The Simple Appeal of Thomas

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  • čas přidán 26. 12. 2020
  • As the 75th anniversary of Thomas comes to a close and particularly with the new format the show is getting, I thought it would be appropriate to write a commentary of why Thomas the Tank Engine appeals to so many people! Thanks to all the Patreon members who participated!
    Note: The following video is purely for commentary purposes and is fair use.

Komentáře • 976

  • @JamesIsHere5
    @JamesIsHere5 Před 3 lety +606

    QUICK! SOMEONE SHOWS THIS TO MATTEL! THEY NEED TO GET THEIR SHIT TOGETHER!

  • @germanchocolatecake8143
    @germanchocolatecake8143 Před 3 lety +230

    Children's media is deserving of just as much criticism and critical thought as anything made for adults. Children deserve quality stories that respect their intelligence and have something meaningful to say without preaching.

    • @zakgrimm3456
      @zakgrimm3456 Před 3 lety +8

      I agree

    • @mediatrainfan0282
      @mediatrainfan0282 Před 3 lety +9

      Especially in modern kids media nowadays.

    • @SuperPsychic101
      @SuperPsychic101 Před 3 lety +3

      Exactly! Magic School Bus Rides Again is one of those great reboots! It’s very in spirit with the OG series and even lowkey provided meta commentary about the changes in the very first episode

    • @matthewweatherford6566
      @matthewweatherford6566 Před rokem +1

      @@SuperPsychic101 Not it mention they explained Phoebe's absence rather than pretending she never existed like what happened with Spud from Bob the Builder when the 2015 reboot was done.

    • @matthewweatherford6566
      @matthewweatherford6566 Před rokem +2

      @@SuperPsychic101 And the modernization for that show is more forgiveable since the show is all about science. I will always prefer the original over the reboot but I prefer this reboot over most reboots I've seen. I think being meta really makes me feel better about it. It's like how Electric Dragon feels about the recent Chip N Dale Rescue Rangers movie. He says it's nowhere near as good as Roger Rabbit but better than Space Jam: A New Legacy. I hope we get an episode of Jellystone where the characters go into another dimension and meet their 50's/60's/70's counterparts so that today's kids will know what they were meant to be.

  • @GeorgeLowther2000
    @GeorgeLowther2000 Před 3 lety +280

    Even though the Series is Disrespected by Mattel
    We can always look back on the Classic Series and watch Fan Made Content

    • @samuelwilliams1619
      @samuelwilliams1619 Před 3 lety +8

      Exactly what I say!

    • @catvoncrimson666
      @catvoncrimson666 Před 3 lety +17

      I don’t like that Mattel had disrespected Thomas and Bob the Builder. I’m pretty certain that they’re blind to negative criticism

    • @tailsbread
      @tailsbread Před 3 lety +5

      @@catvoncrimson666 sad it seems like that. Image if mattel did care and they still used train sets

    • @catvoncrimson666
      @catvoncrimson666 Před 3 lety +4

      @@tailsbread well using cgi is cheaper than building a set so I understand that aspect. However, I would be much happier if the story was closer to the source material and more coherent.

    • @tailsbread
      @tailsbread Před 3 lety

      @@catvoncrimson666 yea true maybe one day in the future they might do a CGI version of the old episodes keeping the real look to them but give them that CGI look

  • @Cmero_music
    @Cmero_music Před 3 lety +118

    I'm 18 years old and in the military now and I still watch Thomas the Tank Engine. Seasons 2 and 3 will always be my favorite. My very first memories I can recall are of me watching Thomas on VCR tapes with my parents. Hopefully when I have children theyll appreciate this show

    • @edwardtheblueengine222
      @edwardtheblueengine222 Před 2 lety +10

      Season two and three were great but my personal favorite season was season four

  • @enginenumber14
    @enginenumber14 Před 3 lety +122

    Mattel: Thomas is just a Brand just so we can sell toys
    Thomas1Edward2Henry3: Right, I'll Show You what Thomas Really Means

    • @Thomasmemoryscentral
      @Thomasmemoryscentral Před 3 lety +8

      Hit Entertainment had that mindset too but at least in the 2000s,they put more effort into the merchandise.

    • @kawaiiboy5929
      @kawaiiboy5929 Před 3 lety +1

      Sorry but his alfred series was fan ficy😭

    • @craigthe
      @craigthe Před 3 lety +1

      @@Thomasmemoryscentral hit merchandise is fire. Take along and take and play, trackmaster. Wooden railway

    • @matthewweatherford6566
      @matthewweatherford6566 Před rokem

      @@Thomasmemoryscentral And while they started talking down to little kids to an extent, it still stood out and was still autism friendly. I don't think they were trying to copy other preschool shows apart from switching to CGI and a separate voice cast, although the former might have been more because of how expensive and time consuming it is.

  • @MrDankEngine1999
    @MrDankEngine1999 Před 3 lety +103

    No matter what happens in the future reboot, the fandom will live on for many years to come.

  • @ricknegan1663
    @ricknegan1663 Před 3 lety +128

    Rev. Awdry: God
    Thomas: Adam
    Mattel: Satan

    • @stumpyfunnelalt9920
      @stumpyfunnelalt9920 Před 3 lety +8

      Hit entertainment: eve/ jesus

    • @retrogamelover2012
      @retrogamelover2012 Před 3 lety +8

      @@stumpyfunnelalt9920 I would've thought Andrew Brenner would've been Jesus in that allegory.

    • @urtooslow4415
      @urtooslow4415 Před 3 lety +7

      @@retrogamelover2012 yes thomas jesus=Andrew brenner

    • @laneriddle6893
      @laneriddle6893 Před 3 lety +2

      For Bob the Builder, it’s like this:
      HiT/Nick Jr: God
      Bob the Builder: Adam
      Mattel: Satan

    • @urtooslow4415
      @urtooslow4415 Před 3 lety

      @@laneriddle6893 yes

  • @billa107
    @billa107 Před 3 lety +20

    What sucks is that Brenner tried so hard to restore Thomas. To make a product that pleases the adults and children alike. But Mattel just couldn’t help themselves and blamed the wrong things. What a shame.

