TTTE S6E08: A Friend in Need

Here's the next episode featuring our favourite pack members.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image

138. A Friend in Need.

Written by: Aired: Phil Fehrle, Jonathan Trueman, and Abi Grant.

Aired: UK: 25 September 2002. AUS: 30 October 2002. CAN: 22 January 2003.

Thomas is taking some trucks along the line, thinking about his new friend, Jack, who hopes he has improved himself, after having broken the rules for jumping in where he does not belong. The Pack is at work widening the road near the Old Quarry Bridge. After loading Max with Alfie, Jack, having completed his first assignment for working hard, behaving well and following all the rules, feels proud for himself, but he is also worried that Miss Jenny still would not accept him into the Pack.

Meanwhile, Ned the steam shovel is cleaning up a pile of rocks and loads Max, who tries to warn him to be careful of his very full bucket. Thomas is excited to cross the Old Quarry Bridge, as he could see how Jack is doing and knows the Pack is working on the road construction below. Back at the site, the foreman orders Oliver to move a pile of topsoil. Jack initially attempts to help him once again by jumping in but just before he fills his bucket, he suddenly remembers Miss Jenny's warning to not jump in where anyone should not belong from last time. Oliver arrives to do the job, and Jack tells him that the topsoil moving was actually for him. Oliver kindly thanks Jack, while Kelly, Alfie, and Isobella congratulate him. Later, Ned approaches the Old Quarry Bridge and tries to go as slow and cautiously as he can as he is going under it. However, he ends up not lowering his arm down far enough, and he accidentally knocks a keystone out of the bridge which begins to crumble.

Meanwhile, Thomas nears the Old Quarry Bridge, unaware that danger has unexpectedly laid ahead but is unable to stop. Before Thomas rolls onto the bridge, Jack jumps in and holds the bridge up with his scoop until Thomas can reverse to safety. Kelly rushes to Jack's aid, but Jack is unable to hold the bridge any longer, causing the bridge section to collapse before Kelly can help.

Thomas brings Jack back to the yard, and after having damaged his arms, Jack is very worried what Miss Jenny would say, but she is pleased with Jack's bravery and accepts Jack into the Pack. Jack is then sent to the works to get his arms repaired.

Thomas, now very happy, then returns home to Tidmouth Sheds and welcomes Jack to the Pack.


Well, this episode shows a great moral of teamwork and helping a friend out. Especially with Jack helping Thomas the Tank Engine from falling off a bridge which Ned accidentally knocked a keystone out of.

And it was a great welcome Thomas the Tank Engine gave to Jack for saving him.


And in more recent years, we found out there was a character who was going to be a member of The Pack. And that character was Numbuh 1. Alright. Jokes aside. But his real name was actually going to be Nigel. I only called him "Numbuh 1" to make a reference to Codename Kids Next Door. Speaking of which, that show premiered the same year this episode was made. And also, I've made the decision. Next time I decide to use this blog, I'll start rereviewing that series.

Back on topic. A Friend in Need is another brilliant episode of the series, and Jack really developed here.

My rating: 10/10.

Season 6 scorecard:

1. No Sleep for Cranky: 9/10.

2. Salty's Secret: 9.5/10.

3. Harvey to the Rescue: 9/10.

7. Jack Jumps In: 10/10.
8. A Friend in Need: 10/10.

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

10. Twin Trouble: 10/10.

12. Scaredy Engines: 5/10.

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: 9/10. 

TTTE S6E07: Jack Jumps In

Here's an episode starring our favourite construction machines on Sodor.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine wikia for the image

137. Jack Jumps In.

Written by: Phil Fehrle, Jonathan Trueman, and Abi Grant.

Aired: UK: 24 September 2002. AUS: 29 October 2002. CAN: 21 January 2003.

Thomas is sent by the Fat Controller to pick up a special from Jenny Packard. He arrives to see that his special is an eager front-loader named Jack to help the Pack clear ground for railway lines at the quarry. Thomas drops him off there and Jack looks for someone to help. He asks Oliver the Excavator and Byron the Bulldozer, whom both decline the need for help and Byron tells Jack to try Kelly the Crane. When Jack introduces himself, a lorry named Isobella rudely tells him to mind her paint work, but apologises and welcomes Jack after Kelly scolds her. They advise Jack to see the Foreman.

