TTTE S22E14: Apology Impossible

Ho boy! I'm going to be reviewing an episode of Season 22 now. Here we go.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image

526. Apology Impossible.

Written by: Becky Overton.

Aired: UK: 20 September 2018. AUS: 21 September 2018.

One morning, James stops quickly at the Docks and bumps into a flatbed of crates. This scares Philip, causing him to bump his trucks and accidentally knocks a barrel of oil on the tracks. James runs over it, spilling it and covering the both of them in oil. Annoyed, Philip tells James he should say sorry, but James refuses. Later, Philip is waiting at the washdown when James cuts in front of him. When The Fat Controller wants an engine to deliver a train of sardines, Philip tries to trick James into taking it, but he leaves, so Philip is forced to take it instead. The Fenland Track is under repair, and Philip makes sure his track is clear before going on. Meanwhile, James ignores the workman waving a flag, and James and Philip end up on the same line. Philip refuses to give way, but so does James, leaving them at a standstill. As Philip lists James' mistakes, Thomas, Paxton and Rebecca stack up behind Philip. Paxton realizes there are a lot of engines on the bridge and worries it could collapse. Philip decides he doesn't want to cause an accident, so he, Thomas, Paxton and Rebecca make way for James. However, the engines are cross at James for holding them up, and James starts to feel guilty. Later, The Fat Controller makes James apologise to Philip and the other engines for the delay, and Philip accepts his friend's apology. Despite this James still has to take trucks to the Waste Dump as punishment.

Who would've thought James would stoop to his lowest here? And he even made Philip give up to make way for him. James proved himself too selfish for his own good, only caring about his paintwork, showing he was flanderised far too much. And he kept saying "I don't make mistakes!"

Wait! You don't make mistakes?

Is crashing into tar wagons not a mistake?

Is crashing into a field not a mistake?

Is crashing into Tidmouth Sheds not a mistake?

Is bashing into a tin of black paint and splattering it all over Philip not a mistake?

James, you do make mistakes. You've proven yourself to be a big liar here.

When you do this to your characters, turning James into a massive asshole, and Philip into a wimp instead of an overexcited character, this is the perfect sign your show has gone on for too long. This further reaffirms what I've been consistently saying toward the end of last year. This series has to end!

So, Bottom line, this is the worst episode of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends since..... ever! Yes, I despise it more than The Christmas Tree Express and Sodor Surprise Day. You expect those episodes to be bad considering they came out in the dark era, but this episode you expect to have great lessons for kids, considering the revamp of the series.

I expected better from Becky Overton, but here, she managed to write, as Comic Book Guy would say, Worst Episode Ever!

I don't think I want to review the rest of Season 22, and this isn't the only bad episode. Though there were diamonds in the rough, this episode, and the other atrocious episodes, overlap them. And this episode gets the lowest rating I've ever given any episode.

My rating: -10/10.
(It really is that bad.)

TTTE S6E03: Harvey to the Rescue

Let's see the proper introduction of Harvey the Crane Engine.


Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image

133. Harvey to the Rescue.
Written by: Jonathan Trueman.
Aired: UK: 17 September 2002. US: 24 September 2002. AUS: 23 October 2002.

A new engine with a crane on his boiler named Harvey has arrived. But before the Fat Controller keeps him, he wants to see Harvey demonstrate his worth to the Railway Board. But the other engines do not like him due to his looks, and are very rude to him in the sheds. Harvey is upset by this, but Thomas reassures him that the engines just need to take time to adjust to him. The next day, Harvey still feels discomforted and tells the Fat Controller that he does not think he should have come to Sodor in the first place. The Fat Controller replies by saying that him being different that is what makes him special, which makes Harvey feel better.

