TTTE S17E15: Bill or Ben?

Now I'm going to review another episode of Season 17.

(Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the episode image)

403. Bill or Ben?
Written by: Andrew Brenner.
Aired: UK: 4 October 2013. AUS: 1 November 2013. US: 18 March 2014.

One day, while puffing along the mainline, a big and fast engine Bill and Ben have never seen before pulls onto their track at a junction. Further along the line, Bill and Ben meet Thomas who tells them that the streamlined engine was Connor. The twins think that Connor must be full of himself, racing around and surprising other engines. Thomas tries to explain that Connor is friendly, but the twins aren't convinced.
Sometime later, the twins pass through Henry's tunnel when they get surprised by Connor again. Ben is still inside the tunnel as Connor passes and whistles hello to Bill. The twins decided to play a trick on the streamlined engine.
The next time Connor comes to Sodor, Bill is waiting for him. Bill challenges Connor to race, but the big streamlined engine does not think it would be fair to race against such a small tank engine. Eventually, Connor agrees and when the signal turns green, they both race off towards Ulfstead Castle. Bill is soon left far behind and Connor thinks he has won. Connor gets a massive shock when he pulls into Ulfstead Castle and sees Ben waiting at the platform. Connor falls for the twins plan and thinks it is Bill who has beaten him to the castle. Ben suggests that they have a rematch and race back to the bridge. Connor agrees and the race soon starts.
This time, Connor takes no chances and focuses solely on beating the little tank engine. He concentrates on the race so hard that he runs through a red signal and nearly causes a serious accident with Henry. Connor's relief is short-lived as the Fat Controller pulls up in Winston. He is very cross with Connor for missing the red signal. Just then, the twins both pull up and Connor realises that he was being tricked all along. The Fat Controller is not amused with Bill and Ben's antics and punishes them by ordering Bill to be repainted so that they cannot be confused so easily.
At the Sodor Steamworks, Bill tries to get out of being repainted but Victor has been warned in advance by the Fat Controller about the twins' tricky ways. Shortly, Bill has a brand new dark blue livery.
Back at the shunting yard, Ben laughs when he sees his twin. Bill is not happy; now that he doesn't look the same as his twin, it's no fun at all. Then, Ben has a crafty idea and heads off to the Steamworks himself. When he arrives, Victor is not there and Ben tells Kevin that he is Bill and has come to be repainted in accordance with Sir Topham Hatt's orders. Kevin is unsure as he thinks Bill was repainted the day before, but when Ben threatens to involve the Fat Controller, Kevin agrees to let Ben be repainted. Soon Ben has been painted the same colour as Bill. Victor arrives and is not happy, but there is nothing he can do; the job has already been done.
Bill and Ben, now both painted dark blue, are on their way again when they see Connor up ahead. The twins decide to play another trick on him. Bill challenges Connor to another race. Connor agrees, thinking aloud about his assurance that only one of the twins has been repainted. Connor thinks he will definitely win, but Bill is not so sure!

What a hilarious way to properly give Bill and Ben another episode since 2003! They'll always make me laugh, especially when they fooled Connor, who was full of himself! And there was even a wonderful lesson about signals! Engines must not pass through a red signal, especially with Connor having a near miss with Henry the Green Engine here! It also shows that tricks can have consequences, especially when Fat Controller ordered Bill to be repainted dark blue, though Bill tried to trick Victor into thinking he (Bill) was Ben.

Of course Bill and Ben looked lovely in blue, it would've been a nice tribute to their basis if they were painted green. Here are Alfred and Judy, their basis:

Though this episode feels a little unfinished, it's still a brilliant one!

My rating: 10/10.

Season 17 scorecard:

15. Bill or Ben?: 10/10.

16. Too Many Fire Engines: 9.5/10.

19. The Missing Christmas Decorations: 10/10.

Season 17 so far: 9.7/10.

TTTE S20E12: Love Me Tender

Thought I'd review another Season 20 episode of Thomas and Friends. This time, about everyone's favourite Scottish twins.

