Has it been ages since the last written Thomas review here? No really; the last major review I wrote on the blog was The Great Race back in July, well over five months ago. And there's my Journey Beyond Sodor video review from October (or, depending on how you view it, November). Season 21 seems to have gone neglected... until now, that is! There's been a ton of discussion about the show's future since it came out, and I wanted to wait until the hype for the new season had died down so I could analyze it properly having absorbed it all, especially as I want to view the episodes for what they are, not what they're signalling for the show's future.
So, without further confusion or delay, here are my thoughts on season 21 of Thomas and Friends!
Episodes 1, 2, and 4 are written by Davey Moore; 3 and 6-9 by Lee Pressman; 5 and 10 by Helen Farrall.
1. Springtime for Diesel
I don't get why Diesel in the later seasons is being given flack for "not being his devious self". He's a far more complex character than fans are giving credit for. He's very much the Thomas equivalent to Discord from season three onward. If anyone should be the threatening villain, it's Diesel 10, and he hasn't shown up since season 17.
Anyway, I really love this episode, especially the character development; Diesel's deviousness being a habit he can't shake off, Daisy getting her passengers to their destination despite being crippled (so did Skarloey, Rheneas and Edward, but they did what you'd expect them to do), and we even got Den standing up for himself when Dart tries correcting him. And given that he was last seen in season 19's Den and Dart, also by Davey Moore, that was great.
There were a couple of issues, even if they're minor; one, how did Den not know what Daisy was given that she went to the Dieselworks in The Railcar and the Coaches? Two, why were they not supplied with springs? But in the end, they're just minor plotholes that can be given a simple tweaking.
The ending really does it for me; seeing Diesel go through emotional turmoil was pretty funny to watch, and seeing him pour his heart out to Daisy that night was really genuine and heartwarming. Even more so when she tells him off for bumping her earlier (kind felt suggestive, don't you think?). This is what I call a great start to the series.
Anyway, I really love this episode, especially the character development; Diesel's deviousness being a habit he can't shake off, Daisy getting her passengers to their destination despite being crippled (so did Skarloey, Rheneas and Edward, but they did what you'd expect them to do), and we even got Den standing up for himself when Dart tries correcting him. And given that he was last seen in season 19's Den and Dart, also by Davey Moore, that was great.
There were a couple of issues, even if they're minor; one, how did Den not know what Daisy was given that she went to the Dieselworks in The Railcar and the Coaches? Two, why were they not supplied with springs? But in the end, they're just minor plotholes that can be given a simple tweaking.
The ending really does it for me; seeing Diesel go through emotional turmoil was pretty funny to watch, and seeing him pour his heart out to Daisy that night was really genuine and heartwarming. Even more so when she tells him off for bumping her earlier (kind felt suggestive, don't you think?). This is what I call a great start to the series.
2. A Most Singular Engine
Have I mentioned how great a character Daisy has been since Ryan and Daisy? It really is true, and this is another fantastic episode. Though, the continuity between this and Springtime for Diesel is a bit confusing given the relationship between him and Daisy. But then again, maybe character development isn't instantaneous?
Another odd thing was that it's said Daisy is the only diesel railcar on Sodor. Did they forget Hugo? It's kind of an issue as A) they could've said she was the first diesel railcar and B) it would've been a better debut for him than season 20. It's also not a problem for me as... well, it makes it easier for me to forget that the German sausage ever existed! :P
Anyway, the way the plot builds up was very nicely handled. Diesel being frustrated with Daisy's overbearing personality and him seeing Harvey to put Daisy in her place all felt believable; heck, Ryan's role was great as well since he's naive.
Once again, the second half was great. Daisy and Harvey finally confronting each other... only to encounter a cute little bunny at the crossing. Their rivalry gets nipped in the bud when they help each other out and Diesel gets a good dose of karma by rolling into the sea. Though the toilet humor felt rather shoehorned in...
Still, another lovely episode. Oh, and is that the first time in years Duck and Diesel have been in the same shot? If only we could have an episode based around their current personas...!
Another odd thing was that it's said Daisy is the only diesel railcar on Sodor. Did they forget Hugo? It's kind of an issue as A) they could've said she was the first diesel railcar and B) it would've been a better debut for him than season 20. It's also not a problem for me as... well, it makes it easier for me to forget that the German sausage ever existed! :P
Anyway, the way the plot builds up was very nicely handled. Diesel being frustrated with Daisy's overbearing personality and him seeing Harvey to put Daisy in her place all felt believable; heck, Ryan's role was great as well since he's naive.
