THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND ARE NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FANBASE
SERIES 21
Davey Moore
Lee Pressman
Helen Farrall
Directed by
Dianna Basso
Produced by
Micaela Winters (HIT/Mattel)
Tracy Blagdon (Jam Filled)
Told by
Mark Moraghan
EPISODES
SPRINGTIME FOR DIESEL
Rating: 10/10
A MOST SINGULAR ENGINE
The story's moral about how everyone is unique in their own special way has been greatly executed. Although I think more could've been added to Diesel by having self proclaiming that he is unique because he's the only diesel shunter. But you can have Daisy telling him that being a shunter isn't that unique because any engine can shunt trucks or coaches like Thomas or Percy and that would get Diesel fuming towards Daisy. Plus they could've added Hugo into the mix instead of Harvey to have Daisy to know that she isn't the only railcar but like I said, the addition of Harvey was great still and I can see why they would use him for the level crossing scene.
I love the episode and it was strong despite that more could've been done to make the episode better.
Rating: 10/10
TERENCE BREAKS THE ICE
I will say the flashback, although made as filler, did serve as a great way for young kids to know how Thomas and Terence first met since most kids wouldn't have even watch a classic series episode, despite that there is great access of it on iTunes in the UK and Australia and Amazon Prime in the US and also on DVD from Japan. But kids wouldn't have seen a classic series episode since they are more used to the CGI series. I will say though that the plot was thin and maybe they could've add some conflict between Thomas and Terence like maybe the latter was teasing Thomas about him not having a snowplough and he had to come to his rescue, something similar to Bertie in 'Thomas & Bertie'. But despite that this was another great episode.
I remember most people had a problem with Terence having eyebrows instead of his widow's peak and I believe the reason he didn't have that is because he would strange with no eyebrows. I mean I was used to the widows peak back when I was a kid watching the classic series but the more I see as an adult it does look more creepy that didn't have any eyebrows and in the Railway Series books by Christopher Awdry he was given eyebrows in the end.
Rating: 10/10
CONFUSED COACHES
As for the episode, the one thing that I find interesting is that the episode takes place on New Years eve. When this first came out I was expecting something like Gordon and Spencer causing a mess with passengers during the Christmas rush. Although I wasn't too harsh when the episode came out but overtime I began to feel a little negative towards the episode for being a usual 'Gordon vs. Spencer' story that relies on one of them being far more important than the other. However it really wasn't as bad from what I remembered but although maybe some minor tweaking can be made to add some sort of realism. Like maybe don't make Spencer and Gordon have the wrong coaches. Instead what about having them departing from the wrong platforms instead and have Spencer, while taking his guests, leave on Gordon's line and have the signals telling him to stop at some stations since it was suppose to be Gordon. The story could still work and you can still have Gordon and Spencer delivering the passengers to the stations that Gordon had missed, due to him being on Spencer's line and have them learning the lesson that their silly argument shouldn't get the better of them.
This really wasn't a bad episode and watching this episode in the order that was to be suppose to be compare to how they were shown on TV makes the Fat Controller's slapstick comedy feel less grating and annoying, although I don't think it will last.
Rating: 8/10
DAISY'S PERFECT CHRISTMAS
Rating: 10/10
DOWAGER HATT'S BUSY DAY
Rating: 10/10
EMILY IN THE MIDDLE
Rating: 7/10
THE BIG FREEZE
I also feel that the diesels coming to the rescue was a bit of the blue since nothing had been building up from it except for Diesel being annoying to Thomas and saying he doesn't need coal. I'd said this in 2017 but perhaps the episode could've been better if you have engines like either Gordon or James telling Diesel off that without coal or, more importantly, water, their would be no railway and due to the big freeze their fuel won't be delivered on time. However it did, the diesel's, and with the water towers all frozen up the diesels came to the rescue, much to the discharge of Gordon and James. Which would be much more better set up than what this episode delivered. It would give the message, in a railway sense, that diesels are also important and really useful too when it comes to running a railway.
