cellmate Light-Fingered Fred from Vault of Death.
- Parker later debates whether to listen to "Unchained Melody" next, another song with a version recorded by Elvis, or "the theme from Captain Scarlet". He eventually settles on the Captain Scarlet theme.