2004 was the 20th anniversary of the Thomas the Tank Engine TV series and with the eighth series being broadcasted, their were many new changes after the leaving of David Mitton, Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell. Steve Asquith, one of the longest running Thomas crew members, took the role as director, Robert Hartshrone and Ed Welch took the role as the musicians for the music and gave the show a new theme song. And the traditional 35mm footage being replaced by the modern cameras that we have today for other TV shows of all genres. Older fans were outraged by the new changes, but there are things that yours truly likes about this season. So let us sit back at the new changes of Thomas & Friends, but first:
THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE
THOMAS AND THE TUBA
Written by
Dave Ingham
Directed by
Steve Asquith
Air Date:
1/08/04
Plot:
It was Lady Hatt's Birthday and the Brass Band are heading from the mainland to play the party. But Thomas had accidentally left the tuba player behind! Thomas went all around the island to look for him.
PRO:
- A perfect moral about being patience and taking your time.
- The use of road characters.
CON:
- Thomas was not off the tracks.
- Elizabeth being a motor lorry.
- The titling could've been better.
Despite the cons, this episode is actually enjoyable. It's got two great morals and I love the use of the road characters. But despite the positives, there are the negatives. I never liked Elizabeth as a motor lorry, she's a steam lorry, I hope they fix that up if she returns to the CGI series. But when she carried the tuba player, it reminded me of the Postman Pat episode: Postman Pat and the Tuba. Though I have to say the titling of the episode should've been better. Maybe it should've been called, 'Thomas and The Tuba Player'? Because the title sounds like Thomas is missing the Tuba rather then the Tuba Player.
But despite those, the episode is enjoyable and has two great morals.
Rating: 3/5
