A Retrospective of Thomas & Friends DVD in 2017

As we are getting ready to end another year once again, let's take a look back the DVD reviews of Thomas & Friends that were released during the course of 2017. But first here's the warning:

THESE ARE MY VIEWS AND ARE NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

TALES FROM THE RAILS

Review Date:

30/01/17

Looking back, not much to say but I still think the DVD had a good amount of episodes, even if some are duds from both seasons. 

Rating:

7/10

EXTRAORDINARY ENGINES

Review Date

6/03/17

The Hugo episodes were a bit disappointing, I don't hate them but I think they could've been better. I get it that the first episode on this DVD, 'Engine of the Future' was suppose to be the don't jump to conclusion moral. But it feels plain in comparison to an episode like 'Harvey to the Rescue', the reason why that episode is better in my opinion is because Harvey proved his worth after the engines criticised him of being different and that was about his crane arm. Hugo didn't do anything to show his worth and never really had much purpose or a reason to be on Sodor. 

The other episodes like 'The Missing Breakdown Train', while not bad, wasn't that great in my opinion. Not much happens in the episode until Daisy's derailment, it was average. 'Hugo and the Airship' could've been better too if the episode didn't feel like it was two seperate stories morphed into one as it felt like a mystery tale at first then Hugo suddenly have this ambition to fly. 'Three Steam Engines Gruff' by far is the worst episode coming from this DVD. The story could've worked with the classic personas of the three Ffarquhar engines or it could've worked with engines like Bill, Ben and Timothy. The latter could've been a much more better episode.

However this DVD had some good episodes, 'Henry in the Dark' is one my favourites as Lee Pressman had turned the tables around for Henry. I still standby my opinion that Henry's scaredy engine persona was handled more better in S19 and 'The Adventure Begins', because one story had something relatable  for kids and the other worked considering that it was during Henry's early years. But prior to that, Henry's wimpy persona was truly awful and it was nice to see that change. 

Skiff and the Mermaid was simple, nice and hilarious too, especially with the Fat Controller.

The DVD doesn't beat the likes of 'Spills and Thrills' and 'Start Your Engines' and I felt this one was less thematic as some episodes aren't really focused on things that are extraordinary. I think it's because of Hugo? But I think his stories weren't really that extraordinary, maybe it would've been better if the Glynn stories were placed on this DVD too in the UK rather than another random DVD. I mean Glynn is a unique looking engine as well.

Rating:

7/10

THE COMPLETE SERIES 18/DINOS AND DISCOVERIES

Review Date
5/07/17

As usual the DVD showcases 26 episodes and an added bonus disc of 'Dinos and Discoveries'. The problem that the series collection dvds have is the lack of episode titles on the rear cover. Of course there wouldn't be enough room to showcase 26 episodes given the room on the rear. So I think the DVDs should be provided with a booklet with a list of 26 episodes and maybe HIT Entertainment and Mattel might add advertisements for their products and other DVDs within the Thomas & Friends brand. 

Rating:
7/10

TEAM UP WITH THOMAS

Review Date
24/08/17

Looking back, the first three episodes of this DVD are pretty much the bad apples in my opinion. Buckled Tracks should've cut out Belle and Flynn as they weren't really needed, Mucking About has the moral about ignoring others despite that in real life they would pressure you more and more and Blown Away really felt like a repeat of Helen Farrall's previous work such as 'Toad and The Whale' and 'Slow Stephen'. 

But despite that there are some good ones here too, despite 'Pouty James' and it was great seeing two classic songs been given the CGI series treatment. The editing feels a bit choppy but I loved them in the end. Although Mattel and HIT should work on better DVD titles and have them with the episode titles with the tag '& Other Stories' beneath it. 

Rating:
8/10

JOURNEY BEYOND SODOR

Review Date

4/10/17

The special did miles better than what 'The Great Race' had done. The story is focused on one thing rather than a bunch of subplots. The songs are fun and catchy and the newbies are pretty interesting such as Lexie, Theo and Merlin. Three of these characters have a great dynamic and balance with Lexie and Theo's pessimistic attitude and Merlin's confident and positivity. The villains, Hurricane and Frankie are a breath of fresh air. Instead of being the typical bad guys, they were villains that need sympathy since they are the only two engines who work at the steelworks and no one else wants to work there. However they do have some flaws and I think one of them is Beresford. He was not terrible but he didn't really add much to the story especially his song 'Who's Thomas' felt unnecessary although it was quite catchy. There were some things such as the movement of the engines and I do have to admit it was awkward in some places but I see where it works such as in the songs and it was subtle when the engines have dialogue. Plus the who the favourite squabble from Thomas and James feels like it came out of nowhere too and there some consistency issues, especially with Percy feeling scared about going onto the mainland despite that we had a whole special dedicated to him about feel scared but be brave. It's not the best special but it is one of the good ones in my opinion.

