All Engines Go! Review - S1 Ep.4: Rules of the Game

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

RULES OF THE GAME

Written by
Aydrea Walden

Directed by

Jason Groh

Produced by

Rick Suvalle

Suzie Gallo

Air Date

24/08/21 - Mex

13/09/21 - USA

19/09/22 - CAN

11/11/21 - UK

6/01/22 - AUS

Plot

At Knapford Maintenance Yard, Thomas constructs his ideal obstacle course. However, none of the trains can do the course because Thomas only built it for his abilities.

MY VIEWS

Although Mattel had done some gimmicky sets in the past to promote the DVD specials or a particular episode from the latest season of the show, I do like it how the production team try to make a part of the story instead of just being there for the sake of selling toys, although the bridge jump from 'The Great Race' was something pointless. Yes some are ridiculous like the moving bridge from S24, although I do like that since the whole gimmick was at least part of the story but this episode, as ridiculous as it may seems, fits well with the 'All Engines Go!' nature of the show and it's story worked so well with the message that not everyone can have the same fun as you. Although I do wish that the show stops telling the audience the message and just letting them digest the message themselves, it worked in the 'License to Deliver' episode. Sure sometimes an episode's message might flow naturally through the dislouge and I sometimes do that with my stories but I also try and let the message get through to audience without telling them, children are more smarter than you think. 

I think the episode was alright in the end - yes gimmicky to promote an expensive plastic train set but at least it was integeral to the story instead of just something there for the sake of being there. 

Series Rating:

A Thomas Promise - 4/10

Thomas Blast Off - 4/10

License to Deliver - 5/10

Rules of the Game - 6/10

Overall rating (So far):

19/40