OPINIONS IN THIS BLOG ARE SOLELY MY OWN; THEY DON'T REFLECT ON THOSE BY THE THOMAS FANDOM ON WHOLE
THIS BLOG CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS; READ AT YOUR OWN RISK
Last week had a few marmite episodes; either you love them or loathe them (I like them, by the way!) This week, it's only one episode featuring our favorite GWR brakevan and co-star to Tale of the Brave. How will their chemistry turn out? Let's find out!
Toad's Bright Idea
Written by Davey Moore
What's really surprising about the episode is that it took place during Tale of the Brave. It's pretty evident by James' first glance of Gator, and running away in fright. Yeah, it was humorous when Gator's lamp turned on and he moans "not again". I didn't think a midquel was possible in a TV episode! We got a few in the annual stories explaining how Diesel came up with the nicknames for Henry, James, and Gordon, but never mind. As for Toad's Bright Idea, it was nice seeing a different side to Gator, and his frustration with Toad's nagging made me laugh, it was presented perfectly. And yes, Oliver's "later, Gator" joke also made me chuckle. Another fantastic episode of the season with great humor throughout.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
So far, season 18 has proved to be excellent. We did have a couple of stinker moments, but the amount of railway realism and the slice-of-life stories more than made up for them. I don't get why people are complaining about this reason; weren't the original Railway Series stories about simplicity? Well, like the moral for Duncan and the Grumpy Passenger says, you can't always please everyone. We've only got ten episodes to go; four as seen on The Christmas Engines, and six from Dinos and Discoveries. I wonder how those episodes will turn out...?
Thomas and Friends Season 18 Scorecard
No Steam without Coal - 10/10 Toad's Bright Idea - 9.5/10
OPINIONS IN THIS BLOG ARE SOLELY MY OWN; THEY DON'T REFLECT ON THOSE BY THE THOMAS FANDOM ON WHOLE
THIS BLOG CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS; READ AT YOUR OWN RISK
Last week, we had a little bit of controversy surrounding Duck and the Slip Coaches, and we also got some more classic elements implemented. How much more classic feeling can we get this week? Let's find out!
Duncan and the Grumpy Passenger
Written by Davey Moore
After a six-year absence (barring a mention in Don't Bother Victor), Duncan finally returns to complete the Skarloey Six. He was best well-suited for the role, and once again, Thomas didn't appear! Is it me, or is Davey Moore writing all the episodes which the Skarloey engines play major roles? :P I definitely find the grumpy passenger very amusing and I hope we see him again; maybe a clashing with Sir Handel? The plot almost reminded me of A Friend in Deed, only it didn't have a musical number. A solid episode, and the moral pretty much sums up the fanbase's reaction to a certain "flaw" in the episode, which I'll get to later.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Marion and the Pipe
Written by Mark Huckerby and Nick Ostler
People complain about the episode as they think Marion was "out of character", which I personally don't get. This is her first appearance in a TV episode, for goodness' sake! I actually know a bunch of Marions in real life; they get chatty about stuff I'm not interested in, but for the most part, I put up with it. I really like the spouting water from the pipe, although it might've been nice to see how it would've affected the town... oh well. Long story short, I find this to be another of the underrated episodes, and the same applies to the following episode.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Missing Gator
Written by Andrew Brenner
Admit it; you've often longed to see someone you haven't for a while, and it's the same case with Missing Gator. I like the continuity with King of the Railway (the recently re-boarded tunnel) and Tale of the Brave (Gator's back on his home railway), and Gator appearing in Percy's vision almost reminds me of Obi-Wan Kenobi's spirit talking to Luke (Skywalker, not the Blue Mountain Quarry engine!) Stafford's remark to Percy accidentally bumping into him made me laugh, and yes, Millie spoke again! The moral is really strong, and it's yet another underrated episode (so what if it's an abridged Tale of the Brave?) Although, what was the point of Thomas' brief appearance?
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
No Steam without Coal
Written by Davey Moore
Out of the third week's episodes, this one has got to be the best. Finally, an episode has knocked Not So Slow Coaches off its perch. For the third time, Thomas doesn't appear, and nor does the whole Steam Team, barring Edward. Timothy almost feels like a little brother to Bill and Ben; they constantly tease him and he puts up with it. Marion was also great too; she's almost like a mother or big sister figure to the twins, and it made her a three-dimensional character. And of course, Bill and Ben's comeuppance was well-deserved as they were playing around and needed Timothy's help. A fantastic episode, and probably the best of season 18 to date!
