Thomas The Tank Engine: OK, before anyone starts wondering why am I even reviewing this show? Well, there are two reasons

Reason number 1. I just want to because it’s a childhood show I grew up watching, and I have a soft spot for it…I still remember this show vividly

Reason number 2. I have a specific point to bring up at the end of this review….it involves reboots and my stance on it, yall will see what I mean later

Also for this review, I’ll specifically be talking about 6 specific episodes that scared me…why? Because why not? Plus each episode is short it’s 4 and a half minutes long…also I’ll be putting a link to each episode in this review as well…

Without further a due let’s get into the review shall we? But firstly, the iconic opening Thomas and Friends theme

God, I cannot tell u how much feels this theme brings back to me…so many memories, so without further due let’s get into the few specific episodes we will be talking about today….shall we?

Duncan Gets Spooked:

So in this episode titled Duncan Gets Spooked, 2 trains named Peter Sam and Rusty help put each other, one day Rusty helps push Peter Sam to a water pump to get refreshed, and all of a sudden the Carts decide let’s snap away and drive off, so they do that but they end up riding over the old iron bridge which causes them to tumble sideways into the swamps below….uh oh, so since Sir Topham Hatt (or as he’s known in some countries the Fat Controller) is now mad at Peter Sam, he has his work in the yards until he can trust him again….which Duncan had something to say and seemed delighted about Peter Sam’s Dilemma

Duncan: Fancy not securing ur freight cars on a hill, they will come back to spook u and ur special  funnel (oooooo)

Rusty: and who’s to say ur not afraid of ghosts (snapped Rusty)

Duncan: ghosts? Things that go bump into the night? Rubbish

Rusty: well I’ll tell u a story that will make ur funnel quiver (Rusty said)

“A long time ago a little engine was returning home, it was a misty moonlit night, suddenly the engine lost control and plunged over the side into the swamps below, he was never found again. But many workmen will tell u when the moon is full, they have seen the little engine trying to get home, but he never reaches the other side”

Ok also as a kid this scene gave me nightmares

So of course Duncan isn’t Spooked, and he calls Rusty’s story rubbish…so Rusty says nevermind him Peter Sam he’d be frightened if he saw a ghost….

Unfortunately, this gives Peter Sam’s driver an idea, he tells Duncan’s driver let’s play a trick on Duncan…and that they will do it tonight…ohhhh I wonder what this trick will be…also really come on? Why play a trick on ur train that is working hard for u? Anyways so they go drop the coal off at the coal mind but they have to cross the haunted bridge…I love Duncan’s response “Haunted bridge? Rubbish (said Duncan) It’s as tame as a pet rabbit”

So they drop off the coal and head back home, at night, over the old iron bridge…which the fog does start to come out…..when Duncan gets onto the bridge there ahead he sees some flickering lights “his driver knew they were only insects that shine brightly at night, but to Duncan, they looked like an engine, then his driver secretly tosses a rock from the cab into the ravine bellow”

Duncan: it’s the ghost! Take me back (drives backwards) take me back plz! (When Duncan reaches the safety of his shed he closes his eyes tightly)

Driver: Spooked are u Duncan? (laughed his driver)

Duncan: nooo I’m asleep (but Duncan refused to open his eyes, he did though while the driver wasn’t looking. Just to make sure he was still there, woo)

Honestly, this episode creeped me out as a kid, the Haunting music, the eerie imagery…the fact a train died oh, and a ghost, also here’s the episode itself

I enjoyed this episode so overall I’ll give this episode a solid 9/10

Boulder:

So in this episode, the workers on the island of Sodor, are mining through a mountain to build a new query, but above them on the top of the mountain lies a mysterious boulder…. Rusty is under the impression that the Boulder is alive, yes that is a sentence I said….so while everyone is working away, Rusty is just gazing up at the Boulder, being like something strange about this Boulder…..

Anyways Rusty brings Carts of rocks back to their shelter

Percy: where’s all this rock coming from? (Percy asked)

Rusty: the new query (replied Rusty), this mountain rocks is good for many things, but it’s dangerous up there.

Thomas: why? (Asked Thomas)

Rusty: because of a big Boulder, I think it’s watching me.

Percy: how can it be Boulders don’t have eyes?

Rusty: well Percy, there’s something strange about this one.

