Season 4 Episode 4: You Can't Win

So, we are still going on about Duke since he is the hero of all the engines. Duke in this story, is sick. His crew was cleaning his tubes, (That sounds nasty) when Stuart pops in. Duke tries to hide the fact that he is screwed up. Stuart calls Duke "old" and Duke heads off.

It was like engine pneumonia.

Duke didn't stay mad long. All he had to do is have his face plate switched to happy. His mood didn't last long though, as he approached a hill he started to get his old man wheeze on. 

He managed to make it up the hill and make it to the station. Duke's driver gets out and inspects his engine. The passengers wait on the side for the news.

They ranged from concerned to angry.

The driver informs the passengers that Duke will take them to the harbor with the help of two other engines. 

Falcon and Stuart come to the rescue. Falcon hitches on the front and and Stuart hitches on the behind. The three head off like a human centipede to the harbor.

They reached the next station and they split up the duties. Falcon took off with the passengers to the harbor. Stuart moves to the front the help Duke. Of course, he rubs it in.

Well of course, you're the front of the centipede.

Stuart kept it up the point that Duke wanted to pay him back. Duke and his driver schemed the payback. They waited until they reached the hill and Duke pushed full steam, showing Stuart that he still had it.

The two reached the next station, a boy asks, "Why there was two engines?"

The boy's father replies, "Stuart needed help."

This upsets Stuart. (Wait didn't this happen to James and Toby earlier? This is almost the same story!)

Dammit!

Turns out this was Duke's plan all along. Duke reminds him, that he is old and will always win.

Season 4 Episode 3: Bulldog

Percy is being a James, he just received a new coat of paint and he wants everyone to see. He also is very upset with his driver. He thinks he is late even though it is the butt crack of dawn. The other engines, tell Percy to shut his pie hole. 

Thomas butts in and tells Percy to stop being impatient. He warns him that if he doesn't stop he is going to run into trouble and Duke won't be there to warn him. 

To point out, there is now a picture of Duke hanging on the wall in the shed.

Like a steam punk George Washington

Thomas goes into the story. Many years ago, back before Duke was locked in the shed. Falcon was young and impatient. He had a lot of learning to do. 

The manager pops in to inform Falcon he is going to learn the mountain road. This excites Falcon so much that his eyes roll in his head. The manger sends Falcon to get a new coat of paint and breaks the news that Duke will be teaching him.

What the fart?

The next day, Duke and Falcon are getting ready to set up and go. Duke states that he should go first. Falcon being stubborn, rants about how he should go first. Duke is just like whatever just look at the track, it's your fault if you die.

They set off. All the way up the pass, Duke reminds Falcon to look at the track. This irritates Falcon. (Oh man, what is going to happen?) 

The two approach a tunnel. The tunnel is so dark that Falcon and Duke can not see. They emerge out fine but, that was about to change. Falcon derails over a cliff, dangling like a cat toy.

Well, I saw this coming.

Duke held onto Falcon with all his might. And why wouldn't he? I am sure he would go off the cliff with him. Duke's crew work their magic with chain to hold up Falcon. But, they run into issues when the old man needs some water. 

Just so happens, that there was a workman's cottage right above the scene. (How convenient?) They start a bucket chain and fill up Duke.

And there goes the TripAdvisor rating.

With new energy provided by water, Duke turned into Hulk Hogan and pulled Falcon back on the tracks.

The two engines start off again. They arrive at the top station, where the manager is waiting. The passenger go on and on about what an awesome display Duke put on saving Falcon, calling him a bulldog. 

Falcon apologizes to Duke for being a cocky young bastard.  Duke just rolls it off as he didn't want him to ruin his new paint.

And I didn't want to go over the cliff.

Season 4 Episode 2: Sleeping Beauty

We continue The Grandpuff Saga. Thomas is once again back in the sheds telling the tale. But, first we have to go through everything that happened prior. You can read the prior post for your flashback.

Our story progresses to years. The Fat Controller receives some visitors who want to find Duke. They make a plan, to follow the old lines. 

The visitors included Doug Funnie and a young Michael Nesmith.

The search crew headed off to the mountains. They searched for days. And we get a montage that seems to last for days. 

Finally, this all ends when young Michael Nesmith falls through soft ground right into the shed.

We need this guy on MH 370.

Duke wakes up and immediately believes he being vandalized. The searchers explain that there are a lot worst things you can wake up to and that they are there to save him. *cough* Josh Duggar.

Duke is loaded up and shipped to his new home. Stuart and Falcon were thrilled to see the old man. They accidentally wake him while coming to greet him. Duke just complains about it, instead of being thrilled.

I can not wait until I am old and I can be grumpy for the hell of it.

