Overall For Season 16

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

Since that Season 16 has now come to an end here in Australia, despite that their is an episode delay until Christmas and that England are showing, 'Sodor Surprise Day' on Channel 5's mikshake! Here is my Overall review on the Sixteenth series of Thomas & Friends. 


I actually enjoyed this season. It was certainly better then Season 15, despite that the writing style. There were some moments that older Thomas fans found nostalgic such as 'Express Coming Through' and 'Percy and The Calliope'. With those two episode there were moments like Thomas hauling the express (Express Coming Through) and hearing a rendition of the classical Thomas the Tank Engine theme song on the Calliope (Percy and The Calliope) and me personally, 'Whiff's Wish', the opening was realistic with the engines and their jobs and of course the mention of 'The Flying Kipper'. 


Looking back at the S15 episode, I have to say that this season, S16, pulls it out of the water. But there have been some flaws and their was alliteration and rhyming from Michael Angelis, some characters persona's were ruined, such as Edward and Toby. The new character, Stafford, was interesting and it was great seeing the Skarloey Railway engines again in full CGI. 


Rating for S16: 4.5/5


Before Nitrogen's contribution of Thomas comes to an end in December, here is to Andrew Brenner, the new head writer, we're looking forward to the new changes of Thomas & Friends in Season 17 and also to Arc Production, we're also looking forward to the brand new animation that you'll be providing for the new seasons and DVD specials.

S16 Ep: 20 Happy Birthday Sir!

And so we come to an end of an era. The end of Sharon Miller's era as Head Writer and sadly, the end of Nitrogen's contribution to the world of Thomas. Greg Tiernan and Nicole Stinn have brought wonder with the animation to keep the show alive for the young generation of Thomas fans today, despite the writing style. Arc Productions will carry the torch now of the little blue engine and his friends. But there is a bright side towards the series in the future. It turns out that the new production team of Thomas & Friends at HIT Entertainment knows the history of the show and the Railway Series books, as announced by Sodor Island Fansite (SiF) and it will give better writing, better voicing and better animation. So today's episode, which concludes Season 16, despite an episode delay, is:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR!

Written By Sharon Miller

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Plot:

Thomas and Winston, the new track inspection vehicle, restore an open-top carriage for the Fat Controller's birthday.

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

THESE MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

PRO:
- The carriage that was used in this episode is based on the one that the National Railway Museum's 'Rocket' replica hauls on its demonstration line around the museum yard at York.

CONS:
- Winston was not introduced well
- Typical three strikes
- With Thomas being a heavy locomotive and crashing to the back of Winston, Winston's driver could of have whiplash. 

Rating: 2/5

Despite that this is the final episode written by Sharon Miller and her last episode as head writer, this episode is flat out boring. I do have to admit, it was interesting to see the Fat Controller as a young man and it was great how Nitrogen have animated one of the carriages that the National Railway Museum's 'Rocket' replica hauls around the museum yard for demonstrations and it even made an apperance in 'Thomas and The Great Railway Show' by Christopher Awdry in story 'Trouble on The Line'. The coach is this, in the middle:

But like every other episode, there is the typical three strikes and a new character not being introduced too well. But it was nice to see that they do keep a good interaction with the RWS with Edward being the first engine on the railway.

And that draws to an end of the Sixteenth season of Thomas & Friends, thank you to everyone who read these reviews. However, since that 'The Christmas Express' is not on the air yet, I will be making a special Christmas review of the episode in December. Now, I would like to give a few thank you's to the people behind the CGI era of Thomas & Friends. 

First off:

- Sharon Miller: Despite the writing style she brought from the series since 2005, she did write a few good things even before the CGI era of the show. The DVD specials were great such as 'The Great Discovery', 'Hero of The Rails', 'Misty Island Rescue' and 'Day of The Diesels', despite their flaws and there have been a few episodes that were good such as 'Thomas and The Runaway Car' and maybe a few more. She maybe not the best writer, but she tried hard and sometimes succeed, but that's me saying. I wish her good luck as voice director in many years to come.

