My Top 11 least favourite Thomas characters

I've been wanting to redo this list for a long time. And now's the time for me to do it. I'm going to revise my Top 11 least favourite characters from Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. Why top 11? Because I'm a biased reviewer. Nah. There's just one character I wanted to add, so this is a Top 11 list.

Before I begin, I want to announce that I don't dislike all the characters I've listed.

Here are a couple of rules I'm adding to this countdown:

1. I won't be including Nia and Rebecca. Because I grew to like those 2.

2. Every character is allowed on this list.

So, get ready to send me to the scrapyard! Here are my Top 11 least favourite Thomas characters.

Dishonourable mentions:

Gordon (Season 19 onward): Now, before anyone throws a temper tantrum at me for adding him here, I do NOT dislike Gordon. At least not in Seasons 1-18. But The Little Engine Who Raced Ahead, Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure, Confused Coaches, and Forever and Ever, showed him as an asshole. The last one I mentioned showed him throwing a tantrum over Henry's pointless departure from Tidmouth Sheds. (I personally understand why Edward left. Because he has his own shed at Wellsworth, and I personally think that Thomas and Percy should've left the sheds because of Ffarquhar Sheds)

James (Season 20 onward): Again, I do NOT dislike James. Well, at least not in Seasons 1-19. But episodes like Pouty James, The Fastest Red Engine on Sodor, and the ever-so appalling Apology Impossible showed him to be a complete asshole. And now that I think about it, instead of making Henry leave Tidmouth Sheds, Fat Controller should've kicked James out of the sheds, especially for destroying the back of them out of carelessness and jumping to conclusions about his brakes.

Spencer (Hero of the Rails onward): Again, I don't dislike Spencer. But the way he behaves in Hero of the Rails, Spencer the Grand, Welcome Stafford, and Confused Coaches is just unsatisfying. I mean, always in his silly rivalry with Gordon, all because they're cousins. And even calling him "Slowcoach". I'm just going to have to call Spencer "Slowcoach".

Diesel: Again, I do NOT dislike Diesel. I just don't like how he was made a permanent resident of Sodor.... without an episode explaining why! This wouldn't have been like this had Thomas and the Evil Diesel been adapted.

Charlie (pre-Season 16): Yes, Charlie was redeemed in Season 17, but what he did in the seasons beforehand was pretty lame and annoying. Telling jokes and wanting to race other engines instead of doing his work like he's supposed to. That's not good.

Fred: Now I did say every character is allowed, right? I wouldn't have had a problem with Fred's appearance in New Little Engine.... if he'd actually APPEARED in that book. His potential was all wasted. He got no physical appearance at all.

Arry and Bert: I don't dislike these two, but what irks me about these 2 is that whenever they cause trouble, they almost never get punished for it! Especially in Stepney Gets Lost, Middle Engine, Thomas and the New Engine and Henry's Happy Coal. 

Old Stuck-Up: Talk about unoriginal. Old Stuck-Up is nothing more than The Bowled Out Diesel with 199's livery. All we got out of him was him thinking steam engines are inferior to diesels, and crashing through the back of Tidmouth Sheds out of slipping on oil.

Norman: I feel this recolour of Dennis is rather useless, and the potential he has keeps going to waste. We barely get anything out of him.

Sam: Sure, Sam has a great basis, but considering what he's based on, he's far, FAR too big to be working on a British Railway. And I don't find his voice and persona all that interesting.

Samson: This engine is a complete idiot, always in his little world and not caring about what's going on around him, and even thinking fresh inanimate objects are scrap!

Hong-Mei: I know people say she's a recolour of Rosie, but that's not the case, and that's not even why she's on this list. We barely get anything out of her except for the fact she's China's Numbuh 1 engine.

The nameless international engines: There's nothing to say about them, really, except for what lazy recolours they are.


Now, onto the real list.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the images

11. Spiteful Brakevan.

Though it was explained that this brake van took a dislike to Douglas, it wasn't explained why he took a disliking to him. And he does live up to his title. And it's a good thing he got what was coming to him. This is why I always exclude him whenever I say that Boco's the only character introduced in Season 2 who's yet to return. The Spiteful Brakevan is dead.

