All Engines Go! Reveiw - S2 Ep.16 - More Than a Pretty Engine

      THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND ARE NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FANDOM

MORE THAN A PRETTY ENGINE

Written by

Jaya Ramdath

Directed by

Campbell Bryer

Produced by

Suzie Gallo

Air Date

30/10/22 - CAN

19/12/22 - USA

10/05/23 - UK

20/02/23 - AUS

Plot

Ashima discovers that she has to prove to the others that she's more than meets the eye.

I think this what an Ashima episode would be like had the CGI series had stayed with the special before series idea when Lost Treasure did it the other way in 2015. Ashima wasn't great ever since her appearance in 'The Great Race', a nice side character to help motivate Thomas to being himself but not great as a character on her own and BWBA didn't elevate her much further thanks to most of the episode focusing on Thomas and for Mattel cutting it short. I feel that the production team behind AEG tend to look back at previous content or at the previous team's series bible once Nelvana took over the ropes and try to make something better for the characters they never got a chance to grow before. 

Ashima was great in the episode with her strong willed personality and determination. I definetly see this episode working in the original series but I wish the episode didn't state the moral because clearly we got the message when Ashima got cross with Thomas and the others thinking that she can't do the work due to being a pretty engine, it feels a littler hammering. Plus Diesel's comment on the boulder always chasing them got me a chuckle. One of the very rare times where a joke from AEG is actually funny and is not a very bad, forceable pun from Percy. 

This is also one of the rare times where I give an AEG episode a top mark.

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

Overall Rating (So far):

66/160

All Engines Go! Reveiw - S2 Ep.15 - Good as New

     THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND ARE NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FANDOM

GOOD AS NEW

Written by

Susan Kim

Directed by

Campbell Bryer

Produced by

Suzie Gallo

Air Date

30/10/22 - CAN

12/12/22 - USA

9/05/23 - UK

19/02/23 - AUS

Plot

While out on a delivery to Whiff's Recycling Plant with his beloved buddy Boxy in tow, Thomas realises that his pal is on his last crooked axle.

Why not have the episode about Thomas accepting the fact that Boxy is ancient and that he has to accept it that would have to be scrapped. It could've been a alluded to the death of a family pet or the passing of a family relative or friend. Children, sadly, experience that concept of life and may not understand it at a young age unless they see it through something at their level and understand Thomas' feelings. I know that this idea might be a bit dark especially towards a kids show. But kids shows do tend to talk about it, the 'Bluey' episode 'Copycat' where they found a budgie and after taking it to the vet it died. But Bluey came to terms with it through play, by the way watch the show it's really good even if you don't have kids, so you can find a way with Thomas coming to terms of Boxy's parting and the child might understand the concept of death, mourning and coming to terms without fearing the child about it all.

The idea of Boxy being repaired and reused is fine but it could've been better with the way that I'd written earlier and besides we already had an episode with that theme and it was better and that was 'School of Duck'.  

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

Overall Rating (So far):

57/150

All Engines Go! Reveiw - S2 Ep.14 - Whiteout!

     THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND ARE NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FANDOM

WHITEOUT!

Written by

Nikki Lytton

Directed by

Campbell Bryer

Produced by

Suzie Gallo

Air Date

20/11/22 - CAN

28/11/22 - USA

TBA - UK

19/02/23 - AUS

Plot

With the holidays just around the corner, Thomas and Percy are determined to deliver the mail to all the patrons of Sodor.

Not bad but it wasn't great, it was mid. Sure it is about coming up with creative ways to find the way and that is a good message but it felt repetitive and kinda wish there was some conflict between Thomas and Percy on trying to find the way their own way until they have to find each other as the storm got worse and then work together to get to Vicarstown. 

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

Overall Rating (So far):

53/140

All Engines Go! Reveiw - S2 Ep.13 - Christmas Mountain

    THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND ARE NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FANDOM

CHRISTMAS MOUNTAIN

Written by

Lexie Kahanovitz & Monique Moreau

Directed by

Campbell Bryer

Produced by

Suzie Gallo

Air Date

20/11/22 - CAN

28/11/22 - USA

12/23 - UK

12/23 - AUS

Plot

It's Christmas time in Sodor and every engine is excitedly preparing for the holiday, especially Bruno who is excited to put his star on the tree. It's his tradition! When the Christmas tree can't be delivered, Thomas and Percy learn why traditions are important to Bruno.

This was a nice episode and I do like how Bruno, being autistic, reacted to the changes of his usual tradition for Christmas time we see him being a bit stressed out and a bit cross that Gordon couldn't find a Christmas tree. A natural trait to see from someone like him when it comes to change but at least he was not shown a stereotypical way to depict that all of them hate change, some can adapt to it even if it's not what they are use to usually, I tend to do some research on autism to understand more. I love Bruno since he helps me understand the condition. 

The rest of the episode was nice too, especially for a Christmas episode.

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

Overall Rating (So far):

49/130

All Engines Go! Reveiw - S2 Ep.12 - Stink Monster

   THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND ARE NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FANDOM

STINK MONSTER

Written by

Sarah Eisenberg & Becky Wangberg

Directed by

Campbell Bryer

Produced by

Suzie Gallo

Air Date

16/10/22 - CAN

21/11/22 - USA

31/01/23 - UK

17/02/23 - AUS

Plot

When Percy is kidnapped by the stink monster, the rest of the Biggest Adventure Club band together to create a plan to save their friend and stop the stink monster in its tracks!

