TTTE S7E4: The Old Bridge

Oh, this one was a long time coming. I would've reviewed this alongside Very Old Engines, but I didn't have much time to do so. But now, without further delays, here's The Old Bridge!

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

Season 7, Episode 4

The Old Bridge
Written by Paul Larson

Very recently, an old wooden bridge has been damaged by a storm (why they say it was iron in the US, I have no idea) and when Skarloey crosses it, he nearly has a fall into the river below. Skarloey is rescued, and the bridge is soon rebuilt. However, when Skarloey is made to pick up the workmen's trucks, he is absolutely petrified when halfway across the bridge and refuses to go any further. Rheneas is made to pick up the trucks instead, much to his and the Fat Controller's annoyance, so Skarloey is demoted to a shunting engine and Rheneas handles the workloads for both engines.

One day, Rheneas runs out of water while taking the two engines' trains together and stops in the middle of the bridge. Skarloey goes off to help his friend, but at first, he is reluctant to cross. Eventually, he gathers just enough courage to pull Rheneas over the other side (how did they couple them up?) and Skarloey is now no longer afraid of the bridge.

The Old Bridge does suffer from similar problems to Signals Crossed - the story is actually very good, but the characterizations of Skarloey and Toby aren't. And you know what? They could have still worked even with both of them in their respective roles. For The Old Bridge, Skarloey and Rheneas could've told it in flashback, or it could've been mentioned that it was a long time ago by the narrator. If it had a few simple tweaks, it definitely would've been a great episode, and probably another that wouldn't look out of place in the Railway Series.

Rating: 5.5 out of 10

Thomas and Friends Season 7 Scorecard

1. Emily's New Coaches: 10

4. The Old Bridge: 5.5

23. Gordon and Spencer: 10