S7 Ep.26: Three Cheers For Thomas + Overall

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

THREE CHEERS FOR THOMAS

Written by

Jan Page

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

30/12/03

Plot:

It was the annual sports day and Thomas was dreaming about having a medal. Later, Thomas was having a race with Bertie. But the Fat Controller had stopped Thomas and told him that he left the medals behind in his office at the big station. Thomas raced away to get them and he took them to the sports arena right on time! The children awarded him a medal in the end. 

PRO:

- Thomas and Bertie's race brings some nostalgia.

CON:

- Percy's stupidity about eggs and spoons races.

- Why was Thomas being cleaned at a station? 

So we come to the final episode of the seventh series, which ends the classical era of the show with the likes of veterans such as the late David Mitton, Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell. The episode was good and of course have a simple story line. But of course, there are flaws such as Percy's stupidity. But I do like how they added another race between Thomas and Bertie, brings that sense of nostalgia towards the older fans who remember seeing the very early episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine. 

 Rating: 4/5

OVERALL

Despite the lack of railway terminology and some unrealistic moments, this series is another favourite of mine of the post-Awdry era. The stories are simple and some are memorable. But whether it be or not, I find it very enjoyable along with season six. I hope Andrew Brenner brings Series 17 at the same level of the two series. The music, enjoyable and memorable. I do have to say the sound effects of the whistles seems quiet for some engines like Emily, Donald and Douglas etc. 

The characters, let me just say, the new characters such as Emily, Arthur, Spencer, Murdoch are very detailed towards their real life basis' I'm impressed with all the modelling skill that the people gave to these characters, particularly Murdoch and Arthur. 

Michael Angelis' narration was great, giving it a gentle storytelling kind of voice and that what makes the series so memorable to me, they feel like stories that you can read to a child at bedtime. The younger audience will enjoy these episodes. As of the reception that Angelis got in the US from the VHS/DVD 'New Friends For Thomas' saying he sounds 'old' and 'horrible', I wonder why Ringo Starr didn't get that kind of reception with his voice when he did the show for the US audience? Probably because he was part of The Beatles and the people over there knew his name since The Beatles landed in America since 1964. Still like the man though ;) (Ringo)

As of Brandon's narration, I've seen a few episodes and I have to say his storytelling is not too bad and some of his voices for the characters aren't too bad, but when it comes to Donald and Douglas and even Duncan in their scottish accents, he sounds horrible. He sounds like he gave the engines russian accents, no offence to the russian people. Brandon may not be great, but you can hear he's trying his best. 

David Mitton, Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell had done wonders with the Thomas series and it's sad that five years after he directed this episode, he (David Mitton) passed away. But his legacy still remains creating a show from a series of books written by a vicar into a reality. Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell had done many memorable themes for the characters and stories for the past nineteen years during their time of the classic era. It's a shame that they decided to move on, but all good things must come to an end. I wish them the best of luck for their future as they now have their own businesses.

We will now continue on with the new and revamped eighth season.  

OVERALL RATING:

88/100

    

S7 Ep.25: Trusty Rusty

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

TRUSTY RUSTY

Written by
Paul Larson 

Directed by
David Mitton 

Air Date:
26/12/03

Plot:
Their are cracks in the support of an old wooden bridge. However Duncan puffed over the bridge and stopped as he was out of steam! Then the bridge was about to collapse. Rusty then went to the rescue. 

PRO:
N/A

CON:
- 'How would you know, you're only a diesel.' Pathetic and bland insult.
- The driver's should learn some common sense when it comes to a broken bridge.
- Duncan and Rusty's weight could easily break the bridge.

Probably the worse episode in S7. The episode shows the people of Sodor's stupidity, Duncan giving a pathetic and bland insult towards Rusty and of course how unrealistic of Rusty and Duncan being on a broken bridge when their weight can easily break the bridge. 

 Rating: 1/5

S7 Ep.24: Not So Hasty Puddings

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NOT SO HASTY PUDDINGS

Written by

Robyn Charteris 

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

24/12/03

Plot:

Elizabeth is to take puddings to the harbour, as the pudding factory is snowed in, so they can be shipped to the mainland, but due to the roads being icy, she skidded into a snow drift and Thomas came to his rescue

PRO:

- Thomas' classic snowplough returns

CON:

- What was the point of 'It's Only Snow' footage?

