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Post by Thomascel on Mar 20, 2019 19:31:06 GMT
I've sort of typed my thoughts as time went by in the episode:
One of Hartshorne's/Welch's best scores at the opening of the episode
Really miss the Waterton sets, such a shame we never got to see more of them. There were quite a few nice sets constructed that we only got to see in Series 12, all seems such a waste. Although, there is something about the Model/CGI hybrid that doesn't feel right. I think either full live action or full CGI works best.
As do I miss the Jack and the Pack episodes.
Angelis seems to have toned down his TFC voice, I can recall him doing this for much of Series 12. Perhaps due to the lip syncing?
That said, I just feel that we've seen the formula for this episode so many times, not just from Series 8 - 16, but quite a few times since then. It's got to the point where this has been discussed so much that there really isn't much more to say. Why couldn't we have had something better story wise for our last model Series?
I do wonder whether this Woods set (which I think was made new for Series 12) is actually what the 'Whispering Woods' set in Series 13 - 16 is based off
Seeing the model series in its most recent form has made me realise just how much I miss the previously uncrowded, idyllic setting of Sodor.
The small child with ginger hair and a blue t shirt clearly hasn't aged at all over the past eleven years
I forgot just how many times that Brass Band theme used to play at the end of each episode in the HiT Era
May I recommend Mike's Whistle? I've always thought the timing of the release of the Arlesdale Episodes in 2017 was quite significant. At the time they received high praise, but very shortly after the Big World Big Adventures format was revealed, which (perhaps I'm exaggerating a little here) sort of sent shockwaves through the fandom. So because of that, I'm not sure whether these episodes were properly digested. Will be interesting to see what the view of it is two years on.
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Post by Darkknight55 on Mar 21, 2019 16:16:14 GMT
A great episode, I do say so myself. I'm not sure whose idea it was to adapt these stories, but they deserve a raise. The CGI really brings the stories to life. I find it a nice touch that its The Small Controller (mentioned by his first name for the first time in either The Railway Series or the Television Series) facilitating the change instead of the driver like in the book, since he would be the only person capable of changing the timetables. I also find the reactions of the passengers to Mike's predicament funny. They don't care about Mike being able to work properly, they just want to get home, even being Mike's whistle themselves. The only complaint I have is that Mike didn't get any comeuppance in the end like he did in the original story. Sure, he was only being so cross because of Bert and Rex's teasing, but he did cause more harm than good. Oh well, a good episode nonetheless. Following on this, I recommend Faulty Whistles. Being the closest thing we got for an adaption of the Small Railway stories for 15 years, I think it doesn't quite get the recognition it deserves.
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Post by Larger Seagullane on Aug 23, 2019 17:07:11 GMT
Watching the first scenes, I sometimes take for granted the occasional use of stop motion in the classic era. I'm also reminded of the shortcomings of having a single narrator instead of voice actors. Neither Michael Angelis nor Alec Baldwin really could set the atmosphere for their story with their narration styles.
However, the use of the organ does allow for showcasing Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell's themes which are simply amazing. I love how they use "She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain" as it makes for a very catchy soundtrack to the episode.
Season 6 was admittedly never my favorite season and I can see why again now. It really for me missed the personality of previous seasons where character dialogue could still be rather fun.
Still, the episode is beautiful aesthetically insofar as sound and look are concerned. I would still however take "Mike's Whistle" anyday because I find it much more breathtaking.
Hm... Thomas to the Rescue? (I think that's the one with Thomas and Diesel at the quarry in season 8).
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Post by Old Square Wheels on Sept 17, 2019 10:27:28 GMT
For a lot of fans (self-included), this was their first introduction to the new format, as it was the first episode on the sneak peak DVD released in May 2004. So there's definitely that nostalgia factor to it, and clearly others feel the same as it's one I often see pop up in 'Best of Series 8' polls.
That said, I can’t quite see the appeal when I watch it nowadays. Story wise, I think it hits all the right buttons in terms of a true Thomas story; focusses on real railway work, conflict between steam and diesel, and I admire the way the writers link railway realism into the main incident (water leaking into the fuel tanks). But it's a bit hard to sit through at times; the end really begins to drag, watching Thomas taking a trip round the Island and deliver fuel to all the diesels one by one.
The fact Thomas worries about being scrapped after one (rather basically worded) comment felt a bit too over the top, but I suppose it's just a bitter pill to swallow from someone who grew up with the classics; the new series was a reinvention of the series after all. Plus, life is like that; one hurtful comment can affect people more than we realise. I can identify with that quite a bit, often over-analysing the most inoffensive of comments. The scenes of Thomas worrying at night hit the heart strings a bit. Though it would've been nice to see Diesel called out on his lies, maybe by Mavis or The Fat Controller. As I said, would've added more meat to the story than Thomas delivering the fuel one by one.
And of course, the episode is often credited as being the one that introduced 'steamie' into the show's lexicon, which doesn't earn it any points.
So yes, it's about typical of Series 8 stories really - decent storyline, though the new format makes it feel rather dull and elongated. _____
Well, seeing that the Series 20 DVD has been released now I think it's one we can revisit for these reviews now. I'll go for one I enjoyed a lot more second time around - SKIFF AND THE MERMAID
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Post by Chris on Nov 4, 2019 13:36:11 GMT
I don't feel my opinion has changed greatly since first seeing it (and subsequent rewatches). Still a fantastic and funny story, which I think would rank fairly highly if I did a top 20 of S17-21. Here's a few fresh observations I noted from another viewing just now: - The Maritime Museum is something I feel could be developed and provide more storylines for this part of the island in future episodes. - Rather interesting swordfish(?) decoration mounted on a piece of wood on the building behind Duck as he talks to Skiff at the beginning. - Even though they come as a pair, I'm still kinda surprised how much more Toad was focused on/given dialogue over Oliver during this era. Is Oliver really that hard to write for? - Kudos for the way TFC's grandchildren are characterized and voiced here. Even with a limited amount of time to do so, Farrell gets across that they have two distinct personalities, with Stephen being the more excitable one and Bridget calmer and level-headed. Would like to see them feature in further episodes. - Also love how they still refer to TFC by the rather formal sounding "grandfather". You know if this was being written to fit the current regime, it'd be something like "gramps" or "dude". Lol. - I never took this away originally, but are we supposed to assume the brief glimpses of the mermaid are actually just Toad's whale friend from Farrell's earlier episode? It's appearances are obscured enough for this not to be entirely clear. Interesting touch. - Joe's "resourceful man" comment followed by the children shaking their heads is still a brilliant moment. - That the scene where with TFC is stranded on the beach with clothes suddenly looking inexplicably shabby and torn... it occurred to me if the team ever want to do a CGI recreation of certain scenes from Lady Hatt's Birthday Party, they have a render readily available to re-use. - Come back Helen... Please? Next up, I nominate Stuck In Gear. Hadn't rewatched this one much following my initial viewing, and recently found it had improved slightly with age, so interested to see what others make of it now.
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