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Thomas & Friends
1984 · TV series · 5 min episodes · 24 seasons
Created by Britt Allcroft, Rev. W. Awdry, Christopher Awdry
Thomas & Friends is a British children's television series, which had its first broadcast on the ITV network on 4 September 1984. It is based on The Railway Series of books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher Awdry. These books deal with the adventures of a group of anthropomorphised locomotives and road vehicles who live on the fictional Island of Sodor. The books were based on stories Wilbert told to entertain his son, Christopher during his recovery from measles. From Series one to four, many of the stories are based on events from Awdry's personal experience.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/arts/television/thomas-friends-pilot-episode-ringo-starr.html?unlocked_article_code=1.F08.t5WI.BevJCX55mDZb&smid=url-share
Thomas & Friends is gold.
The show is dignified and wholesome. It is always about respect, diligence, and humility.
It isn't there for stupid antics and wacky laughs. It doesn't blast color explosions and ADHD-fueled off-the-charts mind-numbing exuburance to capture kids attention. And it's been doing that for decades (pretty much eternity, as far as kids TV goes).
Not since Mr. Rogers has there been a better kids TV show.
> Fat Controller
Better known as Sir Topham Hatt since the 1950s.
> Henry must be punished—for life
Even in the old non-US version (modern one makes it explicit), it was still evident that he wasn't left in their forever, as he showed up again next time.
Blue Mountain Mystery [1] A little green engine hides in the blue hills. Thomas learns that long ago, the engine accidentally caused another engine to roll overboard into the sea. He has been hiding ever since, in guilt and fear and shame. Thomas convinces him to return, and the story shows how silly the little engine's worries were. It's a moral of forgiveness and redemption. (Also, there's a great surprise about who that overboard engine actually is.)
This crap makes me mad. I have to stop reading stuff on the internet. Go back to watching Sponge Bob or Family Guy or whatever crap you watch with your kids.
[1] http://ttte.wikia.com/wiki/Blue_Mountain_Mystery