10. Smudger.

Let me get this clear. While Smudger is among my least favourite characters, I do not dislike him. I just find him overrated by fans. Fans keep begging for HiT to bring him back. Well Smudger can't return. For one reason and one reason only. He's dead! And also, Smudger kept coming off the rails out of carelessness. 

9. Colin.

There's nothing to say about Colin except how forgettable he is. All he wanted was a party, one that was around him. And that's all we got out of him. And not to mention, you can't move him anywhere else as easily as Cranky, Carly, Merrick, or Beresford since they can be dismantled and moved to other places. 

8. Ashima.

Let's get this perfectly clear. I do not dislike Ashima. I'm just neutral over her. The reason she's here is because we barely get anything out of her apart from that development she put Thomas the Tank Engine through. (one he didn't even need to go through) I will admit, I do like the song You Can Only Be You she sang with Thomas the Tank Engine.

7. Ivo Hugh. 

Yeah, a fitting place for him. And it proves that every character's allowed. I wouldn't have any problems with his role.... if he'd actually had a proper role in his book. Look, I know it takes time to build an engine, but in Jock the New Engine, Jock was fully built within the 3rd story, and was speaking too. But Ivo Hugh.... he didn't say or do anything. (and they say Bertram, Thumper, and Lady did nothing)

6. Beresford.

We didn't get very much out of this blue Merrick except for the fact he is often lonely. And also, Beresford dangerously hid Thomas the Tank Engine in the canal when James the Red Engine, Hurricane, and Frankie were looking for him. Though I will admit his song Who's Thomas? was entertaining. I just wish there was more they could do with Beresford.

5. Isla.

While I don't hate Isla,even though she's my least favourite female character, I just feel she's a forgettable female Jeremy. She made Thomas the Tank Engine too determined to best her in getting doctors to injured people. So yeah, I don't find Isla that interesting of a character. 

4. Beau.

I will admit, Beau has a nice design and a well done accent, but he's very disrespectful to engines who have derailments, especially with Thomas and an engine who was scrapped. Just leave them to rust until there's no more of them! When Thomas the Tank Engine asked for a breakdown train, Beau told a lie that there are no breakdown trains in the wild west. Very disrespectful you are, Beau.

3. Billy.

I know a lot of people will agree with me on this one. All Billy did was act like a brat to Thomas the Tank Engine's advice on taking on coal and water, always being "Stop telling me what to do!" and accusing Thomas the Tank Engine a "very bossy engine". Billy even unknowingly biffed Percy the Small Engine under the coal hopper. And he never got punished for his actions.

What's even worse is that on Twitter, people keep making this hashtag called "BillyGang", always consistently disrespecting the fact people dislike him. Makes me glad I don't have a Twitter account.

2. Vinnie.

Yep. Vinnie is no longer my least favourite character in the series, but he's still my least favourite villain in the series, and I still can't stand him. He's such an arrogant brat, throwing his weight around like that. And what he did to Philip was uncalled for! Trying to push him into a turntable, and all for a coal accident! Man! Talk about toxic! Sure, Diesel is a bully, but he has charisma. Vinnie on the other hand does not. But it was lucky for Thomas the Tank Engine and Ashima to have given him what was coming to him.

And my new Numbuh 1 least favourite Thomas the Tank Engine character is.....

I was going to keep Vinnie at Numbuh 1, but according to my research, and some reviews and memes, I see a lot of people hate a character more than him. It made me realise a lot of stuff about this particular character. This character is a common law breaker. And that character is none other than.....

1. Ace.

Yes. I hate this yellow Fast Talking Lightning McQueen more than Vinnie. While Vinnie was such an unlikable character, you're not expected to like him. Ace on the other hand, ugh! Even if his Free and Easy song was cool, and even if he was voiced by Peter Andre, Ace is a common law breaker! He broke so many driving rules when going to Sodor. And even went on the tracks. Almost veering into Sidney, who was going on the mainland. And he kept lying to Thomas the Tank Engine that "there aren't any tracks on the Sahara" (well what do you call the stuff Thomas the Tank Engine was moving on while in Africa?)