However with the news of the new revamped series and that S21 is building up to it with 'A Shed for Edward', I feel now like this special is more like what S19 was. It was filler, it was just there. In the first Cranky episode of S21, Thomas had already been to the mainland despite that S21 was set before JBS. It was really confusing.

Rating:

8/10


CHRISTMAS ON SODOR

Review Date
13/11/17

For the first time we have a new Thomas DVD, that is outside of the movies and the tent pole releases, that are in sync with the UK and US. I will say that the episodes like 'Terence Breaks the Ice' is probably one of Lee Pressman's best stories as it feels like there is more story than comedy and the episode feels like something Christopher Awdry would write, like his annual story 'Terence Takes a Bath'. The other episodes are good too such as 'Confused Coaches', 'Emily in the Middle' and 'Daisy's Perfect Christmas'. I will say that 'The Big Freeze' could've been better with frozen water towers than the steam engines having a lack of coal, I pretty much hate that they stop working when they have no coal whereas they have more in their firebox to keep on steaming. But in the end it was a good episode still. 

Of course you have the three S20 episodes, 'Cautious Connor' was good despite some loss of potential and that it's story is not on par with the likes of Edward's or Rheneas'. But 'Tit for Tat' and 'All In Vain' still hold up as great! 

Rating:
8/10

---

And so here we are, the end of 2017! I had this post released early instead of New Years Eve as I will be heading over to America once again to see my sister and her new family. So this will be my last post for the year. 

So what will 2018 bring for Thomas and Friends? I don't know except for the new 'refreshed' series 'Big World! Big Adventure!'. I will be cautiously optimistic about it as the current production staff are still working on the little blue engine and I believe it might have some potential when it comes to the different railways.

But whatever happens will happen and we'll be there to see it. So in the end:

MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

-NWR1991.

DVD Review: The Complete Series 18

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

THE COMPLETE SERIES 18

Written by

Andrew Brenner

Paul Larson & Laura Beaumont 

Mark Huckerby & Nick Olster 

Davey Moore

Episodes

Old Reliable Edward

Not So Slow Coaches

Flatbeds of Fear

Disappearing Diesels

Signals Crossed

Toad's Adventure

Duck in the Water

Duck and the Slip Coaches

Thomas the Quarry Engine

Thomas and the Emergency Cable

Duncan and the Grumpy Passenger

Marion and the Pipe

Missing Gator

No Steam Without Coal

Spencer's VIP

Toad's Bright Idea

Long Lost Friend

Last Train for Christmas

Duncan the Humbug

The Perfect Gift

Bonus Disc - Dino's and Discoveries

Emily Saves the World

Timothy and the Rainbow Truck

Marion and the Dinosaur 

Samson at Your Service

Samson Sent For Scrap

Millie and the Volcano

Special Features

N/A

Release Date

19/06/17 

Three years after S18's release on television and we finally have a collection of all the episodes from that season along with a bonus disc of the 2015 'Dino's and Discoveries' DVD. Prior to S20, this season was hailed among as one of the best but does it still hold? Let's find out.

EPISODES

Like all season collection DVDs, S18 consists 26 episodes that ran the course of 2014 on television. I bought some DVDs of Thomas & Friends at Rasputin Music and Ameoba Records while I was in California for a couple of weeks in June and some of them had provided booklets telling the consumer what's inside such as episodes and special features and other offers from the brand. 

Since HIT Entertainment and Mattel have paper advertisements in their DVDs to promote things in the UK like books, Drayton Manor etc. why not have a booklet showing us what the episodes are? 

As of the episodes, some still hold up. One of my personal favourites from this season looking back was 'Thomas the Quarry Engine'. The episode is simple and it feels like some early Awdry charm plus the engines singing 'I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside' is perhaps the most Awdry-esque thing to see in the episode. Rev.W.Awdry had always add some old nursery rhymes and things like in his books, although the song is a music hall song but it feels like something the Reverend would've done.

'Duck and the Slip Coaches' is another episode I always think of when I look back at S18. The episode is brilliant. While it showcases some railway practice, it wasn't the sole focus as the story is all about James taking credit about the idea of slip coaches even though he took the idea from Duck and claimed it as his own. It's a fun and charming episode. 

