Sodor's Spooky Capers

Originally, I was going to do them as five individual reviews, but due to time constraints, I've decided to put them all into one review. Plus, it's been a while since I did any Thomas episodes, so let's dig in, shall we?

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

Season 5, Episode 11

Haunted Henry

Written by Britt Allcroft, David Mitton, and David Maidment

If you've read my Henry Spots Trouble review and analysis of Henry's character, you'll know that I don't have an issue with trying to make Henry distinct from Gordon and James by making him a worrier; my big problem with his worrisome persona how overplayed it was to the point it becomes annoying. If he tried to hide his fears, or at least some effort, that might not have been so bad, and this episode kind of shows why.

As Henry prepares to take a goods train to the station by the lake, Edward remarks that when an owl hoots, a mist rolls in, saying that a ghost might be about. Henry dismisses Edward's story and thinks he's talking nonsense... or was he? The mist does roll in and Henry stops by an amber lamp and later a tree with a sign nailed to it - BEWARE OF THE VIADUCT. In addition, the signal's red, the gates are closed, and a fogman's coat is hanging off the tree branch. Then Henry spots a light moving in the station building and realizes that it's a ghost, prompting him and his crew to go back.

The following morning, they don't know who warned them about the viaduct, but soon enough, it's repaired, although Henry is reluctant to take his train back there again. Later at night, Henry is startled by an owl and Gordon racing by with the express (on a side note, he seems to have had a larger role, but it was cut for reasons unknown) which prompts the trucks to laugh at him. Henry snaps that he isn't scared, but really, he is - and that's pretty much the portrayal I wish they'd use more; if Henry was worried for something, he could've tried to hide it, but later on becomes more unsure of himself, even though he keeps up with his facade.

Whilst Henry rolls through the fog pushing his trucks (for some reason), the trucks witness the gates closing and the signal turning red and go faster out of fear, despite Henry yelling for them to stop. The trucks hit a landslide and fall into the ravine, but luckily, Henry and his crew are safe. It turns out that Old Bailey the fogman (aka George Carlin) had been trying to warn them, and asks to run that old station as long as he promises not to spook Henry again, and he soon gets his wish as new stationmaster.

This episode's always been one of my favorites; the atmosphere and music really fit the scene brilliantly, and the character selections were brilliant. Not much else to say here; it's great.

Season 7, Episode 11

Bad Day at Castle Loch

Written by Jenny McDade

Ah yes, the Scottish twins' last major role until season 11 - here's hoping they get their episode soon in season 20, provided that season 19 ever resumes. Also, what's up with Michael Brandon's voice for the twins? They barely sound Scottish and sound more like they're Australian!

Donald and Douglas have a delivery to pick up at Brendam Docks - for the reopening of Lord Callan's castle, the twins are to pick up banners, buntings, and bagpipes to the castle. After Harvey loads the trucks, Percy is glad not to be going to Castle Loch, and the twins tease him that the monster might get him. Hey! We already have a set of twins for teasing - Bill and Ben! Why Donald and Douglas for teasing Percy? And again, why would they bicker over the monster's existence?

Donald and Douglas puff on towards Misty Valley and before they can reach the castle, they come across a fallen tree, and by sheer coincidence, a landslide knocks over the brakevan. (No mention of the guard being injured? Okay then...) They can't take the causeway cause it's old and dangerous - remember this - so Douglas' driver calls for help just as the Fat Controller tries on a new kilt.

Hours later, it's dark, and then Donald and Douglas notice something coming from the mist... the Loch Ness Monster! Nope, it's actually Harvey and the breakdown train... traveling on the causeway. Like, a minute ago, you said it was unsafe! Make up your freakin' minds! By morning, the lines are cleared and Donald and Douglas make their delivery safely and on time, and the grand re-opening is a huge success.

It's a nice episode, but it does have its problems like I mentioned above (and only one of them goes for the US dub). Still, it could've been worse... (I'm looking at you, S13-16!)

Season 8, Episode 21

Halloween

Written by Dave Ingham

We meet again, season eight; speaking of which, I have not been reviewing enough of it. I'll remedy that within the next month.

Thomas and Emily are assigned to pick up an important delivery of iron from the smelters yard. Percy tells them to take care and look out for ghosts, especially since it's Halloween, but Thomas and Emily dismiss it as make believe. Hm, awfully similar to Scaredy Engines, isn't it? But don't worry, the episode doesn't spend it's run-time making Thomas a hypocrite. As he and Emily approach the smelters, they feel less brave than they were on the journey. However, neither notice Arry and Bert making moaning and groaning noises, nor do they realize they're bumping flatbeds of scrap to scare them out of their wheels (metaphorically speaking, of course!)

Thomas and Emily pull up to the smelting shed, afraid that the ghost may have entered, but they go inside anyway, and Thomas tells himself to be brave (classic series reference, anyone?) whilst Emily turns around for shunting. Then suddenly, a white sheet falls on her, and she puffs forward in terror. Thomas thinks Emily is the ghost and runs off, as do Arry and Bert. Huh, the Scooby-Doo similarities are striking. The four engines race all the way to Tidmouth Sheds in fright, stopping before an accident occurs, and then the tarpaulin flies off of Emily, much to Thomas and the diesels' (and Emily's) embarrassment.

The Fat Controller shows up - in his pajamas, I should note, which is actually really funny - and demands to know what's going on. Thomas and Emily explain the strange happenings, and when questioned, Arry and Bert admit to causing all this chaos, and they're sent to do Thomas and Emily's job as punishment. Wait, two characters actually being punished for causing trouble?! That's something I won't be seeing for years!