Ace was also an asshole, making Thomas abandon Nia and their job while in America, all to do a dimwitted stunt!  This meme sums it up. Also, it's making me lose respect for Big World! Big Adventures!. This review sums it up too.

If you have any thoughts you want to share on any of my choices, feel free to do so. 

My future with Thomas and Friends

Welcome to my first blog post for 2019, everyone! Hope you all had a merry Christmas.

This time, I am going to say how I feel about Thomas the Tank Engine now.

As you all know, I am mixed on Season 22. There were some good episodes, like Hunt the Truck (I was hoping Boco would return in that one, but I guess you can't have it all), An Engine of Many Colours, Outback Thomas, Thomas' Animal Ark, What Rebecca Does, Counting on Nia, and School of Duck. There were some mediocre at best episodes like Banjo and the Bushfire (I was personally hoping that Banjo would be a bear to reference Banjo-Kazooie, but he was actually a bear-like marsupial known as a koala), Numbuh One Engine, Forever and Ever, and Trusty Trunky, and even some atrocious episodes like Thomas Goes to Bollywood, Thomas in the Wild, Thomas and the Monkey Palace (And this is coming from a monkey lover), The Water Wheel, and the ever-so-appalling, putrid, rancid, toxic, anger-inducing atrocity Apology Impossible, which proves that the series has been on for too long!

I have been looking through all the tweets on Twitter, comments on rants about Thomas' revamp, and even comments on the episodes. I have been looking very deep into those comments and realised how many people have been taking the series so seriously. It made me realise I've been taking the series for granted too. Just like how I've been taking The Simpsons for granted (Trust me. I've given up on that series after that Apu controversy).

And here is the announcement I'm going to make. It's going to shock a lot of you.

After reading what Season 23 is going to be like, having an episode in Italy (regardless of how exciting that might be to you guys), and more episodes in China, India, and Australia, I've made the real decision.

I am not going to be watching anymore future episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine ever again. Not for the sake of any of you, but for the sake of not adding so much stress on my life. That's it.

I did plan on reviewing episodes of Season 23, but after I made this realisation and done my research, I decided, stuff it! I'm not reviewing that season.

One of my main problems with the newest series is the Around the World episodes. Most of them are really pointless. Thomas went around the world in Big World! Big Adventures!, so why is he travelling around the world again? And they're focusing too much on animals.

Next problem. Where's the variety? Why is Thomas travelling to Australia, India, and China again? He's seen those parts of the world already!

What does Fat Controller think of Thomas travelling the world again? Wouldn't he think that overkill?

And also, who is doing Thomas' work while he's away in China, India, Australia, wherever else in the world? He can't just leave his work and get back to it once his international adventures are over!

Or better yet, why not make a spinoff just focusing on the international engines?

It's too much for a small 6 wheel tank engine to do all of this! Thomas has already travelled the world! He's seen the world already! So this series shouldn't even exist!

We all know that this series does exist for one reason. Mattel's fake reason being "A kid said "Thomas never goes anywhere"". I'm calling it fake because I doubt that kid even exists. Besides, if Thomas never went anywhere, Thomas would just be stuck in the shed all the time, or stuck in a siding all the time. That would be downright boring to watch.

And another problem with this series. I've been feeling this way since Andrew Brenner took over as head writer. And it sucks that he's left the series, and that Season 23 will be his last season with the show. I've been feeling that many Thomas fans have been taking the series for granted. Overexcited to see characters like Terence, Bulgy, Duck, Oliver, Daisy, Donald, Douglas, etc. return to the series. It's great that they're back in the series, but do we really need to be this crazy about it?

I've been feeling that many fans are forgetting what they really did like about Thomas in the first place. Taking the series far too seriously, even forgetting it's a children's series.