Yeah if y’all can’t tell Rusty is worried and paranoid, also just then Edward comes in with a new machine for the query, named Thumper…it’s gonna be used to dig through the mountain quicker…so thumper gets to work and works away faster and Hader then ever…..later that day the rain comes out so everyone heads back, except Rusty who’s staring up at Boulder all worryingly…then a giant piece of slab of rock falls in front of them on the rails, Rusty was shocked

Rusty’s driver: (the driver was concerned) We best leave till the weather is better, the rain loosens some of these rocks.

Rusty: I think it’s Boulder wanting us to go away.

So they ride away and we see Boulder, who now has a human face appear on the Boulder…with a frown look, ok that scene creeped me out as a kid…I had nightmares for years, I wish I was kidding…but that frowning Boulder face gave me nightmares

Anyway, the next day the sun comes up, and Thumper is working harder than ever…then suddenly Rusty notices something…

Rusty: Boulders moving!

Driver: don’t be so daft, it can’t (said the driver) (but it could)

Ok hold up has anyone realized that the drivers in this Thomas universe are kinda what’s the word, harsh….oh yes call ur trains u order around “Daft”…..don’t be so Daft!! Lolo

So the Boulder chases Rusty down the railroad….they move aside for the Boulder to pass by them, but somehow it appears behind them…the hell? What does this Boulder have Teleportation abilities? Alright then lol….so Boulder eventually passes by Rusty when they drive onto a second rail, then ahead Skarloey is making his way up the path with some Carts but there’s Boulder…so he rides backward and screams help!!….so he accidentally drives into a wooden shed off road and he says we must warn the yards! (Shouted Skarloey

Rusty: yes but how?! (Replied Rusty)

Boulder a bend and there ahead was Reneus….so he rides backward into a pile of dirt off the road, past the old iron bridge…Boulder passes by, and Reneus’s driver says, better a smash than a squash….. ah doy really? u don’t say? Also, why does that line sound like a laugh track is supposed to appear at the end of that line?

Anyways Boulder makes its way to the shelter where Percy notices it and says oh no he’s headed straight towards me! But Boulder misses and hits the 2 other sheds which somehow sets the buildings on fire..What the hell were in those sheds? Anyway Sir Topham Hatt inspects the damage and he says we should have left this part of the island alone…..wow no shite Sherlock, what made u come up to that conclusion?

anyways the final piece of dialog this show ends on is from the narrator…here’s the dialog (they moved Boulder to a hill close by the yards, Rusty is sure that on a clear night, it is gazing up at the mountain, and that it’s sighhs are being cared on the wind. To where it used to stand proud and silent, I wonder if Rusty is right. Don’t u?)

Here’s the episode

Overall I’d say solid creepy episode, the face that Boulder had gave me goosebumps as a kid, plus nightmares…sleep well children, so Overall I’ll give this episode a solid 10/10

Toby Meets an Old Warrior: so in this episode, Sir Topham Hatt and his grandchildren are exploring the island…they take Toby to the beach where the 2 kids build a sand castle…Sir Topham Hatt asks if there’s a castle on this island they saw, And they say most certainly and they point to a map of the area…so they head there, on the way they find a lonely single box…. the guy asks where are u going? What Sir Topham Hatt says to the old castle…

The guy says I know the place Sir, there’s a small junction not too far ahead. Just switch the points…so they get to the junction, they switch the lever and head down the right way….they eventually find another junction with 2 signs…one that says to the castle and the other sign saying to the mine…so they go to the castle first, Sir Topham Hatt seems pleased by the castle so then they head to the mine…and here’s where things get eerie…it’s all abandoned, everything is a mess plus we see 1 or 2 dead trains….yes 2 dead trains…

So that’s the equivalent of a place that was abandoned and we visited it but the place has skeletons of human remains….who thought this was the right thing to add to a kid’s show? This is dark….so anyway this place pleases Sir Topham Hatt a lot…why of course It does…so he gets onto repairing both the castle and the mines…he was happy to get out of there

Sir Topham Hatt: I’m sure the castle and mines will make a fine place for visitors, but it will take some hard work first

Toby: eh eh yes sir (said Toby nervously)

Soon Sir Topham Hatt Plana got put into action but Toby still is worried

Toby: I’m sure this place is Haunted (he thought)

Toby’s driver: it’s our turn to stay here on guard tonight Toby

Toby: eh eh eh yes why not (stuttered Toby)

Thomas: beware the ghost (Thomas said)

Toby: what ghost!? (Toby replied)

Thomas: the old Warrior ghost, every night he lights his fire and goes hunting (toot toot goodbye)

Ok is it just me or do the trains seem to like taunting one another lolo, so anyway night came with fog, and Toby loomed anxiously around…everything seemed rather spooky, just a sudden he heard a strange wheezing sound..

