Sunshine (Episode)

## Sunshine

**Sunshine** is the first episode of TUGS.

## Plot

The story starts with Captain Star giving an introduction to the Bigg City Port, and the Star Fleet. During the briefing, he informs his tugs that a small harbour switcher called Sunshine from up-river is coming to help the fleet. He also announces that they are to tow in the *Duchess*, a grand ocean liner into Bigg City Port. After a brief introduction to the Z-Stacks by Captain Star, Captain Zero tells his Z-Stacks that they must form a plan to snag the contract for themselves. Hercules, the largest and strongest star tug, is suddenly called away for a job up the coast which will make him miss the *Duchess*. Zorran and Zak meet up with Izzy Gomez, the tramp steamer who brings bananas in, who needs a tow. Izzy tells them the *Duchess* has already arrived, despite her not being due until the afternoon. Zorran decides use this to the Z-Stacks' advantage. With Hercules called away for a job up the coast, the strongest Star left is Big Mac, so Zorran orders zip and Zug to put Big Mac out of action by pushing him onto a mud bank.

Meanwhile, Ten Cents and Sunshine have met and are excited to have finished their jobs so that they can watch the ocean liner docking. With Big Mac nowhere to be found, O.J. orders the two switchers to search for Big Mac. They come across him stranded on a mud bank and find themselves having to take his place for docking the liner. While the Stars tow in the *Duchess*, the Z-Stacks watch carefully. Zorran sees his chance and bumps Sunshine hard, sending him flying into the Duchess' rudder, not realizing Izzy was watching. The Star Fleet doesn't see this, and only with the help of Zorran are they able to get the liner back into control. Sunshine feels bad, prompting him to run away from the port.

Pleased with their plan, the Z-Stacks believe they will get the contract. Top Hat is cross with Sunshine, but Ten Cents sticks up for him and decides to look for him. On his search, he meets Izzy Gomez, who is still stuck waiting for a tow. Having been the only one who witnessed what happened, Izzy tells Ten Cents that it was Zorran who pushed Sunshine into the Duchess' rudder.

Ten Cents then returns to the Star dock, and after he informs the rest of the Star Fleet about what happened, they all regret how they felt. Ten Cents, Top Hat, Warrior, and Big Mac go out to look for Sunshine, and they soon find him upon a mud bank and in danger of sinking. As an apology to Sunshine, Top Hat informs him that they had learned it was never his fault and persuades him to come back home with them.

As O.J. tows Izzy in, Captain Zero yells at Zorran, Zak, and Zip now that the truth is out. Captain Star tells the Star Fleet that they have learned a valuable lesson about trust and that they should not jump to conclusions before knowing the truth. He also announces that Sunshine shall be joining the fleet.

## Characters

* Ten Cents
* Big Mac
* O.J.
* Top Hat
* Warrior
* Hercules
* Sunshine
* Zorran
* Zak
* Zug
* Zip
* Izzy Gomez
* Captain Star
* Captain Zero
* Lillie Lightship (*does not speak*)
* Duchess (*does not speak*)
* Zebedee (*cameo*)
* Fire Tug (*cameo*)
* Coast Guard (*cameo*)
* Big Mickey (*cameo*)
* Jack (*cameo*)
* S.S. Vienna (*cameo*)
* Puffa (*cameo*)
* Little Owl (*cameo*)
* Nantucket (*cameo*)
* Frank and Eddie (*cameo*)
* Davy Jones (*cameo*)
* Kraka-Toa (*stock footage cameo*)
* Grampus (*deleted scene*)

### VHS Version Exclusive

* Lillie Lightship
* Sally Seaplane

## Locations

* Bigg City Port
	+ Railhead
	+ The Coal Yard
	+ Star Dock
	+ Zero Dock
	+ The Bridge
	+ Ballantine's
	+ Fire Dept
	+ Lucky's Yard
	+ The Seaplane Hangar
* Up River (*mentioned*)