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- “Is that part of the surprise?"
"That is for me to know and you to find out.” - ― Thomas and Emily
Don't Tell Thomas is the ninth episode of the eighth series.
Plot
It is winter on the Island of Sodor and Christmas is coming, which Thomas enjoys annually. Stationmasters are decorating the stations and the children are building snowmen. However, there has been heavy snow so Thomas has had to work hard to clear all the lines. Thanks to him, all of the engines' journeys and jobs are done on time. They are all so pleased, that they want to thank Thomas for his work with a surprise party.
After clearing the last lines of track, Thomas looks forward to seeing his friends, whom he misses. Thomas puffs into the station and sees Harold and Toby. When Thomas tries to say hello, Harold warns Toby not to let Thomas know about the planned surprise party. Thomas feels left out for not being part of the secret. When he arrives at another station, he sees Percy with colourful presents loaded in his trucks. Thomas asks him if they are part of the surprise and Percy bursts to tell Thomas about it but puffs away immediately, making Thomas cross.
Later that afternoon, Thomas waits at a signal and sees Emily with a Christmas tree loaded on her flatbed truck. Thomas asks her if it is part of the surprise, but Emily crossly tells him that it is something for her to know and for him to find out. She then puffs away and Thomas, while pulling Annie and Clarabel, follows her on the same line. Emily turns towards one of the branch lines. But, as Thomas approaches, the points change, making him stay on the main line.
Back at Tidmouth Sheds, everyone is excited about the surprise. Just as Thomas arrives, James and Henry warn the other engines not to tell him about it. Therefore, Thomas is still furious and upset that he does not know what it is, so he just exits to sulk in a siding. Later, it is time to show Thomas the surprise but the engines are unsure where Thomas has gone. Edward convinces Harold to find Thomas, which he does and tells Thomas about the surprise is for him as a thank you for Thomas helping them out. He then tells Thomas to go to Wellsworth, where he collects the children. Thomas soon arrives at a country village station and sees the whole station decorated out to be a Christmas party, which is being held especially for him.
Characters
- Thomas
- Edward
- Henry
- James
- Percy
- Emily
- Harold
- Toby (does not speak)
- Gordon (cameo)
- Annie and Clarabel (cameo)
- Harold's Pilots (cameo)
Locations
- Tidmouth Sheds
- Dryaw
- Wellsworth
- Maron
- Maithwaite
- Three Tier Bridge
- Bulgy's Bridge
- Suddery
- Killdane Junction
Trivia
- Going by production order, this is the sixteenth episode of the eighth series.
- A CGI Series re-enactment of this episode was going to appear in the fifteenth series episode, Percy the Snowman, but was dropped for unknown reasons.
- This was the first episode of the series to feature every member of the Steam Team together.
- This was the only episode of the eighth series in which the Fat Controller did not appear and Harold did appear.
Goofs
- In one shot at the sheds when the engines are discussing Thomas' surprise, Thomas can be seen next to Percy.
- When the camera turns above Annie and Clarabel, its shadow can be seen.
- When Thomas is ploughing the snow, a piece of string can be faintly seen in the snow pulling him along the track.
- When Harold is telling Thomas about the surprise, his eyes are wonky.
Merchandise
- Books - Don't Tell Thomas (China only)
In Other Languages
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Home Media Releases
UKDVD Boxsets
AUS
DVD Boxsets
USDVD Packs
MYS
TWN/CHN
DK/SWENOR
FINROMDVD PacksCZJPNIDNGERPOLHUN
DVD BoxsetsSPNDVD BoxsetsTHA |
| #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 | |