Season 16 - Episode 10: Percy & The Calliope

March 2012 saw the tenth episode of Season 16 of Thomas & Friends...

...but before the review, the usual disclaimer:

The views below are entirely those of the author and not representative of the Sodor Island Forums as a whole.

On that note, it's time to get this review underway...

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Percy & The Calliope

Writer: Max Allen

When Percy and Diesel are asked to take an old musical steam organ to the smelter's yard, Percy tries to save it by making it work again.

Overall Thoughts

We have reached the halfway point in the season, and the question remaining on everyone's lips: do we think it's worse, or better than Season 15 so far?

It's better than Season 15 in my view, simply on the basis of this one episode. I was rendered speechless by this episode.  Utterly speechless.

There are the same problems of the CGI. Alliterative speaking, and forced rhyming, but my god.

The concept is wonderful, and it is beautifully carried out.

First and foremost – the very word, “calliope” - have we had such wonderful vocabulary used in Thomas & Friends in the last decade? That we get a full description and explanation of the musical instrument in such natural detail from the Duchess of Boxford is a wonderful moment.

The main core of the episode is based around the message that “Old doesn't equal useless”. Percy's sincere desire to prevent the calliope from being scrapped is both heartwarming and well scripted. “Recycling” is another theme featured, albeit in the opening title sequence, and “tidiness” is yet another.

All positive ideas, put forward in this episode in a wholly positive and careful manner. It's all very educative whilst staying wonderfully entertaining. Max Allen got the balance absolutely right in this episode.

Percy and Diesel work amazingly well as a combination, and this must be the first time it has just been these two playing off against each other. The naivety of Percy, and the self-centered grumpiness and sarcasm of Diesel contrast beautifully.

The three strikes formula – for the first time in its existence, I feel – actually works here. Percy's attempts to make the calliope move are all naïve, but wonderfully heartfelt and decent attempts at making the calliope work. The thought process from the water, the coal, the pushing up the hill and the crash thereafter, are a joy to behold.

Now if you thought the episode was good, right up to the point where Percy's cylinder drains – yes, they actually mentioned a real piece of railway technology and applied it in a realistic manner! - then the next few seconds after the steam pours into the dusty calliope can't have failed to bring a tear of joy to many of the older fans of the series.

For what is played on the Calliope, is the original theme tune, albeit in organ form. Still wonderfully recognisable, it links the series back to its roots whilst presenting a beautiful take on the series in the modern day.

I have no shame in saying I was moved by this episode. It is a rare gem which glitters amongst the coal dust.

Thoughts From Other SiF Members

Ian (ERS Mod):

OK,lets get the bad bits done first.

Not entirely sure Percy could power the organ like that, but I'm happy to be proven wrong on that one.

Percy moving backwards (twice) while his crew were stood next to him or- worse- on top of him- it isn't possible, people.

Percy is thick now, we know, but even so pouring water down rusty pipes is a new low for his intelligence. Adding coal to the mix- I give up on the poor little engine, its a wonder he can get out of his shed in the mornings.

The breakaway- its been done too many times now, and there was no explanation of how the calliope came to be back in its truck undamaged.

I do question why the Duke and Duchess didn't restore the calliope themselves- if the Steam Works (no, not Victor, whatever TFC says) can restore it then why scrap it in the first place?

Repetition,three strikes, alliteration, repetition...

But that is kinda it for negatives. Really. The positives however come in their droves.

A wonderful combo of Percy and Diesel, with Percy coming across (yes, as stupid at times) but also young, bright-eyed and enthusiastic.

His determination to save the calliope from scrap, while a world away from Edward and Trevor, did put them in mind. Having Diesel there every wheel turn of the way, laughing and mocking at Percy's failed attempts, made for a nice touch. Again Diesel seems to be on top form this series and it is times like this when I think it was a good call to bring the character back to the series in series6 onwards.

When played right, he has great comedy and conflict potential. Put him back to series 2 persona- he'd be out like a shot. Series 6ish, he gets to cause upset yet stay- a fine balance. Again some great sarcastic one liners too- "Best music I've heard all day!"

An explanation of what a calliope is, how it works, and more importantly where it has come from. That counts as educational, surely? Can't think when we last had that!

Just one fleeting shot of Thomas, and that was it- superb! You see, an episode can survive without Thomas in it!!

The idea of TFC's car being given a push start- OK, it lead to something daft, but it was nice how the connection was made.

Again, lovely opening scenes of busy trains- only let down again by the pointless blurb introducing Sodor and the lack of any other trains throughout the rest of the episode. I didn't notice any other train pass Percy and Diesel throughout.

That music-what a wonderful touch!

