S8 Ep.26: Percy and The Magic Carpet+Overall

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

PERCY AND THE MAGIC CARPET

Written by

Abi Grant

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

24/10/04

Plot:

A carpet is to be delivered to the opening of the 'Sodor Flower Show' as Alicia Botti, the world famous opera singer, is coming to give the prize to the winner. However, Percy thought the carpet could be magical, thanks to Salty, as the wind blew it away. Percy chased after it but it landed on Murdoch's goods train, Toby's roof and blocking the line for Thomas! 

PRO:

- Gordon bringing one coach for Alicia Botti

CON:

- Percy's stupidity

- Why can't the carpet be tied down to Percy's flatbed in the first place?! 

I find this episode bad, first off it's Percy's stupidity. How come Percy has to act stupid into believing that a carpet can fly? And its also stupid how it was not tied down in the first place, then I think we would not have any plot for this episode :P But I do like visually that they gave Gordon one coach to pull for a special instead of a dozen coaches for one passenger unlike 'Paint Pots and Queens'. But this episode is bad and its not worth watching again. 

Rating: 1/5

OVERALL 

Over the years everyone is saying that this is a bad season, but in my eyes, this is one underrated season. Sure there are good and bad episodes and character personalities being stupid, but at least they're not as bad as the ones from S9-16 and despite the errors in this season, the writers had actually tried their best to write good quality episodes unlike the lazily written episodes from S13-16. The episodes are filled with great morals that kids can easily understand and not in a confusing way like the the rest of the series under HIT. With the narration, Michael Angelis does sound like he has some enthusiasm for the narration and his character voices are spot on. As of Brandon, well, I've bought some US videos back in '04 but his narration is all nasally and goofy and some of the characters like the tuba player sounds like a robot. Young fans at the time would enjoy the narration, but he got better when the show turned to CGI. 

Yes, I understand that Duck was not in the series or in any of HIT's episodes until S12, minus the S10 music video. But when fans say 'Emily replaced Duck', I find that pathetic. Duck is a good character, but Emily is too, with her S7 persona. One other thing is that not a new character was made for this season and is just the focus of the 'Steam Team' characters. The music, I don't mind it all and at the time, I enjoyed the new theme song but it gets annoying when you hear it all the time. The music is enjoyable and give the refurbished series a new breath of fresh air, but I still like the Mike O' Donnell and Junior Campbell music, but I do think HIT shouldn't use the new music on the S7 episodes for the US and UK episodes as they have the archival tape of their music according to Mike O' Donnell.

Series eight is underrated and I do find the series to be enjoyable. Now on with Series 9. 

OVERALL RATING:

88.5/100

S8 Ep.25: James Goes Too Far

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

JAMES GOES TOO FAR

Written by

James Mason 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

17/10/04

Plot:

It was winter and James has to deliver coal for the station waiting rooms across the island. However James was rather boastful about it and thinks his own job first then helping another engine, thanks to Salty for that. James learned his lesson and helped other engines in trouble. 

PRO:

- Moral: Think what comes first

- James helping Diesel out

CON:

- James' driver should at least force him to stop for water. 

I like the moral and I do like how James was happy enough to help Diesel, I know he has too, but, he wasn't moaning about the whole thing. With the moral, its good for kids to know that they should think what comes first like a family member or a friend. But even if the shows want to show that moral, the driver should at least force James to stop for water anyway. But its a good episode. 

Rating: 4/5

S8 Ep.24: Too Hot For Thomas

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

TOO HOT FOR THOMAS

Written by 

Paul Larson 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

24/10/04

Plot:

The summer season arrived and the engines were taking holiday makers to seaside. But Thomas was helping out making deliveries to the Ice Cream factory. At the seaside, the ice cream ran out! So Thomas has to collect cream, strawberries and cocoa powder. But with him rushing his job, Thomas accidentally spilt the chocolate powder everywhere! 

PRO:
-N/A

CON:
- Thomas should care more about his job then taking children.
- The chocolate and strawberries are being loaded in an unhygienic way.