    • @motorwayt-s628
      @motorwayt-s628 Před 3 lety +2

      It’s all thanks to the poor sales of the bad looking toys, I seriously don’t get how the people who produce barbies and hot wheels don’t know how to make a good Thomas toy

    • @BrandonSG13
      @BrandonSG13 Před 3 lety +3

      They took shortcuts with the toys, but also didn’t get the show broadcast in the right places
      Throughout seasons 19, 20 etc the show was broadcast once a day at 6am on pay television. No wonder it wasn’t getting attention, no one could see it. Instead of realising their flaws, Mattel blamed the brilliant television on their failure

  • @rws_critic_1668
    @rws_critic_1668 Před 3 lety +229

    People outside the fandom: Thomas is for baby’s
    The fandom: *Watches Escape* HOLY CR*P!!!

    • @starconverse46productions20
      @starconverse46productions20 Před 3 lety +11

      Escape is one of (maybe even) the best episode of all of the episodes

    • @starconverse46productions20
      @starconverse46productions20 Před 3 lety +6

      @i like trains Ur mom never watched the show, am I right?

    • @monarchvh8593
      @monarchvh8593 Před 3 lety +4

      That is literally my favorite episode and cmon someone escapes from death in general

    • @funnyclown2514
      @funnyclown2514 Před 3 lety +7

      I’m sick of those people they need to do their research and actually watch Season 5... Fuck those people

    • @Maidbit69
      @Maidbit69 Před 3 lety +1

      Craps not a bad word. Does not need the some what blur in the middle

  • @C.Johnson9714
    @C.Johnson9714 Před 3 lety +62

    2:49 As someone in his 20s with Aspergers I agree with this point.
    Watching Classic Thomas and playing with the ERTL model toys kept me calm and happy throughout my childhood.
    And even now re-watching Classic Thomas and fan-made content like yours still brings me joy.

    • @samuelwilliams1619
      @samuelwilliams1619 Před 3 lety +10

      As someone with ASD & who was a very shy child growing up, Thomas & Friends kept me happy too.

    • @theredline2283
      @theredline2283 Před 3 lety +7

      I have Aspergers as well and totally agree. Even as a 25 year old, watching the classic thomas series and fandom created content still brings me joy! Seeing how classic Thomas appeals to people of all ages when it was meant for children is part of the shows charm and classic thomas will always hold a special place in my heart

    • @Thomasmemoryscentral
      @Thomasmemoryscentral Před 3 lety +1

      Season 12 is an interesting experiment to look back on but in hindsight, having the mouth works better in full CGI. A hybrid formula didnt age well with that season since the animated humans and faces felt out of place in the otherwise mostly liveaction sets.

    • @IndustrialParrot2816
      @IndustrialParrot2816 Před 3 lety +1

      thomas was my favorite show when i was little because it was the most interisting thing to me, i could follow the plot easily, it was realistic, and most importently it had a good mix of funny and creepy and i am on the austism spectrum so those points he made earlier apply to me

    • @Lord_Foxy13
      @Lord_Foxy13 Před 2 lety +1

      @@theredline2283 I’m literally the exact same thing for 26 years old. I recently just stumbled on a CZcams video by unlucky tug and it lit a fire under my butt and I literally watched every episode of the classic season in less than a month… i’m on my third watch of it now

  • @therevchannel.notforkids.3408

    I'm proud to admit that I am in my late teenage years and I am a huge fan of Thomas and always will be.

    • @armorpro573
      @armorpro573 Před rokem +3

      Can say the same here. I watched it since age 4 and still do

    • @LazyOldFusspot_3428
      @LazyOldFusspot_3428 Před 8 měsíci +2

      Same here. I'm proud to call Thomas my childhood, and nowadays, it's mostly the books and og (aka definitive) seasons.

  • @lonesailordee3886
    @lonesailordee3886 Před 3 lety +224

    British people: wow! This is awesome!
    Americans; oh no~! Too scawy~!

    • @UnitedWars
      @UnitedWars Před 3 lety +36

      More like American politics instead of Americans in general -_-

    • @rws_critic_1668
      @rws_critic_1668 Před 3 lety +2

      Lol

    • @Fanofmurdoch9702
      @Fanofmurdoch9702 Před 3 lety +20

      How im offened im British and its The reboot is mores scarier than every horror movie combined

    • @Belangerz
      @Belangerz Před 3 lety +11

      Well have you seen Thomas the emoji, that’s awfully scary

    • @lonesailordee3886
      @lonesailordee3886 Před 3 lety +9

      Okay I was being sarcastic my apologies. Probably should’ve specified 😅 but yeah I mean the like, soccer mom and stuff

  • @supersonicstyleatsonicspeed

    RIP new Oliver the Great Western Engine stories

  • @kommandantgalileo
    @kommandantgalileo Před 3 lety +41

    Me when I saw the reboot: Oh the indignity.

  • @nibbles6675
    @nibbles6675 Před 3 lety +52

    You know what I hate?
    When the people in charge nowadays want to make changes to the show so it becomes similar to other preschool shows. That is the one thing you should be avoiding. The reason so many were drawn to Thomas is that it was so unique compared to other shows, especially in the 90s. But then there’s bloody Ian McCue going on about how they want to make Thomas like other preschool shows. NO-ONE WANTS THIS. KIDS DON'T. PARENTS DON'T. THE FANS DON'T.

    • @NoaZeevi
      @NoaZeevi Před 3 lety

      What they wanted was to market to Europe, and Asia.

    • @matthewweatherford6566
      @matthewweatherford6566 Před rokem +1

      I'm with you. I want little kids to learn to appreciate stuff that doesn't talk down to them and even stuff from before their time and I don't want everything they watch to be exactly the same. I'd rather introduce them to Barney, Teletubbies, and The Big Comfy Couch than CoComelon and Baby Shark. If I introduce them to Thomas, it'll be the old ones. I'll even recommend the parents to introduce them to Shining Time Station because if I just say Thomas, they might show them the 2D reboot. I also have DVDs and VHS tapes (yes, I still use them) in case they come to our house and I feel like introducing them to the old Thomas, not this generic overly age appropriate insult to the Awdry family.

