Thomas and Friends: The Rest of Season 9

It's the home stretch! With less than a regular season's worth of episodes to go, let's kick off by finishing up season nine!

Episode 6: Thomas and the Toy Shop

Written by James Mason

If Henry's track was blocked by a fallen crate, why didn't A) the workmen actually clear up the mess, or B) Henry actually back up and take another track? Or was he just being lazy because plot convenience? Further, how was it that Thomas was able to take the circus train over Gordon's hill, and yet here, he was unable to pull Annie, Clarabel, and the trucks of toys? I do like the Easter egg of the RWS poster in the toy shop though, and Annie and Clarabel did at least have something to say. By the way, it's still Christmas, and not the winter holidays. Anyone who says that Christmas is "wrong" can sod off, frankly.

Episode 9: Tuneful Toots

Written by Sharon Miller

I know, I know - this was one of the two episodes (along with Duncan and the Old Mine) where Rusty was referred to as a girl in the American dub. Does it ruin the episode? Sure, it's a problem, but it doesn't wreck the plot completely. Although I'm not too sure as to why the engines would be judgmental to Rusty based on the sound of his horn. And how was it that they understood that he had a horn, and yet they didn't notice that he doesn't have a funnel? It's even stranger that his horn worked even after his engine broke down and that he was seemingly shy about his horn. Where'd that come from?

Episode 15: Thomas and the Statue

Written by Marc Seal

This one's alright; it's actually surprising that Thomas willingly volunteered to help clear the tracks despite his hatred for his snowplough, but I suppose it's because not only did he want to help his friends get to Peel, he wanted to make up for his earlier bragging. Still, it doesn't give Thomas the right to brag even if the statue that was covered looked somewhat like him, and why a statue of the Steam Team? What was its purpose to begin with?

Episode 20: Duncan and the Old Mine

Written by James Mason

Why is it called a mine shaft if there are two entrances? Surely it would've been called Duncan and the Old Tunnel instead, but I guess they went with Mine to set up a half-baked climax. And you'd think after Trusty Rusty that Duncan's driver would at least have a bit more common sense... Yeah, nice barrier you got there, Mr. Percival. :P

Episode 21: Bold and Brave

Written by James Mason

I don't really see what purpose Diesel had in this episode. All he did was mock Thomas for being scared and then just leaves. Speaking of which, why would Thomas listen to Diesel about the so-called Curse of the Cliffs? That could've gone to Bill and Ben as they're much younger than Thomas. Pity it was just Ben without Bill. I wouldn't say this was James Mason's worst, but it's rather dull and a bit of a chore to sit through.

Season 9 Overall

At this point, this is where the show hit seasonal rot, and it'd continue to get worse from here on out. Every now and then, you get a decent plot like Respect for Gordon, but there are bad ones like Thomas and the Rainbow that bogged them down. I hate how the Skarloey engines were treated, Rheneas and Skarloey especially, as they were supposed to be elderly, mature engines, not childish, silly ones. Blue Mountain Mystery gave them a return to form far better than season 16 did. Not the best way to celebrate 60 years now, is it?

Season eight was far superior to nine on a lot of levels, and it was the only good season out of the Barlow era. Based on past reviews, ten and eleven never reached the bar that eight did.

Episodes Ranked from Worst to Best

26. Rheneas and the Dinosaur (1/10)
25. Skarloey the Brave
24. Thomas and the Rainbow
23. Toby Feels Left Out
22. Thomas and the Golden Eagle
21. Saving Edward (2/10)
20. Bold and Brave
19. Mighty Mac
18. Thomas and the New Engine (3/10)
17. Henry and the Flagpole
16. The Magic Lamp
15. Duncan and the Old Mine
14. Thomas' Milkshake Muddle
13. Tuneful Toots (4/10)
12. Flour Power
11. Thomas and the Toy Shop (5/10)
10. Thomas and the Statue (6/10)
9. Thomas and the Birthday Picnic
8. Emily Knows Best (7/10)
7. Thomas' New Trucks
6. Percy and the Oil Painting
5. Thomas' Day Off (8/10)
4. Respect for Gordon
3. Keeping Up with James
2. Molly's Special Special
1. Thomas Tries His Best (9/10)

Season 9 Final Rating: 4/10