The United Kingdom may be taking a temporary break from season 22, but that doesn't mean there aren't episodes from Down Under that I've yet to review, so I'll be covering the remainder in blocks of five, with Kangaroo Christmas being a solo review. So let's start by reviewing the episodes that aired alongside the first fifteen in Australia!
Thomas and the Dragon
Written by Davey Moore
I've been critical that some of the international based episodes put culture before story, but in the case of Thomas and the Dragon, it implements culture within the story and does so brilliantly.
Here, I felt that Thomas' inquisitive nature worked well because he's used to New Years being celebrated in winter rather than spring, but there's more to him than that when he's terrified at the thought of bringing a dragon to the celebrations. I've seen a lot of people complain that it goes against him picking up the Chinese Dragon in season three, but of course, I've kept in mind that he's had a history of being scared in the past like Ghost Train, so I can let it slide.
Also, Yong Bao is just a delight to see. Although he's a kind, helpful engine, he's not above playing cheeky jokes on Thomas when he startles him just by saying "boo". Twice. And because of that, he's suddenly become more charming than Ashima has ever been.
Hong-Mei too had a great moment when she came up alongside Thomas when he thought a chicken was talking to him. Seriously, how can you not laugh at anything with a chicken in it? Chickens are so stupid it's funny. Well, that depends on how you define them as "stupid".
It was also cool to see what a lion at a Chinese New Year celebration is. No, it's not a dragon - the actual dragon is a puppet controlled by multiple people - but the lion is two people in costume. All in all, there's really nothing wrong I found with the episode. It feels like traditional Thomas storytelling with culture weaved into it quite naturally. It's a winner in my books.
Here, I felt that Thomas' inquisitive nature worked well because he's used to New Years being celebrated in winter rather than spring, but there's more to him than that when he's terrified at the thought of bringing a dragon to the celebrations. I've seen a lot of people complain that it goes against him picking up the Chinese Dragon in season three, but of course, I've kept in mind that he's had a history of being scared in the past like Ghost Train, so I can let it slide.
Also, Yong Bao is just a delight to see. Although he's a kind, helpful engine, he's not above playing cheeky jokes on Thomas when he startles him just by saying "boo". Twice. And because of that, he's suddenly become more charming than Ashima has ever been.
Hong-Mei too had a great moment when she came up alongside Thomas when he thought a chicken was talking to him. Seriously, how can you not laugh at anything with a chicken in it? Chickens are so stupid it's funny. Well, that depends on how you define them as "stupid".
It was also cool to see what a lion at a Chinese New Year celebration is. No, it's not a dragon - the actual dragon is a puppet controlled by multiple people - but the lion is two people in costume. All in all, there's really nothing wrong I found with the episode. It feels like traditional Thomas storytelling with culture weaved into it quite naturally. It's a winner in my books.
Rating: Excellent
Samson and the Fireworks
Written by Lee Pressman
Samson has had a very mixed reception among the fandom, much like Philip, and whilst the latter has received some great character development that many fans ignore, the former remained largely stagnant, not helped by his sporadic appearances since season 18.
Thankfully though, this episode managed to do Samson justice. Him being scared of fireworks is something I can relate to; this past fourth of July, I was pretty much disturbed by the noise of fireworks even though I didn't mind them when I was younger. I suppose with age, tastes can change.
What really makes the episode is Samson's interactions with Bradford, especially when the latter has a deadpan reaction to Samson's fright and when Bradford shows a gentler side in encouraging Samson to follow the fireworks to Ulfstead Castle. Some fans have been wanting to see the two together since Bradford's debut in season 20, and now they finally got their wish.
What no one expected, I bet, was Cyril's return to CGI. I like how he emerges from and disappears into the fog, and demonstrates the use of a fog detonator in between.. That was brilliant.
There were two issues with the Nia bit; one, how did she not hit the fog detonator before Samson did? And two (this has nothing to do with the episode, but I'll mention it anyway), she's been given very little since her debut in Big World! Big Adventures!, so Rebecca seems to overshadow her when it comes to roles. I hope they do more with Nia in the future; she's too great a character to get this treatment.
Despite that, it's a great episode, Samson's best to date, and it's something fans young and old can enjoy.
Thankfully though, this episode managed to do Samson justice. Him being scared of fireworks is something I can relate to; this past fourth of July, I was pretty much disturbed by the noise of fireworks even though I didn't mind them when I was younger. I suppose with age, tastes can change.
What really makes the episode is Samson's interactions with Bradford, especially when the latter has a deadpan reaction to Samson's fright and when Bradford shows a gentler side in encouraging Samson to follow the fireworks to Ulfstead Castle. Some fans have been wanting to see the two together since Bradford's debut in season 20, and now they finally got their wish.
What no one expected, I bet, was Cyril's return to CGI. I like how he emerges from and disappears into the fog, and demonstrates the use of a fog detonator in between.. That was brilliant.