- Nicole Stinn: Like her husband, she's a Railway Series fan too and was a dedicated producer at Nitrogen Studios working on Thomas & Friends, she brought wonders towards the series alongside her husband and I wish her all the best of other upcoming projects that Nitrogen Studios are creating.

- The Nitrogen Studios Production Team: The ones that provides us the wonderful visuals and who work day and night on the Thomas episodes and Movies, they deserve a pat on the back or a beer for the wonderful job they created. I wish them all the best too of the other projects that Nitrogen is offering.

And last, but not least, the big thanks of all, goes to:

- Greg Tiernan: Like his wife, a proud fan of the Railway Series and dedicated towards the show. HIT chose the right man for the CGI era as of course he is a railway enthusiast, who also provides the visuals every day and night and we praise his work despite the writing style of the show. I would like to thank him, his wife and the team and good luck towards other projects that his studio are facing.

All I can say is...

Thank You Nitrogen Studios

(2009 - 2012)

But, I would like to say to Arc Productions is, good luck and I hope you have the proud dedication the way Greg Tiernan and his team had during the past three years and also good luck to the new head writer Andrew Brenner, I've seen one of his magazine stories 'One Bump Too Many' and I found it entertaining. 

SEPTEMBER: Blue Mountain Mystery DVD Review

DECEMBER: The Christmas Express 

S16 Ep. 19: Don't Bother Victor

Just before you start, I like to say that NSW Riverina and north-eastern Victoria are affected with floods, please donate to Australian Red Cross' 'Disaster Relief and Recovery' fund. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the people who lost their homes during this terrible time...

Well, since the dawn of the CGI era which began in 2010 with Series 13, the Skarloey Railway engines were never seen, but they were mentioned as 'The little engines' in a few episodes and in 'Hero of The Rails' (2009). A few days ago, HIT Entertainment's Thomas & Friends website have revealed the CGI counterparts of the Skarloey Railway engines for the first time with some detailing. Then they have revealed in the trailer of the upcoming DVD special, which will be released later this year in September, 'Blue Mountain Mystery' which they'll be in it.

DON'T BOTHER VICTOR

Written by Sharon Miller

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date:

5/03/12

Plot:

The Thin Controller is off to a meeting and leaves Peter Sam in charge of the narrow gauge railway for the very first time. 

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

THESE MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

PRO:
- The Skarloey Railway engines are back
- The detailing on the locomotives are spot on.
- The voices are nice, except there is one I don't like.
- It was another two strikes episode.

CON:

- This plot feels like the Season 11 episode 'Sir Handel In Charge', a little.

- Out of all the voices from NG engines, I don't like Sir Handel's voice, he sounds naisily, but you can't always expect what you expect.

- Duncan didn't appear at all in this episode, only a mention.
- The drivers are used again as the engines' hands

This episode is not a favourite of mine, but I believe the Skarloey engines are the best bit about this episode. We haven't seen them since Season 12 and there voices sound great. I don't hate Sir Handel's voice with a passion, but it may need some work. The welsh accents were great, especially Skarloey and Rheneas', Ben Small did a great job on Rheneas and whoever did the voice of Skarloey, my guess its someone who did the voice of Fireman Sam, he did a great job too. Peter Sam's voice was nice too. It's a shame that Duncan didn't get a role in this episode, but I think they didn't finish him in time or they couldn't find a suitable voice actor, there is Paxton, Norman and Sidney, but despite Duncan's absent I'm pleased that the Skarloey engines returned. 

The CGI did give the engines a lot of detail and some bits and pieces that the models didn't have. And I'm glad it's another two strikes episode. But its a shame that the drivers are used as the engines hands and don't speak at all, just zombie like. This episode is only good for the Skarloey engines, but the episode does need some tweaking.