Rating: 10 out of 10
Spencer's VIP
Written by Andrew Brenner
I'm surprised nobody brought this episode up when it was announced; Spencer's VIP had been overshadowed by the previous four because of returnees and new characters. For the episode itself, it was brilliant, plain and simple. It was actually great seeing Spencer show some remorse for his actions as they resulted in the Sudrian engines showing off and causing trouble. Two fantastic morals in one episode; who'd have thought? Funny how the episode people had the least hype for turned out to be great in every way possible.
Rating: 9 out of 10
This week of episodes has surpassed the previous two by a fair margin. After the... ahem, minor slip-up in Duck and the Slip Coaches, the writing in the episodes of week three more than made up for it to a certain extent. Remember what I said about the moral and a certain "flaw" in Duncan and the Grumpy Passenger? Well, people weren't happy just because Sir Handel didn't appear. Who cares if a character appears or not?! You wanted Duncan back, but now you want Sir Handel back? Make your minds, people! He made a cameo in Disappearing Diesels! It's not like he's been forgotten about entirely!
After three whole weeks, we're only getting Toad's Bright Idea on Monday, and in October (for The Christmas Engines on DVD) and possibly December, we're getting four winter/Christmas themed episodes. Then, come 2015, we get the final six episodes for Dinos and Discoveries. Hmm, we had a similar set up with season 17; sixteen regular episodes on TV, four winter-themed episodes, and six DVD exclusive episodes equals 26 episodes a season. Am I sensing a trend here?
Week 1 Rating: 7.9 Week 2 Rating: 8.3 Week 3 Rating: 8.9 Overall Season Rating So Far: 8.4 out of 10
September 15
Toad's Bright Idea October 28 or December Last Train for Christmas Long Lost Friend Duncan the Humbug The Perfect Gift 2015 Dinos and Discoveries
OPINIONS IN THIS BLOG ARE SOLELY MY OWN; THEY DON'T REFLECT ON THOSE BY THE THOMAS FANDOM ON WHOLE
THIS BLOG CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS; READ AT YOUR OWN RISK
Last week, we had a good start on season 18, despite the hit-and-miss episode known as Signals Crossed. Can this week have matched last week? Let's find out!
Toad's Adventure
Written by Mark Huckerby and Nick Ostler
Out of the episodes from Trouble on the Tracks, this one received a fair amount of hype; even I was eager for this episode. It's very surprising that Mark and Nick improved that quickly from Signals Crossed. Personally, I didn't mind Oliver's bragging; he's intended to be a character with flaws, after all. It was interesting seeing Toad interact with James and Thomas, although why did Thomas pull express coaches? Then again, I've never seen anyone dine aboard Annie and Clarabel either. :P The runaway was quite dramatic, ending with a simple "tink" when Toad's buffers touched Thomas', and the ending was nice with a variety of characters like Rosie, Harvey and Charlie all listening to Toad's tale. I really enjoyed this episode, but there were faults here and there.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Duck in the Water
Written by Andrew Brenner
Wait, what's this? A standard gauge episode without Thomas in it? That is so amazing! We haven't had that since Gordon Takes a Shortcut! As for the episode itself, it was simple but humorous at the same time. Duck's expression above when actual ducks swim past him practically spoke for itself, and James' impatience resulting in Rocky swinging about did remind me of Wonky Whistle (ugh...) but here, it was that episode done correctly; it showed James was actually in the wrong, and he owned up for his mistake. Plus, the fallen signal did remind me of Crossed Lines. A nice, simple episode with good duck jokes on whole. I wonder; how does the Fat Controller keep James around with all the destruction he causes?
