Railfan Brony Advent Calendar Day #6: Thomas' Really Useful Tales

Now that we got James out of the way, it's time to tackle more Thomas-centric episodes!

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

Season 6, Episode 22

Thomas the Jet Engine

Story by David Mitton

Written by Ross Hastings

After Gordon breaks his record again, Thomas is given a task to pick up a jet engine and take it to the airfield. He gets impatient, and when Cranky accidentally hits the switch, the jet engine pushes Thomas along the line and super sonic speeds, surprising even Gordon. Of course, the jet engine runs out of fuel and the engines now think Thomas is the fastest, even more so than Gordon.

I could about all the flaws and plotholes in the episode, but long story short, Thomas could've derailed and/or ended up damaged if he pushed that fast by the jet engine. If you ignore that factor, it's actually one of the most exciting episodes of the show. So I give it 8.5/10 mostly for the humor.

Season 7, Episode 26

Three Cheers for Thomas

Written by Jan Page

The classic series' swan song; a retelling (or sequel, depending on who you are) of Thomas and Bertie. How does it stack up?

The annual sports day is coming up, and after hearing a boy hoping to be first place, Thomas wishes he could have a medal of his own. Later in the yard, after Percy somehow confuses an egg and spoon race for both things racing, Bertie challenges Thomas to a race, to which Thomas accepts. However, Bertie gets stuck behind Trevor and Thomas takes the lead, which he promptly loses when he stops to pick up passengers, but he regains it when Bertie stops at a level crossing.

Unfortunately, Thomas is flagged down - the Fat Controller has left behind the sports day medals and needs Thomas' help to pick them up. Bertie wins the race, but Thomas doesn't know or care about that; he picks up the medals and makes it just in time. The Fat Controller presents the medals to the winners and the next day, Thomas is given one of his own for being really useful, despite that Bertie won the race.

I think it's an appropriate way to end the classic era; an episode to remind us of the early days of Thomas the tank engine and his friends. Is it as good as Thomas and Bertie? No, but it's in the ballpark. It's nice, and that's what makes a Thomas episode good.

Season 8, Episode 16

Thomas and the Circus

Written by Abi Grant

A circus is coming to Sodor, and the Fat Controller chooses Thomas to pick it up from Brendam Docks, and suggests that he share the workload if it's too heavy for him. Thomas is so amazed by the sight of the circus train he doesn't want to share. Children cheer as he passes by, and when Percy and James offer to help, Thomas politely declines. I'm sure you're wondering, and I don't know why, why did I not consider this for the Thomas is an Idiot list? Well, it's kinda like this - Thomas wasn't doing anything that was stupid; he wanted to share, but his love for pulling the circus train sort of clouded his views. There's always something we love so much we don't want to share it, even if we're not trying to come off as selfish. Essentially, this is Yours, Mine and Mine, only six years earlier and done a lot better than how SpongeBob did.

Of course, Thomas does wear out and his side rods crack, grinding him to a halt - the train was too much for him alone. Whilst Thomas waits for help, the performers practice their routines, and soon enough, James and Percy come to help Thomas and his side rods are repaired. All three engines share the workload and the circus is a great success.

Another of season eight's best. Some of my favorites from this season alone seem to be the most unexpected; this could come as no surprise. For me, at least.

Season 9, Episode 13

Thomas Tries His Best

Written by James Mason

Speaking of my list, remember when I said this was one of Thomas' better portrayals in the Barlow Era? Well, this episode hits all the right notes.

For one, Thomas wanted to join in on the fun, but he stopped, remembering he had a job to do. And when he tried speeding up, he stopped since he had chickens on board. For that, he was properly rewarded, something we need more often in the show. Good behavior is rewarded, and bad behavior is punished. In fact, this is the best episode out of season nine I've discussed (albeit briefly) since Respect for Gordon.

Not much else I can say here. The only negative on Thomas Tries His Best? Thomas' development was dropped for later episodes.

Season 10, Episode 16

Thomas and the Shooting Star

Written by Abi Grant

Like Percy's Lucky Day, I was originally doing to do this individually, but I didn't have the time, plus, this list didn't have a season 10 entry, so!

Yeah, the story feels like Thomas and the Rainbow, which was also written by Abi Grant, believe it or not, but here, it's handled a lot better, and it's far more believable. Speaking of which, tonight, a shooting star will be flashing across the sky, and anyone who sees it could make a wish. Thomas doesn't know what to wish for, but he is urgently called in to deliver some workmen to fix the power station.

Thomas shows up outside a tunnel, but he thinks he'll be unable to see the sky, so he takes another track. However, it takes him to Henry's forest, where the trees block the sky, so he takes a third track towards the Shen Valley cutting, but the valley is deep and so he takes yet another track. Percy, meanwhile, wonders where Thomas is.