Rating: 3.5/5

S16 Ep: 17 Welcome Stafford

A new series can't be a series without a new character to join the merchandising clan. Today's episode introduce us not another steam engine nor another diesel engine. This is an electric engine! And today's episode, I would like to say:

WELCOME STAFFORD

Written by Sharon Miller

Directed by Greg Tirenan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

3/03/12

Plot:

There's a buzz of excitement on Sodor today. Stafford, the new shunting engine, is in the Steamworks! He's electric and runs on batteries, so everyone wants to meet him.

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

THESE MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

PRO:

- Spencer got a lead role and thankfully not Thomas, when it comes to new engines

- It seems that Sharon Miller actually did some research on 'Stafford's' basis, you can see it right here

- I like how the animation made Stafford's basis

CON:

- Typical three strikes, again!

- Thomas' 15 seconds of fame is really unesscesary, they could at least have Spencer just going to the Steamworks after his introduction.

- How can Stafford run out of battries so quick? And how can Spencer run out of coal so quick? Sure long distances', but battries can last throughout the day and so would coal?

- When Spencer says 'I know about battries', you know something bad is going to happen.

- If Stafford is running out of battries, it would be easy for Spencer to couple him up and pull him along.

This episode is... OK, despite my list of cons. Stafford may as well not be introduce probarly, but their hasn't been a shunting engine for quite sometime anywhere on Sodor. I do love how Nitrogen made Stafford's basis, by the way, his basis is this:

His number was '1917', the year his basis was made and even though that this engine has no name

in real life, he is called Stafford because of the name on its sides.

So well done Sharon for some good research. But anyway, I think later on this year or the next, you'll be seeing, a Wooden, Take-N-Play, possibly a Bachmann model or Trackmaster toys everywhere in shops of this character, like all the other characters.

Rating: 3.5/5 

S16 Ep: 16 Whiff's Wish

Australia's almost at the end of Season 16, the end of the Sharon Miller era as head writer and sadly the end of Nitrogen Studio's contribution for Thomas & Friends. Fans have been wondering, since the clips of 'Blue Mountain Mystery' have been found from the Thomas website, about Duncan's apperance, well I can safely say that he will be in the episode 'Don't Bother Victor', as announced on TheTopHatts' 'Roll Along Thomas' blog, which will be on air here in Australia in the next two days. But today's episode is focused on the rubbish engine himself, Whiff in:

WHIFF'S WISH

Written by Andy Bernhardt

Directed by Greg Tiernan 

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date:

2/03/12

Plot:

Whiff would so like to be as fast, strong and loud as Spencer. He thinks he is a very grand engine indeed. But Whiff's dreams lead to his undoing.

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

THESE MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

PROS:
- I remember last year hearing fans saying, 'Why is Henry not pulling The Flying Kipper anymore since Season 5?' Well, today's episode mentioned the well-known fish train.

- Charlie is seen doing some work, but if he has an episode or a minor role to himself, he's a less work and more play engine.

- Despite his 5 seconds of the camera, Thomas didn't get a role in this episode at all.

- The writing at the beginning did bring some realism towards the engines, eg. Salty shunts trucks at Brendam Docks, which his basis, BR Class 07 is capable of doing and Henry, being a Black 5, hauling a fish train as the LMS Black 5's are capable to haul Fish trains.

- The yards at Wellsworth changed a little bit. 

CONS:

- This episode felt a bit like 'Dream On' from Season 11 and a bit of 'Emily's Rubbish' from the same season as well.

- Their are alliteration and rhyming from the narrator


- Percy could at least shunt the trucks himself into the siding then rather being on the main line.

This episode is good and it did leave me with a few impressed views. First off, I'm glad they brought back 'The Flying Kipper' in this episode, despite being in their for three seconds and the opening did bring some realism towards the engines' job like Salty shunting trucks, Thomas working on his branch line and Percy carrying the mail. But when I read the plot this morning on TheTopHatts' blog on my way to work on my iPhone 4, I had a feeling that it was rewrite of 'Dream On'. It did a little bit and with the ending of Percy being blocked by the rubbish trucks, even though he should at least shunt them himself, did remind me of the bit when Emily found out that the rubbish trucks were blocking Spencer's way.

