THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND ARE NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FANDOM
NOT-SO-SECRET MISSION
Written by
Peter Gaffney
Directed by
Campbell Bryer
Produced by
Suzie Gallo
Air Date
3/06/23 - CAN
15/05/23 - USA
5/09/23 - UK
25/07/23 - AUS
Plot
When he accidentally causes all the lamp posts in Vicarstown to fall and shatter, an embarrassed Sir Topham Hatt requests Thomas to go on a secret mission to Harwick for replacements in time for the evening concert. Even though he tries to follow orders "discreetly," Thomas ends up involving Percy, Diesel, Bruno, and other engines! As they travel to Harwick and the not-so-secret mission is shared between them, Thomas and friends discover that everyone makes mistakes -- and no one needs to be embarrassed about being embarrassed among friends.
I wish they hadn't relegate the Fat Controller as a comedic character because he was more than that. He's a stern but caring person who is in charge of the railway, though I have no idea who is really in charge is it Gordon or the Fat Controller? In past episodes we see the Fat Controller doing formal things like what a railway controller is suppose to do such as trying to give a speech to Yong Bao during his farewell, being a commentator for the Sodor cup race and even dedicating a damn bench! Yes the episode was about him being embarassed about his accident that he'd made at Vicarstown but for being an authorative figure he should show some responsibility to the engines. Why not have one of the engines knocking over the lights by wacking into it when being excited about the dancing? They have the ability to stand like a human!
S21 at least balanced him to be comedic and authorative at the same time and it worked well in my opinion. They at least treat his slapstick moves as careless accidents such as him slipping on the ice at Knapford station in 'Confused Coaches'.
As for the episode it really wasn't bad and it delivered the message that you shouldn't be embarassed about an accident. But it could still work with the Fat Controller being authorative but loveable and one of the engines being embarassed of their accident, heck it could be more than just lightbulbs for the dance party.
Series Rating:
Fast Friends - 1/10
Percy Disappear - 5/10
Ashima's Amazing Arrival - 3/10
Tri-and-a-Half-a-Lon - 3/10
Carly's Magnificant Magnet - 5/10
New Mail Engine In Town - 4/10
Hot Air Percy - 2/10
Carly's Screechy Squeak - 1/10
Shake, Rattle & Bruno - 8/10
Blackout - 2/10
Brand New Track - 5/10
Stink Monster - 3/10
Christmas Mountain - 7/10
Whiteout! - 4/10
Good as New - 4/10
More Than a Pretty Engine - 9/10
Snowplough Struttin' - 4/10
Thomas In Charge - 3/10
Kana Recharges - 3/10
The Big Skunk Funk - 3/10
Off The Rails - 1/10
Diesel's Dilemma - 5/10
Bring It On Beresford - 2/10
What's in a Name? - 1/10
Sheep Shenanigans - 4/10
Tunnel Troubles - 4/10
The Case of the Missing Crane - 1/10
Not-So-Secret Mission - 5/10
Overall Rating (So far):
104/280