The Foreman introduces Jack to his banksman and tells him to work with a small excavator called Alfie, and warns him to remember an important rule; "Safety First". Jack and Alfie were having fun until a dump truck named Max comes along and causes dust to fly over the machines. Jack could see that Thomas was right that he was trouble and Max was about to rush towards him, but stops just in time. Jack becomes furious and whilst refusing to move, scolds Max, who immediately races away in frustration.

Later, the Foreman orders Oliver to move a pile of rocks, but Jack tries to help him by foolishly taking over and picks some of the rock up a hill himself. His banksman tries to stop him, but Jack refuses to do so as he was too eager to help. However, when he approaches the top of the hill, he overturns and slides sideways downhill.

Once back upright, Miss Jenny is glad Jack was luckily unhurt but was disappointed of his foolishness due to disobeying her "Safety First" rule, meaning no one should jump in where they should not belong. Miss Jenny then thinks he may not be ready to join the Pack yet but gives Jack another chance to make sure he could do better the following day. After Miss Jenny leaves, Jack is sad for what he had done, but Isobella, Alfie and Thomas console him, which makes him feel better.


Well, this was a unique part of the series. Thomas the Tank Engine interacting with Sodor's own version of Bob the Builder. One difference between that series and Thomas is, since Thomas the Tank Engine is based on a series of books called The Railway Series, it's supposed to look and act as realistic as possible. Bob the Builder on the other hand, while it was supposed to act realistic, it was never meant to look realistic.

Alright, I'm getting off topic here. This was a very good episode, starring Jack the Front Loader, back when he had a round face as opposed to his more rectangular face he has now. And we were introduced to the following characters:

Jack the Front Loader: Sodor's own Scoop, only red and boisterous.

Alfie the Excavator: He's the closest of friends with Jack.

Isobella the Vintage Lorry: Just Elizabeth, but without the dumper and painted yellow. And she's kind of like James in a way. Not wanting to get her paint dirty.

Ned the Steam Shovel: The original Marion, only doesn't run on rails.

Oliver: And no. Not Oliver the Western Engine, Oliver the Excavator. He's a very good excavator.

Max the Dump Truck: He's a big bully. Always driving around dangerously like that.

Kelly the Mobile Crane: Sodor's own Lofty. Only Kelly's not so much a scaredy cat. He's the oldest of the pack, and is willing to do his work camly.

Byron the Bulldozer: Sodor's own Muck. Only Byron is proud and shows off how he does his work.

Miss Jenny: Well, this is an interesting owner of The Pack. Like Bob in a way. Leads the pack into construction work.


As for this episode, it was a very great way to make a semi-spinoff of the series. Focusing on The Pack. And Jack kept jumping in, eventually lifting too many rocks and falling over. The moral of this episode being Safety First.

I know, I've been comparing the Pack members to Bob the Builder characters, similar to how many Thomas fans compare TUGS characters to Thomas characters. But with this, it makes sense. And especially considering Bob the Builder was a massive hit by the time this season was in production.

But still, this episode was a very good one.

My rating: 10/10.

Season 6 scorecard:

1. No Sleep for Cranky: 9/10.

2. Salty's Secret: 9.5/10.

3. Harvey to the Rescue: 9/10.
7. Jack Jumps In: 10/10.

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

10. Twin Trouble: 10/10.

12. Scaredy Engines: 5/10.

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: 8.9/10. 

TUGS E05: Munitions

Well, I'm going to have a blast with this review! Literally! An episode of TUGS focusing on a naval twit.

Special thanks to TUGS Wikia for the image

5. Munitions.

Written by: David Mitton.

Aired: UK: 25 April 1989. AUS: 24 June 1991.

The towing and replenishing of naval munitions vessels is a very important and risky job. One such vessel, a tramper named Kraka-Toa, is being towed by Hercules. All is going well until Sergeant Bluenose, the officious naval tug, comes along. Uppity, Bluenose insists that Hercules may not continue on until he has made an inspection. Hercules steams off, finished with the run, ignoring him.

