This article is about the episode. You may be looking for the Malaysian VCD, the Indonesian VCD/Polish/Czech/Indian DVD or the book. |
- "The Fat Controller chose me because I'm as red as a rocket and twice as grand!"
- ― James
Thomas and the Firework Display is an episode of the eighth series.
Plot
Tonight is the Fat Controller's harvest fireworks display, for which he decides to give James the job of collecting the fireworks from the depot. This upsets Thomas because he wanted that job but James tells him that he was chosen because he is as red as a rocket and twice as grand. James rolls his eyes to show his splendidness, but Thomas scowls at him when he leaves the sheds.
At the Coaling Plant, Thomas is furious about James having his job of taking fireworks and angrily shunts some trucks around, having frustration to take out on. James arrives at the depot to collect the fireworks and chuffs off to Knapford Station. But along the way, James breaks down and his driver has to go and call for help.
Thomas arrives at Knapford Station, where Gordon is letting off people from all over the island to see the fireworks and seeing the children happy makes Thomas happy. The Fat Controller gives Thomas the news that James has broken down and that Thomas must push him to the station, otherwise the fireworks will be cancelled. Realising that this would make the children sad, Thomas heads off to find James.
Thomas finds James and calls him busted boiler, teasing him that he does not look really useful now, which angers and embarrasses James. Thomas tells James that he must look out for things ahead for him, as he can not see ahead from where he is. James forgives Thomas after hearing that the children would be upset if the fireworks do not get to Knapford and they start on their way.
Back at Knapford Station, the Fat Controller sees that it is late and near the children's bedtime, so he initially decides to cancel the display. While heading towards Knapford, James is confused that a signal they have reached is red. Thomas thinks a passenger train is coming and James realises that Gordon is taking the children home, so they try blowing their whistles loudly but it does not work because no one can heard them.
As Gordon is just about to leave, Thomas has an idea to let his driver set off a firework. Gordon and the Fat Controller see it, realising it is a signal from Thomas and James and that the fireworks display is on again. The signal then turns green and Thomas and James arrive at the station.
At Tidmouth Sheds, Thomas and James watch the fireworks together. James tells Thomas that they are both Really Useful Engines and Thomas says that they are most useful when they work together.
Characters
- Thomas
- James
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Troublesome Trucks (speaks in US and Finnish dubs; do not speak in UK and other dubs)
- Gordon (does not speak)
- Stephen Hatt (cameo)
- Bridget Hatt (cameo)
- Nancy (cameo)
- The Mid Sodor Railway Manager (cameo)
- Annie and Clarabel (stock footage cameos)
- Jem Cole (stock footage cameo)
- Farmer Trotter (stock footage cameo)
Locations
- Tidmouth Sheds
- Knapford
- The Coaling Plant
- Sodor Fuel Depot
- The Hay Farm (stock footage)
- The Watermill (deleted scene)
Trivia
- Going by production order, this is the first episode of the eighth series.
- This episode is themed around Guy Fawkes Night (also known as Bonfire/Firework Night), making it the only model episode of the series to focus on the English celebration. However, this is not directly stated, likely to provide this episode a general fireworks display plot due to other countries this episode aired in celebrating their own annual firework events, like on Independence Day (Fourth of July) in the United States.
- Extended stock footage from the fifth series episode, Thomas and the Rumours is used. This episode and Percy Gets It Right share the same opening shot while also being extended stock footage in both episodes.
- This episode marks the first appearance of James' tired face since the fifth series episode, James and the Trouble with Trees and the last appearance of it overall.
- In the All Aboard with the Steam Team and Songs from the Station DVD dubs, the timing of when James asks, "Why would the signal be red?" is a few seconds earlier than in other DVDs with Michael Angelis' dub and the US, UK and Australian television broadcasts.
- The ending shot of Thomas and James watching the fireworks at Tidmouth Sheds is angled similarly to the ending shot of the sixth series episode Scaredy Engines, when Thomas and Percy are also watching fireworks at Tidmouth Sheds.
- In the individual version of the episode, the music is omitted at the end of the episode.
- This episode marks last of three things:
- Nancy's last appearance, not counting a deleted scene cameo appearance in the ninth series episode, Thomas and the Statue.
- The last episode where Paul Larson co-writes an episode with another head writer until the seventeenth series episode, Steamie Stafford.
- The last episode to feature stock footage from episodes produced by Gullane Entertainment under its original name, The Britt Allcroft Company.
- This was the first eighth series episode to air on CiTV, as the episodes were broadcast in production order.
- Deleted scenes show James and Gordon puffing past the watermill.
- When the Fat Controller gives James the job of taking the fireworks, the background shunting noise from the fourth to seventh series is heard.
Goofs
- Because stock footage is used, Annie and Clarabel appear in their old liveries.
- In the Polish dub, Gordon's English name is mistakenly used.
- During the night shots, light can be seen coming from the back of Thomas' headlight.
- When the driver lights the rocket, a thin wire used to pull the rocket is visible.
- Thomas is not making any smoke when he and James arrive at Knapford station with the fireworks train.
- In a close-up of Thomas at Knapford Station, the trucks he is pushing disappear.
In Other Languages
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Merchandise
- Book - Thomas and the Firework Display
- Take Along - Fireworks Car
Home Video Releases
Episode
Reference
#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 | |