Thomas and friends new series.

[socktastic]

Are they writing Edward and Henry out of the show!? First off they're not sleeping in tidmouth sheds and they've been written out of the song at the end.
I feel like Gordon, I don't like all the changes.

What is this abomination you speak of, socktastic? DS is Thomas obsessed and much as it would please him to have more Thomas to watch, this sounds suspiciously like an attempt to 'make Thomas more relevant' or whatever excuse they use for messing about with the original idea.

We have several DVDs of the series done in the 90s/early 00s (I think), so not the familiar music that we remember as kids (although not far off) and narrated by the chap from brookside (Michael Angelis) rather than Ringo, but it's the same gentle stories and 'filmed' sets rather than animation that we used to watch from the 70s/80s. DS (2) loves it, no need to tamper with it.

I get that they probably want to reflect more diverse names and it is very male orientated but there's ways of doing it without removing half the original engines.

I think that is exactly it. They're trying to impose modern day ideals onto a classic. I'm not convinced. They have brought in two girl engines to replace Henry and Edward but it's not right! I shall stick to the older series I think.

Let me guess, the 'girl' engines are pink or purple, have blushing cheeks or long eyelashes. Just so we know they are girls.

I like Emily in the older series though - a bit grumpy and bolshy, and not pink!

I'm afraid it's true - Edward and Henry have been written out (ageism alert) and replaced with Nia and Rebecca. DS (3) isn't impressed. "But, who is Rebecca, really? But where has she come from?" And other questions I cannot answer.

The fat controller is still fat, but it's only a matter of time.

But where's Gary the gay engine and Tarvin the trans tender if we're going for inclusively?

@maggienolia trans tender! PMSL!

@tawdrylocalbrouhaha I think the combatted the fat controller issue by employing the thin controller.

Rev Awdry must be turning in his grave knowing what they've done to his beloved Sodor!

Oh I thought Sir Topham Hat was the pc name for the fat controller. Who the fuck is he then??

Sir topham hatt is still the fat controller but a thin controller was added to even out the weight issues somewhat

It’s horrible, my children hate it

But I think I hate it more than they do, I showed them 80’s TTT and they bough laughed

DS is train obsessed and after one episode of that series doesn't want to watch any more. The latest film actually wasnt that bad though.
Its also largely now written for the American audience isn't it.

Sir Topham Hat is the fat controller although in the first few books he is called something else .. the fat director I think. Over the course of the books and then modern series I think we have got through about 3 generations of Sir Topham Hats (there is a wikipedia mini site all about this), in one of the early stories his grandkids get mentioned when they first see Toby so I think we are supposed to believe the grandson is now Sir Topham, as it has been going on since the 1960s after all.

What really gets me in the modern series is the Earl of Sodor being called Sir Robert all the time. If he is an Earl then why is he always being known by a lesser title? Surely he is Lord Robert or Lord Norramby or something?

There is a fat controller (main railway), thin controller (narrow gauge railway) and then the small controller (miniature railway).

Really apart from the fact that thrashings are encouraged in the original books (so we have to edit a couple of stories) they are far better than the modern stuff.

Nooooooooo they can't 😓😓😓 my ds is called Edward and we are expecting our second: Henry. I'm so sad right now.

Thomas the Tank Engine is introducing "inclusive" gender-balanced, multicultural set of characters as part of a makeover.

The new series of the beloved children's show will see the little tank engine leave the island of Sodor behind to travel the world.

Now called Thomas And Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! , the new series also marks the first collaboration between a children's TV programme and the United Nations to promote the Sustainable Development Goals.

Changes to Thomas And Friends , which is the biggest relaunch the brand has had in its 73-year history, were unveiled at a premiere at Bafta's headquarters in London

Thomas And Friends will have new theme tune for the show, a faster-paced format, increased humour and music and fantasy elements and dream sequences.

For the first time in the series' history, Thomas will discover new countries and cultures by travelling to China, India and Australia.

The Steam Team, the core group of trains on the fictional island of Sodor, will now comprise of three male and three female characters.

Long-running favourites Percy, Gordon, James and Emily will be joined by Nia and Rebecca, along with Thomas.

The changes were made to represent the female viewership of the series, which is thought to be more than 40%, and send a strong message of gender equality to the young audience.

In addition to these, the series will feature new characters from around the world, including Ashima from India, Yong Bao from China and Shane from Australia.

New female characters, described by show bosses as "strong girl characters", include Isla, an Australian flying doctor plane, Noor Jehan, a royal express engine from India, Hong-Mei, a number one blue tank engine from China, and female railway controller Charubala, from India.

@NewYearNewMe18 are you head of PR?

So effectively they've shit canned a successful franchise that's run without a problem for decades. My Ds (2) is not impressed with the changes! And neither am I!

Is there seriously a Small Controller?!

I thought I was ready to appear on Mastermind with the topic "Sodor and its engines" but seemingly not.

I'm sure another year of non-stop Thomas will get me there though.

I never really grew out of being a little boy so I still watch it on occasion I can't believe this

I like dancing to the theme tune

It’s an abomination. The Rev W Awdry would be ashamed.

DD bloody loves it though.

I don't like it
I've tried all week but can't watch a whole episode. It's all fast and bright and makes no sense.
Why can't they just add the new engines into sodor like they did with hiro, viktor, Stephen, conner and caitlin?
It doesn't matter that there are always escaping sheep or a mix up of carriages or jobs that's what was so charming. Not thomas in a Bollywood movie ffs
Even ds (2) won't watch it and he is thomas mad

Is it still C5 this new one?

Yes 7am on milkshake

I also don't like that Thomas talks to the audience. He's turned into a pretentious little dick! Almost ad bad as bing...

It's a travesty. DS(5) of course now absolutely loves it, particularly the hideous new theme tune. He didn't like it before, or the much loved original series. I now have this tosh inflicted on me every morning