A Most Singular Engine: ThomasNATION Review
September 21, 2017
The second episode [airing-order] of Season 21 rolled out, on September 19 - on Channel 5's Milkshake! A Most Singular Engine explores a wondeful, character-centred story involving potentially excellent characters like Diesel, Daisy and Harvey. Does the episode hold up?
ThomasNATION's new member, @Parker_Prods (Jamie) takes the pen to write the review for A Most Singular Engine:
>> This time, ThomasNATION will also be including tweets from fans in reviews! To be included, just tweet with the hashtag #TNS21Reviews and tag @TheThomasNATION! <<
ThomasNATION's new member, @Parker_Prods (Jamie) takes the pen to write the review for A Most Singular Engine:
>> This time, ThomasNATION will also be including tweets from fans in reviews! To be included, just tweet with the hashtag #TNS21Reviews and tag @TheThomasNATION! <<
Let's just start. What I quite liked about this episode was how the story just starts right off the bat. No generic “On the Island of Sodor…” business. Just a simple “One day, Diesel was sent to Arlesburgh…” Props to Davey Moore here, who has penned this episode following on from Springtime For Diesel.
The episodes location is at Arlesburgh West, where Diesel sees & stops to greet Daisy, pleased to see a fellow diesel to talk to. Although, the line “Hello, Daisy the Diesel” did seem a bit odd, but I presume Moore wrote that in as a way of reminding any new audience members watching at home (at 6:50 in the morning?!) as a quick introduction to Daisy had they not watched the episode previous. Although, I would have thought the visuals would have suggested she’s a diesel railcar anyway?
Moving on - Diesel tells Daisy that he’s shunting trucks back and forth between Harwick and Knapford. A plausible explanation out the way, the Class 08 shunter is convinced that him and Daisy will better the Harwick branch line just for being fellow, modern diesels. Daisy snootily tells Diesel that she’s a unique and “most singular engine” and Daisy departs the station with her passengers, leaving a frustrated Diesel behind. Having watched the episode, Diesel is shown to “bounce” here a few times. It is very subtle however, and most fans online have expressed their gratitude to the subtleness of the gestures. Truth is, I barely noticed it till someone pointed it out to me…! Just goes to show subtly works here, eh?
Daisy continues to boast about her uniqueness to anyone who’d listen, all within earshot of Diesel working. You’d expect the moment Duck & Diesel appeared together on the same frame that fans were going to want them to talk. But no such luck. The seagull gag was well-played, along with “So rude!" - I expect this has become one of Daisy’s catchphrases from the writing department. It suits her.
In fact, Daisy has been really well written ever since her introduction to the CGI world. It’s a joy to see especially since she hardly had any exposure during the Model Era, even when she was first introduced!
Diesel becomes more annoyed than ever and takes it out on the trucks (a clever background visual with the two workmen deserves some credit). He overhears Thomas & Percy talking about an engine of similar description but when Diesel rolls over to them to tell them to stop going on about Daisy. Anyone else feel a slight joy when Thomas mentioned the NWR by its full name? Just me? Ah well..!
After Thomas explains he was talking about Harvey, we get a nice re-introduction of the crane engine himself. I’m pleased that the team are utilising obscure character-pairings - Harvey’s a great non-Awdry character and one that I hope receives more exposure in episodes to come. Diesel then starts spreading rumours all around the railway in true Diesel fashion; setting up the two engines to dislike each other.
After Diesel does his dirty work, Daisy is blocked by crates that have fallen off the back of a lorry on the level crossing. Just then, Harvey come along on the down line. The two catch sight of each other. What came next completely threw me, as it was such a change in direction to the usual narrative. Daisy & Harvey’s stare-out has to be one of the most bizarre and unpredictable sequence I’ve ever seen in the 30+ year show. And I loved it! Let me tell you, this had me laughing my socks off! The tribute to old Western films complete with the Eye of the Tiger-esque music motifs - it was a brilliant piece of filmmaking that I’ve rarely seen from the Thomas series as of late. Well done, Ms. Basso & Winter (not to mention the Editors Gavin Edbes & Eddie Chandler for matching it up to the perceived vision)!