Hercules speaks to O.J., complaining about Bluenose. O.J. tells him he has been having the same problem, over some buoys. He tells him about the danger of loading munitions and fuel aboard the same ship. Hercules goes to have a rest at the coal depot. Bluenose comes by, still being overbearingly bossy before moving on to bother the Fire Chief too.

At the Star Pier, Captain Star informs the tugs they will be carrying munitions for the Navy; the Z-Stacks having the explosives. Warrior is given garbage detail, Top Hat is to transport car floats, Ten Cents is sent to Lucky's Yard to pickup oil to take to the Naval yard, and Sunshine is to take Mighty Mo home. Captain Star thanks Big Mac for winning the steel contract, and tells him to collect the last girder barge.

The Z-Stacks, meanwhile, are picking up the explosives, which are to be delivered to the Naval tramper, Kraka-Toa.

Ten Cents, now with the oil barge, is ordered about by Bluenose, who tells him to move out of the way. Bluenose purposely scraps the barge, which shocks Ten Cents and makes him very cross.

Night falls. Big Mickey the crane is transferring the munitions to Kraka-Toa when Bluenose arrives and starts issuing orders just as Zorran is unloading his barge, which cannot be moved at this time. Bluenose does not listen to anyone's warnings about the danger of munitions and pushes in, bumping the barge hard, resulting in a fire starting. The tugs present back away from the flames, but Bluenose is unable to because his engine has failed, so Ten Cents bravely tows him out of danger. The fire expands with continuous explosions. Big Mickey's dock catches fire and he tips over and falls into the water while Kraka-Toa begins to burn.

Meanwhile, further away, Top Hat is towing Frank and Eddie, the rail floats. They see the lights in the sky. Eddie thinks there is “a dockside celebration,” but Top Hat corrects him, “If there was a party, I would have been invited." Suddenly, Sunshine and the Fire Chief rush by, on the way to the fire.

Puffa, the tank engine, is very close to the flames. The tugs shout and whistle to warn him and he makes it out just in the nick of time. To make matters worse, the Star line oil barge catches fire, so Ten Cents jumps in to move it despite the risk of an explosion.

Nearby, Warrior and Lord Stinker, the garbage barge, see the lights in the sky too. Warrior leaves Lord Stinker at the dock and rushes to the scene.

The Fire Chief has now finally arrived, ordering everyone to stay back. O.J. informs how it was Bluenose’s fault. The Fire Chief tells Sunshine to douse the flames with the fire barge. Ten Cents continues with the oil barge, intending to push it out to sea. Warrior arrives, and is told by the Fire Chief to use his fire hose. Sunshine bravely fights the fire; Warrior is hit square in the face by a bit of debris. Eventually, the Fire Chief orders him to move out, but Warrior refuses to abandon Puffa, who has been badly stung. He then tells Zorran to help him with the other fire barge in an attempt to save Kraka-Toa. Zorran cannot see the barge doing much good, but he agrees to help the Fire Chief.

Out at sea, Ten Cents is still pushing the burning oil barge. Suddenly, he notices it is starting to smoke. Realising it will explode, Ten Cents reverses immediately, but it's a bit too late as a large explosion occurs. Sunshine sees it and is worried Ten Cents is in the blast, but it is too dangerous so he is not allowed to go and help his friend. The Fire Chief relieves Zorran and warns everyone that Kraka-Toa is about to capsize. She sinks into the water with one final blast out of her smokestack. However, thanks to Sunshine and Warrior, the fire was unable to spread towards the city. Top Hat arrives, rather too late, for which the Z-Stacks make fun of him.

The next morning, the tugs think Ten Cents did not survive the explosion. Before they can salute the brave tug, a familiar whistle is heard in the near distance and Ten Cents appears out of the fog. He is covered from stem to stern in soot. He explains how he was immobilised due to the explosion flooding his engine, but thankfully, Grampus rescued him before he sank. With that, Grampus, laughing heartily, tows a disgraced and still stunned Bluenose away. Captain Star concludes with a lesson for the viewers on the dangers of fire as Grampus hauls Bluenose out to sea.


