S22 Ep.15: Outback Thomas

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

OUTBACK THOMAS

Written by

Tim Bain 

Directed by

Dianna Basso

Produced by

Micaela Winter (HIT/Mattel)

Air Date

17/09/18

Plot
In Australia, Shane is taking passengers on an outback adventure. He impresses Thomas so much with his showmanship that when some passengers miss Shane's train, Thomas decides to become an outback tour guide himself - with disastrous consequences...

So we are finally at the Australian episode and so far, I think this would have to the best international episode by far. I like how there was a reason for Thomas being in Australia, probably the first time we hear a reason for Thomas being in a country! Shane's character was great. Laid back and crack a few jokes like most Aussies are. I also liked that he speaks in some slang, even though as an Australian I never knew such slang like 'having a yarn', so there's some slang that I've learnt. Another that makes the episode great is that Thomas had conflict in the story. He was making up stuff and not knowing where he was going when taking the tour train and of course dealt with the consequences and of course it brings in the moral about not make stuff up. Aubrey and Aiden are quite funny too, I hope we see more of them too! 

I quite like some of the Australian references in this episode, keeping in mind the episode was actually written by an Australian writer. I like how they have shown Ayres Rock, which definitely shows that Thomas was in the Northern Territory, which is apart of the Australian outback and if you want realism, there is standard gauge track going out there, the same one that Flying Scotsman rolled on back in 1989. I also find the reference to Kylie Minogue a bit funny, considering she is a very popular singer here and at over in the UK. Thomas said that the 'big red bus', which is really Ayres Rock, is owned by the Queen of Australia named Kylie. Here in Australia, we do share the same Queen as the UK, which is Queen Elizabeth II as Australia is part of the Commonwealth like Canada, New Zealand, Papu New Guinea. Also I believe Pine Tree Station is also a reference to Pine Creek Station, which is in the Northern Territory as well. The station nowadays is now a railway museum. Kakadu National Park is also referenced as well and that is an actual place in the Northern Territory as well. I also like Aiden and Aubrey were teasing Thomas in a good humoured way for his 'funny accent', which I have to say is a bit accurate as us Australians and Englishmen have a bit of a friendly banter with each other about our cultures, it gave me a chuckle.

Also one of the things about Shane is that he is voiced by Australian comedian, Shane Jacobson. For those who don't know who he is, he's an Australian comedian and actor in such Australian films like 'Kenny' (2006) and 'The BBQ' (2018). He may not be big around the world but he's big here in Australia and I say welcome aboard! Looking forward to hearing more of him and I'm looking forward to more Australian episodes from Tim Bain soon! 

Episode Rating

Number One Engine - 8/10

Forever and Ever - 8.5/10

Thomas and the Dragon - 10/10
Confusion Without Delay - 10/10
Trusty Trunky- 6.5/10
What Rebecca Does - 9/10
Thomas Goes to Bollywood - 6/10
Samson and The Fireworks - 10/10
Runaway Truck - 7/10
Rosie Is Red - 10/10
Thomas In The Wild - 5/10
Thomas' Animal Ark - 9/10
Thomas and the Monkey Palace - 7/10
An Engine of Many Colours - 8/10
Outback Thomas - 10/10

Series Rating (So far):

124/150