Season 17 - Not Now, Charlie!

Pros:

-Cranky's personality

-The special truck

-Charlie doing actual work

-The ending

Cons:

-N/A

Now on to episode 10! How did this one go? Better than previous Charlie episodes. Speaking of Charlie, anyone think he has a cadbury-like livery? Charlie & the chocolate factory reference, maybe. Jokes aside (no episode pun intended), let's get on to the review, shall we?

Firstly, Charlie is now doing actual work! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, work! Finally! After all those years of just roaming aimlessly as a 'light engine', he finally does some work! Congrats to you, Brenner!

Secondly, the special truck used to transport the elephant. I was actually wondering a few days ago why the standard-gauge railway doesn't use trucks similar to the slate ones on the narrow gauge railway. Well, now that wish has been granted! It also looks like one of the old open livestock ones I saw in a picture of train formations in the early years of steam.

Thirdly, Cranky being in personality. I like his naturally 'cranky' attitude, and also him dropping his load on to the truck at the start. It's good to see his old personality back.

Lastly, I liked the ending of Charlie making a resolution not to tell any more jokes, but not being able to keep to it, unlike the majority of Season 13-16 episodes where they all laugh about nothing at the end, with engine X learning his/her lesson until the next episode.

Overall, this episode was quite good, actually, even for a Charlie episode. His change in what he does is quite good and Cranky's personality restoration was quite good.

5/5

Season 17 - The Switch

Pros:

-The engines boasting

-The Earl getting permission from the Thin Controller

-'The passengers don't like being bounced like peas in a pod'

-Mention of the 'estate' railway

Cons:

-N/A

Episode number 9. How good was it? Honestly, I don't have many opinions on this episode, it was nothing special, but it wasn't bad either. There were a few good things however.

First of all, I liked the engines boasting about their respective jobs at the quarry & the estate railway. It seems very classic series like. Even more great work by the new writers!
 

Secondly, the Earl getting permission from the Thin Controller (Mr Percival) was also very good, instead of just magically 'arranging' them switching jobs (season 9-16).

Thirdly, I liked the line 'being bounced around like peas in a frying pan'. It sounded like a reference to the first season episode, 'Thomas and Bertie', in which the narrator says at the end that Bertie's passengers 'being bounced like peas in a frying pan'. Another great reference this season!

Lastly, the mention of the railway at Ulfstead castle being an 'estate' railway. I like this as it brings even more railway terminology to the new TTTE series.

In conclusion, although the episode was nothing special, it had a few good points, but none bad. As a result, this episode is fairly decent episode, still way better than some previous ones.

4.5/5 

 

Season 17 - Luke's new Friend

Pros:

-Narrow gauge engine lamps

-CGI render of Blue Mountain

-Narrow gauge engine's voices

-Ulfstead castle

Cons:

-Weak plotline

-Brake van changing

Episode no.8. How did it go? It was quite good, better than previous episodes (e.g. 'Percy's new friends) but not enormously great. There were some things I liked, but a few bad things as well. Here they are:

Firstly, the narrow gauge engines now have lamps, matching up quite well (or at least in my opinion) with the standard gauge engines (e.g. Thomas, Duck etc.). It also enables them to have lamps at night, which look quite good. More great work by Arc!

Speaking of Arc, the CGI Blue Mountain quarry and Ulfstead castle are very good. I quite like the lighting in the Blue Mountain quarry, even if it is a bit orange-y. I also like the narrow gauge railway at Ulfstead castle, it looks very vibrant and nice.

I also like the voices of the narrow gauge engines, Skarloey and Rheneas especially, because they sound very Welsh, like the engines themselves. It fits them, being based on real Welsh steam engines (Talyllyn and Dolgoch).

But there were two bad points. For one, the storyline seems a bit weak. It just isn't that good to me. It has no real 'charm' or 'action' in it, and so can become a tad dull. The second being that when Skarloey shunts the trucks on to Luke's train, the brakevan is, at first, a white, standard-gauge one, which then disappears but then reappears again as a brown, narrow-gauge one.

In conclusion, the animation was the main high of the episode, although the storyline was a bit dull. Although having said that, it's still better than previous episodes and is also still enjoyable.

3.5/5

Season 17 - Henry's Hero

Pros:

-Duck's Return

-The Music When Henry Pushes Hiro

-The Hoppers

-Gordon & Thomas' Appearances

Cons:

-How Do Henry And Hiro Get To Ffarquhar?

-Hiro's Basis

So episode 7, now with Duck! How did it go? Quite well actually, a firm favorite, with Henry also being one of my favorite characters, the return of Duck and a lot of other things besides.

My first good point, Duck, the great-western pannier tank engine, has finally returned! Yes, fans, Duck! The most requested to return characters since his last appearance in season 12. He even has his old whistle and a voice very much suited to him! Excellent work by Brenner and his crew!

Secondly, the music when Henry pushes Hiro up Gordon's Hill. It starts out sounding heavy, imitating the load that Henry is pushing. Then later on, gets more triumphant as Henry pushes Hiro up the hill, despite having the bad coal.

