Season 16 - Episode 13: Sodor Surprise Day

March 2012 saw the thirteenth 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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Sodor Surprise Day

Writer: Jessica Kedward & Kristy Peart

Today is Sodor Surprise Day, and the engines are all looking forward to having fun surprising each other. Except for Gordon. He thinks it's just silly!

Overall Thoughts

SURPRISE!

This episode was horrendous.

I am noticing a pattern: any episode which features Charlie and an attempt to make anyone laugh is a) not funny and b) terrible. How is Charlie puffing back less than a metre, rolling forward and saying “boo” even remotely funny?

I'm also extremely weary of the whole Thomas/Rosie/”Surprise!” scenario. Gordon was right. Still silly, but not in a funny ha ha way, more a “oh...this is awkward...” kind of a way.

Why is Whiff shunting rubbish trucks at a random location on the mainline, with a convenient run around loop just next to him?

Why did ANYONE think it would be a good idea to mix Thomas acting like a prat, with fireworks? Acting dangerously in a dangerous location – THE DOCKS – with a dangerous load – FIREWORKS – the whole scenario is just breathtakingly bad from both an educative and a moralistic standpoint.

And then – just to wrap the whole dire episode up there and then – we get “Thomas, you have caused confusion and delay”.

NO HE HASN'T. He's caused a large box of fireworks to explode by distracting Cranky. If this had been a real life situation, someone could have been badly maimed or worse.

It's not an acceptable scenario – it really isn't. I can't believe I am having to explain fireworks safety to a group of adult writers on the number children's television show...!

“I'm sorry Sir...” You will be Thomas. You. Will. Be.

And that's where they should have left the episode. That would have been a real surprise: a cliffhanger!

Will Thomas be scrapped?

Will Gordon always be this miserable?

Who is Percy's real father? Is it Edward? Chef? Mr Garrison? Or the 1991 Denver Broncos? Tune in next time on South...!

Except we get the start of a convoluted “let's save the day” montage sequence where Thomas has to find Harold – who was a) at the docks a few moments ago, and b) normally to be found at the new and little used search and rescue centre playset location.

A convoluted montage sequence which, by the way, surprised me by simply not happening. No, Thomas' big idea was to dress Harold the Helicopter up in lots of lights and have him fly about.

So not really different to Harold's day job. As a helicopter.

The big surprise that wasn't – oh look, Gordon is no longer a misery guts. Hooray.

Thoughts From Other SiF Members

Eric (SiF Second in Command)

Some cool perspective shots, but otherwise somewhat forgettable. If one thing stood out it would be the station worker surprising a woman with a bouquet of flowers in the opening montage. A great little moment of humanity, easily missed, easily overlooked.

Awesome to see the castle set piece return, but if I were a kid, I would have easily preferred to see fireworks rather than a lit-up helicopter. As an adult I would have preferred to see Thomas pay the consequences of his actions, such as missing the party to do work.

Christopher (ERS Mod):

Reckon Gordon was right from the start - SSD is not only silly - it's downright pointless! This episode would have worked much better as a regular working day, with just the party attached. The only redeeming parts of this...mess would have to be the following:

- Callan Castle in the opening and night time shots

- Rosie finally getting a performing / speaking role

- Harold playing a strong part, too

- Longer trains again (though I did question Spencer pulling trucks. Now THERE'S a story worth telling!)

- Gordon and Cranky's conversation

Everything else was just...blargh. Predictable and firmly rooted to the 3-strikes format, with unnecessary "holidays" and "specials" attached once again...

Final Conclusions

SURPRISE!

There's no way on earth that this episode should have got to the production stage. Quite easily one of the most pointless and poorly written episodes Thomas & Friends has had.

Dangerous situations not resolved properly, Thomas' behaviour still not being punished properly, and no actual surprises involved, whatsoever.

Any saving graces? The CGI? There is a limit to the way I score these episodes. Not even the picture perfect CGI can save episodes like these. Just utterly dreadful.

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 2/10 – Thomas & The Sounds of Sodor 5/10 – Salty’s Surprise 1/10 - Sodor Surprise Day

Total Season Score So Far: 45/130

Average Season Score So Far: 3.4/10

Quick Character Stats

Speaking Roles:

Thomas, Rosie, Gordon, Charlie, Sir Topham Hatt, Whiff, Cranky

Cameos:

Henry, Harold, James, Percy, Hiro, Spencer,

Edward, James, Random Troublesome Truck no.4193