  • @Douglas57647
    @Douglas57647 Před 3 lety +44

    In a perfect world, Mattel would have put you in charge of Thomas a long time ago!

    • @masterfarr8265
      @masterfarr8265 Před 3 lety +5

      Or they would've just sold the series to Hasbro already. Hasbro is able to keep Transformers and MLP in the public eye, make amazing shows and even have dedicated people working for them

  • @tiger-ym7ln
    @tiger-ym7ln Před 3 lety +34

    This is a perfect representation of why I like Thomas so much

  • @PitDoesMinecraft
    @PitDoesMinecraft Před 3 lety +65

    Thomas The Emoji Engine! *Wheezes out of laughter*

    • @margogoralski6294
      @margogoralski6294 Před 3 lety +6

      Same here.

    • @PitDoesMinecraft
      @PitDoesMinecraft Před 3 lety +5

      @@margogoralski6294 It's true it's like combining the abomination that was the Emoji Movie with TTTE and make it 2d.... DISGUSTANG!!!!!

    • @margogoralski6294
      @margogoralski6294 Před 3 lety +6

      @@PitDoesMinecraft Gross!!!

    • @woos057
      @woos057 Před 3 lety +5

      If there will be a single fart joke, I'll hang myself outside of Mattels Headquarters

    • @CassandraPantaristi
      @CassandraPantaristi Před 2 lety

      Emoji the blue poop engine.

  • @AlexLopez-xb3yn
    @AlexLopez-xb3yn Před 3 lety +64

    I love the model era of Thomas and Friends, the first 5 seasons are masterpiece, something of what Scorsese did to cinema. That was the golden age of Television, now we are gonna have a Teen Titans go version of Thomas and it is a downgrade of what the show was at the peak of children’s television. 1984 to 2000 was the best

    • @samuelwilliams1619
      @samuelwilliams1619 Před 3 lety +9

      This is just as bad as the Bob The Builder reboot! It's worse!

    • @richardhibbard1066
      @richardhibbard1066 Před 3 lety +8

      The first 5 seasons were perfect in my opinion too. Although I like Seasons 6-7 the best too, which those two last seasons from the classic era had a very few bad episodes like "Middle Engine" for example.

    • @samuelwilliams1619
      @samuelwilliams1619 Před 3 lety +2

      @@richardhibbard1066 I agree.

    • @trainfanog1506
      @trainfanog1506 Před 3 lety +1

      here here

    • @fanofeverything30465
      @fanofeverything30465 Před 2 lety +1

      @@richardhibbard1066 I agree although I also think Season 5 had a bad episode (That being Snow)

  • @martincraw7698
    @martincraw7698 Před 3 lety +69

    The original Thomas series will always be a part of my childhood. The new Thomas series can’t be like that.

    • @IndustrialParrot2816
      @IndustrialParrot2816 Před 3 lety +4

      thomas was my favorite show when i was little because it was the most interisting thing to me, i could follow the plot easily, it was realistic, and most importently it had a good mix of funny and creepy

    • @mackenziekram2672
      @mackenziekram2672 Před 3 lety +1

      I agree. The classic series is much better than BWBA and the new remake.

    • @masterfarr8265
      @masterfarr8265 Před 3 lety

      what Thomas reboot, I don't see any Thomas reboot. Do you?

    • @thewillofabeast9079
      @thewillofabeast9079 Před 2 lety

      Honestly, I didn’t think some parts of the CGI were all that bad. Just the cases of BWBA and after and some of the storylines could use work, like with Henry and the fact that they made him afraid of anything

  • @masterfarr8265
    @masterfarr8265 Před 3 lety +25

    Apparantly the show is a show within the books. So in universe, Mattel insulted an entire Island of hardworking engines their crews their controllers and their beloved Historian

  • @gallantcavalier3306
    @gallantcavalier3306 Před 3 lety +33

    I feel with channels like this, as well as others, the true meaning and lessons of the Thomas Fandom will live on despite Mattel doing all they can to destroy it.

  • @DKandRenamonfan32
    @DKandRenamonfan32 Před 3 lety +27

    The Fat Controller is kinda like King Triton. They're both stern, yet reasonable authority figures. Granted, sometimes they take things too far, but they do it only out of love for both Ariel and Thomas. They're not ruthless dictators as everyone says. That's just preposterous.

    • @kernowpictures2002
      @kernowpictures2002 Před 3 lety +4

      Yeah King Triton was a bit overbearing and unnecessarily cruel when he destroyed Ariel’s collection of human artefacts

    • @DKandRenamonfan32
      @DKandRenamonfan32 Před 3 lety +2

      @@kernowpictures2002 But he did show remorse afterwards.

    • @RWSfan2024
      @RWSfan2024 Před rokem +1

      At least Sir Topham Hatt didn’t sell the engine’s souls unlike Mr Krabs

    • @robbiewalker2831
      @robbiewalker2831 Před 8 dny

      @@kernowpictures2002 I would agree, King Triton is a bad example. I think Sir Topham Hatt as more like Scrooge McDuck; a famous person in the place he calls home, having a strong understanding of the ecosystem he has to provide, has a lot of people he would call family, and that there are a lot of adventures going on. He is also relatable in how he has his own flaws to deal with, and can be humble at times. Very stern, but not too authoritarian.

  • @rociobeltran4105
    @rociobeltran4105 Před 3 lety +14

    I been Watching Thomas for 17 years straight since I was a infant child because it keeps me growing strong

    • @RWSfan2024
      @RWSfan2024 Před 3 lety +1

      Some of the characters made me who I am today

  • @alexandergonyea4642
    @alexandergonyea4642 Před 3 lety +24

    I'm proud enough to admit that I'm a grown adult, and Thomas still has a warm place in my heart. Just recently I went back and rewatched a lot of those classic stories after not thinking about it for two to three years, and was pleased to find they're still enjoyable. Thomas has staying power that you just don't find with other shows made for the same audience, just look at what the fanbase has created. There are some incredible things people have done, and that shows you how much this tank engine means to people. I'm very disappointed to see what the BWBA era has done to the series, and the fact that it is visibly getting worse instead of better, but I'm confident in saying that we the fans will keep the fond memories of Thomas and the dignity it used to have alive.
    (But seriously, the new Thomas looks like some foreign bootleg and not the official new face of the franchise.)