The episode was alright. It was simple. But despite the blue snowplough's return after the fifth season,  there is only one flaw, what was point of 'Its Only Snow' footage? Thomas was hauling Annie and Clarabel and yet we see Toby and Thomas bringing a Christmas tree, it would confuse the younger audience, maybe they didn't have enough money at the time? 

Rating: 4/5

S7 Ep.23: Gordon and Spencer

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

GORDON AND SPENCER

Written by

Lee Pressman 

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

20/12/03

Plot:

The Duke and Duchess are visiting Sodor and they arrived with their private engine called Spencer, a silver A4. Gordon was jealous of him for being the fastest engine, but when he asked him to take on some water, Spencer ignored him and by the time he reached Gordon's Hill, he ran out of water. Gordon then came to his rescue. 

PRO:

- Ironically Gordon and Spencer were both built by the LNER

CON:

- Spencer's driver would've stopped Spencer himself for water. 

Probably one of the season's best episodes. Spencer's design was amazing and it's kind of ironic how both Spencer and Gordon are rivals yet they were built from the same railway company, the LNER. I do like how they said that Spencer was the fastest steam engine in the world, despite that it belong to Mallard. But the 'Silver Link' did 112mph and Spencer is obviously based on that A4. But only one flaw, why can't Spencer's driver stop Spencer himself for water? It's not that hard to pull the lever down? But this is one of the best episode of the seventh season. 

 Rating: 5/5

S7 Ep.22: Best Dressed Engine

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BEST DRESSED ENGINE

Written by

Polly Churchill 

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

13/12/03

Plot:

It was May Day and the engines were being decorated for 'The Best Dressed Engine'. Gordon thinks decorations are dignified, until a banner wrapped around him on his smokebox door.

PRO:

- The season one stock footage

- The decorations

CON:

- Even though in real life they could burn.

- 'The banner wrapped around his firebox!' actually a smokebox. 

- Gordon's driver can stop him and get the banner off him. 

I do enjoy this episode, but despite that there are the usual flaws. The decoration, although they do look nice, they could easily burn but any Thomas episode from the post-Awdry era would not focus on realism and more focused on fantasy. The banner didn't get wrapped around his firebox, that's in his cab, what it really wrapped around was his smokebox door and plus Gordon's driver would've stopped the train to get the banner off. But the episode wasn't too bad.

Rating: 3.5/5

S7 Ep.21: The Grand Opening

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

THE GRAND OPENING

Written by

James Mason 

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

6/12/03

Plot:

Skarloey is upset that he was late. Meanwhile, the Fat Controller and Lady Hatt are to head for the opening of Rumblin Bridge station. But unfortunately was stuck in a tree! Luckily Skarloey rescued them.

PRO:

- The lines from Lady Hatt and the Fat Controller were funny.

CON:

- 'They boarded Skarloey's box car' It's pronounced 'Guard's Van' in the UK. 

- Rumblin Bridge station was used in other episodes before this episode.

The episode is good, but there are the usual flaws. I know that there is an American audience, but when it comes to the UK narration, they should call Skarloey's van 'Guards Van', a 'Box Car' is what the American railroad people describe as a vent van or wagon, but the mistakes are made. Plus the station was used in other episodes before this. But the lines from Lady Hatt and The Fat Controller were funny and memorable. 

Rating: 4/5

S7 Ep.20: Harold and The Flying Horse

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

HAROLD AND THE FLYING HORSE

Written by
Robin Kingsland 

Directed by
David Mitton 

Air Date:
1/12/03

Plot:
Harold was sad that he's to miss out on the vicars annual fate until he rescued Pegasus.

 PRO:
- N/A

CON: 
- Harold was already at Dryaw so there was no need for him to fly around the island.
- Percy's stupidity about flying horses. 

Nothing bad about the episode itself, it was alright and it was a simple story. But there is a few errors, like Harold being Dryaw already, you might say 'Maybe he went to another place and has to go back to Dryaw' sure, but there was not a mention of him going somewhere. Plus there was Percy's stupidity, it's been like this since S6. At first he said there are no flying horses and later on when he saw Pegasus in Harold's carrier, he says that horses can fly after all! Well that's an example of how age reversal works in a Thomas episode. But overall there was nothing too bad about the episode itself. 