Once again, the second half was great. Daisy and Harvey finally confronting each other... only to encounter a cute little bunny at the crossing. Their rivalry gets nipped in the bud when they help each other out and Diesel gets a good dose of karma by rolling into the sea. Though the toilet humor felt rather shoehorned in...
Still, another lovely episode. Oh, and is that the first time in years Duck and Diesel have been in the same shot? If only we could have an episode based around their current personas...!
3. Dowager Hatt's Day Off
Oh my God, I don't think I've ever laughed this much at a Thomas and Friends episode! But seriously, it feels like The Green Controller done properly. As in, they're not using an engine to run the railway. Dowager Hatt was the perfect choice for temporary controller, and her entrance into the story is the right mix of badass and hilarious. Also, did anyone feel sorry for poor Percy? First he's had a tissue land on his nose (and seeing him struggle to try and get it off without hands), and then he can't even get up Gordon's hill pulling the express.
The episode itself is a satire on the Barlow era; how Sharon Miller's railway would be run. But unlike the "joke" in The Way She Does It, this doesn't feel out of place at all, even if that era should stay a thing of the past. And fortunately for (almost) everyone, Emily is around to speak sense into Dowager Hatt. Episodes like this are why Emily's my favorite character; she is the ideal sister figure for the main cast and I think it'll be interesting to see how she'll play off against Rebecca and Nia (more on that later) in the next season. And that ending with Philip? You feel sorry for him, but you can't help but have a bit of a laugh at the predicament he's in.
The episode itself is a satire on the Barlow era; how Sharon Miller's railway would be run. But unlike the "joke" in The Way She Does It, this doesn't feel out of place at all, even if that era should stay a thing of the past. And fortunately for (almost) everyone, Emily is around to speak sense into Dowager Hatt. Episodes like this are why Emily's my favorite character; she is the ideal sister figure for the main cast and I think it'll be interesting to see how she'll play off against Rebecca and Nia (more on that later) in the next season. And that ending with Philip? You feel sorry for him, but you can't help but have a bit of a laugh at the predicament he's in.
4. Stuck in Gear
This one, however, kind of feels like a step backwards. Does that make the episode bad? Not necessarily. I'm glad Harvey got a lead role to himself, though his character feels rather inconsistent with what he had in A Most Singular Engine when he was confident in his own abilities. That's a problem I got with season 21 as a whole.
But the episode's biggest problem within itself is Harvey's crew not being involved. Couldn't they have tried to help their engine in removing the branches from his gears before it got worse? It's pretty jarring as season 20 had three episodes where the engines interacting with their crews. That being said, I really like the theme they showed here, and it's one I can relate to. I understand how stupid it is not asking for help before a problem gets worse, but with my shyness being ingrained at a young age, it's a habit I can't shake off.
I really like the ending and how the lesson stuck with Harvey; he was so excited at moving his arm again that he lost himself and felt sheepish, but still asked for help anyway. The weakest of the first week, but still a good watch nonetheless.
But the episode's biggest problem within itself is Harvey's crew not being involved. Couldn't they have tried to help their engine in removing the branches from his gears before it got worse? It's pretty jarring as season 20 had three episodes where the engines interacting with their crews. That being said, I really like the theme they showed here, and it's one I can relate to. I understand how stupid it is not asking for help before a problem gets worse, but with my shyness being ingrained at a young age, it's a habit I can't shake off.
I really like the ending and how the lesson stuck with Harvey; he was so excited at moving his arm again that he lost himself and felt sheepish, but still asked for help anyway. The weakest of the first week, but still a good watch nonetheless.
5. Runaway Engine
Now there's an episode I was looking forward to when it first came out, and did it deliver? Yes, it did! Especially given that it's a Helen Farrall episode.
The dynamic between Stephen, Millie and Glynn is one of the best of the entire show, and the middle act shows how genuine their friendship is, especially when Stephen feels guilty for unintentionally hurting Millie. Then again, she did leave waste in front of their shed out of pettiness, but then, that's what Stephen and Glynn got for not listening to instructions. And I can't forget the grumpy passenger's role; he's always entertaining whenever he appears ever since his debut back in season 18's Duncan and the Grumpy Passenger, even more so how Sir Robert calmly dealt with his temper.