Meanwhile, Percy's trucks get out of control and derail at Bulgy's Bridge, blocking the road. Bertie is taking the Railway Board to the demonstration, but cannot get past the derailed trucks. The Fat Controller calls for Harvey who soon arrives to help, coincidentally creating a demonstration for the Railway Board. Harvey sorts out the accident scene so well, that the Board allows him to stay. Harvey is delighted, and even more when that night at the sheds all the other engines agree he is really useful just like Thomas said, and soon he is friends with all of them.

I find it very odd that Edward would be so rude to Harvey, considering he's supposed to be a kind engine. But it made sense for Henry, Gordon and James to say bad things about him considering their personas and Harvey looking different.

But Percy's accident and the rescue proved Harvey's worth. And it shows the moral. Being different is what makes you special.

And also, Bertie's "Varoom! Varoom!" was funny.

My rating: 9/10.

Season 6 scorecard:

1. No Sleep for Cranky: 9/10.

2. Salty's Secret: 9.5/10.

3. Harvey to the Rescue: 9/10.

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: 8.9/10. 

TTTE S6E02: Salty's Secret

Let's see the proper introduction of our favourite dockside diesel.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image

132. Salty's Secret.
Written by: Robin Kingsland.
Aired: UK: 16 September 2002. US: 24 September 2002. AUS: 22 October 2002.

Salty is a new diesel who enjoys working near the sea. It is his first day working on Sodor and as the island is surrounded by the sea, he is hopeful he will be working near it. Naturally, he is disappointed when he is sent to work at the quarry to help Mavis, Bill and Ben with an important job for the Fat Controller. Bill and Ben think that they do not need help, and do not think Salty will be able to manage all of the trucks. However, when they see that Salty manages to win the trucks over with his tales and songs of the sea, they become rather jealous. But Salty still longs for the sea.

One night, Mavis, Bill and Ben see him alone outside. Bill and Ben call him names, but Mavis tries to comfort him. Salty wants to be near the sea, but he knows that the quarry work is important. And the next day, Salty tries to show Bill and Ben his secret with the trucks, which is singing a tune for the trucks to sing along with. Bill and Ben try singing a rhythm to get the trucks moving, but they could not make them move the way Salty could.

Later, the Fat Controller arrives at the quarry, and is surprised to see that the job has been completed. Mavis tells him that they could not have done it without Salty. Luckily for him, there is no further need for him at the quarry, and he is finally transferred to Brendam Docks, which is his dream place to work. It is where he feels really useful, and he sorts out the trucks better than any other engine.

Oh no! Salty just rolled off the set of the quarry! Oh no! He's going to crash!

Joking. Onto the actual review. We can all relate to Salty in a way, especially whenever we don't get the job we want to do, yet do a job we don't like. Like Salty wanting to work at the docks, but instead, work at the quarry.

And his question was funny.

"What kind of a quarry is it?" 

But all works out in the end when he's transferred to Brendam Docks.

Also, it shows that Mavis has grown as a character, especially when she cared about Salty's feelings. 

My rating: 9.5/10.

Season 6 scorecard:

1. No Sleep for Cranky: 9/10.

2. Salty's Secret: 9.5/10.

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: 8.8/10. 

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. 

TTTE Special: Big World! Big Adventures!

Told you I'd changed my mind about this movie, didn't I? I am going to be reviewing this year's Thomas movie, Big World! Big Adventures! I wanted to see if Mattel were true to their word about this series having more fantasy sequences, Edward and Henry, despite not being "Steam Team" members anymore, still appearing in the series, being faster paced than before, and to see if the story holds up.

One of the reasons this special exists is because Thomas has been "losing steam" in recent years. Gee I wonder. Another reason it exists is because of some kid who said "Trains go to places. Thomas is a train, but he never goes anywhere.", giving Mattel the idea of Thomas going around the world.

Now, time to delve into this year's Thomas movie.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image

14. Big World! Big Adventures!

Written by: Andrew Brenner.

Released: AUS: 5 September 2018. UK: 12 November 2018.

