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* Bulgy and Bertie in the fantasy sequence were potrayed as Batman and Robin from the 1960s TV series Batman. Theme music renditions were played throughout the episode. |
* Bulgy and Bertie in the fantasy sequence were potrayed as Batman and Robin from the 1960s TV series Batman. Theme music renditions were played throughout the episode. |
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* This episode marks Bertie and Bulgy’s only appearances and Butch’s only non-cameo appearance in the twenty-third series. |
* This episode marks Bertie and Bulgy’s only appearances and Butch’s only non-cameo appearance in the twenty-third series. |
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| − | * George was originally meant to appear, but was cut for unknown reasons. |
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| − | ** If he appeared, then this episode would be his first speaking role since Bye George, and his first episode and normal appearances since Big Strong Henry and The Great Discovery |
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| − | * This episode was originally set for release in the Twenty-first series, but due to many cuts, it was pushed to this series. |
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* Bertie mentions the events of the [[Series 21|twenty-first series]] episode, ''[[Unscheduled Stops]]''. |
* Bertie mentions the events of the [[Series 21|twenty-first series]] episode, ''[[Unscheduled Stops]]''. |
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Revision as of 20:54, 14 December 2019
Free The Roads is the first episode of the twenty-third series.
Plot
Bulgy is annoyed at the engines always taking the passengers. He attempts to take some that are waiting for Percy to arrive, but they decline his offer to ride on him. Bulgy attempts to block off Percy at the level crossing while trying to express his "Free the roads" policy, but moves after Bertie tells him to. While fantasying about him and Bertie saving passengers from being taken by Percy by taking them instead, he accidently knocks into some steel drums that have some tyres on them. One of the tyres rolls off the drums and onto a plank of wood that launches a bag of soil into a water tower.
Thomas fills up with water from the water tower Bulgy got soil into, and breaks down some time later while taking Annie and Clarabel. Bulgy is then asked by Sir Topham Hatt to take Thomas' passengers instead. Some of the other engines also take on water from the same water tower and break down as well, leaving Bertie and Bulgy very busy.
Bulgy initially likes taking passengers, but he soon gets more than he bargained for; Bertie ends up breaking down due to an overload of passengers to take, leading them to ride in Bulgy and causing him to break down as well. When his passengers complain about this, Bulgy states his regrets in getting the soil in the water tower. Unfortunately, The Fat Controller hears this and chastises Bulgy for what he did. Bulgy is then left broken down while the passengers are picked up by the engines. He is then left further dismayed when he is taken back to the garage by Thomas, but is still sticking to his beliefs.
Characters
- Thomas
- Percy
- Annie and Clarabel
- Bertie
- Bulgy
- Max and Monty
- Sir Topham Hatt
- The Knapford Stationmaster
- The Teacher
- Albert's Wife
- The Great Railway Show Judge
- The Grumpy Passenger
- Gordon (does not speak)
- Butch (does not speak)
- One of Dowager Hatt's Friends (cameo)
- The Bird Watcher (cameo)
- Sodor United Football Team (cameo)
- Rebecca (mentioned)
- George (dropped)
Locations
- Knapford
- Dryaw
- Maithwaite
- Ffarquhar
- Wellsworth (fantasy)
- Vicarstown (mentioned)
Cast
UK
- John Hasler as Thomas
- Nigel Pilkington as Percy
- Teresa Gallagher as Annie, Clarabel, the Teacher and Albert's Wife
- Keith Wickham as Bertie and Sir Topham Hatt
- Colin McFarlane as Bulgy
- Kerry Shale as Max
- Rob Rackstraw as Monty, the Knapford Stationmaster and a Passenger
- Christopher Ragland as a Passenger
US
- Joseph May as Thomas
- Christopher Ragland as Percy and a Passenger
- Teresa Gallagher as Annie, Clarabel, the Teacher and Albert's Wife
- Keith Wickham as Bertie and Sir Topham Hatt
- Colin McFarlane as Bulgy
- Kerry Shale as Max
- Rob Rackstraw as Monty, the Knapford Stationmaster and a Passenger
Trivia
- This episode marks the first of a few things:
- The first time since the seventh series episode, Bulgy Rides Again that Bulgy has had a leading role in an episode.
- The first episode since the twentieth series finale, Over the Hill to be produced by Ian McCue.
- Max and Monty's first speaking roles since the twentieth series episode, Mucking About.
- Bulgy and Bertie in the fantasy sequence were potrayed as Batman and Robin from the 1960s TV series Batman. Theme music renditions were played throughout the episode.
- This episode marks Bertie and Bulgy’s only appearances and Butch’s only non-cameo appearance in the twenty-third series.
- Bertie mentions the events of the twenty-first series episode, Unscheduled Stops.
Goofs
- Max and Monty have their US voices in the UK dub.
- Kerry Shale is not credited in either the US or UK end credits despite voicing Max.
- Rob Rackstraw is not credited in the UK end credits for voicing Monty. However, Rasmus Hardiker is credited despite not voicing him.
- Max and Monty have Sidney and Paxton's horn sounds.
- As Percy starts leaving Maithwaite, his last two coaches are not rendered properly as they are merged together.
In Other Languages
| Language | Title |
|---|---|
| Brazilian Portuguese | Liberem as Estradas |
| Dutch | Maak de Weg Vrij! |
| German | Straße frei für die Busse |
| Polish | Więcej Dróg |
| Russian | Свободные дороги |
| Spanish | Liberen los Caminos |
Home Media Releases
UK
- Steam Team to the Rescue (coming soon)
References
| #01 Free the Roads | #09 Diesel Do Right | #17 Lorenzo's Solo |
| #02 Crowning Around | #10 Grudge Match | #18 Deep Trouble |
| #03 Chucklesome Trucks | #11 Panicky Percy | #19 Too Loud, Thomas! |
| #04 The Other Big Engine | #12 Laid Back Shane | #20 Diesel Glows Away |
| #05 Heart of Gold | #13 Rangers of the Rails | Special #01 Steam Team to the Rescue |
| #06 Batucada | #14 Wish You Were Here | Special #02 All Tracks Lead to Rome |
| #07 Gordon Gets the Giggles | #15 Out of Site | Special #03 Mines of Mystery |
| #08 Thomas Makes a Mistake | #16 First Day on Sodor! | |