Quick correction at 20:52 - the caption did not update and I failed to catch it. It should say "The American Invasion - Mac W". Mavis M had nothing do with that documentary! My mistake!
Edward the very useful Engine isn't truly the worst episode of season 6, it was "middle engine" from the very start. And heres why. ---> it disregard railway regulations when Percy is pushing and pulling two trains at the same time, sir topham hatt blames Percy for something that was completely out of his control and he didn't even bother to apologize to Percy for the misunderstanding, and most importantly "Arry and Bert never got punished!" we need justice for poor Percy and who ever wrote this episode didn't even care how soless this episode really was.
Hello Mike, I'm a 27 year old Autistic man called James, I Love Thomas the Tank engine and Friends Series 1-6/7ish, Your Music/David's vision and Ringo's/Michael's voices made mine and many other peoples childhoods great. I wasn't very good at reading faces when I was younger but the Expressions were very clear so it helped me lots. Also your score is iconic and always bring me back too a Very Happy Cosy Place. Also when I was young I found it very hard to make Friends but Thomas was only a VHS away, I have Lots of Great Friends now. But I still come back too the show from time to time and it never gets old, I will always Love it till the end of time. So Thank You Very much, Best wishes and all the very Best from James a lot time Fan. 🛤🎼🎵🎶🙂
I've been saying this for years. Replace Skarloey with Sir Handel and "The Old Bridge" would actually work as an episode. Throw in a flashback to Bulldog and it would be perfect. It makes perfect sense for Sir Handel to be afraid of heights after almost falling off a cliff in Bulldog.
Honestly the only thing The Old Bridge needs is an intro where Skarloey tells another engine a story about his younger years. Then it would be pretty much perfect. A continuation of the Very Old Engines stories and giving Skarloey a more reasonable explanation for his behavior.
@@primrosevale1995 very true! I think Tug mentioned exactly that in his Sodor’s Finest on Skarloey. However I like the idea of the normally rude and uptight Sir Handel in a rare position of vulnerability and portrayed in a sympathetic light. It would make the transition to his season 10 personality seem more like development instead of a retcon.
I didn’t think of the Old Bridge like that, with Sir Handel as the lead. Always thought someone like Peter Sam would fit the role since it fits more for his character to be scared of this after something happening the first time.
We might have to put the episode a little forward in the timeline for it to function, since working on hilly terrain probably gets rid of that fear slowly
@@owenhelstowski thing is although HIT bought the rights. It was the last series with both David Mitton and Britt involved. Although maybe not as involved sadly as much as they were. The reboot is when the big changes happened. So maybe a bitter sweet series. It’s was ok. I just liked the look of the sets especially the fishing village. All the series had a different look to them and this one was nice.
“He’s fallen in the water!” is a reference to 1950s British radio show “The Goon Show”, whose most well-known quote was a very goofy “he’s fallen in the water!”. Angelis would have understood that piece of writing and it’s SO obvious he’s going for that reference… I love it.
Regardless of some weaker episodes, this season absolutely hits it with all the newbies and I’m glad they stayed, and it’s a neat if not perfect end to classic Thomas
James & the Queen of Sodor is one of my favourite eps in the show. The character interactions are top-tier, James is at his best when he’s being a dramatic,self-obsessed queen imo, the crash is a weird one that stuck in my mind and the ending with like 6 different characters groaning at the same time is a really unique moment for the narrator. Hugely underrated episode.
The main lesson I take away from this episode is a bit unique: Sometimes in life, you can do everything right and still fail. Despite Gordon actively trying to get James dirty, he manages to finish the job without that happening to him even with the barge breaking through an industrial pipeline. Yet Percy screws over James' paintwork when all is said and done in a case of pure bad luck.
Ngl James episodes get better with age mainly due to how well James works off others like Gordon and Percy. Episodes like queen of sodor and trouble with trees are some of the funniest imo
Loving the Series 7 Appreciation A series that ended not by saying goodbye, but simply giving one final hurrah whilst preparing for big changes on the horizon
Sadly the last major time the crews had major roles. One element of the Hit era that always sat wrong with me is the flat out near ignored drivers and fireman. Post season 8, you were lucky to find any cameos of them
I admit, when I was very little I heard "Great Western" and thought American western. It truly didn't dawn on me that Thomas was British until I was about 7.
@@ChrisSuperDude A sad example of US exceptionalism and cultural imperialism. The world knows so much about the cultural minutiae of the USA, but ask it to do the same and the fabric of its society refuses. The English of an exclusively English show has to be scrubbed out and translated, within the same language, to American.
@@skarloeythomas5172 It could also just be that "western" has a different connotation to people who have grown up in the USA than it does to folks in the UK, and children have a very limited knowledge of the world in general.
@@SalmonJonesTheMagnificent Because the denotation was forced to be American by translating English to another dialect and replacing cultural artefacts and giving it an American narration. Of course the connotation was going to be American too lol.
Season 7 feels like a mix between season 6 and 8, I still count it as a classic season and has some great episodes, wasn’t the best send off for the classic series but wasn’t the worst we could have had
I get the same feeling as well. The best episodes of Season 7 feel like classic Thomas, but the bad episodes of Season 7 feel like they belong in the HIT era. Actually, that's kind of why it worked perfectly for HIT to sandwich in a Season 7 episode in between 2 Season 8 episodes when they aired thomas on TV.
When you mentioned Duncan's driver acting like a jerk, it made me want to write this. Sir Topham Hatt: That was very irresponsible! Duncan: Yes, Sir! Sorry, Sir! Sir Topham Hatt: I'm not talking to you! I'm talking to your driver!
literally one of my favorite characters as a kid. His model, color, and name alone are so distinct and memorable just from a single episode and I wish they did more with him
Fun fact, been a fan ever since I have memory. Season 7 never made it to South America. I had a Murdoch take along but no idea what the character was like (I used to play with the engines like they are in the episodes I got to watch). It wasn’t until Series 12 (I was six years old) that I got a glimpse into what Murdoch was as a character.
I've been reading the Railway Series to my fiancee's sister. She asked me after Henry the Green Engine if Emily is showing up soon. Honestly kind of speaks to the longevity of the character.
I wonder, if you wanted to, could you give your thoughts in an actually meaningful way? And then if you can, why don’t you want to give your thoughts in that way? Why replace it with fungible plain memes that don’t say anything?
Now I'm imagining an American AU of the series where all the Little Westerners are cowboys. Except Donald and Douglas, who would be Canadian or something.
Honestly the Skarloey episode does work for me because I mean, he nearly f**king died. There is a difference between being in pain but you can still do something (having a spring burst) to having PTSD from nearly f**king dying. PTSD doesn't always present rationally and can make one irrationally desperate to avoid doing seemingly mundane stuff that they were happy and willing to do beforehand, so it's perfectly understandable that he wouldn't want to go anywhere near that bridge again even if people tell him that it's fixed, so when he overcomes that without hesitation the second he believes Rheneas is in danger it's actually a really powerful moment. Skarloey's character absolutely does go down the shitter in the following Hit seasons, but I wouldn't call it off-point just yet; more simply that this is a realistic portrayal of PTSD from a near-death experience that happens to use Skarloey as its character.
I am still at the belief that the execution could’ve been better, but I agree with a lot of the points here. just, again, I feel like they could’ve kept him in character, and still done something like this if they just fix the execution. I don’t know how, but I believe it could be done.
And now we come to the end of the Classic Era. (Many would argue that season five is actually the end, but still.) While it's definitely not my favorite, it is one of the most nostalgic seasons for me. Plus, it introduced Emily and Spencer, two of my favorite Model Era characters, as well as Arthur and Fergus, two of the most underrated engines in my opinion.
I think there's an argument to be made for Season 5 being a potential end, with it being the last before the movie and last with the glossy coats of paint. But as far as seasons with this style of filming and music, Season 7 is no doubt the end of the classic era.
Season 7 is the last time with the original theme song, the last time with Mitton as director, the last time the episodes being four and a half minutes, and the very last episode of the season does feel like a nice end. Also with season 5 (while being a great season) the finale isn’t perfect or bittersweet, or even cinematic, Gordon gets buried in the snow and how is that a finale? Not a bad episode but if season 5 was the final season and it ended like that, it wouldn’t feel satisfied. It is funny with Gordon buried, but as a closure to the WHOLE series, it would just be weird. “Gordon dies off camera because he was buried.” After Magic Railroads failed the audience needed a fresh air for the show, they did try to bring back the “feel” of Classic Thomas and they “almost” succeeded. “Three Cheers for Thomas” is a bittersweet closure for the series, and if there was only 7 seasons, 1 spin-off and 1 non-canon movie the franchise would be just fine. Almost wounded but it slowly recovered.
R.I.P. Michael Angelis, who should have been Sir Michael for being the defining voice of the childhoods of most of the world’s anglophone population who were blessed with both Thomas as children, and with Angelis’ peerless craft.
I feel so old reading comments of people who were still children and enjoying TTTE in the early 2000's. My younger sister and I watched Shining Time station on PBS in the early 90's, I was a freshman in college in 2003. But I still enjoy seeing how the show progressed over the years and now my 6 year old gets to enjoy classic Thomas.
