Air date: February 15th, 2010
All of the engines on the Island of Sodor are very excited. Hiro is returning for a visit, and to help with the summer holiday makers. The Fat Controller is throwing a surprise welcome party at Knapford for Hiro, and tells Thomas to tell all the other engines. But Thomas' mind isn't on the party; he wants to get Hiro a wonderful gift to celebrate his visit. Thomas puffs all around the island, trying to find something special for Hiro. Later, Thomas arrives at Knapford, but no one is there, as Thomas had not told anybody about the party. Thomas quickly races around the island and soon they all arrive at Knapford. Thomas apologizes for not finding a gift, but Hiro insists that the best present of all was having all of his friends together.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- An Aesop:
- The best present of all is being with your friends.
- When inviting someone, don't tell them about anything other than the party and they're welcome to come.
- The Bus Came Back: Hiro returns to Sodor.
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Broken Aesop: Thomas is asked to tell the other engines about the welcoming party for Hiro, but instead, he wants to buy Hiro a welcome present. He finds that Hiro is alone at the station waiting for guests, so Thomas quickly tells others about the party, but they're all looking for presents too, which Thomas calls them out for doing the exact same thing he JUST did. - Epic Fail: Thomas becomes so obsessed with finding a present for Hiro's party that he forgets to tell his friends about the party itself.
- Hypocrite: Thomas. See above.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Thomas when he realizes spending so much time finding a present caused him not to tell his friends about the party.
- Rule of Three: Thomas visits Farmer McColl's farm, the quarry, and the Steamworks respectively, all of which he encounters more engines but forgets to invite them to Hiro's party.