    • @matthewweatherford6566
      @matthewweatherford6566 Před rokem +2

      Just keeping these memories alive isn't enough. My goal is to introduce those memories to today's little kids before their parents get them too accustomed to the reboot. I wanna show them that not everything today's toddlers and preschoolers watch has to be exactly the same or even play down to them.

    • @alexandergonyea4642
      @alexandergonyea4642 Před rokem +1

      @@matthewweatherford6566 That's one-hundred percent respectable and I can totally get behind that.

    • @LazyOldFusspot_3428
      @LazyOldFusspot_3428 Před 8 měsíci

      AEGTFO: Chuggington 2.0
      Thomas the Tank Engine: A comfy, realistic and dedicated loveletter to railways and the engines that ruled them

    • @FreighttrainDaniel1225
      @FreighttrainDaniel1225 Před 7 měsíci

      @@matthewweatherford6566I can definitely relate not to mention finding a girlfriend who at the very least doesn’t mind the fact that I like a show at 20 years old (believe me I won’t be like going out in public talking about Thomas like how furries do with their creepy ass costumes)

  • @krishnanayar9461
    @krishnanayar9461 Před 3 lety +35

    I grew up with the Best of Thomas, Best of Percy and Best of James CDs. So when I heard about the reboot, I wanted to kill a man because my childhood was ruined.

  • @mediatrainfan0282
    @mediatrainfan0282 Před 3 lety +27

    You have to appreciate the art that Britt Allcroft and David Mitton created. Something about live action model animation makes the classic series so realistic. The stories are simple, but what steals the show is the visuals, and music. Thomas inspired me to become a railroad enthusiast, and when rewatched the classic series as a train buff, it starts to make sense when I got older; and it inspired me to write stories about railroad knowledge.

  • @BriceGum138
    @BriceGum138 Před 3 lety +36

    Thomas is down to earth most of the time than what 2021 Thomas would have in mind. I will stick with Seasons 1-11 (the majority of the live-action era), Seasons 17-24, some of S12-16 (because there are a few gems here and there, but not enough looking back), and a few other things. Oh, and that includes The Railway Series because I recently got the 1996 Thomas the Tank Engine Collection book off Amazon, containing all 26 books for an insanely cheap price (about $4).

    • @MSC_807
      @MSC_807 Před 3 lety

      Give me the link. NOW.

    • @BriceGum138
      @BriceGum138 Před 3 lety +2

      @@MSC_807 You have some device you use. Why don't you look up Amazon?

    • @MSC_807
      @MSC_807 Před 3 lety

      Oh ok

    • @cohengamertv6548
      @cohengamertv6548 Před 3 lety

      I grew up with the Sharon miller era

    • @BriceGum138
      @BriceGum138 Před 3 lety +1

      @@cohengamertv6548 I have too. But mostly for the right and wrong reasons.

  • @cheng3580
    @cheng3580 Před 3 lety +18

    My family let me watch Thomas and Friends due to my autism. I learnt more things from Thomas compared to other shows i've watched.

  • @dadocta5168
    @dadocta5168 Před 3 lety +68

    2:14 the same can apply to the appeal of anime: the stiffness can enhance their strength whether it is an intentionally strong character or not. While constant motion technically has more effort from an animation stand point, it takes away some of that weight you feel as if the characters have because they can move too easily.

  • @YukariAkiyamaTanks
    @YukariAkiyamaTanks Před 3 lety +12

    Thomas's realism is what got me hitched, I will always love the model era, it shall alway be close to my hart.

  • @fadhlulhadi1434
    @fadhlulhadi1434 Před 3 lety +4

    Soon came the alarm "Mattel is making the not same Thomas again!", said the signalman. "Send for the milittary Machines to Mattel' home!!

  • @matthewweatherford6566
    @matthewweatherford6566 Před rokem +3

    What you said (and what some of the comments said) gives me more confidence that today's little kids can enjoy the old versions, including the model series.

    • @armorpro573
      @armorpro573 Před rokem

      A lot of the older ones especially

  • @Wayrail
    @Wayrail Před 3 lety +16

    This is such a great analysis on the classic series, I loved your idea on the ‘simple, yet realistic and mature’ feel of the show, which made it stand out along with making it more respectable as children’s show, and what made it appeal to a larger audience in retrospect.

  • @ink_blot25
    @ink_blot25 Před 3 lety +9

    Mattel know full well that they've screwed up. but they've buried their heads in the sand so deep that ostriches would be jealous

  • @Henriqueleal0609
    @Henriqueleal0609 Před 3 lety +29

    This man just explained the magic of a show about steam engines/locomotives/machines in 17 minutes..
    "THIS IS A MAN OF TRUST, RIGHTFULLNESS AND SHEER F*CKING WILL!!"

  • @rebel_x13
    @rebel_x13 Před 3 lety +12

    The music, character development, and realism in both the trains and the stories are the main reason why Thomas and Friends will always be my favorite kids show, and I won't ever outgrow it. Thanks T1E2H3, the disappointing future for this show had me down, but you came out with the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! 🚂

    • @matthewweatherford6566
      @matthewweatherford6566 Před rokem +1

      For me, it was probably because of how autism friendly it used to be. I lost interest when I started to notice that Mattel was ripping off other preschool properties.

  • @gnc623
    @gnc623 Před 3 lety +9

    Dude, Season 5 was lit! It will always be my favorite season of them all.

    • @BelcarrigFarm
      @BelcarrigFarm Před 3 lety +2

      I love it too

    • @CassandraPantaristi
      @CassandraPantaristi Před 2 lety +1

      Season 3 is my favorite.

    • @gnc623
      @gnc623 Před 2 lety +2

      ​@CassandraPantaristi Honestly, Season 3 is my least favorite of the classic series. I still really like it, but for me it just doesn't have the standout episodes like the other seasons.