Something I've always noticed about Emily ever since she was introduced is that whenever Henry is sick or breaks down, Emily is always the one who helps him out. She's always the one who defends him and helps him when something goes wrong. Even in King Of The Railway, when Henry bursts his safety valve, Emily is the one who helps him to the Steamworks. It's always just them and only them, everytime all of the time. I don't know if it's supposed to imply something or show their bond or friendship or something. I don't know. It's just something I've always noticed. Heck, even in Victor Tanzig's Stories Of Sodor, Henry and Emily are somehow married. Sorry for making this comment so long. It's just something I've noticed.
Michael Brandon also played a one-off character named General Sanchez in the Doctor Who episode The Stolen Earth. He was a UNIT general who ended up getting exterminated by The Daleks.
Even been a massive Dr. Who and TTTE fan i didn't realize Brandon worked on both also, also a similar connection David Graham was a voice actor for The Daleks and The Thunderbirds, and as we know who David Mitton also work on The Thunderbirds too.
Duncan's driver basically becoming a tool/extension of Duncan was a precursor to HIT's T&F take on the Series, it was revealed in their "Bible" that the Drivers and Fireman's would be phased out and the Engines would be given more autonomy.
@@NitroIndigo I mean that was always a thing. Remember how often engines got blamed for workmen errors in the original stories. Donald and Douglas got scolded for the stupid prank their drivers thought up in the Missing Coach for example. At least in the Hit canon, the engines are actually to blame.
I definitely agree with how well Gordon was handled here. A little thing i love are his moments with Thomas in Gordon and Spencer. Dont know if im reading too deep into it, but it feels like a callback to their alliance set up in Down the Mine. He goes to Thomas to tell about him being the one to take the Duke and Dutchess, albiet a little bit pompously, and he and Thomas share their concern about Spencer running out of water at the station. I like to think this was intentional
Fun Fact: Michael Brandon actually re-narrated a few Season 6 episodes, being Gordon Takes a Tumble, James and the Red Balloon, and others can be found on RUclips. Not entirely sure why but just wanted to throw that out there.
I watched his Gordon Takes a Tumble renaration, and it's easily his best episode. Gordon sounds like..Gordon, and he just sounds better (if it makes sense)
They were re-aired during season 9 for Some reason. Michael Angelis also renarrated those episode (again for some reason, dunno why considering he narrated the episodes already) and was basically shouting his lines half of the time
I have fond memories of season 7. I remember when I was a little kid watching the, at the time, foreign Michael Angelis US narration of the New Friends for Thomas DVD with great episodes like Emily’s new coaches, Peace and Quiet, The Spotless Record, etc… and the song 5 new engines in the shed.
As far as "The Spotless Record" is concerned, one change I'd make is have Thomas notice that the trucks are being rude to Arthur, so Thomas suggests giving them a hard bump to get them to behave. However Arthur initially doesn't like physical retaliation, but eventually gets so fed up with the trucks that he follows Thomas'advice, but goes too far and is partly responsible for the following crash. Thomas would try to take the blame but the Fat Controller would be very understanding and acknowledge that Thomas was only trying to help Arthur stand up for himself. As for "What's the Matter with Henry", after the initial teasing about Henry's boiler grumbling, Emily notices the leaked puddle, she tells Thomas and now Thomas feels bad for teasing Henry, and next morning, asks the Fat Controller if he and Percy can take the giant coal load themselves as it wouldn't be fair for Henry to work while ill. Finally in "Salty's Stormy Tale" it's stated that Thomas and Percy weren't actually mocking Salty. Maybe Emily could be concerned and say to him and Percy, "I know you two are fond of how Salty talks, but he thinks your mocking him. I know that wasn't your intention, but maybe you two should clear things up with him.". Something like that.
I was thinking Fergus would get the MVP award this season. From his interaction with Bill & Ben, to his adventure with Salty, and his little escapade due to diesel.
I Agree, But Gordon Deserves an MVP Too, Since He Looked Super Grand In The 4 Episodes, He Appeared In. The Nicest Thing About Gordon Is That, He Doesn't Care About His Looks.
21:25 - "Why is Oliver a cowboy?" As an American who made it all the way to his adult years not even knowing this show was originally British, and knowing absolutely nothing about their historic railways or what the GWR even was, I can see what he was going for. When Duck and Oliver said they were "Great Western", I always thought they meant, "Wild Western". As in, western US. I could not have been the only one who thought this, and I think that's what the narrator thought, too. Or, even if he knew better, he was thinking about what the kids would think. Playing off of that (wrong) assumption, why *wouldn't* Oliver be a cowboy? I know better now. And I don't think it was the correct voice to use, mind. It only reinforces false assumptions. This is on par with bad, over-corrective anime localization. But I don't find the fact that this has occurred remotely surprising.
I mean, I kinda think the western twang works in the context of a localization. Both it and West Country Yap represent a more country sort of speech in both the UK and US' more rural, agricultural wests.
I've been reading the Railway Series to my fiancee's little sister. And she asked me when Emily is gonna show up. I know she's kind of a mixed bag among the fandom but I love how a character that was created when I had to grow out of Thomas is still remembered today.
Honestly, I feel like the HiT era retrospectives are going to get boring until he gets to season 12, because the CGI/model hybrid style is at least *something* interesting, unless he decides to do what Usual Bloke Luke did and focus more on humour.
He’s probably not gonna do this, but I feel like maybe seasons 9 and 10 should be together in the same video, because not much changes between them. Also the same goes with seasons 14 and 15.
The retrospectives after this one are going to be the most difficult for me to relate to or be really interested in, because this is the point in the show where I stopped watching. Apart from maybe 1 or 2 Seaason 8 DVD's (which I barely ever watched if I had any, I can't exactly remember), I only watched the classic seasons and Thomas And The Magic Railroad on home video. And I hardly watched anything released after Season 7 until I was a teenager who had easy access to the internet. So I would pretty much have to rewatch the rest of the show to be deeply invested in these upcoming retrospectives.
I think I just realized where the Brandon’s Cowboy accent for Oliver came from. Oliver is a Great Western Engine, but most Americans associate “western” with cowboys (especially trains, as the classic train heist is a trope of westerns). I think that either HIT asked Brandon to do it to make more sense for American children or Brandon didn’t know anything about British Railways history and just did the first thing that came to mind when he saw “western”. I wouldn’t be that surprised by either.
Season 6 was the season that got me into Thomas but THIS season is what made me become OBSESSED with Thomas!!! I love this season so much. Yes it’s not the best, but season was so good (in my opinion anyway). I always remember playing with the Take A Long diecast while watching the episodes and this season has Fergus. Fergus was the first character I became so fascinated with. I don’t know if it’s his blue livery or his design, but he’s my favorite Thomas character alongside Gordon and Edward. This video was awesome, great work Tug!!!!
I think some of the recycled footage issues from Season 7 can be fixed if you swapped some of the clips around: 1. Not So Hasty Puddings: Use the forest shot of Henry puffing through the trees because it covers up his old shape instead of the obvious old shape clip of him on the viaduct from The Flying Kipper. Also take out that awkward clip of Thomas and Toby from Its Only Snow because it's a weird transition to the next clip of just Thomas, Annie and Clarabel at station with no Toby. Why not use that deleted shot from Terence The Tractor of him puffing past that one signal and edit in the grey skies there? Heck if you must show an angry Thomas with his snowplow, just edit in the grey skies over a clip of Thomas exiting Hackenbeck tunnel appearing cross! 2. Best Dressed Engine: Simply just leaving the Season 1 tracking shot of Thomas alone and not flipping as in the final product would have been so much better. It's just awkward seeing it that way
And it kinda funny to me. Toby was the last new character of S1 (where isn't a human character) and the number 7 of Sodor. And the last season of the classic series is season 7.
@@KirbyRKR I know, right? In fact, none of engines 8-11 appear in their number-sake season - Donald doesn't appear in S9, Douglas doesn't appear in S10, and Oliver doesn't appear in S11.
It's a shame that classic Thomas ended where it did, because the signs were there that the team could have let the show keep improving had Hit not gotten involved. David Mitton's criticisms of the episode selection showed his passion was still alive, the new writers were improving, set design was getting better and there was still clear inspiration being taken for real life railways.
Yeah they should have kept the classic era going tell S12. Why couldn't they just did what they did with Bob the Builder's Seasons 7-9 in the US to Thomas and pair 4 episodes in one half hour block for the PBS airings rather than adding useless learning segments no one cares about and for certain stories which only work in 7 minutes like Respect for Gordon just do a two parter.
@@ThomasSirHandel Honestly, I wish they finish adapting most of Wilbert/Christopher RWS books, as well as follow the formal of s5 for s8-s12. They could also had improve locomotive designs and add certain detail to the models with some of their real life counterparts, all be it still in tvs format.
@@ebenezeronile And the look of the models should have remained in Seasons 4-5 esque. Like Tidmouth Sheds would remain shorter with the inside remaining gray instead of green and Emily would have her livery in Darth Arzenal's remake of Emily's New Coachers. Sir Handel and Rusty's large scale modes would look their S4 models.
If I had a nickel for every time The Unlucky Tug did a video on Season 7, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it has happened twice.