There were two issues with the Nia bit; one, how did she not hit the fog detonator before Samson did? And two (this has nothing to do with the episode, but I'll mention it anyway), she's been given very little since her debut in Big World! Big Adventures!, so Rebecca seems to overshadow her when it comes to roles. I hope they do more with Nia in the future; she's too great a character to get this treatment.
Despite that, it's a great episode, Samson's best to date, and it's something fans young and old can enjoy.
Rating: Excellent
Runaway Truck
Written by Davey Moore
I really like the way the episode starts by cutting straight to the chase. Literally. There's no exposition as to why Lei is running away; the first minute establishes everything we need to know. Lei's a runaway, Yong Bao is chasing him, and Thomas happens to be in the way and wants to help.
As a matter of fact, the episode is very well paced and implements culture into the story very well. And I like Yong Bao more than I initially thought; he's upset with Thomas for messing up his heroic plan, but he doesn't get angry about it. He even willingly helps Thomas in doing an engine variation of tai chi with Lei.
Speaking of, I liked how in Big World! Big Adventures!, we see the foreign trucks be something other than troublesome - African trucks like music, and Brazilian trucks are super friendly to one another. Lei looks to be a friendly truck as well; he doesn't even get upset when he's knocked off the tracks. I'm surprised he's still in service despite having many accidents!
It's especially interesting to see an incident being caused by human error; some railway employees are performing tai chi in the signalbox, but one of them is out of sync, much to the annoyance of (I presume) the lead signalman. Little things like that much the world feel much more alive.
Runaway Truck might just be one of the best international episodes so far. There's really nothing majorly wrong with it, though as much as there are some visual errors like the runaround track appearing to be longer than it really was, they're little issues that aren't worth freaking out over. And the messages about learning from mistakes and practice paying off were brilliant.
As a matter of fact, the episode is very well paced and implements culture into the story very well. And I like Yong Bao more than I initially thought; he's upset with Thomas for messing up his heroic plan, but he doesn't get angry about it. He even willingly helps Thomas in doing an engine variation of tai chi with Lei.
Speaking of, I liked how in Big World! Big Adventures!, we see the foreign trucks be something other than troublesome - African trucks like music, and Brazilian trucks are super friendly to one another. Lei looks to be a friendly truck as well; he doesn't even get upset when he's knocked off the tracks. I'm surprised he's still in service despite having many accidents!
It's especially interesting to see an incident being caused by human error; some railway employees are performing tai chi in the signalbox, but one of them is out of sync, much to the annoyance of (I presume) the lead signalman. Little things like that much the world feel much more alive.
Runaway Truck might just be one of the best international episodes so far. There's really nothing majorly wrong with it, though as much as there are some visual errors like the runaround track appearing to be longer than it really was, they're little issues that aren't worth freaking out over. And the messages about learning from mistakes and practice paying off were brilliant.
Rating: Excellent
Rosie is Red
Written by Davey Moore
Well, that one's sparked a fanbase frenzy...! Not going to go in full depth on that because I'd rather focus on the episode on its own merits.
And the episode is absolutely fantastic. Then again, many of the Sodor-based stories have been fantastic, but they're practically overshadowed by the international stories which, ironically, have very little in terms of substance. Not thirty seconds in, I knew the episode was taking risks; not just the implication of two workmen being LGBT - though I'd love it if that was the case, plus it's a very sweet moment between them - but the idea of there being a romance-based story in a series about talking trains.
Ironically though, it's Sir Topham Hatt who's the true star of the episode. He wants to show how much he loves his wife by giving her a pet cat, and he needs help from Rosie and Thomas at Vicarstown. It really gives Topham more depth to his character than being a clown constantly tripping over because "hurdy hurr", and it makes you sympathize with him more.
Thomas and Rosie also shone very well; the former because he's given more character than simply being curious about the world around him, and the latter because girls can most likely relate to her when they feel like they've been rejected by the guy who stood up for her. Though to be fair on Thomas' end, teasing from Bill, Ben, Diesel and Gordon did not help him any. I'm glad that he and Rosie chose to stay friends, and if this is a series were the entire cast is LGBTQ+ - or more specifically, asexual (lack of sexual attraction to anyone of either gender) - then I'm all for it.
So was the episode worth having a meltdown over? No, it wasn't. It's an episode meant to be for kids, and we should think about that more often. It's very superb and has a good message about misunderstandings, plus Percy's comment about sharing love every day rings true. If only all people had the same mindset...!
And the episode is absolutely fantastic. Then again, many of the Sodor-based stories have been fantastic, but they're practically overshadowed by the international stories which, ironically, have very little in terms of substance. Not thirty seconds in, I knew the episode was taking risks; not just the implication of two workmen being LGBT - though I'd love it if that was the case, plus it's a very sweet moment between them - but the idea of there being a romance-based story in a series about talking trains.
