Around the same time Henry is reunited with an old friend, some secrets emerge about Sheffield's past.
This episode contains the following tropes:
- Armor-Piercing Response: After giving his backstory, Sheffield insints that James can’t know how he feels since he was purposely speeding as opposed to James accidentally bumping the gun. James then gives Sheffield this reply:James: I know what guilt feels like! The shame! You spend endless nights wondering What could I have done differently? Why did this happen? And driving yourself mad trying to think up answers! I’m right, aren’t I?Sheffield: Yes… you are.
- Call-Back: To several episodes.
- Sheffield brings up the events of "Percy" and "Quarantine".
- After news spreads that Henry and Emily are legally married, it apparently causes an argument between Thomas and Kate. This ties back to the rough patch their relationship has hit due to Kate being a Green-Eyed Monster and assuming Thomas was cheating on her with Samantha.
- Character Development: Eric gets a fair bit this episode after Edward advises him to be more willing to ask questions and think about subject matters rather than just being confused whenever he's dealing with something unfamiliar. This development would prove pivotal in helping him with his "Eureka!" Moment below.
- Embarrassing Nickname: Sheffield gets "Snail" due to his slow pace.
- "Eureka!" Moment: Eric has one when he puts together the various tidbits regarding Sheffield's nature after hearing about the accident in the Midlands from Mickey.
- Freudian Excuse: In a parallel to James, Sheffield's grumpy disposition stems from a horrific accident that resulted in him killing a man after his speeding during rainy conditions caused him to derail and smash into a car. This caused Sheffield to develop a psychological fear of moving too fast, causing him to move at an abysmally slow pace. His snailish pace would end up frustrating workmen and engines alike, and their unwillingness to hear his side of the story caused him to feel isolated and angry, thus making him progressively angrier and eventually lashing out at everyone. In addition, because of a lack of help for his trauma, his psychological state left him unable to make himself move above a snail's pace despite trying to do so.
- Hidden Depths: Eric was able to suspect Sheffield having an accident by piecing together several tidbits, much to Bruce's surprise.
- No OSHA Compliance: British Railways repeatedly and vehemently insists that Boco's engine trouble is just teething problems. Of course they are...
- There Are No Therapists: Mickey himself is capable of providing counseling and therapy, but the lack of one for Sheffield in the past played a huge part of why he was never able to move past his traumatic accident.
- Wham Line: While talking to Emily in the shed, Henry drops a massive one that caused the jaws of everyone in and out of universe to drop:James: Am I sensing something more profound than friendship?
Henry: James. We're married.- What happens when Eric talks to Sheffield after he has his "Eureka!" Moment:
Eric: Did you have an accident in the Midlands and was it because you were speeding?
Bruce: Hah! Are you off your nut, Eric? Snail, speeding?! That's more ridiculous than-
He notices that Sheffield isn't reacting
Bruce: Wait, did you?
Sheffield: Y...Y...Yes.