I think it’s worth noting that the song “Troublesome Trucks” was released with Season 7, and may have something to do with this season’s crashes being watered down. Troublesome Trucks was “after my time” and I didn’t recognize it when I first watched TAB in 2015; I thought the song was very fun and well done. Since then, I’ve concluded that Troublesome Trucks is likely one of many contributors to the show and its crashes/runaways becoming viewed as silly and/or babyish as time went on. If someone who worked on Season 7 said the song was another answer to the complaints of the show’s crashes being too intense, I wouldn’t question it. With that said, Troublesome Trucks is still a bop.
This video came out the day before my birthday. That is so convenient and so interesting. I love watching nick or tugs videos before my birthday. I love that. This video will replace the tugs trains collection video last year that i commented on last year.
Britt’s role in the turning of the franchise is really fascinating to me as while she technically catalyzed it by making magic railroad, a movie so devoid of the very concept of trains itself that prompt the following 2 seasons to only consult her than to have her actually work on it, you can’t really deny that there’s something she brought that was lost in the transition years before the hit takeover. Like yeah you can see she did dumb down train terminology and made simple stories, but they were stories that understood the characters. I wonder what would have happened if she wasn’t forced into a minor role for season 6 and still had as much creative control prior to magic railroad. Would she still have kept the same feel of the first 5 seasons or would we have gotten something different or would nothing have changed at all? I feel like it’s wrong to view Britt’s involvement as ending with magic railroad because she did other things that were key in the franchise‘a success.
The original series 1-5 & the books are the GOAT! Had Magic Railroad not been a movie the series under Britt Season 6 onwards would’ve been much better. It’s not her fault, it was the test audiences that ruined the original perception of Magic Railroad Remember the movie you saw in theaters or on DVD isn’t the one we got.. Blu Ray has it better
Can't it be both? Anybody who watches it can see it was setting the ground work for the Hit Era changes, but the best episodes of this season made it feel like the last final hurrah of the classics. A Transition Season, if you would, the same way Season 21 was setting the ground work for the BWBA changes
I believe this is the first Thomas retrospective to review a season that the unlucky tug has already reviewed I wonder if his opinions has changed since the original season 7 review.
Hearing Michael Brandon on that World War 2 Documentary makes me wonder what he would have sounded had he been given the direction of the old seasons 1-5 narrators. Imagine Brandon narrating "Duncan Gets Spooked"
Hey Unlucky Tug. If you happen to stumble upon this comment, (because I know there’ll be a ton, I just want to say how much your videos changed my life. Revisiting the old memories I had of Thomas and the Railway series through your very passion-filled analytical commentaries and opinions makes you truly an open gate to revisit the great visual nostalgia I always love to return to everyday when there’s an open chance. I’m really excited for this video! It’ll be really interesting knowing the history behind the production and the ideas they had for the art design, production value, and especially the stories considering that I think this was David Mitton’s last time in the director’s chair. I always wanted to know how you feel about certain characters in this series like Arthur and Murdoch and whether or not they would fit into Awdry’s stories nicely. And it’ll be even more interesting in season 8 and 9 where you talk about characters like Billy and Molly. See, that fact that I’m also interested in the stuff that’s a little minor just shows how good you are in my opinion at making these videos so interesting and completely get me on your side 100% I always saw Thomas as one of those nostalgia trips for my visual appeal in terms of how it was shot and rendered. Movies like this include Home Alone (1990) Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) Baby’s Day Out (1994) We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story! (1993) and even some guilty pleasures like Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007-2011). Sounds embarrassing I know, but it doesn’t matter. They fit nicely in my nostalgia collection. And don’t get me wrong, Thomas is clearly the superior out of that collection. Anyway, I thought I’d drop by to say this before the video starts because your videos have truly changed my life. At a time where I was at my all time low in terms of my mental health and emotional health, putting on one of your videos just made me wish I was a little kid in fourth grade again. It put me in a world that felt like being inside a warm cozy cabin with a hot cup of Cocoa. Just feeling safe, and happy. Filled with characters in a world that felt like they were actually a part of reality for me. Thank you so so much for everything and inspiring me to write essays of my own. And keep on posting. Thomas is not just for kids like matell likes to claim it as. They were stories that were for parents to snuggle up in bed with their kids and read to. Almost like what Disney, Pixar, or even Sesame Street (which is also part of that collection by the way) does. And you are doing a great job in showing newcomers that. Keep making videos, and have an incredible day!
@@fanofeverything30465Don’t be. I’ll need all the support I can get to stay happy. To be in that side that brings me joy again. But I do appreciate your concern. Thank you so much. 🙂
I love TTTE Season 7, I was once a lonely depressed TTTE Fan, but once I saw Season 7 on TV, it cured my depression and weaknesses towards society. The season was such a banger I had to watch it 24 hours a day, even when I go to bed. The narration is my favourite too, it’s amazing. I once again thank you Michael Angelis for what you have done for me, thank you. Oh I forgot to mention, when I was a kid, I got bullied a lot at school. Not until season 7 came in. He converted all the bullies into good guys and we all watched Thomas and Friends season 7 24 hours straight for the rest of our lives, Season 7 is the Jesus of TTTE, he brings the holy in us to life, he expresses our true emotions. We love you Season 7. I will never be the same person again, you are the best thing that has been put upon this horrid planet, and things will definitely change because of you. Thank you Season 7, I will now always be holy to you in every way. I will worship you until the day I die. Will the Season 7 always be remembered as a moment in ttte history. You will never be forgotten. KEEP MORBING SEASON 7 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
18:42 The no thoughts, empty head fat controller Also, DAMN, I couldn't have been more wrong in my prediction. I thought the sum-up word for the season would be "Nice", which season 7 is a pretty nice friendly season, but "Eye of the Storm" was totally unexpected.
Murdoch and Spencer - my all time favourite characters. As a kid, I just thought these two look the coolest. It wasn't until after several years that I learnt they are BR's last steam locomotive design and the world's fastest steam locomotive design respectively. Season 7 is a special one.
On the slide whistles, you can tell the Robert Hartshorne version of Season 7 was made after they went back to the loud crash sounds. As while the crashes are still quiet, the slide whistles are gone...
Season 7 is a classic season and it is the last season of a great era. Some people think it’s alright but I think it’s wonderful. It may not be as good as the previous 6 but it was a good season to end of on a beautiful era.
Season 7 >>> Season 6 I knew even as a kid this isn't a magnum opus of the classic series, but one i still held dear to my heart growing up. Considering the mixed bag Season 6 was, this was a nice breath of fresh air. World-building with new locations is great, the new set designs are rich in colour and cool to look at, and Mike & Junior's final score was as always fun to listen to. As for new characters. Emily, Arthur, Spencer, Murdoch & Fergus are all fantastic! additions to the TTTE family... hands down Season 7 introduced the best new roster of engines. I like to think the reason why this season used so much Stock-Footage is cause they were in the middle of shooting *Jack & The Pack* at the time. With all the other reasons for it's tight production schedule, filming of the spin-off would've for certain made things a tad harder; hence in some episodes featuring Thomas you can actually see leftover production past in some sets. I don't care what anyone says, i love this season so much, being the one i watched the most growing up along with Season 3 & 4. It's all just so nostalgic, i remember getting the *Bumper Party Collection* DVD and loving all the new episodes. This season isn't perfect by any means, but it's still a decent send off to Mitton as director and the classic years of Thomas as a whole, and definitely one i'm not gonna forget anytime soon.
I think what could've made the old bridge work better, is if you switched that episode with Trusty Rusty in airing order, and have the old bridge play off as a follow up/aftermath episode for Trusty Rusty. Like for instance, Duncan gets so traumatized from his reckless near miss encounter with the old wooden bridge, that HE suffers from PTSD and therefore has a phobia of crossing high bridges over rushing waters. Because of this, Duncan ends up causing confusion and delay with his work. So to try and sooth Duncan down, Skarloey tells Duncan a story about the time (back when he and Rheneas were the only engines working on the Skarloey Railway) when he had nearly had fell of a trestle bridge.
On one hand, Arthur is a great character, and I wish we could have seen more of him in future seasons, but on the other hand, I do not trust the HIT writers to do his character justice. More than likely they would ruin him and make him out of character like so many others.
Funny thing about the Michael Angelis narration for this season. I, just like most US kids, was introduced to him in the New Friends for Thomas VHS and i actually loved some of the more subdued narration.
Now that we're officially done reviewing the 'good' seasons I imagine Tug will have rather less nice things to say about the rest of the series particularly the Miller seasons
The narration for Angelis in this season to me (even as a kid watching the cartoons on VHS) kinda sounded soft and somewhat quiet. It’s like I’m listening to a wise old man explaining the scenarios in a heartwarming fashion.
I must agree that Michael Brandon wasn't the BEST US narrator, but he's the one I grew up hearing, so he gives me a lot of nostalgia. I think he is all right though, and you can tell by the accents and voices he gives to the characters shows how much fun he's having with it. A bit like my favorite narrator, Alec Baldwin, if you ask me.
I’ve warmed up to Season 7 more and more over the years. There’s something warm and cozy I find about it. A nice season to conclude the Classic Series of Thomas.
