TTTE S14E11 - Being Percy

Wow, it's been a while, hasn't it? It's time I got back to reviewing episodes of Thomas and Friends, and this time, it's a season 14 episode. Why? Well, I haven't been the most positive towards season 14 as of late, but I'm going to rectify that.

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

Season 14, Episode 11

Being Percy

Written by Rachel Dawson

Yeah, I've really been tearing season 14 a new one, haven't I? There's the likes of Thomas and Scruff, Henry's Magic Box (which I'll get to in a later review), and Victor Says Yes (again, I will get to it soon), but then there's a couple of gems in that season, like Being Percy, for example.

Usually, I don't mention this in my reviews, but most episodes of the Nitrogen era do contain stock footage at the start, which very much adds to low production values. However, there was an unused shot from Tickled Pink, evident as James is shown in pink rather than red for some reason. With that aside, the episode really begins at Brendam Docks. Percy is about to collect his mail trucks, but Thomas and James - who have no reason to be here - are in his way. Then Gordon blows his whistle and Salty gets out of his way, giving Percy an idea.

When Gordon leaves, Percy demands for Thomas and James to get out of his way, which they do. Out on the mainline, Toby is in Percy's way, and he stops when Percy demands for him to get out of his way. Then Gordon passes by, even though he'd already passed Percy minutes ago. At the next junction, Percy gets off of Toby's line and goes as fast as he can. Unfortunately, he forgets to pick up his mail at Maithwaite.

Percy meets up with Alicia Botti at Maron, and she's waiting for Gordon to take him to Knapford, but Percy offers to pick her up instead (Thomas, Percy and the Squeak, much?). Unfortunately, he goes right past Knapford instead and continues speeding along the mainline. However, there's trouble in front - Gordon is on the same line as Percy! Luckily, Gordon is switched onto a siding, but unluckily, he hits the buffers and comes off of the rails. Feeling bad for the accident, Percy decides to just be himself and delivers Alicia Botti to Knapford.

Later, he meets with James and Rocky, who help him get Gordon back on the rails (why Percy couldn't take Rocky himself, I don't know). Then Percy finishes his mail run, and at Knapford, the Fat Controller tells him that he just wants him to be Percy.

Out of the season 14 episodes I've reviewed so far, this is one of the better episodes. It's got a moral that anyone can relate to - just be yourself, even though it has happened in other episodes... but I digress. There's the typical rhyming and repetition, of course, but otherwise, it's got a nice story, and that's what I like in a good episode. Coming from Rachel Dawson, sometimes one is all you need to make a good impression, just like Anna Starkey with Best Friends.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Thomas and Friends Season 14 Scorecard

1. Thomas' Tall Friend: 1
7. Diesel's Special Delivery: 1
8. Pop Goes Thomas: 0.5
11. Being Percy: 8
12. Merry Winter Wish: 1.5
13. Thomas and the Snowman Party: 0
16. Thomas and Scruff: 0.5
17. O the Indignity: 3