The End Of Season/Series 4 The Snarkies

I figure we are about due to another round of Snarky awards. Let's start!

Best Old Man Of The Season

Duke

It was a hard choice with all the eligible old men on Sodor. But, I'll give it to Duke this season. It may be out of pity since he has pretty much becomes missing in action after this season. 

Biggest Asshole Of The Season

Bulstrode

There are many nasty characters on Sodor. But, Bulstrode was so mean and nasty we only see him once.

Biggest Mystery Of The Season

What happened to Smudger?

We do know that he was made into a generator. But, what happened when the mine closed? Is he buried in the ruins? Or is he just plain dead? Such burning questions.

Best Animal Act Of The Season

Champion

He scared Daisy and that is something to be cheered. He just did it so brilliantly. 

Best Stunt Of The Season

Skarloey

Just look at the grace and finesse that Skarloey has pulling in that station. That is perfection.

Most In Need Of Anger Management This Season 

Duncan

Everything angers Duncan. He really is in need of anger management classes. 

Best Scene Of The Season

Rusty and Stepney E.T.ing it

This is such a beautiful scene. Look at all the details put in it. 

Best Crash Of The Season

Thomas going over the hill

It had to be this one. I just love seeing Thomas fly over the hill and into a wall. There is just something about someone as cocky as him screwing up.

That's it for this season's snarky. It really hasn't been that much of a snarky season but, Season 5 is a good one. Join me Monday, as we dive into it. 

Season 4 Episode 18: Bowled Out

Stepney's vacation is coming to a close. The Fat Controller arrives to speak with him and the other engines. The Fat Controller drops the bomb that a diesel is coming to help out with their workload. He warns them to not cause any issues with this diesel. James immediately, thinks this means the engine is difficult. 

How can I start a race war?

Turns out this new engine is in fact, a dip wad. He pulls up and immediately insults the other engines by calling them dirty. The other engines give him the stank eye, to which the diesel adds, that they should be scraped. 

Oh yes, hate me.

The next morning, the engines have a pow wow and discuss what to do as revenge. No one can think of anything. But little do they know, the opportunity will take care of itself.

The Diesel is on a siding being inspected, when the wind picks up. The inspector's hat was blown off his head. 

The Diesel sees Duck and Stepney on the side and boasts, "He'll show them something."

Isn't it bad enough we have to deal with Thomas?

The Diesel starts to pull up to his coaches and then he began to make farting sounds and started to shake. He then stopped in his tracks.

Duck and Stepney push The Diesel into the shed. Low and behold, we see the inpector's hat in The Diesel's air intake.

Should have used some Dulcolax.

The inspector cries over the lost of his hat, while The Fat Controller delegates the heavy train to Duck and Stepney. He informs them that Gordon will take over half way.

The two engines take off. Stepney wanted to really enjoy this run before he went home so, he and Duck blast it. 

My dream boat, Edward.

The two arrive at the big station early. Gordon remarks on how that will show that diesel. We find out that The Diesel is sick from sludge is pouting. 

The next day, it is time to say farewell to Stepney. The engines all gather to say their goodbyes. And then Stepney puffs out into the sunset.

We'll sing in the sunshine...

Meanwhile, The Diesel is also making his way out of town. While on his exit, he farted up Sodor and left the raggity ol' bowler hat.

My cat does the same thing. She leaves a toot trail.

Season 4 Episode 17: Train Stop Play

Mr. Stepney is still visiting the North Western Railway.  He takes a moment to talk to some of the others. Stepney is quit envious of their line. They have plenty of room to run and also get to use trucks. 

Percy is taken back by the suggestion that any engine would want to pull those assholes. But, he gives some of his trucks to Stepney, so he can have a good time.

Psst... I just ripped one, Stepney.

The two engines head off to work. Stepney takes the trucks to the harbor. He then gathers some empty ones to take back. 

On the way, back he sees a cricket game being played. Right above the field, was a signal. 

Stepney was stopped right at it, when the cricket ball flies right into his trucks. Of course, right then the signal drops and they head off.

Notice the cart is now full.

The cricket players yell at them to stop. But, who listens to cricket players? The players hop into their old bat of a car named Caroline, to chase after Stepney.

Caroline is so depressed.

Caroline catches up with Stepney but, he can not hear her tooting. (Put a plug in that tail pipe.) The driver looks over and sees the car following. He just assumes they want to race. He puts Stepney in over drive. 

Caroline is rather annoyed by having to speed up. She claims she is being mistreated in her old age. (Elder abuse!) She sees that Stepney has gone through a tunnel and foolishly thinks this is the end. But, the driver keeps pushing the gas. 

Caroline catches up with Stepney at the station. The players climb out of her, demanding their ball back. One brave man climbs into the the trucks and retrieves it. 

Oops my mistake, this is a ball from a S&M gag.

The players want to head back quickly but, Caroline has overheated.

