Series 1 - Episode 2 - Edward and Gordon

Edward and Gordon introduces...well...Edward and Gordon. Not really, as Gordon was introduced in Thomas and Gordon, but this episode expands on his personality.

The episode opens with a nice shot that moves in on Tidmouth Sheds. The music played over that first shot is curious and draws the viewer into the story, even though no narration has been spoken.

Edward and Gordon combines the Railway Series stories Edward's Day Out and Edward and Gordon into one episode. I think that this flows smoothly and makes for a well-filmed and a well-scored episode.

As this is only the second entry into the series, the filmmakers are still getting into their "groove" and subsequently there are many goofs present in this episode, as there were in the previous episode and future episodes. I am not going to list them here, for that, you can visit the TTTE Wikia or TV.com.

The first of the series' many "night shots" appears in this episode, which expands on the exemplary filming displayed in Thomas and Gordon. Many "zoom-ins" and "zoom-outs" are used in this episode, as I mentioned above. Great work was done in the post-production process of Edward and Gordon. I am particularly fond of the excellent freight car coupling and shunting sounds.

Edward's Shunting Theme is first heard in this episode, as well as the Gordon's Hill Theme. Edward and Gordon firmly establishes the locale of Gordon's Hill.

The optimistic music at the end of the episode allows us to feel not sorry for Edward, but happy that he will get a new coat of paint and that he has done a good deed for a friend in need.

There's nothing in particular about this episode that I don't like, it's just that I feel it is flat. Ever since I was young, I have not liked this episode.

Rating:

3.5/4

Series 4 - Episode 6 - Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady

The opening of this fabulous episode presents a recap of the plot of the previous episode, A Bad Day For Sir Handel. After this short introduction, the plot of Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady starts. Peter Sam's hard-working nature is expanded upon in this episode. This makes him, in my opinion, a very likable character in the Thomas the Tank Engine universe.

An excellent aspect of many of the Series 4 narrow gauge episodes is the interaction between the big engines and the little engines. Peter Sam and the Refreshment Lady presents an example of that in the form of Henry's trickery.

A word or two on sets. This episode makes great use of the Lakeside station set, which is used primarily for passing scenes in most other episodes from this series.

George Carlin's American narration for this episode features a wonderful Italian characterization for the Refreshment Lady.

Series 4 is easily my favorite series of the show and I am proud to give this episode a perfect rating.

Rating:

4/4

Refocusing

I have decided to refocus this blog and not necessarily review all of the episodes in order. Instead, I will review episodes as I watch them. Keeping up with this new focus, the next post will be a review of an episode from the fourth series.

Series 1 - Episode 5 - Thomas' Train

Similar to the opening shot of the previous episode, Thomas' Train starts out by showing busy trains entering and departing the station. This episode, even in the first thirty seconds, has some very well-done close-ups of the character's faces. However, the modeling still lacks the warmth of the later series.

It is in this episode that we first really feel bad for Thomas. The last episode showcased his cheekiness, whereas the narration for Thomas' Train stated that the train could have been left at the fault of Thomas' Driver.

This episode is great in that it adds further development to the character of Thomas, who hadn't really been seen as a major feature in the previous three episodes, even though the show is called Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.

Thomas' Train also allowed for some great filming opportunities for the production team, with new countryside scenes, such as the level crossing, to utilize.

All in all, I think that this is an enjoyable episode to watch and watch again, even 28 years after its original broadcast.

Rating: 4/4