It’s a funny series and really rather shocking.
The Andersons had hit an all-time high with Thunderbirds, which had retained its popularity despite later weak stories and almost total Lady Penelope in later episodes. They decided to abandon whatever charming and uplifting aspects the series had for the more ‘lifelike’ and dark Captain Scarlet. This was the start of downhill for Gerry and Sylvia.
Joe 90 came next and recycled much from Captain Scarlet. In fact, it looks a bit cheap.
Each week, Joe is brainwashed by his step father and American agents. He goes off to do various tasks, including spy stuff, wearing the specs to keep him having extreme skill beyond his age. Except when he doesn’t. Joe is keen to do this.
Joe is supposed to be 9. In the first episode, he learns how to pilot a Russian jet fighter, and no-one has any qualms when he turns it on the Russian persuers and just kills them without a word.
It’s a series aimed at young boys. There’s precious little female involvement in the stories, which at least has the bonus of sparing us from more Sylvia Anderson voices.
Where Thunderbirds was mostly rooted in some kind of reality, Captain Scarlet and Joe 90 were pure fantasy. The stories were poor and it was hard to get involved, but we weren’t the target audience.
You can still find it on dvd.