This episode is not great or good but its in an OK level. But the writer should at least make Thomas care more about his work then taking children to the seaside just like him back in the old days of the series and how the way the chocolate and strawberries were loaded onto the trucks was unhygienic, they should covered up with a tarpaulin or they should've been loaded onto a brake van. I know its a kids show now, but as I said before in my 'Gordon and Ferdinand' review last year, the Rev.W.Awdry focus his stories on railway realism and that is how Thomas started. This episode is OK, but it could've been done better. 

Rating: 2.5/5

S8 Ep.23: Chickens To School

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

CHICKENS TO SCHOOL

Written by

Paul Larson 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

17/10/04

Plot:

Thomas was tired after hauling coal trucks late at night. But Thomas volunteered to take chickens to market, sheep to the farm and children to school. However, due to Thomas tiredness, he forgot where to take his deliveries and they all ended up in the wrong place. 

PRO:

- Moral: Always ask others for help

- Emily's true persona

CON:

- Where's Thomas crew when this is all happening?

The episode feels like the typical three strikes movement from S9-16, but at least they're not as horrible or annoying in this episode. However, I do like moral about asking others to help you and I like Emily's true persona, shame we never get to see that again for a while. But even if Thomas is tired, his crew should help him out to know the locations. But the episode is OK. 

Rating: 3.5/5

S8 Ep.22: You Can Do It, Toby!

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

YOU CAN DO IT, TOBY!

Written by

Paul Larson 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

10/10/04

Plot:

Toby is to help Gordon up the hill, but was worried because he feels he was not strong enough.

PRO:

- Moral: Don't give up.

CON:

- Toby losing his confidence

The episode is OK, but like Emily, Toby's the wrong character for this episode. If HIT's writers wanted  an engine to feel unconfident or scared, they could've picked Percy for this role. But unlike 'Percy's Big Mistake', I don't find this weak. The episode has a good moral about not giving up and its a good positive moral to show. But Toby losing his confidence due to his new persona just makes this episode off. I find the episode in the OK category, but they could've done Percy for this episode, but that's the way it is.

Rating: 3/5 

S8 Ep.21: Halloween

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

HALLOWEEN 

Written by

David Ignam 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

10/10/04

Plot:

On Halloween night, Thomas and Emily were sent to the smelters yards to collect some scrap iron. However, 'Arry and Bert like to play tricks on them, but they soon got their own back when Emily was a ghost. 

PRO:

- An episode that doesn't focus to children or celebrations

CON:

- Wouldn't Thomas know it was Emily the whole time as the ghost engine? 

Probably the only episode under HIT Entertainment's name that doesn't focus on the celebration or children, unlike the episodes from S9 - 11. Yes the intro says 'The engines love seeing the children in their halloween costumes', but at least Thomas and Emily were sent to do real work then delivering something unrealistic for a party, that's why the episode gave me a good impression. But I do have to say wouldn't Thomas know that Emily was the ghost engine the whole time? But that's not too important. I like the episode. 

Rating: 4/5 

S8 Ep.20: Emily's Adventure

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

EMILY'S ADVENTURE

Written by

Paul Larson

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

3/10/04

Plot:

A storm had swept across the island a farmer McColl needs a new roof as his roof was torn away from the storm. So Emily took the wood to the farm, but things got in the way and she was being rude towards, Trevor, Workmen and Elizabeth. But Thomas told her she has to act nicely and so she did. 

PRO:

- Moral: Please and Thank you. 

CON:

- Emily was out of character, she's to be nice and kind not bossy and mean.

I don't hate this episode, but they could've chosen a better character from the 'Steam Team' then Emily. You have Gordon, James and even Henry who can get bossy and mean towards the engines in the TV series and Emily was out of character for this episode, as she was in 'As Good As Gordon'. But I do like the moral which what kids nowadays should learn saying 'please and thank you'. But despite the good morals, Emily was not the right character for this episode and they should've chosen one of the big engines. 

Rating: 3/5

S8 Ep.19: Fish

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

FISH 

Written by

Paul Larson 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

3/10/04

Plot:

The fisherman were celebrating their biggest catch of fish and Thomas and Arthur are to take a truckload of fish. But the line to Brendam was bumpy and they have to go slow and steady with five trucks at a time. However Thomas wanted the job done quick and took the lot. But due to the rough tracks and the trucks being troublesome, fish were everywhere! 

