Here we are. We've finally reached the end of the line with the final episode of Thomas and Friends I'll be reviewing. (Don't worry; I will do season 20 when it comes out!) After two years, I've finally covered every episode of the show that has aired to date (I may do the specials I haven't covered at some point), even the ones I don't feel like doing. What better way to make a grand finale than Thomas' Shortcut?
Season 17, Episode 26
Thomas' Shortcut
Written by Andrew Brenner
Re-watching this episode again, I never felt the need to even pause once. It was definitely a modern day take on Thomas and Bertie the same way Old Reliable Edward was a modern day take on Edward and Gordon. The three-strikes formula had been used to good effect, and the accident was very entertaining, and would still be even with models (as long as the crash wasn't slowed down!) The whole thing feels like Awdry could've written it himself. A perfect closer to season 17.
Rating: 10 out of 10
Season 17 Overall
A fresh start for the show? It sure as heck was! In fact, this is definitely the strongest set of episodes since season six (seven and eight, as good as they were, did have a few pretty low lows) and it showed that Thomas was certainly in good hands. The animation is pretty good for a first season despite its ridiculous mistakes, but Arc did improve over time. I mean, compare season 17, visually, to how it looks in future projects:
With Nitrogen, they didn't make any visual improvement with the models by Blue Mountain Mystery. Sure, the trains got longer, but that wasn't good enough. With Arc, they improve on visuals and lighting every season and special, and the above picture with Thomas throughout their tenure so far proves my point. It's sad that Arc filed for bankruptcy earlier this month, but I hope they can pull through. If not, then it looks like Thomas will have to move to a new animation company, and hopefully that will take the ball Arc blew up and ran with it.
Well, that does it for seasons 5-17! I've already gone through 1-4 along with the Railway Series, along with 18 and 19 when they were airing (in other countries in 19's case), so all I have to say is, bring on season 20 and The Great Race! Making tracks to great destinations!
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| See any changes to Thomas? You can draw your conclusions. Also, times may or may not be approximate. |
Well, that does it for seasons 5-17! I've already gone through 1-4 along with the Railway Series, along with 18 and 19 when they were airing (in other countries in 19's case), so all I have to say is, bring on season 20 and The Great Race! Making tracks to great destinations!
Episodes Ranked from Worst to Best
26. The Frozen Turntable (3/10)
25. Steamie Stafford (4/10)
24. Scruff's Makeover (5/10)
23. Not Now, Charlie! (6/10)
22. Henry's Hero
21. The Phantom Express (7/10)
20. Kevin's Cranky Friend
19. No Snow for Thomas
18. Wayward Winston
17. The Thomas Way
16. The Afternoon Tea Express (8/10)
15. Luke's New Friend
14. The Lost Puff
13. The Smelly Kipper
12. Gordon Runs Dry
11. The Switch
10. No More Mr. Nice Engine
9. Away From the Sea (9/10)
8. Santa's Little Engine
7. Calm Down Caitlin
6. Percy's Lucky Day
5. Too Many Fire Engines
4. Gone Fishing
3. The Missing Christmas Decorations (10/10)
2. Bill or Ben?
1. Thomas' Shortcut
25. Steamie Stafford (4/10)
24. Scruff's Makeover (5/10)
23. Not Now, Charlie! (6/10)
22. Henry's Hero
21. The Phantom Express (7/10)
20. Kevin's Cranky Friend
19. No Snow for Thomas
18. Wayward Winston
17. The Thomas Way
16. The Afternoon Tea Express (8/10)
15. Luke's New Friend
14. The Lost Puff
13. The Smelly Kipper
12. Gordon Runs Dry
11. The Switch
10. No More Mr. Nice Engine
9. Away From the Sea (9/10)
8. Santa's Little Engine
7. Calm Down Caitlin
6. Percy's Lucky Day
5. Too Many Fire Engines
4. Gone Fishing
3. The Missing Christmas Decorations (10/10)
2. Bill or Ben?
1. Thomas' Shortcut
Season 17 Final Rating: 8/10
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