    • @CassandraPantaristi
      @CassandraPantaristi Před 2 lety +2

      @@gnc623 I can respect that.

    • @fanofeverything30465
      @fanofeverything30465 Před 2 lety +1

      Season 5 is my favourite too

  • @User-3O3
    @User-3O3 Před 2 lety +7

    0:50 I've been aware of the Nostalgia Critic for quite some time and enjoyed a lot of the content I have seen from him, but his review of TATMR really showed his ignorance and evident lack of research in to the history of Thomas & Friends.

    • @robbiewalker2831
      @robbiewalker2831 Před 8 dny

      He watches the movie like he’s someone who never heard of the franchise, despite the growing popularity, and his review is a major example of it.

  • @vonmillardmanalastas7524
    @vonmillardmanalastas7524 Před 3 lety +13

    0:07 What do you mean?! Your Drawing is INFINITLY better than current Thomas and Friends

  • @rjsouthworth5246
    @rjsouthworth5246 Před 3 lety +11

    This is a great summary of what makes the show appealing: I like that you mentioned the particular appeal to children on the autistic spectrum. I find I appreciate how effective the music is more as an adult - each character's theme music really gets their personality across perfectly.

  • @Nephalem2002
    @Nephalem2002 Před 3 lety +10

    Outside of the MLP Fandom and Star Wars Fandom, The Thomas Fandom is the most passionate fandom I have seen when it comes to its fan made content and love for the product/show.
    We have such good, passionate content creators like you, Victor, Kane, Skarloey, and so many more.
    Absolutely loved this video man!

  • @Damocles178
    @Damocles178 Před 3 lety +6

    One thing TTTE has excelled in is teaching proper railway values. That legacy could not be more apparent with the impact it's had in real life especially when characters were based on real prototypes. Thomas actually saved Hornby when there was less interest in model trains as the TV series emergence renewed interest. Hornby doesn't focus on Thomas nowadays and it wasn't their prime focus in the first place but Thomas certainly left a legacy. Thanks to TTTE many children grew up to have an interest in model railways and real trains. I would say Thomas is why I care so much about trains in the first place.

  • @stopreadingmyusernamebroth9090

    As an adult I was always wondering why Thomas the classic series is always so enjoyable

  • @samuelwilliams1619
    @samuelwilliams1619 Před 3 lety +11

    There are no words to say how much I agree with you. But even though Mattel has basically butchered the franchise, we ourselves, as fans, need to keep the show alive so we can show it to our own children. That way, the show can never die. Thank you.

    • @matthewweatherford6566
      @matthewweatherford6566 Před rokem

      I'm with you. I don't wanna get married or have children myself but I wanna encourage today's children to watch the old versions, maybe even Shining Time Station.

  • @thesodorsamurai2002
    @thesodorsamurai2002 Před 3 lety +14

    There is definitely more to Thomas than just a kid's show.
    FUN FACT: I used to get bullied for liking Thomas as well as other shows like SpongeBob, Pokemon, Sonic, ect and even got called a big baby.

    • @survivmatthew5419
      @survivmatthew5419 Před 3 lety +11

      just ignore those kind of people.
      And I argee with you Thomas is more than just a kid show!
      Mattel justs ruins the show.

    • @Bunny23723
      @Bunny23723 Před 3 lety +9

      Blame it on that stupid "Its for kids excuse" mindset. Don't let those those people bug you. They don't realize that its adults that create these cartoons for us to enjoy, so watch whatever you want to watch.

    • @survivmatthew5419
      @survivmatthew5419 Před 3 lety +3

      @@Bunny23723 I argee! Happy new year.

    • @Bunny23723
      @Bunny23723 Před 3 lety +1

      @@survivmatthew5419 Thank you!:)

    • @kernowpictures2002
      @kernowpictures2002 Před 3 lety +4

      @@Bunny23723 I mean Thomas is more than a kids show it has lots of very mature subjects and those ignorant bastards have clearly not seen season five

  • @moussacamara909
    @moussacamara909 Před 3 lety +8

    I can thanks Thomas The Tank Engine for getting me into my love for British engines

  • @LittleWesternerProductions

    I basically agree with everything in this analysis. I'm 18 and I still love coming back to watch the classic series, even if it is just for the aesthetic. But this video opened my eyes as to why I truly appreciate T&F. You could also argue that with the older Disney films, like Dumbo per se. It was simple yet mature and incredibly affecting; it went to quite dark places but had a colorful atmosphere which made for such a more poignant and emotional story. It's honestly in my top 5 movies of all time. And I'll admit loud and proud, I cry every time. This is also the reason I watch seldom to none of the CGI series: it doesn't have that same authenticity, care, and maturity put into it. And it's like what C.S. Lewis said, "A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest." Fantastic video!

  • @mbcmechachu
    @mbcmechachu Před 3 lety +8

    8:53 I cannot thank you enough for making this during a time where PhantomStrider, BlameitonJorge & Caddiccarus are making this show a lot more messed up that it actually is.

  • @TheBrickGuy7939
    @TheBrickGuy7939 Před 3 lety +12

    One of the big reasons I liked the classic era of the show when I was little and still do is how a lot of the stories would be entertaining without the vehicles having faces. It would still be entertaining to watch a faceless Pannier tank engine being pushed fast along the line by a freight train into a barber shop in a siding with the same music included. Rusty And The Boulder would still be fun to watch with a runaway boulder chasing faceless narrow gauge locomotives. This is also one of the aspects of the show that makes it appealing to all ages, the fact that any age can enjoy watching a virtually real railway in action without even caring sometimes if the vehicles have faces or not because the events the vehicles are involved in could very much happen for real and look real too and vehicles don't have faces in real life.

  • @1_railfan
    @1_railfan Před 3 lety +38

    3:14 Is anyone gonna ask about this?! XD But in seriousness, this video is very informative.

  • @MadmanBuck
    @MadmanBuck Před 3 lety +4

    I wish Mattel would listen to this

  • @stfuyoutube423
    @stfuyoutube423 Před 2 lety +4

    i wish people would realize thomas and friends isn’t a baby show

    • @armorpro573
      @armorpro573 Před rokem

      Show them the classic episodes

    • @joshmontemayor6098
      @joshmontemayor6098 Před 3 měsíci

      The 1st 5 seasons of the show & the 2000 movie are for both kids & adults.

