Air date: September 12th, 2008 (UK), December 27th, 2008 (US)
Thomas has to take a fireman to Maithwaite Station for a medal ceremony and is inspired to try and help the engines on the way. But all of his attempts fail when Rocky drops a water tower, Harvey goes down the wrong line, and Gordon cannot find Toby. Thomas asks Percy to collect the fireman, then goes to sort out the messes he's made. However, he gets to prove his heroism by taking some children to the medal ceremony after Bertie gets stuck in the mud.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- Disproportionate Reward: The fireman is rewarded a medal just for saving a cat.
- Easily Forgiven: Out of everyone Thomas annoys by "helping", Rocky is the only one to not be annoyed, instead giving him a rueful smile after the incident with the water tower.
- Heroic Wannabe: Thomas tries to help the other engines just like the fireman who saved a cat. This results in problems when Thomas keeps jumping in where he doesn't belong and causing the others more issues.
- Idiot Hero: Thomas, who keeps assuming that the other engines are in trouble, and in attempts to save them, causes confusion and delay.
- Mucking in the Mud: Bertie gets stuck in the mud when trying to take the children to the medal ceremony. Luckily, Thomas can take them instead.
- Tragically Misguided Favor: Thomas’ attempts to help his friends wind up only causing more problems.
- Rule of Three: Thomas tries to save three different engines - Duck, Harvey, and Toby. This only ends up causing trouble for Rocky, Donald and Douglas, and Gordon.