Well, Bluenose sure proved himself to be a naval twit in this episode, but those explosions made by him were worth watching. Proves how passionate David Mitton was when he and Robert made this series. I mean, those explosions.... just beautiful!

While Bluenose was a naval twit as 10 Cents called him, he was funny in some ways;

Bluenose told Fire Tug that those orders he was waiting for were cancelled.

Bluenose told 10 Cents "If I order you to jump you jump."

Certainly proves that Bluenose may have inspired Spencer the Silver Streamlined Engine.

And also, this episode has a moral about taking care with fire. It can destroy you, your surroundings, your family, and your friends. Just as Grampus took Bluenose out.

My rating: 10/10.

TUGS scorecard:

1. Sunshine: 10/10.

2. Pirates: 9/10.

3. Trapped: 9.5/10.
5. Munitions: 10/10.

9. Ghosts: 10/10.

Series so far: 9.7/10.

TUGS E03: Trapped

Been such a long time since my last TUGS review, hasn't it? Well, I'm going back to Bigg City Port to review this episode.

Special thanks to TUGS Wikia for the image

3. Trapped.

Written by: Chris Tulloch.

Aired: UK: 18 April 1989. AUS: 12 June 1991.

There is a time when the Star Tugs and Z-Stacks take on a big job together. One of these times is when timber and tanning bark have to be brought from the sawmills Up River. This year everyone must all work together.

On this day, Zug is pulling a large, rusty, old tramper hull to the breaker's yard. Captain Zero said to take it on his way and deliver it before working with Zorran on the timber and bark job. But this extra task has now made him very late.

An alligator tug, called Billy Shoepack, works up river. He transports dangerous loads, notably dynamite, from Mittsville to the logging camp. Billy sees O.J. and Big Mac, who just want him to get away with his load.

Zug sees Zorran waiting – impatiently. Zorran says how they are all supposed to be on log detail. Zug tells Zorran how Captain Zero told him to take the old rust bucket to the breaker’s yard on his way. Zorran jumps in to “help” Zug get it to the breaker’s yard faster. But Zorran pushes too hard, which causes the vessel to go out of line and jam right across the river with Zug trapped on the other side along with some of the Stars. Now no one can get past it either way. Zorran steams off and leaves Zug there. He is pleased, thinking that all the Stars are trapped Up-River, leaving the harbour entirely to the Z-Stacks.

Top Hat and Sunshine then find Zug and the jammed tramper on their way down. Zug explains the situation and confesses that it wasn't his fault. Sunshine goes back-up-river for help. Meanwhile downriver at Mittsville, Zorran is surprised to see Ten Cents. Ten Cents is pulled off log detail to deliver timber-cutting machinery to Mittsville. Zorran tells Ten Cents about the “accident”. Ten Cents goes to head up there, and he tells Zorran to inform Captain Star, Captain Zero and the salvage team. Unknown to him, Zorran intended to keep the Star Tugs trapped Up-River.

Sunshine meets Billy Shoepack and talks to him about the accident. Billy then offers to blast the tramper open with dynamite, much to Sunshine's dismay. At the scene of the accident, Ten Cents has arrived on the lower side. He calls out, and Top Hat raises his wheelhouse to talk to him. Ten Cents says he will fetch help. Big Mac and O.J., also on the other side, come up with a bright plan: To make a battering ram, using three or four barges.

Back at Mittsville, Ten Cents finds Little Ditcher, of whom Ten Cents asks if he can help with the tramper.

At the site, all the tugs have the barge ram ready. They charge forward but only manage to buckle the tramper. Zug gets trapped between the barges and the tramper. Sunshine arrives with Billy Shoepack, all ready with his dynamite.

Zorran passes Ten Cents, and comments the tramper will crush Little Ditcher. Ten Cents suspects Zorran has not fetched any help and realized his intentions to keep the Star Tugs trapped.

