TTTE S6E01: No Sleep for Cranky

I apologise for not using this blog for quite sometime now. Lots of things were on my mind.

1. Watching Season 22 of Thomas and Friends. 
2. Busy with people's requests, roleplays, and brainstorming how requests should look.
3. Busy writing my latest Robotboy/Pokémon crossover.
4. Busy writing my own Codename Kids Next Door fan fictions, and helping other diehard KND fans write their own KND stories by brainstorming ideas for them.
5. Just plain laziness.

I know, you were all expecting me to review Season 22. I will.... eventually, but not this time. This time, I'm going to review an episode focused on Cranky the Crane. Showing one reason I lacked motivation to use this blog for the last few weeks.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image

131. No Sleep for Cranky.

Written by: Paul Larson.

Aired: UK: 18 September 2002. US: 24 September 2002. AUS: 21 October 2002.

Brendam Docks is one of the most busiest places on Sodor. Visitors come and go, and cargo comes to be unloaded. This causes trouble for Cranky the Crane, who is forced to work day and night without any breaks. The only company he has are the seagulls who rest on his crane arm. That is why Cranky is always cranky.

One day, Salty arrives late, and Cranky snaps at him. Bill and Ben pull up, and Cranky demands them to hurry up. The twins tell him he is no fun, to which he retaliates. The twins suspect that he is lonely, and Salty compares this hypothesis to an old, lonely Grand Banks lighthouse keeper, which to Cranky's dismay, leads to a story. This makes Cranky even more cranky, and he drops some pipes onto the tracks instead of the flatbeds. They roll into the shed, which collapses and topples on the ground, trapping everyone.

Sir Topham Hatt is being measured for a new suit when he gets the news. Knowing that any mishap at the docks can cause confusion and delay, he sets off. He reprimands Cranky for his actions, and tells the engines that they will have to wait for help. Cranky groans as Salty mutters those six fateful words: "That reminds me of a story!" All through the night, Salty tells sea stories, hurting Cranky's ears and delighting Bill and Ben.

In the morning, Salty is still telling tales. Cranky is about to lose it when Harvey finally arrives. Cranky is happy and claims he will never be rude again in exchange for not listening to Salty's stories. Soon, Cranky is a happy crane, saying "please" and "thank you." Thomas and Percy are amazed, and Thomas says that this is new. Unfortunately, he speaks too soon, as Cranky cannot help dropping more pipes, blocking Percy. Thomas, Percy, and Harvey find this funny, but Cranky is just cranky.

This was a nice improper introduction to Salty the Dockside Diesel and Harvey the Crane Engine. And we can all relate to Cranky in a way. There are times where we just can't get to sleep. And even Cranky was frustrated with Salty's stories. "'cept my ears!" Funny Cranky should moan about that considering he doesn't even have ears.

And that story Salty told was stock footage from Cranky Bugs when Izzy crashed into the shed.

This story also shows that Cranky isn't named such for nothing.

My rating: 9/10.

Season 6 scorecard:

1. No Sleep for Cranky: 9/10.

9. It's Only Snow: 9/10.

10. Twin Trouble: 10/10.

14. Middle Engine: 3/10.

17. Gordon Takes a Tumble: 9.5/10.

22. Thomas the Jet Engine: 10/10.

23. Edward the Very Useful Engine: 8.5/10.

25. Rusty Saves the Day: 3.5/10.

Season 6 rating so far: 8.7/10.