Railfan Brony Advent Calendar Day #8: Emily's Emerald Capers

There's only one Steam Team member we haven't focused upon - it's Emily! Here's five more episodes featuring her.

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

Season 7, Episode 6

What's the Matter with Henry?

Written by George Tarry

Poor Henry is feeling ill, but Thomas is unsympathetic. If you're wondering, no, I don't see it as a Thomas is an Idiot episode, and he does actually get his comeuppance in the end. However, Emily is concerned when Henry starts leaving water puddles behind. The next morning, the Fat Controller sends for Thomas, Henry and Percy to pick up some trucks and take them to the docks; Henry is still unwell, but he doesn't argue. Thomas and Percy, thinking that Henry is just being lazy, tell the yard manager that Henry wants to take more trucks.

Meanwhile, Emily tells the Fat Controller about Henry's troubles, and she goes off to find him. Henry is dismayed that Thomas and Percy have left him with a long train to pull, but he tries his best anyway. However, Henry comes to a stop. Emily meets up with him and pulls him (without the trucks, for some reason) to the docks. Thomas and Percy feel guilty for leaving Henry high and dry, and are punished into taking Henry's trucks to the docks. See what I mean that Thomas and Percy got consequences? If a character does something stupid and don't suffer consequences, there's a problem there. Henry's tubes are fixed, but he complains that the workmen didn't look over him thoroughly, but Emily just laughs his complaints off.

The episode pretty much covers Henry's early RWS and later RWS periods - he starts off sickly, but after he heals, he's bound to complain. And yes, Emily was written brilliantly. Although, what was wrong with Henry in the first place?

Season 8, Episode 10

Emily's New Route

Written by James Mason

The Fat Controller is opening up new routes for summer, and Emily is assigned the flour mill special. James has been routed to run alongside Black Loch, and he explains that there are boulders all over the tracks and tells Emily about the Black Loch Monster. On her route, the trucks give Emily trouble and cause her to run late, much to her annoyance. The Fat Controller says that if it happens again, Emily will have to do the Black Loch run instead.

The next day, the trucks give her trouble again and she leaves three trucks behind. They laugh at her, and Emily is so angry she bumps them into a pond and derails, covered in flour. The Fat Controller isn't happy with her and she does the Black Loch run anyway. Thomas tells her that it might be a nice run, but Emily thinks otherwise.

Emily is still nervous about the run as she puffs down the line, and hopes it's a quick run, but it's cut short when she stops before a landslide on the tracks. Then, coming up from the water, Emily thinks it's the Black Loch Monster, but it's actually a family of seals, much to her relief. Now, she doesn't think Black Loch is that bad anymore, and tells Thomas so.

Another favorite of mine from season eight; it shows just how everyone can be afraid of something, and it shows Emily's good side masterfully.

Season 8, Episode 18

As Good as Gordon

Written by Abi Grant

Gordon is to take the new Mayor of Sodor on a our of the island, so Emily is to take the express in his place - two big positives there; one - Emily's basis, the Stirling Single, was actually an express locomotive, and in a sense, it's an ancestor to the Gresley pacific engines, and two - a female engine is pulling an important train. Let the latter positive sink in; a female engine pulling something as important as the express would definitely shut up those who scream "sexist". Before anyone mentions Pip and Emma, they aren't TV series characters. Well, not yet, at least.

Anyway, Emily is eager to pull the express, but she is in such a rush the brake coach is left behind... wait, what? Did I hear that correctly? Brake coach? That's more than what later episodes did! Emily manages to cross Sodor once, and feels that's an achievement. However, she stops at a crossing to let Edward pass, and demands that he hurry up. Is that out of character of her? Well, I'll go into full detail when I get to Thomas, Emily and the Snowplough. All I'm gonna say here is that the express is a non-stop passenger service, and there's no reason for Emily to stop for Edward or Bertie. And when Emily tries to take on water, James tells her to wait, but she doesn't bother doing so and puffs on.

Emily almost makes it to Brendam Docks, but she runs out of water. The Fat Controller arrives on board James, and scolds Emily for her impatience. James pulls her to the docks, and after she refills on water, she takes a slow goods train (another railway terminology moment!) while James takes the express. This time, Emily doesn't rush. Despite the faults I mentioned, it's another good episode in my eyes. This'll be the last season eight episode I review for a week.

Season 9, Episode 17

Emily Knows Best

Written by Marc Seal

Despite a small cameo he makes, the episode doesn't feature Thomas in the story at all; there's a reason the show is called Thomas and Friends.

