S20 Ep.2: Toby's New Friend

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

TOBY'S NEW FRIEND

Written by

Andrew Brenner

Directed by

Dianna Basso

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

Air Date

6/06/16

Plot

Philip thinks that Toby is a diesel boxcab just like himself and wants to become friends, 

but Toby doesn't like doing the same things as Philip and finds him persistent and rather overwhelming.

PRO
- Toby's persona
- Philip learning a lesson 
- Moral: Everyone is different and have different tastes

CON
- N/A

While I do like Philip, I can see what many people can find him annoying and of course his previous episodes weren't that well received from the start of this year from the 'Start Your Engines' DVD. But I do like that Philip had actually learned a lesson here about being different, a moral that is great to hear in an actual Thomas episode, although him shouting out to Toby how he loves the peace and quiet like him does kinda show he needs more development. But at least he didn't contradict himself like breaking a promise to the Fat Controller from his debut episode. Maybe make an episode where he had an actual race with Gordon and realises that he his more faster than he is, it could at least bring him down to earth.

But I think the best thing about this episode is Toby's persona. This is Toby! This! He was in great characterisation here, he was worried but not in a wimpy style that we've all seen in the Barlow/Miller era and 'Signals Crossed'. You can see he's trying not to offend young Philip and his joy of racing but he doesn't want to race and I do love the husband and wife dynamic between Toby and Henrietta and the banter between each other. In the end it was a good episode but maybe not as good as 'Sidney Sings' whereas that episode was fun and while it was great seeing Donald and Douglas making a cameo I love the fact that they were double heading, I don't think ever we've seen one since S6? 

Also Thomas' presence in the episode didn't really feel that forced unlike what he was in S19. There was some purpose for him such as him telling Philip that while he loves racing, a trait that both characters share (Thomas and Philip), Toby is different and plus it does make sense for Thomas to be just at Knapford station after all that's his stop for his branch line trains.

Episode Ratings:

Sidney Sings - 8/10

Toby's New Friend - 7/10

Overall Rating:

15/20