Thomas The Tank Engine Review Seasons 1-21

Season 17

The seventeenth series of Thomas & Friends was first airing in the UK on 3 June 2013. Before this season was released in 2013, Mattel bought HiT Entertainment in February 2012 for a grand total of $680 million in US currency. HiT Entertainment continued getting credited for producing episodes for the show until the twentieth series. This series was the first with twenty-six episodes since the eleventh series. This was also the first series to be narrated by Mark Moraghan, the first to be animated by Arc Productions (which, under various names, would provide the show's visuals until its cancellation in 2021) and the first to feature Andrew Brenner as the show's head writer. Owing to Brenner and producer Ian McCue's attempts to return the show to a more Railway Series-reminiscent tone, this series marks a notable shift from the previous nine series- no longer having formulaic episodes and literature writing. With that all out of the way, let's review all 26 episodes of season 17.

Kevin's Cranky Friend

It is a busy day at Brendam Docks and Cranky is being very overworked. When Thomas arrives at Knapford late, Thomas explains the situation at the Docks to The Fat Controller, who goes to investigate straight away. Once there, The Fat Controller sees the chaos and tells Cranky that he will get him some help. Cranky is adamant that he does not need help, but he accidentally drops a net full of lettuces causing The Fat Controller to leave and head to the Steamworks. At the Sodor Steamworks, The Fat Controller asks to borrow Kevin. As they are not very busy, Victor agrees. Kevin is delighted at being given a special job and even more delighted that he will finally get to meet Cranky.

Thomas takes Kevin to Brendam Docks where the little crane wastes no time in introducing himself to Cranky. To Kevin's surprise, Cranky announces that he does not need any help especially from a silly little crane like Kevin. Cranky orders Kevin to stay out of his way. Kevin is sad, but Salty tells him that he will soon get used to Cranky's cranky ways. Just then, Cranky drops some pipes onto the tracks. Kevin races to assist Cranky and soon has all the pipes piled up. Instead of being grateful, Cranky is ruder than ever and blames Kevin for the complete accident. Cranky then orders Kevin to go back to the corner and to stop interfering. Then, Cranky drops some crates of chickens onto the tracks. The chickens break out of their boxes and run all around the docks. Once again, Kevin rushes to help and soon rounds up all of the chickens. Salty congratulates Kevin, but Cranky is less than pleased with Kevin sticking his hook in where it is not wanted again. He orders Kevin to go back to the corner of the Dockside.

Thomas arrives and asks Kevin how he is getting on. Kevin explains that he does not think Cranky likes him. Both Thomas and Salty try to reassure Kevin that underneath Cranky's gruff exterior, there lies a heart of gold. Then, Cranky swings round and knocks over a barrel. The barrel rolls along the Quayside and towards the sea. Kevin tries his best to stay put but cannot resist trying to help. Unfortunately, Kevin is too late to save the barrel and follows it into the sea. Luckily, before Kevin can sink too far into the sea, Cranky fishes him out.

The Fat Controller arrives and is not pleased to see Kevin being pulled out of the sea. He tells Kevin that he should return to the Sodor Steamworks immediately as he is clearly not helping at the docks. Kevin is ashamed of being sent away in disgrace. As he trundles away, Cranky speaks up and tells The Fat Controller that it was not Kevin's fault; it was his. Kevin is amazed when Cranky goes on to call him a hardworker and really useful. The Fat Controller is satisfied and tells Kevin and Cranky to carry on. After The Fat Controller has left, Kevin thanks Cranky for his kind words and asks if he should stay in the corner out of the way. Cranky finally confesses to needing a bit of help because two hooks are always better than one; Kevin is ecstatic and cheerfully goes about his work. Cranky is happy with Kevin's work but wishes that he would not be so cheerful doing it.

Few points I would like to make

- Why the fuck are we blaming Cranky for trying to do his job, Controller of Sodor. Maybe understand that Cranky is the only one at the Docks.