Inspired by Usual Bloke Luke’s plan on altering the production cycle of “Calling All Engines!”, I’ll have a Google doc expanding on how to alter the production cycle of Series 7 to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
I like Season 7 more than Season 5 and 6 as I felt that it is calm and relaxing than the previous two like Series 1-4 and love the variety of characters use for all the episodes. I didn't realize it is the end of that era and what a way to end it all. if they had more time on Season 7, then it would be better. Michael Angelis would do the us dub in Late 2003 to Early 2004 without Brandon so that no effort waste for the redo the music since they can take the opportunity while series 8 being made. For Brandon version, I leave HIT to handle it. Also realize, happy 20th anniversary Season 7.
Great review! I am glad that this retrospective was much more positive than the previous one. Season 7 is a fantastic season and it marks and end of the classic era of Thomas. There are lot of great episodes like: Gordon and Spencer, Salty's Stormy Tale, the two episode with Arthur, the episodes with Thomas as the leading role and The Narrow Gauge Engines episodes. It was also great to see that the Narraow Gauge Engines got a lot more focus this season. Season 7 is one of my favorite seasons. I am sure excited to see the next retrospective on Season 8.
At last I'm not alone! Im glad I'm not the only one not fond of the slide whistles this season. I've never really liked them in general. I'm talking to you 007 installment.
I wonder if Alec would've wanted to narrate Season 7, along with him seeing the concepts and wondering if the season would suck. Im sure he would've loved to narrate 1 finale season, season 7 would've totally been better if he was the narrator and the season would've been special for the last classic season along with a proper finale to Alec's narration. 😊
Season 7 is an amazing season! You did a great job talking about all things season seven. The chrarictors the music the narators the episodes and the history. This video is so interesting! Amazing video! Hope you have a great day!
Great video! I've wanted to note this for a while, but typically, the UK pronounciation of "Campbell", as in Junior, is more like "Cambull", as opposed to "Camp-Bell". At this point I sort of look out for your pronounciation because it makes me chuckle and brings me joy. Anyway, awesome video Tug, can't wait for season 8 and beyond!
My predictions for the following seasons' MVPs S8: Percy S9: Toby S10: Sir Handel S11: Madge S12: Hank S13: Hiro S14: Bash, Dash and Ferdinand S15: Flynn S16: Whiff S17: Luke S18: Duncan S19: Toad S20: Daisy S21: Diesel S22: Duck S23: Max and Monty S24: Yong Bao (If you think I should change something, just tell me.)
I'm glad to see some appreciation for what might just be the most underrated season of the show. It may not be on the level of seasons 1-5, but it's a nice finale to classic Thomas nonetheless.
I was thinking it was going to be Arthur this season and I'm so glad he got that award - he really came into his own this time and it was a very complete arc we all enjoyed. Albeit I was worried you'd be giving the award to Gordon, given his portrayal this season. Well balanced review.
My guess with Michael Angelis narration is that is was new Hit Producers & the direction he was given. While he probably thought the scripts in the later seasons were poorer, he clearly still loved Thomas as he stuck around for so many years & did so much more for the series. It was a show he clearly loved
Season 5 and 8 was my favorite season from Thomas and Friends. And this season, season 7 was making me fall in love with Thomas And Friend for the first time..
I feel like the moral being stated at the end of Spotless Record, as well as Percy’s silly questioning of things, wasn’t as out of place as some of the others. When Thomas says “Maybe spotless records are meant to be broken”, to me it seemed like he was trying to cheer Arthur up, as well as maybe acknowledging his part in the events that caused it; as he saw just how distraught he was. Arthur’s response was then his way of acknowledging that he knew what Thomas was trying to do. Percy’s question also seems valid as while “spotless record” could seem self explanatory, it’s also not a phrase that’s commonly used.
This season was way after my time, so it's interesting hearing someone talk about it, I may have to check it out instead of stopping at season 5 like I did as a kid
I honestly did not mind Michael Brandon as a narrator. He at least tried his best to make every character different with different voices and personalities. I bet if he had more time to prepare narrating the episodes, he maybe could’ve been better.
Quick correction at 20:52 - the caption did not update and I failed to catch it. It should say "The American Invasion - Mac W". Mavis M had nothing do with that documentary! My mistake!
That's just what he wants to think.
When will you remake "why the Thomas 2021 reboot is doomed to fail", and reupload every thoughts on video you made before making the BWBA rant?
And why haven't you mentioned the season 7 thoughts on video you made many years ago?
I don't I mind great bro love u ❤❤
Edward the very useful Engine isn't truly the worst episode of season 6, it was "middle engine" from the very start. And heres why. ---> it disregard railway regulations when Percy is pushing and pulling two trains at the same time, sir topham hatt blames Percy for something that was completely out of his control and he didn't even bother to apologize to Percy for the misunderstanding, and most importantly "Arry and Bert never got punished!" we need justice for poor Percy and who ever wrote this episode didn't even care how soless this episode really was.
Great programme Nick, well done.
Yo it's the man himself
Hello Mike, I'm a 27 year old Autistic man called James, I Love Thomas the Tank engine and Friends Series 1-6/7ish, Your Music/David's vision and Ringo's/Michael's voices made mine and many other peoples childhoods great. I wasn't very good at reading faces when I was younger but the Expressions were very clear so it helped me lots. Also your score is iconic and always bring me back too a Very Happy Cosy Place. Also when I was young I found it very hard to make Friends but Thomas was only a VHS away, I have Lots of Great Friends now. But I still come back too the show from time to time and it never gets old, I will always Love it till the end of time. So Thank You Very much, Best wishes and all the very Best from James a lot time Fan. 🛤🎼🎵🎶🙂
I meant a Long Time Fan Sorry Typo.😆
@@talkalotstudios1901Hello James 👋🏿
Looks like Mike O'Donnell himself is in the RUclips comments.
I've been saying this for years. Replace Skarloey with Sir Handel and "The Old Bridge" would actually work as an episode. Throw in a flashback to Bulldog and it would be perfect. It makes perfect sense for Sir Handel to be afraid of heights after almost falling off a cliff in Bulldog.
Honestly the only thing The Old Bridge needs is an intro where Skarloey tells another engine a story about his younger years. Then it would be pretty much perfect. A continuation of the Very Old Engines stories and giving Skarloey a more reasonable explanation for his behavior.
@@primrosevale1995 very true! I think Tug mentioned exactly that in his Sodor’s Finest on Skarloey. However I like the idea of the normally rude and uptight Sir Handel in a rare position of vulnerability and portrayed in a sympathetic light. It would make the transition to his season 10 personality seem more like development instead of a retcon.
I didn’t think of the Old Bridge like that, with Sir Handel as the lead. Always thought someone like Peter Sam would fit the role since it fits more for his character to be scared of this after something happening the first time.
We might have to put the episode a little forward in the timeline for it to function, since working on hilly terrain probably gets rid of that fear slowly
And replace Rheneas with either Peter Sam or Duke and it would be perfect
I know people hate on this season a lot but it did many things right and in my opinion, was a perfect finale to the classic series.
I like the calm telling of the stories almost like bedtime stories.
idk for me, it was so far from where the series started off it almost seemed like hit era episodes.
@@owenhelstowski thing is although HIT bought the rights. It was the last series with both David Mitton and Britt involved. Although maybe not as involved sadly as much as they were. The reboot is when the big changes happened. So maybe a bitter sweet series. It’s was ok. I just liked the look of the sets especially the fishing village. All the series had a different look to them and this one was nice.
I agree
It was one of my first seasons that’s for sure
“He’s fallen in the water!” is a reference to 1950s British radio show “The Goon Show”, whose most well-known quote was a very goofy “he’s fallen in the water!”. Angelis would have understood that piece of writing and it’s SO obvious he’s going for that reference… I love it.
Brandon too may probably have heard that phrase before on the NBC radio.
They used a catchphrase for a old Time radio show
don't say gooning 💀
Let's take a moment to appreciate how Mike O'Donnell & Junior Campbell made the music orchestrated. Happy 20th anniversary Season 7!
what are you talking about? This season only had Robert Hartshorne music! /j
@@wishbonefan Nope. It is the only season of the entire show where every episode has two different soundtracks.
@@extrahistory8956 Did you not see the "/j" right there
Happy 20th Birthday to Season 7
@@wishbonefan You're probably joking, I believe.
Regardless of some weaker episodes, this season absolutely hits it with all the newbies and I’m glad they stayed, and it’s a neat if not perfect end to classic Thomas
James & the Queen of Sodor is one of my favourite eps in the show.
The character interactions are top-tier, James is at his best when he’s being a dramatic,self-obsessed queen imo, the crash is a weird one that stuck in my mind and the ending with like 6 different characters groaning at the same time is a really unique moment for the narrator. Hugely underrated episode.
The main lesson I take away from this episode is a bit unique: Sometimes in life, you can do everything right and still fail. Despite Gordon actively trying to get James dirty, he manages to finish the job without that happening to him even with the barge breaking through an industrial pipeline. Yet Percy screws over James' paintwork when all is said and done in a case of pure bad luck.
@@Daniel_Huffmantbf Percy just loves to fuck over James that dynamic is one of the funniest
Ngl James episodes get better with age mainly due to how well James works off others like Gordon and Percy. Episodes like queen of sodor and trouble with trees are some of the funniest imo
The only bad thing is Percy is covered in rocks at the start but blows mud on Gordon
Boy I hope somebody got fired for that blunder
“Why does Gordon sound like a chain smoker?”