'Last Train for Christmas' is still in my opinion, one of my most favourite Christmas episodes from the season and of all time. What makes it so good is to show about the railway and why it serves the public even during the busiest time of the year, no matter what the weather. You see the engines have commitment on getting the passengers home in time for the Christmas holidays. Connor braves through the bad weather to bring home his last passengers and getting extra coaches so more passengers can fit and you see engines from the Fat Controller's railway ploughing the snow off the track so that Connor can get through. It's such a great episode.

I look back at 'Old Reliable Edward' and despite the reuse of Edward is old and not useful but he had proved his worth cliche. But I think it's good to showcases the younger generation of Thomas fans Edward's true character after years of him being such a downer about his old age, hating a crane and being a show off, watch 'Edward's Exploit' or 'Saved from Scrap' and then 'Saving Edward', 'Edward Strikes Out' and 'Steady Eddie' and you would see the major difference in his character. I quite like that the episode showcases Edward's sarcasm and teasing towards Gordon, a trait that needs more exposure. 

There are some episodes that I do considered as duds from this season ever since they were new back in 2014. 'Signals Crossed' is still the episode that was a good idea but had the wrong character choice. When I think back to the episode, I think it could've been better for Mavis rather than Toby. Although Mavis isn't the character that we've known since S3, she did say she's up in the quarry all the time. So why not have being nervous about signals? Mavis hardly had any episode to herself and it could be quite refreshing to see rather then seeing another engine from the steam team having an episode to themselves. 

I pretty much have mixed thoughts about 'Marion and the Pipe' ever since the episode first began and looking back, it wasn't bad but it certainly wasn't the most interesting episode. The writing felt it was all over the place as Marion found out that she had burst a water pipe and then realised it in the end that it was one the whole time. But it was great seeing Marion and she was a great character in the episode and the entire series. 

Another thing that makes the DVD collection at bit different compare to the rest is the added bonus disc of the 2015 DVD, 'Dinos and Discoveries' which consists six episodes from the 18th season. Some fans are bit critical about this idea and while they have their own opinions, I can see two sides of this. First off it's the idea. In the previous series collection (Series 17), the episodes from 'Spills and Thrills' were all part of one disc and are showcased in the production order. Why release the 2015 DVD when so many fans (young and old) two years ago had already bought it? But there's another side to this as well, not many kids would have the DVD when it came out in 2015. Sure there could be plenty of kids wanting the DVD and getting out of their parents' money but I don't think all parents would've gotten it for their kid on the day it came out. Clearwater Entertainment, run by Railway Consultant Sam Wilkinson, said that it's trying something new and could be a better value for money. 

OVERALL

I think the DVD is good value. Although as said before, I think HIT and Mattel should release a booklet containing the episodes since there's no episode listing anywhere on the cover. There are many good episodes in this DVD that would be enough to entertain a child and despite the Dinos and Discoveries disc, kids would at least be more interested that there are more episodes to watch. 

RATING

7/10

Top 5/ Least 5 Favourite S18 Episodes

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

TOP 5/ LEAST 5 FAVOURITE S18 EPISODES

Another Season has been and gone and so, as mentioned in my DVD review, here's my top and least favourite episodes of the 18th season. Please be reminded that over the course of 2014 and early this year some of my opinions may have changed. 

TOP FAVOURITES

1. 

One of the best Christmas episodes I think since 'Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure'. This episode definitely shows, what I believe, the true meaning of Christmas, Effort. The engines you see in the story are making the effort to get the lines cleared to get the last train back on Sodor in time for Christmas and Connor promising a small boy to bring him and the other passengers home. It also shows the railway doing the number one important thing like all railways, serving the public. Andrew Brenner had really created such an amazing episode and I'm glad to call this a top favourite.

2.

As I've mentioned in my review for the episode as well as my 'Top 10 Favourite Thomas Episodes' list, I still stand by and saying this as a modern classic. The two writers aren't perfect but this is there best work in their part of Season 18. They've captured James' persona very well and Duck as well with his knowledge about the Great Western Railway and the idea of introducing slip coaches to the series to teach kids about how the way they've used. However I do agree with some people about the 'Emily vs. Duck' joke. It would've been better if they've ended the episode with Emily coming out on top then it wouldn't have been mean spirited, although some 'fans' accepted how the way it end. To me the joke was sour in my taste.

3.

Edward had missed out on an episode in S17 but regained an opening number in August 2014 with this modern classic. Although it has been done before in previous years with the usual tropes, but I believe that each generation has there own Edward episode. The fans grew up with the classic series has 'Edward and Gordon', The post-Awdry classic series fans has 'Edward the Very Useful Engine' and the new series has this one, yes I'm calling it new series because there is still some continuity for it. Andrew Brenner had captured Edward so well with his sarcastic humour, watch the end of 'Cows', and wise persona. It even has a great moral that you should never take your friends granted and that you must always say thank you. 