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Duck and the Slip Coaches
Written by Mark Huckerby and Nick Ostler
Just to get this out of the way, I wrote this blog post because it's ending shot felt like it was fan service done badly and it came off as mean-spirited. Rather than rant on about it, just read the above post and you'll understand. Anyway, this episode was really good too; the concept of slip coaches was just brilliant! Why didn't Awdry (Wilbert and Christopher) come up with this?! Imagine the story potential! I was also surprised that the slip coaches were sentient, and had speaking roles (provided by Jonathan Brodbent, Rebecca O'Mara, and Steven Kynman)! We haven't had sentient coaches since Thomas, Percy and Old Slowcoach from season five. It was a good episode on whole, but that last ending shot... yeah...
Rating: 9 out of 10
(mostly for the concept, but Emily's treatment in the episode prevents the episode from getting a whole 10, even if it was only for a few seconds)
Thomas the Quarry Engine
Written by Andrew Brenner
We haven't had Mavis play a major starring role since season three, and that was 23 years before! Time flies, doesn't it? :P Onto the last episode from Trouble on the Tracks; this was another really good episode. I liked how they used Toby and Henrietta (and her new face by the time of DVD release) to take the workmen home, and the balloons on Mavis were pretty random. How'd she get them? That runaway scene was very Thomas and the Trucks-esque, although it may have been nice if Diesel got punishment for getting Mavis to play hooky. The musical number at Brendam Docks was something I didn't expect either, almost like a song out of My Little Pony! :P
Rating: 8 out of 10
Thomas and the Emergency Cable
Written by Andrew Brenner
Definitely another nice, simple story. The plot reminded me of the annual James' Traffic Jam, only it was for a bird and not a cup of tea. :P Thomas' tree inspector line gave me a few good laughs, as did Annie's line referring to Harold. Although, why was it Annie who had a flat wheel and not Clarabel as seen in the description? Then again, you need a brake coach for every passenger train. On whole, it's another brilliant episode from Andrew Brenner; it appears he can do no wrong.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Week two is more or less on par with week one. Even if I changed my rating for Duck and the Slip Coaches, I still don't have anymore interest in Duck as a character. We seem to get a lot of James this season; isn't it time we had more of Stanley, Rosie, Henry, etc.? If not this season, then hopefully season 19.
Week 1 Rating: 7.9 Week 2 Rating: 8.3 Overall Season Rating So Far: 8.1 out of 10
OPINIONS IN THIS BLOG ARE SOLELY MY OWN; THEY DON'T REFLECT ON THOSE BY THE THOMAS FANDOM ON WHOLE
THIS BLOG CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS; READ AT YOUR OWN RISK
Last year, fans were having doubts over whether or not season 17 and King of the Railway would be any good due to an American trailer for the movie released in March. In April, we got a glimpse of five episodes from season 17 in Railway Mischief, with new narrator Mark Moraghan, replacing Michaels Angelis and Brandon for the UK and US, respectively. The new episodes were well-received, as was Moraghan's narration. Come June, those five episodes aired with five other new episodes, and right up to July 2014 (barring No More Mr. Nice Engine and Thomas' Shortcut), all of season 17 has aired in the UK, fans praising the writing of Andrew Brenner's team and King of the Railway as well. Now we come to season 18 and the soon-to-be-released on DVD special Tale of the Brave, for Thomas' 30th anniversary of his television series. Five episodes were released on DVD in April with Trouble on the Tracks, three of them airing with two new episodes this week. How do they fare? Let's find out!
Old Reliable Edward
Written by Andrew Brenner
In the past, Edward has been depicted as being weak, pitiful, and occasionally rude, his worst moment being Edward Strikes Out from season 10. Here, Andrew has brought the character who started it all back to form, and to a certain degree, started off the season with what feels like a rehash of Edward's first episode way back in season one. Gordon mistaking the trousers for a flag was very amusing to watch, as was his cry of "Noooo!" when Thomas stalls him. Plus, the facial expressions like Clarabel smirking at Gordon are really funny to watch. Thomas' plan to teach Gordon a lesson wasn't that much realistic, but who cares? It actually kind of works as it gave off a moral to always say thank you to those who help. On a side note, it reminds me of an episode of Top Gear where Jeremy Clarkson and his TGV 12 "sports train" is stuck behind James May's and Richard Hammond's "train" with four caravans.
At least Gordon didn't have to see a man on the bog at the rear of the train. :P A fantastic start to what's going to be a great season, I can tell already!