PRO:

- Moral: Slow and steady and Patience 

CON:

- There could be other creative titles to choose then just 'Fish'? 

- The fish were being transported in the most unhygienic way. 

I enjoy the episode by its double moral, something that kids can learn about going slow and steady when it comes to rough places and being patient.  But however, it would've been better if the title was anything then just 'Fish', as the title was already used in S4, such as like 'A Fishy Day For Thomas' or 'Thomas' Fish' or a 'A Fish Called Thomas' (The last is based off the UK movie 'A Fish Called Wanda') But like I said before, no turning back the clock now. Plus how the way the fish was being transported looks most unhygienic and should be placed into vans, but I think with that there's no plot. But I'm glad that even during this series were there is no mention of branch line's or main line's (maybe in various episodes, yes, but with the personality traits) they manage to keep Arthur's identity well by saying he's working at the Fishing Village, after all the writer of this episode wrote 'Something Fishy' in S7. The episode is nice and I do enjoy it. 

 Rating: 4/5

S8 Ep.18: As Good As Gordon

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

AS GOOD AS GORDON

Written by

Abi Grant

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

3/10/04

Plot:

As Gordon is to take the new mayor around the island, Emily was chosen to take the express. But she was very impatient about it and left the brake coach behind, Bertie's passengers and she ran out of water! Emily then realised she has to be patient. 

PRO:

- I believe Emily's the right choice to haul the express.

- Moral: Patient 

- The word 'brake coach'

- No steam gushing out after running out of water

CON:

- The express is a non-stop passenger service

A really enjoyable episode. What I mean of Emily being the right choice to haul the express is because her basis, the GNR Stirling Single, are well-known of hauling express trains between York to London either the writer of the episode did some research or it could be a coincidence. This also has a great moral about being patient and I do like how they mentioned 'Brake coach' and 'Slow goods train', something good for the railway enthusiasts like myself and I also like it how no steam came out of Emily's cylinders after she ran out of water, which should've happened to Spencer in 'Gordon and Spencer'. But the writer should at least done a bit of research about express trains, but no turning the clock now, but will be good for future episodes. But none the less, this was a great episode. 

Rating: 4/5

S8 Ep.17: Thomas Gets It Right

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

THOMAS GETS IT RIGHT

Written by

Robin Rigby 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date

26/08/04

Plot:

A storm had ravaged across the island and the Fat Controller's engines set off the clear the wreckage. Gordon collected the telegraph poles and James was taking the workmen. Meanwhile Thomas has to take Farmer McColl's eggs and he must go slow and steady so they won't break. 

PRO:

- Moral: Slow and steady

CON:

- Farmer McColl has railway access at his farm.

- Where's the driver and fireman when Thomas was being fast?

This episode is alright, but, there are the two flaws. I believe the moral of the story is going slow and steady. I don't have much to say, but the episode is alright, but its better then Thomas' stupidity from S9-16. 

Rating: 3/5

S8 Ep.16: Thomas and The Circus

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

THOMAS AND THE CIRCUS

Written by

Abi Grant

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

19/09/04

Plot:

The circus was coming to Sodor and Thomas is to pull the train. However, James and Percy offered to help but Thomas declined and in the end, his traction rods broke and he was broken down, but James and Percy helped him with the train in the end. 

PRO:

- Moral: Sharing

- The trucks were really colourful

- The return of Toad, without the face though.

CON:

- N/A

This episode in my opinion is a favourite from this season. The trucks were really colourful when I first saw the episode on DVD, as Australia never televised the episodes here. There was the return of Toad, despite not having the face, but aside from that, it was great how they used other brake vans then just the usual ones they always put in. But the best part of the episode is sharing and that's what really stand out for kids when it comes to sharing things. I like this episode and I enjoy the visuals and stories.

Rating: 5/5

S8 Ep.15: Squeak, Rattle and Roll

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

SQUEAK, RATTLE AND ROLL

Written by

Marc Seal 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

19/09/04

Plot:

Gordon can hear a squeak, rattle and roll in himself. He was worried. 

PRO:

- No Thomas 

CON:
- Gordon would've known that the Fat Controller would never scrap him. 

The episode is OK, but Gordon would've known better that the Fat Controller would never scrap his steam engines. However at least this episode doesn't have the shoe-horn Thomas in. 

