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Aquila

 Aquila
type
TVTItem
 Aquila
label
Aquila
 Aquila
page
Aquila
 Aquila
comment
A children’s TV show written by Andrew Norriss and based on his book Aquila. Lasted from December, 1997 to December, 1998. A total 13 episodes in two seasons. More information on the writer's websites: http://www.andrewnorriss.co.uk/ and http://anorrissbooks.wordpress.comThe show focuses on Tom Baxter (Ben Brooks) and Geoff Reynolds (Craig Vye), two school boys, who find a strange alien space ship, the titular Aquila, buried underground. Along with the craft they find the body of a Roman Centurion who was the crafts previous owner. Upon discovery the boys fiddle around with the coloured controls which immediately responds so the boys think it’s a great idea to steal the greatest scientific/historical discovery of all time for fun because, well who wouldn't?At the start everything is in Latin (which the boys originally think is an alien language) and they need to hide a car sized, bright red alien spaceship nearby. They later learn that they can change the language of the craft to English and it has a cloaking device so that’s two problems solved. Naturally however the boys still managed to get into trouble every week with a cliff hanger at the end of each episode. The series ends with a massive cliff hanger where they find a "Battle Cruiser" on a visit to space.
 Aquila
fetched
2024-03-18T09:44:55Z
 Aquila
parsed
2024-03-18T09:44:55Z
 Aquila
isPartOf
DBTropes
 Aquila / int_1049848f
type
Aliens Speaking English
 Aquila / int_1049848f
comment
Aliens Speaking English: Every language ever created and going to be created, apparently. It's vaguely implied Aquila might possess a very sophisticated AI onboard, hence how it managed to learn Latin and English so quickly. Another possibility is that it downloaded all Earth languages by logging onto the internet, which it is shown to be capable of on the show.
 Aquila / int_1049848f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_1049848f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_1049848f
 Aquila / int_1989b0c
type
Comic-Book Time
 Aquila / int_1989b0c
comment
Comic-Book Time: The first book was written in 1997 and is presumably set in that year. The second book (written in 2010) isn't set long after the first one mentions camera phones, DVDs and mp3 players.
 Aquila / int_1989b0c
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_1989b0c
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_1989b0c
 Aquila / int_1eed8e76
type
The Juggernaut
 Aquila / int_1eed8e76
comment
The Juggernaut: Tom and Geoff have a major Oh, Crap! upon realising that Aquila's not where they parked it in mid-air, due to some gum that'd previously gotten jammed in the forward control. The good news is that it's moving at a snail's pace. The bad news is that unless they figure out how to stop it, Aquila will going to keep going and will demolish anything that gets in it's path.
 Aquila / int_1eed8e76
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_1eed8e76
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_1eed8e76
 Aquila / int_1fdaf8ff
type
Ominous Latin Chanting
 Aquila / int_1fdaf8ff
comment
Ominous Latin Chanting: The opening credits, which feature the chant "Licat volare si super tergum aquila volat" - "A man can fly where he will, if he rides on the back of an eagle." It doubles as a Title Drop.
 Aquila / int_1fdaf8ff
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_1fdaf8ff
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_1fdaf8ff
 Aquila / int_259d5879
type
Anachronism Stew
 Aquila / int_259d5879
comment
Anachronism Stew: Some of the finds in the cave are baffling to the archaeologists, such as the discovery of a Native American tomahawk, ancient pottery from across the world, a flight-harness... wait...
 Aquila / int_259d5879
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_259d5879
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_259d5879
 Aquila / int_344935b3
type
HalfTruth
 Aquila / int_344935b3
comment
Half-Truth: told by the boys frequently to avoid revealing Aquila.
 Aquila / int_344935b3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_344935b3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_344935b3
 Aquila / int_3c078184
type
Visible Invisibility
 Aquila / int_3c078184
comment
Visible Invisibility: Aquila apparently is completely invisible, but produces a mild shimmer when it moves. In the first book, they notice it has some leaves settle on it after being parked near a tree, while the second book mentions that it looks a bubble when it's raining. In the TV series, Mrs. Murray's Not-So-Imaginary Friend Chief Running Water can sometimes be seen by the viewer, but not Tom and Geoff.
