TTTE S8E15: Squeak, Rattle and Roll

I'm on a roll today. This time, an episode focused on Gordon.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image

197: Squeak, Rattle and Roll.
Written by: Marc Seal.
Aired: UK: 19 September 2004. US: 24 October 2004. AUS: 17 November 2006.

Gordon thinks pulling the express makes him the most important engine on Sodor. When Gordon is departing from Brendam Docks, Diesel is cross when he has to move to let Gordon through and to spite him, tells Gordon that steam engines will soon be scrapped. Gordon thinks it is nonsense, but when he starts to hear a squeaking noise from his wheels, he starts to fear that Diesel may be telling the truth, but he discovers that if he goes slow the squeak disappears. The next day, Gordon is given the job of taking the Fat Controller and some children to Brendam for a boating trip and starts noticing a rattle. Gordon realises that this will be his last run and vows to go out in style. At Brendam, the Fat Controller notices the noise, but does not send Gordon to be scrapped; he sends Gordon to the repair yard.

Here we go again with the Steam versus Diesel cliche. Diesel telling Gordon the Big Engine that he and the other steam engines are worthless and clapped out.

Another thing that puzzles me about this episode is this: Why didn't Gordon't driver just report the squeaking, rattling and knocking to Fat Controller to give Gordon a sooner repair? Also, Gordon the Big Engine should know that Fat Controller would never scrap a steam engine and that Diesel only called him clapped out to make him feel bad.

But overall, this episode is fine enough as it is, and it shows Gordon the Big Engine's noises being a sign of old age and he's wearing out as shown in the books.

And also, there's no Thomas in this episode.

My rating: 8/10.

Season 8 scorecard:

15. Squeak, Rattle and Roll: 8/10.

22. You Can Do It, Toby!: 5.5/10.

Season 8 rating so far: 6.8/10.