However, this remains a good story where Hergé wants to convey a peaceful message about taking the power of General Alcazar.
The story begins: The Castafiore is on tour in South America with the San Theodoros, imaginary state of the Broken Ear. General Tapioca overthrew Alcazar with the support of Borduria and Colonel Sponsz, former police chief in "The Affair". It is he who sets up a trap by arresting Castafiore, Thompson and Thomson and his team to draw Tintin and his friends.
Behold Sunflower & Haddock and Tintin travel to South America in order to free their friends. They are prisoners of the men of General Tapioca. With the help of Colonel Alvarez and by order of Colonel Sponsz, Pablo who saved Tintin in the broken ear will betray him in a trap in Alcazar and his men the Picaros. Fortunately, our friends manage to escape the attack and take refuge in Arumbayas, Indian troops of the Broken Ear, whose british explorer Ridgewell.
Sunflower his side having invented a product making it undrinkable Whisky will make things easier: the Picaros being drunk (Tapioca making parachute whiskey funds) will be forced to give up drinking. As for Tintin, it offers in exchange for his help in Alcazar not to use violence to overthrow Tapioca thing Alcazar ends not accept. A coach to Tapiocapolis astray in the forest. These our friends Lampion found Seraphin has developed a folk group costume for carnival, which will make things easier for the Picaros and General Alcazar and for Tintin in order to free his friends.
Note that the Nice Carnival was the model for the tanks including one that goes to the prison to cancel the execution Thompsons, reminiscent of the one that was prepared Tintin in the Broken Ear (The Thompsons were treated to an appetizer, like Tintin).
Hergé also refers to the poor quality of prison kitchen (cooking pasta for Castafiore).
We arrive to a "happy end" where the "bad guys" are spared (expulsion of San Theodoros for Tapioca and Sponsz) and where Tintin forgive his betrayal Pablo (Pablo having done prison Tintin away for it is not executed) and also a bitter end when heroes are eager to return to Moulinsart.
Note also a colorful character: the wife of General Alcazar, only sunflower appreciate, and who trembles General Alcazar.
This story should take over Castafiore Emerald where Thompsons were returning to the Castafiore emerald. But Hergé put aside the story for the benefit of Flight 714.
