Monday 27 February 2017

S20 Ep.17: Buckled Tracks and Bumpy Trucks

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

BUCKLED TRACKS AND BUMPY TRUCKS
Written by
Lee Pressman

Directed by
Dianna Basso

Produced by
Ian McCue (HIT)

Air Date
16/01/17 - CAN
26/02/17 - JAP

Plot
It's the hottest day of the year on Sodor and the sun is causing the tracks to buckle and bend; Dowager Hatt arrives with a present for the Fat Controller.

PRO
- A good message about what reflects and absorb heat
- Flynn and Belle's role don't feel forced

CON
- The title could've been more better 


I think what makes the episode strange is its title. In Japan it was called 'Really Useful Hat' and with a title like that it makes sense given that the whole episode was pretty much focused on the Fat Controller and his white safari hat. The episode does have a good educational message about what reflects and absorb heat and with the tracks being painted white, which can happen in real life so very good piece of realism there.

However the title here in the western world just seems odd. Of course their were buckled tracks but they weren't really the main focus as it felt like it was here and there and it felt more like the focus was just on the summer season, another title that might've worked could've been 'Heat Wave'? Although the whole episode just felt awkward and clunky in places with the focus on that hat, then the tracks. However I feel that Belle and Flynn weren't really forced into the story as they did have their use when it comes to fire and there were some funny moments with the Fat Controller and his hat.

But as I said before, the story felt clunky and awkward in places that I don't consider it as bad but not the best episode I've seen this season.

Rating: 7/10


Episode Ratings:
Sidney Sings - 8/10
Mucking About - 9/10
Cautious Connor - 10/10
All In Vain - 10/10
Buckled Tracks and Bumpy Trucks - 7/10

Overall Rating:
139/170