Harvey, on his way to picking up an extra coach that Diesel had derailed, mentions that he could clear the fallen crates with his crane hook and Daisy mentions she can pick up the extra passengers without a coach. The two engines recognise each other’s usefulness and by sunset, they are chatting together like old friends. The part when Diesel dives into the sea was very funny! It’s fair to mention that the line “my bottom’s wet!” confused a few fans, but I was fine with it - it made sense to me and made comical by Kerry Shale’s tremendous voice acting. Harvey rescues Diesel, except the following conversation between Harvey and Diesel was perplexing:
“I wasn’t very nice to you”
“Oh, I know Diesel…”
How does Harvey know this? Seconds ago, his remark on Diesel’s outburst, “What’s the matter with him?” to Daisy made it clear that the two had no inkling that Diesel was the trouble-maker between him and Daisy: spreading the rumours and setting them up against each other. So how can Harvey know that Diesel wasn’t very nice to him if Harvey didn’t know that Diesel was the perpetrator in the first place? Maybe it would’ve made more sense when Harvey was rescuing Diesel out the sea for him to say “Why do you say that, Diesel?” AND THEN make Diesel confess his wrongdoings to the two engines.
Notwithstanding this writing error, the ending is satisfying enough to make this issue seem like a nitpick.
The episode ends, displaying that Daisy, Harvey & Diesel get along nicely whenever they meet and are always happy to see each other whenever that opportunity arises.
Final Thoughts:
A Most Singular Engine is one I could watch again. Indeed, it has a few errors, but most of these are so insignificant that the pros outweigh the cons. What I love about is how different it is compared to other episodes. And yes, Thomas’s role doesn’t help it differentiate it from every other CGI episode out there. But since it’s Mattel’s policy to make Thomas appear in every episode, which isn’t a bad thing since it’s what the target audience want, I’m willing to let that slide. It has an organic feel to it. Micaela Winter and Team Thomas should really make more obscure character pairings like this. If you told me in 2010 that Daisy and Harvey would star in a future episode together on the same screen years later, I would have told you to ‘pull the other one’. Maybe a future episode should have BoCo & Terence (if the former ever gets reintroduced) taking the spotlight on screen? Who knows? If so, I’d very much support another episode like this.
With this strong start to the twenty-first series, it proves to me more than ever that Thomas & Friends is indeed still in very safe hands. I might write my feelings on the recent news of Big World Big Adventures! & the critical reception it has received in a future blog post one day. We shall see…
I don’t think I need to repeat how many fans feel about the animation this series and this episode was no exception. Jam Filled have proved themselves well in making sure the quality is high-standard and better than ever before. Keep up the brilliant work, folks!
Voice acting was fantastique! Tracy-Ann Obermann works Daisy’s persona & characteristics to a tee! The French phrases she comes with is very comical - I wonder if Davey Moore was inspired by Del Boy’s French mispronunciations from the classic British sitcom “Only Fools & Horses”? If so, this opens up the gate to more storytelling opportunities. Anyone else want a Daisy and Millie episode to happen? A story where Daisy gets Millie’s French words completely mixed up and says the wrong things? It would provide lots of comedy potential, which is what we all know the series has tried to become since Series 19. (Plus, more obscure character pairings!)
Music from Chris Renshaw was to a good standard as usual. I’m loving the character themes he’s given each engine. It’s very fitting and a homage to the old practices of Mike O’Donnell & Junior Campbell’s compositions. I personally don’t mind the record-scratches in this episode since it’s synonymous with Diesel’s theme tune from Series 20. I still hold the view that The Eye of The Tiger melody during the stare-off was well-timed and perfectly hits the mark on that comical scene. Good work, Mr Renshaw.
And let’s not forget Kerry Shale who, in my opinion, comes so close to beating Michael Angelis’ interpretation of the show’s recurring antagonist! You can tell Shale loves voicing Diesel as a character and it shows. Mark Moraghan also should get a mention for improving his narration over the past two series. Everything here sounded really good from a storyteller’s point-of-view. Well done. Keith Wickham as Harvey was also great to hear too.