Rating: 3/5

S7 Ep.19: Bulgy Rides Again

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BULGY RIDES AGAIN

Written by

Brain Trueman 

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

29/11/03

Plot:

With Thomas and Emily being repaired at the works, Bulgy was restored for the first time in years. But the hens missed their home and they crept onto the luggage racks. But an accident was nearly made and the chicken went haywire! Bulgy then decided to turn himself into a Vegetable bus. 

PRO:

N/A

CON:

- Why was Thomas taking a goods train as he was at the works being repaired?

- Bulgy's voice.

Some fans have complained about Rheanes' yellow paint, yet they didn't when Bulgy was repainted. Not that i'm against any fan's opinions on that. It was great how they gave Bulgy another episode after being a hen house after four seasons. Despite that the story was great and simple, Michael Angelis' would've worked on his voice a bit more as his voice for Bulgy sounds like a blocked nose. But the episode was alright. 

 Rating: 3/5

S7 Ep.18: Fergus Breaks The Rules

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

FERGUS BREAKS THE RULES

Written by

Jan Page

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

26/11/03

Plot:

Diesel was had told Fergus that the Fat Controller 'wants him' to go to work at the Smelters Yards. 

PRO:

- N/A

CON:

- Fergus didn't break any rules. 

Only one con and it's such a shame that Fergus didn't have any more roles after this. Well there is a reason. The reason Fergus was not in any other episode is because his model was damaged badly. Now that the show is in CGI, they could remake him again. 

Rating: 3/5

S7 Ep.17: Peace and Quiet

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

PEACE AND QUIET

Written by

Paul Larson 

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

24/11/03

Plot:

Murdoch wanted some peace and quiet after a hard days work. Later as he went to the countryside, their were sheep on the line! Toby came to his rescue and Murdoch aplogised to Salty and Harvey.

PRO:

- Murdoch's basis.

CON:

- Why can't Murdoch whistle the sheep out of the way?

- How does Murdoch know Toby? 

Despite the two cons, this is really one of my favourites. I have a great interest in Murdoch basis, the British Railways 9F, which is famous because 'Evening Star' was the last 9F to be built by British Rail before 60163 Tornado was built 48 years later. Despite the livery that makes him more like a toy, I wish the model makers would've made him in the BR livery:

That would make him twice more eye catching. If Andrew Brenner is reading this I hope it happens, he could make an episode where Murdoch is in need of a new coat of paint and the 9F likes to be painted in his heritage colour. I can dream can I?

But there are the cons that I have with this episode, but they aren't worth the explanation. Despite the two cons, this episode is great and is worth watching. 

Rating: 4/5

S7 Ep.16: The Runaway Elephant

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

THE RUNAWAY ELEPHANT 

Written by

George Tarry 

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

23/11/03

Plot:

Duncan is to take a statue of an elephant to a new park. 

PRO:

- A perfect and realistic example of why brake vans should be added to trains. 

CON:

- Despite that the episode is a good example, a brake van should've been added to the flatbed.

The episode is fine, I enjoyed it. It should be a great example to the current writers of Thomas & Friends today of what happen if brake vans aren't fitted to trains. But they could've added it to the train, but then we have no plot. 

Rating: 4/5

S7 Ep.15: Something Fishy

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

SOMETHING FISHY

Written by
Paul Larson 

Directed by
David Mitton 

Air Date:
20/11/03

Plot:
Arthur is sad that he didn't get to run the coastal line as Thomas was chosen for the job.

PRO:
- The fishing village
- The background of the other engines being serviced.

CON:
- 'Arthur was disappointed, the Fat Controller had made shunt trucks at the steel works..' 
More like the coaling plant to me.

- Points don't just magically change?
- What's with the whistle change for Arthur?

The episode is not bad really, show's some industrial and realism of the Island with the engine in the background. The fishing village was fantastic, perfect model making skills. But there a few flaws with the episode. But it's not a bad episode. 

Rating: 4/5

S7 Ep.14: Snow Engine

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

SNOW ENGINE

Written by

Jenny McDade

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

19/11/03

Plot:

Oliver hates snow and doesn't find anything splendid about snow. But he saw how splendid it was when the children had him as a snow engine. 