And also, I feel people are overrating this series like Spongebob, Teen Titans Go!, Frozen, etc. Especially those people who are involved in that appalling Thomas Creator Collective! A series which I really hope will get cancelled soon!

What I've heard about Mattel is that we don't know what they'll do with Bob the Builder. And I heard they ended the ugly CGi Fireman Sam reboot (Thank goodness!). Probably because they want to focus more on Hot Wheels, Barbie, and even Big World! Big Adventures!. 

Also, I've been realising this for the last couple of years. A lot of people overrate certain things like this. Just about everything that gets made nowadays is all quantity over quality. Especially when it comes to Nickelodeon (Especially Spongebob and The Loud House (I still refuse to get into that series)), Cartoon Network (Especially Go!), The Simpsons, Family Guy, and even shows targeted towards small children. This is why I don't plan on having kids of my own, or if I do have kids of my own, I'll just expose them to what I grew up with and pretend they're from the present.

Speaking of TV, I'm only going to be using it to play video games from now on. There's mostly reality shows, talk shows, news reports, soap operas, and dimwitted commercials on TV nowadays. That's why I don't watch TV anymore. When it comes to entertaining myself by shows, I just watch whatever I want online nowadays.

So there you have it, folks. I am not going to be sticking around for future Thomas episodes, especially with the lack of variety in their international episodes and overuse of fantasy sequences (regardless of how funny they can be). But if you are going to be sticking around for future Thomas, that's fine by me, but don't expect me to.  Besides, I've had it up to here with Mattel's dimwitted marketing ideas (being the reason their sales are going down,  and the Trackmaster Push Alongs replacing Adventures may just as well be the final nail in the coffin for them). As a company, Mattel has lost my respect as a Thomas fan.

I'm just going to go back to Seasons 1-7, maybe a bit of Seasons 8-12, and Seasons 17-21. I am also going to be sticking with fanmade projects, like fanfictions and made up episodes. Plus, I have more interests apart from Thomas!

So there. I'm done. And this time, I mean it! I really do mean it this time.

Plans for 2019

As far as my blog has gone, I have done heaps of reviews and countdowns and thoughts blogs. I've been reviewing blogs related to Thomas the Tank Engine. I've been reviewing most of the specials, and all The Railway Series books. I even talked about the outdated argument about Thomas and the Magic Railroad. (Really! It's been 18 years! Get over it!)

Alright. Here are my plans for 2019:

- I'll be doing more reviews on Thomas the Tank Engine. I sure won't be doing anymore Season 22 reviews, that's for sure. After that atrocity, Apology Impossible.

- This is a possibility, but depending on how Season 23 of Thomas turns out, I don't know whether to review any aspect of it or not.

- I'll be continuing my reviews on TUGS. 

- On my Deviantart,  I'm planning to write more Codename Kids Next Door fan fictions in novel style. On my Deviantart and my Fanfiction. And I've been considering doing another Kids Next Door/Pokémon Crossover.  But it won't be a repeat of the one I did last year, but more or less like the one I did a few years ago. I'm baking up new ideas.

- I'm planning to do some parody chapter fan fictions. Of maybe Robotboy.

- I'll be writing more Thomas the Tank Engine fan fictions in novel style, after not writing any this year.

- On this blog, remember when I announced that I'd deleted my reviews on Codename Kids Next Door? Well, I'll be rereviewing the series.

Alright. Those are the plans I have so far for 2019. So until next year, farewell, Blogger!

TTTE S7E24: Not So Hasty Puddings

I thought I would do a review to celebrate this year's festive season. With some puddings.

Special thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine Wikia for the image

180. Not So Hasty Puddings/Not So Hasty Cakes/Thomas and the Avalanche.
Written by: Robyn Charteris.
Aired: UK: 6 November 2003. US: 17 October 2004. Aus: 12 November 2004.