Toby: it’s the ghost!!

Toby’s driver: what ghost? (His driver replied)

Toby: the old Warrior ghost, he’s come to hunt me down

Toby’s driver: don’t be so daft, we’ll go and investigate

Ok, seriously what’s with people in this universe calling their trains daft? Anyways Toby’s driver return

Toby’s driver: (Chuckles) the old Warrior wants to see u

Toby: can’t it wait till morning?

Toby’s driver: ghosts don’t work day shifts

Then they take him over there where turns out it’s not a ghost, it’s an old train named Bertram…..so Toby and Bertram became friends, they would take people to the castle and the mines if there any ghosts here they certainly help makes the place very happy…..says the narrator at the end of this episode…

Here’s the episode…

Overall yep this is another spooky episode, so I’ll give this episode a solid 10/10

Now let’s review 2 more episodes and call it A Day…

Stepney gets Spooked: in this episode, Stepney is having a wonderful day, and he’s working hard…then comes night he has to drop off some Cole for the workmen before he heads home…..before he leaves his train friends say take it easy…which Stepany says I will and thank u again for showing me a wonderful day…and his friends say stay safe it gets spooky at this time of night, and Stepney says I will thanks…and he heads out…

On the way back home the fog comes out…..he doesn’t realize that the junction has been switched so he accidentally goes down the wrong railroad….home here we come he says….then they find themselves in an unknown area with tons of fog…

Driver: we best wait here till the fog clears up

Stepney: what is that strange sound?

Narrator: suddenly the fog goes away

Stepney: oh no we’re in the scrap yard!

Ok firstly let’s talk about the elephant in the room, holy shite this is dark…I mean the scrap yard? That has these piles of dead rusted trains just scattered around……while a living train is witnessing their dead carcasses…..hmm how pleasant, just what I think when I am thinking about a kid’s show, a sentient train witnessing train carcasses….hmmm lovely, what’s next? Are we gonna have a kids show that focuses on a stalker? I’m sure that be so fun for the kids lolo…

Oh wait a min that’s already a thing, in the UK they have a kids character named Mr. Nosybonk…..

Hope u enjoy that face because it might haunt u for a while…God Britain is such an odd place…

Anyways his drivers leave to go get help, which leaves Stepney all alone, just then 2 bully diesels come and drag him into the scrap room they tell him he will make fine scrap indeed, and bye bye Stepney….then they leave him….hmmm attempted murder in a kids show, how delightful…anyways as the crane comes down, and gets closer to Stepney…the crane stops…there stood Sir Topham Hatt

Sir Topham Hatt: it’s a good thing I was visiting this yard tonight. Saving u is becoming a habit Stepney, plz stop it

Stepney: yes sir, but I have learned something

Sir Topham Hatt: what’s that?

Stepney: there’s no place like home

Sir Topham Hatt: and that’s exactly where u will be going now

Stepney: bluebells forever

Also, does anyone find it disgusting that Sir Topham Hatt blamed this situation on Stepney?

Here’s the episode I hope y’all enjoy…

Anyway overall I enjoyed the episode, it’s not my favorite out of the ones I’m reviewing today, do overall I’ll give this episode a solid 7/10

Henry and The Haunted Station:

So in this episode on this night when an owl is hooting,  Henry is about to head out…his friend Edward says “Whenever that owl hoots, a mist rolls around (murmured Edward) they’re a legend that when the mists about, there’s a ghost about to. Take care while on the old line Henry.

Henry: ehh stupid bird (said, Henry)

So he and his driver head out through the woods, and Henry makes a Snarky remark about Edward’s story….” owls, mists, ghosts. Edward is going soft at the bowler, there’s no mist….but as he says that the mist comes in heavily, they eventually see a light and he asks what’s that? Henry’s driver says it’s an amber lamp, which means proceed with caution…

Henry’s driver: who’s there? (No one replied)

So Henry crept slowly forward, he stopped by a tree that had an old sign on it that read out “Beware of the viaduct”….which baffled Henry’s driver because no one warned them…just then the driver noticed something

Henry’s driver: and look the signal is red, and the gates are closed and ah there’s a fireman’s coat hanging on a tree, but where’s it’s owner?

Just then they notice a light moving in the station building….

Henry: g-g-g ghosts! (exclaimed Henry) Edward was right!