  • @UsefulEngine11
    @UsefulEngine11 Před 3 lety +4

    Well this made me feel better in lots of ways. I guess no matter how bad the show gets we always have the classics to look back on and the eras of the show that we all love and plus this was the best video to end out the year on your Channel

  • @CindyDijkema
    @CindyDijkema Před 3 lety +12

    _"thomas the emoji engine"_
    Sub earned

  • @tenderenginesinc6435
    @tenderenginesinc6435 Před 3 lety +14

    Image is Mattel handed over the rights to Thomas And Friends to the fans of the show. That would be great.

  • @Trainboy17
    @Trainboy17 Před 3 lety +6

    What People Who’ve Never Watched Thomas The Tank Engine: world for toddlers
    What We All Se Thomas The Tank Engine: Entertainment For You’re Family

  • @edwinthepirate7808
    @edwinthepirate7808 Před 3 lety +7

    The fans of Thomas will keep is alive now we can watch classic thomas it's fun

  • @Shirtgama
    @Shirtgama Před rokem

    You have no idea how grateful I am for you making this extremely useful video

  • @crs2385
    @crs2385 Před rokem +2

    What an excellent summary of Thomas. You're right about it being mature, and that's why the classic series of Thomas in particular still appeals to adults today as well as it did to children. It's a masterpiece

    • @armorpro573
      @armorpro573 Před rokem

      Same with Hey Arnold and other classics of the past

  • @christianwright5874
    @christianwright5874 Před 3 lety +6

    I'm kind of surprised you didn't bring this up, but a particularly apt point of comparison for classic Thomas the Tank Engine would be Gerry Anderson's shows from the '60s like Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet- especially since a lot of David Mitton's pre-Thomas work was on those shows,

  • @SMPandanic
    @SMPandanic Před 3 lety +8

    I'll say this video is great its exactly how I feel about the classic series and why I loved it Simple, yet mature and realistic its always a joy to watch my old Thomas dvds and even the 5 VHS tapes I own even have joy in watching Thomas and the Magic Railroad. Now when it went full CGI I really only bought the movies and specials because it felt off in CGI if it wasn't a movie and the music makes me smile while watching it feels so real even now even in the season 8-12 it was still good enough to watch for the simple reason of watching the engines do work so in conclusion we need more shows like Classic Thomas and Friends.

  • @ineedbootlacestobeready1576

    Imagine railway series Thomas meeting All Engines Go Thomas. Railway series Thomas would be like “Why are you a narrow gauge engine, and where are Annie and Clarabel. Also, keep up the good work fellow fan mate

  • @Jedi-ge6lr
    @Jedi-ge6lr Před 3 lety +6

    I had an idea about starting a petition to Mattel to bring Thomas back to it's old routes, and hire many figures in the community as story writer. The main reason I want it to be made, is just to have a bit of fun, and see how many will sign it.

    • @kernowpictures2002
      @kernowpictures2002 Před 3 lety +1

      It’s true Mattel honestly doesn’t give a shit what they’ve done to the franchise

    • @matthewweatherford6566
      @matthewweatherford6566 Před rokem +1

      I'm thinking about doing a Railway Series movie in the future, hopefully for theaters. My idea is to make a mockumentary like Surf's Up where the engines are in the big city and being interviewed about their lives and we'd see footage of the events that happened in the books. I also thought about a sequel where the narrow gauge engines are being interviewed on television. I also thought about a full movie adaptation of Gordon goes Foreign.

    • @matthewweatherford6566
      @matthewweatherford6566 Před rokem +1

      @@kernowpictures2002 I don't think Mattel's the main issue. They're supporting the mainstream so they can make money. I think it's the general public that doesn't care about or know about what made Thomas so special. They see it as just another brand. That's why so many people outside the fandom are defending Mattel. That's also why the original author hated the idea of a big American company buying the franchise.

    • @kernowpictures2002
      @kernowpictures2002 Před rokem

      @@matthewweatherford6566 so my intention to fix this is to convince Mattel to sell the brand to the BBC/Lego/Disney

  • @SonicJohnz924
    @SonicJohnz924 Před 3 lety +8

    I’m Autistic (High Functioning/Aspergers Level) and Nearly 21. Watching Classic Thomas as a Kid made me understand what the trains felt. It’s such a disgrace that Mattel is Ruining this once great British show that is the Most Popular only ahead of Wallace and Gromit IMHO. I even went as far to make “A Modest Proposal” on my Channel

  • @HendrickChase9
    @HendrickChase9 Před 3 lety +15

    0:46. Tell us when to fire sir.

  • @trainfanog1506
    @trainfanog1506 Před 3 lety +1

    Thank you, this video brought up some fond memories of going to the library with my mom or dad and getting some rws books and just getting lost in the awsome art work, so thank you

