THE OPINIONS, THOUGHTS AND MUSINGS IN THIS BLOG POST ARE SOLELY THOSE OF ZACK WANZER, AND NO ONE ELSE'S
'Tis a Gift
Written by Brian McConnachie
Directed by Gregory Lehane
It's close to Christmas at Shining Time Station and everyone's excited - Ringo Conductor (yes, I'm gonna refer to him as such to avoid confusing him with George) even sings a modified bar of "The Lumberjack Song" whilst carrying his own Christmas tree! Schemer is confident that he'll be Santa's helper this year for the Christmas pageant. Harry's cousin Tucker is coming to help following the former's transfer to Twiddly Junction, but is unsure about meeting Ringo. When Matt and Tanya have nothing to do, Stacy suggests that they write letters to Santa, with the aid of music.Directed by Gregory Lehane
The Christmas Committee doesn't have place to meet tonight, so they're holding their meeting at the station, which frustrates Stacy. The kids don't know Santa's address, but Ringo helps them out, having known Santa before, and suggests that they build a snowman to pass the time. At this point, he tells them the story of Terence the Tractor, but strangely, on VHS, he tells them the story of Thomas' Christmas Party, which is the second story on TV. Why, on VHS, did they have Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree with Ringo's narration, but they don't redub lines relating to the Fat Controller? That's very lazy editing if you ask me.
After their letters are sent to Santa by Ringo, Matt and Tanya have to be around Vickie, a bratty local girl, much to their dismay; when Stacy suggests they try and get along with her and think of good traits she has, Tanya remarks that Vickie is a good singer. Schemer, meanwhile, is eating excessively, hoping to be fat enough as Santa's Helper - that can't be healthy. I know he's desperate, but that's a step too far, even for him. Stacy tries talking him out of it, but Schemer just laughs, and she decides to compete against him.
Tucker brings in a Christmas tree with the help of an elderly man named Mr. Nicholas, and amazingly, she knows a lot about Stacy from her childhood; he's waiting for the Northern Star, and believes it will come to the station. Vickie is dropped off at the station, and as Matt and Tanya feared, she turns out to be a selfish brat. Oh jeez, another brat- No, no, keep calm - she's not a bully to those she thinks are below her; she just doesn't care for Christmas. Mr. King informs Stacy that the weather is getting worse, and there's a chance that all trains will have to be cancelled; Mr. Nicholas manages to distract Mr. King with memories from childhood, and then Schemer ends up causing everyone to compete for the role of Santa's Helper.
After Matt and Tanya send her packing, Vickie meets up with Mr. Nicholas, who suggests that she try and smile and be helpful. Vickie tries again, and helps Matt and Tanya decorate the tree, but it doesn't end well when she accidentally knocks over the tree and they blame her for it. Mr. Nicholas comforts her, and shows her a movie about a little boy visiting a hobo to give him company for Christmas - the best presents don't come in boxes or cost money. Vickie wishes for Santa to bring a present for her mother, and Mr. Nicholas helps her realize that her singing is what her mother likes best.
Tanya and Matt are still upset with Vickie, but after Ringo tells them the story of Thomas' Christmas Party (or Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree, depending on what version you're watching), the decide to forgive Vickie. Much to Stacy's amazement, the Northern Star has arrived as Mr. Nicholas predicted. The Christmas Committee meeting begins, and when the Mayor declares himself the winner, an argument breaks out, but with Mr. Nicholas' encouragement, Vickie sings to stop the argument, and they realize Christmas' true spirit - even her mother Claire is touched.
Everyone gets to be Santa's Helper, Mr. Nicholas catches up with Ringo and repairs the Christmas lights, and the angel figurine is placed on the tree without problem, and everybody, including Vickie, gathers round the tree.
I was surprised; Vickie was a character that I personally thought I'd dislike, but she actually isn't that big of a brat. No, instead, she's just a sullen sort of character who doesn't care for Christmas, but after meeting with Mr. Nicholas, she becomes a nicer character and learns that the best presents come from the heart. Plus, there's the message that as long as you don't stop believing, nothing is impossible. Do I think it's one of the greatest Christmas specials of all time? No, but I do think it is in the ball park. It's nice, and that's what I like about a Christmas special.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
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