Air date: October 4th, 2006
Lady Hatt assigns Percy to tell the other engines what their jobs are on this day, as the Fat Controller has unfortunately lost his voice. Percy refuses help from Thomas, even though he does have many things to keep in his mind, to tell the engines. Percy soon ends up all befuddled and tells Gordon, James and Toby completely the wrong things! The results prove quite disruptive…
Tropes featured in the episode:
- An Aesop: If you're put in charge of something, make sure you get all the instructions right, and don't be afraid to ask for advice, even if you ARE controller.
- Because I Said So: James asks Percy why does he have to get painted like a bee. Percy whistles boomingly and replies "Because I'm controller!"
- Big Brother Mentor: Thomas to Percy.
- Character Catchphrase: Gordon's "O The Indignity" is used for the first time.
- Cloud Cuckoo Lander: Percy. What better label is there for someone who tells a worker complete straight faced to paint themselves like a bee?
- Digging Yourself Deeper: When Percy misinterprets James' job to be a "busy bee", a shocked James asks if this means he has to get painted as a bee. Percy agrees, much to James' horror.
- The Freelance Shame Squad: Several children on a bridge observe and laugh at Gordon, James and Toby struggling and complaining about Percy's instructions.
- Irony: James had trouble with bees in "Buzz, Buzz", but in this episode, he's painted like one. To say that he's embarrassed is a heavy understatement.James: I'm supposed to be the reddest engine. Now no one knows who I am!
- Leave Me Alone!: Percy refuses help from Thomas at first.
- Oh, Crap!:
- Gordon's reaction when Percy tells him he's temporarily in charge, which is very fitting considering this will lead to a plethora of problems.
- Similarly James when Percy informs he'll have to be "as busy as a bee".
- Pointy-Haired Boss: Percy. As a result of misinterpreting Lady Hatt's instructions, Gordon has to pull slow trucks, James is painted yellow and black like a bee, and Toby has to pull the Express, which he simply isn't built for.
- Rule of Three: Percy tells Gordon to pull slow trucks, James to be a busy bee, and Toby to pull Gordon's express. When he sets things right in the end, Gordon pulls a train of China cutlery slowly, James works like a busy bee at the coaling plant, and finally, Toby pulls a train of holiday makers as fast as Gordon would.