PRO:

N/A

CON:

- 'They deliver goods and passengers when the roads are closed by deep snow' so what about Spring, Summer or Autumn? 

- How is snow messy? 

- Oliver is out of character.

- How did Toad derailed himself? 

- The snowman would've melted. 

This episode is filled with flaws, it's not a great episode, but it's in the OK category. But the first part of the script said that they deliver goods and passengers when the roads are closed by the snow, so the other seasons of year don't matter? Plus where was no mention of 'The Little Western'? Also they mentioned that Oliver thinks snow is messy, it's water and its clean, how is it messy? Plus this episode would've been suited better to Thomas or Percy as Oliver is not the right engine, he should be wise about snow. Toad's derailment is illogical as he was at the back and yet, he manage to slide next to Oliver. As I said in my 'Percy and The Snowman' review last year, the snowman would've been melted. 

The episode is not bad, but it's OK, why, because anything is better then the writing from S13-16. 

Rating: 3.5/5

S7 Ep.13: Salty's Stormy Tale

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

SALTY'S STORMY TALE

Written by

Polly Churchill 

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

16/11/03

Plot:

Salty thought that Thomas and Percy were teasing him and he was upset. Meanwhile Salty was to collect Fergus from the smelters yards as his driver (Fergus) doesn't know the line. On their way home a raging storm swept across the island. A ship was making its way towards the island and the lighthouse was out and the ship was in danger! Luckily Salty's idea had worked as Fergus' flywheel can power the generator and he saved the day! Thomas and Percy apologised and only copied him because they like him. 

PRO:

- Emily was in perfect character.

CON:

- What was Fergus doing at the smelters yards? 

- 'Every wise engine knows that the signalman know the right lines...' is somehow forgotten.

The episode is nice and enjoyable. Emily was in perfect character, she defend her friend because Thomas and Percy hurt Salty's feelings. But there are two downsides, there is no explanation of why Fergus is at the smelters yards, as we know his driver doesn't know the line, but somehow they've forgotten that it's the signalman's duty to make the engines run on the right lines, not just magically know which way to go. But the episode is nice.

Rating: 4/5

S7 Ep.12: Rheneas & The Roller coaster

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

RHENEAS & THE ROLLER COASTER

Written by

James Mason 

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

13/11/03

Plot:

Rheneas wanted to make the children's school trip special. 

PRO:

N/A

CON:

- Rheneas should know that the children are to see important sites not a fun ride.

- Ever heard of brake or switch the points?

Another episode that is ridiculous, Rheneas is about 147 years old (as he is based on Dolgoch on the Talyllyn Railway, and in fiction, was built on the same year as his counterpart, 1866.) He should know that the children are to see the important sites of the railway. Plus it would be easy if Rheneas' crew would put on the brakes or the workmen switching the points? But if that happens we would have no plot. It would've been better if the story was simple like Rheneas wanting to make the kids day special, but failed and kids told him that they got to see the sites and that made the trip special. May not be great, but it'll be better then this. 

Rating: 1/5

S7 Ep.11: Bad Day At Castle Loch

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

BAD DAY AT CASTLE LOCH

Written by

Jenny McDade

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

10/11/03

Plot:

In celebration of Lord Callen's castle to be reopened, a party was being held and Donald and Douglas were to take the decoration to the castle. They told Percy that there was a 'monster', the Loch-ness Monster. But two landslides got them stuck and Harvey came to save the day. 

PRO:

- Love the updated version of 'Misty Valley'.

CON:

- Michael Brandon's scottish accent is horrendous.

- Donald and Douglas arguing is a lot better for Bill and Ben. 

- What about the guard, what happened to him in the landslide? 

I like episodes with Donald and Douglas, but comparing to other episodes, this episode is not in the strong stand point of the ones based off the Railway Series stories. Nothing wrong with a scottish castle on Sodor, even though its nearer to England, it's owned by Lord Callen and gave it a scottish theme. What can I say about MB's 'scottish accent', it is horrible, I have the episode on DVD from the US and I'll say it again, it is horrid, it sound nothing like the scottish language, he sounds more Cockney or Australian then scottish. Michael Brandon is not a bad guy though at the narration, Alec Baldwin didn't even give the twins there respective accents and then again nobody is perfect at everything. 

Donald and Douglas arguing is a lot like Bill and Ben, character reversals could've started here in the seventh season? Plus what about the guard after the landslip, surely he need some medical attention? 

