S5 Ep.26: Rusty and The Boulder + Overall

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

RUSTY AND THE BOULDER 

Written by
Britt Allcroft and David Mitton 

Directed by
David Mitton 

Air Date:
5/11/98

Plot:
Rusty worries that the boulder in the new quarry is watching him and wants to leave. The next day, the boulder falls and chases him and the others down the track. 

PRO:
N/A

CON:
- Thumper = Pointless one-off
- How did 'Boulder' get behind Rusty?
- How can boulder roll at such speed across the narrow gauge railway?
- How did Skarloey and Rheneas get to the sidings without a signalman?
- What made the shed go on fire and blow up?

This would have to be the most unrealistic episode in the history of the show. First off is Thumper, yes I know he was there to help the workmen, but still he is just a pointless character and I know he was their for the merchandise as Steve Asquith pointed it out during an interview with SiF. There are so many unanswered questions from this episode, especially the sheds blowing up. What made it blow up? Was their dynamite? A boiler being tested? Anything? honestly, I didn't watch the episode but I know by heart what happens. 

Rating: 1/5

OVERALL 

Season 5 is just overused with crash, after crash, after crash, after crash, which ended up to this. Crashes does make things exciting, but when you use them over and over again it would end up scaring kids for life and some stories like 'Haunted Henry' and 'Toby's Discovery' does tend to have a dark feeling towards the target audience. To be honest, their were some episodes that scared me as a kid like 'A Better View For Gordon', yes, one of my personal favourite did scared me a little as a child. Trains have accidents, but nowadays they do have safety regulations on speed limits etc. and can be rare. Kids at the young target audience may not want to watch these episodes. When you look at the Awdry's Railway Series books, they do have crashes all the time, but their stories are very different towards these episodes. The Awdry's have written simple stories. There are crashes, but a simple story about an engine's tyres are broken or a steam engine helping two 'dead' diesels are much better. I'm not hating on the fifth series, but honestly, Season 5 is just not for kids at the target range that is now.

The narration, this is Alec Baldwin's first season as narrator and to be honest, I do like his voice for the Fat Controller and Oliver and Toad. But he sounds boring when he narrates. He got a great voice, but it just wasn't the best, but then again nobody is perfect at anything. Michael Angelis still provide great enthusiasm and is still a great underrated actor. Though he uses his usual voice that can confuse a young audience member.

The setting is good, some new features like Maithwate station. It looks good as a branch line station unlike what it is today. It's a shame that the Skarloey Railway has no Crovans Gate anymore and we won't see a main line engine meeting up with them until Season nine.  

OVERALL RATING:

85.4/100

SEASON 6 - 12 REVIEWS WILL START IN THE NEW YEAR.

WATCH OUT FOR MY THE DVD REVIEW OF 'STICKY
 SITUATIONS' AROUND LATE DECEMBER.