NWR Editorial: Female Characters

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

NWR EDITORIAL:

FEMALE CHARACTERS

For nearly 30 years Thomas the Tank Engine has been criticised by many as 'sexist' due to the 'lack' of female characters. This issue is nothing new, we've all heard it before since the dawn of the television series as well as when it was just the Railway Series books itself, pre-Britt Allcroft, so it's been done to death. Recently Mary Creagh, MP of the Labor party in England for Transport, is one of the critics who had said that the show as well as the Railway Series books have a lack of female characters and is a 'national scandal', despite she finds the stories wonderful and incredibly popular. 

I will have to admit there is not enough female characters in the series in comparison towards the amount of male characters, but the ones that the Dailymail (the 'Dailyfail' as I called it since there stories are nothing but trash) and other media outlets list saying that characters like Daisy is the sole female character and they have about a few characters listed such as one, two, three or more coaches or human. I have looked up many female characters that were introduced as engines, vehicles rolling stock and humans and pretty much the numbers don't lack. Despite that there are about 67 or more male characters there are about 46 females and they're still counting as HIT Entertainment says that more are in development, this includes characters from the Sam Barlow era of the show. Here are the list of female characters: 

1. Emily
2. Millie
3. Rosie
4. Caitlin
5. Molly
6. Belle
7. Old Slow Coach
8. Flora
9. Elizabeth
10. Isabella
11. Duchess of Boxford
12. Dowager Hatt
13. Jenny Packard
14. Alicia Botti
15. Madge
16. Mrs. Percival
17. Annie
18. Clarabel
19. Henrietta
20. Elise 
21. Isabel
22. Dulice
23. Alice
24. Mirabel
25. Victoria
26. Agnes
27. Ruth
28. Lucy
29. Jemmia 
30. Beatrice
31. Ada
32. Jane
33. Mabel
34. Bertrude
35. Millicent 
36. Catherine 
37. Daisy
38. Mavis
39. Pip
40. Emma
41. Lady
42. Caroline
43. Bluebell
44. Primrose
45. Miss Jenny
46. Lady Hatt

So while those numbers aren't big as the male characters, it shows that the TV and Railway series in total are not lacking female characters in total, these are characters that either have a big or minor role in the stories. The numbers are still counting as more are in development. Many comments on many news outlets are opposed to the recent news some say that their daughters, in their respects, loved Thomas when they were young and they were in no way to be inspired to be a train driver. As a male I love steam engines and railways and my dream as a boy was to be a driver, but I pretty much forgot about it and just stayed as an enthusiast thanks to Thomas the Tank Engine as well as various railway documenatries. If you're female and love steam engines and want to driver one, don't think that TTTE is the start of it all, just do it. All women are allowed to driver trains if they want or not. It's a children's show and Thomas does not reflect nor focus on politics. But if she's reading this, the transport MP, I believe she needs to think more about Britain's transport rather then a childrens show's 'lack' of female characters. This'll be my last post for the year so I like to wish everyone a belated Merry Christmas and a Happy and safe 2014.   

  

S17 Ep.20:The Frozen Turntable

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

THE FROZEN TURNTABLE

Written by

Andrew Brenner

Directed by

David Baas

Produced by

Robert Anderson (Arc)

Ian McCue and Haliam Jabbour (HIT)

Air Date:
26/12/13

Plot

The engines discovered that the turntable at Tidmouth sheds was frozen! Gordon thinks he should have the accessible berth, but Thomas insisted that they should leave it for Percy as he was taking the mail. While the engines find other places to sleep for the night, Gordon decided to take Percy's berth. But Gordon became stuck himself and he can't pull the express! So James took his job and Gordon realises that he shouldn't be selfish. 

PRO:

-  Moral: Don't be selfish 
- The winter atmosphere looks great in Arc's CGI
- The only episode where you see Gordon's tender facing from the berth

CON:

- The turntable was slightly off centred at the start

I enjoyed this episode, I heard from friends that the episode focuses too much on Gordon's selfishness, which is true, but the selfishness has been centred in one episode from mind and that is 'Off the Rails'. I'm not saying that they are wrong as they have there own opinions about it and that is fair. The episode does have a good moral about not to be selfish and think of others first before yourself. I have a feeling that this episode is based off a magazine story, which I own, called 'Gordon and the Turntable'. It has a few elements from the story about the turntable being broken down, instead of frozen. Maybe it was or not, it's just something that I thought of. In the end, I do enjoy the episode. 