(Special thanks to the Thomas Wikia for the image)

478. Love Me Tender.
Written by: Davey Moore.
Aired: US: 16 December 2016. UK: 28 December 2016. AUS: 10 April 2017.

Snow has come early to the Island of Sodor and Donald and Douglas are tasked with clearing the tracks. The twins have a coach coupled between their tenders, allowing them to clear the line in both directions. They stop at a junction to see which way they should go. Douglas suggests that they should clear the track up to Edward's Branch Line, but Donald doesn't think it's a good idea and decides that it is best to stick to the Main Line. Later, they arrive at a another junction. This time, Donald suggests that they should clear the tracks to the Search and Rescue Centre for the emergency vehicles, but Douglas thinks it is best for them to stick to the Main Line. Donald ignores his twin, creating tension between the two.
The twins clear the tracks to the Search and Rescue Centre. On their way back to the junction, they get stuck behind Toby, who is being slowed down by the snow due to Donald ignoring Douglas' earlier suggestion to clear the Main Line.
When they get to another junction, Donald asks Douglas whether he would prefer to stay on the Main Line or clear the line up to the castle. Douglas remains silent, believing that Donald will ignore him. The twins begin accusing each other of ignoring everything the other one says, so when the signal drops, they begin pulling in opposite directions. The coupling between Douglas and his tender breaks, and Donald leaves Douglas at the junction, taking the coach and Douglas' tender with him. Donald is aware that he has left Douglas behind, but not that he has taken all of his coal and water.
As Donald passes Thomas at Crovan's Gate, Thomas questions where Douglas is. Donald says he left Douglas back at the junction as he leaves the station. Thomas quietly notes to Annie and Clarabel that Donald has both his own tender and Douglas'.
Back at the junction, Toby passes Douglas, who tells Toby that he has fallen out with his twin. Toby offers Douglas' help, which Douglas politely refuses. Toby leaves with Douglas' crew. Douglas doesn't mind; his fire has not gone out, so he is able to melt the snow on him.
Donald is on the other side of the island when he meets Thomas again. Thomas tells Donald that he has both his own tender and Douglas' tender. Donald is horrified, realising this means his brother is stranded in the snow without any coal and water.
Douglas' fire has gone out, so the snow is piling up around him. Donald passes him at the junction, but does not see or hear him, so he continues to search for him. Meanwhile, Douglas' crew has joined Toby's crew for cocoa at Toby's shed. Donald arrives and asks Toby where Douglas is; Toby tells him that he is still at the junction where Donald left him. Because the snow is getting deeper, Donald rushes back to the junction with Douglas' crew to find his twin.

Donald finds Douglas in a deep snowdrift. The twins apologise to each other, but Donald has run out of water. However, he does have Douglas' tender, so Douglas allows Donald to use his water. Donald leaves his snowplough at the junction and shunts Douglas to the Steamworks, happy to be back with his twin again.

What a lovely way to give the Scottish twins, Donald and Douglas, an episode in over 13 years! Love those references to Twin Trouble and The Deputation at the beginning.

I would like to say how odd it was that Donald was calling Douglas "Doogie". Looks like Joe Mills is only voicing Oliver the Western Engine, Toad and Douglas now, since Rob Rackstraw is voicing Donald now, and I'd like to call this episode the moment where Rob Rackstraw has run out of voices. I mean, Rob's voice for Donald is just Toby's voice with a Scottish accent. Speaking of Toby, he had a wonderful role here even if he's not a main line engine.

And here's the small problem I have with this episode. It proves that HiT and Mattel are spoiling Thomas the Tank Engine, appearing in every episode of Seasons 19 and 20. Douglas said "We should stay on the main line and clear the line for Thomas!" For Thomas?! Why Thomas? Thomas is not a main line engine! He shouldn't even be working on the main line! Edward could've easily had this role instead of Thomas, even if he's not a main line engine either.

But flaw aside, this further proves that tender engines do need tenders, and it was mighty fine way to have Donald and Douglas take the lead role. And this title was a clever reference to Elvis' song of the same title.

My rating: 10/10.

Season 20 scorecard:

8. Pouty James: 3/10.

12. Love Me Tender: 10/10.

24. Buckled Tracks & Bumpy Trucks: 8.5/10.
25: Tit for Tat: 10/10.

26. Mike's Whistle: 9.5/10.

27. Useful Railway: 9.5/10.

Season 20 rating so far: 8.5/10.