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- "Big balloons make my boiler bubble, Thomas!"
- ― Percy
Up, Up and Away! is the eighth episode of the fifteenth series.
Plot
Thomas and Percy are charged with the task of transporting Mr. Bubbles' giant balloon to the showground. Thomas decides that they should puff along the woodland track, but Percy thinks the balloon might rub up against a branch and pop. So he suggests that they take their special along the coastal line. Thomas worries that the balloon might blow away along the windy coast, but does not want to upset his best friend. Along the coast track, Thomas' worries become true and the balloon is blown high into the sky. Thomas thinks they should race after it, but Percy suggests that they wait for the balloon to return to them. Thomas does not want to upset his friend, so he agrees. Then Gordon arrives on his way to pick up the Fat Controller, Lady and Dowager Hatt. Gordon tells the two engines that the balloon will not return to them and that the wind will blow it away for good - and that is exactly what happens.
The two friends puff back to the docks to collect another big balloon from Mr. Bubbles. Soon they are clattering along the line when they arrive at a tunnel. Thomas can see that the tunnel is too small for the giant balloon, but Percy is sure that they can pull the balloon through it. Although Thomas disagrees, he does not want to upset Percy and they try to force the balloon through. Unfortunately, it gets wedged in the tunnel and Gordon arrives with the Hatt family aboard; the balloon had blocked his tracks. Percy is upset, so Thomas decides to leave the balloon and the pair go back to the docks to fetch another one from Mr. Bubbles.
"All the Hatts were hatless!"
By now, the two engines are running very late. They race as fast as they can when, suddenly, they spot Gordon racing towards them. The pair stops urgently and the balloon is freed. It travels high into the sky before slowly deflating - knocking the Fat Controller, Lady and Dowager Hatt's hats off. The Fat Controller demands an explanation. Thomas explains that he did not use his common sense and did what Percy wanted so that he would not be upset, but now he is anyway. Percy tells Thomas that he cannot be upset by his best friend and then suggests that they puff back to the docks and pick up yet another balloon. Thomas disagrees and tells Percy that first they should ask the drivers to pick up the Hatt's hats. Next Thomas decides that they must clear the tunnel by bursting the jammed balloon before finally returning to the docks to pick up another balloon from an exhausted Mr. Bubbles.
This time, they take the woodland track to the show. Percy admits that Thomas was right, it is the best track to take. During Mr. Bubbles' performance at the Balloon Show, one of the balloons Thomas and Percy lost earlier floats down to everyone's amazement.
Characters
- Thomas
- Gordon
- Percy
- Sir Topham Hatt
- Lady Hatt
- Dowager Hatt
- Mr. Bubbles
- Cranky (not named, does not speak)
- Edward (cameo)
- Henry (cameo)
- James (cameo)
- Emily (cameo)
- Sodor Brass Band (cameos)
- Mr. Percival (cameo)
- The Dark Uniformed Children (cameos)
- The Ginger-haired Boy (cameo)
- The Blond-haired Boy (cameo)
- Some Sodor United Football Team Members (cameos)
- The Welsh Birdwatcher (cameo)
- The Lady with the Big Hat (cameo)
- Big Mickey (faceless, cameo)
Locations
- Three-Track Level Crossing
- Kirk Ronan Junction
- Tidmouth Sheds
- Brendam Docks
- Coastal Cliffs
- Bridge Over Single-Track Tunnel
- Woodland Track
- Whispering Woods
Cast
UK
- Ben Small as Thomas
- Keith Wickham as Gordon, Percy, the Fat Controller, Dowager Hatt and Mr. Bubbles
- Teresa Gallagher as Lady Hatt
US
- Martin Sherman as Thomas and Percy
- Kerry Shale as Gordon and Sir Topham Hatt
- Jules de Jongh as Lady Hatt
- Keith Wickham as Dowager Hatt
- Michael Brandon as Mr. Bubbles
Trivia
- This episode is the last of a few things:
- The last episode where Mr. Bubbles is voiced by Michael Brandon in the US. Keith Wickham took over the role from Thomas & Friends in 4-D: Bubbling Boilers onwards. It is also his last speaking role until the 4-D special.
- The last episode in which Lady Hatt is voiced by Jules de Jongh in the US. Teresa Gallagher takes over the role starting from the seventeenth series episode, The Afternoon Tea Express. It is also her last speaking role until that episode.
- The last appearance of the Coastal Cliffs until the seventeenth series episode, Calm Down Caitlin.
- A shortened version of the episode re-dubbed by Mark Moraghan was uploaded to the show's official page on the PBS Kids website.
- A reference to this episode is later made in Tale of the Brave as well as the twenty-first series episode, Dowager Hatt's Busy Day.
- The episodes title shares the same name with The Magic Adventures of Mumfie episode that was seen in an Airing of Storytime with Thomas.
Goofs
- When the first balloon is blown off the conflat, Thomas' mouth does not move when he says "Cinders and ashes!"
- When the third balloon deflates and finally lands, Thomas is uncoupled from the conflat.
- In one shot of Thomas and Percy puffing with the second balloon, they pass a red signal.
- In one shot of Thomas and Percy puffing together, Percy's wheels stop moving while his side rods keep moving
Merchandise
- TrackMaster - Up, Up and Away Percy (discontinued)
- Books - Up, Up and Away! and Thomas' Tall Friend (China only)
- Magazine Stories - Up, Up and Away! (magazine story)
- Video Games - Up, Up and Away! Diesel Special Delivery and Exploring Sodor
In Other Languages
| Language | Title |
|---|---|
| Azerbaijani | Yuxarı Lap Yuxarı |
| Brazilian Portuguese | Subindo bem alto |
| Catalan | Amunt, amunt cap al cel |
| Chinese Mandarin | 飞向太空 |
| Finnish | Herra Kuplasen Ilmapallot |
| French | Les ballons géants |
| German | Auf und davon |
| Hebrew | גבוה ורחוק |
| Hungarian | Szelek szárnyán |
| Italian | Vola Vola nel Cielo |
| Japanese | おおきなふうせん |
| Korean | 풍선 나르기 작전 (dub) 높은 곳으로 저 멀리 (subtitles) |
| Latin American Spanish | ¡Arriba, Arriba y Adiós! |
| Norwegian | Opp, opp og av sted |
| Polish | Balonowa przygoda |
| Portuguese | Sobe, Sobe, Balão! |
| Romanian | Sus, Sus și s-a Dus! |
| Russian | Большой Шар (Original) Вверх, вверх и прочь! (Alternate) |
| Spanish | Hacia el Cielo Hasta Desaparecer |
Home Media Releases
UKDVD PacksUS/MYS
AUSJPNGERTHACHN |
| #01 Gordon and Ferdinand | #08 Up, Up and Away! | #15 Big Belle |
| #02 Toby and Bash | #09 Henry's Happy Coal | #16 Kevin the Steamie |
| #03 Emily and Dash | #10 Let It Snow | #17 Wonky Whistle |
| #04 Percy's New Friends | #11 Surprise, Surprise | #18 Percy the Snowman |
| #05 Edward the Hero | #12 Spencer the Grand | #19 Tree Trouble |
| #06 James to the Rescue | #13 Stop that Bus! | #20 Fiery Flynn |
| #07 Happy Hiro | #14 Stuck on You | |