It is Christmas time on the Island and snow is lying heavy on the ground. When Elizabeth delivers Thomas' snowplough, he refuses to wear it and Elizabeth states that he cannot be reliable without it. Thomas grumbles about how rude Elizabeth was and that his snowplough makes his buffers ache.

When Thomas arrives at Maithwaite, he sees Sir Topham Hatt talking to Elizabeth that the Sodor Pudding Factory is snowed in and that the puddings must get to the Docks before the ship leaves for the Mainland. Thomas volunteers to do it, but Sir Topham Hatt needs Thomas to work on his branch line, and gives the job to Elizabeth because she is very reliable. Thomas states that he is reliable too, but Elizabeth says that he is not reliable enough, making Thomas cross as Elizabeth leaves.


Thomas arrives at every station on time, while Elizabeth is having a hard time driving on the slippery road. Thomas arrives at the Docks to pick up Terence and sees that Elizabeth has not returned. Sir Topham Hatt orders Thomas to find her. Elizabeth is filled with Christmas puddings and is on her way to the docks, but the slippery roads and the weight of the cargo get her stuck in a snowdrift. Thomas and Terence are stopped by her driver and Terence pulls her out. Thomas helps Elizabeth deliver the puddings just in time and Elizabeth understands that Thomas is a reliable engine.


While this episode did show Elizabeth being rude to Thomas the Tank Engine, it was still a nice way to show her doing her job. Delivering the puddings, but she eventually got stuck due to the snowdrift she crashed into. And it was lucky of Terence to save her.

One fact about this episode was that this was Terence the Tractor's last appearance in an episode until Terence Breaks the Ice. 

The only major problem with this episode was the stock footage. Maybe it was because they used some of the time for the season to film the Jack and the Pack spinoff? But oh well. And it was nice to see Thomas' blue snowplough return.

My rating: 8/10.

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.

24. Not So Hasty Puddings: 8/10.

26. 3 Cheers for Thomas: 10/10.

Season 7 rating so far: 9.1/10.

MSB S6E13: Making Magic + Season 6 overall + New series overall/so far

I'm here at last! I'm making magic with the sun at last! Mr. Ruhle is appearing in this series at last! I am going to wrap up my Magic School Bus Rides Again reviews once and for all! Well.... at least until it does get a 3rd season, or in my case, a 7th season. Does Season 2 (or in my case, Season 6) end on a high note? Blog, do your stuff!

78. Making Magic.
Topic: Sun.
Written by: Suzanne Bolch, John May & Mike McPhaden.
Released: 13 April 2018.

A field trip to the centre of the sun takes a dangerous detour when the school's safety-conscious principal Mr. Ruhle tags along.

Arnold's sneaking into Mr. Ruhle's office to see him on the phone. The trouble is, it's time to inspect The Magic School Bus.

Fiona is in a protection suit instead of swim clothes.

"Oh, Arnold! We know you'd rather stay at home today!"

As it turns out, the class won't be going to have fun in the sun as in go to the beach.

Fiona is going to be taking the class on a field trip to the sun.

Mr. Ruhle is inspecting The Magic School Bus, which is why its headlights are off.

Hopefully, Mr. Ruhle doesn't spot the pizza slice Ralphie left under the seat since October.

Who would've thought The Magic School Bus would have a mess-inator?

Bus doesn't look happy with Mr. Ruhle's final inspection.

But he's eager to go on a field trip. Should be exciting.

Arnold's nervous smile is funny.

But Mr. Ruhle is seeing a simulation now.

Come on! Ride on The Magic Space Station Bus!

But they let Mr. Ruhle into Outer Space!

It's funny that Arnold would cover himself in sunscreen, even though Ralphie pointed out that he's wearing a sun protective suit.

Yet Mr. Ruhle is enjoying himself. Having fun in the sun! Literally!

Arnold being the Mr Ruhle's captain is funny.

"According to my reesearch, it's plasma swirling around, getting sucked down toward the sun and getting pushed back up."

They're trying to grab Mr. Ruhle, but to no avail, due to the swirling plasma.

They managed to grab him.