I was taking a sip of my drink when you said that and I almost choked to death. 😂
Loving the Series 7 Appreciation
A series that ended not by saying goodbye, but simply giving one final hurrah whilst preparing for big changes on the horizon
Sadly the last major time the crews had major roles.
One element of the Hit era that always sat wrong with me is the flat out near ignored drivers and fireman. Post season 8, you were lucky to find any cameos of them
Agreed
True. Series 7 may not have been the end of the show, but it *was* the end of the show as its audience knew it.
“Season 7 is definitely the black sheep of the classic era, but a gentle and fuzzy one none the less”
That's an oddly wholesome turn of phrase, mind if I steal it, lol?
@@s.p.d.magentaranger1822 there’s a reason why it’s in parentheses lol
@@angelplayz02 Quotation marks, but I see XD.
Nice quote from the original Season 7 video.
Anyone that knows where you can find the original season 7 review?
‘Why is Oliver a cowboy?’
‘Why does Gordon sound like a chain smoker?’
Never laughed so hard at a rhetorical question 😂😂
I admit, when I was very little I heard "Great Western" and thought American western. It truly didn't dawn on me that Thomas was British until I was about 7.
@@ChrisSuperDude A sad example of US exceptionalism and cultural imperialism. The world knows so much about the cultural minutiae of the USA, but ask it to do the same and the fabric of its society refuses. The English of an exclusively English show has to be scrubbed out and translated, within the same language, to American.
Now I’m thinking of those old Geico Commercials.
@@skarloeythomas5172 It could also just be that "western" has a different connotation to people who have grown up in the USA than it does to folks in the UK, and children have a very limited knowledge of the world in general.
@@SalmonJonesTheMagnificent Because the denotation was forced to be American by translating English to another dialect and replacing cultural artefacts and giving it an American narration. Of course the connotation was going to be American too lol.
Season 7 feels like a mix between season 6 and 8, I still count it as a classic season and has some great episodes, wasn’t the best send off for the classic series but wasn’t the worst we could have had
I get the same feeling as well. The best episodes of Season 7 feel like classic Thomas, but the bad episodes of Season 7 feel like they belong in the HIT era. Actually, that's kind of why it worked perfectly for HIT to sandwich in a Season 7 episode in between 2 Season 8 episodes when they aired thomas on TV.
Yeah, Season 7 is a nice transition from the Classic Series to the HIT Era!
Since the term new series isn’t really used anymore, I now just call the classic series the classic era.
When you mentioned Duncan's driver acting like a jerk, it made me want to write this.
Sir Topham Hatt: That was very irresponsible!
Duncan: Yes, Sir! Sorry, Sir!
Sir Topham Hatt: I'm not talking to you! I'm talking to your driver!
Yeah this why Duncan is my favorite character in the series
Duncan's Driver: Sorry sir
Anyone else wish they did more with Murdock?
literally one of my favorite characters as a kid. His model, color, and name alone are so distinct and memorable just from a single episode and I wish they did more with him
Yes omg he had so much potential
Uh, yeah. For sure. Arthur too.
Oh GOD, Yes!!!!!
Fun fact, been a fan ever since I have memory. Season 7 never made it to South America. I had a Murdoch take along but no idea what the character was like (I used to play with the engines like they are in the episodes I got to watch). It wasn’t until Series 12 (I was six years old) that I got a glimpse into what Murdoch was as a character.
Ok but Thomas and James Japanese VA's go unnecessarily hard and I love it
Also Emily is Queen
In this Season anyway, but one review at a time.
I've been reading the Railway Series to my fiancee's sister. She asked me after Henry the Green Engine if Emily is showing up soon. Honestly kind of speaks to the longevity of the character.
Yes! We ❤ Emily!! Stan Emily!
I wonder, if you wanted to, could you give your thoughts in an actually meaningful way? And then if you can, why don’t you want to give your thoughts in that way? Why replace it with fungible plain memes that don’t say anything?
@@skarloeythomas5172 this is the most 🤓 comment Ive ever read
21:23 I think Brandon misunderstood what "Great Western" meant and just assumed it meant Western America
Now I'm imagining an American AU of the series where all the Little Westerners are cowboys. Except Donald and Douglas, who would be Canadian or something.
@@NitroIndigoThat sounds interesting
@@fanofeverything30465 Unfortunately, I don't know much about American railways.
21:40 😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@NitroIndigo now all I can think of is Donald & Douglas doing lines from the Canadians on South Park
Honestly the Skarloey episode does work for me because I mean, he nearly f**king died. There is a difference between being in pain but you can still do something (having a spring burst) to having PTSD from nearly f**king dying. PTSD doesn't always present rationally and can make one irrationally desperate to avoid doing seemingly mundane stuff that they were happy and willing to do beforehand, so it's perfectly understandable that he wouldn't want to go anywhere near that bridge again even if people tell him that it's fixed, so when he overcomes that without hesitation the second he believes Rheneas is in danger it's actually a really powerful moment.
Skarloey's character absolutely does go down the shitter in the following Hit seasons, but I wouldn't call it off-point just yet; more simply that this is a realistic portrayal of PTSD from a near-death experience that happens to use Skarloey as its character.
I suppose it does kinda work.
youre right
Maybe
I am still at the belief that the execution could’ve been better, but I agree with a lot of the points here. just, again, I feel like they could’ve kept him in character, and still done something like this if they just fix the execution. I don’t know how, but I believe it could be done.
I think That there still should have had a different main character for the episode like Sir Handel
And now we come to the end of the Classic Era. (Many would argue that season five is actually the end, but still.) While it's definitely not my favorite, it is one of the most nostalgic seasons for me. Plus, it introduced Emily and Spencer, two of my favorite Model Era characters, as well as Arthur and Fergus, two of the most underrated engines in my opinion.
I think there's an argument to be made for Season 5 being a potential end, with it being the last before the movie and last with the glossy coats of paint. But as far as seasons with this style of filming and music, Season 7 is no doubt the end of the classic era.
Are you sure you don't mean golden
Season 7 is the last time with the original theme song, the last time with Mitton as director, the last time the episodes being four and a half minutes, and the very last episode of the season does feel like a nice end. Also with season 5 (while being a great season) the finale isn’t perfect or bittersweet, or even cinematic, Gordon gets buried in the snow and how is that a finale? Not a bad episode but if season 5 was the final season and it ended like that, it wouldn’t feel satisfied. It is funny with Gordon buried, but as a closure to the WHOLE series, it would just be weird.
“Gordon dies off camera because he was buried.”
After Magic Railroads failed the audience needed a fresh air for the show, they did try to bring back the “feel” of Classic Thomas and they “almost” succeeded. “Three Cheers for Thomas” is a bittersweet closure for the series, and if there was only 7 seasons, 1 spin-off and 1 non-canon movie the franchise would be just fine. Almost wounded but it slowly recovered.
I count season 6 as the end.
Honestly, I think season five is the end of the truly classic era. Season six and seven are classic, but they’re more of an interim.
The last season of the classic era. RIP David Mitton.
R.I.P David Mitton
R.I.P. Michael Angelis, who should have been Sir Michael for being the defining voice of the childhoods of most of the world’s anglophone population who were blessed with both Thomas as children, and with Angelis’ peerless craft.
@@skarloeythomas5172 Facts R.I.P Michael Angelis who should have been knighted
I feel so old reading comments of people who were still children and enjoying TTTE in the early 2000's. My younger sister and I watched Shining Time station on PBS in the early 90's, I was a freshman in college in 2003. But I still enjoy seeing how the show progressed over the years and now my 6 year old gets to enjoy classic Thomas.
I like how Edward knows Morse code.
"Of course he does! He's had Samuel as a passenger once!"
I mean he WAS built in an era with telegrams, so...
Edward has lived a lot of lives you should here his world war 1 stories of the bombing of London!
Something I've always noticed about Emily ever since she was introduced is that whenever Henry is sick or breaks down, Emily is always the one who helps him out. She's always the one who defends him and helps him when something goes wrong. Even in King Of The Railway, when Henry bursts his safety valve, Emily is the one who helps him to the Steamworks. It's always just them and only them, everytime all of the time. I don't know if it's supposed to imply something or show their bond or friendship or something. I don't know. It's just something I've always noticed. Heck, even in Victor Tanzig's Stories Of Sodor, Henry and Emily are somehow married. Sorry for making this comment so long. It's just something I've noticed.
One thing I like about "Henry in the Dark" is that after Gordon and James are done teasing Henry, Emily asks him what he was going to say.
Michael Brandon also played a one-off character named General Sanchez in the Doctor Who episode The Stolen Earth.
He was a UNIT general who ended up getting exterminated by The Daleks.
Good, even the Daleks knew how frustrating he is as a narrator for a kids show in another universe
@@silvertheduelistpilotofata0131 The idea of Daleks being fans of any human media amuses me.
Even been a massive Dr. Who and TTTE fan i didn't realize Brandon worked on both also, also a similar connection David Graham was a voice actor for The Daleks and The Thunderbirds, and as we know who David Mitton also work on The Thunderbirds too.
Such a bittersweet season. Improved so much from season 6, and it ended up being all for naught
I heard that the reason Alec Baldwin didn’t return for this season was because he was casted in the 2003 Dr Seuss film The Cat in the Hat.
