This is it, people; the home stretch! After 467 episodes, we're finally gonna get to the remaining episodes of season 17, and after that, I'm done with Thomas episodes (well, at least until season 20 airs). In between them, I... don't know what to do, really. The specials, perhaps? Anyway, the season 17 poll winners!
Also, considering that Arc Productions went bankrupt, I find it very disheartening, but nonetheless, I'll still be reviewing those episodes because they (and King of the Railway) set the benchmark for what we've gotten in The Great Race and will be getting for season 20.
Also, considering that Arc Productions went bankrupt, I find it very disheartening, but nonetheless, I'll still be reviewing those episodes because they (and King of the Railway) set the benchmark for what we've gotten in The Great Race and will be getting for season 20.
Written by Lee Pressman
As it got the most votes, I think it's fair that this be reviewed first, especially as it's the premiere episode of the new era of Thomas. How does it stack up, three years later?
One of the first indications that the show has gotten better is the intro; one sentence about the weather on Sodor, and after that, the story actually begins in ten seconds flat (and yes, I counted). Another change is how the three-strikes formula is utilized; it isn't used so the character makes the same mistakes three times. No, when Cranky makes a mess, Kevin tries and succeeds in clearing it up - at least, the first two times. For #3? Kevin tries to save the barrel, but to subvert expectations, he takes a dive into the sea, and you feel sorry for him when he's scolded despite that he didn't mean to cause an accident.
I have to say, Kevin is portrayed a hell of a lot better than he was in season 15; I guess it's due to the fact that the writers didn't know how to write for him and treated him like an idiot. Here, whilst he's a bit childlike, Kevin understands that work is important, especially when he takes initiative by clearing up every mess Cranky makes. On whole, it's quite a good episode, and I like how they chose to start the new era with a whisper, rather than a bang.
Written by Andrew Brenner
This episode (until the 11th hour) got the second most votes, and considering who's introduced, I think there's good reason as to why.
Considering how little Porter has received screentime since Tale of the Brave, I feel sorry for him since he's a character with loads of potential (see my review on Salty All at Sea as to why that's the case). I just hope that's fixed for season 20. For the episode itself, and speaking of characters, it was also interesting that Cranky showed concern for when Salty's engine began spluttering (I dunno if that was intentional or not, but kudos for research that 07s did have engine troubles) and to how much Salty cares for his job.
When I read the description, I felt it was rather amusing that a diesel feared being replaced by a steam engine - the irony in the role-reversal! The season six references were a nice touch; it gives Salty an explanation as to how he came to Sodor but why replace Diesel with Mavis, even if for one shot? Other than that, it's a great episode that lived up to its full potential, so nothing feels wasted.
Episode 22: Gone Fishing
Considering how little Porter has received screentime since Tale of the Brave, I feel sorry for him since he's a character with loads of potential (see my review on Salty All at Sea as to why that's the case). I just hope that's fixed for season 20. For the episode itself, and speaking of characters, it was also interesting that Cranky showed concern for when Salty's engine began spluttering (I dunno if that was intentional or not, but kudos for research that 07s did have engine troubles) and to how much Salty cares for his job.
When I read the description, I felt it was rather amusing that a diesel feared being replaced by a steam engine - the irony in the role-reversal! The season six references were a nice touch; it gives Salty an explanation as to how he came to Sodor but why replace Diesel with Mavis, even if for one shot? Other than that, it's a great episode that lived up to its full potential, so nothing feels wasted.
Written by Andrew Brenner
...wait, what do you mean, this isn't the season four song? Oh, I'm sorry! It's an episode out of season 17! I understand now.
Yes, it's Harvey's first full appearance in CGI, and it's fair to say he came back with a bang. I also like the episode's own continuity as it takes place after Away From the Sea. For most of season 17, a number of the episodes are self-contained, as you could put them in any order. With season 18, there's a certain order to some of the episodes as Nicholas Goodrich explained in his review on season 18.
The moral is absolutely brilliant, especially as it was explained through Porter; yes, he's different by having three domes (possibly except for Rosie) but he doesn't care as they make him useful in his own way, and prior to this episode, I'd never heard of the phrase "water off a duck's back" before (I'm surprised by the usage of Ducks in this season!) but it's a clever way of explaining the moral with an idiom. If only fans could actually realize that...
It's absolutely brilliant, and I'm gonna rank it the same as the previous episode. In fact, a lot of the best from season 17 come from Andrew Brenner alone (barring The Frozen Turntable).
