This article is about the episode. You may be looking for the 2004 or 2005 magazine stories. |
- "I'm learning patience. But if only I could learn it faster."
- ― Emily
As Good as Gordon is the eighteenth episode of the eighth series. It is also the two-hundredth episode of the television series.
Plot
One morning, the Fat Controller comes to Tidmouth Sheds with a special job for Gordon; he is to take the newly elected Sodor Mayor on a tour of the island. Gordon is delighted to be given a special job but is quick to realise that someone else will have to take the Express in his place, for which the Fat Controller explains that Emily will pull it. However, after the Fat Controller leaves, Gordon begins bragging to Emily that he can get the Express across the island and back before teatime and is quite sure that Emily will not be able to achieve that. Thomas - having heard Gordon's boasting many times before - thinks Emily may find it difficult too. However, Emily ignores Thomas' advice, and sets off, determined to be "as good as Gordon".
Emily goes to collect the Express from Knapford station. However, she departs too soon, not realising that the brake coach has not been coupled. Emily manages to arrive at Kellsthorpe station right on time, and declares that she is "as good as Gordon". However, on the way back, Emily has to stop at a crossing to allow Edward to pass with a slow goods train. She tells him to hurry up before he makes her late, which upsets Edward. When Emily arrives at Maithwaite, she is due to make a guaranteed connection with Bertie; but as he is running late due to a flat tyre, she must wait. However, Emily's impatience gets the better of her, and even after counting to ten twice, she decides to leave, thinking that she will not be "as good as Gordon". But, just as Emily pulls away from Maithwaite, Bertie arrives.
Soon, Emily needs to take on more water, but James is at the water tower first with his slow goods train. Emily demands to go first as she is the Express Engine for the day, only for a furious James to tell her that - as he is there first - she must wait her turn. Once again, impatience gets the better of Emily, and she sets off without taking on more water. Determined to be on time, Emily speeds up, unknowingly bumping her coaches, giving her passengers an uncomfortable ride.
Very soon, Emily is approaching Brendam, the last stop for the Express, and thinks that she is "as good as Gordon". However, she finds herself slowing down, before coming to a total stop. Emily's water tank in her tender is now completely dry, and she has run out of steam. Then, James arrives with the Fat Controller, who is very cross. He tells Emily she left the brake coach, stranded Bertie's passengers and bumped her carriages. He tells her to learn to be more patient. Emily apologises, discovering that she not only failed to be "as good as Gordon", but she only caused confusion and delay.
James takes Emily to Brendam Docks, then collects the Express. The Fat Controller tells Emily that he requires an engine to pull James' slow goods train, which Emily volunteers to do, as she wants to learn patience. So, James takes Emily to the water tower, and after her drink, she takes on plenty of coal. Then, she takes James' slow goods train.
This time, Emily waits for the other engines to pass by, stops at all the right stations and waits for her cargo to be unloaded. Later, at a signal, she meets Thomas with Annie and Clarabel and explains that she is learning to be patient, even though she wants to learn it quicker.
Characters
- Thomas
- Gordon
- James
- Emily
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Edward (does not speak)
- Bertie (does not speak)
- Percy (cameo; full role cut)
- Toby (cameo)
- Annie and Clarabel (cameos)
- Cranky (cameo)
- Bridget Hatt (cameo)
- The Injured Sailor (cameo)
- The Photographer (cameo)
- The Storyteller (cameo)
- David Mitton (cameo)
- The Cricket Umpire (deleted scene cameo)
- The Second Mayor of Sodor (mentioned)
Locations
- Gordon's Hill
- Tidmouth Sheds
- Knapford
- Kellsthorpe Road
- The Intersection
- Maithwaite
- Brendam Docks
- Maron (deleted scene)
Trivia
- Going by production order, this is the twenty-fifth episode of the eighth series.
- A deleted scene shows that Percy was originally going have a scene at a coal hopper when Emily needed more coal.
- In a picture of a deleted scene, Emily approaches James from the opposite direction.
- This episode, along with Thomas Gets it Right are the only episodes of the eighth series not to be released on DVD in South Africa.
- This episode marks the last appearance of Brendam Canal until the tenth series episode, Thomas and the Colours.
- This is the 200th episode of the show.
- Interestingly, the fact that Emily is chosen to take the express reflects on the fact that Emily's basis (GNR G Class Stirling Singles) was used to pull express trains.
Goofs
- At Tidmouth Sheds:
- Gordon's front pilot wheels are derailed, and his lamp irons are slightly crooked.
- All engines eyes are misaligned.
- A deleted scene of Emily leaving the sheds shows steam coming out from behind her face.
- Bertie appears to be smiling when he sees Emily leaving Maithwaite.
- When Emily buffers up the slow goods train, the sound effect comes in too late.
- At the very end of the episode, Thomas's face is slightly coming loose, and his eyes are misaligned.
- Emily's eyes are misaligned in some scenes throughout the episode.
Merchandise
In Other Languages
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Home Media Releases
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DVD Packs
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TWNKOR |
#01 Thomas and the Tuba | #10 Emily's New Route | #19 Fish |
#02 Percy's New Whistle | #11 Thomas and the Firework Display | #20 Emily's Adventure |
#03 Thomas to the Rescue | #12 Gordon Takes Charge | #21 Halloween |
#04 Henry and the Wishing Tree | #13 Spic and Span | #22 You Can Do It, Toby! |
#05 James Gets a New Coat | #14 Edward the Great | #23 James Goes Too Far |
#06 Thomas Saves the Day | #15 Squeak, Rattle and Roll | #24 Chickens to School |
#07 Percy's Big Mistake | #16 Thomas and the Circus | #25 Too Hot for Thomas |
#08 Thomas, Emily and the Snowplough | #17 Thomas Gets It Right | #26 Percy and the Magic Carpet |
#09 Don't Tell Thomas | #18 As Good as Gordon | |