4. 

I've stated that episode reminds me of people in this fan base and months after this episode had aired I still think of that. Davey Moore had captured Duncan's grumpy personality very well however I hope we don't see him with that persona too often. We had see him being a bit conceited in 'Duncan the Humbug' over about a new coat of paint for the winter. But this episode does show that we can't please everyone with everything and it's best that we ignore them instead.

5.

Despite its flaws like the lack of coaches and I do agree on people's views for that reason. I usually say that if we have that, having more coaches then we have no plot, but thinking about having that in the plot it could work differently. We might have Gordon getting annoyed that his express, with different express coaches, is late say he stopped at Wellsworth and then he saw Samson coming by and was shocked that his express coaches were there. So yeah it could've worked that way but you might be thinking why I considered this as my fifth favourite episode? Well it's all down to Samson's character of being stubborn and arrogant and always wanting to be right and perfect after one mistake and that his character is pretty much like what a child can be at times. Plus its moral that we always make mistakes is thought out well and that the words 'Confusion and Delay' is needed for an episode like this. They should've called this 'Samson's Confusion and Delay'.

LEAST FAVOURITES

1.

I understand that it's Samson's personality is suppose to be stubborn and head strong but this episode shows that he has lack of common sense. I don't know though of continuity, considering that these episodes were released only on DVD and many DVDs don't follow by production order, maybe we'll wait for the series compilation DVD in future? With the lack of common sense part, Samson thinks a bike, a bus stop and the Fat Controller's car that all look new is deemed as scrap. I also don't like how Harvey was portrayed in the episode as well, he's just there all nervous and worried. I understand with Samson's stubbornness Harvey may've been worried not to mess with him but Harvey should at least stand up against him and put some common sense in him. Plus the lack of remorse from Samson as well for not knowing the car, bike and bus stop. Despite that I like some of the comedy in the episode, it could've been improved with its story and characterisation. 

2.

Even though I gave the episode a good rating, it's the choice of character that I don't like. Now if the plot was about Toby being nervous of the junction being new and not being used to it due to him working on a rural branch line then that would work. Plus looking back at the episode, some parts do get repetitive mostly with Thomas and Henrietta saying that Toby is the 'number seven brown tram engine.' It feels a bit lazy in my opinion. I may have given this episode a good rating when I first saw it but my opinions for the episode had changed after seeing it many times and I do believe it's not one of the strongest episodes of S18. The Ferdinand cameo, as it was confirmed by a Thomas & Friends production member, it's really not a big deal. If the writers do consider of bringing him as well as the other two idiots back then there would be some common sense in them.

3.

This episode has a nice moral for kids that everyone celebrates their own way and it was written to show Percy's not giving up attitude. But the story concept is not anywhere new and I understand that can be said for previous episodes in the past but we're focusing on S18. The plot feels like a rehash of 'The Biggest Present of All!', 'The Party Surprise' and 'Salty's Surprise', if you've seen those episode you'll understand. If you haven't, it's main character sees secondary character and thinks that a present might be great to give either it's for a party or cheering up, messes up three times and realises in the end. 

4.

I find the episode alright and it shows a nice ending to the Percy and Gator story arc. But there are some unexplained parts such as Gator knowing Owen, the purpose of the rock salt having Gator delivering them from the docks then delivering them for the docks. I don't find it bad it's just not written well in my opinion.

5.

I don't see this as 'Percy and The Monster of Brendam' of S18 as the episode is nowhere near that plot line. It's a bit complex with Salty's story. It's not that frightening enough and I do know that it's a pre-school show but I believe that a young child wouldn't find that scary. I think it would've worked say that the flatbeds have pipes of them and that was the cause of the sound as the flatbeds in the 'flashback' is just generic parts and all. The sound effect would've made more sense. 

OVERALL

So these are my most favourites and least favourites in the 18th season. So what would that mean for S19. Well on my wish list I would like to see better stories better then the last as they've proven that in this season and maybe some returnees like Duke, Daisy and BoCo. But only time will tell later on in the year, all we know that Donald and Douglas are set for a return this year thanks to their voice actor, Joe Mill for leaking it back in March 2014 on his website. It's not there now but it's happening.

