Joe 90

This is so underrated but I remember Joe 90:as clearly as watching Thunderbirds as a child of the late 60s. I love all Gerry Anderson's work but Thunderbirds, Joe 90, Stingray have to be my favourites. Following Captain Scarlet which this is in the style of. And of course another underrated series is The Secret Service. Not forgetting of course the charming black and white series of Fireball XL5, Supercar. Never get bored of watching these. Great storylines, effects and attention to detail.

When you compare Joe 90 to other Gerry Anderson series such as Thunderbirds, Stingray or Captain Scarlet it just seems totally inferior. To be honest, it was rather average despite it's interesting premise.

The hero was Joe 90, a nine year old boy who could take on the brain patterns of some of the greatest minds. He then went on many missions to save the day. It was a good idea-a nine year old boy on missions to save the world. The series wasn't totally bad but it just wasn't exciting enough for me. I even liked 80's Gerry Anderson series Terrahawks better which is saying a lot.

Young children may appreciate the show more but I don't think it will appeal to adults.

Actually there's two versions around of the first episode.

The original one where the mission was just a scenario, then there was a later compilation of episodes were the 'scenario' elements were taken out and he actually did blow up everything.

Of course the idea of a Westerner sneaking into a Russian base, jumping into a fully armed fighter, and taking off, and battling back to the West - was obviously a great idea...

... years later, the whole episode was ripped off to become a Clint Eastwood movie called Firefox...

The similarities are rather extreme, then there's that episode of Space: 1999 where a crew come across an abandoned derelict spacecraft, and find a lone creature that attacks the crew and eats them, with one lone survivor escaping in a life pod, whose story is not believed. I think that became a movie or two as well...

Joe 90 is the next series that sticks in my mind as a favourite next to Thunderbirds and Stingray. Great story lines to this series, more so than Thunderbirds. I prefer this to Captain Scarlet. Definitely an essential to add to your Gerry Anderson collection.

Joe 90 was one of those precious shows from the Century 21 stable from the glory days of the swinging sixties.

The show depicts the adventures of a young boy who, with the aid of his scientist father (Joe was adopted) is able to assume the brain patterns of any one, provided he wears a special pair glasses.

Typically this might be the brain pattern of a pilot or a computer expert.

This allowed the show's story lines to venture into territory that otherwise would have been impossible

One of the really memorable things about the show was the absolutely cracking title sequence with music by Barry Gray which really set the adrenaline flowing, and could only have been produced in the late sixties.

The whole show oozed quality and imagination of the type that you simply do not get in kids shows today.

This was a truly great and memorable show so come back Joe 90, we need you !