Sunshine pulls Zug clear, leaving Billy Shoepack ready to rig the dynamite and blast the tramper apart. After a tense countdown – nothing happens. Billy finds the fuse has become wet. Meanwhile, Zorran approaches the tramper and scoffs that Little Ditcher will not be able to shift it. Billy has fixed the problem, and the countdown begins once more, just as Zorran arrives on the lower side. The dynamite breaks open the tramper; the sudden flow of water sends Zorran downstream, and the trapped tugs escape down fast. After their ride down the rapids, the tugs find Zorran stuck on top of some rocks. Everyone finds it a great joke, even Zug (although he does not want to admit it). The tugs thank Billy, and soon Ten Cents arrives with Little Ditcher and jokes about Zorran's predicament.


Well, this was a very good episode, involving an explosion, and the introduction of Billy Shoepack. It showed that Zorran the Mean Tug forgot about Zug, and not knowing about the tramp steamer being trapped. That explosion really was something! And all I can say about Billy Shoepack is that he's better than that orange abomination with the same name.

And not to mention, Zorran's moment at the end was pretty funny, as well as Ten Cents arriving with Little Ditcher to help the other tugs. But those other tugs were already helped by Billy.

My rating: 9.5/10.

TUGS scorecard:

1. Sunshine: 10/10.

2. Pirates: 9/10.
3. Trapped: 9.5/10.

9. Ghosts: 10/10.

Series so far: 9.6/10.

TTTE S11E10: Thomas and the Big Bang

Time to start off this year's reviews! They're going to go off with a bang!

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

272. Thomas and the Big Bang.

Written by: Abi Grant.

Aired: UK: 7 September 2007. US: 7 October 2007. AUS: 27 September 2011.

Thomas is very cheeky. He enjoys playing with his friends, like playing hide and peep with Percy or when James spins on the turntable. Despite his playfulness, he always works and gets the job done.

One day, Thomas gets a new whistle fitted, and he whistles it everywhere he goes. Mr. Percival makes Thomas do a job, which was to fill his trucks with bricks, flour and timber with the help of the narrow gauge engines. Thomas is really excited about this job that he blows his new whistle loudly, and scaring Rheneas, which makes the little engine knock his trucks of pilings. Skarloey and Sir Handel finds this very funny. The engines decide to scare Rusty next.

Rusty is pulling trucks full of bricks when the plan falls into place. Thomas whistles loudly and Rusty knocks his trucks, getting covered in red brick dust from the bricks.

The engines decide to scare Sir Handel, who is pulling flour trucks. The engines hide in The Wharf's Transfer station, and they all peep at him. Sir Handel bashes his trucks and gets covered in flour. Despite all the fun, nobody is doing any work.

Thomas now decides to scare Peter Sam. He is pulling a flatbed of timber. After the engines whistle at him, he pushes his flatbed so hard, the timber crashes through some oil drums and splashes into the canal.

Mr. Percival arrives, and is furious when he finds that there is a huge mess of bricks and flour, and that the timber is in the canal and that none of Thomas' trucks had been loaded. Thomas, seeing the error of his ways, works to get everything in order, getting everything in his trucks before teatime.

Thomas however plays one last trick on Mr. Percival and hides his trucks. When Mr. Percival does arrive, he asks where the trucks are. Thomas reveals the trucks filled with bricks, flour and timber. Mr. Percival laughs and declares that Thomas is "a very funny engine."


Well, time to start off this review. It'll start with a big bang. Ugh! Don't say that! I hate The Big Bang Theory.

Well, this episode is just...... dimwitted! The following reasons;

The title is misleading. Where was a big bang? All I saw was Thomas the Tank Engine making the narrow gauge engines jump upon blowing his whistle, making Rheneas knock his loads onto the ground, turning Sir Handel into a ghost, Rusty into a brick ghost, and making Peter Sam push his timber into the canal.

Why would Skarloey and Rheneas join in? They're supposed to be the wisest engines on the railway.

The main redeeming quality of this episode was James the Red Engine spinning on the turntable, like he did in Tenders and Turntables. And even Mr. Percival telling off Thomas. Of course Thomas' trick at the end was more sensible.

But still, this episode was silly in its own way.

My rating: 3/10.

Season 11 scorecard:
11. Thomas and the Big Bang: 3/10.

13. Don't Be Silly, Billy: 1/10.

Season 11 rating so far: 2/10.