Rating: 3/5

S8 Ep.14: Edward the Great

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

EDWARD THE GREAT

Written by

Abi Grant

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

12/09/04

Plot:

Spencer arrived once again on Sodor. However he was his boastful self and had to take the Duke and Duchess to their summer house. Edward was chosen to take the flatbed of furniture. However the big engines such as Gordon and James think Edward is old, but the old engine was determined to win.

PRO:

- Moral: Slow and steady wins the race.

CON:

- Since when Spencer sound like a jet plane?

- Edward should be on a different track then Spencer. 

Despite the cons, this one is another great episode. I love the moral of this episode, it teaches kids that you don't have to be fast to win a race always go slow and steady a bit like the Tortoise and the Hare, which this episode is kind of based off. But there are the cons sadly, since when did Spencer sound like a jet plane, maybe that was the reason why the 'Steamies Vs. Diesels' DVD says he sounds like a diesel  haha. I would say that there is no bell, but I think it was in the cab. Plus most people might say that Spencer's basis don't have bells, but as I said in my reviews of 'The Biggest Present of All', their were many British locomotives that are fitted with bells and Spencer's counterpart, 'Dominion of Canada' is an example. The episode is great and I do enjoy it.

Rating: 4/5

S8 Ep.13: Spic and Span

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

SPIC AND SPAN

Written by

Marc Seal

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

12/11/04

Plot:

A railway inspector was coming to the Island of Sodor and the big engines like Gordon, James and Emily wanted to be splendid for the inspector's arrival. Thomas and Percy wanted to be splendid too but they were covered in quarry dust and they think they'll never win after seeing James, Gordon and Emily being shiny and clean. But soon dust from coal hopper spoilt the paint of the three tender engines. 

PRO:

- Gordon, James and Emily's paint looked marvellous. 

CON:

- Railway inspectors don't check if engines are clean.

- Percy should know what a railway inspector is!

- The moral could've worked for a better part of the story line

The episode is alright, but there are the flaws. The writer should at least research more on railway inspectors as they check if the railway are in good working order. The story could've worked more better if the big engines wanted the inspector to see clean engines and they lazed about all day, however he rewarded the prize to the two tank engines because they worked hard and don't worry about being clean, just like the SiF redub, the moral would've worked with that plot line. Once again, Percy's stupidity, he's been on the railway for years and he should at least know what an inspector is. The models of three big engines were marvellous to look at though. The episode is alright, but it needed some tweaking.

Rating: 3/5

S8 Ep.12: Gordon Takes Charge

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

GORDON TAKES CHARGE

Written by

Paul Larson 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

5/09/04

Plot:

Percy and Gordon are to take passengers. But Percy was worried, he never took passengers for ages. Gordon had to teach Percy about passengers.

PRO:

- Moral: Don't act like a show-off. 

CON:
- Percy should know how to take passengers, he had done it many times before.

The episode is good, it's nice how we have an experienced engine teaching the young one. I do like the moral about not acting like a show-off and I do like it how they said 'He hadn't pulled passengers for a very long time' and not putting in 'He never pulled passengers before'. However, Percy would've been more experienced with passengers by now, but then again the whole season is focused towards the 'Steam Team' and Percy's persona has changed for this season.

Rating: 4/5

S8 Ep.11: Thomas and The Fireworks Display

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

THOMAS AND THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY

Written by

Abi Grant and Paul Larson 

Directed by 

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

5/09/04

Plot:

With the Harvest season, the Fat Controller decided to have fireworks for Harvest Day. Thomas wanted to take the fireworks but had chosen James. Later on the red engine broke down and Thomas has to help him, will they bring the fireworks in time?

PRO:

- The fireworks being transported into vans.

CON:

- James' breakdown was never explained.

- Why would the Fat Controller worry the children's bed time and not his railway?

- Surely the signalman knew Thomas and James are coming.

The episode is OK, but could've done better. I have to say, I like how James broke down, but it was never explained. But being a railway enthusiast, I believe maybe a pipe burst in his boiler judging by the loud bang. But I like it how the fireworks are transported into vans and not in open wagons, like later on in the season. The episode is OK, but would've been better.