I'm not saying it is a bad episode, but it could've been better. But at least Donald and Douglas aren't butchered up around S13 - 16. 

Rating: 3/5  

S7 Ep.10: Toby's Windmill

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

TOBY'S WINDMILL

Written by
Jan Page

Directed by
David Mitton 

Air Date:
5/11/03

Plot:
Toby loves the windmill and was friends with the miller. But one stormy night, the windmill was struck by lighting and put the miller out of the job. But thanks to an old tree found by Toby, a new windmill was made and was called 'Toby's Windmill'. 

PRO:
- The lighting strike on the windmill. 

CON:
- Why was the windmill built in one day.
- Toby's driver should've watched where he was going. 

The episode is not horrible but also not perfect. It's kind of a shame that the writer put in that Toby is not watching where he was going when really it's driver's fault for crashing the flour trucks into the siding. Plus why was the windmill had taken one day to be built? I don't know :P But the episode is OK, it's simple and entertaining and shows that you can help a friend in need. 

Rating: 3.5/5 

S7 Ep.9: The Spotless Record

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

THE SPOTLESS RECORD

Written by

Paul Larson 

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

29/10/03

Plot:

A new engine called Arthur came to the Island of Sodor. He was told to the other engines that he has a Spotless record, meaning he had never done anything bad or made a mess, until some trucks were being rude to him. 

PRO:

- I love Arthur's basis and plus the name, I'll explain that later. 

CON:

- Arthur's wheels were lifted after his crash.

- Thomas' teasing for Arthur just came out of nowhere. 

The reason why I like Arthur's name is that I remember I heard many years ago that there was a contest to name the new engine, I don't know if it's true or not, it has been years. There were names like 'Clarence' and the name 'Arthur' was chosen, I think Clarence would never be suitable to an engine like Arthur, might be better if the character was female or they were planning to have Arthur's character to be female, I don't know? 

Many people might say that Arthur and Belle are related but here's the truth to the people who don't know too much about the basises. Arthur is an LMS 2MT tank engine and Belle is a BR 4MT tank engine, there are major differences that make them look the same, but the TV series happens to make them look the same:

But I have to say, I don't know why Thomas' teasing or hatred for Arthur just came out of nowhere, at first he liked Arthur and then decided to trick him. I know he's a cheeky engine, that was his persona (before the new series) but over the years he should be matured. 

But the episode itself shows that you can't be perfect at everything but with a positive out reach that mistakes are made so you can learn them and I think the episode is good.

Rating: 4/5

S7 Ep.8: The Refreshment Lady's Tea Shop

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

THE REFRESHMENT LADY'S TEA SHOP

Written by

James Mason 

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

22/10/03

Plot:

During the busy summer season, the refreshment lady decided to open a new tea shop. But she had no where to put it. But after a storm, Peter Sam spotted an old coach and decided to convert it to a tea -room. 

PRO:

- The tea room's livery

- The idea of a tea room on wheels 

CON:

- Why did Rusty and his driver think that the coach is a shed? 

I love the livery of the tea room on wheels and it was also a great idea too as you don't normally see these on rails. But the level of stupidity that Rusty had in this episode, thinking that the coach was a shed and when obviously it's the shape of the coach, unless it was used as a garden shed, but that doesn't give an excuse of Rusty's stupidity. But the episode is enjoyable, a simple story with a moral of helping other people.

Rating: 4/5

S7 Ep.7: James and The Queen of Sodor

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

JAMES AND THE QUEEN OF SODOR

Written by

Paul Larson 

Directed by

David Mitton 

Air Date:

20/10/03

Plot:

James is to take the 'Queen of Sodor' to the smelters, but his hopes were demolished when it turns out to be a leaky old barge, thanks to Gordon. 

PRO:

- I like the little grunts at the end.

CON:

- Wouldn't James know about the 'Queen of Sodor' barge or that a royal family exists on Sodor?

- James' personality could've been more matured.

The episode is alright, simple but has a couple of flaws. You think that after being seen on the pages and the screen that James would've been matured with his personality. But one thing, wouldn't James know about the existence of the barge? That if he has been to the canal or the harbour for years? But the episode is alright and I do like the little grunt the engines made. 

 Rating: 3/5