However the episode has a good moral about being yourself. Many people might not like it, but as I said before, that is their opinions.

Rating: 4/5

Tomorrow: Welcome Stafford

S16 Ep. 15: Muddy Matters

Only four more episodes of the new series, aside from one being postponed until Christmas this year and the UK are still in their second week. Today's episode that Australia have seen is:

MUDDY MATTERS

Written by Max Allen

Directed by Greg Tiernan

Produced by Nicole Stinn 

Air Date:

1/03/12

THESE ARE SOLEY UNDER MY OWN OPINION AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

THESE MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Plot:

James is taking Farmer McColl's sheep to the fair, but how can he keep them and his lovely red paintwork clean when the shortest route means puffing along muddy tracks? Isn't he vain!

PROS:
- James is back in his conceited and vanity attitude with him wanting to go on the newspaper 
- Longer trains are added again and its nice to see Belle doing some work
- This has a good moral about 'It doesn't matter being clean just for something special'

CONS:
- Once again, a lock came undone on a 'bumpy track' on a van, remind you of a certain failure of a Season 15 episode?


- Katie the dog, should at least be in a brake van, despite that there isn't one on his train and not in the cab, she would of course get dirty in the cab from the firebox.

I actually enjoyed this episode, not the best, but it tried and it was better then the writer's yesterday episode. It was great seeing James back in his conceited attitude and not in a racial way like in 'James To The Rescue' last year. Though there have been a couple of flaws, I find this one James' interesting episodes. There maybe people who may or may not enjoy it, but that is their own opinions.

Rating: 3.5/5

S16 Ep 14: Emily's Winter Party Special

Well we already have two episodes focused on Winter, one with the word 'Christmas' in it and today's episode is set in the winter, focusing on the female token of the 'Steam Team': 

EMILY'S WINTER PARTY SPECIAL

Written by Max Allen

Directed by Greg Tirenan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date:
29/02/2012

Plot:

Emily is sure she can find the Fat Controller's lost top hat and can't wait to get her super reward: pulling the Christmas present train!

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

THIS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

PRO:

- The lights on Emily and Thomas look amazing

- The music sounds nice giving that Winter Snow magical type music

- The new brake vans return again

- There are longer trains for the engines

- Despite that its set around the Winter/Christmas period, there is still no sign of the infamous 'Happy Winter Holiday'. 

CON:

- This is pretty much of a mash up of 'Topped Off Thomas' and 'Keeping Up With James' put together, the Fat Controller's hat flying away from the wind and doing something good to pull a special train.

- As the plot says 'Christmas Present Train', it is actually called 'The Present Train'

This episode seems OK it tried to be good but it didn't. The episode seems to be a mash up of 'Topped Off Thomas' and 'Keeping Up With James' or it could be a coincidence to the new writer, but in my point of view it feels like a mash up with the Fat Controller's hat being swept away by the wind and an engine want to haul the presents train for being 'Really Useful', that word is really getting overused in the series nowadays.

However, the visuals are great as always, the music was nice and nice to see goods and passenger trains getting longer and that they don't have the 'Happy Winter Holiday' sentence anymore, thanks to Hilary Awdry for taking a stand against it. I do enjoy the episode, but but my views aren't that high.

Rating: 3/5

Note: As some may have read my last post, 'The Christmas Express' have been delayed until Christmas 2012 so there will be a special Christmas review about it later in the year. 

Exclusive: 'The Christmas Express' has been Delayed

Well, I have two exclusive reports today. As TheTopHatts have mentioned on his blog that milkshake! in the UK will not be airing 'The Christmas Express' on its air date. This goes for Australia too, who are now showing Season 16 at the moment on ABC2 as the episode has been delayed until the end of the year, as mentioned in an email that I've received from them today:

'Thank you for your email regarding Thomas and Friends.

