ThomasNATION: Toby's Discovery

ThomasNATION members, Megan and Michael start a four-review series, The Good, The Bad and Toby. They will review two episodes - one a good review, the other a critical. Both from Season 5. Both about Toby.

After Megan's positive review for Toby's Discovery, Megan takes the wheel to describe just why he feels that episode was a let-down, and not good at all. Which side do you agree with? Read on to find out why Michael thinks that episode was bad, before you decide...

This is quite an innovative series in my opinion. A good review, a critical review. Really gets both sides of the coin. Megan did a positive review of Toby's Discovery, and I'm going to tell you why I completely dislike that episode:

The start of the episodes is pretty good - (an exception, in this episode). I don't have a lot of complaints although why is the map a map of North Wales? That's bothered me since I found out; and Toby's theme mixed with Oliver's isn't as good as everyone thinks, I just don't think it works but that's just me.

The good that the episode did with the beginning, it all crumbles after they discover the mine. Compare this episode with 'Ghost Train'. Sure in that episode, Toby is being a 'wimp', but he was only pretending so as to fool Thomas. Here, - although - Toby is just plain scared, plain frightened, when really he should be wise about not being scared. This, I feel, is a violation of his character's traits - its described completely wrong. Instead of him being wise, he's scaredy and afraid - which we all know is not him.

Although props to the model crew, they did do a decent job at the mine. And the music that played during this scene was good, so kudos to Mike and Junior for that. But the main let-down of this episode is Toby's character - the way they portrayed it, and some prominent story flaws.

The ending is a bit of a slap in the face when Bertram and Toby are mentioned to be good friends then it's never brought up again; if that doesn't spell pointlessness then I don't know what does. It was completely unnecessary, especially in light of the fact that Bertram never appeared, ever again.

Bertram, a pointless merchandising character. According to Britt Allcroft, he was going to be a tank engine. But due to financing, the model was not made and so the character's model was a used Duke with Smudger's face - I say bollocks to that!

If she had enough money for Thumper, a character that served absolutely no purpose other than merchandise, then surely she could have constructed a flipping tank engine, yeah Dennis, Hector and Hank were merchandise tools, at least they were actually interesting!

I'd like to note how we completely accuse Mattel for making characters just to sell merchandise - sure they do it. But the past wasn't all that good, either. Bertram being a prime example of that.

Bertram's uselessness, and undeveloped character (he was just described as "brave" - ?????) added to the fact that he was purely there for merchandise, HE NEVER EVEN SPOKE, makes me hate this episode. Plus the deadly inaccuracy in Toby's character-handling...

In ending, I hate how Toby was portrayed which is a shame because I actually like the idea, it was just awfully executed. I also hate Bertram (and people complain about Bradford and Philip, AT LEAST THEY HAD PERSONALITY AND WERE DEVELOPED).

This episode can go rot in the ground for all I care. (Quite angry there, Michael!)

It's the worst of Season 5, the worst of the Allcroft era (yes even worse than Snow and Rusty to the Rescue [it was pretty close though]) and in the top 5 worst episodes of the classic era. My rating is 0/5.

Rating: 0/5
Megan's Rating: 4/5

Thanks for reading!

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About the Author:
Michael S - @MichaelSth1995
Follow me on Twitter: @MichaelSth1995
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Read Megan's "Toby's Discovery" Review!

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ThomasNATION members, Megan (MeganMusketeers) and Michael (MichaelSth1995) start a four-review series, The Good, The Bad and Toby. They will review two episodes - one a good review, the other a critical. Both from Season 5. Both about Toby.

Here's Megan's positive review of "Toby's Discovery" - why its a good episode.... Do you agree? Read on:

Now it should be no surprise that I love season 5, it is my favourite season after all. I love it so much that I can't pick out one episode to be my favourite. But one that's up there is the slow paced, relaxing yet spooky and adventurous episode “Toby's Discovery”. Now the episode starts off with the little, brown box in his little, brown box getting ready for the day. When Sir Topham Hatt, The Fat Controller... The morbidly obese, bald man, whatever you call him arrives at Toby's Shed at Arlesdale End with Stephen and Bridgett. Now ever since this season Toby sleeps in his old shed, running the Ffarquhar branch as well as his own branchline, which is just his old one.

And I love that, Toby, Henrietta and their crew are running their old line once more. It's very poetic. Anyway The Fat Controller (I'm just gonna call him that from now on) instructs Toby to take him to “seaside” in Henrietta. Because in season 5 he must have suffered a stroke making him forget pronouns and and contractions. There is no mention of Lady Hatt. My guess is she didn't want to come due to all the visits and trips that happened before in this season ended in disaster.

Now one of my key reasons for liking season 5 so much is the visuals.

They really pop out, with Campbell and O'Donnell's music complementing them nicely. Another reason I like it so much because this is the first (and only) season to be in surround sound, which brings Sodor to life like never before. You can see the light glowing through the branches, hear Toby's chuffing as a mash up of his theme and Oliver's theme plays. The music is just amazing, and so are the sets. There is a nice little reference when Toby visits the old mine. The narrator states that the little engines worked there many years ago, Toby's branch is built on the Mid-Sodor.

So this is part of it, nice work writers. The shots and atmosphere look wonderful, the mine set is laid out well. It is reasonable for Toby to be scared too, he is surrounded by dead bodies. Now a friend of mine suggested that Toby's crew and Thomas knew about Bertram and were having him on. This is backed up by the fact they are smiling while telling Toby. I like to think of this as Thomas' revenge for Toby helping Percy in “Ghost Train”. After all Thomas had already gotten Percy, albeit by accident. The “toot-toot goodbye” really sell this theory, cause I mean that's really aggressive.

Wonderful fog effects start our next scene, creaky noises made even spookier by surround sound.

With the music too! Michael’s reactions in season 5 and top notch and Toby and his crew's don't disappoint. The banter is fantastic and so is the twist. Bertram seems so nice too! Of course they will be friends. Shame we haven't seen the castle or the mine since. A great slow episode to counteract the fast paced action of season 5 and definitely worth a watch. It may be the weakest link in season 5 but if the weakest link is secure it only makes the rest even better.

A classic episode with a classic character, a great episode. 4/5

But, the thing is Michael doesn't agree! Read his side, Here!

Thanks for reading!

● ● ●

About the Author:
Megan - MeganMusketeers

Find me on Twitter -@MeganMusketeers

Watch my videos on YouTube!

Follow ThomasNATION on Twitter!
ThomasNATION is on YouTube!

Take the Ultimate Thomas Fan Quiz, now!

Watch The Season 20 Awards!

Read more "The Good, The Bad & Toby!"

Thanks for reading! ThomasNATION will be back soon with more exciting articles! Follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our blog to stay up-to-date on reviews & Thomas News!

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