Monday 5 March 2012

S16 Ep. 19: Don't Bother Victor

Just before you start, I like to say that NSW Riverina and north-eastern Victoria are affected with floods, please donate to Australian Red Cross' 'Disaster Relief and Recovery' fund. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the people who lost their homes during this terrible time...

Well, since the dawn of the CGI era which began in 2010 with Series 13, the Skarloey Railway engines were never seen, but they were mentioned as 'The little engines' in a few episodes and in 'Hero of The Rails' (2009). A few days ago, HIT Entertainment's Thomas & Friends website have revealed the CGI counterparts of the Skarloey Railway engines for the first time with some detailing. Then they have revealed in the trailer of the upcoming DVD special, which will be released later this year in September, 'Blue Mountain Mystery' which they'll be in it.

DON'T BOTHER VICTOR
Written by Sharon Miller
Directed by Greg Tiernan
Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date:
5/03/12

Plot:
The Thin Controller is off to a meeting and leaves Peter Sam in charge of the narrow gauge railway for the very first time. 





THESE ARE SOLEY UNDER MY OWN OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FANBASE

THESE MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

PRO:
- The Skarloey Railway engines are back
- The detailing on the locomotives are spot on.
- The voices are nice, except there is one I don't like.
- It was another two strikes episode.

CON:
- This plot feels like the Season 11 episode 'Sir Handel In Charge', a little.
- Out of all the voices from NG engines, I don't like Sir Handel's voice, he sounds naisily, but you can't always expect what you expect.
- Duncan didn't appear at all in this episode, only a mention.
- The drivers are used again as the engines' hands


This episode is not a favourite of mine, but I believe the Skarloey engines are the best bit about this episode. We haven't seen them since Season 12 and there voices sound great. I don't hate Sir Handel's voice with a passion, but it may need some work. The welsh accents were great, especially Skarloey and Rheneas', Ben Small did a great job on Rheneas and whoever did the voice of Skarloey, my guess its someone who did the voice of Fireman Sam, he did a great job too. Peter Sam's voice was nice too. It's a shame that Duncan didn't get a role in this episode, but I think they didn't finish him in time or they couldn't find a suitable voice actor, there is Paxton, Norman and Sidney, but despite Duncan's absent I'm pleased that the Skarloey engines returned. 

The CGI did give the engines a lot of detail and some bits and pieces that the models didn't have. And I'm glad it's another two strikes episode. But its a shame that the drivers are used as the engines hands and don't speak at all, just zombie like. This episode is only good for the Skarloey engines, but the episode does need some tweaking.

Rating: 3.5/5