Season 3 Episode 10: The Trouble With Mud

This episode starts off dirty. By that, Gordon is covered with mud. He pulls up along side Thomas, who is getting a bath. Thomas remarks about how Gordon looks like Christina Aguilera during her "dirty" phase and should be hosed down. 

Gordon who is bothered by Thomas' remark just snarks back about how he is not being a priss like a  certain tank engine.  And he steams off.

Maybe, I should change this blog to "Thomas The Priss Engine" 

Gordon is puffing down the line when the wind picks up. He is still quit ticked about Thomas and being dirty so, he begins to speed up in anger. His driver cries for him to slow down but, Gordon ain't got time for that. He doesn't want to be dirty and late.

Gordon arrives at the next station. He sees a sign put up.

Another PR stunt? The cleanest engines you'll ever see!

James is also there. He is just finishing his wash down. And I must say it looks like he is enjoying it way too much!

The guy on the bottom right, agrees.

Gordon's driver states that Gordon should be washed down next. Gordon is most disturbed by this preposterous notion that he blows off steam literally and muds up James and the surrounding people. Although he gets a lecture, Gordon once again gets out of taking a bath. 

Gordon goes on with his next assignment, finishes it and heads into the next station. And there is The Fat Controller! He is appalled by Gordon's dirtiness and passes the next train to Henry. Gordon meanwhile, has to shower down.

Henry beams!

Gordon while being washed grumbles the whole time. But, getting bathed is not the worst thing that happens to him. Nope, he has to pull trucks the rest of the day.

Gordon bumps the trucks around with anger. James who sees this remarks, " Trucks will be trucks."

Gordon ignores this and replies that he will teach them. He then heads off bumping violently more trucks. 

Gordon returns to see that The Express has been passed along to James. Gordon warns James that the hill is slippery and he may need help. James boosts that no one helps him on hills. 

James heads off and towards Gordon's hill. The tracks were indeed slippery from an earlier storm. James and his ego head up the hill. And of course half way up, his wheels can not grip.

Gasp, I'm a failure!

James and the train slip back down the hill. Of course just like The Fat Controller, Gordon just happens to be at the bottom of the hill. Gordon chuckles but, agrees to help James up the hill from behind.

They reach the top of the hill. James whistles, "Thank you."

Gordon replies with....

It has been so long!

That night, The Fat Controller comes in to speak to the engines. For some reason, Thomas begs for Gordon to be able to pulled coaches again. (What? Why does he care? He really wasn't involved with that part. I guess they had to shoe horn him in again.) 

The Fat Controller agrees to let Gordon do his thing again, as long as he bathes. And the world is right.

What kind of coal have they been giving James?