Rating: 4/5

S17 Ep.19:The Missing Christmas Decorations

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

THE MISSING CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS 

Written by

Andrew Brenner

Directed by

David Bass

Produced by

Kallan Kagan (Arc)

Ian McCue and Halim Jabbour (HIT) 

Air Date:

25/12/13

Plot:
Diesel 10 steals Christmas decorations from the steam engines! 

PRO:
- Moral: Christmas is a time to be kind to others and giving
- 'The Fat Controller likes all his engines!' 

CON:
- Norman's voice sounds too similar Diesel and Edward's UK voice

One of my favourites from the 17th series. Percy's moral about Christmas being a time to be kind to others and giving is a great way to teach young children about the importance of the celebration and of course giving, such as the end with the diesels giving their Christmas decorations that were given to them (the diesels) by the Fat Controller. Plus the quote from Thomas saying that the Fat Controller likes all of his engines, that definitely brings the end towards the whole 'steam vs. diesel racism' issue that was used in S14-16, despite the rivalry they have in the series' history, the steam engines learnt in the Railway Series that diesels can be useful too and I'm glad they're bringing that towards the recent television series. I like Sidney's voice as well in the episode, it reminds me of Warrior from TUGS but more youthful as Warrior's voice is a bit deeper then Sidney's. Though when it comes to voices, I'm not a big fan of Norman's voice. To me it sounds like a fusion of Edward and Diesel put together, I'm not hating it, but it doesn't feel original nor different. But still it is a nice episode to watch on Christmas and it is certainly better then the other episodes from S13-16. As for the 'twinkle toes' bit, I think some fans take the small things a bit serious for a little reference albeit it could be taken as coincidence really in my opinion, doesn't make it the 'best episode ever', the story is more important then anything else as it helps the characters to develop. Not looks nor any kind of reference.   

Rating: 5/5    

S17 Ep.18:Santa's Little Engine

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

SANTA'S LITTLE ENGINE

Written by

Andrew Brenner

Directed by

David Baas 

Produced by

Kallan Kagan (Arc)

Ian McCue and Halim Jabbour (HIT)

Air Date:

24/12/13

Plot:
The Fat Controller was to play as Santa Claus on the last day of the Christmas party at Ulfstead Castle. However the sleigh slipped down the hill and Thomas was rescue the Fat Controller. In the end, Thomas was almost like a Reindeer. 

PRO:
- A human character playing the lead role
- 'Special Special'

CON:
- N/A

If there is one thing that makes me like the episode is that a human has taken the lead role instead of an engine. The story is all focused on the Fat Controller afraid of riding on a sleigh, even though he was never about it it would be good to have a backstory, but I don't think many things need a backstory, unless if it's about an new engine that they've introduced in the 17th series and the special. Last time we saw a human playing a lead role was in S5 with 'Lady Hatt's Birthday Party' and 'Sir Topham Hatt's Holiday'. We definitely need more episodes like these in future, if any of the writers are reading this.  Some people might think that I'm crazy to put the words 'special special' in the pro list, even though that I've despised it in my views on S13-16, there is some goodness in it. Thomas' job IS actually special, he was going to bring a sleigh ready for the party! The 'special specials' we've seen before the 17th series is stuff like pulling loaded trucks is special and not empties, engines pull those all the time, is a definite example.  

Rating: 4/5

S17 Ep.17:No Snow For Thomas

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

NO SNOW FOR THOMAS

Written by

Laura Beaumont & Paul Larson

Directed by

David Baas

Produced by

Kallan Kagan (Arc)

Ian McCue and Halim Jabbour (HIT)

Air Date:

23/12/13

Plot:

Thomas doesn't like his snowplough and so he decided to hide it and pretend he doesn't know. The Fat Controller had no choice but to leave Thomas in his shed and sent Emily out to clear the tracks. But Thomas felt left out when Emily was having fun in the snow with Annie and Clarabel. The Fat Controller was cross and ordered Thomas to clear the tracks for Emily the next day and so that's what he did.

PRO:
- The snow scene
- 'Thomas plays a trick on his driver' instead of his driver as the engine's hands
- Dryaw station in CGI for the first time
- Dryaw station being part of Thomas' branch line again

CON:
- Snow inside the sheds

I find this episode to be good and enjoyable, the snow scene looks so nice and beautiful at night, especially at Dryaw station, which I have to say the station looks really top notch in CGI and it was great seeing how it's now part of Thomas' branch line rather then being a random station for any engine that are on the main line or branch line. I also like it how the Mark Moraghan says that Thomas played a trick on his driver instead of using him as his hands, rather to have an explanation to why he's doing that. Though I do see some similarity of 'Thomas, Emily and The Snowplough', though many people need something to help. But there is one flaw in Arc's animation of 'spot the goof', their is snow inside the shed, either it's an error or the snow from the night time scene came in from the wind. But the episode is good and enjoyable.  