And I know some will complain about Stephen being childish for his age, but here's the thing; if he was a generic elderly character, he wouldn't be fun to watch. Stephen's a flawed character, and episodes like this and Over the Hill show why it's a good thing. He's got drawbacks just like everyone else, but he knows how to roll with them. On the whole, it's a brilliant end to the first week.
The dynamic between Stephen, Millie and Glynn is one of the best of the entire show, and the middle act shows how genuine their friendship is, especially when Stephen feels guilty for unintentionally hurting Millie. Then again, she did leave waste in front of their shed out of pettiness, but then, that's what Stephen and Glynn got for not listening to instructions. And I can't forget the grumpy passenger's role; he's always entertaining whenever he appears ever since his debut back in season 18's Duncan and the Grumpy Passenger, even more so how Sir Robert calmly dealt with his temper.
And I know some will complain about Stephen being childish for his age, but here's the thing; if he was a generic elderly character, he wouldn't be fun to watch. Stephen's a flawed character, and episodes like this and Over the Hill show why it's a good thing. He's got drawbacks just like everyone else, but he knows how to roll with them. On the whole, it's a brilliant end to the first week.
6. P.A. Problems
And here we go, people; the 500th episode of the entire series. It's very rare that a kids' show could last this long, but here we are with a milestone in Thomas history. How does it hold up?
Quite well, actually. It's nice to see Edward co-starring in this one, especially as Crocks Scrap Yard is near his branchline, and how he was featured to demonstrate that old doesn't mean useless... but the theme is very much a strength and a weakness. Why? Well, look at what happens when the TX-1000 fails. Fair enough, it breaks down, but they don't explain what was wrong with it or what caused the speakers to have awful feedback. And that implies that all new technology is flawed, which is rather narrow-minded. Laptops are sometimes better than desktops, MP3 players provide you with more variety than a cassette player, flat-screen TV sets are more reliable than the bulky, squarish sets, etc.
The point is, if you're saying we shouldn't upgrade to newer technology, then by that logic, Thomas wouldn't be in CGI and they'd still rely on worn out models that can't even pull more than two pieces of rolling stock. In The Fogman, there was a reason the foghorn was unsuitable as a replacement for Cyril.
Anyway, like I said, Edward had a really good role here, as did Reg. So nice they didn't forget about him completely. His enthusiastic nature is so contagious I can't help but enjoy it. Much like Beresford from Journey Beyond Sodor, Reg is one of the most understated characters of the series. And yeah, I feel bad for the workmen having to put up with his singing, especially the one at the end. A great episode with a solid (though flawed) theme; with a few tweaks, it'd be perfect.
Quite well, actually. It's nice to see Edward co-starring in this one, especially as Crocks Scrap Yard is near his branchline, and how he was featured to demonstrate that old doesn't mean useless... but the theme is very much a strength and a weakness. Why? Well, look at what happens when the TX-1000 fails. Fair enough, it breaks down, but they don't explain what was wrong with it or what caused the speakers to have awful feedback. And that implies that all new technology is flawed, which is rather narrow-minded. Laptops are sometimes better than desktops, MP3 players provide you with more variety than a cassette player, flat-screen TV sets are more reliable than the bulky, squarish sets, etc.
The point is, if you're saying we shouldn't upgrade to newer technology, then by that logic, Thomas wouldn't be in CGI and they'd still rely on worn out models that can't even pull more than two pieces of rolling stock. In The Fogman, there was a reason the foghorn was unsuitable as a replacement for Cyril.
Anyway, like I said, Edward had a really good role here, as did Reg. So nice they didn't forget about him completely. His enthusiastic nature is so contagious I can't help but enjoy it. Much like Beresford from Journey Beyond Sodor, Reg is one of the most understated characters of the series. And yeah, I feel bad for the workmen having to put up with his singing, especially the one at the end. A great episode with a solid (though flawed) theme; with a few tweaks, it'd be perfect.
7. Hasty Hannah
Fun fact: This episode was actually intended to be a part of season 20, but it was held back and is now a season 21 episode. But was the wait worth it, and is Hannah as interesting a character she's made out to be?
Okay, so this is an episode where Toby is portrayed as being worrisome... but unlike Three Steam Engines Gruff, it actually has a catalyst behind it. Hannah is rather overbearing, and Toby is not used to going at high speeds. Might've worked better if he was a bit more assertive against Hannah's desires, but we got what we got.
