Airdate: 11 October 2006 (UK), 5 November 2006 (US)
Thomas sees some children crowded around a snowman, unaware that it's actually a giant balloon. When the balloon's guide ropes get caught on his buffers, it keeps following him around the island, and he can't figure out why.
Tropes in this episode:
- An Aesop: If something cannot stop following you, it's important to ask someone why.
- Dramatic Irony: The audience sees right from the start that the snowman is a giant balloon and its guide ropes get caught on Thomas' rear buffers, but Thomas doesn't know that until Sir Topham Hatt tells him. James, Farmer McColl, and Emily all realize the truth, but Thomas does not hear them.
- Failed a Spot Check: Thomas completely fails to realise that the "snowman" is really a giant balloon, and it's following him because its ropes are tied to his buffers. It takes him until the end of the episode to realise.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: The Fat Controller, who calmly explains to Thomas why the snowman keeps following him.
- Rule of Three: James, Farmer McColl, and Emily all see Thomas with the snowman balloon and try to ask him why it's tied to his buffers.