I will say Thomas thinking he has enough coal felt very Awdry of him. Thinking he was right until he finds out the hard way that he was wrong. The episode wasn't bad but I think there could much more better imporvement for the script, especially for the diesels.
Rating: 6/10
STUCK IN GEAR
I think I can relate to Harvey in this episode. I'm always a quiet person and I don't like to make a fuss to anyone because I feel I might annoy them. However the episode shows that making a fuss can help to get something done and being quiet about it can lead to even worse problems, like what Harvey had to go through. It was also interesting see more character to Harvey too rather than just him being kind and all. Its nice and refreshing too to see a unique engine being all reserved about themselves as well since most would be boastful and cocky. Although Thomas' remark 'no one makes fun of a broken down engine', can be kinda false to some after we had multiple episodes in the past like him and the small engines with Duck's whistle in 'Mike's Whistle'. But when it comes to things like the Diesel (Class 40) it was mainly done as a comuppance. However I like to think that overtime Thomas found that it was wrong to do something like that. In the end, the episode was really good.
Rating: 9/10
RUNAWAY ENGINE
Rating: 7/10
P.A. PROBLEMS
I've always had the feeling that Lee Pressman wrote this, since he had pitched it according to his interview, as a bit of a commentary towards 'Big World Big Adventures', just the idea of it all and the concept or changing something despite that what came before it was just fine. Granted this would've been written well before the announcement was made so I don't know if this was done on purpose or that it was just a sheer coincidence. I do know that Lee Pressman wrote for BWBA but only for the Sodor episodes, but I believe this episode was more of the latter. However be it a commentary or not towards Mattel, the episode does have a great message about how old things can still have their uses and I like for the fact that Lee Pressman had used Edward for this episode since he's an old engine but can still prove his paces no matter what. He works so well in the episode as a secondary character. The whole story does feel like something from a Railway Series book IMO. Reg was entertaining as well with him dancing around with the PA system around him and his dancing was really well animated. This was another great episode and I really have no problems with it.
Rating: 10/10
HASTY HANNAH
The fact that Hannah was Henrietta's sister irks me a bit. Wouldn't that make Toby remember her as well since they came from the same tramway? Why haven't Toby remembered her? Was Hannah so bad to him back then that he blotted her out from his memory? Doesn't look like it though, what with Hannah saying she was looking forward to be working with him, implying that this was the first time she'd met Toby. I think if they added that, perhaps you have Toby protesting against the use of her but he had no choice since most coaches were already in use by the other engines. But other than that, the episode was a nice one and it gave the moral that going fast can be dangerous. Nothing big or ground breaking but still good nonetheless. Hannah's character was very lively and entertaining, although she kinda reminds me of a junkie. I also wondered how this could've fitted with 'School of Duck' that came next season since Toby had referenced in that episode that Henrietta was away at the works. I guess we'll never know since it might not fit in well with the episode. Toby's timid behavior works well here too although if he and Hannah had a working life together once on their old tramway, perhaps that timidness would've worked better. This was another good episode.
Rating: 7/10
CRANKY AT THE END OF THE LINE
I remember when this episode had aired, I was wondering how did 'Journey Beyond Sodor' fit into the this season's continuity what with Thomas going to the mainland in this episode but earlier in 2017 the movie was hyping up that it was Thomas' 'first time' on mainland, despite previous stories. But with word from Ian McCue through an email that was shown on twitter, apparently Rebecca was a planned S21 character before they held her back for BWBA a year later, probably she was going to be the 2018 newbie for the usual US/UK spring and AUS autumn DVD tentpole release before they'd canned it. I have a feeling that maybe we were to see her in the 2017 special, despite that a UK magazine said that she'd met Thomas when he was heading back to Sodor after globe trotting adventure. It would've made sense to hype her up after the 2017 special and that it would've smoothen out the continuity mess up that S21 had to suffer due to 'The Adventure Begins' throwing a spanner in the works, yes that's the real reason why this season was so short compare to others.
