TTTE Season 8: Thomas Saves the Day, Thomas and the Firework Display

Still not doing enough of season eight; so, it'll be a double-header this time around.

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

Episode 6: Thomas Saves the Day

Written by James Mason

No, this isn't a revisited review of the season one (it's American title, at least), it's the episode from season eight. The naming of the episode was purely coincidence. Let's get into the season eight episode, shall we?

Thomas is taking some workmen to build a new station; on the way is a difficult bend that makes him nervous, but Annie and Clarabel assure him to go slowly... wait a minute! Annie and Clarabel doing something rather than being silent coaches?! Someone get the reporters and cameramen - ANNIE AND CLARABEL SPOKE!! It's like they understood they're more than just coaches; they're Thomas' h- Okay, moving on. The Fat Controller sends the coaches for a refit, much to Thomas' dismay... okay, calm down - no fanboy moments; just be glad they're showing Thomas has a bond with his coaches.

In the meantime, Thomas has to take other coaches instead. Because he's worrying about the difficult bend, he bumps the coaches into James... who's there because of course he is. Out on the line, Thomas worries so much that he comes off the bend and he and the coaches end up in some bushes. Thomas is soon rescued by Harvey who takes the coaches to the works. Not sure if Harvey's comments to Thomas is a callback to Harvey to the Rescue, but... why bother complaining about that?

On the way home, Thomas spots some runaway flatbeds (yes, the narrator said troublesome trucks, but I'm going to call them flatbeds anyway) and so he races after them as they're headed towards the station. He overtakes them but nears the difficult bend, although he does remember to slow down - must've been because of his crash; I'm surprised he didn't suffer any damage! Thomas makes it to the station just in time and the flatbeds are diverted onto a siding, and the station is safe. Uh, couldn't he have slowed them down like Duck did? Oh well; on the day of the grand opening of the new station, Annie and Clarabel are back with Thomas, who now handles the difficult bend with ease, and is praised for his heroism... sort of.

Despite the problems the episode faced, I'd say this was really good. Thomas' inner conflict is very believable, and he's actually sympathetic, especially compared to what happened later on down the line.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Episode 11: Thomas and the Firework Display

Written by Abi Grant and Paul Larson

James is chosen to collect fireworks much to Thomas' disappointment. James is pleased - red as a rocket and twice as grand. At the coaling plant, Thomas vents his frustration out on the trucks and bumps them. Oh, and by the way, it's a good job they did by using vans to transport the fireworks in, definitely a lot better than that season 16 atrocity known as Sodor Surprise Day... Out on the mainline, James comes to a stop... for some reason; he breaks down, but how? Was it a burst safety valve or a problem in his valve gear or boiler? At least some explanation would be fine!

At Knapford station, the Fat Controller informs Thomas that James has broken down and sends him to help out, or else the firework display would be cancelled. Oh, and does anyone notice that this shot kind of resembles the ending of Thomas and the Magic Railroad?

Thomas finds James and laughs at him for breaking down (okay, that's pretty mean right there) but then asks him to be his leading engine or else the firework display is cancelled. That's rather backhanded, isn't it? Thomas is rude to James but then asks him to see in front of him? No, this isn't a Thomas is an Idiot episode because that little moment has little effect on the plot and shouldn't be here. Meanwhile, the Fat Controller worries about the children's bedtime - rather than his railway - and cancels the display. Okay... Thomas and James are stopped at a red signal and blow their whistles (how James did so, I've no idea) but they can't be heard, so they resort to using a few fireworks to get Gordon's attention. Thomas and James are allowed to continue and the firework display resumes.

It's not one of season eight's best, but it's still an okay watch. Had they filled in a few of the plot holes, the episode's rating would've been higher,

Rating: 5.5 out of 10

Thomas and Friends Season 8 Scorecard

4. Henry and the Wishing Tree: 7.5
6. Thomas Saves the Day: 8.5
11. Thomas and the Firework Display: 5.5
14. Edward the Great: 8
15. Squeak, Rattle and Roll: 7.5
21. Halloween: 9.5
22. You Can Do it, Toby!: 4.5
25. Too Hot for Thomas: 2