A Better View for Gordon

"What a boring view! Important engines like me should have a panoramic view, where I can see people, and people could see me!"

- Gordon complaining about Kirk Ronan station

A Better View for Gordon is the third episode of the fifth series.

Plot
One morning, Gordon is complaining, which annoys James. James asks why Gordon complains all the time, and Gordon tells him that he is a big engine, and that he shall complain whenever he wants, and he then tells James that he is just a small red engine with ideas above his station, and that one day he will show them just what a big engine can really do.

Later, Gordon is ordered by the Fat Controller to pull an empty express train to Kirk Ronan to test the new station building. At first he does not want to do it since Henry usually likes doing it, but the Fat Controller does not care, saying that he is supposed to do as he is told. So Gordon goes on and does so, but along the way, he begins to feel sick. His driver tells him that he must go to the works when his pipes are clogged. Gordon soon arrives at the station. He is impressed, but his mood soon changes when in front of him is a blank wall and a set of buffers. Gordon is bored by the blank plaster wall in front of his buffers, and says that important engines should have a panoramic view so that people could see him.

On the return journey, Gordon tries to build up speed, but he then breaks down and comes to a complete stop in a siding. Gordon's driver tells him that something inside of him is broken, and that he now really will have to go to the works to be repaired. When James arrives to collect his coaches, he tells Gordon that he was too puffed up in his smokebox and it serves him right.



Gordon is repaired in time for the opening of the new station, but still acts puffed up. When he approaches Kirk Ronan, neither the driver nor fireman can apply his brakes. Something is jammed and Gordon loses control and crashes through the wall. His crew and the Fat Controller suffer minor injuries. The Fat Controller tells him that he knew Gordon wanted a panoramic view, but this is not the way to achieve it.

Upon his second return from the Works, Gordon arrives back at the station for its second official opening, and this time he arrives safely. Gordon is delighted to discover the broken wall has been turned into a panoramic window. The Fat Controller tells him that it is here to stay, and he trusts that he will always see through it from the safety of his own rails.

Characters

 * Gordon
 * James
 * Percy
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Henry
 * Thomas
 * Edward
 * Duck
 * Stephen Hatt
 * Bridget Hatt
 * Jeremiah Jobling
 * Mrs. Kyndley
 * The Vicar of Wellsworth
 * Nancy
 * The Storyteller
 * The Quarry Manager
 * The Dryaw Policeman ​
 * The Special Visitor
 * One Little Boy ​

Locations

 * Kirk Ronan
 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Wellsworth
 * Standard and Narrow Gauge Tunnel Runby
 * The Works

Trivia

 * Gordon's crash at Kirk Ronan was inspired by the Gare Montparnasse derailment in Paris, France. On 22nd October 1895 the Granville-Paris Express ran through the buffer stop, crossed the station concourse and crashed through the station wall; landing in the Place de Rennes below. David Maidment showed the production team a poster of the disaster.
 * This episode marks the first appearance of Kirk Ronan station in the television series, replacing Knapford for the fifth series.
 * The barrel that The Fat Controller is standing on when he's talking to Gordon near the beginning is the "Best Quality Diesel Oil" barrel from Bowled Out.

Goofs

 * When Gordon leaves for Kirk Ronan, his crew and the Fat Controller are still standing there.
 * The title card of the Norwegian narration says "Let's Have a Race by Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell."
 * When James is talking to Gordon at the siding, James' dome is scratched.
 * When Gordon was boasting on the turntable, his right buffer is crooked.
 * When Gordon’s crew attempts to apply his brakes, a wire can be seen out the cab window.
 * The Hindi narration of this episode credits Michael Angelis as the narrator.
 * In Czech dub the line "he likes hindling up in stations" is said by Sir Topham Hatt instead of by Gordon.


 * In a close-up of James, his whistle is crooked.

Quotes
__________________________________________________________________________________
 * Gordon: (to James) You're just a small red engine with ideas above your station!
 * Percy: I can't see any, where are they?
 * Gordon: Any what?
 * Percy: "Ideas above the station", the sky is empty!
 * James: Like your smoke box, Percy!
 * Gordon: One day I'll show you just what a big engine can really do!
 * Percy: So what can a big engine really do?
 * Gordon: Not speak to silly little green engines for a start.

__________________________________________________________________________________
 * Gordon: (about his speed) Come on! Come on! I can go faster than this! Sick, me?! Never!
 * James: (after Gordon breaks down) Well, well, well, so much for knowing about everything! You got too puffed-up in the boiler, so it serves you right!

__________________________________________________________________________________
 * (after the crash)
 * The Fat Controller: Well, Gordon, I know you wanted a panoramic view, but this is not the way to achieve it.
 * Gordon: Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.

Merchandise

 * Wooden Railway (discontinued)
 * Books - Gordon's New View

Home Media Releases
{{Scroll box|

UK

 * Happy Holidays
 * My Little Thomas and the Royal Visitor
 * The Complete Series 5

DVD Boxsets

 * Classic Collection

US

 * Cranky Bugs and Other Thomas Stories
 * Best of Gordon
 * Races, Rescues and Runaways and Other Thomas Adventures (digital download)
 * Thomas & Friends Classic Volume 5

DVD Boxsets

 * Best Tales on the Tracks
 * Ultimate Thomas Collection
 * Totally Thomas Volume 3
 * Best of Collection

AUS

 * Happy Ever After (VHS)
 * The Complete Series 5
 * My First Thomas with Henry and Gordon
 * My First Thomas with The Fat Controller

DVD Packs

 * Complete Series 1-10
 * My First Thomas
 * Classic Collection
 * Series Five and Series Six Double Pack

NZ

 * Happy Ever After (VHS)

JPN

 * New Thomas the Tank Engine 2 Vol.1
 * Gordon and Henry the Large Engines
 * The Complete Works of Thomas the Tank Engine 2 Vol.3

PHL

 * A Better View for Gordon (DVD)

NOR

 * Songs and Tales (Norwegian VHS/DVD)

SVN

 * James and the Problems with Trees

SWE

 * The Engine and the Gremlins

MYS

 * Lady Hatt's Birthday Party and Other Thomas Adventures
 * Thomas and the Special Letter and Other Adventures

DK

 * Thomas and the Ghosts and Other Stories

ITA

 * Time for James

GR

 * Adventures at the Railway Station

DVD Boxsets

 * 3 DVD Boxset 2

THA
}} Schöne Aussicht für Gordon Mejoras para Gordon נוף טוב יותר לגורדון ゴードンのまど Lepszy Widok dla Gabrysia Гордону лучше видно
 * Thomas and Friends Volume 11 (Thai DVD)
 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 16 (Thai DVD)