 Aquila / int_3c078184
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_3c078184
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_3c078184
 Aquila / int_3c14f642
type
Force-Field Door
 Aquila / int_3c14f642
comment
Force-Field Door: It has these for keeping the air in when flying through outer space. They work two ways so that nothing can get in but someone on the inside can reach out and pull something or someone in.
 Aquila / int_3c14f642
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_3c14f642
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_3c14f642
 Aquila / int_3fe2b13f
type
Ungrateful Bastard
 Aquila / int_3fe2b13f
comment
Ungrateful Bastard: The farmer who owned the land the caves were on. In the television series, after becoming a millionaire because of Tom and Geoff's finds, he only gives them 50p as a reward. It's unclear if Andrew Norriss knows this, but under the Treasure Act, land-owners and finders are entitled to a 50/50 share of the reward! He's effectively stifled Tom and Geoff out of millions of pounds of money!
 Aquila / int_3fe2b13f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_3fe2b13f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_3fe2b13f
 Aquila / int_41a3e267
type
Hidden in Plain Sight
 Aquila / int_41a3e267
comment
Hidden in Plain Sight: For most of the first series, Aquila is hidden in Tom's garage, with full permission from his mother... because she thinks it's a prop from a film.
 Aquila / int_41a3e267
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_41a3e267
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_41a3e267
 Aquila / int_4236acb3
type
Kid with the Leash
 Aquila / int_4236acb3
comment
Kid with the Leash: Tom and Geoff are only about 11 or 12 when they first discovered Aquila.
 Aquila / int_4236acb3
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_4236acb3
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_4236acb3
 Aquila / int_4536fd29
type
Energy Weapon
 Aquila / int_4536fd29
comment
Energy Weapon: It can shoot one that will burn through pretty much anything. From the back in the book, from the front in the TV show.
 Aquila / int_4536fd29
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_4536fd29
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_4536fd29
 Aquila / int_458bd7d
type
What Does This Button Do?
 Aquila / int_458bd7d
comment
What Does This Button Do?: Goes horribly wrong when they discover the laser. In the book, its mentioned that one of the button will turn the atmosphere in the ship to Chlorine. When neither of them understand this, Geoff repeats the question, (having previously asked Aquila to show him information visually, because of his dyslexia), so it draws him an illustration of a man choking to death.
 Aquila / int_458bd7d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_458bd7d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_458bd7d
 Aquila / int_4755314a
type
Magical Native American
 Aquila / int_4755314a
comment
Magical Native American: Chief Runningwater
 Aquila / int_4755314a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_4755314a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_4755314a
 Aquila / int_4b17763f
type
Technology Marches On
 Aquila / int_4b17763f
comment
Technology Marches On: Remember how amazing it was back in 1998 that Aquila was capable of wirelessly connecting to the internet? In the second book the boys have camera phones and mp3 players.
 Aquila / int_4b17763f
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_4b17763f
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_4b17763f
 Aquila / int_4d4df461
type
Stock Star Systems
 Aquila / int_4d4df461
comment
Stock Star Systems: The aliens that built Aquila come from Deneb.
 Aquila / int_4d4df461
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_4d4df461
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_4d4df461
 Aquila / int_5969d512
type
Computer Voice
 Aquila / int_5969d512
comment
Computer Voice: Aquila originally had one but due to damage in a previous battle, it can't make any sound. Text on the screen provides the same function.
 Aquila / int_5969d512
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_5969d512
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_5969d512
 Aquila / int_5cc25ed
type
Not-So-Imaginary Friend
 Aquila / int_5cc25ed
comment
Not-So-Imaginary Friend: Mrs. Murray's Chief Runningwater seems to be this.
 Aquila / int_5cc25ed
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_5cc25ed
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_5cc25ed
 Aquila / int_61ff365d
type
Deflector Shields
 Aquila / int_61ff365d
comment
Deflector Shields: Geoff theorises in the first episode that Aquila might be covered in a forcefield because they don't get covered in rubble when Aquila flies through a wall (keep in mind that Aquila has no doors). This is confirmed in the second book where it says that Aquila's forcefield can withstand anything up to and including a nuclear bomb. So what was strong enough to break through it to cause the scar?
 Aquila / int_61ff365d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_61ff365d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_61ff365d
 Aquila / int_8db4988a
type
Unusual User Interface
 Aquila / int_8db4988a
comment
Unusual User Interface: Aquila draws illustrations to explain things to Geoff, due to his dyslexia.