As for the episode itself? Emily delivers passengers close to the ruined castle, and she gets the idea of being a queen. Not too far away, Percy and Toby are to shunt trucks by the castle; whilst Percy is daydreaming, Toby tells him to come along. Can you believe this - Toby is actually in character for once?! When was the last time that happened? Bored with waiting, Emily decides to play a game with Percy and Toby - she'll be queen and tell them what to do. Percy likes the idea, but Toby doesn't, and when he gives Emily a suggestion, she takes offense and decides to prove she knows best.

Percy is nervous about the trucks he's to push, but Toby suggests that Percy wait for him so he can tell him what to do. Percy struggles with his trucks, but Emily suggests that he take the trucks along her track. Percy does so, but Emily's suggestion only leads to trouble - Percy crashes into Mavis, and a telephone pole is knocked over - it's a huge mess. It gets worse when Toby comes along and derails.

Emily is clueless as to what to do, so she turns to Toby for help - he suggests that she go and get help. She tells the stationmaster about the accident, and soon enough, the breakdown train is sent in to put things right again. The Fat Controller scolds Emily for causing the mess and she apologizes, promising to listen to Toby in the near future. You know, after writing this review and looking at Sodor Island Forum's ninth series poll results, I was surprised myself that this episode ranked second best behind Respect for Gordon. Whilst Emily may have received scorn in the past - remember, this was a time before she reverted to what she was in season seven - she's now got a fanbase who adores her, myself included.

As for Emily Knows Best? It isn't the best in my view, but it is still a good watch, plus it was one of several episodes to ditch the three-strikes formula.

Season 11, Episode 2

Emily's Rubbish

Written by Wayne Jackman

Alright, let's knock this outta the way - this episode garnered controversy around 2011 specifically because the character of Whiff was based upon the North Eastern Railway's No. 66 "Aerolite". I get it; the engine is beautiful looking for her age, and she would never be seen pulling trucks full of garbage. But let's be honest - does an engine's basis really make them good or bad? I'm looking at those who criticize Belle for having unrealistic modifications! If you have a problem with that, why do you not have a problem with Diesel 10 having a claw?! It's the character's personality that's important; Whiff is a cheerful sort who doesn't care about what others think about his appearance. If he was, let's say, an LNER J72, would the show be any different? No, of course not! So, lighten up, people!

Well, that got a bit rant-y there, didn't it? There's one more criticism I have, specifically, the UK title - it sounds like it's telling me Emily is a terrible character. I prefer the American title Emily and the Garbage more cause it sounds less offensive. Okay, let's just get to the actual episode.

Emily is to meet with a new engine at the shunting yards, and she is mortified at the fact Whiff is a dirty little engine. When Gordon, Henry and James see Emily with Whiff, they laugh, much to her embarrassment, but Whiff doesn't seem bothered when other engines laugh. Emily tries to get away from him, but every time she does so, Whiff appears to be one step ahead of her. On the way, we get returnee appearances by Molly, Neville, Murdoch, and Elizabeth.

Eventually, Emily makes to lose Whiff, but she comes across Spencer, with his path blocked by some rubbish trucks. Emily tries to move them by herself, to no avail, and James and Gordon flat out refuse to help her. Emily manages to find Whiff and apologizes for losing him, but he doesn't seem upset and agrees to help her move the trucks out of Spencer's way.

The moral of the story - appearances aren't important, and think that Whiff showed it brilliantly. With his character, like I mentioned earlier, he doesn't care for what others think of him or his appearance; he's just happy with who he is and wants some appreciation. Like Emily Knows Best above, this episode didn't fall foul of the three-strikes formula, which became prominent from this point onwards. I liked this when I was younger, and I still do to this day.

Episode Ratings:

What's the Matter with Henry?: 8 out of 10

Emily's New Route: 9 out of 10

As Good as Gordon: 8 out of 10

Emily Knows Best: 7.5 out of 10

Emily's Rubbish: 8.5 out of 10

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
6. What's the Matter with Henry?: 8
7. James and the Queen of Sodor: 7
11. Bad Day at Castle Loch: 7

12. Rheneas and the Roller Coaster: 0
17. Peace and Quiet: 9.5

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
10. Emily's New Route: 9
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
18. As Good as Gordon: 8
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
17. Emily Knows Best: 7.5

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

24. Thomas and the Golden Eagle: 1

Thomas and Friends Season 11 Scorecard

2. Emily's Rubbish: 8.5
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