You are quite correct that Episode 3 of Series 16 of Thomas and Friends, Express Coming Through, is scheduled to be repeated on Sunday 4 March, on ABC2. 

ABC Children’s Television staff have advised that, in general, children’s programs with Christmas themes are reserved for screening during the Christmas period.  Consequently, a programming decision was made to suspend screening of Episode 18, The Christmas Express, until the end of this year.' 

So on March 4th, which would've been the air date of 'The Christmas Express', the episode will be replaced with a repeat of 'Express Coming Through'. So there won't be any review on March 4th due to the episode's delay. 

'The Christmas Express' will be on ABC2 in late 2012.

Exclusive: Blue Mountain Mystery official website

(Thanks to Thomas & Friends Wikia. This can be seen on the

 'Narrow Gauge & Standard Gauge' video)

As announced by SiF late last year that a new DVD special entitled 'Blue Mountain Mystery' will be released on DVD and BluRay for 2012, Canadian Thomas Fan and YouTuber, CalleyFan, have found the official website of the DVD special here. No trailer has been released yet, but their is footage from the movie itself that you can find on the 'Narrow Gauge & Standard Gauge' video. Their are a couple of Railway Series references in the video and it teaches kids about the differences between the two different gauges.

Another video, shows the new character Luke, the mystery engine and new character that will be introduce in the upcoming special. A downloadable book can be found under 'Hide & Peep Thomas' showing the characters and some pictures from the movie.

'Blue Mountain Mystery' will see the return of the Skarloey Railway engines in full CGI and new voices and introduce new characters such as Owen, Merrick and Luke. The special will be released on DVD and BluRay later in 2012.

Thanks to CalleyFan for the alert.

S16 Ep 13: Sodor Surprise Day

Week have two have passed and their have been some good episodes and some bad episodes and here are my ratings from the second week of the new series:

Flash Bang Wallop!:

4/5

Thomas and The Rubbish Train:

2/5

Thomas Toots The Crows

2/5

Bust My Buffers:

4/5

Percy and The Calliope:

2.5/5

Thomas and The Sounds of Sodor:

1/5

Salty's Surprise:

3/5

Well the third and final week is here for Australia and England is now in their second week of Season 16. It looks promising with the new electric engine, Stafford, a new track inspector, Winston and the return of the Skarloey Railway engines and the Thin Controller, Mr. Percival. Today's episode that I'll be reviewing will be:

SODOR SURPRISE DAY

Written by Jessica Kedward & Kristy Peart

Directed by Greg Tirenan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Plot:

Today is Sodor Surprise Day, and the engines are all looking forward to having fun surprising each other. Except for Gordon. He thinks it's just silly!


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

THESE MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

PRO:
- Callan Castle makes it return apperance once again
- Harold looks amazing with fairy lights surrounding him
- Rosie gets a speaking part in this episode

CON:

- Whiff's UK voice is annoying, to be honest.

- Wouldn't it be obvious to Gordon that he can see Thomas near Whiff and the Docks?

- Charlie returns again, but only in one scene.

- Of course, this 'new series' episode wouldn't be a series without the annoying 'three strikes your out' formula.

To be honest, I found this episode weak. "Weak as water" in the words of Mrs. Slocombe from 'Are You Being Served?', one of my favourite British comedy shows. The animation and angles, amazing as always, but that doesn't mean the episode is great. I know I should of mentioned this in my 'Thomas and The Rubbish Train' review, but I seriously don't like Whiff's UK voice, I'm not against the voice actor on this, I think Whiff should sound like an East-End Londener. One my least favourite engines, Charlie, is back again, it's the character that I don't like, he is never seen doing work, sure he may have done in the past in a few episodes, but he doesn't too often. And as always there is the annoying three strikes formula.

I found this weak really, but the ending seems OK with Harold being covered in fairy lights and the opening shot was brilliant with Lord Callan's castle and the trees surrounding it, giving it a Scottish highlands look.

