Simon's General Interest blog post- Gerry Anderson

Hi guys 
It's been quite a few years (eight to be precise) since I last did a General Interest episode (and accompanying Blog post). Which last time was on Anne Frank, and since I wrote that it has become the most read TEP Blog post with over four thousand views. So, I'd like to take a moment to thank you all for reading it.

Last time I wrote a Blog post like this I spoke all about Anne Frank's tragically short life. Something that's interested a lot of you as it's become the most read TEP Blog post with over four thousand views. So, I'd like to take a moment to thank you all for reading it.

Now after all those years I'm now doing my second General Interest episode are taking us into the Gerry Anderson universe*. Following the tradition this accompanying Blog post will expand upon the podcast episode.

Everyone’s heard of the Pixar Universe theory, which is that “All of the Pixar movies actually exist within the same universe!”. Well in this Blog post I’m going to attempt the same and explain my Gerry Anderson universe (Andersonverse) Star Trek theory to you.

In particular the idea that I've always believed that the 'missing link' between the present and the Star Trek universe is the Gerry Anderson universe (Andersonverse). In this Blog post I'm going to try and explain my reasoning behind it!

Even from a young age I could see the more idyllic world the Earth becomes through Gerry Anderson's vision. A vision based on the futuristic lens of the 1960's and the Space Race. That would later also be the same inspiration for Gene Roddenberry on the other side of the Atlantic with his "Wagon Train to the Stars" as he once said.

There's an awful lot of overlap amongst the myriad of series to pull on, some incredibly big and others incredibly small in scale.

The Gerry Anderson show's always showed the world more unified, with the Word Government at its heart (references to the World Navy and World Army amongst others, along with the Global Defence Force).

Something that's sporadically referenced now and then in Star Trek. When they're discussing the formation of the Federation, after the hardships sustained throughout the third World War.

The amount of space exploration they've done would also align with what we know about Earth in that era. As they’re still reliant on rocket propulsion, limiting them to the confines of the Solar system. Including the Sun Probe mission, along with the Aries IV mission to Mars. Obviously, Jeff Tracy forms part of that history being a former astronaut. With him becoming the first man to walk on Mars in Thunderbirds Are Go (2015-2020).

With the occasional (and limited) testing of a Faster Than Light (FTL) T-Drive equipped Zero-XL seen in “The Long Reach” Finale episode of Thunderbirds Are Go (2015-2020), which isn’t available to the public.

One interesting note I would like to make is that an Antimatter reactor can be seen being developed at the Space Agency in New Mexico in Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet (2005) episode “Homecoming”. Based on the plot I think that it's just being utilised as a power plant. But I like to think that it could be the first 'baby' steps to a Faster Than Light (FTL) Drive (like a Star Trek Warp Core).

I think that research could’ve inspired scientists worldwide to develop anti-matter technology. As Zefram Cochrane was working on anti-matter weaponry during World War III derived from the Space Agency New Mexico Antimatter reactor. 

As the Star Trek: Federation – The First 150 Years book says that “Throughout the conflict, Cochrane found himself designing and developing anti-matter weapons. “I was fascinated by matter/anti-matter reactions, and this was the only way I could get access to the research”. Which would ultimately inspire Zefram Cochrane into creating Warp drive in the peaceful years after World War III.

There's also some synergy when you're talking about the level of automation between the franchises. As people are capable of controlling vehicles that require a minimal number of crew considering the size of the vehicle. Which would come as an offshoot to from all the advanced technology they have available to them.

One of the smaller (and often overlooked) aspects they have in common is the origins of wearable communication technology. As I would argue that the Spectrum technology (seen in both versions of Captain Scarlet) particularly with their iconic Spectrum Radio Cap Communicator would eventually lead to the development of communicators. Whilst their scanners would ultimately lead to the creation of and tricorders.

Meanwhile I couldn’t help that notice that Thunderbirds (original) and Star Trek also rely heavily on viewscreens for communication in civilian use (specifically the Tracy family portraits) and within Starfleet (and the Federation).

The World Aquanaut Security Patrol (WASP) radiation suits seen in Stingray look like the precursor to the Star Trek: The Original Series (Star Trek: TOS) EVA suits famously seen in “The Tholian Web” episode.

Continuing that thread the control panels seen throughout the various Gerry Anderson shows could be the precursor to the button controls we see throughout Star Trek: Enterprise (Star Trek: ENT) and Star Trek: The Original Series (Star Trek: TOS). Whilst the Holograms we see in Thunderbirds Are Go, are very reminiscent of ones featured in the first season of Star Trek: Discovery (Star Trek: DIS).

*Based primarily around these Gerry Anderson shows:

Stingray 1964-65 [set in 2060’s]
Thunderbirds (original) 1965-66 [set in 2065]
Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons (1967-1968) [set in 2068]
UFO 1970-71 [set in 1980]
Space: 1999 1975-76 [set in 1999]
Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet (2005) [set in 2068]
Thunderbirds Are Go (2015-2020) [set in 2060]

I also realise that the Moon doesn't Breakaway from its orbit due to the explosion at Nuclear Disposal Area Two on the 13th of September 1999 like it does at the beginning of Space 1999. Instead, the Klingon moon Praxis explodes due to over-mining and insufficient safety precautions.

I know that my theory isn't 100% watertight, but it was never meant to be!
Just a fun way of celebrating two Science Fiction franchises I love. That don’t usually get put into the same sentences.

But I’d recommend going and watching all the series mentioned below and to make your own mind up!

Lastly, I would just like to take a moment to thank my friends Clive, Neil, and Daniel for helping me write this Blog post with their knowledge on the franchises. Along with Jamie for proof reading Blog post for me. I really appreciate it!  

This is Simon from The Engage Podcast signing out!