 Aquila / int_8db4988a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_8db4988a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_8db4988a
 Aquila / int_93ce6293
type
Phlebotinum Breakdown
 Aquila / int_93ce6293
comment
Phlebotinum Breakdown
 Aquila / int_93ce6293
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_93ce6293
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_93ce6293
 Aquila / int_9bf48b17
type
Keep Circulating the Tapes
 Aquila / int_9bf48b17
comment
Keep Circulating the Tapes: This show was never released on video or DVD but the episodes are all on YouTube.
 Aquila / int_9bf48b17
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_9bf48b17
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_9bf48b17
 Aquila / int_9f970427
type
Secret-Keeper
 Aquila / int_9f970427
comment
Secret-Keeper: Mrs. Murray in the second season.
 Aquila / int_9f970427
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_9f970427
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_9f970427
 Aquila / int_9fbf8969
type
Cut Lex Luthor a Check
 Aquila / int_9fbf8969
comment
Cut Lex Luthor a Check: In the second book the boys think of using Aquila to rob a bank but are scared of what their parents would say if they found out. They end up using it to run several paper routes a day.
 Aquila / int_9fbf8969
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_9fbf8969
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_9fbf8969
 Aquila / int_a0390164
type
It's for a Book
 Aquila / int_a0390164
comment
It's for a Book: The main characters told an archaeologist they were talking to someone in Latin online so they could get help with translating the interface on their spaceship. Later on, when they were trying to figure out how much water was needed to fully refuel the ship, one of them got his dad to do the maths for them, claiming it was for school. Also, one of them keeps the scrapbook on the ship by claiming it for something they're writing. Eventually one of the boys' parents finds the log of everything they have been doing and while the boys think they have been caught out, everybody just thinks that it is a book and bring the trope back to basics.
 Aquila / int_a0390164
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_a0390164
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_a0390164
 Aquila / int_aa4fa3d5
type
Ancient Astronauts
 Aquila / int_aa4fa3d5
comment
Ancient Astronauts: Aquila originally crashed on Earth at some point thousands of years ago and was found by a Roman centurion, who used it to explore the world and build up an unprecedented collection of ancient treasures.
 Aquila / int_aa4fa3d5
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_aa4fa3d5
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_aa4fa3d5
 Aquila / int_ac1c4bf7
type
Super-Powered Robot Meter Maids
 Aquila / int_ac1c4bf7
comment
Super-Powered Robot Meter Maids: justified. Aquila may seem to have an oddly wide range of functions, considering that it's apparently just an escape pod, but as a military life-raft intended to protect a user in the vacuum of space and help them sneak home through occupied enemy territory, it needs to be rather a cut above your usual capsule. Of course, it could always be the captain's....
 Aquila / int_ac1c4bf7
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_ac1c4bf7
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_ac1c4bf7
 Aquila / int_b58642b1
type
Trapped in Another World
 Aquila / int_b58642b1
comment
Trapped in Another World: When trying to think of ways to deal with Bobby, Geoff says Aquila could send him to another dimension.
 Aquila / int_b58642b1
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_b58642b1
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_b58642b1
 Aquila / int_b8429842
type
Plot-Sensitive Button
 Aquila / int_b8429842
comment
Plot-Sensitive Button: The second book says tasks can be reassigned to any button by asking the computer.
 Aquila / int_b8429842
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_b8429842
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_b8429842
 Aquila / int_c2aa5a9a
type
Double Aesop
 Aquila / int_c2aa5a9a
comment
Double Aesop: Most episodes feature either an Aesop learned by one boy applying to the other, or one learned by their parents that also applies to the boys.
 Aquila / int_c2aa5a9a
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_c2aa5a9a
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_c2aa5a9a
 Aquila / int_c642b187
type
In Working Order
 Aquila / int_c642b187
comment
In Working Order
 Aquila / int_c642b187
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_c642b187
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_c642b187
 Aquila / int_c6d0ce84
type
Awkward Father-Son Bonding Activity
 Aquila / int_c6d0ce84
comment
Awkward Father-Son Bonding Activity
 Aquila / int_c6d0ce84
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_c6d0ce84
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_c6d0ce84
 Aquila / int_d279adbb
type
Read the Freaking Manual
 Aquila / int_d279adbb
comment
Read the Freaking Manual: Tom and Geoff have to use trial and error to figure out what each button does. Even if they did, before they figured out how to make the language settings to English, it would have been in Latin anyway. In the book, its mentioned that Tom gave up after discovering that a list of all of the ships functions would take several months to read.
