Season 16, Episode 7 Review: Thomas and the Rubbish Train

I must admit, when I first read that this episode had been written by Andrew Viner, I was expecting it to be better than normal, for after writing the series 12 episode, Rosie’s Funfair Special, he reviled he was a fan of the Railway Series as a boy. But within the low standard Sharon Miller has for the series, today’s episode was just as terrible as usual. I don’t see why HiT hasn’t cancelled the series, and created a spin-off called Three Strikes with Thomas Time, to be shown on Channel 5 in the morning? for we wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. Yes, the railway realism of a back engine is something not seen very much in the current version of the show, despite it once of course, being considered a very normal sight in Thomas, for everyone remembers Edward and Gordon from their childhood, and both of Viner’s episodes have revolved around bankers. But I couldn’t help but think how much this episode lacked in railway realism, for once again, the engines can decide what line the points are set to, and branch lines don’t normally lead back to the Main line, and for all Thomas knew, there might have been another train coming.

 What I have noticed in the past few episodes is that the term “freight truck” seems to be what they now say in the British version of the show. We of course all know why this is, for the American voices are recorded before the British ones, as part of caring more for the American market, and in the American Thomas, the troublesome trucks have always been referred to as freight cars. But why don’t the engines in the CGI series, just say car, for you can easily say truck over it, and why can’t Angelis just say truck? When I hear them say freight truck being said in the British version of the show, I’m made all the more aware that the series is now written with the American audience first in mind.

As normal, the CGI in today’s episode was brilliant, it’s such a shame that because of the controlling forces, a writer who grew up with Awdry’s original stories, and an animation team dedicated to all things Thomas, can’t together, give their full potential, and I’m sure many fans will agree with me in that, but there maybe a chance that in the better written future series, we can have another script from Mr. Viner, and if not, like the team at Nitrogen, I wish him all the best with whatever he does next.

Thanks of reading as normal,

Jacob