Rating: 3.5/5

S8 Ep.10: Emily's New Route

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

EMILY'S NEW ROUTE

Written by

Paul Larson 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Plot:

During the summer season, the Fat Controller had told Emily to take flour from the mill to the bakery. James was unhappy as he was to take the Black Loch route. Rumours had it that a black monster lives there and there are landslides to worry about. Meanwhile Emily was taking the flour but the trucks were causing trouble and caused an accident. The Fat Controller sent Emily to the Black Loch route. But Emily soon found out who was the monster. 

PRO:

- Moral: Everyone can be scared of something.

- Emily showing her good side

- The engines having routes.

CON:

- If the Black Loch route is dangerous due to boulders, wouldn't the line be closed?

Another good episode. It's great to see Emily showing her good side and an example of how everyone can get scared of something. Plus, on the realistic terms, engines having routes. Just like the LNER having the 'Flying Scotsman' service from London - Edinburgh. But, if the Black Loch route is dangerous, filled with boulders falling, wouldn't the Fat Controller close the line so they can deal with the problem and not let the passengers get hurt? But there's no turning back the clock now :P

But still, I like the episode and it's a good one. 

Rating: 4/5

S8 Ep.9: Don't Tell Thomas

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

DON'T TELL THOMAS

Written by

Paul Larson 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

29/08/04

Plot:

The engines are organising a surprise party for Thomas as a thank you for clearing the snow. But the engines were saying 'Don't tell Thomas' which made him feel left out. But Harold the Helicopter told him the detail about why the engines were not telling Thomas about it. 

PRO:

- The engines were ignoring Thomas for the right reason.

- Despite the term 'Winter Holidays' being used, at least they didn't show too much Christmas stuff. 

CON:

-N/A

This is actually a good episode, however, you can feel sorry for Thomas in the story. But as I said, the engines were ignoring him for the right reason. They don't want to spoil the party for him and of course, despite the term 'Winter Holidays', it didn't show too much of a Christmas theme type story with the decorations and trees being everywhere visually, only a little, unlike the episodes from the Sharon Miller era. However, I'm glad they did show a Christmas tree at the end and again, this is a good episode. 

Rating: 4/5

S8 Ep.8: Thomas, Emily and The Snowplough

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

THOMAS, EMILY AND THE SNOWPLOUGH 

Written by

Abi Grant

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

22/08/04

Plot:

Thomas ignored Emily about wearing his snowplough. However, Thomas and Emily both felt foolish when the Fat Controller was scolding at them for not listening to him. 

PRO:

- Moral: Always listen to everyone 

CON:

- Emily's persona suppose to be nice and kind not bossy and mean.

- Since when branch lines have two lines?

The episode is OK in my opinion. It has a good moral that kids can learn from about listening to everyone. But Emily, her persona was messed up. Since her introduction she was all nice and kind and now they made her in a bossy engine. I know it was suppose to be for the episode, but they could've gone with other engines like Gordon or Henry? Emily is just not the engine for this episode. Plus visually, when are branch lines double tracked? I went to many preserved lines here in Aus and in the UK and they only have one track. The only preserved railway line that I know that has two tracks is the 'Great Central Railway', but that was one of the mainline companies. 

So yes, I find the episode OK, but they could've chosen a character that is right with the persona. 

Rating: 3/5

S8 Ep.7: Percy's Big Mistake

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

PERCY'S BIG MISTAKE

Written by

Abi Grant 

Directed by

Steve Asquith 

Air Date:

22/08/04 

Plot:

Percy was late and he was worried as the Fat Controller says he has to go to the scrapyard. 

PRO:

- The mention of Percy being a shunting engine, just like his basis.

CON:

- Percy should know that the Fat Controller would never scrap any of his engines.

Despite the first six episodes are good and OK, this one would have to be one of the weakest episodes so far in this season. The revert of Percy's persona making him sound like he's a wimp. Percy should've known better that the Fat Controller would never scrap his steam engines and it's just bad how they don't show that in recent years of the show. But I do like how they mention that he's a shunting engine, so I think the writers had done some research before writing. Unlike an infamous former head writer who just butchered the show with such awful writing around the CGI era of the show. But sadly I found this episode weak. 

Rating: 1/5