Not much else I can say about this episode, other than that it is an enjoyable one that has kicked off a strong start to a new series, and I hope that standard is maintained and bettered throughout this series’ run.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
TWEET REVIEWS! #TNS21Reviews:
The episodes location is at Arlesburgh West, where Diesel sees & stops to greet Daisy, pleased to see a fellow diesel to talk to. Although, the line “Hello, Daisy the Diesel” did seem a bit odd, but I presume Moore wrote that in as a way of reminding any new audience members watching at home (at 6:50 in the morning?!) as a quick introduction to Daisy had they not watched the episode previous. Although, I would have thought the visuals would have suggested she’s a diesel railcar anyway?
Moving on - Diesel tells Daisy that he’s shunting trucks back and forth between Harwick and Knapford. A plausible explanation out the way, the Class 08 shunter is convinced that him and Daisy will better the Harwick branch line just for being fellow, modern diesels. Daisy snootily tells Diesel that she’s a unique and “most singular engine” and Daisy departs the station with her passengers, leaving a frustrated Diesel behind. Having watched the episode, Diesel is shown to “bounce” here a few times. It is very subtle however, and most fans online have expressed their gratitude to the subtleness of the gestures. Truth is, I barely noticed it till someone pointed it out to me…! Just goes to show subtly works here, eh?
Daisy continues to boast about her uniqueness to anyone who’d listen, all within earshot of Diesel working. You’d expect the moment Duck & Diesel appeared together on the same frame that fans were going to want them to talk. But no such luck. The seagull gag was well-played, along with “So rude!" - I expect this has become one of Daisy’s catchphrases from the writing department. It suits her.
In fact, Daisy has been really well written ever since her introduction to the CGI world. It’s a joy to see especially since she hardly had any exposure during the Model Era, even when she was first introduced!
Diesel becomes more annoyed than ever and takes it out on the trucks (a clever background visual with the two workmen deserves some credit). He overhears Thomas & Percy talking about an engine of similar description but when Diesel rolls over to them to tell them to stop going on about Daisy. Anyone else feel a slight joy when Thomas mentioned the NWR by its full name? Just me? Ah well..!
After Thomas explains he was talking about Harvey, we get a nice re-introduction of the crane engine himself. I’m pleased that the team are utilising obscure character-pairings - Harvey’s a great non-Awdry character and one that I hope receives more exposure in episodes to come. Diesel then starts spreading rumours all around the railway in true Diesel fashion; setting up the two engines to dislike each other.
After Diesel does his dirty work, Daisy is blocked by crates that have fallen off the back of a lorry on the level crossing. Just then, Harvey come along on the down line. The two catch sight of each other. What came next completely threw me, as it was such a change in direction to the usual narrative. Daisy & Harvey’s stare-out has to be one of the most bizarre and unpredictable sequence I’ve ever seen in the 30+ year show. And I loved it! Let me tell you, this had me laughing my socks off! The tribute to old Western films complete with the Eye of the Tiger-esque music motifs - it was a brilliant piece of filmmaking that I’ve rarely seen from the Thomas series as of late. Well done, Ms. Basso & Winter (not to mention the Editors Gavin Edbes & Eddie Chandler for matching it up to the perceived vision)!
Harvey, on his way to picking up an extra coach that Diesel had derailed, mentions that he could clear the fallen crates with his crane hook and Daisy mentions she can pick up the extra passengers without a coach. The two engines recognise each other’s usefulness and by sunset, they are chatting together like old friends. The part when Diesel dives into the sea was very funny! It’s fair to mention that the line “my bottom’s wet!” confused a few fans, but I was fine with it - it made sense to me and made comical by Kerry Shale’s tremendous voice acting. Harvey rescues Diesel, except the following conversation between Harvey and Diesel was perplexing:
“I wasn’t very nice to you”
“Oh, I know Diesel…”
How does Harvey know this? Seconds ago, his remark on Diesel’s outburst, “What’s the matter with him?” to Daisy made it clear that the two had no inkling that Diesel was the trouble-maker between him and Daisy: spreading the rumours and setting them up against each other. So how can Harvey know that Diesel wasn’t very nice to him if Harvey didn’t know that Diesel was the perpetrator in the first place? Maybe it would’ve made more sense when Harvey was rescuing Diesel out the sea for him to say “Why do you say that, Diesel?” AND THEN make Diesel confess his wrongdoings to the two engines.