He sure was having a blast! Literally!

Arnold thinks that Ms. Frizzle is joking about the bus' battery.

Minty gum she has.

Mr. Ruhle still thinks this is a simulation, so he's grading it.

It's funny that Dorothy Ann put on sun-related selections for Mr. Ruhle.

Arnold really admitted he's not Mr. Adventure.

Like the class didn't know before.

Dorothy Ann's worried.

Carlos is also worried.

 

 Wanda thinks Arnold is being so brave. Hmm... this sounds familiar.

The battery is dead!

The Magic School Bus has lost its power!

It is up to Arnold to power up this battery! To get the bus working again!

But Arnold is out of power too.

The battery actually made it!

And The Magic School Bus has regained its power!

 

Arnold made it! A group hug! Sounds a bit familiar in 2 ways.

Take this last chance! To be what they see!

As you can see, the sun helps the Earth in many ways. Power solar panels, evaporate water and make rain, and all kinds of things.

Keesha, Jyoti, Arnold, and Tim look cute when begging.

And Mr. Ruhle decided it's just a simulation.

Now let's find him some ice. He's burning.

"You know what, Arnold? After what you did today, for once, maybe you could stay home tomorrow. You've really earned a break."

But Arnold is fully charged. He is willing to go anywhere now!

The sun also pulls the planets that circle it around it. That's why our Earth does just that.

The sun gives off ultraviolet rays. They can burn you, even when it's cloudy.

"Let's say I'm with you every day. In every test tube, science book, and Petri dish."

 And one last thing! Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!

We finally get to see Mr. Ruhle in this series. And in this series, he's voiced by Martin Roach. I can understand why they got Martin to voice him. Because Paul Winfield, who voiced Mr. Ruhle in the original series, passed on in 2004.

And who would've thought that Mr. Ruhle would enjoy this field trip? Thinking it's a simulation.

And boy did this episode show Arnold's true bravery. Charging the bus's battery back up, and risking himself to do it! He's even braver than he was in The Busasaurus.

Wanda considering Arnold's bravery reminds me of Phoebe fawning over him in said episode.


Well, this was a very epic way to learn about the sun, and how it can power things. And also the damage it can do to you. Blindness if you look at it, and it can burn you, or worse, give you skin cancer. And Arnold really risked himself, and developed completely, and now he's no longer afraid of going on field trips! And one more thing! Wahoo!!!!

My rating: 10/10.

Season 6 final thoughts:

I have to say! Season 2 (or Season 6 by my logic) was awesome! More interesting than Season 1 (or Season 5 by my logic), but the entertainment is on par with it! More interesting lessons, Carlos making more puns than ever, references galore, and even ended on a really high note! Very well done, Magic School Bus Rides Again! 

Season 5 episodes from least favourite to favourite:

8/10.
13. Send in the Clouds.

8.5/10.
12. Claw and Order.

9/10.
11. Ready, Set, Fail!
10. I Spy with my Animal Eyes.
9. Nothin' But Net.
8. Tim and the Talking Trees.
7. Ghost Farm.
6. Janet's Mystery Gene.

9.5/10.
5. Ralphie and the Flying Tennellis.
4. The Land Before Tim.

10/10.
3. The Good, The Bad, and the Gnocchi.
2. Making Magic.
1. Waste Not, Want Not.

Season 6 average score: 9/10.

Final score: 9.1/10.

And that's Season 2 (or in my case, Season 6), and in any case, The Magic School Bus Rides Again so far! It's been a wild ride so far!

Now, this brings me to the million dollar question. Do I want this series to get a 3rd season (or in my case, a 7th season)? Well, yes. Because there are some topics this series nor the original series haven't touched on.

But if it doesn't, I won't have a problem. Making Magic, with all the suspense it contains, really feels like a series finale. But we'll wait and see. So, from now on, I am going to continue to take chances, make mistakes, and get messy! And let Valerie Frizzle end it out for me:

WAHOO!!!!!!!

Well, I hope you enjoyed reading my reviews on these episodes!