Two Brits in a bar burst into laughter. They both have their arms slightly extended, hands loose at the wrists. Their heads loll slightly on their necks as they walk, floppy-limbed, towards the jukebox and back.

"What the hell are you doing?" I ask, embarrassed. People are looking.

"The Thunderbirds walk...haven't you seen the Thunderbirds?"

"No. Stop doing that with your arms."

"I guess it never aired in America. I just discovered it's back on television, and it's absolutely fantastic. But not. But great. You should watch it."

"What's it about?"

"A family that flies around and rescues people."

"Like superheroes?"

"No no no. They have these great big ships with all sorts of gadgets and vehicles in the pods."

"Pods?" I am growing more confused.

"It's on Saturday mornings. You'll love it. It's right up your street."

"So what's with the walk?"

"Well, they're all puppets. Marionettes, in fact."

I stare at them. "Explain this to me one more time."

Two Brits and an American in a bar. One leans his head on his fist, listening wearily. The other one stares into space with a glazed expression. I've been talking for half an hour.

"And you know what else is cool? It's about citizenship. When was the last time you saw anyone stress doing something good simply because you are supposed to - not because you're some flag-waving saint, but simply because it's what a person does? There's no politics, no agenda. They don't do this because of what they are, they do this because of who they are."

"No, they do it because of what they are, which is puppets. Please shut up."

"I'm so sorry I ever told you to watch this," mutters the one staring into space.

"Yeah, I'm done in a second. So I have this theory - "

"No. Stop, right now. You can't have theories. The show can't support theories. It's not The X-Files."

"...that the reason the show works so well is because it manages to simultaneously embrace the idea that technology will save us and reject it by having most of the disasters come from technology gone awry."

"You don't say."

"And it encourages what are seen as traditional American values without ever mentioning the country."

"Hang on a moment..."

"And it exemplifies citizenship."

"You already said that. The Thunderbirds are not American. They are English. They just happen to have American accents. Those are British values they're holding up. And do you think any American would name his son Virgil?"

"If the two of you don't shut up about the bloody Thunderbirds," the glazed Brit says. "I am going to kill the both of you."

We are quiet for a moment. The first Brit leans in. "You know, I bet there are a lot of websites and groups out there for people like you. You know. That kind of fan."

"Exactly what are you implying?"

"That you are the kind of person who scribbles down little stories about Buffy, and I'm telling you, you can probably find like-minded people on the net."

"I absolutely do not." I'm quiet a moment. "You really think there are...groups and stuff? Really?"
He nodded. "Go web, young woman. You'll find what you're looking for."