ThomasNATION Classic Reviews - Outback Thomas
May 18, 2024
So, we are finally at our first Australian episode in the "Big World, Big Adventures" rebrand. And so far, I think this would have to be a pretty good episode to start things off by far. I like how there's an actual reason for Thomas being in Australia, which is also the first time that we hear a reason for Thomas being in a country! Shane's character was great, being laidback and cracking a few jokes like most Aussies are. I also liked that he speaks in some slang, even though I never knew such slang like "having a yarn" as someone who isn't an Australian. So, there's some slang that I've learnt. Also, one of the things about Shane is that he is voiced by Australian comedian Shane Jacobson. For those who don't know who he is, he's an Australian comedian and actor in such Australian films like 2006's "Kenny" and 2018's "The BBQ" which funnily enough came out the exact same year as the debut of the "Big World, Big Adventures" rebrand". While he may not be big around the world, he's big there in Australia. And I say, welcome aboard! Looking forward to hearing more of him.
Another thing that makes the episode great is that Thomas had conflict in the story. He was making stuff up and not knowing where he was going when taking the tour train and of course dealt with the consequences which of course brings in the moral about not making stuff up which you'd think that Thomas would've learned by now after the events of "Who's Geoffrey" from Season 19 and "Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure". But I guess not, old habits are hard to break. Aubrey and Aiden are quite funny too, and I hoped we see more of them too. I also like how Aiden and Aubrey were teasing Thomas in a good humored way for his "funny accent", which I have to say is a bit accurate as the Australians and Englishmen have a bit of a friendly banter with each other about our cultures. Not gonna lie, it gave me a chuckle.
Now, even though I'm not an Australian myself, I quite like some of the Australian references in this episode after doing some research while keeping in mind that the episode was actually written by an Australian writer. I like how they have shown Ayres Rock which definitely shows that Thomas was in the Northern Territory as it is apart of the Australian Outback. And if you're a Thomas fan who wants a little dose of realism, there is standard gauge track going out there which is the same one that the Flying Scotsman rolled on back in 1989. I also find the reference to Kylie Minogue a bit funny considering she is a very popular singer there and over in the United Kingdom in the scene where Thomas said that the 'big red bus', which is really Ayres Rock, is owned by the Queen of Australia named Kylie. Down in Australia, they did share the same queen as the United Kingdom which was the late Queen Elizabeth II as it turns out that Australia is part of the Commonwealth like Canada, New Zealand, and Papu New Guinea. Also, I believe that Pine Tree Station is also a reference to Pine Creek Station which is in the Northern Territory as well. The station nowadays is now a railway museum. Kakadu National Park is also referenced as well, and that is an actual place in the Northern Territory as well.
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