Overall, an episode I enjoyed. Its a rare thing being able to say that and although like all episodes there are obvious ways in which it could have been better, this one is certainly top of the series 16 pack for me so far.

Christopher (ERS Mod):

The series may still be a long way off from improving its scripting, but the changes are ever so slowly taking hold - and this episode, while not entirely perfect, was still pretty decent.

We seriously need further episodes starring Percy and Diesel because they play so well as a double-act. Was a relief to see them doing actual work than something ear tagged as a "special special". Diesel was consistent throughout, probably the first time in years, to his original personality. He's had plenty of fun expressions and one-liners in this season so far.

Although the runaway scene does leave some sort of plot-hole as to how Percy convinced Diesel to let him shunt the Calliope solo; it was nicely done but, again, ruined with the Storyteller always all the time telling us how the Calliope "bashed and crashed". Let the visuals do the talking, please!

Actually, "Calliope" is probably the most sophisticated word since "Maritime" from Season 10 - or even "Deputation" from Season 2. Great way to build up kid's vocabulary and gives them something new to learn from, history-wise.

Piqued by curiosity, I watched a few videos online to see how an actual Calliope worked. Not sure if how it was played out in the episode would have been made possible, but - Ohhhh! - sweet sounds indeed. I felt a huge leap in my heart when Mike and Junior's theme tune sang out…!

How we would have loved to have heard the Calliope's score solo. Hartshorne's rendition was wonderful. A great little tribute to the classic series in all =D

In fact, there's definitely something symbolic about "Percy and the Calliope" - the Calliope was intended to be scrapped, but when repaired and steamed up, everyone loves it all over again - a huge nod to the older fans in terms of the classic Thomas seasons and the Awdry heritage - ie; restoration and redemption =)

While even I know that the return of the old theme tune seems highly unlikely, it was worth bearing the three-strikes and alliteration to have heard it one last time in the current series...

Ryan (SiF Admin):

Despite the shoddy story, there's a decent moral embedded in here, and Percy's actions to save the calliope are definitely to be encouraged throughout the episode -even if they do put his crew in danger at times. I honestly admire the message throughout the episode to look for solutions to problems, and that even though something's old, it can still work with a bit of TLC. The original Thomas theme playing through the pipes of the calliope wasa major bonus as well!

I can remember visiting an open day at the Bredgar and Wormshill Railway in Kent in the summer of 2007, and hearing a steam organ playing a rendition of Abba's Dancing Queen, among other tunes, so the idea of Sodor's calliope playing the original Thomas theme wasn't all that far-fetched to be honest...

Final Conclusions

Percy & The Calliope is the modern Thomas & Friends as it could have been – probably should have been. If you remove the three strikes formula, the alliterative speech, and incessant rhyming, what you have is a Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends episode which would have sat very well in the second season.

It does that old age heartwarming trick of reminding us, gently, that we have a desire to make old things new, and refuse to give in to the mortality around us. In saving the Calliope, Percy was shown to care for, and respect, history and its preservation: a good moral message the likes of which has been lost over the course of the CGI era and even in the seasons which directly preceded them.

The wonderful nods to Saved from Scrap, Escape, and the overriding comfort we take from the saving of the Calliope, makes this episode probably the best of the CGI era.

Never have I been more happy to watch a CGI episode of Thomas & Friends, and I'd do so again with my godsons (for I now have two godsons of four and three years old who love Thomas and watching the series with me!)

The saddest thing about this episode is the knowledge that this will in all likelihood, prove the last time we will hear that wonderful theme tune – which to this day, is still instantly recognisable as the Thomas the Tank Engine Theme – played in the TV series.

To hear it but one more time, and in connection with such a brilliant episode has made its passing all the more bittersweet.

If only HiT had had the foresight to write seasons 13-16 in this vein. Good moral messages, careful and minimal character selection, decent dialogue and the odd nod to both the history of the show, and an understanding of real railways too.

Percy & The Calliope remains the single gem in the dusty setting of the CGI era.

Individual Episode Score: 1/10 - Fiery Flynn 3/10 – Ol’ Wheezy Wobbles 7/10 - Express Coming Through 3/10 - Percy & The Monster of Brendam 2/10 - Ho Ho Snowman 8/10 - Flash Bang Wallop! 2/10 - Thomas & The Rubbish Train 1/10 - Thomas Toots The Crows 1/10 - Bust My Buffers 9/10 - Percy & The Calliope

Total Season Score So Far: 37/100

Average Season Score So Far: 3.7/10

Quick Character Stats

Speaking Roles:

Percy, Diesel, The Duchess of Boxford, Sir Topham Hatt

Cameos:

Scruff, Rocky, Thomas, Henry, Rosie, Whiff, James, Duke of Boxford, Victor, Kevin