Rating: 4/5

A Retrospective of Thomas & Friends DVDs of 2013

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

With December being the final month of 2013, let's now take a look a back at all the DVDs reviewed on this blog's first year during the course of 2013 from many different countries such as the UK, US, Japan and Australia from the past and today, you can click on the titles of these reviews to see my full view on theses. Let's take a look at all the Thomas & Friends DVDs from 2013:

MUDDY MATTERS

REVIEW DATE:

5/02/13

The first DVD of the year for the United States and I think it did OK, it had some bad choices of episodes but some decent ones too. The game on this DVD wasn't as entertaining as the one on the Christmas DVD that came out to the US back 2012 but its something fun for the target range. 

Rating:

3/5

GO GO THOMAS

REVIEW DATE:

6/03/13

A surprisingly early release for Australia, as most DVDs either come out months or a year after the release dates in the UK and US. However, I was a bit disappointed with the choice of episodes that this DVD and that is of course the two horrible season 15 episodes, 'Wonky Whistle' and 'Kevin The Steamie'. It would've gone better with the original list, that the UK and US had, and placed an extra S16 episode. ABC should've released the two episodes on a different DVD. However, I'm glad they've kept the three good ones. 

Rating:

3/5

TEN YEARS OF THOMAS & FRIENDS

REVIEW DATE:

19/03/13

A gem to have in your Thomas DVD collection. Nowadays when it comes to DVDs celebrating an important milestone in the history of Thomas the Tank Engine, it's usually a compilation of episodes that are either remastered or not. This one has interviews with many kids, who would now be at an older age now, talking about their favourite Thomas episodes. It has good games and a great 'Read-Along' of a classic episode with wonderful illustrations by Owen Bell. 

Rating:

5/5

NEW FRIENDS FOR THOMAS & OTHER ADVENTURES

REVIEW DATE:

25/03/13

This was a good DVD release. It has simple stories and even though this is the only DVD to have Michael Angelis' narration for the American audiences, which by the way is actually good and much more better then Alec Baldwin's narration in my opinion. A nice catchy song at the end as well. 

Rating:

4/5 

SCHOOL HOUSE DELIVERY

REVIEW DATE:

29/03/13

Not much good episodes in my opinion but the target range would enjoy the episodes from the DVD. The game wasn't that special. Though I don't hate the DVD. 

Rating:

3/5

BUST MY BUFFERS VOL.40

REVIEW DATE:

3/04/13

There are three good episodes on this DVD and two that are not worth the watch. But the DVD release is simple with just five episodes and despite the region code showing 3 (China's release), it's actually all region. 

Rating:

3/5

FELLOW HIRO, SPECIAL CARE

REVIEW DATE:
18/05/13

The DVD is excellent. To me Hiro's a likeable character and its great to see a DVD about him and his popularity in Japan. Despite the bad episodes it was still a great DVD.

Rating:
5/5

BIG PANIC ISLAND OF SODOR

REVIEW DATE:
20/05/13

Another creative DVD, this time about the accidents, races, rescues and runaways in the series. I love the DVD cover as it shows that even the shock faces don't mean any harm, that nowadays most DVDs have a smiley face to boost sales. The entire program shows us in sections of all the panic in the series and end it with 'Flour Power' or as its known in Japan 'The Power of Wheat and Thomas', which was an OK episode. The DVD is great and is recommendable to kids and Thomas fans who love the crashes in the series. 

Rating:
5/5 

THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE CHARACTER ENCYCLOPAEDIA

REVIEW DATE:
27/5/13

The DVD teaches kids about all the different vehicles on the Island. This is one of my favorite Japanese DVDs and sometimes I wish why can't HIT Entertainment do something like this for the english territories.

Rating:
5/5 

65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE

REVIEW DATE:

28/5/13

While people in the UK and US get a compilation DVD of Thomas & Friends episodes, Japan released there own DVD to celebrate the anniversary in 2010. I love the comparison of the Railway Series story and TV series story of the four episodes that are featured on this DVD. 