I don't know why the ending was changed in America; it's not like kids haven't seen ghosts on decorations or on TV before! Anyway, I really like this episode; my favorite out of season eight, and one of many reasons not to completely dismiss said season.

Season 10, Episode 18

Sticky Toffee Thomas

Written by Paul Larson

I know this isn't a spooky episode, but since it contains kids in costumes, which are a Halloween norm, I'm going to include this here.

A fancy dress party is being held, and after a pointless minute of preparation, Thomas is given the task of giving train rides for the party, and is told to get a washdown. On the way, Thomas thinks about what he'd like as a costume. Percy then remarks that Thomas looks like a giant bubble, and then Thomas leaves without waiting for them to be rinsed off. This causes trouble for him as the bubbles sting his eyes, causing him to crash into Toby and the toffee tanker... that looks like a lot of generic tankers with a different cap. This causes Toby's axle to break, and when the Fat Controller shows up, Thomas is forced to take the tanker to the party... after the suds and bubbles are rinsed off properly.

Thomas makes a brief stop at the airport, and when he sees Jeremy, he imagines going as a jet plane... a jet tank engine? Okay then... Because of his daydreaming, Thomas races off, which causes him to run into a siding and toffee spills all over him - I guess the second knock must've been harder than the first, huh? Thomas then decides to take a shortcut to get to the party, and on the way, branches, leaves, and moss stick to him and the tanker without burning off... for some reason. Would've been cool to see a flaming tank engine, but ah well. Thomas makes it without a burn, and the children say he looks like a bush (Woolly Bear, anyone?)

It's another of those meh episodes. Nothing to write home about.

Season 17, Episode 13

The Phantom Express

Written by Paul Larson and Laura Beaumont

We're making a huge leap by about six seasons, folks!

I really like how this episode just cuts to the chase - Percy prepares to take the mail train, and makes it exciting is that it'll be his first delivery to Ulfstead Castle. James, however, teases him that the Phantom Express might catch him - rattling the rails and blowing his whistle - which terrifies Percy, but Thomas argues that ghosts don't exist (yeah, miles ahead of Scaredy Engines there). Soon, Percy reaches Ulfstead Castle where he meets up with Stephen, who dismisses the notion of ghosts himself. James shows up delivering coal for the castle, still determined to give Percy a scare, aided by the help of a hooting owl.

Later on, as Stephen leaves the castle, James blows his whistle which echos from some pipes. This terrifies Stephen so much that he runs backwards into a moat - "Well, that wasn't very clever now, was it?" Hahaha... Oh man, that line kills me! Anyway, Percy is looking around for Stephen when James quietly puffs up behind him and moans loudly to scare him. Percy also ends up running into the moat, to which Stephen remarks he found the meeting place. Again, funny, but it might've been even funnier if Percy said something like, "I hope you don't mind me dropping in like this."

James looks around for both Stephen and Percy to tell them it was all a joke, but he can't find them, and starts to feel spooked himself - so karma comes back to bite him in the tender, eh? With the drawbridge down, James can't see them, but he does hear their whistles and runs off in terror, thinking it's the Phantom Express. By sheer coincidence, he finds Thomas and the Fat Controller at the dairy, telling him about the Phantom Express. Turns out it's only Percy and Stephen still stuck in the moat, and James promptly apologizes for his trick. And yes, he is punished for his joke by taking Percy's mail every night for a month, and Percy and Stephen tease him about the Phantom once more (and if you're wondering, they were rescued and brought back onto firm rails).

The characters were nicely chosen, although I find it strange that the Earl and Millie weren't featured, but there you go - in each episode, we get what we get. You know, I've got a theory on this episode - Davey Moore said that they watch the previous special and season to get ideas for the next. By this logic, The Phantom Express may have well served as inspiration for Tale of the Brave, which also featured Percy and James as major players. I think this is a pretty good episode, and it's better than what Scaredy Engines presented.

Episode Ratings:

Haunted Henry: 9 out of 10

Bad Day at Castle Loch: 7 out of 10

Halloween: 9.5 out of 10

Sticky Toffee Thomas: 4 out of 10

The Phantom Express: 7.5 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
6. Gordon and the Gremlin: 7
10. Toby and the Flood: 3
11. Haunted Henry: 9

13. Stepney Gets Lost: 5.5

14. Toby's Discovery: 5

15. Something in the Air: 9
16. Thomas, Percy and Old Slowcoach: 10

18. Oliver's Find: 7

25. Rusty and the Boulder: 5
26. Snow: 1

Thomas and Friends Season 7 Scorecard

1. Emily's New Coaches: 10
4. The Old Bridge: 5.5
11. Bad Day at Castle Loch: 7

12. Rheneas and the Roller Coaster: 0

23. Gordon and Spencer: 10

Thomas and Friends Season 8 Scorecard

4. Henry and the Wishing Tree: 7.5
21. Halloween: 9.5
22. You Can Do it, Toby!: 4.5
25. Too Hot for Thomas: 2

Thomas and Friends Season 10 Scorecard

7. Thomas' Tricky Tree: 2.5
8. Toby's Afternoon Off: 7.5

9. It's Good to be Gordon: 9

13. Edward Strikes Out: 1
14. Topped Off Thomas: 0.5
18. Sticky Toffee Thomas: 4

20. Thomas' Frosty Friend: 0
27. James the Second Best: 5

Thomas and Friends Season 17 Scorecard

7. Henry's Hero: 5.5
12. The Thomas Way: 6
13. The Phantom Express: 7.5

23. The Afternoon Tea Express: 8

24. The Smelly Kipper: 8