THE OPINIONS, THOUGHTS AND MUSINGS IN THIS BLOG POST ARE SOLELY THOSE OF ZACK WANZER, NOT THE THOMAS FANDOM IN GENERAL
Season 5, Episode 3
A Better View for Gordon
Written by Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and David Maidment
Written by Britt Allcroft, David Mitton and David Maidment
Gordon tells James that he can complain whenever he wants and calls him a small red engine with ideas above his station. That scene also marked the first instance of Percy's stupidity coming into play, but that doesn't really affect the rest of the episode for me since he has no effect on the plot. Anyway, Gordon decides to prove what a big engine can really do. The Fat Controller tells him that he'll be taking an empty express to test Kirk Ronan station, even though Gordon doesn't want to. At first, Gordon is impressed with the new station... but not with its blank wall, and wants a panoramic view.
Later on, Gordon suffers from a breakdown (they never say what's broken in him) and James takes over for him, telling Gordon that it serves him right for getting puffed up. Gordon is soon repaired and is taking the Fat Controller to the opening of Kirk Ronan station. However, his driver is unable to apply the brakes and Gordon himself is unable to slow down when he reaches the station, smashing into the wall, injuring the Fat Controller and his crew. Gordon is repaired again, and the station gets a second reopening. This time, Gordon arrives safely and out of his accident, he has been given a panoramic view and will see through it for the safety of his own rails.
It has its faults, yes, but for me, they don't really destroy the rest of the episode. The crash was very spectacularly filmed as it was based on an accident in France at Gare Montparnasse in 1895. It could be scary for kids, but then, real life isn't 100% harmony, is it? Plus, it heavily emphasizes that railways are dangerous environments and we should take care in them. On whole, I really love this episode.
Later on, Gordon suffers from a breakdown (they never say what's broken in him) and James takes over for him, telling Gordon that it serves him right for getting puffed up. Gordon is soon repaired and is taking the Fat Controller to the opening of Kirk Ronan station. However, his driver is unable to apply the brakes and Gordon himself is unable to slow down when he reaches the station, smashing into the wall, injuring the Fat Controller and his crew. Gordon is repaired again, and the station gets a second reopening. This time, Gordon arrives safely and out of his accident, he has been given a panoramic view and will see through it for the safety of his own rails.
It has its faults, yes, but for me, they don't really destroy the rest of the episode. The crash was very spectacularly filmed as it was based on an accident in France at Gare Montparnasse in 1895. It could be scary for kids, but then, real life isn't 100% harmony, is it? Plus, it heavily emphasizes that railways are dangerous environments and we should take care in them. On whole, I really love this episode.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Season 6, Episode 17
Gordon Takes a Tumble
Story by David Mitton
Written by Robin Kingsland
Gordon tells Salty that pulling trucks wouldn't be dignified for an express engine like him, but the diesel teases him for getting too big for his buffers. How Percy was able to get a word wrong two seconds after it was said, I have no idea either. Later in the evening, fog rolls in on Sodor and traffic slows down at the docks. Thomas, Percy and Henry are sent to help out at the docks, and Gordon is to take trucks where they won't be in the way, much to the big blue engine's disgust, but he decides to show Salty how an express engine would pull trucks.
In the morning, Gordon is accidentally switched onto the branchline - look at how rusty it is; it should be closed down! - and he ignores "go slow" signs. This proves a big mistake when he comes off the tracks and into a field through a dung pile (I think?), some tires, and a barn, stopping in front of a scarecrow. How did he go that far when there were obstacles in his way?! That's actually quite funny, honestly. The Fat Controller scolds Gordon for his reckless behavior, and the big blue engine feels foolish when he comes back from the works, but after James tells him that Salty apologized for teasing him, Gordon feels better and apologizes for getting too big for his buffers.
The moral is actually quite nice - everyone makes mistakes, but I find it unlikely that it'd take Gordon a whole day to deliver one line of trucks... unless it was stated that it was another train Gordon was taking, then it'd make more sense. The crash itself was amazing, although ridiculous, like I said, as he'd never go that far in reality.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Thomas and Friends Season 5 Scorecard
3. A Better View for Gordon: 9.5
5. James and the Trouble with Trees: 8.5
13. Stepney Gets Lost: 5.5
14. Toby's Discovery: 5
15. Something in the Air: 9
18. Oliver's Find: 7
25. Rusty and the Boulder: 5
Thomas & Friends Season 6 Scorecard (out of 10 possible points)
10. Twin Trouble: 7.5
17. Gordon Takes a Tumble: 8.5
24. Dunkin Duncan: 8
26. Faulty Whistles: 8.5
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