TTTE S7E02: Percy Gets it Right

Thought I'd whip up my first actual review for the year. This time, it's an episode focused on everyone's favourite green caterpillar with red stripes.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image.

158. Percy Gets it Right.
Written by: Paul Larson.
Aired: UK: 7 October 2003. AUS: 13 October 2004. US: 24 October 2004.

During the autumn, Percy is puffing along Toby's old line with a train of tomatoes to take to market. But suddenly, he crosses over a wobbly section of track. His driver inspects the line, and sees that the earth under the track is crumbling. Percy decides to tell the Fat Controller.

Later, Percy steams into the yard and announces that the track on Toby's line is wobbly. Gordon grumbles and tells him that the track being wobbly is not important news, and leaves. Percy thinks that Gordon does not like to listen to him.

Next, Percy tries to tell the Fat Controller, but he does not listen to him either as he is too busy talking to Thomas. The Fat Controller tells Thomas to go and collect the prize bull from the farm on Toby's line, which prompts Percy to warn the Fat Controller that the line is wobbly, but he dismisses this and says that it is fine. Percy begins to think that nobody ever listens to him.

Thomas collects the bull and sets off on his way. It is raining and the tracks are more wobbly then ever. Up ahead, a landslide occurs right in front of Thomas. He tries to stop, but runs into the soft dirt and gets stuck.

Later that night, Percy is worried that Thomas has not returned to the sheds yet. Gordon and James take no notice, but Percy's driver believes him and they set off to find Thomas.

The tracks wobble as Percy puffs along, but he is determined. At last, he finds Thomas buried under the dirt. The two friends are very happy to see each other. Percy pulls Thomas out and helps him get back home.

When they arrive at the station, the Fat Controller is waiting. Thomas announces that Percy saved him, and even the bull agrees. The Fat Controller apologises to Percy, and promises that everyone will do a better job of listening to him in future. Percy is very pleased to hear this.

There is only one word to describe this episode. It's nice. It has a great lesson of listening to others, like how Fat Controller, Gordon the Big Engine and Thomas the Tank Engine didn't listen to Percy the Small Engine about the weak track that ended up causing a landslide. The bull's "Moooo!" was funny.

The one flaw with this episode is how Fat Controller wasn't so concerned about the bumpy track. But then again, if they did listen to Percy in the first place, this episode would've been pointless.

It was very fortunate of Fat Controller to apologise to Percy for not listening to him about the tracks. This episode is very well done, and it shows how important it is to listen to others, especially if it's an emergency.

My rating: 9.5/10.

Season 7 scorecard:

2. Percy Gets it Right: 9.5/10.

9. The Spotless Record: 10/10.

Season 7 rating so far: 9.7/10.