A racing car called Ace inspires Thomas The Tank Engine to become the first engine to travel the world, so Thomas sets off on an adventure which takes him to five continents, across deserts, through jungles and over dangerous mountains. On his journey Thomas meets Nia, an engine who teaches him that everyone needs a little help from their friends.

Animation:

I would like to say that Jam-Filled did wonders with the animation for this movie. With all the bright colours and all.

New characters:

Ace: I will admit, this Australian racing car seemed like a friendly racing car at first, especially when he encouraged Thomas the Tank Engine to travel around the world, but he was later shown to be a jerk near the end, making Thomas the Tank Engine trick Nia, making the orange African engine cross with him. Although, props to Peter Andre for voicing this yellow racing car. You can tell it's Peter because of the accent he has.

Nia: Now first off, all I have to say is, Nia is an interesting tank engine. The first African engine in the series. Bright orange, number 18, referencing this year, and she's voiced by a real Kenyan, Yvonne Grundy, and she does wonders with Nia's voice.

Kwaku: We now go to the first Garratt locomotive in the series. He's already an interesting locomotive.

Ace's friends: All I can say is these cars were just...... there.

Beau: We now go to an American engine who looks very similar to one of the locomotives at Disneyland. And his Wild Wild West accent is spot on, considering Kerry Shale voiced him. However, Beau was an asshole, saying that they let engines stay in the sand and rust away.

Natalie: This American Dart recolour was helpful at least. 

Chinese Diesel Shunter: Nothing to say about her, except she's got a great design.

Emerson: This Brazilian aeroplane did nothing but help Fat Controller get to California to look for Thomas the Tank Engine.

Multiple cranes: Nothing to say about them either, except I did mistake the American one for Colin.

There are so many other new characters, like recolours of Edward, Henry, Diesel, Oliver, etc. Although there was a Brazilian Class 08 who helped Fat Controller.

Songs:

Where in the World is Thomas?: My favourite song of the special. It's got references to Thomas and the Special Letter, Down the Mine, Percy Takes the Plunge, The Sad Story of Henry, Thomas Comes to Breakfast, The Great Discovery, Toby's Discovery, Misty Island Rescue, Percy Gets it Right, Thomas and the Magic Railroad, Tale of the Brave, Journey Beyond Sodor,Hero of the Rails and Thomas' Shortcut. It also had funny moments like Dowager Hatt saying "He wouldn't last an hour!" after Fat Controller mentioned Antarctica, Thomas "saying Hi! to a Moai!" to which the Moai said "Hi!", and when Fat Controller mentioned a gondola in Italy, to which Dowager said "Don't be preposterous! He's a tank engine! He can't fit on a gondola!". Feels a lot like Where oh Where is Thomas? from The Great Discovery. 

Wake Up: Everybody's wiggling! Oops! Sorry! Wrong preschool series! This song, sung by the Kenyan Troublesome Trucks and Nia had some African words, and it felt very much like a song from The Lion King. 

Enda Ulale: Just a song to calm a bull pachyderm about to charge at Thomas the Tank Engine, and funny how it roared like the elephant that appeared in Henry and the Elephant.

We're Friends: This song feels very carnival-like, with a little bit of a Lion King touch. Too bad it's too short.

Free and Easy: Now this is a song worth listening to! Peter did a grand job singing this, as did Carl. And Carlos making an appearance was unexpected.

Sometimes you Make a Friend: This is a pretty emotional song. Almost as emotional as I Want to Go Home.

Final thoughts:

UPDATE: 3/03/2019

Well, I've been revisiting this special, and...... I've realised I was too generous to it. I mean, Ace was a complete law breaker! Almost killing Reverend Awdry like that! And Thomas saying James was supposed to take the fish trucks? Where was Henry during those events?

Also, why was the ship Ace was supposed to catch in Sodor? Why wasn't it on the mainland somewhere? And furthermore, why was Ace training on Sodor? And he even kept saying there were no railway tracks on the sahara. Well what was Thomas the Tank Engine travelling on in Africa?

