For other uses, see Thomas' Day Off (disambiguation). |
- "Help, help!"
- ― Dennis
Thomas' Day Off is the eighteenth episode of the ninth series.
Plot
The Fat Controller announces to his engines that a new diesel engine called Dennis has arrived on Sodor and tells Thomas that he is being given a day off after his recent spell of busy work. Thomas decides to spend his day off by going to the washdown and then to Bluff's Cove. On his way there, Thomas sees the new diesel struggling to shunt some trucks of roof tiles. Dennis tells Thomas that he cannot shunt the trucks, so Thomas decides to help Dennis, even though it is his day off. Afterwards, Thomas goes off to the washdown.
But Dennis is far from happy - he does not want to take the trucks of tiles to the school because he is lazy. Thomas soon arrives back from the washdown and Dennis decides to make a plan to trick Thomas; he asks him to show him the way to the school. Thomas helps Dennis by telling him where to go when they reach a junction. But again, Dennis is not pleased as he watches Thomas heading towards Bluff's Cove. Then, Dennis comes up with another plan: he blows his horn to attract Thomas' attention. Thomas comes back and Dennis pretends that his engine has overheated. Thomas decides to help Dennis by finding another engine to help him.
Dennis is fed up that his plans had backfired on him, so he decides to run away from his work so that another engine will have to take the trucks of tiles for him. However, as he runs away, Dennis derails and ends up wheel-deep in mud, and even leaking diesel fuel. Again, Dennis calls for help, but no one is around to assist him this time.
Nearing Bluff's Cove, Thomas hears some urgent news from Percy at a signal box. The workmen are waiting for Dennis' delivery at Bluff's Cove School and do not know where he is. Thomas knows of Dennis' whereabouts and goes off to find him. When Thomas finds Dennis stuck in the mud, he is very puzzled; he thought Dennis had broken down. A very shamefaced Dennis tells Thomas the truth. Naturally, Thomas is cross with Dennis for both deceiving and taking advantage of him, but after seeing he is in real trouble, decides to give Dennis a second chance by helping him one more time. Together, they get the trucks of tiles to Bluff's Cove School. The Fat Controller is not happy with his new diesel's laziness. Dennis promises the Fat Controller and Thomas that he will be a Really Useful Engine from now on.
Characters
- Thomas
- Percy
- Dennis
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Troublesome Trucks (do not speak)
- Edward (cameo)
- Henry (cameo)
- Gordon (cameo)
- James (cameo)
- Emily (cameo)
- Annie and Clarabel (cameos)
Locations
- Dryaw
- Tidmouth Sheds
- Bluff's Cove
- Knapford
- Kellsthorpe Road
- The Washdown
- Cream Signal Box and Siding Runby
Trivia
- Going by production order, this is the twenty-second episode of the ninth series.
- This episode marks the only occurrence of several things for Dennis:
- His only speaking role.
- His only appearance until the special The Great Discovery (excluding his appearance in the tenth series learning segment Diesels and Steamers).
- His only appearance in an episode.
- His only leading role.
- A deleted scene shows that Percy was to have a larger role after the Fat Controller tells the engines about Dennis. Percy is shown to become worried.
- This is the only episode to feature Tsutomu Densaka as part of the Japanese voice cast.
- The story has a similarity to the classic fairytale, The Boy Who Cried Wolf!. An episode from the seventeenth series would have a similar plot to that said fairytale.
- The title is possibly a reference to the 1986 movie, Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
- This episode would later share its title with an episode from the first series of All Engines Go.
Goofs
- The UK title card is erroneously spelled as "Thomas's Day Off’". However, this was corrected in the US version.
- At one point, the narrator mentions Dennis being cross, but he is wearing his sad face. This is due to the fact that a cross face was not sculpted for him.
Merchandise
- Magazine Stories - The Lazy Diesel
- My Thomas Story Library - Dennis (discontinued)
In Other Languages
View content | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home Media Releases
UKDVD BoxsetsUS/CANDVD Boxsets
AUS
DVD Boxsets
JPNNOR/SWE/DK/FIN
NLHUNMYSTHAHKSPNDVD BoxsetsZAKORTWN |
#01 Percy and the Oil Painting | #10 Rheneas and the Dinosaur | #19 Thomas' New Trucks |
#02 Thomas and the Rainbow | #11 Thomas and the New Engine | #20 Duncan and the Old Mine |
#03 Thomas' Milkshake Muddle | #12 Toby Feels Left Out | #21 Bold and Brave |
#04 Mighty Mac | #13 Thomas Tries His Best | #22 Skarloey the Brave |
#05 Molly's Special Special | #14 The Magic Lamp | #23 Saving Edward |
#06 Respect for Gordon | #15 Thomas and the Statue | #24 Thomas and the Golden Eagle |
#07 Thomas and the Birthday Picnic | #16 Henry and the Flagpole | #25 Keeping Up with James |
#08 Tuneful Toots | #17 Emily Knows Best | #26 Flour Power |
#09 Thomas and the Toy Shop | #18 Thomas' Day Off | |