THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND ARE NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FANBASE
THERE'LL BE SOME SPOILERS IN HERE AS THIS EPISODE HAD AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE FOR OLDER FANS. I RECOMMEND WATCHING IT BEFORE READING THIS!
THERE'LL BE SOME SPOILERS IN HERE AS THIS EPISODE HAD AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE FOR OLDER FANS. I RECOMMEND WATCHING IT BEFORE READING THIS!
UNSCHEDULED STOPS
Helen Farrall
Directed by
Dianna Basso
Dianna Basso
Produced by
Micaela Winters
Micaela Winters
Plot
Thomas starts making unscheduled stops for his passengers, which in turn delays others.
Air Date
29/09/17
PRO
- Bulgy's return was the biggest surprise yet!
- A very nice down to earth episode
- The Fat Controller investigating was funny
- Bulgy's return was the biggest surprise yet!
- A very nice down to earth episode
- The Fat Controller investigating was funny
CON
- N/A
- N/A
This was the episode I was looking forward too all week and it was even more better with the return of the double decker bus himself, Bulgy! Honestly when I first saw this through a livestream I just shouted his name in surprise. I haven't been this surprised since Harvey's return in 'Thomas' Shortcut' in 2013. The voice actor, Colin McFarland, who had voiced Beresford in 'Journey Beyond Sodor' had done a marvellous job at his voice and it was well suited for him. After watching this, I hope the production team decided to make an episode that is a 'Road Vs. Rail' rivalry. I know we had 'Thomas' Shortcut' back in 2013 but that episode was more of a friendly rivalry while Bulgy's rivalry was more fierce. It was also nice to see some continuity from the Season 7 episode 'Bulgy Rides Again'. In the end is was an unexpected return and it was great that Channel 5 didn't release a picture early on.
As of the episode, I was hoping this was an Andrew Brenner episode. He's always good with the Thomas and Bertie dynamic and considering that this was an episode focusing on those two, I had feeling. It was surprising to see that it was actually Helen Farrall and of course I still love it! She really had captured the Thomas and Bertie dynamic and even laid some continuity from the S17 episode, 'Thomas' Shortcut', so a nice bit of balance of both era's. It was also very down to earth after the comedic storylines of Lee Pressman. A nice setback to finish the second week. Plus she has her own comedy that wasn't all to fast paced or slapstick, even though I like that kind of comedy. Her having the Fat Controller investigating did gave me a chuckle. It was also good to see him being authoritative as well, something that had been missing for a bit but it did bring a nice balance together.
However I can see there was a flaw in the episode and that is of course the ending with Thomas not getting his comeuppance. You think with him not following orders would lead him to be punished and with the Fat Controller arranging Bulgy to help Thomas was more as a reward. Perhaps what could've been better if the Fat Controller arrange Bulgy to take Thomas' passengers and send Thomas to is shed to think about what he had done. You could have a moral saying that you should be following orders. But after thinking about the episode again, it does seem like Thomas was doing a good deed but he was misguided and that's why the Fat Controller got Bulgy. But despite that I have no hate for this episode, it was nice, laid back and down to earth.
In the end, this was a good episode and a good one to end the second week. Looking forward to the last three episodes, especially Rosie's episode.
However I can see there was a flaw in the episode and that is of course the ending with Thomas not getting his comeuppance. You think with him not following orders would lead him to be punished and with the Fat Controller arranging Bulgy to help Thomas was more as a reward. Perhaps what could've been better if the Fat Controller arrange Bulgy to take Thomas' passengers and send Thomas to is shed to think about what he had done. You could have a moral saying that you should be following orders. But after thinking about the episode again, it does seem like Thomas was doing a good deed but he was misguided and that's why the Fat Controller got Bulgy. But despite that I have no hate for this episode, it was nice, laid back and down to earth.
In the end, this was a good episode and a good one to end the second week. Looking forward to the last three episodes, especially Rosie's episode.
Episode Rating:
Springtime for Diesel - 8/10
A Most Singular Engine - 9/10
Dowager Hatt's Busy Day - 10/10
Stuck in Gear - 8/10
Runaway Engine - 9/10
PA Problems - 10/10
Hasty Hannah - 7/10
Cranky at the End of the Line - 5/10
New Crane on the Dock - 9/10
Unscheduled Stops - 10/10
PA Problems - 10/10
Hasty Hannah - 7/10
Cranky at the End of the Line - 5/10
New Crane on the Dock - 9/10
Unscheduled Stops - 10/10
Series Rating (So Far):
85/100
