S16 Ep. 3 Express Coming Through

Well I've already had one episode down as my least favourite and now here is the third episode of the new sixteenth series. Today's episode is:

EXPRESS COMING THROUGH

Written by Sharon Miller

Directed by Greg Tirenan

Produced by Nicole Stonn

Air Date:

18/2/2012

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

THIS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Plot:

It's a big day on Sodor! The Fat Controller's mother, Dowager Hatt, is having a party and she has invited some very important visitors.

PROS:

- Thomas hauls the express carriages again since 'Paint Pots and Queens'

- Not one, but five carriages were hauled by Thomas

- Dowager Hatt was her usual funny self

- It was another 'two strikes your out' formula with no rhyming
- Captain, the boat, actually has a captain on board.
- This episode didn't show Gordon going off to collect the stranded passengers, he just left the station and the screen fades to the stranded visitors at Knapford.
- The animation is once again flawless, including the interior of the express carriage, from the dedicated team of Greg Tirenan's Nitrogen Studio team. 

CONS:

- If the express is 'heavy' for Thomas, how come he can haul and shunt them in 'Thomas and Gordon' and 'Thomas' Train' and possibly other episodes, as I can't remember some Thomas episodes. 

This episode is good in my opinion, sure it had some flaws, but it was back to its two strikes formula like in the first episode. It was good to see Thomas hauling express coaches again and it did remind me of 'Thomas' Train'. I don't know about the next episode though, but I will wait and see what it brings for the fans tomorrow.

Rating: 4/5 - (EDIT: 24/02/12), After watching it again, I do have to say it brings back the nostalgia of the classic episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends with Thomas pulling the express coaches. Despite the flaws it was good.

Next episode: Percy and The Monster of Brendam 

Cheers ;)