Rating: 2/5

S16 Ep 12: Salty's Surprise

Another winter themed episode, but this time with the words 'Christmas' since the outcry of the 'Winter Holiday/Christmas' controversy last year. Despite that 'The Christmas Express' has been delayed for a possible Christmas release, this episode focuses on Christmas presents and has Salty as the main character since 'Salty's Stormy Tale' from Series 7 (2003). Today's episode is:

SALTY'S SURPRISE

Written by Sharon Miller

Directed by Greg Tirenan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date:
27/02/2012

Plot:

Edward just loves getting Christmas presents, but Salty says he prefers a good story. Try as he might, Edward cannot find a gift to make Salty change his mind.

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

THESE MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

PROS:

- Since the outcry from parents, religious groups and even older Thomas fans, as explained in my 'Ho Ho Snowman' review, about the Winter Holiday/Christmas controversy last year, this episode contains 'Happy Christmas Holidays' and not 'Happy Winter Holidays'.

- Salty looks interesting in green paint in a flashback story.

- The funnel from 'Slippy Sodor' returns.

- The Fat Controller once again dresses up as Santa Claus again.

- Salty's theme was nice to hear as well.

- This episode also teaches a good moral about a present doesn't always come in a box.

CONS:

- Edward was carrying a Christmas tree in his cab, it would be better if its taken on a flatbed to save not getting burnt from Edward's firebox.

- The episode is once again a 'three strikes your out' formula.

- Even though I am pleased they put the word 'Christmas' back in, there is no need to put 'Happy Christmas Holiday' I know there are holidays around Christmas, but you can also put 'Merry Christmas' in.

- Salty doesn't even need a funnel, he is a diesel engine. They need exhaust pipes or motors to move.

It was nice seeing Salty having a lead episode since 2003, but this episode is not that great, but it's not horribly bad. Some stock footage from 'Merry Winter Wish', 'Let It Snow' and 'Henry's Magic Box' was used in this episode at the beginning but a new piece of footage of Salty at the docks was added. Despite that they have put back the word Christmas in the episode, it would be nice if they say 'Merry Christmas', but then again in 'Thomas and The Missing Christmas Tree', Thomas did say 'Happy Christmas Percy'. As of the animation, once again, brilliant from the dedicated team of Nitrogen Studios and I have to say, I like the design of Edward in the CGI series. Salty's theme was nice to hear a bit of a sea type of music.

But even though they say 'Christmas' again, this episode was OK, but it didn't do great. It tried to be good and it did try, so I'm OK with this episode.

Rating: 3/5

S16 Ep 11: Thomas and The Sounds Of Sodor

Well yesterday's episode was good, but the Calliope playing the original Thomas theme was the highlight of the whole episode. This is another episode focused on music, we had 'Thomas, Percy and The Squeak','Edward's Brass Band', 'Tuneful Toots' and 'Percy and The Calliope' and now we have this:

THOMAS AND THE SOUNDS OF SODOR

Written by Gerard Foster

Directed by Greg Tirenan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date:

26/02/2012

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

THESE MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Plot:

A famous composer visits the island looking for inspiration for a new piece of music. Thomas has been chosen to take him around.

PRO:
- Toby's driver is seen at the front of Toby's cab at the beginning
- The composer was hilarious when he has to come up with a new tune
- The music scene made by the engines was impressive.

CON:
- It was another 'three strikes your out' episode, like always in the recent series
- It was obvious what the Sounds of Sodor is, it's always the engines. 
- Seems Sir Topham Hatt's is always gonna be called 'Fat Controller'. The Fat Controller's real name is of course Sir Topham Hatt, but not because of political correctness in America.
- Annie and Clarabel made an appearance, but I was hoping to hear them talk, shame that they didn't. 
- Despite what I said about the engines' music scene being impressive with the music, it's pointless for a 'grand concert'.