One more reason to hate the movie ig lol
@@Fork219ok seriously y’all get over it
@@Nic_2751 bro what
@@Fork219 it’s been over 20 years
@@Nic_2751 are people not allowed to make jokes about bad media
18:12 The Crashes were the main reason why I loved Thomas so much as a little Kid
I love crash 💥 sound effect on Fish s8 and Percy mistake
Duncan's driver basically becoming a tool/extension of Duncan was a precursor to HIT's T&F take on the Series, it was revealed in their "Bible" that the Drivers and Fireman's would be phased out and the Engines would be given more autonomy.
The only way that anything in 21st century Thomas can make sense is if the humans are slaves to the vehicles.
@@NitroIndigo I mean that was always a thing. Remember how often engines got blamed for workmen errors in the original stories. Donald and Douglas got scolded for the stupid prank their drivers thought up in the Missing Coach for example. At least in the Hit canon, the engines are actually to blame.
@@e-122psi3 One could make an entire video about how inconsistent engine autonomy is.
I definitely agree with how well Gordon was handled here. A little thing i love are his moments with Thomas in Gordon and Spencer. Dont know if im reading too deep into it, but it feels like a callback to their alliance set up in Down the Mine. He goes to Thomas to tell about him being the one to take the Duke and Dutchess, albiet a little bit pompously, and he and Thomas share their concern about Spencer running out of water at the station. I like to think this was intentional
Why is there’s no us dvd of new friends for Thomas of Michael Brandon and Alec Baldwin
Season 7 was very interesting indeed, combing Classic Thomas with New Thomas. It was a nice transition and foreshadowing of what’s to come!
Fun Fact: Michael Brandon actually re-narrated a few Season 6 episodes, being Gordon Takes a Tumble, James and the Red Balloon, and others can be found on RUclips. Not entirely sure why but just wanted to throw that out there.
I watched his Gordon Takes a Tumble renaration, and it's easily his best episode. Gordon sounds like..Gordon, and he just sounds better (if it makes sense)
They were re-aired during season 9 for
Some reason.
Michael Angelis also renarrated those episode (again for some reason, dunno why considering he narrated the episodes already) and was basically shouting his lines half of the time
I have fond memories of season 7. I remember when I was a little kid watching the, at the time, foreign Michael Angelis US narration of the New Friends for Thomas DVD with great episodes like Emily’s new coaches, Peace and Quiet, The Spotless Record, etc… and the song 5 new engines in the shed.
As far as "The Spotless Record" is concerned, one change I'd make is have Thomas notice that the trucks are being rude to Arthur, so Thomas suggests giving them a hard bump to get them to behave. However Arthur initially doesn't like physical retaliation, but eventually gets so fed up with the trucks that he follows Thomas'advice, but goes too far and is partly responsible for the following crash. Thomas would try to take the blame but the Fat Controller would be very understanding and acknowledge that Thomas was only trying to help Arthur stand up for himself.
As for "What's the Matter with Henry", after the initial teasing about Henry's boiler grumbling, Emily notices the leaked puddle, she tells Thomas and now Thomas feels bad for teasing Henry, and next morning, asks the Fat Controller if he and Percy can take the giant coal load themselves as it wouldn't be fair for Henry to work while ill.
Finally in "Salty's Stormy Tale" it's stated that Thomas and Percy weren't actually mocking Salty. Maybe Emily could be concerned and say to him and Percy, "I know you two are fond of how Salty talks, but he thinks your mocking him. I know that wasn't your intention, but maybe you two should clear things up with him.". Something like that.
I was thinking Fergus would get the MVP award this season. From his interaction with Bill & Ben, to his adventure with Salty, and his little escapade due to diesel.
I Agree, But Gordon Deserves an MVP Too, Since He Looked Super Grand In The 4 Episodes, He
Appeared In. The Nicest Thing About Gordon Is That, He Doesn't Care About His Looks.
@@PCMan8922Rather fitting that Gordon appeared in 4 episodes
@@fanofeverything30465, Lol.
21:25 - "Why is Oliver a cowboy?"
As an American who made it all the way to his adult years not even knowing this show was originally British, and knowing absolutely nothing about their historic railways or what the GWR even was, I can see what he was going for. When Duck and Oliver said they were "Great Western", I always thought they meant, "Wild Western". As in, western US. I could not have been the only one who thought this, and I think that's what the narrator thought, too. Or, even if he knew better, he was thinking about what the kids would think. Playing off of that (wrong) assumption, why *wouldn't* Oliver be a cowboy?
I know better now. And I don't think it was the correct voice to use, mind. It only reinforces false assumptions. This is on par with bad, over-corrective anime localization. But I don't find the fact that this has occurred remotely surprising.
I mean, I kinda think the western twang works in the context of a localization. Both it and West Country Yap represent a more country sort of speech in both the UK and US' more rural, agricultural wests.
In my opinion Emily is the example of how to set up a character to be a main
I've been reading the Railway Series to my fiancee's little sister. And she asked me when Emily is gonna show up. I know she's kind of a mixed bag among the fandom but I love how a character that was created when I had to grow out of Thomas is still remembered today.
I love Emily, Thomas doesn't really feel the same without her.
I really wish they could've done the same thing with Rebecca if she was introduced in season 21
@@pukenmg284 i was thinking the exact same thing right now.
@@pukenmg284
Yeah and maybe have Nia as a side character like on Edward's branch.
I honestly can't wait for him to start talking about the Hit Era after this, especially with how much the show was changed to be more... babyish
Same
Honestly, I feel like the HiT era retrospectives are going to get boring until he gets to season 12, because the CGI/model hybrid style is at least *something* interesting, unless he decides to do what Usual Bloke Luke did and focus more on humour.
He’s probably not gonna do this, but I feel like maybe seasons 9 and 10 should be together in the same video, because not much changes between them.
Also the same goes with seasons 14 and 15.
The retrospectives after this one are going to be the most difficult for me to relate to or be really interested in, because this is the point in the show where I stopped watching. Apart from maybe 1 or 2 Seaason 8 DVD's (which I barely ever watched if I had any, I can't exactly remember), I only watched the classic seasons and Thomas And The Magic Railroad on home video. And I hardly watched anything released after Season 7 until I was a teenager who had easy access to the internet. So I would pretty much have to rewatch the rest of the show to be deeply invested in these upcoming retrospectives.
@Spicy Peppers actually it was season 22, 23 and 24 when it got babyish. The Hit era was more preschool-ish.
17:09
SpongeBob and Patrick are causing so much slide whistle problems, that it’s affecting another show.
I love the slide whistling episode from s6 of SpongeBob SquarePants is the same from Thomas
I think I just realized where the Brandon’s Cowboy accent for Oliver came from. Oliver is a Great Western Engine, but most Americans associate “western” with cowboys (especially trains, as the classic train heist is a trope of westerns). I think that either HIT asked Brandon to do it to make more sense for American children or Brandon didn’t know anything about British Railways history and just did the first thing that came to mind when he saw “western”. I wouldn’t be that surprised by either.
Season 6 was the season that got me into Thomas but THIS season is what made me become OBSESSED with Thomas!!! I love this season so much. Yes it’s not the best, but season was so good (in my opinion anyway). I always remember playing with the Take A Long diecast while watching the episodes and this season has Fergus. Fergus was the first character I became so fascinated with. I don’t know if it’s his blue livery or his design, but he’s my favorite Thomas character alongside Gordon and Edward. This video was awesome, great work Tug!!!!
It's not the best Season, but it does way more right than most people give it credit for
I agree
I think some of the recycled footage issues from Season 7 can be fixed if you swapped some of the clips around:
1. Not So Hasty Puddings: Use the forest shot of Henry puffing through the trees because it covers up his old shape instead of the obvious old shape clip of him on the viaduct from The Flying Kipper. Also take out that awkward clip of Thomas and Toby from Its Only Snow because it's a weird transition to the next clip of just Thomas, Annie and Clarabel at station with no Toby. Why not use that deleted shot from Terence The Tractor of him puffing past that one signal and edit in the grey skies there? Heck if you must show an angry Thomas with his snowplow, just edit in the grey skies over a clip of Thomas exiting Hackenbeck tunnel appearing cross!
2. Best Dressed Engine: Simply just leaving the Season 1 tracking shot of Thomas alone and not flipping as in the final product would have been so much better. It's just awkward seeing it that way
@@ThomasmemoryscentralWhat about Peter Sam having his old funnel in Bulgy Rides Again and Best Dressed Engine
And it kinda funny to me. Toby was the last new character of S1 (where isn't a human character) and the number 7 of Sodor. And the last season of the classic series is season 7.
I think it’s likely a coincidence, but it’s still funny.
"Actually! The last new chatlracter of season 1 was Mrs Kindley!!!!"🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓
@@Teon5072 You 're right.
I think it's more funny that Duck is Number 8 but he got flat out removed completely in Season 8.
@@KirbyRKR I know, right? In fact, none of engines 8-11 appear in their number-sake season - Donald doesn't appear in S9, Douglas doesn't appear in S10, and Oliver doesn't appear in S11.
It's a shame that classic Thomas ended where it did, because the signs were there that the team could have let the show keep improving had Hit not gotten involved. David Mitton's criticisms of the episode selection showed his passion was still alive, the new writers were improving, set design was getting better and there was still clear inspiration being taken for real life railways.
