First off, I've been meaning to create a blog for a while now, and I've finally gotten around to doing so. Part of the deterrent for me is that I'm good at writing what I think. So forgive me if ever I lose you in my ramblings, but that's part of the way I work.
Secondly,
An apparently compulsory disclaimer that has to say something along the lines of the content of this post being the opinions of the author and of no other third party, as well as ensuring all that I do not represent the entire fanbase. All images used are done so under the fair use rule and no profit is made from this post (to my knowledge anyway- Google probably will from ads or something... but I digress.)
Thirdly. Some, if not all, reviews will contain spoilers. You have been warned.
So, with that done and dusted, lets have a look see shall we...
First off, this is the first time since series 11 I believe that episodes previously unaired have been released to DVD. (For series 11, it was Engines and Escapades, or at least it was here in the UK- I can't say I follow the DVDs much so forgive me if I'm wrong.)
This particular DVD also heralds a new era for the Thomas and Friends franchise. A new head writer in the form of Andrew Brenner, as well as some old ones returning too, have arrived on the scene, and much to everyone's surprise, a new narrator too! Mark Moraghan has replaced both Brandon and Angellis as storyteller.
I have heard much praise for him, which I can fully understand- and agree with! Although Angellis will certainly be missed, it is nice I think to hear a fresh voice. Angellis in particular has been going for so many years now he deserves a rest, and Brandon... well.... I don't think I need to say much- I never saw many US episodes, but his voice certainly didn't suit the show in my eyes... or ears even.
Mark's narration is fresh, enthusiastic (although perhaps a little too much so in places- more later) bust most of all, is clear and varies. When Brosnan took on The Great Discovery, I felt his vocal talents were somewhat limited, and it seemed he had trouble putting on a variety of voices for the characters. What he did was good, but not great. I'd say his voice is more suited to a documentary than narration of a children's show, but I commend him for his efforts nonetheless. Moraghan is a welcome change, and to me sounds so similar at times to Angellis, which is for me is wonderful.
The cover of the DVD is somewhat misleading. In none of the episodes is there splashing mud- perhaps a more suitable cover would have been Winston racing past Thomas, or a gleaming Scruff, but nonetheless, it appeals to its target audience. The title would also suggest that there are engines (like Diesel for example (BTW- who will be voicing him in the US now with Brandon gone? Or has he just stepped down as narrator? Answers on a postcard please!)) causing trouble, playing and tricks and the like- in none of the episodes or the engines really being mischievous. A minor, but nevertheless important, nitpick.
So, on to the episodes............
STEAMIE STAFFORD
There is an excellent idea lying behind this story. There really is. One this I always associate with railways is sound; without this there's no thrill for me, so Stafford realising how quiet he is, and the glee that people get from the sound of a steam engine and ergo wanting to mimic this is an interesting concept.
The opening shots are visual interesting. The pan down across Rosie, the camera behind James at the Docks (something reminiscent of the model series there to me- bonus points) and that travelling shot alongside Thomas (who, in case anyone hasn't noticed, is moving faster along the rails than his wheels are actually turning!) I'll be picky here and say the coal loaded into his bunker is too smooth and clean, and doesn't sound like coal to me, but that too is an interesting shot. The writing for this piece too is great for younger viewers, with a little reminder of the workings of steam engines- very nice indeed. The comparison to Stafford too is nice. What's so good about the openings to these episodes is they aren't constantly reminding you that you are on Sodor, it's a lovely day and that there are 'Special Specials' to be done.
Something about this shot though just doesn't appeal to me. It looks too 'video game' to me, when you compare it to the quality of Nitrogen's. I really cannot pinpoint what is with the quality itself, but I think its textures. Everything looks to smooth. If ever I work it out, you'll read it here on this blog.
A goof, a goof, I see a goof. Thomas just overtook Stafford on the mainline, but when Stafford reaches the yard, Thomas is shunting. This to me is an excellent example of the blue characters shoehorning- It could have Toby, Duck, Rosie or any other engine on the main line or in the yard, but it had to be Thomas for both. I know the show is 'Thomas and Friends' but we need to see more of the friends I feel, and allow them chances to fill roles such as these. We know Thomas is there, we know he is useful, lets show someone else on that track.
Back to the episode, my overall opinions is that what happens is just too... silly. Stafford going around making noises like a steam train only makes me feel sorry for his voice actor. He could have tried to develop his own sound perhaps (he makes a nice whirring sound as he travels- perhaps he could have attempted to amplify that?) which proves unappealing? The noises he makes don't make him sound anything like a steam engine.
The sheep running away when he 'wheeshes' I find hard to believe. They live next to a railway with steam engines running past at regular intervals. Over time, livestock adjusts to the sounds and become comfortable with them. Sheep have never previously had trouble with noisy steam engines (Chickens to school, Cows etc etc...) Nonetheless, the Wooly Jumpers (Kangaroo Sheep in other words) spring away and Farmer McColl chases after them, and somehow ends up going the wrong way despite watching them run.