Hannah herself was a really fun character, though it would be a shame if she never returned to the series. I think she would be great as part of the Ffarquhar coach stock; can we have a story with her, Annie and Clarabel? Seeing her almost getting killed was really dramatic, and shows that you can have too much of a good thing like speed. I would've preferred a scolding from the Fat Controller, but nearly getting killed would hammer the point home further. Though, I have to wonder; why wasn't James used more in the story?
And how would Toby get to Knapford within twenty minutes? Sure, he said it out of sarcasm, but it would be impossible to get there from Crovan's Gate, even for someone like Gordon, within that time frame. For Toby, it'd probably be twenty hours instead! (Okay, maybe not, but still.) And how on earth can he get from Dryaw to Gordon's Hill? If he was on the mainline, I could understand, but as a guy who reads maps, this is rather frustrating.
Despite the issues, I think this episode was really good. Not one of season 21's strongest, but the way it played out worked fine for me. Oh, and we also get a preview of Rosie's new livery, as well as - what I think, at least - implications of romance between Toby and Henrietta. Not sure where the writers are going with this though...!
Okay, so this is an episode where Toby is portrayed as being worrisome... but unlike Three Steam Engines Gruff, it actually has a catalyst behind it. Hannah is rather overbearing, and Toby is not used to going at high speeds. Might've worked better if he was a bit more assertive against Hannah's desires, but we got what we got.
Hannah herself was a really fun character, though it would be a shame if she never returned to the series. I think she would be great as part of the Ffarquhar coach stock; can we have a story with her, Annie and Clarabel? Seeing her almost getting killed was really dramatic, and shows that you can have too much of a good thing like speed. I would've preferred a scolding from the Fat Controller, but nearly getting killed would hammer the point home further. Though, I have to wonder; why wasn't James used more in the story?
And how would Toby get to Knapford within twenty minutes? Sure, he said it out of sarcasm, but it would be impossible to get there from Crovan's Gate, even for someone like Gordon, within that time frame. For Toby, it'd probably be twenty hours instead! (Okay, maybe not, but still.) And how on earth can he get from Dryaw to Gordon's Hill? If he was on the mainline, I could understand, but as a guy who reads maps, this is rather frustrating.
Despite the issues, I think this episode was really good. Not one of season 21's strongest, but the way it played out worked fine for me. Oh, and we also get a preview of Rosie's new livery, as well as - what I think, at least - implications of romance between Toby and Henrietta. Not sure where the writers are going with this though...!
8. Cranky at the End of the Line
There's... not a whole lot I can say about this one. I mean, it became obvious that Cranky would not be replaced by Carly. It was obvious from Stuck in Gear that there'd be a new crane. Heck, Thomas and Edward traveling to the mainland completely goes against the former's desires in Journey Beyond Sodor, and that's supposed to take place after season 21! Yeah, there's comedy, but it didn't really make me laugh as it felt like a distraction.
And then there's a huge plot hole if we consider Kevin's Cranky Friend; why didn't the Fat Controller plan on getting a new crane after Kevin returned to the Steamworks? Was it not considered at the time? The episode as a whole feels like filler; you could skip right to the next episode and miss nothing.
And then there's a huge plot hole if we consider Kevin's Cranky Friend; why didn't the Fat Controller plan on getting a new crane after Kevin returned to the Steamworks? Was it not considered at the time? The episode as a whole feels like filler; you could skip right to the next episode and miss nothing.
9. New Crane on the Dock
Is this one better than the previous? Well... no. It wasn't. Sure, the theme is good, but it's nothing we haven't seen in the likes of Ryan and Daisy and No Help at All. Sure, they added the theme of communication, but it's hammered in at the end. Sure, there's some nice humor, but again, it feels like a distraction.
I like what they went for with Cranky and Carly's dynamic; he's the older brother who's jealous of his new baby sister getting all the attention and they get into a petty squabble about it. And I guess that makes Salty the uncle figure telling them a story about a two-headed sea serpent. It's funny, sure, but it doesn't really add much to the story. And in case you're wondering, it's something we'll be seeing in season 22 when it comes out, but will that (along with other aspects being hinted at) make it bad? No. I look purely for good storytelling and themes, and whilst the themes are good, the story is pretty unoriginal.
Which brings me onto Big Mickey. This is pandering to older fans at its absolute nadir. Only they know about TUGS and the younger fans don't. They won't know about it unless they looked online. Big Mickey gaining a face feels like a half-baked attempt at acknowledging his presence, perhaps the biggest plot hole in this season alone. Why did no one bother with him until now, of all times? At least when Henrietta gained a face, there was a reason for it. What was the point of giving Big Mickey a face other than fan service? It's like having Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer being paired up to take away the fact that the story is terrible! (Oh wait, they already did that.)