So this is where we get our first physical appearance of Whiff and while he looks after the recycling plant he is also an inventor but despite that the focus was all over the place. I thought the story was going to be focused on Diesel wanting to have something fun for an adventure and he was the one complaining about taking trash from the beach to the plant and he was still like that when they were chasing Whiff, spoilers if you care, being the stink monster due to Percy being taken away by him by accident. 

And its message was more about Whiff and his, stupid, invention being its own adventure instead of Diesel learning his lesson since the episode was focused mostly towards him. All in all this episode was meh and most of the episode is just the engines running around to catch the 'monster'.

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

Overall Rating (So far):

42/110

All Engines Go! Reveiw - S2 Ep.11 - Brand New Track

      THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND ARE NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FANDOM

BRAND NEW TRACK

Written by

Peter Gaffney

Directed by

Campbell Bryer

Produced by

Suzie Gallo

Air Date

16/10/22 - CAN

14/11/22 - USA

30/01/23 - UK

16/02/23 - AUS

Plot

Thomas and Percy explore a brand-new track the evening before the route is opened. Everything seems new and exciting, and even a night spent stuck in the mud turns into a wonderful experience.

This might sound crazy but Thomas in this episode feels like Awdry's words on Thomas' popularity through a news interview during the 1990's which were: 'Thomas is the eternal child! Thomas is given a prohibition; naturally, as all children do when they're told not to do something, they want to know why and they find out why by doing it.' This isn't to say that the writers took on Awdry's words and went with it but with Thomas being curious about what lies beyond the new rails is something and I love it. Heck Thomas complaining how the line leading to Cronk was all the same and nothing new happens alludes to Thomas being bored of being in the yards and want to see the world, the rest of Sodor, as showcased in the original series. It feels nice to see this. 

Though it felt cheap that Carly told them that there wasn't anything new as the new line links to the one near Cronk when Thomas and Percy saw things that they hadn't seen previously like the waterfall and all though I do wish they had added something new instead of making things looking the same and also Sandy and Carly scolded them for crossing the new track, despite it being unfinished I wish that it was so light like a slap on the wrist. Maybe showcase the two characters being upset that they hadn't listen to them and Thomas and Percy apologise and make up by helping them building the new section of track. 

I will say Thomas' character really felt like his original self and that was the highlight for me but the rest of the episode held itself back to make it better.

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

Overall Rating (So far):

39/100

All Engines Go! Reveiw - S2 Ep.10 - Blackout!

     THESE ARE SOLEY MY OPINIONS AND ARE NOT INFLUENCED FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FANDOM

BLACKOUT!

Written by

Brent Piaskosi

Directed by

Campbell Bryer

Produced by

Suzie Gallo

Air Date

18/09/22 - CAN

7/11/22 - USA

27/01/23 - UK

15/02/23 - AUS

Plot

After a huge storm hits the Island of Sodor, the power gets cut out. Thomas is tasked to deliver the generator to Knapford Station without getting stuck, but chooses to not get help from any of his friends.

The biggest problem that this episode has is consistency, which is ironic because the inconsistency of this episode was very consistent throughout. The first problem is the contridiction of the episode. We had an episode of a power outage in S1A and Gordon told the engines that all deliveries have to be postponed until the power returns because, as he was implying, that it can be dangerous. I mean the bridge was stuck, so why do they have to do some work?

I mean sure the power generator is important because people need power for things as it's just as important for the railway for all the infrastructure but why can't the episode be about Bulstrode trying to deliver the power generator to Knapford from Kellsthorphe, perhaps the storm, after dying down, is still lingering and he has to battle through the tough and stormy sea and he was either scared of sinking from the big waves or is having a tough time to do that. It would at least give him something to do and has for traits to his character instead of being a one note secondary character. It would at least respect the continuity, which is ironic because some people, who I respect as fans of AEG, had said that the show has a better timeline than the original series but doesn't seem like that to me after seeing this, though I'm not saying the latter was any better as well.

Speaking of Bulstrode, another error of consistency is that he'd stated that Knapford can't be reached by boat and clearly in previous episodes, Knapford station is CLEARLY near the shoreline, it was even like that in 'Shake, Rattle and Roll Bruno'! The previous episode!

Knapford can't be reached by sea? Is Bulstrode just lazy or incredibly stupid?

Also the logic is inconsistent, Gordon and Diesel get stuck in mud and yet Thomas can avoid it by jumping over it despite that the former two have the power as well. Yes Thomas hauling the heavy power generator made him stuck in the mud for the sake of conflict but neither Gordon nor Diesel were heavy since they were light as a feather thanks to AEG's logic. 

If I have to give credit to this episode at least it wasn't a three strikes your out type of episode since Thomas' other ideas to avoid mud only happened twice and they failed and then he asked for help and sure it had a nice moral about teamwork, even though we had plenty of those episodes. But yes this episode was flawed and it could've been better to give to Bulstrode and explore traits for his character. I think that would be a much better episode than this.

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

Overall Rating (So far):

34/100