"And that was our whole story." as Thomas says. This episode was mostly flashbacks and montages. That was easy. 

Season 4 Episode 1: Grandpuff

The engines are all bundled up in the shed on winter's night. They all vote on story time to pass the night away. Thomas says that he knows one and that is when it become a mess. You see, our story turns into a story read by a narrator, recited by Thomas, told by Duke, and snarked on by me. 

Thomas recited a story about three little engines named, Duke, Stuart, and Falcon. They lived in a shed on a wee little railway.

Aww, so tiny!

So, Duke being the oldest loved to boss around the other two. He was a total nag. Stuart and Falcon eventually gave him the nickname "Grandpuff". 

One day, Stuart and Falcon pick on old Duke. Duke warns them that if they don't behave they will end up like Smudger. Duke goes into the story of Smudger. 

Oh shit!

This Smudger character was a total cock. He loved to show off who would ride like he was a ATV. He would derail himself with his antics. 

A real bumhole.

Duke would go around warning him to be careful but, Smudger didn't care. Smudger kept on being a dick head despite the warnings. Finally, the manager came in gave him a talking to. He warned Smudger if he kept it up, he would make him useful.

Back to Falcon and Stuart, Duke tells them the manager turned him into the generator that is behind their shed. 

And Stuart and Falcon didn't notice?

After the story, Stuart and Falcon became "Very Useful Engines." And everyone got along, peace , love, and rainbows for years. 

And the economy turned sour and the mine closed. The engines were sold off but, no one wanted an old one. So, Duke was left untouched. 

How horrible is that?

Duke was put to pasture it seemed. He was maintained and sheeted up one last time before being locked in the shed. Duke went to sleep forever, it seemed. Mother earth started to take over the shed.

FOREVER!

Now back to Thomas. Percy protests that this is not a happy ending. Thomas just shrugs it off as you have to wait. I am making it a cliff hanger. 

You bastard!

Season/Series 3 Review

What can be said about Season/Series 3? Well the crashes were not as spectacular as prior seasons for one thing. Before we saw damage in the crashes, this season it was very mild. Which was budget issues in all fairness.

For example, Oliver looks pretty unscathed but, he was sent to The Works.

With our characters this season, some of them are starting to loose their edge. Thomas is becoming less of a jerk and more of the good guy. Percy is slowly dumbing down. Henry is suddenly a tree hugger. 

We did though get introduced to some new ones that I enjoy. Mavis, Oliver, Toad, and Bulgy. 

Mavis being a favorite.

I did enjoy the 2D animation that was thrown in this season. The bee scene with James was great. 

All and all it was a pretty good season. And I know it will be looking even better when I get pass Season 7. Season 8 is where the snark is going to go over and beyond. 

Just to note, I actually still enjoy this show.  But, I like to make fun of those things I like. I am loving looking back on these stories and remembering them. The work and the talent that went into this series is amazing. Even looking back on the original books, that took imagination. I truly appreciate the talent in took to bring this characters to life.

With that I leave you and tomorrow we'll dig into Season 4. We will meet the Narrow Gauge Engines, Stepney, and a postal postal worker. And we will also see elephants, more cows, The Queen, and The Flying Kipper return.

Season 3 Episode 26: Thomas and Percy's Christmas Adventure

Our story starts with the introduction of a town deep in the heart of Sodor. It is December and Christmas is near. Thomas promises the villagers they will receive their letters and gifts from him soon. 

And Jane Slicker is getting the present of not having to deal with a jag off on Youtube anymore. Yahoo!

A week later the snow starts falling. Sodor is snowed in. Working was difficult for the engines. They were getting stuck and had to plow everywhere. (I live in Montana, this is life.) 

Thomas and Percy are setting up for their post trains. Thomas mentions that he is so full with Christmas goodness that he will have take an extra truck to the village. Percy gets all bummed that Thomas is not leaving any work for him.

Just then the plans change, Thomas' driver drops the bomb that Thomas is to work at the big station and Percy will take the post train. 

That's a butt hurt face if I ever saw one.

Percy heads down the line with the train. On his way, he is stopped by the fog man with a red light. (Hookers!) Nope, it wasn't hookers. The village is snowed in. He orders Percy to leave his trucks in the siding and get help.

Likely story...

Percy heads to the airfield, to get Harold. Harold is all over the emergency. It must have made him feel wanted and needed. After all, he is kind of a prick.

Before Percy can gather anymore help, Thomas comes up with Terence and the works train. He commands Percy to follow him.

Percy is a people pleaser.

They reach the village where Harold has already arrived. He was dropping food down to the people. Terence meanwhile, was plowing away.  

Yeah he is a little bit dangerous.