Yeah they should have kept the classic era going tell S12. Why couldn't they just did what they did with Bob the Builder's Seasons 7-9 in the US to Thomas and pair 4 episodes in one half hour block for the PBS airings rather than adding useless learning segments no one cares about and for certain stories which only work in 7 minutes like Respect for Gordon just do a two parter.
@@ThomasSirHandel Honestly, I wish they finish adapting most of Wilbert/Christopher RWS books, as well as follow the formal of s5 for s8-s12. They could also had improve locomotive designs and add certain detail to the models with some of their real life counterparts, all be it still in tvs format.
@@ebenezeronile
And the look of the models should have remained in Seasons 4-5 esque. Like Tidmouth Sheds would remain shorter with the inside remaining gray instead of green and Emily would have her livery in Darth Arzenal's remake of Emily's New Coachers. Sir Handel and Rusty's large scale modes would look their S4 models.
@@ThomasSirHandel Emily looks great in emerald green.
If I had a nickel for every time The Unlucky Tug did a video on Season 7, I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it has happened twice.
Hey where's Perry?
@@silvertheduelistpilotofata0131 Who would be the Perry of Thomas? Gremlin the Dalmatian? That random cat that appeared in one episode?
@@NitroIndigo Do you mean the cat in Topham's office?
@@margogoralski6294 Yes.
I think it’s worth noting that the song “Troublesome Trucks” was released with Season 7, and may have something to do with this season’s crashes being watered down. Troublesome Trucks was “after my time” and I didn’t recognize it when I first watched TAB in 2015; I thought the song was very fun and well done. Since then, I’ve concluded that Troublesome Trucks is likely one of many contributors to the show and its crashes/runaways becoming viewed as silly and/or babyish as time went on. If someone who worked on Season 7 said the song was another answer to the complaints of the show’s crashes being too intense, I wouldn’t question it. With that said, Troublesome Trucks is still a bop.
Do you think headmaster Hastings could make this next Thomas song after William Tell Overture
If Micheal Brandon had used his NORMAL voice, he would have sounded like a pretty good narrator.
Probably yes
Characters
This video came out the day before my birthday. That is so convenient and so interesting. I love watching nick or tugs videos before my birthday. I love that. This video will replace the tugs trains collection video last year that i commented on last year.
From here, get ready to see Tug lose his sanity for nine seasons R.I.P
Truly, the end of a era for the franchise such a shame Britt lost the rights along with the company that previously associated and was created by her
Britt’s role in the turning of the franchise is really fascinating to me as while she technically catalyzed it by making magic railroad, a movie so devoid of the very concept of trains itself that prompt the following 2 seasons to only consult her than to have her actually work on it, you can’t really deny that there’s something she brought that was lost in the transition years before the hit takeover.
Like yeah you can see she did dumb down train terminology and made simple stories, but they were stories that understood the characters. I wonder what would have happened if she wasn’t forced into a minor role for season 6 and still had as much creative control prior to magic railroad. Would she still have kept the same feel of the first 5 seasons or would we have gotten something different or would nothing have changed at all? I feel like it’s wrong to view Britt’s involvement as ending with magic railroad because she did other things that were key in the franchise‘a success.
The original series 1-5 & the books are the GOAT! Had Magic Railroad not been a movie the series under Britt Season 6 onwards would’ve been much better. It’s not her fault, it was the test audiences that ruined the original perception of Magic Railroad
Remember the movie you saw in theaters or on DVD isn’t the one we got.. Blu Ray has it better
This year is also the 20th Anniversary of the Seventh Season for Thomas and Friends!
Happy 20th Anniversary to Season 7
Happy 20th anniversary to series 7
I never was interested with season 7 to be honest. But now you bring the good to life it sounds great. I want to watch it now, thanks.
21:29
Oliver casually turning into Arthur Morgan
Can’t wait to see if Tug considers this season as part of the classic series or the Hit series
Can't it be both? Anybody who watches it can see it was setting the ground work for the Hit Era changes, but the best episodes of this season made it feel like the last final hurrah of the classics. A Transition Season, if you would, the same way Season 21 was setting the ground work for the BWBA changes
Season 6 and 7 are apart of the Semi-Classic era for me, 8-12 is a different beast entirely
I honestly just hate people using the term "new series." Like, it's not new anymore. Just call it the HiT era, people.
I believe this is the first Thomas retrospective to review a season that the unlucky tug has already reviewed I wonder if his opinions has changed since the original season 7 review.
Oh yeah I forgot about that vid!
Hory shitto - the lack of mountains in set shots (the flatness Nic mentions) and the use of digital effects is something I can’t unsee now.
You forgot the funniest narration moment of Michael Brandon: "LOOK OWUUUUUUUT!" (The Runaway Elephant)
Hearing Michael Brandon on that World War 2 Documentary makes me wonder what he would have sounded had he been given the direction of the old seasons 1-5 narrators. Imagine Brandon narrating "Duncan Gets Spooked"
LOL, would've been something
He would have knocked it out of the park
Hey Unlucky Tug. If you happen to stumble upon this comment, (because I know there’ll be a ton, I just want to say how much your videos changed my life. Revisiting the old memories I had of Thomas and the Railway series through your very passion-filled analytical commentaries and opinions makes you truly an open gate to revisit the great visual nostalgia I always love to return to everyday when there’s an open chance.
I’m really excited for this video! It’ll be really interesting knowing the history behind the production and the ideas they had for the art design, production value, and especially the stories considering that I think this was David Mitton’s last time in the director’s chair. I always wanted to know how you feel about certain characters in this series like Arthur and Murdoch and whether or not they would fit into Awdry’s stories nicely. And it’ll be even more interesting in season 8 and 9 where you talk about characters like Billy and Molly.
See, that fact that I’m also interested in the stuff that’s a little minor just shows how good you are in my opinion at making these videos so interesting and completely get me on your side 100% I always saw Thomas as one of those nostalgia trips for my visual appeal in terms of how it was shot and rendered. Movies like this include Home Alone (1990) Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) Baby’s Day Out (1994) We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story! (1993) and even some guilty pleasures like Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007-2011). Sounds embarrassing I know, but it doesn’t matter. They fit nicely in my nostalgia collection. And don’t get me wrong, Thomas is clearly the superior out of that collection.
Anyway, I thought I’d drop by to say this before the video starts because your videos have truly changed my life. At a time where I was at my all time low in terms of my mental health and emotional health, putting on one of your videos just made me wish I was a little kid in fourth grade again. It put me in a world that felt like being inside a warm cozy cabin with a hot cup of Cocoa. Just feeling safe, and happy. Filled with characters in a world that felt like they were actually a part of reality for me.
Thank you so so much for everything and inspiring me to write essays of my own. And keep on posting. Thomas is not just for kids like matell likes to claim it as. They were stories that were for parents to snuggle up in bed with their kids and read to. Almost like what Disney, Pixar, or even Sesame Street (which is also part of that collection by the way) does. And you are doing a great job in showing newcomers that. Keep making videos, and have an incredible day!
I remember the dinosaur movie.
So sorry to hear that your mental health has been at a low point
@@fanofeverything30465Don’t be. I’ll need all the support I can get to stay happy. To be in that side that brings me joy again. But I do appreciate your concern. Thank you so much. 🙂
@@nikomatallana4102 No problem 😊 I love supporting people ❤
I have a feeling that my favorite episode of season 7 will be a three way tie between “Snow Engine” “bad day at castle loch” and “Gordon and Spencer”
I love TTTE Season 7, I was once a lonely depressed TTTE Fan, but once I saw Season 7 on TV, it cured my depression and weaknesses towards society. The season was such a banger I had to watch it 24 hours a day, even when I go to bed. The narration is my favourite too, it’s amazing. I once again thank you Michael Angelis for what you have done for me, thank you. Oh I forgot to mention, when I was a kid, I got bullied a lot at school. Not until season 7 came in. He converted all the bullies into good guys and we all watched Thomas and Friends season 7 24 hours straight for the rest of our lives, Season 7 is the Jesus of TTTE, he brings the holy in us to life, he expresses our true emotions. We love you Season 7. I will never be the same person again, you are the best thing that has been put upon this horrid planet, and things will definitely change because of you. Thank you Season 7, I will now always be holy to you in every way. I will worship you until the day I die. Will the Season 7 always be remembered as a moment in ttte history. You will never be forgotten.
KEEP MORBING SEASON 7 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
18:42 The no thoughts, empty head fat controller
Also, DAMN, I couldn't have been more wrong in my prediction. I thought the sum-up word for the season would be "Nice", which season 7 is a pretty nice friendly season, but "Eye of the Storm" was totally unexpected.
I was expecting 'Transitional'
Murdoch and Spencer - my all time favourite characters. As a kid, I just thought these two look the coolest. It wasn't until after several years that I learnt they are BR's last steam locomotive design and the world's fastest steam locomotive design respectively.
Season 7 is a special one.
I remember getting that season 7 DVD as a kid and being so confused when I first heard Michael's narration.
Which one? They're both Michael now (Angelis or Brandon)
@@silvertheduelistpilotofata0131 New Friends for Thomas. Hearing Michael for the first time was jarring as I was so used to Alec's narration.