Stafford realises he's done wrong and in the quietness hears the sheep who have teleported a few miles up the line. He speaks to farmer McColl who climbs on board with his dog (that makes a rather unnatural leap into Stafford's cab) and they go and get the sheep. I have to insist that health and safety pay a visit- a dog on the flat of the brake van- very dangerous, as is McColl leaning out of the side without a gate across the side. (NB- brake vans like this should have, if not a full gate, a metal bar at about waist height across the side of the veranda.)
All in all, it's not a terrible episode. It's certainly a lot better than all episodes from Series 13 through 16. I do love some of the angles utilised, and some of the sound effects are great too. When Henry arrives and stops at the docks, there's something very reminiscent of the Ted Robbins-narrated stories on audio cassettes of the braking sound. The brake van on Stafford's train is very much like those seen in the early series to.
Look similar at all?
The episode is just missing some 'Oompf.' Something to add rewatch value. It's all round pretty good. Just not great.
5/10
KEVIN'S CRANKY FRIEND
Perhaps my least favourite of the lot, and yet everyone seems to like it. Please explain why you do, but to me, if this had been written by a certain writer we all love to loathe, it'd be a different story.
In case you haven't guessed, it's a three strike story. Kevin is sent to help at the docks. Cranky insists he doesn't need help. He drops something, Kevin picks it up, and Cranky insists again he doesn't need help. He then drops another thing. Again, Kevin picks up, only to be told by Cranky he still needs no help. Cranky drops a THIRD thing, which leads to the impending 'climax' of the episode whereby Kevin falls in the sea. (Anyone else notice no driver jumps clear? Of course not- drivers aren't need for cranes.) The way Kevin falls in makes it seem like he jumped in if you look closely at it. The panic of Salty and (surprise surprise) Thomas when Kevin does fall in is nice. Kevin's pleading seems a bit unnatural.
I really didn't enjoy this episode. Yes, it was nice to see the two cranes meet. Yes the direction was great. But no, the story was not. I'm sorry, but I just don't like it. Three strikes I'd hope was gone.
Kevin means well, but I don't like the way he goes about bouncing off things. He's also pretty annoying but that's part of his character I guess.
One small thing I have spotted- very similar to Cranky Bugs with the 'I thought I didn't need help' ending.
3/10
SCRUFF'S MAKEOVER
One thing that has appealed to me about these episodes is that previously under-developed characters, like Stafford and (let's face it) Kevin, have come to the foreground. This is what I mean by we need to see more of the friends than of Thomas (who again appears in this episode.)
In this episode, Scruff takes on James' persona, the only difference being he learns at the end that his paintwork isn't that important. I like him changing, the fact he snubs Whiff when he returns to the dump, but then that could easily been done with any character. There's something about the way Scruff does it though that just seems different.
There's an excellent reference to the classic series again here with the three big engines in the shed being... well, lets face it, big engines...
Trouble in the sheds!
But, little things like this don't automatically make an episode great (take note those who claim Stuck On You was the best because Butch got to speak.) It's the story.
Ok. I don't hate this. But at the same time I don't love it. It's better than Kevin's Cranky Friend. And still miles better than episodes of the CGI era so far. But again, there's nothing special about it. Scruff goes off and tries to do other work (three other jobs to be precise. I want to but won't comment as you already can see that I'm referring to the three strike formula here... whoops!) before coming back to the dump. Interesting twist here- he doesn't go 'I thought I was better than this' or wording similar, but gets to work, has rubbish dumped on him and then realises that actually, this is what he loves! If you're going to have the three strikes, end it like this. It doesn't cram a moral down your throat so obviously.
All in all. Good. Pretty good.
6/10
WAYWARD WINSTON
Winston hadn't appealed to me up to this point. He didn't really serve a point in Blue Mountain Mystery, and his episode in Series 16 (I forget the name it was that bad) did no better. He seemed to be introduced for a little bit of comedy, the merchandising benefits and to carry the controller about to his random popping-ups. In this episode, we see him fulfilling his purpose- a track inspection vehicle. Ok, Sir Toppham Hatt can't drive him (and I can see that getting very old very fast) but nonetheless he is out and about at rail-works (which have (unnaturally flapping) warning flags up!) doing what he should be doing.
So, we start off with some bumpy track (no long intro- a quick bit saying tracks should be maintained and we're in to the episode) that Henry bounces along (Goof- in his close up his front bogey wheels aren't bouncing separately to his frames and driving wheels) followed by Percy and then.... oh boy.... Thomas. The trackwork gets commissioned and the next scene is the... four?... workmen hard at work.... hitting... rails... A bit more research onto proper rail works would make this scene visually stunning!
After a brief check, Hatt and Winston move on, and Henry overtakes (somehow on the track that is being repaired...) who, with Gordon, makes fun of Winston, despite it being Toppham's driving causing the stop-start (though I doubt they'd dare make fun of their controller!)
Next day, the same checks but Winston's brake is left off by Sir Toppham (who you would think after years of driving a car would remember this important feature, but I digress.)