I'm having a hot flash!

They come up with a plan for Caroline to be pulled on a flat cart by Stepney while the boys ride in a brake van. 

Once at the field, they watch the hot young men play with their ball and swing their bats. The sweat pouring out of their pours was a beautiful sight. It even cheered Caroline up.

Even Bulgy was there.

Season 4 Episode 16: Thomas and Stepney

I have expectations for this one. I am expecting Thomas to be a jerk. (Crosses fingers)

Thomas is an unusually cheery mood this day. He stops to speak with Percy for a moment. Thomas immediately goes into how wonderful his branch line is. And the look on Percy's face is priceless.

Oh please, scrap me!

Percy bursts Thomas' bubble with information of another branch line that is just as awesome. It just so happens to be Stepney's BlueBell Railway. And even better, Stepney may come visit The Fat Controller's engines.

This turns Thomas into a jealous rage. (YES!) 

Build it up, buttercup.

Meanwhile with Thomas' new enemy, Stepney, we find that he growing bored on his line. It is a little short for him. He speaks to Rusty about his problem. Rusty pops out the idea to tell his driver about it and heads off. Stepney does just that and the driver agrees. 

Later that night, his driver breaks the news that they have been invited to visit the North Western Railway.  

I hope the driver models his scarf.

The next day, they set off on the long ride to see the other engines. 

The build up of Stepney visiting is the word on the street with the other engines. They talk all about him making Thomas' jealously grow bigger. Thomas grumbles and heads off to fetch his coaches.

As soon as Thomas leaves, Stepney arrives through the junction and at Knapford. The engines all cheer for him. Total Hottie Edward mentions he should met Thomas. (I wonder if Edward was an evil streak in him like me?)

Stepney heads over to help Duck shunt some coaches for the day. 

Later that evening, Thomas arrives and totally snubs Stepney. And rushes to do his last train.

I think Duck was waiting for it too.

Shortly after Thomas to take his last train, the alarm sounds to stop all trains. A special is coming and they need Thomas shunted off so it can pass through. Thomas grows angry at this and gripes. 

And low and behold it's Stepney!

I love it!

Morning arrives and Thomas still has a bug in his ass over Stepney. His sits in a siding, complaining like a teenager who has their phone taken away. Stepney pulls up along side and apologizes. (Why are you apologizing? It is hilarious!)

Stepney then explains that a special passenger approached them right after Thomas had left. He demanded a special train and Duck gave it to him. (Yeah, I am pretty sure that is not how it works.) Stepney then pads Thomas' ego by telling him he was nervous. 

Aw, thank you. And one day you, little Stepney, can be one a million little boy's t-shirts.

So with that, Thomas and Stepney became frenemies. 

Season 4 Episode 15: Rusty To The Rescue

Introducing, the BlueBell Railway. Rusty loves to visit there. It is his version of Henry's forest. 

One day, Rusty is taking on water when Thomas passes by. Thomas points out that Rusty's driver looks worried. (Well, he works on Sodor and these engines are screw ups.) Rusty asks his driver, "What's his butt?"
The driver thinks the railway needs a new engine to help. 

And I have to poop!

Rusty pulls up to Douglas and Percy and questions "Where he can find another slave on Sodor?"

Douglas brings up the "Other Railway" where he found Oliver. He states he can not help since it is now diesel territory. This makes little Rusty determined to go on his own.

Um, I have a headache!

Rusty later tells his driver all about what they are going to do. The driver came back to the shed that night and informed Rusty. "His plan is a go per the manager." So, the two plan to go the following day because, screw work!

The next day, Rusty heads out. It takes so long to get to the other railway that it was night by the time he arrived. He creeps into the old scrapyard and immediately gets the willies. 

Thomas! He's dead!

Some diesels on the sidings, shout at Rusty. Rusty claims, he is an inspection engine and he wants to stamp their underwear. This works on the diesels and tricks them into giving away the location of one very lonely steam engine. 

I win!

Rusty goes on to find a little tank engine on a siding looking pitiful. His driver, who is very attached to this engine is huddled up inside the cab chilling out. (Is he homeless?)

But at least, he looks fierce!

Rusty sneaks up beside the engine and asks, "If he likes Bluebells?"

The engine answered he does. Rusty explains that he is there to bust him out.

The crew work to commence the rescuing. They fire up the new engine, Stepney and set off. 

Just like E.T.

When the two engines arrive back, a celebration is taking place. And for the first time, we see the BlueBell Railway's manager.

He reminds me of The Reverend from Dr. Quinn. But, I doubt most of you know that reference.

Stepney's driver remarks, "That you are one lucky son of a bitch, Stepney!" (And I am sure he is thrilled he is not sleeping in the cab anymore.)

Now a days, Stepney is enjoying his life on the BBR and no longer fearing his death by scraping. Well, until he was retired this year...

Aw, shit!

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.