I will say for the episode, I am not a fan of the whole 'fear of replacement' trope since it had been overdone to death in the show, especially towards an engine. However while it was done in this episode I feel that it wasn't as pushed compare to the others before. Something feels a bit different about how it was handeled in this episode, probably because it wasn't an engine being involved. Although I also feel that the idea of Cranky being frantically doing his work on his own was placed out of nowhere, even if he was trying to prove his worth to the Fat Controller because of some new crane. Maybe if he had complained about the extra work maybe that might've worked better and have him worried or misunderstood that he was to be replaced. The use of the dream of Cranky falling into the water was nice bit of symbolism of what he was going through in the episode since falling in the water means, if you believe all this, 'Falling into a deep ocean of water can be dark, directionless, and full of unknown terrors.'
But all in all it wasn't a bad episode but could've been tweaked. Plus Carly was a nice character too with her can do attitude, even if her introducing was short but it was expected since this is more Cranky focused.
Rating: 7/10
NEW CRANE ON THE DOCK
Rating: 6/10
UNSCHEDULED STOPS
I remember hearing that Thomas was not punished for his actions and agreeing with that when this episode was new but looking at the episode now, Thomas knew what he was doing was wrong and wants to stop it since it was making him late, even though he was covering it up towards the Fat Controller so he won't get into trouble, but he still has his good intentions since he doesn't want to leave them behind in the middle of the countryside. Thomas was apologetic about when he got told off by the Fat Controller and that the latter had found a solution to deal with the problem, which was Bulgy. Although what if Bulgy was the Fat Controller's punishment for Thomas' lateness. Have him to work with one of the worst vehicles on Sodor. That is if it was the intention but I don't think the writers would make the Fat Controller THAT curel.
There was some good comedy with the Fat Controller and the episode gave me a S3 vibe like 'Thomas Gets Bumped' but with Thomas helping Bertie instead and that the episode was much more better than the actual S3 episode. It was a good episode and its such a shame that it was Helen Farrall's last episode to be aired since after this she had stopped writing for Thomas but she had done some great episodes during her time.
Rating: 9/10
PHILIP'S NUMBER
Rating: 8/10
THE FASTEST RED ENGINE ON SODOR
The episode was alright but it was pretty basic. James was arrogant because he thinks his brakes weren't making any noises and then crashes after not getting them checked. This episode wasn't bad by any means and it had a good message that no matter what we think we should check up on ourselves if there might be something wrong or otherwise it might be too late. But this episode was mainly made to serve the next episode for Edward since the next episode was made about him finding a shed. But I will say the crash was really well done with the music and the build up of it all. I will say this but this is a nitpick, I hate that when the SSRC arrive they all arrive instead of ones that are suited for the job. In this case, Rocky is suited since he can lift James but Belle and Flynn had no purpose to be their since there are no fires. It just annoys me seeing that but it's not a big problem.
Rating: 7/10
A SHED FOR EDWARD
The reasons I think this is the best Edward episode is because he was not trying to prove his worth, this is an episode that actually focuses on him instead of Gordon or James and there was conflict made by him, but not out of him being a bully or anything but him just trying hard not to hurt Philip's feelings but with him staying away from him and had caused him more trouble with his sleep in other places and also not telling Philip his feelings because he's worried that he might hurt him.
Lee Pressman did a great job with this episode and bringing something different to Edward and say what you want about Mattel and the production team's desicion, or heck call me names like being a bootlicker or a shill, but know this. If the older fandom can say Duck's entire character is just him talking about 'the Great Western way' and are fine with him having secondary appearences despite years of protest of wanting him back as a main character, why are they OK with Edward just being regulated to this wise old engine persona whose episodes prior to this are him trying to prove his worth when really Gordon and James were the ones who learn the real lesson and were the major focus of his stories but want him back at the sheds and have stories to himself despite that he couldn't really create much conflict all the time? I understand familarisation but the sheds are pretty much the HQ for the main characters that have stories that provide conflict nowadays and Edward nor even Duck can provide much.