Henry’s driver: something very strange is happening (said his driver) I think it’s best we go back

Henry: so do I! (Agreed Henry)

Yeah, aren’t y’all Spooked yet? Because I sure was back when I was a kid……anyways so now it’s the next day his driver talks to a fireman about the viaduct, eventually, Henry gets told it’s been repaired (spoiler alert it hasn’t been) so that night they have to go back down that same path…..which makes Henry not happy, yeah understandable

Anyways that night Henry has the frate cars in front ready to push them….just then Gordon flies on by….

Frate cars: oh look, Henry is Spooked (they all start laughing)

Henry: pfft I am not scared (but he was)

So they head out and soon the fog picks up. The red light turns on and the driver says to keep it slow……just ahead without Henry’s notice the gates close, (faster, faster Shouted the frate cars)

All of a sudden they break through the closed gates, and their mysterious figure stares at them from the distance…just ahead a landslide blocks the line…Henry breaks hard, but the frate cars hit some of the rubble and plunge into the raven…… oh just then Henry’s driver says a mysterious figurehead towards them…..(who’s that said Henry’s driver?) (That’s our ghost his name is old Bailey the fog man) old Bailey was very crossed……old Bailey says he tried warning them about the viaduct, why didn’t they pay attention!?

Henry’s driver apologizes and says how can we thank u?… old Bailey says I’d like to power that old station, If u let me I promise I won’t spook Henry again….. in a little while old Bailey’s wish is granted

Sir Topham Hatt: u and ur station will be very useful (said Sir Topham Hatt) let’s hear a hardy thank u to the eh friendliest ghost on the island….

Really Sir Topham Hatt is that how ur gonna end that statement? With a pun? Sigh anyways here’s the full episode

Overall I surprisingly liked this episode, I do like how are the end of these episodes there’s always some sorta moral message at the end of the episodes…that’s very wholesome, so Overall gonna give this episode a solid 9/10

So before we finish the review, I want to end by mentioning some things I noticed, like one major thing, that I’m surprised many people didn’t notice before…I think Sir Topham Hatt is an enslaver…..think about it: the guy forces these sentient trains to work days on end for him and his people…..but if they do anything that steps out of line, then there’s some sort of punishment….most of those punishments being a bit extreme if you ask me…..ehh oh well it’s a kids show right?

So, with that out of the way, I want to bring up the primary thing I wanted to talk about….so sometime down the line, this company called Mattel brought the rights to Thomas The Tank Engine and Bob The Builder….then they decided to reboot the franchise via doing fully animated TV series….why yall may be wondering? Yeah, me too…but one thing is for sure: The majority of the fan base was mad at the CGI look of the characters and scenery…

Yeah, this really pissed off the fan base. I can understand why…..heck I’m pissed as well. We grew up with the iconic stop motion Thomas. So, to see it be changed to CGI should be a crime.

But I digress. Also they dumbed down the show even more, so now the show’s humor is like aimed at ages dead to one….I wish that I was remotely kidding when I say that… Anyway I want to close off this review by sharing two Thomas The Tank Engine-related videos made by two YouTubers…I think yall will get a kick out of their videos…

“Henry slept with my wife (dunn)”

“James murdered my dog (dunn)”

“Thomas has cholera (dunn)”

Hahahahahahh sorry I just had to, those were my favorite lines in this video….

Anyways, here we have an extremely funny YouTuber named Caddicarus…I highly recommend his channel, the guy is extremely funny…it’s hard for me to describe the tone of his YouTube videos are like the best way I can compare it to is he’s very much like a real-world cartoon….yeah does that give yall an idea? But seriously I recommend this YouTuber….

Also another thing I really love about this YouTuber is he does quality over quantity…so he takes his time on his videos, sometimes it will take 4 to 5 months to make the next video……again quality over quantity, I mean the guy has to edit his videos a lot…make it funny, make it watchable/enjoyable……

Then there’s this video

This guy describes how the world of Sodor is a lot darker than we think, this guy’s channel name is TomSka & Friends….I also recommend this video….he goes a bit more deeper than I did, into how the world of Sodor is darker than we think….

Overall this show is so nostalgic, I remember my times watching this show as a kid and being scared of it as well…. there are a ton of good messages Thomas The Tank Engine subtly tells the audience….huh subtle, which is a thing most modern kid shows lack in these days….

Anyways hope yall enjoyed this review, plz share it around with people u know and plz stay tuned next time because I’ll be doing more reviews on classic kid shows I grew up on….thanks.