A review of Thomas Comes to Breakfast

'Thomas Comes to Breakfast' is an episode of the classic children's television series 'Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends.' The series started in 1984 and was based on The Railway Series of books, by Rev. W. Awdry. This article looks at the plot of the episode as well as certain aspects of its production and reception.

Plot

The episode opens with Thomas the Tank Engine journeying across the Isle of Sodor. Having pulled in at the station, his driver praises Thomas by jokingly telling him that he could almost manage without him. Thomas becomes arrogant, and boasts to Percy and Toby at the engine shed later on. The two other engines are critical of his arrogance, and insist that they would always need their drivers. Thomas claims that he isn't afraid and resolves to try a journey without his driver. The next morning, the cleaner accidentally meddles with Thomas's controls, which causes him to drive away from the shed. Thomas mistakenly believes this is his own fault. He soon realises that he is incapable of stopping and ends up crashing into the Stationmaster's house while the latter and his family are having breakfast. The Stationmaster and his wife are both furious with Thomas for ruining their breakfast and the house. Workmen arrive, along with the Scottish engines Donald and Douglas, who help to pull Thomas back onto the tracks. When he is back at the shed, the Fat Controller tells Thomas that his front part will have to be repaired, and during his time away, he will be replaced by a diesel engine, as 'Diesels always stay in their shed 'til they are wanted.'

Production and reception

First broadcast 'Thomas Comes to Breakfast' was first broadcast in October 1986, and was taken from the second series of the programme. The episode was based on a story of the same name from Rev. W. Awdry's book 'Branch Line Engines.' It was narrated in the UK by former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, and directed by David Mitten. The episode continues to be among the best-loved of the Thomas and Friends series, with merchandise specifically related to this episode still being produced 25 years after its original broadcast.
The moral of the series Its main moral message of pride coming before an inevitable fall is still pertinent to its new audiences, and the episode is available on the DVD 'The Very Best of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends'. Review and rates 'Thomas Comes to Breakfast' currently holds an average user-rating of 9.2 out of 10 on the television review-aggregation website TV.com, making it one of the most acclaimed episodes of the series for viewers on the site.