Also, while I will admit, it was generous of Thomas to offer Nia a home on Sodor, despite him saying in No Help at All, "Another engine, sir? But you already have so many!", Nia didn't even say why she doesn't have a home anymore. I mean she could've asked the workmen in Africa to build her a new one.

Also, the way Ace made Thomas abandon Nia like that in America was just..... ugh! And Beau was very disrespectful, lying that there aren't any breakdown cranes in America.

So bottom line, this is by far the worst special of Thomas the Tank Engine since........ ever! Yes, I now despise it more than The Terrible Race. There was so much in this special that Thomas did that was nonsensical, and the ending where Fat Controller and Ace were on a ship just stopped there.

The only good things to come out of this movie were the songs and Thomas' cheekiness.

I was too generous to this movie when I first watched it, and looking back on it, it's an even bigger mess than The Terrible Race. Looking back, it made me realise that I should've stuck to what I intended on doing when I heard the news about this mess and stayed off of future episodes. And it further proves that Mattel doesn't have to keep making specials every year! The model series never did that!

So yeah, that's my revised opinion on Big World! Big Adventures! I thought it was a meh movie at first watch, but after rewatching it, it's a big mess that makes Day of the Diesels and Misty Island Rescue look like The Adventure Begins and Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure. 

My rating: -7/10.
(It really is that bad looking back)

TTTE S8E24: Chickens to School

I'm sending some poultry to school this time. Also, some sheep to a market and some children to the farm.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image

206. Chickens to School.
Written by: Paul Larson.
Aired: UK: 24 October 2004. US: 21 November 2004. AUS: 29 November 2006.

One summer night, Thomas is busy taking coal trucks to the Coaling Plant and is very tired by the time he arrives back at Tidmouth Sheds in the morning. Thomas wishes that he had some assistance with the coal delivery, but Gordon tells Thomas that a really useful engine does not need help. Just then, the Fat Controller arrives as he requires an engine to carry out three jobs. Thomas decides to carry out the three jobs, despite being tired. His three jobs are to take chickens to market, sheep to the farm, and the children to school. Gordon remarks that three jobs is too much for Thomas and he will need assistance. But Thomas tells him that tank engines do not need help at all.

So Thomas sets off with Annie, Clarabel, and two vans. He collects the chickens from the farm, the sheep from the valley, and the children from the station. Thomas carries on with his journey up and over Gordon's Hill and through Henry's Tunnel. Throughout the journey, he reminds himself where he is going. However, the tiredness starts getting the better of him and he gets into a muddle.

At the station where the market is being held, Thomas tells the lorry drivers to unload the sheep, instead of the chickens. Then Emily arrives and sees Thomas looking tired, so she offers to help. But Thomas turns it down, though he is very sleepy. After the market, Thomas goes onto Farmer McColl's and tells the children it is their stop. Finally at the school, Thomas delivers the chickens, much to the confusion of the school teachers.

Thomas heads off for home, but not before the Fat Controller receives phone calls about the sheep making a mess at market, the children getting muddy at the farm, and the chickens messing up the classrooms. The Fat Controller tells Thomas what happened and that he needs to put everything right, but this time with help. Thomas then tells the Fat Controller what Gordon said earlier - a really useful engine never needs help. Edward remarks that he is always helping Gordon up the hill, which makes Gordon blush with embarrassment.

Thomas sets off with Edward and Percy helping him. Edward takes the chickens from the school to market, Percy takes the sheep from the market to the farm, and Thomas collects the children from the farm and brings them to the school. That night, Thomas finally gets some much needed sleep in Tidmouth Sheds.


While this episode was funny on its own, especially with Thomas the Tank Engine getting all muddled up, I have to question something. And this is what I have to question:

Shouldn't Thomas the Tank Engine's crew have more common sense than this? Thomas the Tank Engine was tired yes, but surely his crew wasn't. They should know where chickens, sheep, and children should go.