Third point, the hoppers. I really like these, as it shows that Sodor is entering the modern age. The models themselves are also really detailed.

My fourth and final positive, is Gordon and Thomas seem really in-character. Gordon being disgusted at the noise and smell that Hiro is making and Thomas being cheeky, remarking that Hiro "sounds like he has his coupling rods in a twist". More great work by the new story writers!

Now on to the bad. Firstly, how did Henry and Hiro get to Ffarquhar? Ffarquhar is on Thomas' branchline, which cannot support the weight of big engines like Hiro and Henry. Personally, I think it could've been improved by either having Henry and Hiro collect the trucks from the junction at Thomas' branchline or possibly having Edward replace Hiro and James replacing Henry.

My other complaint, which, even though this isn't his debut I may as well mention, is Hiro's basis. He is definitely too big for British railways. I think he could've possibly been a 9F, but Sodor already has one and Hiro's backstory would be even weirder than it is now. Or maybe a Robinson Q4?

In conclusion, the story plot itself is good, as is the much anticipated return of Duck. Also, for all of you wondering, the main reason I like Duck's return is because Duck was (and still is) the 8th famous engine.

4.5/5

Season 17 - Steamie Stafford

Pros:

- Explanation of steam/electric

-Stafford's quiet job

Cons:

- Stafford's steam engine noises

I've run out of new openings! But anyway, how did it fare?  In my honest opinion, it seemed quite weak. Sure, the storyline seemed quite good, but it's main plot driving force (no pun intended) seemed quite bad. But first, the good.

Firstly, the explanation of steam and electric engines at the start. I liked it as it teaches children how the railways work. It's, in a way, like the explanation of track maintenance. More great work by the writing staff!

My second point is that Stafford gets a job well suited to his class. He has to be especially quiet doing this job, which is well suited to a small, electric shunting engine. Even more good points going to the new writing team!

But there was one major plot fall. Stafford's chuffing noises. Stafford's noises hardly sounded like a steam engine at all! Either Thomas and Percy were just trolling him, or they are just weird like that. If Stafford had maybe wired a drainpipe to himself (references to 'special funnel' there) and maybe trying to amplify the 'whirring' sound his motor makes (probably breaking down in the process), he just makes noises which fail on every level.

In conclusion, I think this episode could have had a good, strong plot line, but it's main driving force (again, no pun intended) let it down.

2/5

Season 17 - Calm Down, Caitlin!

 Pros:

 -Tender brakes locking on

-Vicarstown bridge and Ulfstead castle

-The flying kipper

-Henry's tunnel being named

Cons:

-Caitlin and Connor's basis's

Bit late, but anyway, how did this episode do? Quite a good episode, I liked a lot of things about it, but there was one major bug.

First, on the positive side, Caitlin's tender brakes locking on was a very nice feature. A good way to open the episode, with a bit of railway realism.

Second off, the Vicarstown bridge and Ulfstead castle settings. Very good work by arc. I liked the size of Ulfstead castle's station, with sidings assumingly placed there during the building of the station and the restoration of the castle in KOTR. Also liked Vicarstown bridge was also very good too. It looked very nice IMO.

There are also two points relating (in a way) to Henry. One, the flying kipper. It was re-introduced in season 16, however, is now been officially named in an episode! The second one is also Henry's tunnel being named. In recent seasons it hasn't been named, just referred to as 'a tunnel', but has now also been named. I like this as it gives a feeling of location and RWS references.

There was also one major bug, however, which was Connor and Caitlin's basis's. Sodor is a British railway. Connor and Caitlin are American engines! They could have easily been portrayed as the streamlined version of the LMS 'Coronation' class engines. This would have firstly, made their liveries historically accurate, as the real engines were painted in lined blue and red. It would have also have made their 'rivalry' (as seen in the KOTR trailer) with Gordon and Spencer make more sense (Gordon & Spencer being LNER built, whilst Connor & Caitlin would be LMS engines).

Overall, the general plot of the episode was actually quite good, along with the locations and reintroductions in the episode. However, I shall have to mark it down on the basis of Connor and Caitlin being the wrong types for a British railway.

4/5

Season 17 - Gordon Runs Dry

Pros:

-'Maybe you should fetch your own coaches'

-Gordon listing the stations

-Thomas, Percy and James teasing Gordon at the end

-Reason for Thomas being on the mainline

Cons:

-N/A

So now we move on to episode 4. How did this episode do? This is one of my personal favorites, actually (after 'wayward Winston'). So far I have noticed no problems with the episode. But a lot of good things about it.

First off, Thomas' cheeky remark that Gordon should 'fetch his own coaches'. It restores Thomas' personality of being a slightly cheeky, but still useful, tank engine, at the same time making yet another first season reference.

Secondly, Gordon listing off the stations. He lists the stations in the order the are on the mainline (Tidmouth, Knapford, Crosby, Wellsworth, Maron, Cronk). Even his next line 'a lake' kind of sounds like with the name of the next station on the line, Killdane. Speaking of stations, I also liked the announcement that was given when Gordon passes Maron. It makes the series that bit more realistic.