DVD Review: Dinos and Discoveries

As we are now in the 70th year of the Railway Series books ready for May 12th according to the newly made official website, we take a look at HIT Entertainment's DVD 'Dino's and Discoveries' featuring six selected episodes of the 18th season. First confirmed last year in book form by Random House publishings in America, which is the DVD title with another episode which is 'Emily Saves the World' and a trailer was later released on the UK's 'Santa's Little Engine' and the US' 'The Christmas Engines'. Sadly this will be the last DVD released with Ben Small, the voice actor of Thomas the Tank Engine, as well as Toby, Rheneas and Owen in the UK dub and Stanley and Charlie in the US dub, as he was released by HIT Entertainment last year as announced by SiF, so good luck to Ben Small and his future, he will be replaced by John Hasler who sounds striking similar to Small but younger. Martian Sherman, who voices Thomas in the US as well as Percy and Diesel, left the series due to pay dispute and this will also be his last DVD to voice the iconic blue engine, it's not yet confirmed who will replace him. I wish Sherman well and his future.

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

DINOS AND DISCOVERIES

Episodes

Marion and the Dinosuars
Millie and the Volcano
Timothy and the Rainbow Truck
Samson at your Service

Emily Saves the World
Samson Sent for Scrap

Written by
Andrew Brenner
Davey Moore
Laura Beaumont and Paul Larson
Mark Huckerby and Nick Olster

Directed by

Don Spencer

Produced by

Robert Anderson and Brian Lynch (Arc)

Ian McCue (HIT)

Special Features
Really Useful Engines - Diesel and Caitlin
Mr. Perkins' Storytime - Edward and Gordon
The Earl's Quiz - Chickens and Kites
Mr. Perkins Postcard - Shunting Yard
Who's That Engine? - Gordon

Release Date
12/01/15 - UK
3/03/15 - US
4/03/15 - AU

Distributed by
HIT Entertainment (UK/US/AUS)
ABC (AUS)
Universal (US)

EPISODES

As I've announced mid/late last year, I'll be reviewing the episodes only from these kinds of DVDs released around early in the new year. So here are the episodes:

MARION AND THE DINOSAURS

Written by

Andrew Brenner

The episode has a certain feel to 'Thomas, Percy and the Dragon' from the third season, one of Andrew Brenner's stories that he created for the magazines. This is pretty much more the start of Samson's story arc that it almost feels like a RWS book. The story is simple but good and it definitely shines Marion's personality and her love of digging and Oliva Colman who voices Marion sounds really enthused and did wonderful with the emotion of her. Plus it was good how they hid Samson until the very end. However there are usual animation errors from the episode as well such as when Thomas left the second time after meeting Marion he had about four trucks but then in another show he had only one without a brake van, however it's only a nitpick. It's simple but entertaining in the end. This is Ben Small's last episode as Toby.

Rating:

9/10

MILLIE AND THE VOLCANO

Written by
Andrew Brenner

One of the best things about the new production team is that they add more vocabulary such as 'megalosaurus' giving the pre-school audience more words to learn. The moral is good too for kids, telling us that we can be scared of anything and the engines' knowledge about dinosaurs and volcano's is good too as there are about ten different ones although none in active service. Another moral too on Mille's part that even though you've been called names it still doesn't give you a right to trick them and that size doesn't matter. However there is two plot holes in this episode and that's the dinosaur models being disconnected. While in the previous episode, the dinosaurs were transported all connected on the flatbeds and yet Samson would have to go through Henry's tunnel on the way from the mainland. Despite that they're very tall. Plus as Chris Tomson said on his blog, Andrew Brenner had wrote for Fireman Sam and 'Too Many Fire Engines' and we see a groundskeeper having a bonfire near the railway line. There could've been major consequences with the fire as well. It could've worked better if say Millie delivered a workmen who can do smoke effect and Millie would've tricked Samson and Harvey that way. Andrew Brenner is one of the best writers in the series but he can have some flaws with his work. However the episode gives good moralisations and a feeling of a classic series episode and I hope one day we see an episode of the Earl and Dowager Hatt together.

Rating:
8/10

TIMOTHY AND THE RAINBOW TRUCK

Written by
Davey Moore

The beginning of this episode seems to be very much filler to fit the time frame. The audience knows who Bill and Ben are and what they do. Some fans have said that this episode feels like a S13-16 storyline and although it shares the familiarity it's actually a S13-16 storyline done right. The episode really shines Timothy's gullible nature and their was not much of a three strikes formula. It was just Timothy puffing past three things and that's it because it doesn't feel repetitive nor lazily written. Plus the joke at the end shows great comeuppance for Bill and Ben with a truck looking like a rainbow truck instead of discovering a real one. It's not the best episode but decent enough.

Rating:
7/10

SAMSON AT YOUR SERVICE

Written by
Davey Moore

This episode shows Samson's stubbornness and development about making mistakes. I think it's good that we have a character that act like that like what Sir Handel was back in the fourth season. Plus Samson is an example of a character acting like a child. Children can get stubborn and want to be perfect and right, even though mistakes come along the way and that helps us improving ourselves. I enjoy the episode and I think there some good comedic scenes such as Gordon with Annie and Clarabel.