  • @generalbacon6955
    @generalbacon6955 Před 3 lety +2

    I was born after HiT bought the show but I still got to watch the classic era as a child, the quality of that era shows too, as I can remember like 5 episodes from the HiT era but probably over 100 from the classic era. The sets are literally the most beautiful things you will ever see, especially in Series 4, to me, they seem to have a typically British style to them, which emphasises the feeling that it’s a real place you can visit. When I was young my parents often took me to the Severn Valley Railway, and I have no doubt that part of the reason why I loved trains then and still do now, is Thomas. David Mitton did such a good job making the trains look as realistic as possible, especially in episodes like The Flying Kipper and Fish, one thing that I love about Flying Kipper is those shots of the aftermath of the crash, the way the camera is angled makes Henry look massive which emphasises the destruction of the crash. The music has also stood the test of time, I can remember themes from my childhood mostly the opening theme, the Skarloey Railway theme and the viaduct theme, but others are all amazing compositions. Every theme reflects where the character is. Harold’s theme is one that doesn’t get talked about much, but is nevertheless amazing, the fact that it’s literally the dam busters March perfectly complements Harold’s RAF pilot style voice, given to him by the talented narrators, Ringo Starr and Michael Angelis, as well as the mannerisms in which he speaks, that takeoff scene from Percy and Harold is amazing, it perfectly captures the awe of watching a Helicopter take off into the sky. Another thing with Thomas is its relatability. Two of my all time favourite episodes from childhood, and still are to this day, are Coal and The Flying Kipper. As someone with a genetic disease and have to take lots of medication, I could really relate to Henry and his illness. Coal is probably the best episode to showcase the Fat Controller, it shows he can be strict, at the start of the episode when he tells Henry that if he can’t get better he will have to be replaced, but he’s also kind and benevolent, letting Henry have a fair chance and allowing Henry to have Welsh coal, rather than deciding to send Henry away, after all, when Henry steams well he’s one of his hardest workers. And, well, you already know why The Flying Kipper is so good, everything. The sets, the music, the shots, it feels like a mini movie. There’s a reason there is basically no one who doesn’t like The Flying Kipper. I could probably go on for ages about what made Thomas so good, but my final point will be the sophisticated dialogue. Until we started reading Jekyll and Hyde, I was probably the only person in my English class who had heard the word ‘indignation’ and I heard from Thomas. Wilbert Awdry had a rule when righting his stories, not to write for the kids, but for the adults who have to read the stories over and over, and Britt followed on with that rule, praise to Britt too, for making the show so good despite the opposition she must have faced, being a woman and all. If the show was really sexist, then why does it say created by Britt Allcroft at the start of every episode? And that, is where I’ll end it, I have other things to do than type about how good a kiddies show about talking choo choo trains is.

  • @seankorol
    @seankorol Před 3 lety +5

    I grew up with the classic series too so I know exactly what your talking about. Classis series for life.

  • @lordseelenfresserdemonking1168

    Its channels like yours who continued the thomas series in the old style in their own way that would make the reverend himself happy

  • @coilstrike
    @coilstrike Před 10 měsíci +1

    i come back to this video every few months because i love it so much

  • @tonydimeo1882
    @tonydimeo1882 Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you so much for this. I’m almost 31 and still love Thomas so much I watch it all the time. I never watch anything past season 5 because there’s no point to when seasons one through 5 were so brilliant with their mature storytelling.

    • @armorpro573
      @armorpro573 Před rokem

      I'm 22 and Thomas will be one of those shows where you miss sitting in front of a broken TV

  • @mitchellenginevids1140
    @mitchellenginevids1140 Před 3 lety +3

    Thomas one Edward to Henry three there’s a reason why I watch your videos is because you explained exactly what the show is you take the words right out my mouth

  • @MisterDanielTofu
    @MisterDanielTofu Před 3 lety +11

    On almost everyday of the year, I find myself revisiting mostly the Classic and Brenner episodes, and you explained why. Cool video, man.

  • @charliemoran0865
    @charliemoran0865 Před 3 lety +2

    Haven’t even started watching and Ik it’s about to be a great vid. You know how to analyze the themes of the classic series like the back of your hand. More vids like this!

  • @metsfan7376
    @metsfan7376 Před 3 lety +2

    Great video essay! Thomas will always have a special place in my heart even though the show has completely declined!

  • @motorwayt-s628
    @motorwayt-s628 Před 3 lety +7

    15:40 I’m so glad someone mentioned David Maidment, he was extremely helpful during season 5 production. I wish he was around for more seasons
    Also
    14:35 they totally redid this episode and plot point with The Thomas way in season 17, and it was so much better

  • @BrainiacAdam
    @BrainiacAdam Před 3 lety +10

    I grew up watching Thomas and I absolutely loved it as a kid. Still do as an adult. My favourite is the season 1 narrated by Ringo Starr. The episodes gave off such a cozy vibe, though Henry's sad theme makes me bawl my eyes out. :'(
    I like the Michael Angelis episodes and they have great plots too. Not as cozy or nostalgic as the Ringo Starr episodes but I enjoyed them. I was saddened to hear the passing of Michael Angelis.
    The CGI episodes were ok but there were a lot of things that did not work, like Gordon and James being portrayed as too antagonistic. Yes, sure they can be vain but they have morals, and how Gordon was treated like a villain with Phillip's appearances. I found it upsetting when the Fat Controller had been a complete dick to Thomas several times in Legend of the Lost Treasure, especially when Thomas saved the island from the lit bombs.
    I found it wrong to replace Henry and Edward. I like the idea of new characters and female inclusion, but not as replacements for characters, especially when they appeared in the very first book.
    The cartoony season 25 concept is making me cringe as well. I strongly dislike the idea of Thomas being portrayed as a toddler and Gordon being his father giving moral lessons to him, and the fat controller being only used for comic relief. Thank god that Viral video where Thomas says "coming through" in a child's voice is confirmed false. I hope that doesn't become reality, I have a feeling it will be though. If these things I mentioned become real, then it will officialy be the "CN Real" of Thomas. It will lack viewers and rants will be everywhere.
    I really enjoyed your review on the Thomas universe and I completely agree with your reviews. I think it will be a great idea to recreate the model area and narrated by Ringo Starr, so it can be like Cuphead again. That will be super special.

    • @Lord_Foxy13
      @Lord_Foxy13 Před 2 lety

      For me the voice of Thomas the Tank Engine will always be George Carlin, Even when I wasn’t watching the show somewhat regularly throughout my teen years I can still remember the sound of him saying the words: “Sir Topham Hatt”

  • @thonkingkong8457
    @thonkingkong8457 Před 3 lety

    This got recommended to me randomly and I got to say this is very well put together I thought it would be a bad video but I watched till the end and enjoyed it.