@@Frenchguy261I meant which Michael, Angelis or Brandon
@@silvertheduelistpilotofata0131 Angelis. 😅
On the slide whistles, you can tell the Robert Hartshorne version of Season 7 was made after they went back to the loud crash sounds. As while the crashes are still quiet, the slide whistles are gone...
Season 7 is a classic season and it is the last season of a great era. Some people think it’s alright but I think it’s wonderful. It may not be as good as the previous 6 but it was a good season to end of on a beautiful era.
Season 7 >>> Season 6
I knew even as a kid this isn't a magnum opus of the classic series, but one i still held dear to my heart growing up. Considering the mixed bag Season 6 was, this was a nice breath of fresh air. World-building with new locations is great, the new set designs are rich in colour and cool to look at, and Mike & Junior's final score was as always fun to listen to. As for new characters. Emily, Arthur, Spencer, Murdoch & Fergus are all fantastic! additions to the TTTE family... hands down Season 7 introduced the best new roster of engines. I like to think the reason why this season used so much Stock-Footage is cause they were in the middle of shooting *Jack & The Pack* at the time. With all the other reasons for it's tight production schedule, filming of the spin-off would've for certain made things a tad harder; hence in some episodes featuring Thomas you can actually see leftover production past in some sets.
I don't care what anyone says, i love this season so much, being the one i watched the most growing up along with Season 3 & 4. It's all just so nostalgic, i remember getting the *Bumper Party Collection* DVD and loving all the new episodes. This season isn't perfect by any means, but it's still a decent send off to Mitton as director and the classic years of Thomas as a whole, and definitely one i'm not gonna forget anytime soon.
Bumper Party Collection
I’ll make a defence video on season 6 in the coming weeks.
@@joshuaW5621 I look forward to seeing it
I think what could've made the old bridge work better, is if you switched that episode with Trusty Rusty in airing order, and have the old bridge play off as a follow up/aftermath episode for Trusty Rusty. Like for instance, Duncan gets so traumatized from his reckless near miss encounter with the old wooden bridge, that HE suffers from PTSD and therefore has a phobia of crossing high bridges over rushing waters. Because of this, Duncan ends up causing confusion and delay with his work. So to try and sooth Duncan down, Skarloey tells Duncan a story about the time (back when he and Rheneas were the only engines working on the Skarloey Railway) when he had nearly had fell of a trestle bridge.
Yes, time to see what unlucky tug things of Arthur’s episodes the time I’ve been waiting for
What a wonderful kind of day
On one hand, Arthur is a great character, and I wish we could have seen more of him in future seasons, but on the other hand, I do not trust the HIT writers to do his character justice. More than likely they would ruin him and make him out of character like so many others.
For me Season 7 feels sad, because after this season it would never be the same again
Funny thing about the Michael Angelis narration for this season. I, just like most US kids, was introduced to him in the New Friends for Thomas VHS and i actually loved some of the more subdued narration.
The final part of "The Classic Era" is upon us
Now that we're officially done reviewing the 'good' seasons I imagine Tug will have rather less nice things to say about the rest of the series particularly the Miller seasons
The narration for Angelis in this season to me (even as a kid watching the cartoons on VHS) kinda sounded soft and somewhat quiet. It’s like I’m listening to a wise old man explaining the scenarios in a heartwarming fashion.
I must agree that Michael Brandon wasn't the BEST US narrator, but he's the one I grew up hearing, so he gives me a lot of nostalgia. I think he is all right though, and you can tell by the accents and voices he gives to the characters shows how much fun he's having with it. A bit like my favorite narrator, Alec Baldwin, if you ask me.
Eh, tbh Carlin and Ringo are much better but I'll give Brandon credit for trying
I think of the Michael duo as the definitive narrators of the show.
I’ve warmed up to Season 7 more and more over the years. There’s something warm and cozy I find about it. A nice season to conclude the Classic Series of Thomas.
Inspired by Usual Bloke Luke’s plan on altering the production cycle of “Calling All Engines!”, I’ll have a Google doc expanding on how to alter the production cycle of Series 7 to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Please share!! I'd love to see it!
So glad Arthur gets the MVP reward
Honestly, I like the usage of stock footage in this season a lot, it makes the season feel more like a classic season.
I like Season 7 more than Season 5 and 6 as I felt that it is calm and relaxing than the previous two like Series 1-4 and love the variety of characters use for all the episodes.
I didn't realize it is the end of that era and what a way to end it all.
if they had more time on Season 7, then it would be better. Michael Angelis would do the us dub in Late 2003 to Early 2004 without Brandon so that no effort waste for the redo the music since they can take the opportunity while series 8 being made. For Brandon version, I leave HIT to handle it. Also realize, happy 20th anniversary Season 7.
Great review! I am glad that this retrospective was much more positive than the previous one.
Season 7 is a fantastic season and it marks and end of the classic era of Thomas. There are lot of great episodes like: Gordon and Spencer, Salty's Stormy Tale, the two episode with Arthur, the episodes with Thomas as the leading role and The Narrow Gauge Engines episodes.
It was also great to see that the Narraow Gauge Engines got a lot more focus this season.
Season 7 is one of my favorite seasons.
I am sure excited to see the next retrospective on Season 8.
At last I'm not alone! Im glad I'm not the only one not fond of the slide whistles this season. I've never really liked them in general. I'm talking to you 007 installment.
19:22 I don't really know why, but the way he put it in for the scream is just hilarious to me.
I wonder if Alec would've wanted to narrate Season 7, along with him seeing the concepts and wondering if the season would suck. Im sure he would've loved to narrate 1 finale season, season 7 would've totally been better if he was the narrator and the season would've been special for the last classic season along with a proper finale to Alec's narration. 😊
Season 7 is an amazing season! You did a great job talking about all things season seven. The chrarictors the music the narators the episodes and the history. This video is so interesting! Amazing video! Hope you have a great day!
Great video!
I've wanted to note this for a while, but typically, the UK pronounciation of "Campbell", as in Junior, is more like "Cambull", as opposed to "Camp-Bell". At this point I sort of look out for your pronounciation because it makes me chuckle and brings me joy.
Anyway, awesome video Tug, can't wait for season 8 and beyond!
That's the American pronunciation too, he just can't speak.
I'm glad to see appreciation for one of the most underrated seasons
MVP winners so far:
S1: Henry
S2: Edward
S3: Duck
S4: Peter Sam
S5: STH
S6: Percy
S7: Arthur
My predictions for the following seasons' MVPs
S8: Percy
S9: Toby
S10: Sir Handel
S11: Madge
S12: Hank
S13: Hiro
S14: Bash, Dash and Ferdinand
S15: Flynn
S16: Whiff
S17: Luke
S18: Duncan
S19: Toad
S20: Daisy
S21: Diesel
S22: Duck
S23: Max and Monty
S24: Yong Bao
(If you think I should change something, just tell me.)
I'm glad to see some appreciation for what might just be the most underrated season of the show. It may not be on the level of seasons 1-5, but it's a nice finale to classic Thomas nonetheless.
THATS MICHAEL BRANDONS REAL VOICE!!!????? That voice would’ve made his narrations SO MUCH BETTER!!!
I was thinking it was going to be Arthur this season and I'm so glad he got that award - he really came into his own this time and it was a very complete arc we all enjoyed. Albeit I was worried you'd be giving the award to Gordon, given his portrayal this season. Well balanced review.
This season, is a pretty underrated one, but i love it, even the characters
My guess with Michael Angelis narration is that is was new Hit Producers & the direction he was given. While he probably thought the scripts in the later seasons were poorer, he clearly still loved Thomas as he stuck around for so many years & did so much more for the series. It was a show he clearly loved
Season 7 is the Calm Before the storm season. Its still a classic season but has some stuff that will be present in the next season.
His phrase to describe the season is Eye of the Storm so you and Tug have a pretty similar feeling when it comes to Season 7
@Silver the Duelist(Pilot of a TARDIS) wow. I haven't even watched the video yet, and already we have a similar opinion.
Season 5 and 8 was my favorite season from Thomas and Friends. And this season, season 7 was making me fall in love with Thomas And Friend for the first time..
Happy 20th anniversary of the last of classic Thomas
40:51 I can already see another Unlucky Tug video in the making!
The Complete History of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
I feel like the moral being stated at the end of Spotless Record, as well as Percy’s silly questioning of things, wasn’t as out of place as some of the others.
When Thomas says “Maybe spotless records are meant to be broken”, to me it seemed like he was trying to cheer Arthur up, as well as maybe acknowledging his part in the events that caused it; as he saw just how distraught he was. Arthur’s response was then his way of acknowledging that he knew what Thomas was trying to do.
Percy’s question also seems valid as while “spotless record” could seem self explanatory, it’s also not a phrase that’s commonly used.
This season was way after my time, so it's interesting hearing someone talk about it, I may have to check it out instead of stopping at season 5 like I did as a kid
What a fascinating season.
The Unlucky Tug: Oliver's crash here (16:48) is very quiet...
Oliver: Yeeeeeehs
I couldn't agree more.
I honestly did not mind Michael Brandon as a narrator. He at least tried his best to make every character different with different voices and personalities. I bet if he had more time to prepare narrating the episodes, he maybe could’ve been better.