Another funny thing about this was Gordon the Big Engine bragging about how a really useful engine never needs help, only for Edward the Blue Engine to brag about helping Gordon up the hill.

Not sure how to rate this episode. Hmm.... should I like it because of the humour, or should I dislike it for Thomas' crew not having common sense? Hmm.... I'll say I'm 65/35 on this one.

My rating: 6.5/10.

Season 8 scorecard:

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

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

24. Chickens to School: 6.5/10.

Season 8 rating so far: 6.7/10.

TTTE S7E15: Something Fishy

Let's go into the next episode to have mah boi as the main star. Something's fishy about this.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image

171. Something Fishy.

Written by: Paul Larson.

Aired: UK: 24 October 2003. AUS: 1 November 2004. US: 2 October 2005.

Arthur is new to the railway and is still learning his way around. One morning, he discovers the fishing village, and soon sees it as his favourite place on the island. That evening, the Fat Controller comes to the shed looking for an engine to run the line. Arthur hopes he will be chosen, but the Fat Controller ends up choosing Thomas, who is not very pleased. Arthur is disappointed when the Fat Controller sends him to haul coal to the Steelworks instead.

Later, Thomas is having a washdown when Arthur arrives and teases him. Thomas complains of the smell and Arthur knows he would be happier than Thomas if he was running the line. 

Thomas is sent to collect some fish and is impatient with the workmen, a fisherman tells him to enjoy the smell, to which Thomas snorts in disgust. When he leaves, the trip initially starts off smooth, but a set of malfunctioning points leaves the trucks the right direction, and him diverted onto an old pier line. Thomas falls through an uncompleted causeway gap into a tidal pool, much to the trucks' delight. When the Fat Controller hears the news, he checks the timetables and sends Arthur to assist Thomas.

Due to the heat, the ice keeping the fish fresh begins to melt and Thomas is worried that it will go off. Arthur is surprised to find Thomas in the water, but Thomas is not concerned about himself and tells Arthur to take the fish and leave him. Arthur takes the fish away and hurries to the Docks. Luckily, he delivers the fish to the docks just in time.

Later, Arthur finds Thomas in the fitter's yard, who reveals that he hates running the fishing line and proposes that they trade. When the Fat Controller is looking for a replacement for Thomas, Arthur volunteers and asks the Fat Controller if he could do it all the time. The Fat Controller agrees and allows Arthur to run it. Arthur is proud to be running his routine work on the fishing line.


Another great way to use Arthur as the main star. We also get to learn that he likes the smell of fish. They'll get him in a ripe pickle, wouldn't they?

Sorry, got carried away here. But here, we get a reference to The Goon Show, when the Fish Trucks say "He's fallen in the water!" after Thomas the Tank Engine falls into the tidal pool, though I find it a bit strange the points would just send the trucks along the main line, but send Thomas the Tank Engine along the pier track.

But it was very heroic of Arthur to help Thomas the Tank Engine. And he got his reward in the end, running the fishing village all the time. This gives me hope that Arthur will return in Big World! Big Adventures!, and yes, as I said in my most recent blog about that, I am giving that series a try after all.

But overall, this was a mighty fine episode, proving Arthur a great friend to Thomas, even if the rest of the episode was fishy.

My rating: 10/10.

Season 7 scorecard:

2. Percy Gets it Right: 9.5/10.

3. Bill, Ben and Fergus: 7/10.

9. The Spotless Record: 10/10.

12. Rheneas and the Roller Coaster: 5/10.

15. Something Fishy: 10/10.

16. The Runaway Elephant: 9.5/10.

17. Peace and Quiet: 10/10.

18. Fergus Breaks the Rules: 7/10.

19. Bulgy Rides Again: 9.5/10.

22. Best Dressed Engine: 9/10.

26. 3 Cheers for Thomas: 10/10.

Season 7 rating so far: 9.2/10.