Episode 25: No More Mr. Nice Engine
Yes, it's Harvey's first full appearance in CGI, and it's fair to say he came back with a bang. I also like the episode's own continuity as it takes place after Away From the Sea. For most of season 17, a number of the episodes are self-contained, as you could put them in any order. With season 18, there's a certain order to some of the episodes as Nicholas Goodrich explained in his review on season 18.
The moral is absolutely brilliant, especially as it was explained through Porter; yes, he's different by having three domes (possibly except for Rosie) but he doesn't care as they make him useful in his own way, and prior to this episode, I'd never heard of the phrase "water off a duck's back" before (I'm surprised by the usage of Ducks in this season!) but it's a clever way of explaining the moral with an idiom. If only fans could actually realize that...
It's absolutely brilliant, and I'm gonna rank it the same as the previous episode. In fact, a lot of the best from season 17 come from Andrew Brenner alone (barring The Frozen Turntable).
Written by Paul Larson and Laura Beaumont
It's fair to say that I find Hiro overrated, as well as the special he was introduced in, but I'll expand on that in the near future.
I've heard discussions that Edward should've been in Hiro's place, but I don't agree with that. Edward knows Diesel long enough to put up with his antics, and he's been seen with him several times in the past (the only time I can think of is Calling All Engines, but I could be wrong). Seeing Hiro with Diesel is something new because it makes for a memorable storyline and breaks cliches.
Also, Hiro has high tolerance for the trucks' tricks when other engines would've succumbed much sooner. The emphasis of brakevan importance was a nice touch, and it was satisfying to see Diesel get his comeuppance for causing trouble.
I know it's a nitpick, but why would Edward simply leave trucks for Hiro to pick up when he could've taken them to Knapford himself? That doesn't make much sense from a narrative standpoint. Although it was rather funny to see the Fat Controller's trousers get messed up, but it is worth pointing out that in the UK, Keith Wickham puts more emotion in the Fat Controller's voice, but in the US? Kerry Shale makes him sound uninterested. Come on, man - you can do better than that!
Overall, good episode, and a good watch.
I've heard discussions that Edward should've been in Hiro's place, but I don't agree with that. Edward knows Diesel long enough to put up with his antics, and he's been seen with him several times in the past (the only time I can think of is Calling All Engines, but I could be wrong). Seeing Hiro with Diesel is something new because it makes for a memorable storyline and breaks cliches.
Also, Hiro has high tolerance for the trucks' tricks when other engines would've succumbed much sooner. The emphasis of brakevan importance was a nice touch, and it was satisfying to see Diesel get his comeuppance for causing trouble.
I know it's a nitpick, but why would Edward simply leave trucks for Hiro to pick up when he could've taken them to Knapford himself? That doesn't make much sense from a narrative standpoint. Although it was rather funny to see the Fat Controller's trousers get messed up, but it is worth pointing out that in the UK, Keith Wickham puts more emotion in the Fat Controller's voice, but in the US? Kerry Shale makes him sound uninterested. Come on, man - you can do better than that!
Overall, good episode, and a good watch.
Thomas and Friends Season 17 Scorecard
1. Kevin's Cranky Friend: 7
4. Gordon Runs Dry: 8
7. Henry's Hero: 6
8. Luke's New Friend: 8
10. Not Now, Charlie!: 6
12. The Thomas Way: 7
13. The Phantom Express: 7
14. Percy's Lucky Day: 9
15. Bill or Ben?: 10
16. Too Many Fire Engines: 9
17. No Snow for Thomas: 7
18. Santa's Little Engine: 9
19. The Missing Christmas Decorations: 10
20. The Frozen Turntable: 3
21. Away From the Sea: 9
22. Gone Fishing: 9
4. Gordon Runs Dry: 8
7. Henry's Hero: 6
8. Luke's New Friend: 8
10. Not Now, Charlie!: 6
12. The Thomas Way: 7
13. The Phantom Express: 7
14. Percy's Lucky Day: 9
15. Bill or Ben?: 10
16. Too Many Fire Engines: 9
17. No Snow for Thomas: 7
18. Santa's Little Engine: 9
19. The Missing Christmas Decorations: 10
20. The Frozen Turntable: 3
21. Away From the Sea: 9
22. Gone Fishing: 9
23. The Afternoon Tea Express: 8
24. The Smelly Kipper: 8
25. No More Mr. Nice Engine: 8
25. No More Mr. Nice Engine: 8
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