I have to say this episode is just bad, but after watching it, I kind of enjoyed it with the music and visuals, but that doesn't save the episode from being bad. However the story did remind me of 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas' from the 1997 Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends Annual when the church organ was broken and Henry, Gordon, Percy and Toby use their whistles and bell to play music for the Christmas carol, maybe that could be an episode for the future series. I know that in the UK and Australia, Sir Topham Hatt is called The Fat Controller since the Railway Series. But his name is really 'Sir Topham Hatt', in fact, this is for the people who are new to Thomas, there are three 'Sir Topham's' in the Railway Series, as seen here, he was mentioned as the Fat Director in the first two books until 1948, James the Red Engine was published with the word 'Controller', when BR was nationalised and he was renamed 'The Fat Controller'. When the show entered in US territory in 1989, they renamed him 'Sir Topham Hatt' due political correctness, which is why Ringo Starr re-narrated his line for the episode to fit for the US audience on 'Shining Time Station' and Thomas VHS and DVDs. 

I know I said that the music scene with the engines was impressive, but it was pointless to have in the series for a concert when it just goes for like 30 seconds. However, the story is bad and pointless, but there might be some people who would enjoy it.

I've noticed from some people that this episode came from the same writer who wrote 'Percy's New Friends', which I do have to say this episode is better then the season 15 episode.

Rating: 1/5

Tomorrow: Salty's Surprise.

NOTE: Since that ABC has gone through the same footsteps as milshake! with 'The Christmas Express', there will be no review for it next week as the episode will be replaced by 'Express Coming Through'. Maybe they're keeping it in time for Christmas as ABC did that last year with 'Percy The Snowman'. But whenever the episode's on, I might as well do a special Christmas review in the later months.

Cheers ;)

S16 Ep: 10 Percy and The Calliope

Well since that yesterday episode was enjoyable to me personally, this one did also, a little. England has already finished the first week of Season 16 episode and Australia are now halfway through the new season. Today's episode focused on a musical insturment, a Calliope. For those people who don't know what a Calliope is, it's all explained here. And the Calliope in this episode played something very nostalgic for people who grew up with the show since 1984. Today's episode is:

PERCY AND THE CALLIOPE

Written by Max Allen

Directed by Greg Tirenan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date:

25/02/2012

THESE ARE SOLEY UNDER MY OWN OPINION AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

THIS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Plot:

When Percy and Diesel are asked to take an old musical steam organ to the smelter's yard, Percy tries to save it by making it work again.

PRO:

- Thomas didn't make a role in this, a second Percy episode, but he did get a small cameo at the Docks.

- The music at the beginning was nicely made.

- Thier were longer trains for the engines and Brake Vans too, minus Percy and Diesel's train.

- Percy's driver or fireman from the tap of the water tower was funny when they hear the gurgle from the Calliope.

- The original Thomas theme gave a nostalgic moment and so did the episode with its 'Saved From Scrap'-esque storyline.

CONS:

- Percy is once again an idiot through the three strikes. Thier was a bit of a 'Wonky Whistle'-esque moment when Percy was puffing back, by himself at the water tower with his driver or fireman giving him water from the pipe at the water tank.

- The crash from Gordon's Hill was unrealistic.

- The alliteration was bad like 'And junk need junking'

Rating: 4/5 - UPDATE (5/3/12): Watching this episode again and I decided to give it a better rating. First off, the vocabulary in the title is a great way to teach children, like 'Maritime' in Season 10 and of course 'Deputation' in Season 2. Second, many fans have said that this episode makes them remember the Season 2 episode 'Saved From Scrap' with Edward saving Trevor from scarp. So thinking about it and watching it again does make it a good episode and that goes as well with the theme music and the moral of this story, 'Old things can be useful'. Despite the episode have its flaws, it is still a good episode and I hope, albeit they will do this in the coming months or next year, that Trackmaster would make a 'Greatest Moments' toy with Percy and The Calliope. 

