TTTE S5E17: Thomas and the Rumours

After that fun April Fool's prank I played yesterday, I thought it time to continue with my reviews.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image

122. Thomas and the Rumours.
Loosely based on "Rumours and Speculations" by Andrew Brenner.
Adapted by: Britt Allcroft and David Mitton.
Aired: UK: 6 October 1998. AUS: 15 December 1998. CAN: 2 February 1999.

One day, Thomas comes to a small station on his branch line, and he sees some children on the platform. The children are upset that their playground has been closed, as the sand pit is soiled and too dirty to play in. The children ask Thomas to help them, and Thomas promises to see what he can do as he sets off with his passengers. Thomas hopes things aren't as bad as they are described, but as he passes the playground, he realizes the children are right. There is a large sign reading, "Playground closed until further notice".

Later, Thomas puffs back into the yard. But before he can tell the others about the children's playground, Percy rushes in with news that Sir Topham Hatt has chosen Harold to show a special visitor around Sodor rather than the engines. The big engines are shocked at this, saying that engines are meant to show visitors around the island, not "that whirly-bird thing", as James quotes.

When Gordon sees Harold, he believes Harold thinks he is faster than Gordon. Later, when Henry sees Harold, he believes Sir Topham Hatt chose Harold because he believes Harold is more important than Henry. Henry immediately denies this, saying Harold can't fly through tunnels. Finally, Percy sees Harold near a field where there are sheep grazing on the branch line. Percy decides that Harold must be counting sheep, and he feels much better as he steams away.

That evening at the sheds, the big engines are starting to believe that Harold is trying to replace them altogether. Percy states that Harold is just counting sheep, but Gordon doesn't believe this, saying Harold is instead counting how many engines he can get rid of, and he decides to show Harold how useful he is the next day. Thomas still wants to mention the children's playground, but he knows that solving the mystery of Harold and his visitor is the first priority.

The next day, Gordon is on his way to collect his train when he sees Harold. Unfortunately, he and his crew are watching Harold, and they go down the wrong line. Ahead is a tunnel under repair, and Gordon's driver reduces steam and applies the brakes, but it is too late. Gordon plunges into the tunnel and crashes into something, with dust spreading everywhere.

Later, Thomas arrives with the Breakdown Train to rescue Gordon, and Sir Topham Hatt arrives as well, who is very cross with Gordon's driver. Thomas is worried that Gordon will be scrapped, which makes Sir Topham Hatt wonder where Thomas got such idea. Thomas, plucking up courage, tells him the whole story about the engines and Harold. As it turns out, this is not true; Sir Topham Hatt explains to Thomas he shouldn't listen to rumours, and then that the gentleman is making a new playground for the children; Harold was showing the visitor the island because it was easier to find a suitable site for the new playground from up in the air. The man declares that the sand cleared from the tunnel will be perfect for the playground; found by rumour, and by accident, as he laughs.

After that, Sir Topham Hatt still uses Harold to fly above the island, but now all the engines know Harold isn't spying on them; he is, in his own way, just being very useful.

I'd like to see this episode as a metaphor of that rumour about Edward and Henry leaving the "Steam Team" last year, as well as that rumour Ffarquhar Road keeps spreading that Percy will be replaced by Philip (Like that's going to happen!), thus the former was confirmed true.

As for this episode, it has a good message that you shouldn't listen to rumours unless they're confirmed true, especially how Percy spread it here by saying Harold wants to get rid of the engines.

Here are some minor flaws I have with this episode. First off, it's based on a magazine story written by Andrew Brenner, yet Daisy and Boco were replaced by Henry and Thomas respectively. This could've been great potential for the 2 diesels to appear together.

Also, Gordon the Big Engine's driver was all "We'll show that whirly bird just how fast you can go." Why would he take the rumour so seriously? Now I realised why. Because if the rumour were true, he'd be out of the job.

However, there was an awesome crash Gordon had in the tunnel, whatever he crashed into, we don't know. When I watched this episode as a kid, I was kind of terrified when I watched Gordon's crash.

But even so, this is a nice episode that teaches kids they mustn't listen to rumours, even if Daisy and Boco weren't in it.

My rating: 9/10.

Season 5 scorecard:

3. A Better View for Gordon: 10/10.

10. Toby and the Flood: 5.5/10.

12. Double Teething Troubles: 9.5/10.

17. Thomas and the Rumours: 9/10.

25. Snow: 3.5/10.

26. Rusty and the Boulder: 7.5/10.

Season 5 so far: 8.5/10.