Ironically though, it's Sir Topham Hatt who's the true star of the episode. He wants to show how much he loves his wife by giving her a pet cat, and he needs help from Rosie and Thomas at Vicarstown. It really gives Topham more depth to his character than being a clown constantly tripping over because "hurdy hurr", and it makes you sympathize with him more.
Thomas and Rosie also shone very well; the former because he's given more character than simply being curious about the world around him, and the latter because girls can most likely relate to her when they feel like they've been rejected by the guy who stood up for her. Though to be fair on Thomas' end, teasing from Bill, Ben, Diesel and Gordon did not help him any. I'm glad that he and Rosie chose to stay friends, and if this is a series were the entire cast is LGBTQ+ - or more specifically, asexual (lack of sexual attraction to anyone of either gender) - then I'm all for it.
So was the episode worth having a meltdown over? No, it wasn't. It's an episode meant to be for kids, and we should think about that more often. It's very superb and has a good message about misunderstandings, plus Percy's comment about sharing love every day rings true. If only all people had the same mindset...!
Rating: Excellent
Thomas' Animal Ark
Written by Lee Pressman
There are a lot of sweet episodes in the series, this one included.
I like how one of the zookeepers at the Animal Park on Edward's branchline is given a name, Headkeeper Jack. It makes Sodor feel a lot more alive with human characters being given some personalities, and the voice he got in the UK dub makes him sound gentle and soft spoken. And the monkey in his arms is adorable. Maybe he's the animal Jack is the closest to?
And whilst Sir Topham is given comedy moments, they don't come off as annoying; he falls off his ladder because Thomas startled him unintentionally, he takes credit for Henry's idea of using the Steamworks as a temporary sanctuary for the animals (nice to know Henry hasn't been forgotten), and has a deadpan reaction to an ostrich stealing his hat.
Speaking of, the episode has an extended ending with James and the ostrich egg. At first, he was annoyed by the idea of babysitting birds, but by the time the egg hatches and a baby ostrich comes out, he's changed his tone completely. It really is nice that they're giving more to James than having him constantly going around saying "I'm red; don't I look splendid?"
Interestingly enough, this is the only Sodor based story this season where Thomas takes the lead role. This makes season 22 the most Thomas-centric since 10 and 13, both of which had him star in thirteen episodes, but 13 is greater in terms of percentage (do the math). Meanwhile, 22 has him star in fourteen, the most episodes in any season. But this is probably one of his better roles in the season; you have to admire how determined he was to help the animals find warmth. It was also surprising that they referenced Trusty Trunky when it came to the snowdrift, and that episode was forgettable at best.
So apparently, this could be Lee Pressman's last season as it's been confirmed he's written four episodes for the season. It'll be a shame because he was perhaps the current team's most undervalued writer. A Shed for Edward, Henry in the Dark, and Dowager Hatt's Busy Day were among his best episodes, and he gave some brilliant development to Diesel's character as well. I think it's safe to say he wanted to go out big, and so far, he's done that pretty well.
I like how one of the zookeepers at the Animal Park on Edward's branchline is given a name, Headkeeper Jack. It makes Sodor feel a lot more alive with human characters being given some personalities, and the voice he got in the UK dub makes him sound gentle and soft spoken. And the monkey in his arms is adorable. Maybe he's the animal Jack is the closest to?
And whilst Sir Topham is given comedy moments, they don't come off as annoying; he falls off his ladder because Thomas startled him unintentionally, he takes credit for Henry's idea of using the Steamworks as a temporary sanctuary for the animals (nice to know Henry hasn't been forgotten), and has a deadpan reaction to an ostrich stealing his hat.
Speaking of, the episode has an extended ending with James and the ostrich egg. At first, he was annoyed by the idea of babysitting birds, but by the time the egg hatches and a baby ostrich comes out, he's changed his tone completely. It really is nice that they're giving more to James than having him constantly going around saying "I'm red; don't I look splendid?"
Interestingly enough, this is the only Sodor based story this season where Thomas takes the lead role. This makes season 22 the most Thomas-centric since 10 and 13, both of which had him star in thirteen episodes, but 13 is greater in terms of percentage (do the math). Meanwhile, 22 has him star in fourteen, the most episodes in any season. But this is probably one of his better roles in the season; you have to admire how determined he was to help the animals find warmth. It was also surprising that they referenced Trusty Trunky when it came to the snowdrift, and that episode was forgettable at best.
So apparently, this could be Lee Pressman's last season as it's been confirmed he's written four episodes for the season. It'll be a shame because he was perhaps the current team's most undervalued writer. A Shed for Edward, Henry in the Dark, and Dowager Hatt's Busy Day were among his best episodes, and he gave some brilliant development to Diesel's character as well. I think it's safe to say he wanted to go out big, and so far, he's done that pretty well.
Rating: Excellent
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