 Aquila / int_d279adbb
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_d279adbb
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_d279adbb
 Aquila / int_d2b59903
type
Cool Old Lady
 Aquila / int_d2b59903
comment
Cool Old Lady: Mrs. Murray is a mild example. What does she do when she finds out her next door neighbours have been hiding a space ship? Have a go at flying it, of course.
 Aquila / int_d2b59903
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_d2b59903
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_d2b59903
 Aquila / int_d45ad2f5
type
Imported Alien Phlebotinum
 Aquila / int_d45ad2f5
comment
Imported Alien Phlebotinum
 Aquila / int_d45ad2f5
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_d45ad2f5
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_d45ad2f5
 Aquila / int_e234ddbf
type
Escape Pod
 Aquila / int_e234ddbf
comment
Escape Pod: It was one for an alien battlecruiser.
 Aquila / int_e234ddbf
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_e234ddbf
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_e234ddbf
 Aquila / int_ea0a3d
type
The Tell
 Aquila / int_ea0a3d
comment
The Tell: One of the protagonists' mothers realises he's upset when he begins sorting his rock collection.
 Aquila / int_ea0a3d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_ea0a3d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_ea0a3d
 Aquila / int_ed194d4e
type
Midair Bobbing
 Aquila / int_ed194d4e
comment
Midair Bobbing: Played straight in the TV show but the book specifies that Aquila doesn't shake in the slightest as they get out of it.
 Aquila / int_ed194d4e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_ed194d4e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_ed194d4e
 Aquila / int_eff83d77
type
Mundane Utility
 Aquila / int_eff83d77
comment
Mundane Utility: Some of Aquila's functions. At the end of the first book, Geoff uses the laser to heat cocoa. Tom is no better, using the laser to collect the top of famous mountains, then adding them to his rock collection. In the television series, Tom mentions that he's started collecting them from the Moon and Mars as well.
 Aquila / int_eff83d77
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_eff83d77
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_eff83d77
 Aquila / int_f1e6402d
type
Suddenly Speaking
 Aquila / int_f1e6402d
comment
Suddenly Speaking: The first book specifies that Aquila can't talk because its speech processors were damaged by a laser, (the discoloured dent on part of its hull). At the end of the second book it can talk through the boy's mobile phones.
 Aquila / int_f1e6402d
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_f1e6402d
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_f1e6402d
 Aquila / int_f237981e
type
The Alleged Car
 Aquila / int_f237981e
comment
The Alleged Car: It's seen better days and has some minor battle-damage, but it's still very much a Cool Starship.
 Aquila / int_f237981e
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_f237981e
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_f237981e
 Aquila / int_fc7c4f92
type
Canon Immigrant
 Aquila / int_fc7c4f92
comment
Canon Immigrant: In the secondbook the colours of some of the buttons have changed to match the tv series. Tom's mother's boyfriend, his son Dunstan and Geoff's penpal Paige appear in the second book as well.
 Aquila / int_fc7c4f92
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_fc7c4f92
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_fc7c4f92
 Aquila / int_name
type
ItemName
 Aquila / int_name
comment
 Aquila / int_name
featureApplicability
1.0
 Aquila / int_name
featureConfidence
1.0
 Aquila
hasFeature
Aquila / int_name
 Aquila / int_name
itemName
Aquila

The following is a list of statements referring to the current page from other pages.

 Aquila
hasFeature
Awkward Father-Son Bonding Activity / int_b3419386
 Aquila
hasFeature
Children's Literature / int_b3419386
 Aquila
hasFeature
Escape Pod / int_b3419386
 Aquila
hasFeature
Hidden in Plain Sight / int_b3419386
 Aquila
hasFeature
In Working Order / int_b3419386
 Aquila
hasFeature
It's for a Book / int_b3419386
 Aquila
hasFeature
Plot-Sensitive Button / int_b3419386
 Aquila
hasFeature
Ragnarök Proofing / int_b3419386
 Aquila
hasFeature
Secret-Keeper / int_b3419386
 Aquila
hasFeature
Self-Adaptation / int_b3419386
 Aquila
hasFeature
The Tell / int_b3419386
 aquila
sameAs
Aquila