Rating:
8/10

EMILY SAVES THE WORLD

Written by
Laura Beaumont and Paul Larson

Yes I've panned many Thomas episodes that share its unrealistic value. But despite this episode having it as well it's actually entertaining too. I know many will say 'Rusty and The Boulder' is the same way and it's fine if people like that episode but to me the latter is not really entertaining as its story feels like bad fan fiction with many plot holes, such as the shed blowing up for no reason, the workmen not checking if it's safe to work below, the movement of boulder. Though there is some realism in the episode when it comes to the globe with it stopping on flat ground and near the crest of the hill. Though compare it to RATB, the moral of the story is much better then what the S5 episode gave us, that is if the moral in that episode was given. The moral in this episode is that we shouldn't be overexcited and be more careful first. I know that this episode shares the same flaw such as incompetent workmen not knowing the safety of the earth on the flatbed and I agree with that if many people share the same thought. So while this episode is good in my opinion it's not the best of all nor perfect. I love the call backs to the past episodes too, thanks to Sam Wilkinson the Railway Consultant. Yes it's unrealistic but it's entertaining at best.

Rating:
8/10

SAMSON SENT FOR SCRAP

Written by
Mark Huckerby and Nick Olster

This episode has its problems such as Samson knowing a bike, a bus stop sign and the Fat Controller's car are scrap in his eyes. I know it's Samson's personality to be stubborn and a know it all, but he should've known better. Plus Harvey could've at least tell Samson they look too new to be scrap, or for the bus stop, explaining its importance or could go against his word (Samson's). I understand that the writers bend the rules to make them learn the moral, but the episode could've been better. But there are some good comedic parts such as Scruff and the Fat Controller. So the episode is alright but could've been better.

Rating:
6/10

SPECIAL FEATURES

The first we see is the 'Calling All Engines!' segment with the Fat Controller with giving us the biography of characters. In this DVD we see Diesel and Catlin. It's the same thing as we see in every DVD but it's great to introduce kids who are new to Thomas towards some of the selected characters.

In the intervals is Mr. Perkins' Postcard about the Shunting Yards. Although it doesn't feel different in my opinion but the postcard picture seem to be implying that Stafford is the engine there, considering that his basis is a shunting engine. Who knows, we might see engines having a specific job in future? Although this is a nitpick but Thomas rarely works in the shunting yards as well as Percy as they both work on Thomas' branch line.

Another interval is the Earl's quiz with episodes of 'Kevin's Cranky Friend' and 'Thomas and The Runaway Kite'. It's a usual thing as well like 'Calling All Engines!' good for young kids and there thinking skills.

It's quite funny that the first Railway Series story to be told by Mr. Perkins for 2015 is in fact from the first book that was published 70 years ago, 'The Three Railway Engines'. The story is 'Edward and Gordon' despite some little alteration from the story, not with engine repaints or having the story going with the TV series adaptation. Lorraine Marshall once again captured such brilliant artwork in the likes of Dalby they feel so nice and nostalgic.

Making a comeback after missing out a few DVD releases over in the UK and US is 'Who's that Engine' with the Fat Controller and the character is Gordon. Although out of all the episodes that Gordon had in the CGI era of the series you think maybe it might be the likes of 'Gordon Runs Dry' or 'Old Reliable Edward'. I accept that S13-16 exists and is a part of Thomas history but 'Bust My Buffers' is not a brilliant episode with its clichéd storyline of steam and diesel rivalry, which was highly overused in the 'reboot' series, thankfully we have less of that with the new production team nowadays. But it wasn't a good choice for Gordon.



S18 OVERALL

For Series 18 overall it is actually much better then S17 with its realism and storylines, it's not perfect though but enjoyable. There have been story arcs between Gator and Samson, they are OK but not great. Plus the new character for the DVD which is Samson is a stubborn character and at times in my opinion he can get rather annoying at times but not too annoying as there can be people in life who are like that but after seeing the episodes a few more times he grew on to me quickly and he reminds me of other characters that like Sir Handel in S4. Hopefully we see him being develop soon in the future. There are so many episodes that I call favourites that I can't list them all! I might make a list of my favourite and least favourite episodes S18.