Sure this was made to build up BWBA but according to Ian McCue, Edward was suppose to leave the sheds regardless of Big World. Plus there was never any mention of Henry leaving as well and Rebecca was suppose to be planned for S21 to replace Edward's spot. Although I'm not a big fan of Henry, particulary from S20, it makes sense why his departure was sort of out of nowhere and was rushed as well. He was never planned to leave but I think the writers knew he was hard to write for, and I understand as well as Mattel saying he wasn't marketable so they just did it anyway so Rebecca can take his place since she was held back for S22.
There had been some criticism of the episode that I can understand like howcome the engines aren't as emotional seeing Edward leaving the sheds, although I don't see that as a huge problem since the Island of Sodor had never placed engines like Thomas, Percy and Toby stricly on branch lines like Awdry did. So seeing Edward all the time is not really a problem. Plus Edward had stayed for several nights, according to the episode so perhaps he and Philip were begining to get used to each other and seeing how sad Philip was, Edward decided to stay with him. Sure we could've seen him bonding with Philip but the episode has a time limit. This is probably the best episode of the season and the series as I said before, the best Edward episode ever.
Rating: 10/10
OVERALL
Now that the season is nearly five years old I will say without thinking all of that stuff, S21 was actually a really good season to sit through, despite the low overall rating, and I feel there was more that this season had offered over the last season. The comedy was great and I honestly feel it wasn't as excessive as I once thought heck even the Fat Controller being used for comical purposes was so little and there had been a bit of a balance with him being authoritive as well in some episodes and also he was more kind as well despite his strictness, I guess this was made in response to the criticism that show had been getting in the last few years.
There were much more better stories compare to the last and I feel that S21 had managed to find its right balance towards the old and the young with S20 I feel that it was more sidelined towards the older fandom and while there are very good episodes, I feel that some younger fans might've find them boring hence why the show had been going down in the ratings which resulted in the creation of BWBA and then sadly the reboot. I feel that S21 was suppose to be more engaging to kids regardless of what was to come after it hence why we see the season being a bit cartoony, more comical and bringing in the bouncing and movement. Speaking of the bouncing, I was amazed how little it was used throughout the season.
Back in my S20 review I said that Oliver was robbed of an episode and that was because Oliver was suppose to have an episode to himself which was Samson's episode in S22. Although I enjoy Samson's role and thought it brought something new to him, I feel that Oliver was done dirty. The production team brought him back in 2014 and gave more episodes to Toad and have him on the sideline for three years and were suppose to give him one about his fear of fireworks but instead was given to Samson. What stopped them for giving it to Oliver even after S21? It sucks now that we know about this since Mattel are making that reboot series now.
I had said that Rebecca was suppose to be a S21 character and I feel that she was suppose to be the 2018 Spring UK/US and Autumn AUS/NZL tent pole DVD release. But because of BWBA and her being held back for that season they'd scrapped the idea because of it and it had been said by ThomasTankMerch that there was suppose to be one. Such a shame really, who know what theme it could've been or what episodes are suppose to be on their.
S21 I feel was hated because of what were going to get next and with all the stuff that happened during the year within the Thomas fandom. I had dreaded this season everytime I think back to it but after rewatching it for the first time in a while, I think this was probably the best season from the Brenner/McCue era.
I know that BWBA is still an extension of the Brenner/McCue era but I made my opinions about it over the last few years. Maybe in a couple of years I might re-review those episodes and see how much they'd aged. But at the moment this will be my last stop for episode reviews. Thank you so much for reading these. I do have a couple of reviews planned. Of course one is a DVD review of the upcoming 'Animal Adventures' release from the UK and I want to have a look back at 'Journey Beyond Sodor' and see how much it lives up. But those would have to wait. Of course I was umming and ahhing about 'S25' and I think maybe I will review some episodes still despite how bad the reboot is. If its not worth it I might give this blog a break with some posts here and there.
OVERALL RATING
151/180