The work was done and the village people were please. They call Thomas and Percy the best Santa Clauses ever! Percy was confused about who Santa Claus was even though, he met him last season. (Yep, Percy is starting his downward spiral of dumbness for sure now.)

Thomas sends Percy back to get his post train from the siding. 

It only gets worst from here.

Toby arrives with Henrietta filled with drinks. The villagers drink all night until Toby is the only engine left who was not in his shed. 

The villagers load up Henrietta with gifts and themselves before Toby leaves. They were planning a surprise for the engines.

There better be a Christmas puppy in there.

Toby arrives late, to find everyone is sleeping. He had no idea what the villagers were planning. 

When the engines woke up, they were surprised that the village people had painted and decorated their shed. They even had gifts! (Really, they didn't wake up anyone, kill them, or at least make them goofy with paint flumes?) 

I take that back, they do look high.

And with that we finish season 3.

Season 3 Episode 25: Percy, James and the Fruitful Day

James is off puffing around. Of course, he is thinking about how stunning and beautiful he looks in his red coat. He arrives at the junction and sees Percy. James is surprised to see Percy and remarks about how Percy must be running late.

Percy tries to explain on how the trucks were giving him a rough time and put him behind schedule.

But, James is not having any of it. He goes into a lecture about Percy letting down The Fat Controller and huffs off.

Ugh!

James heads to the harbor where it is market day. Tons of fruit has just arrived and it smelled quite fruit salady. Yummy, yummy. James is loaded up with fruit. He heads out to the station on The Mainline. 

On his run, he runs into Thomas. James stops just long enough to get a jab in on Percy not be as reliable as him. 

And Thomas was like, "Okay then."

Meanwhile, Percy is hard working in the yard shunting trucks. The Station Master approaches Percy's driver, he informs him that James' brakes had jammed and they need Percy to help him.

Percy and crew set off. They find James stuck on line looking all sad and hurts. (Oh poor James. *note my sarcasm.*) Percy stops and makes fruit puns at James. 

And I have The Wiggles' Fruit Salad in my head.

Percy's driver asks him if Percy can handle the trucks. Percy agrees he can. So, they hitch up Percy, leaving James butt hurt and ticked off because he is not reliable anymore. 

Percy heads off with the trucks. Percy begins to make the mistake of being too cocky. His driver warns him to be careful. Percy begins to hurry and fails to notice the points had failed and he was on a siding. Percy crashes right into a buffer, causing him to crash into his trucks. He was in a jam.

We make a great pear.

His crew jumped out just in time. But, Percy was berry messy.

It looks like some up chucked on Percy's face.

The Fat Controller arrives to give a lecture to Percy. He even throws in a jam factory joke.

That night in the shed, James and Percy are pouting. Thomas peeps in with being in a jam jokes. No one is laughing but, Thomas goes on making more jam jokes. Still no laughs. So he then turns into the "very useful engine" spill. Finally he gets a reaction. 

You're a horrible comedian Thomas.

Tune in tomorrow, we will finish up Season 3 and a season review will be up. Olive you guys so much it hurts!

Season 3 Episode 24: Heroes

Aw here we go with a story about the two crazies, Bill and Ben. Bill and Ben are working at the quarry when they realize they are bored and they need a surprise. Or in other words, a reason to cause mischief. But before they can cause chaos, the quarry master arrives. He sends Bill and Ben to the harbor per The Fat Controller.

And you can bet he was thrilled to have them gone.

Bill and Ben meet The Fat Controller at the harbor. He explains since Edward is out taking children on a trip, he needs Bill and Ben to shunt trucks for him. 

Bill and Ben head off to work. They met up with Gordon who lectures them to behave since they are on The Mainline. Ben burns Gordon by stating he thought he was at the scrapyard. (And at that moment, Ben earned points with me.) Before leaving, Gordon warns them to have his express ready that evening.

Oh it burns so bad.

Bill and Ben begin to work shunting trucks. They thought they were doing great and the job was easy. But in reality, they were sucking hard at it. The trucks were growing more and more annoyed with them. At this point, I think we all know where this going.

Muhahahaha!

As evening rolls in, the yard looks like a war zone. The twins had foolishly let the trucks tell them where to put them. 

At the station, Gordon and his passengers are furious as they have no coaches. While Bill and Ben try their hardest to get things straight. By the time, they get the coaches to Gordon his train is late. 

Leaving Gordon closer to an aneurysm.

The next day, twins were sent back to the quarry to work. Suddenly, there was a rumble. A rock slide is about to go down. The alarm sounds and mass panic ensues. The quarry workers climb into Bill and Ben's trucks. 

Bill and Ben were just about to leave, when a voice yells, "Help!" It's the Quarry master. He is about to be squished. 