Thirdly, Thomas, Percy and James teasing Gordon at the end, instead of just laughing it off. And also Gordon learns his lesson (to be more careful looking after his boiler). This seems a lot like something (again) from the classic series, like the engines teasing Thomas about forgetting the coaches at the end of 'Thomas' train' and James about needing bootlaces at the start of 'James and the express'.

Lastly, I liked the reason they gave for Thomas working on the mainline, pulling the local, instead of Thomas just randomly pulling 'special specials' and messing them up 3 times. Also that he is now pulling Annie & Clarabel again.

Overall, this episode was actually a very good one. It's references back to the classic series are good, along with the engines each having their own jobs to do and just the general storyline overall.

5/5

Season 17 - Wayward Winston

Pros:

-Mention Of Track Maintanence

-Classic SFX

-Percy's Mention Of Needing A Driver

-Mash Of 'Old Iron' 'The Runaway' And 'Busy Going Backwards'

Cons:

-Gordon's Speed

-American crossing sounds on a British crossing

Here is episode 3! How did it fare? I actually quite liked it. It seemed to be a mash of 'old iron' (blue engine chasing a red engine) 'the runaway' (Winston rolling off on his own) and 'busy going backwards' (the near misses at the end), all classic runaway episodes.

I also liked the mention of track maintenance. It brings more railway realism to the Island of Sodor. Percy also mentions needing a driver (unlike seasons 9-16), which is also good. If I rewrite the episodes of season 17, I would probably add a 'Thomas comes to breakfast' reference somewhere in there.

Another great thing about this episode is that it uses a classic sound effect when Winston runs out of fuel. This is a welcome addition to the episode, as it shows that the new head writer (Andrew Brenner) is bringing back some of the older things. Others include Gordon, Henry and James (Scruff's makeover) and the engine's personalities are being reverted back.

I have 2 complaints about this episode, however. Firstly, Gordon's speed whilst pulling the express. It also happened in the previous episode. It happens at the end and when Gordon teases Winston. My other complaint is the American crossing sound on a British railway crossing.

Overall, I quite liked this episode. It has both it's good and bad points, but for the most part, it has a well written storyline, which is the main thing to look for in an episode.

4.5/5 

Season 17 - Scruff's Makeover

Pros:

-Gordon, Henry & James

-Details On Whiff & Scruff

-The General Story

Cons:

-Gordon's Speed

Now We Move On To Episode 2. I Liked This Episode For The Reasons I Am About To State:

Firstly, The Storyline. The Story I Find Has Quite A Nice Ring To It. There Is (Finally) No Three Strikes Formula. It Seems More Like The Classic Series To Me. So Far, This Is My Favorite Episode, But Will Probably Be Topped By Tomorrow's Episode.

Secondly, Arc Seem To Have Upped The Detail On Scruff And Whiff. They Are Now Coated With Rubbish. I Like This Because It Just Adds More To Their Models. Good Job, Arc!

Lastly, And Probably One Of My Favorite Additions To This Episode, Gordon, Henry And James Are In The Big Shed, Being Big Engines! An Addition Not Seen Since Season 2! Their Lines Suit Them Almost Perfectly, But I Honestly Thought That The Lines "Disgraceful! Disgusting! Despicable!" Would Have Been Even Better But Meh, It Can't Be Perfect.

Overall, I Really Liked This Episode Personally, My Only Nitpick Being That When Scruff Asked Gordon To Swap Jobs With Him, I Thought That Gordon Was Going A Bit Too Slow. Aside From That, I Really Like This Episode. It Feels Like Something Right From The Classic Series.

5/5

Season 17 - Kevin's Cranky Friend

Pros:

-Story Doesn't Revolve Around The Engines
-Classic Personalities
-The Line 'Sent Away In Disgrace'
Cons:
-Three Strikes Plot Line
-Thomas Being Shoe-Horned In

So, First Episode Of A New Season. How Did It Go? For Once, I Actually Quite Liked This Episode. Although The Dreaded 'Three Strikes' Being Used As The Plot Line Is Still There, This Story Is Enjoyable For Three Reasons:

Firstly, The Story Doesn't Revolve Around The Engines. This Is The First In A Few Years. Sure, There Are Engine Characters In It, But The Main Plot Revolves Around Cranky And Kevin. Speaking Of Engine Characters, I Felt That Thomas' Role Later On In The Episode Was A Bit Unnecessary. I Think That His Role Could Have Easily Been Taken By The Brendam Bay Twins, Bill & Ben.

Secondly, The Characters Seem To Have Their Classic Personalities Back. Cranky Is Back To Being Cranky. And Even Henry Seems More Like He Was In The Classic Series. Kevin, However, Has Changed. I Like His New Personality, Though. Instead Of Being Clumsy And Just Generally Playing Around, He Is Now Young And Eager To Work. The Animation On Him I Think Quite Reflected His New Personality.

And Thirdly, The Dialogue. The Lines Now Sound A Lot More Natural, Instead Of Just Having Rhyming And Alliteration Crammed Into Every Single Line. Also, The Line 'Sent Away In Disgrace' Sticks Out To Me. It Sounds Like Something Right From The Classic Series.

4/5 

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