Tomorrow: Thomas and The Sounds Of Sodor

S16 Ep: 9 Bust My Buffers!

Another episode named after a well-known catchphrase since the early day of Thomas the Tank Engine. Today's episode that I'll be reviewing is:

BUST MY BUFFERS!

Written by Sharon Miller

Directed by Greg Tirenan

Produced by Nicole Stinn


Plot:
Gordon the grand engine doesn't feel so grand when he bashes into some trucks at the docks and his buffer falls off!

Air Date:

24/02/12

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

THIS MAY CONTAINS SPOILERS

PROS:


- The shot and angles at Brendam Docks were amazingly well done
- There was actually a good moral to the story about respect when Gordon realised he can 'huff and puff' with his brand new buffer beam that the diesels gave him. 
- A little bit of reminisce is seen in the episode with Gordon going under the bridge with the same layout and angle from the classic series' opening credit.
- This episode shows a industrial side of Sodor with the Docks and Dieselworks.
- It was interesting to see Gordon without a buffer beam and seeing him inside the Dieselworks. 
- Gordon's snoot attitude was like his own in the classic series. 
- This shows another two strike, but it's not annoying in my views.

CONS:
- 'Those are the rules of the railway' and most of the rules have been broken since Series 8. 
- Their was alliteration like 'Gordon sniffed snootily'.
- Thomas' appearance was really uncalled for. Should be a character like Edward in his wise persona from the classic era of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends. 

Ratings: 4/5 

When first saw this episode's title, I thought it was going to be bad. But after seeing it, I was left impressed. Sure it had its flaws but the story actually had a good moral about respect, as mentioned in my pro list and that diesel and steam engines are all engines. The silent duo of diesels Paxton and Norman made a cameo despite not having their voices yet, though we will see how Paxton talks in the next year's season. This has to go down as one of my favourite episodes from Season 16. 

Tomorrow: Percy and The Calliope

S16 Ep: 8 Thomas Toots The Crows

First we have 'Thomas and The Pigs','Thomas' Tall Friend' then 'Percy's New Friends' and now we have another animal/engine related episode in the CGI series:

THOMAS TOOTS THE CROWS

Written by Dan & Nuria Wicksman 

Directed by Greg Tirenan

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date:

23/02/2012


THESE ARE SOLEY UNDER MY OWN OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS AND FRIENDS FANBASE 


THESE MAY CONTAINS SPOILERS

Plot:

At the farm, Farmer McColl needs help. His scarecrow is so old, he has to send it away for mending. 

This means there is nothing to scare away the crows and they are eating all the seed he has planted in his fields! Farmer McColl doesn't know what to do. But Thomas does!

PROS:

- Farmer McColl has a big role in this episode

- The trucks returned with faces again

- The crows were animated nicely

- The visuals and angles were amazing

- A re-edition of the music from 'James Goes To Far' was made, unless if it was used in an episode before.

- The tractors were seen in motion and not just left standing in the background.

CONS:

- Thomas chasing two crows from McColl's field and yet he doesn't even know that other crows will come on his fields.

- 'My scarecrow won't be mended until tomorrow', you can use the straw that Thomas delivered to mend your scarecrow. 

I thought at first, for the farmer scene, that Terence would make a brief comeback, but he didn't, there was no comeback yet. The episode wasn't that good, it still kept the 'three strikes your out' formula and their was a little bit of rhyming from Thomas, like 'I should hoot and toot'. Although it is not as cringe worthry as 'Percy's New Friends' in my opinion, Thomas didn't call the crows: "Mr. Crows" and thankfully that didn't happen.

The writing is once again not from Sharon Miller, this is actually from a husband and wife duo named Dan and Nuria Wicksman. They have wrote episodes for such shows like 'Roary The Racing Car' from Chapman Entertainment. For more information about these writers, you can visit their IMBD page. 

But this episode is not that good, but it is not horribly bad. 

Rating: 2/5

Tomorrow: Bust My Buffers