Speaking of whom, Thomas has gotten lost and worries that he'll never get to the power station, wishing that he could see where he was. As if by magic, the shooting star shows up and lights the sky, and Thomas sees that he's actually reached the power station after all. It is soon repaired and Sodor is lit up once again - Percy even wished that Thomas came home safely!

Wow, does Sodor look so beautiful at night or what? The story itself, eh, it was a bit slow in places, but it was the scenery that made the cut for me.

Season 11, Episode 3

Dream On

Written by Neil Richards

Thomas is shunting trucks when the Fat Controller tells him that he'll have to help Spencer, much to the tank engine's dismay. Spencer demands for Thomas to shunt his coaches away, but Thomas tells him that he's busy. Spencer doesn't take kindly to Thomas' backchat and insults him before leaving him to shunt the coaches away. Thomas is so cross with Spencer he decides to try and be as fast, shiny, and strong as the silver engine is.

The next morning, while pulling trucks from the smelters, Thomas decides to go fast, but Emily warns him of a bend ahead, and Thomas slows down. Next, after a washdown and a polish, he shunts trucks around the quarry, but ends up dirty due to the dust. So, as a last resort, he tries to pull his train up Gordon's hill but can't, much to his disappointment.

The next day, Thomas is told that the Duke of Boxford must return to the mainland for important business, so he collects Spencer's coaches. However, Spencer is unable to get his fire lit quickly enough (Mr. Eden-Green, can you verify if A4s were slow to fire up, please?) so Thomas takes the Duke himself instead, and makes it to the airport just in time. Oh, and the coat of arms are a sight to behold.

Another absolutely brilliant episode; I guess it goes to show that even in the Barlow Era, Thomas always (well, usually, more like) managed to get at least one good starring role per season, and this is another of them for season eleven. The moral has got to be the best thing in the episode - just be yourself.

Episode Ratings:

Thomas the Jet Engine: 8.5 out of 10

Three Cheers for Thomas: 9 out of 10

Thomas and the Circus: 9 out of 10

Thomas Tries His Best: 9 out of 10

Thomas and the Shooting Star: 6.5 out of 10
Dream On: 9 out of 10

Thomas and Friends Season 6 Scorecard

7. Jack Jumps In: 10
8. A Friend in Need: 10
10. Twin Trouble: 7.5

12. Scaredy Engines: 3
15. James and the Red Balloon: 10

17. Gordon Takes a Tumble: 8.5
18. Percy's Chocolate Crunch: 9
22. Thomas the Jet Engine: 8.5
23. Edward the Very Useful Engine: 7.5

24. Dunkin Duncan: 8

25. Rusty Saves the Day: 2.5

26. Faulty Whistles: 8.5

Thomas and Friends Season 7 Scorecard

1. Emily's New Coaches: 10
2. Percy Gets It Right: 8
4. The Old Bridge: 5.5
5. Edward's Brass Band: 6
7. James and the Queen of Sodor: 7
11. Bad Day at Castle Loch: 7

12. Rheneas and the Roller Coaster: 0

23. Gordon and Spencer: 10
26. Three Cheers for Thomas: 9

Thomas and Friends Season 8 Scorecard

4. Henry and the Wishing Tree: 7.5
5. James Gets a New Coat: 6
6. Thomas Saves the Day: 8.5
7. Percy's Big Mistake: 3
11. Thomas and the Firework Display: 5.5
14. Edward the Great: 8
15. Squeak, Rattle and Roll: 7.5
16. Thomas and the Circus: 9
21. Halloween: 9.5
22. You Can Do it, Toby!: 4.5
25. Too Hot for Thomas: 2

Thomas and Friends Season 9 Scorecard

1. Percy and the Oil Painting: 7
2. Thomas and the Rainbow: 1.5

7. Respect for Gordon: 8

10. Rheneas and the Dinosaur: 1
12. Toby Feels Left Out: 1.5
13. Thomas Tries His Best: 9

16. Henry and the Flagpole: 2.5

22. Skarloey the Brave: 1
23. Saving Edward: 2

24. Thomas and the Golden Eagle: 1

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
16. Thomas and the Shooting Star: 6.5
18. Sticky Toffee Thomas: 4

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

Thomas and Friends Season 11 Scorecard

3. Dream On: 9
4. Dirty Work: 6
6. Gordon and the Engineer: 9.5
10. Thomas and the Big Bang: 1
11. Smoke and Mirrors: 1
12. Thomas Sets Sail: 1
13. Don't Be Silly, Billy: 0.5
14. Edward and the Mail: 5
16. Toby's Triumph: 1
17. Thomas and the Runaway Car: 8.5
18. Thomas in Trouble: 7
22. Sir Handel in Charge: 1.5