Winston rolls off, fulfilling his dream of going driverless (Thomas Comes to Breakfast and Busy Going Backwards anyone?) He tears down a two track hill and off into the distance. Back at the top of the hill, (where there are three tracks) Sir Toppham ignores safety and runs right across the main line and almost in front of a moving train (Thomas... again...) and then the chase begins.
Now, up to this point, it was pretty good (bar the safety thing just mentioned and the two/three track hill). The chase happened. And credit where credit is due, that was pretty entertaining. A little higgildy piggildy for my liking but nonetheless great entertainment value and good to see some urgency about something so dangerous. There were some excellent camera angles to, especially a round pan/track over Thomas crossing the bridge over Windston. The only irk would be Thomas being dragged off his job to run amok, and his ability to, in the space of a hill with no points in sight, go from the furthest line to Winston to the same line as Winston. Good thing he did though or he'd have collided with Emily at Wellsworth... (I know a few that wouldn't have minded that.) The crossing gates should have either already been open for Bertie and closed with the approaching trains, or been closed and stayed closed. But where would the fun have been in that?
I doubt Winston could have gone on for so long as he did, but that's a small thing in all fairness. If he was rolling though, as implied when he started off, running out of fuel wouldn't have affected him (not that running out of fuel would anyway.) Nonetheless, a very angry Top Hatt confronts him about doing something so dangerous, but graciously accepts his share of the blame which was also a welcome change to the sole-blame scenarios of past.
The episode ends with about 3 or 4 trains on the same line. Tut tut.
Overall. I like this episode. I was uncertain at first. But it's grown on me. I'd happily watch this a few times over as the it's a good fun episode!
I do wonder how long Bertie waited before he gave up and went on after his pointless cameo at the crossing...?
7/10
GORDON RUNS DRY
You have no idea how excited I am to write my thoughts on this. I've saved the best for last. (Though some readers may disagree, have gotten bored by now blah blah.)
This episode stands out by miles to the other 4. This is my favourite episode of the 5.
'The Local...' Now THERE'S something we've not heard in the show before. A station announcer too? Andrew Brenner, welcome to the show.
We open with... Thomas... Actually, he seems to fit this little role- cheeky, but defensive of his job- well done Brenner, you included the little engine in a role worth his presence.
At Knapford, Percy shunts Gordon's coaches (have all our Christmas'... sorry, 'Winter Holidays'... come at once?) which has a lovely classic feel to it.
A little goof again- with Paxton and Gordon approaching the same spot, Paxton's signal should already have been at danger. A small rewrite might have had Paxton in a hurry and unable to see the signal at danger until he rounded the bend. Nitpicky but would make a difference.
Some nice station names referred to, and then we get this lovely shot...
Which reminds me in so many ways, of this one...
Ok. Some of the writing here is a bit 'dummed down' (They thought it was a fast train, not a slow train...) and the three strikes is here (three water towers, but he does actually fill up than pass the chance too two times) but the overall feel of the episode is greater than anything Ms. Miller gave us. And rather strangely, the animation looks better too. I'm sure this received better visuals than the others...
Gordon takes on water twice, before feeling he letting his passengers down- being an express he should be going non stop, so decides he should try and honour this by passing a third stop. But as he continues, he finds that was bad mistake and has to stop. I mentioned earlier about the narrator being a little too enthusiastic. This part is my prime example- when Moraghan says 'he couldn't turn his wheels at all', he just seems to enthused by the occurance, and I can't help but think 'It's almost as if he's happy Gordon has broken down........'
For this episode there's also again no 'I thought I could go for a stop without water' speech forced in, Gordon is simply just discovered by Thomas. Gordon is none-the-wiser of the cause of his problem until Thomas mentions the water and a potential leak. Gordon realises he's made a mistake and is now suffering because of it.
He has to suffer the 'humiliation' (in his eyes anyway) of being shunted to the steamworks by Paxton to be repaired, and is teased for it for some time afterwards.
The ending is such a welcome change- it has been years since we received an ending that didn't involve 'everyone laughing' or 'The engine in question smiled having allegedly learnt their lesson.' We actually see an engine being teased for a silly mistake, and learning from this.
9/10
Final Thoughts
Thomas and Friends is taking leaps and bounds in the right direction. Good, entertaining episodes that aren't repetitive of one another, some railway terms and realism introduced once more, there's so much potential for the series now. Although these episodes aren't fantastic classic series quality material, they are so much better than that of Series 13 through 16, and I am genuinely excited for the first time in years about seeing more episodes. There's still some tweaks to make to the writing I think, but not very much. I just hope we can lose the three strikes formula for good soon.
I do tend to pick up on the negatives of episodes more than the positives, but that's mostly down to the Media course I'm on pretty much 'brainwashing' me into doing so about pretty much everything. If there's a positive worth mentioning, I'll mention it.
Thomas and Friends is finally back, and the future certainly looks bright once more.
Until next time, keep smiling. (Unless you're sad, in which case, perk up.)
TRI