As of the selected episodes, half of the episodes are female characters so to the journalists who are bad mouthing Thomas with the sexist tag, take that. There has been much comedy through the writing and the visuals. I know that during the course of 2014 when S18 aired on TV many fans have been arguing over the stories or characters like Duck, Bill and Ben appearing too much out of fan service even though for over ten years they've been begging to comeback. I'm sorry but that sounds hypocritical of them. I appreciate that they've made a comeback and even though some may've been added for fan service it doesn't hurt the experience of watching the episode. Would those fans rather have more Thomas appearances to be shoehorned in because he's the main star or have more engines and less Thomas, after all it is called Thomas & Friends for a reason. Besides Bill and Ben were in eight episodes this season and Duck was in five episodes while Thomas was in about 22 episodes this season. With the stories, it would be nice to see a RWS like story in the series but the only people that can pull that off are really the Awdry family. Sure I said episodes like 'Duck and The Slip Coaches' feel like an unused Railway Series story but it's still not the RWS. Sure I've seen many fan made material that can write in the similar style of the RWS and they're great, but it is still no Awdry. The only reason the series now is never going to be like the classics is that most of the stories between the first two seasons were all of the Reverend's material being adapted and purists need to know that the Reverend himself had accepted that the first two series the way it was even though. While the third series was half magazine stories by Andrew Brenner and half RWS stories and a lack of realism (mainly in 'Henry's Forest') and S4 were most of Awdry's stories but some were dramatically rewritten and some treated as leftovers. Andrew Brenner says in an interview with TTTE Wikia that he's trying to bring back the flavour of the early series and he's doing well. He didn't say he'll bring it back in the classic sense.

Tis a shame that this is the last time we'll hear Ben Small and Martin Sherman being the voice of Thomas as well as other characters. Both had done outstanding voice work since 2009 and will always be remembered by Thomas fans. If they're reading this, I wish them all the best of luck for their future.

DVD OVERALL

Well I will say the episode choices are good but they're not perfectly written but have much effort putting into the storyline. The animation is once again top-notch towards from Arc Productions even the camera angles and all. There are the usual animation errors coming from them but you can miss them by the blink of the eye, expect for James sliding away from his chassis. 

Well now that S18 is over I think we'll now await for S19 and the two DVD specials for 2015 which is 'The Adventure Begins', in celebration of the Railway Series' 70th anniversary, and 'Sodor's Legend of The Lost Treasure'. So let's hope 2015 is the year of Thomas! 

DVD Rating: 7/10

S18 Rating: 205.5/220

S18 Ep.20:The Perfect Gift

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

THE PERFECT GIFT

Written by

Davey Moore 

Directed by
Don Spencer

Produced by

Robert Anderson (Arc)
Ian McCue (HIT) 

Air Date

26/12/14

Plot

The whole island is celebrating Christmas and there are decorations everywhere. But it doesn't look very Christmas-y at the scrap yard. Percy starts to worry that Reg is missing out and he tries to find something to give Reg to cheer him up. But Reg only seems happy about scrap. Percy discovers that Reg is celebrating Christmas in his own way and has been making decorations from the scrap‏.

PRO:

- Reg's personality
- Moral: Every gift is perfect in any shape or form

CON:

- It feels a bit like previous 'special gift' episodes

I think this wasn't the best, but was an OK episode. It has a lovely moral to kids that any gift can be perfect in any shape or form, like Reg's Christmas tree. Despite that Reg hasn't have any sarcasm in this episode but he has a strong personality about who he is, like loving scrap metal. However the story is just like 'The Biggest Present of All' and 'Salty's Surprise', so the concept wasn't that original and the story was too simple, I like simple stories like you see in the classic era of the first two as they tend to have some special moments but they tend to make the stories a bit interesting. But it was OK from Davey Moore.

Rating: 5.5/10

S18 Ep.19:Duncan the Humbug

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

DUNCAN THE HUMBUG

Written by

Davey Moore

Directed by
Don Spencer

Produced by
Robert Anderson (Arc)
Ian McCue (HIT)

Plot

Everyone is happy at Christmas time except for Duncan, the Scottish narrow gauge engine, who seems to be grumbling even more than usual. Victor offers Duncan a new coat of paint if he can refrain from grumbling for one whole day. Duncan rises to the challenge, but it is not so easy for an engine who likes to grumble to give up a lifetime habit.

