TTTE S17E17 - No Snow for Thomas

It's almost December, and you know what that means - snow is coming! Not if Thomas has anything to say about that...

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

Season 17, Episode 17

No Snow for Thomas

Written by Paul Larson and Laura Beaumont

It's winter on Sodor, and Thomas, not for the first time, is hating having to wear his snowplough, especially since it might snow. So, he tricks his driver into taking it off (at least he isn't being used as his engine's "hands"), and when it snows, Thomas is not allowed to work without his snowplough, so Emily clears his branchline for him. At first, she's upset over it, but when she sees children having fun, it changes her mood. Insert cutaway with Thomas at Tidmouth Sheds. Since she's cleared the branchline, the Fat Controller has Emily look after Annie and Clarabel, much to Thomas' surprise.

Bored out of his frames, Thomas leaves the sheds to look for his snowplough, hoping to take Annie and Clarabel. However, he can't remember where he left it, and eventually, he ends up stuck in the snow... again. Thomas begins to regret his decision to leave his snowplough behind, but luckily for him, Emily turns up with Annie and Clarabel... and unluckily, the Fat Controller, who isn't happy with Thomas shirking his duty (something tells me this may have foreshadowed Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure, don't you think?) The Fat Controller punishes Thomas by making him clear the tracks for Emily, who shows him the children having fun in the snow. And we end on a humorous note with the Fat Controller's hat being knocked off... admit it; you laughed.

As Arc's very first winter episode, it was quite good, and I hope this remains the final time Thomas gripes about his snowplough; if so, then it was the right way to lay that character trait to rest. Although, why is snow inside the sheds? I guess you could argue it was blown inside, but still, it shouldn't be inside. How does this compare to Thomas, Emily and the Snowplough? Well... I'll get to that when I get to it.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Thomas and Friends Season 17 Scorecard

4. Gordon Runs Dry: 8
7. Henry's Hero: 5.5
12. The Thomas Way: 6
13. The Phantom Express: 7.5
14. Percy's Lucky Day: 9
16. Too Many Fire Engines: 9
17. No Snow for Thomas: 7.5
20. The Frozen Turntable: 3

23. The Afternoon Tea Express: 8

24. The Smelly Kipper: 8