  • @Pooper
    @Pooper Před 3 lety +1

    Amazing. Everything you just said was right.
    I loved Thomas ever since I caught the show on Shining Time Station as a kid and instantly fell in love with how colorful and vibrant the characters were. I fell deeper in love because of how I liked the crashes, and the fact that past episodes were recalled, thereby creating a further and rewarding sense of realism that introduced my young mind to nostalgia, like when Percy brings up his “ghostly trick” to “Thomas in “Thomas, Percy, and the Dragon”. There are so many other reasons why this has been one of my favorite childhood shows of all time, and even continues to show how much it influenced my love for the games, movies, and shows I’m into, like the fact that it introduced me to character arcs as well as character theme music. I connected characters to their themes without even being told. Whenever I hear Percy’s theme, I think of Percy, and so on.
    I like the fact that Thomas EVOLVED into a children’s role model from a trickster rather than have his change be forced by executives. When Percy was introduced, he started off with Thomas’s cheeky traits while Thomas matured throughout his own experiences which had been kicked off since “Trouble for Thomas” and passed them on to Percy like a big brother.
    Again, there are so many things I love and enjoy about this series that I can’t possibly write in a single CZcams comment, but it always has a place in my heart.

  • @margogoralski6294
    @margogoralski6294 Před 3 lety +7

    Incredible video, my friend. People like The Unlucky Tug and Superbaddy4 need to check this out, since they would agree with you 100%!

  • @nicoemil0528
    @nicoemil0528 Před 3 lety +12

    Thomas Show was good until they transformed it in Chugginngton. I feel sorry now for Driver and Fireman because their locomotives shake around.

    • @BelcarrigFarm
      @BelcarrigFarm Před 3 lety +2

      People always forget there's people inside those trains

  • @lukechristmas3951
    @lukechristmas3951 Před 3 lety +2

    You really spoke for a lot of us in the TTTE community. Yes, the Thomas memes are hilarious (sometimes) and we all can agree on how realistic the series looked. I think it's how realistic the sets were and the episode "Henry's Forest" is what got me so interested in being a nature and outdoor person in the first place. (Take that, all you environmentalists who hate anything that runs on fossil fuel!!!!)

  • @jokerfan4931
    @jokerfan4931 Před 3 lety +2

    You're an inspiration to Thomas fans everywhere

  • @fuuka69420
    @fuuka69420 Před 3 lety +4

    I recently started to watch Thomas and Friends again, even if I dont understand anything about the train aspect, this show really is a beauty. the environment, the models, the simplistic story, its just feel wonderful and nostalgic. I stopped after season 8 though because I feel like starting from season 7 it started to be more childlike, no more realism that makes Thomas appeal to pretty much every age because its just grounded to reality so closely. its a shame, I wish we can have Thomas like it was back in season 1 - 6.

  • @loganwirth4146
    @loganwirth4146 Před 3 lety +3

    Dope ass trains indeed it can never be replaced or taken away

  • @phoenixwolf15kamsieneda73

    I think this video might be one of the most greatest Thomas and friends videos of the fandom I have ever watched. I hate to say this but I first started off with season 13 but I really wasn’t that interested in watching a few episodes on early Saturday mornings. but when I watched the originals and when I was in preschool read a few books from the railway series I felt so much real life and it felt like a never ending adventure. I extremely love how so many people here love Thomas and friends, and don’t give a damn about what other people or heck even the parents say when they see them watching thomas and think it’s just for babies. Like many things we love Thomas is like a utopian world of locomotives we think is real and the model series is what cherishes it. And whatever Mattel that’s with the show, they will never change the little blue engine that we love .

  • @MSR_Studios
    @MSR_Studios Před 3 lety +1

    I liked thomas as a kid because he was like a best friend to me. Whenever I was sad, I always watched am episode of the classic series or made my own stories with my trackmaster trains. He helped me feel better whenever I was down and needed cheer me up. He was always there when I needed him, and ill never forget that.

  • @williampulfer-melville8536

    I Agree on you I have autism and this was the show I really connect it to as a kid because of those simplistic choices with facial expressions

    • @kawaiiboy5929
      @kawaiiboy5929 Před 3 lety +1

      My 'autism' is mostly mild though. Want to meet on discord?

    • @williampulfer-melville8536
      @williampulfer-melville8536 Před 3 lety

      @@kawaiiboy5929 I don't actually have a discord account but I'll see what I can do

    • @kawaiiboy5929
      @kawaiiboy5929 Před 3 lety

      @@williampulfer-melville8536 In case I'm Kawaii boy#4246

  • @harrisonallen651
    @harrisonallen651 Před 3 lety +4

    Mattel will never capture the same appeal that Britt Allcroft did

  • @TheBlueSplendidEngine12

    Love it, we need more CZcamsrs like you.

  • @richardhibbard1066
    @richardhibbard1066 Před 3 lety +1

    Nice video! 😁 Your explanation is perfect and priceless as usual! 😂 At 15:20, "Middle Engine" is my most despised episode from the Classic Era too, because like you said in your "Worst Classic Episodes" video, Arry and Bert never got punished, and it has an awful message saying it's okay for bullies to pick on innocent people. I still enjoyed the Classic Era the most out of all the other eras of this show like Seasons 8-12 and the CGI era for example.

  • @theveryangryE2
    @theveryangryE2 Před 3 lety +5

    I literally thought that the models were real life steam engines that lived on an actual island

    • @masterfarr8265
      @masterfarr8265 Před 3 lety

      that was the Reverend's idea, so it worked, I remember wanting to go to Sodor as a child to see the engines

  • @meta527II
    @meta527II Před 3 lety +3

    0:40 “I can summarize it in 3 words” (sums it up in 8)

  • @bluehighlander0256
    @bluehighlander0256 Před 3 lety

    You couldn't have put it better, this is what makes Thomas who he is and the charm that he has

  • @StephTHatt
    @StephTHatt Před 3 lety

    Well said. Will love this forever.

  • @brenergyninja
    @brenergyninja Před 3 lety +4

    Just so any commenters know, that 1 star review was from Spills and Chills on Amazon

  • @Steamerthesteamtrain
    @Steamerthesteamtrain Před 3 lety +3

    Sadly we can't go back to when life and entertainment was like a garden full of primroses.

  • @fishnreel5305
    @fishnreel5305 Před 3 lety

    I wanna cry now that was amazing and good!!!!! GOOD JOB

  • @christianlazarfan4641
    @christianlazarfan4641 Před 3 lety +1

    i loved this video i have been a fan forever