Rating: 9 out of 10
Not So Slow Coaches
Written by Paul Larson and Laura Beaumont
Throughout their 30-year span on the TV show, Annie and Clarabel had mostly played secondary roles alongside Thomas. This time, they get their own starring role and it played off in a very amusing way. Pretty much everything the two coaches say in this episode makes me laugh. ("I've got my eyes closed!" "Does that help?!" "No, not really!") In all honesty, I've not heard Charlie's "school buzz" joke before, and again, it kind of works as his joking around leads to trouble. Of course, there's the occasional flaw, but then, what do you expect from Paul and Laura? This is so far my favorite of the season, but we'll wait and see if it can be topped.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Flatbeds of Fear
Written by Paul Larson and Laura Beaumont
Paul Larson's track record has been mixed throughout the show. He's written good episodes like Gordon and the Engineer, Percy Gets it Right, and Molly's Special Special, but he's also written stinkers like Skarloey the Brave, Too Hot for Thomas, and Rusty Saves the Day. Flatbeds of Fear, however, was pretty decent in my opinion. Yes, Henry did rhyme when he said "I don't want to hear the Flatbeds of Fear", but it wasn't as annoying as S13-16. It was odd to see Stanley as the old engine in Salty's story, but at least he's being used, right? I mean, personally, if there's stories of old being narrated, I'd have Lady as the engine since she's been confirmed as a "fake engine". Not a bad episode, but not the best thus far; it could use tweaks here and there.
Rating: 7 out of 10
Disappearing Diesels
Written by Andrew Brenner
When it comes to Paxton, the writers can do no wrong for him. He's so lovable and dopey, it's easy to relate to him. His Laurel and Hardy-style partnership with Diesel is always amusing to see; the grouchy black Gronk and the naive green Gronk - what a double-act! I'm not gonna go into detail about the children on the crossing gates, but I will say that the animators need advice from Sam Wilkinson. That's what a railway consultant is for! We don't get much of Reg, but his sarcastic wit makes up for his lack of screen-time, and Diesel saying that he's a truckload of sausages had me laughing. Good episode, but it's that one scene which needs to be edited.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Signals Crossed
Written by Mark Huckerby and Nick Ostler
If you don't know these writers, they've worked on Peter Rabbit, Octonauts, and Tree Fu Tom, and are working on revivals for Thunderbirds and Dangermouse. I've not watched these shows and I can't tell if they're good. As for this episode? It was... average. I'm glad that Toby got a lead role, but he's still wimpish and should know how signals work! I'll admit that the new Knapford Station looks fantastic; the new points and signal gantry really make a big difference. I also like that Henrietta is finally able to speak again, provided by Maggie Ollerenshaw. There's positives to come from the episode, but Toby's character needs a lot of work if he's going to have good episodes.
Rating: 6 out of 10
So far, season 18's had a great start. There was the occasional hit and miss, but the quality of writing is improving on season 17. I really like how they're going for variety in terms of voice actors in both the US and UK. I don't normally discuss the sets in my reviews, but like I said for Signals Crossed, Knapford Station's new look is just fantastic, I can't describe how I feel about it. It's incredible! I'm already looking forward to the next week of episodes and the week after that.
This is Zack Wanzer speaking to railfans, Bronies, Pegasisters, railfan Bronies, and railfan Pegasisters alike!
I'd like to welcome to all to The Railfan Brony Blog, where yours truly discusses everything related as possible to Thomas the Tank Engine and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
So, who am I, you ask? Well, my real name is Zack Wanzer, but you can also know me as ThomasAngryBirds (Sodor Island Forums, Dailymotion, and fanfiction.net), Shimmering Sparkles (FIMfiction), and/or MarzipanHomestar66 (DeviantArt). So yeah, I'm basically all over the place. :P
When it comes I writing, I'm headwriter for a fanfiction series called Art of a Sun's Love, and in the past, I've written The Railway Series Evolution and My Little Pony: Royals, Friends and Lovers, both currently on an indefinite hiatus. Who doesn't love writing, am I right?
On this blog, I shall be posting reviews on Thomas and My Little Pony; the episodes, movies, shorts, spin-offs, etc. Keep in mind I'll be posting them in a random order, and I may have to organize the blog posts so you won't be digging through the archives just to find a certain episode.
Well, that's all for now; keep watching the blog for more updates!