It's hard to run when you legs don't move.

Ben waited for him while he climbed on board. They left the quarry with seconds to spare. The whole set begins to crumble. It is actually very dramatic. The only thing I would suggest is more explosions. 

I feel sorry the person who has to clean all the sand up.

The next day, The Fat Controller arrives on Edward. He congratulates Bill and Ben for saving all those souls. He does it in a very quick and unenthusiastic, "Hip, Hip, Hooray, Hooray, Hooray." Bill and Ben feel like heroes, even with the lack of effort to properly cheer from The Fat Controller. (He probably wanted to get it over with and eat an iced bun.)

Season 3 Episode 23: Bulgy

It is a special holiday on Sodor. You know how I know?

BAM!

Duck is at the station waiting for his next assignment. Near the station stood a ugly mean looking double decker bus. Duck innocently tries to be polite to the bus but, this bus is a jerk. He insists that all railways will be ripped up one day. This turns Duck red.

Does this mean engines' have blood? I am thinking too hard about this.

Duck heads off to the junction and he tells Oliver all about the bus. Oliver states that he calls him, "Bulgy." He then heads off. 

Later that afternoon, Duck and Oliver meet again. This time Oliver is the one who is angered by Bulgy. Oliver explains that Bulgy's friend has come to help and Bulgy is stealing their passengers. Bulgy is stealing the passengers by knowing a short cut to the big station. 

It just got real Duck.

That evening, Duck and Oliver are readying for the evening trains. Duck takes notice that the passengers are missing. Oliver points out that Bulgy has them. That bastard even had a sign that said, "Railway Bus" on his side.

I feel like Bulgy ate them.

Bulgy heads off and Duck follows to see what Bulgy is up to.

While on his line, Duck sees a man on his line waving a red flag. Duck stops and sees Bulgy stuck under the bridge ahead. 

And I don't wanna ever feel the way I did that day.

The passenger outside the bus scream at Duck about how they have been tricked. Duck's crew takes a look at the bridge and decides to chance it to take care of passengers. 

Duck crosses the bridge slowly on top of Bulgy. Bulgy rightfully so is in fear for his life. But who cares really? He is a butthole. Duck continues the route and is a hero. 

The bridge was mended and Bulgy was sent to be a chicken coupe. He lives a life of being pooped on. Just like how he pooped on the engines. 

Karma!

Season 3 Episode 22: Oliver Owns Up

This episode starts off with a beautiful montage of Duck and Oliver working the branch line. The two of them are all over their Great Western Heritage. 

Duck and Oliver are at the harbor, having a conversation on how Douglas is Oliver's hero for saving him. It is Oliver's go to story now.

He even tells the other engines it in the shed that night. The engines throw out a bunch of words to describe Oliver. Gordon throws one out that stumps Percy. And this begins the dumbing down of Percy. 

Sorry Percy, it's true.

The next day, Oliver is puffing along the line. He had became very Gordon-like and big headed from all the wonderful things that were said about him.  

Oh no, this island has way too many egos! It is like an island of Kayne Wests. 

We move on to another day, The Fat Controller is at the platform waiting to speak to Oliver. He sentences Oliver to learn about trucks. (He is done for!)

You're screwed!

Every other engine warns Oliver that trucks are not to be trusted. Oliver argues that they do not think he can handle it. Duck once again tries to warn him but, Oliver is too far up his own butt. Donald insists that Duck let it go and roll with it.

Shh! I really want to see someone screw up as bad as I did back in the day.

Oliver heads off to fill up some trucks with coal. He pushes the empty trucks under the shoot. He then came back to take the loaded trucks away. 

I love this doofus truck.

The trucks did not want to move. They protested that Oliver had no right to be moving them. (Hey they are just practicing stranger danger.)

Oliver starts to loose his cool and begins to biff and buff them around. (Big mistake Oliver.) Oliver pulls them out and the trucks, once again plot revenge. 

The trucks begin to push him forward. The driver foolishly applies the brakes instead of accepting their faith. The trucks push Oliver towards the turntable that Duck is on.

Luckily, it is not the same line as the one Oliver is on. Duck watches as Oliver goes butt first into the pit. 

Popping a wheelie, Oliver?

Duck teases Oliver right away. (Note to self, there is no "Are you okay?" with Duck) Duck mentions that Donald and Douglas are going to miss that turntable while it is out of commission.

That night, Oliver is pulled out of the pit while, The Fat Controller watches. Oliver apologizes while dangling in the air. The Fat Controller, who I suspect knew this was going to happen, sends Oliver to The Works. 

Well that was a dirty trick.

After a few days of being fixed, Oliver is home. He learned the lesson that trucks are dick heads. 

The end!