S15 Ep: 1 Gordon and Ferdinand

We arrive now in 2011, the year when all Thomas fans celebrate the Rev.W.Awdry's 100th birthday with the new RWS book 'Thomas and His Friends' coming out by his son, Christopher Awdry. But in the Spring of 2011, Thomas fans from the UK were surprised to see that Series 15 aired on milkshake as it was planned to air it after 'Day of The Diesels' came out on DVD and Blu-Ray. This is the first time in Thomas history that this makes the shortest period of a new series, since Season 14 came out in Autumn of 2010. This series has been heavily criticised by many older fans of the show and dubbed this series as the worst Thomas season ever written, but their a few surprises here and there to witness. There weren't any new characters introduced, due to the fact that many characters in the upcoming special at the time were to be introduced in the DVD special.

So let us look back at all the episode of Season 15, starting with its season opener, 'Gordon and Ferdinand'. But first, the usual:

THESE ARE SOLEY MY OWN OPINIONS 

AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

GORDON AND FERDINAND 

Written by Sharon Miller

Directed by Greg Tiernan 

Produced by Nicole Stinn

Air Date:

1/3/11

Plot:

Gordon is embarrassed to be seen with Ferdinand whilst delivering the Lion of Sodor.

PRO:

- For the first time since 2005, Thomas didn't get a lead episode.

- Henry puffing past during the plot was great to see as well.

- Ferdinand saying something to Gordon was a nice feature in this episode too.

- The last time the show has a trilogy was in Season 2 with stories from 

'Duck and The Diesel Engine'

CON:

- Why does Gordon need a back engine? He could at least take the Lion himself.

- Thomas' appearance is really unnecessary.

- Ferdinand would never go the same speed as Gordon, unless he is not in steam. 

- Why do the Duke and Duchess need the 'Lion of Sodor' anyway, its never explained?

- Gordon is really acting pompous in this episode. 

I have a few ups and downs with this episode. First off I'm glad that Thomas didn't get an opening episode but his appearance is really uncalled for. Yes we all know he is the star of the show, but there are other characters that could be good too, even the ones outside of the 'Steam Team'. Henry puffing past during the plot with no whistle of hello or the narrator telling us, was a great site to see, showing us some industrialisation in the show and plus the goods has about eight trucks. This series also gave us a trilogy, we never had that since Season 2 with 'Pop Goes The Diesel', 'Dirty Work' and 'A Close Shave' all from the RWS book, 'Duck and The Diesel Engine'. 

When this episode aired in the UK, the contrast of the episode was bright, but when the episode aired in the US and Australia the contrast was the same as every other episode in this season. 

Gordon saying 'I am Gordon, I'm fastest and best and pull the express' is really annoying and showing how pompous he is when really in RWS he matures himself. Ferdinand having more lines was a great feature too, but what does Duke and Duchess need the Lion statue for anyway? Are they having it for a party? or do they need it for decoration and never give it back? Its never explained. And yes, why is Ferdinand going at the same speed as Gordon? He's a Climax loco and can go at a slower speed. If people are going write a story about a certain blue tank engine and his friends, please, do some research. These aren't cartoony trains with faces living on an imaginary universal island and can go fast no matter what the basis of the locomotive is like. Rev.W.Awdry wrote his Railway Series stories with much detail and realism with stories basing on a real life event that happened to any engine, somewhere at sometime which makes them memorable and setting as fictional island in the irish seas that is connected to Britain's railway network at Barrow-In-Furness station. 

I don't hate this episode as it has a decent storyline, but their are many flaws in realism and I know this is a kids show, but the Thomas series started out with railway realism in the first place.  

Rating: 2.5/5