Friday 24 February 2012

S16 Ep: 9 Bust My Buffers!

Another episode named after a well-known catchphrase since the early day of Thomas the Tank Engine. Today's episode that I'll be reviewing is:

BUST MY BUFFERS!

Written by Sharon Miller
Directed by Greg Tirenan
Produced by Nicole Stinn


Plot:
Gordon the grand engine doesn't feel so grand when he bashes into some trucks at the docks and his buffer falls off!

Air Date:
24/02/12

THESE ARE SOLEY UNDER MY OWN OPINIONS AND NOT FROM THE THOMAS & FRIENDS FAN BASE

THIS MAY CONTAINS SPOILERS

PROS:


- The shot and angles at Brendam Docks were amazingly well done
- There was actually a good moral to the story about respect when Gordon realised he can 'huff and puff' with his brand new buffer beam that the diesels gave him. 
- A little bit of reminisce is seen in the episode with Gordon going under the bridge with the same layout and angle from the classic series' opening credit.
- This episode shows a industrial side of Sodor with the Docks and Dieselworks.
- It was interesting to see Gordon without a buffer beam and seeing him inside the Dieselworks. 
- Gordon's snoot attitude was like his own in the classic series. 
- This shows another two strike, but it's not annoying in my views.

CONS:
- 'Those are the rules of the railway' and most of the rules have been broken since Series 8. 
- Their was alliteration like 'Gordon sniffed snootily'.
- Thomas' appearance was really uncalled for. Should be a character like Edward in his wise persona from the classic era of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends. 



Ratings: 4/5 

When first saw this episode's title, I thought it was going to be bad. But after seeing it, I was left impressed. Sure it had its flaws but the story actually had a good moral about respect, as mentioned in my pro list and that diesel and steam engines are all engines. The silent duo of diesels Paxton and Norman made a cameo despite not having their voices yet, though we will see how Paxton talks in the next year's season. This has to go down as one of my favourite episodes from Season 16. 

Tomorrow: Percy and The Calliope