Wednesday, March 25, 2015

TTTE S6E26 - Faulty Whistles

Only three episodes reviewed and we're already at the series finale of six? Well, since I'm reviewing episodes out of order, why should anyone complain?

THE OPINIONS, THOUGHTS AND MUSINGS IN THIS BLOG POST ARE SOLELY THOSE OF ZACK WANZER, NOT THE THOMAS FANDOM IN GENERAL

Season 6, Episode 26
Faulty Whistles
Story by David Mitton
Written by Ross Hastings

While taking some trucks for Duncan to take to Strawberry Grove, Peter Sam hits a branch that knocks his whistle off, something that Duncan is quick to exploit - "An engine's not an engine without a whistle!" However, the others ignore him, and Duncan is offended, thinking that they're jealous of his whistle. He blows at some sheep, but they ignore him. At a crossing, he blows loudly at Elizabeth and the bull she's carrying, startling it. Little does he know that his whistle has come loose...

Duncan comes across Terence and decides to give him a loud, long whistle, only for his whistle to fly out of place and away from his sight, much to his shock. Without a whistle, Duncan is stuck, but the Headmaster saves the day by using the organ as a whistle, although Duncan is unimpressed. On the way home (why Duncan didn't go to Strawberry Grove, I don't know, but then, he'd have to have another engine to get him) the Headmaster plays a lively tune as Duncan puffs along, and at the sheds, the engines whistle and toot along. Peter Sam, who has gotten a new whistle, feels sorry for Duncan and praises him for doing his work without a whistle, and Duncan manages to see the funny side as well.

If you were to find the first episode to be based on a Railway Series story since season four, look no further; Faulty Whistles took some inspiration from Mike's Whistle and gave its own unique twist on the story. I'm all for rehashes as long as they do something new and unique, as well as making it feel like an original story. Plus, the rendition of Coming Round the Mountain on the organ is fantastic. It did have the three-strikes formula, but compared to S13-16, it's not that big a deal. I liked it.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Thomas & Friends Season 6 Scorecard (out of 10 possible points)
10. Twin Trouble: 7.5
24. Dunkin Duncan: 8
26. Faulty Whistles: 8.5

No comments:

Post a Comment