So yeah, I didn't like this one; it's my least favorite of the season up to this point. It almost feels like a sign of stagnation in the writing department, and they need to come up with new ideas. Otherwise, the show will have reached the end of the line...
I like what they went for with Cranky and Carly's dynamic; he's the older brother who's jealous of his new baby sister getting all the attention and they get into a petty squabble about it. And I guess that makes Salty the uncle figure telling them a story about a two-headed sea serpent. It's funny, sure, but it doesn't really add much to the story. And in case you're wondering, it's something we'll be seeing in season 22 when it comes out, but will that (along with other aspects being hinted at) make it bad? No. I look purely for good storytelling and themes, and whilst the themes are good, the story is pretty unoriginal.
Which brings me onto Big Mickey. This is pandering to older fans at its absolute nadir. Only they know about TUGS and the younger fans don't. They won't know about it unless they looked online. Big Mickey gaining a face feels like a half-baked attempt at acknowledging his presence, perhaps the biggest plot hole in this season alone. Why did no one bother with him until now, of all times? At least when Henrietta gained a face, there was a reason for it. What was the point of giving Big Mickey a face other than fan service? It's like having Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer being paired up to take away the fact that the story is terrible! (Oh wait, they already did that.)
So yeah, I didn't like this one; it's my least favorite of the season up to this point. It almost feels like a sign of stagnation in the writing department, and they need to come up with new ideas. Otherwise, the show will have reached the end of the line...
10. Unscheduled Stops
I'm not the kind of person who automatically gives an episode a high rating simply for who returns. As I've said countless times, I look for a good story and theme to go along with it. That being said, it was a nice surprise to have Bulgy return for the first time since season 12, and the voice Colin McFarlane gave him is absolutely brilliant; he is perfectly cast. I don't think we've had a surprise like that since Harvey's return in Thomas' Shortcut.
This episode starts out with some typical Thomas vs. Bertie racing until the small red bus breaks down at the crossing gate. Thomas offers to take his passengers, but unfortunately, his good deed results in him making more stops than necessary.
That brings me onto the episode's themes which are... a bit confusing. Think about it; Thomas does a good deed for Bertie's passengers at the cost of being late. The Fat Controller isn't too happy about that and so he hires Bulgy to look after Bertie's passengers. Thomas more or less disobeys the Fat Controller's orders and gets off scot-free. I'm not saying the episode is bad because of a flawed theme, but I think Helen Farrall could've been a little more explicit as to where she was going with this one.
I do enjoy the episode for what it is, especially with the Fat Controller having the right balance between being a clown and a serious controller (something which fans have rightly complained about, for the record), but the flawed and confused theme at the end keeps it from being a full 10.
This episode starts out with some typical Thomas vs. Bertie racing until the small red bus breaks down at the crossing gate. Thomas offers to take his passengers, but unfortunately, his good deed results in him making more stops than necessary.
That brings me onto the episode's themes which are... a bit confusing. Think about it; Thomas does a good deed for Bertie's passengers at the cost of being late. The Fat Controller isn't too happy about that and so he hires Bulgy to look after Bertie's passengers. Thomas more or less disobeys the Fat Controller's orders and gets off scot-free. I'm not saying the episode is bad because of a flawed theme, but I think Helen Farrall could've been a little more explicit as to where she was going with this one.
I do enjoy the episode for what it is, especially with the Fat Controller having the right balance between being a clown and a serious controller (something which fans have rightly complained about, for the record), but the flawed and confused theme at the end keeps it from being a full 10.
Thomas and Friends Season 21 Scorecard
1. Springtime for Diesel: 10
2. A Most Singular Engine: 10
3. Dowager Hatt's Busy Day: 10
4. Stuck in Gear: 8
5. Runaway Engine: 10
6. P.A. Problems: 9
7. Hasty Hannah: 8
8. Cranky at the End of the Line: 4
9. New Crane on the Dock: 3
10. Unscheduled Stops: 8
6. P.A. Problems: 9
7. Hasty Hannah: 8
8. Cranky at the End of the Line: 4
9. New Crane on the Dock: 3
10. Unscheduled Stops: 8
Season Rating So Far: 80/100
I have to say so far Season 21 was off to a good start.
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