Air Date

25/12/14

PRO:

- Moral: Don't be a scrooge on Christmas/You shouldn't force anyone to be cheery
- The viaduct 

CON:

- Thomas giving the interaction between the SG and NG engines

I think we'll see many Duncan episodes written by Davey Moore. He captures Duncan's personality very well, though I would love to see other writers taking on Duncan. What I love about this episode is that the moral of the story is that you shouldn't be a scrooge during Christmas, it pretty much sucks the fun out of the festivities and on Mr. Percival's side, you shouldn't force someone to be cheery as well. When I first saw these episodes on my iPad, I have a US account on iTunes by purchasing items with an iTunes gift card I buy from iTunes card delivery, great website, seeing the viaduct in pure 1080 HD was just fantastic, this is the viaduct that SiF had put on their poll from HIT Entertainment's Thomas production team, this makes me respect Arc even more, although I like Nitrogen, Arc did a fantastic job more then its predecssor. I think one downside to me is the use of Thomas for the interaction between the SG and NG engines, we all know he's the title character, but now that the show is in CGI we should be seeing more engines interacting with the narrow gauge engines, last time we saw that was in S16 in....'The Christmas Tree Express', one of the worst S16 episodes period. It's not a sign of grumbling from me, it's just there are more engines to use for interaction. There is a reason why the show is called 'Thomas & Friends'. But all in all, it's a good episode.

Rating: 8/10

S18 Ep.18:Last Train for Christmas

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

LAST TRAIN FOR CHRISTMAS

Written by

Andrew Brenner

Directed by
Don Spencer

Produced by
Robert Anderson (Arc)
Ian McCue (HIT)

Air Date

24/12/14 - UK & AUS

Plot
It's Christmas Eve and a lot of passengers are coming home to Sodor for the holiday. Connor can't carry all the passengers who are trying to get on his train. He promises to come back and pick them up, but the snow keeps falling and the engines are struggling to keep the tracks clear. It becomes a race against time, and the engines have to work together to clear the tracks and get the passengers home in time for Christmas.

PRO:

- Moral: Be home for Christmas/Christmas is effort
- The heartwarming storyline
- Definitely captures the Sodor Railway 

CON:

- Crovans Gate being the mainland station

Definitely one of Andrew Brenner's best episodes, yet. For those wondering about the Christmas is effort moral, if you've seen Doug Walker's message at the end about what Christmas means to him, as the Nostalgia Critic, then I suggest watching his review on 'The Christmas Tree' from last year. Christmas is effort, people put the effort into that kindness and sharing and I kept that message with me ever since 2013 and this episode clearly shows the value of that moral as we see Connor putting effort into getting the people home and as well as the engines putting the effort to clear the tracks for Connor at the end. The storyline is very heartwarming and strong and the scene with the father hugging his daughter on the platform actually gave me a smile. Plus I love the determination that Thomas has, that is excellent characterisation for the main character. The episode also gives out what the North Western Railway is, or Sodor Railway as it's called in the TV series, that it serves the public whatever the weather, like all railways in the real world.

Though it's not a big deal to me, but I do hope Arc Productions make a mainland station rather then reuse Crovans Gate station, but I don't mind it really. The render of the station looks good enough to be a station on the mainland.

Rating: 10/10

S18 Ep.17:Long Lost Friend

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

LONG LOST FRIEND

Written by

Mark Huckerby and Nick Olster 

Directed by

Don Spencer 

Produced by

Robert Anderson (Arc)
Ian McCue (HIT) 

Air Date:

18/10/14 - AUS
23/12/14 - UK 

Plot

Gator returns to the Island of Sodor after being away for a long time. He is looking forward to seeing his old friend Percy. When Percy hears that Gator is back, he is very excited and immediately heads off to see him. But the two engines keep missing each other. They both have doubts they will see each other, but finally they connect and have a wonderful reunion.

PRO:

- Crew interaction between Gator and his driver
- The new crossroad turntable at the steamworks
- Percy and Gator's reunion was nice

CON:

- Gator knowing Owen
- Narrow gauge engines hauling standard gauge trucks
- The plot was a bit repetitive 
- What was the point of the rock salt?

This episode is alright, but not the best in my opinion. The plot was repetitive, but not as annoying as S13-16's episodes. Plus there was an unexplained moments of Gator knowing Owen at the BMQ, though that is just a nitpick. Plus the purpose of the rock salt, it was delivered to the Island of Sodor along with Gator and was sent back to the docks later, what was the purpose of it all? Is it a plot device to keep the story going? Plus there's the usual Arc error's which Peter Sam hauling standard gauge trucks, I like Arc but they need to solve these errors. But there is a positive aspect in this episode. I love it how they're bringing back the crew interaction between the driver and engine, we haven't seen that since S8's 'Too Hot For Thomas' ten years ago! Or another episode I've missed, but most episodes during the new series era weren't memorable. Plus the new crossroad turntable at the steamworks was a nice feature as well as Percy and Gator's reunion, was nice and warm and shows the same moral as 'Last Train for Christmas' that friends and family should be home for Christmas. It's an alright episode, but not the best. Even the duded episodes of this new era are watchable from time to time.

Rating: 6/10