Rating:
4/5


   

THE COMPLETE SERIES 14

REVIEW DATE:

25/07/13

The writing is dull and bland and annoying with its three strikes formula and repetition and rhyming. However there were some good episodes that's better then S13 and Nitrogen's animation was fantastic to watch. 

Rating:

3/5

TREAT SIZE DVD PRESENTS...

REVIEW DATE:
10/08/13

With episodes at its prime, these are well worth the money. A nice list of classic Thomas episodes from the early years with Ringo Starr as narrator and for 1.00 pound in the UK at Poundland, I bought these at their one in York. Well worth the money.


Rating:
5/5

RAILWAY MISCHIEF

REVIEW DATE:
19/08/13

A must have for any Thomas fan, this was a Wal*Mart exclusive, so you have to live in America or Canada as Wal*Mart doesn't sell worldwide, but you can get it from sellers on Amazon US or eBay, if you're lucky. The five selected episodes are from the new and improved S17 and they are enjoyable particulary 'Gordon Runs Dry'.


Rating:
4.9/5

KING OF THE RAILWAY

REVIEW DATE:

18/09/13 

Overall this has beaten the likes of 'Blue Mountain Mystery' and 'The Great Discovery' in my book. Andrew Brenner's first DVD special has ended up as the best selling DVD for Children on Amazon in the UK. The backstory of Ulfstead Castle gives Sodor that imaginative feeling to kids that it's real, like the fictional history from the Reverend Awdry's book about Sodor in 1987. The story is written well and can entertain families, kids as well as older Thomas fans.

Rating:

5/5  

SANTA'S LITTLE ENGINE

REVIEW DATE:
10/10/13

Despite the use of 'Snow Tracks' being re-narrated and re-released, the script from three years ago from the episode is still there with its unneeded rhyming and alliteration and stupidity of characters. But the rest of the episodes, from Season 17 were an acceptation. The best episodes that I've find there is 'The Missing Christmas Decorations', it is better then the plot of 'Day of The Diesels' even though it was for an episode. Plus they've fixed up the whole Christmas/Winter Holidays thing from 2012, I won't get into the debatable side of this issue as I have no interest about it.


RATING:
4.5/5  


MERRY CHRISTMAS THOMAS/BIG BANG SURPRISE

REVIEW DATE:
6/11/13

A mixed bag for this DVD. The episodes from MCT are bland or have a poor teaching moral for kids ('Emily's Winter Party Surprise') and the episodes from BBS have some bad and OK/Good episodes, such as 'Percy and the Calliope'. In the end it's mixed but is a great value for two discs of twelve episodes in total for those people in the UK. 


RATING:
3.5/5

NWR Editorial: A Tribute to Hilary Fortnam

NWR EDITORIAL:

A TRIBUTE TO HILARY FORTNAM 

Hilary Fortnam (left) with Thomas (centre) and Veronica Chambers (right) 

at Drayton Manor in 2010.

After a whole decade battling with cancer, Hilary Fortnam (nee Awdry) had passed away on November 25th 2013. Her death was announced this week through British media and passed on towards the Thomas fan base. I never had a chance to meet the woman herself. But hearing about her through friends from the UK and from various people who had a chance to see her, she's very passionate about father's and brother's work. In her lecture in the 1995 documentary, 'The Thomas the Tank Engine Man', in her lecture 'Growing Up with Thomas the Tank Engine' she says that whenever her dad writes a new story, he would get his children to read it and see how it turns out. She may not have written the books unlike her father and brother, but she helped out by giving her opinions about the story and we wouldn't have such great stories today about Thomas and his friends in the Railway Series books. 

In 2011, with the outcry from religious groups, parents and older fans of the series, she criticised HIT Entertainment for the use of the word 'Winter Holidays' used in the recent series instead of 'Christmas'. Now the recent series had re-dubbed the new series with the word 'Christmas' and now in 2013, the recent US DVD 'Santa's Little Engine', with the new production team have added them in the new S17 episodes with the term 'Merry Christmas'. 

It's a shame that someone who had helped creating the phenomenal success of Thomas the Tank Engine had passed on. But her memory will still be kept alive through fans of the television series and of course, what started it all, the Railway Series books. She had approved of 'Blue Mountain Mystery' and I'm sure she would've approved 'King of The Railway'. At least she will rest now in eternal peace knowing that Thomas the Tank Engine are in the right hands of Andrew Brenner and his team. 

I like to give my condolences to the Awdry and the Fortnam family and friends. 

HILARY FORTNAM

(1946 - 2013)