Notwithstanding this writing error, the ending is satisfying enough to make this issue seem like a nitpick.
The episode ends, displaying that Daisy, Harvey & Diesel get along nicely whenever they meet and are always happy to see each other whenever that opportunity arises.
Final Thoughts:
A Most Singular Engine is one I could watch again. Indeed, it has a few errors, but most of these are so insignificant that the pros outweigh the cons. What I love about is how different it is compared to other episodes. And yes, Thomas’s role doesn’t help it differentiate it from every other CGI episode out there. But since it’s Mattel’s policy to make Thomas appear in every episode, which isn’t a bad thing since it’s what the target audience want, I’m willing to let that slide. It has an organic feel to it. Micaela Winter and Team Thomas should really make more obscure character pairings like this. If you told me in 2010 that Daisy and Harvey would star in a future episode together on the same screen years later, I would have told you to ‘pull the other one’. Maybe a future episode should have BoCo & Terence (if the former ever gets reintroduced) taking the spotlight on screen? Who knows? If so, I’d very much support another episode like this.
With this strong start to the twenty-first series, it proves to me more than ever that Thomas & Friends is indeed still in very safe hands. I might write my feelings on the recent news of Big World Big Adventures! & the critical reception it has received in a future blog post one day. We shall see…
I don’t think I need to repeat how many fans feel about the animation this series and this episode was no exception. Jam Filled have proved themselves well in making sure the quality is high-standard and better than ever before. Keep up the brilliant work, folks!
Voice acting was fantastique! Tracy-Ann Obermann works Daisy’s persona & characteristics to a tee! The French phrases she comes with is very comical - I wonder if Davey Moore was inspired by Del Boy’s French mispronunciations from the classic British sitcom “Only Fools & Horses”? If so, this opens up the gate to more storytelling opportunities. Anyone else want a Daisy and Millie episode to happen? A story where Daisy gets Millie’s French words completely mixed up and says the wrong things? It would provide lots of comedy potential, which is what we all know the series has tried to become since Series 19. (Plus, more obscure character pairings!)
Music from Chris Renshaw was to a good standard as usual. I’m loving the character themes he’s given each engine. It’s very fitting and a homage to the old practices of Mike O’Donnell & Junior Campbell’s compositions. I personally don’t mind the record-scratches in this episode since it’s synonymous with Diesel’s theme tune from Series 20. I still hold the view that The Eye of The Tiger melody during the stare-off was well-timed and perfectly hits the mark on that comical scene. Good work, Mr Renshaw.
And let’s not forget Kerry Shale who, in my opinion, comes so close to beating Michael Angelis’ interpretation of the show’s recurring antagonist! You can tell Shale loves voicing Diesel as a character and it shows. Mark Moraghan also should get a mention for improving his narration over the past two series. Everything here sounded really good from a storyteller’s point-of-view. Well done. Keith Wickham as Harvey was also great to hear too.
Not much else I can say about this episode, other than that it is an enjoyable one that has kicked off a strong start to a new series, and I hope that standard is maintained and bettered throughout this series’ run.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Today's episode was very excellent, Diesel spreading rumours telling Daisy that Harvey is more unique than her & vice-versa. #TNS21Reviews— LNER94 (@LNER94) September 19, 2017
From the rest of the TN team, the episode recieved generally positive reviews (3/5 -- 5/5).#TNS21Reviews Well, A most Singular Engine was pretty weak. Not terrible but not good either.— Isaiah Williams (@IsaiahLilBear) September 19, 2017
FINAL ThomasRATING: 4.75/5
Season Score: 4.65/5
Check back for more reviews, soon! If you want to feature your tweet review for an episode, tweet with #TNS21Reviews and tag @TheThomasNATION!
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