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Recap / Thomas And Friends S 3 E 20 Tender Engines
aka: Thomas The Tank Engine S 3 E 20 Tender Engines

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Air date: June 2nd, 1992 (UK), May 20th, 1993 (US)

Adapted from: Enterprising Engines, "Tenders for Henry"

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/280px-tenderengines25_4203.png

In the yard, Gordon is impressed when he sees a visiting engine with two tenders, but his mood turned into depression when Diesel boasts about the diesels' victory over steam engines on the railway. He soon cheers up when The Fat Controller told him that he will never be scrapped on Sodor and that the visitor had two tenders because he lives on a railway with long distances between coaling depots.

Meanwhile, Henry grumbles and complains to Duck and Donald that he deserves two tenders for his work, but Duck, while planning to trick Henry, coerces him into pulling some spare tenders. Henry becomes delighted until he finds out the tenders are filled with boiler sludge.

This episode contains examples of:

  • Adapted Out: The Flying Scotsman is not adapted in this episode, though his tenders are shown.
  • Break Them by Talking: Diesel gives a speech to Gordon about how diesels are taking over, which upsets the big engine.
  • Deadpan Snarker: Duck made some remarks about Gordon taking on too much water, which irritates Gordon.
    Duck: I wouldn't drink too much of that water if I were you, Gordon. It might give you boiler ache.
    Gordon: What's this? "Educating Gordon" Day? First, James, now you, Duck! Big engines have big needs! Little engines are just annoying!
    Duck: Don't say I didn't warn you.
  • Disneyfication: "Tenders For Henry" was part of a Darker and Edgier revelation in The Railway Series books, revealing that steam had been rendered redundant and all but one of Gordon's Doncaster brothers were scrapped. In the book, the Fat Controller in fact sadly answers a yes to Gordon's question (referring to other railways, only later making exception for Sodor).
  • Downer Ending: Henry is a laughingstock after arriving with 6 dirty tenders.
  • Halfway Plot Switch: The story actually starts with Gordon impressed with a visiting engine's two tenders and is unhappy after Diesel tells him that diesels are taking over until the Fat Controller cheers him up. The story then switches to Henry who grumbles and asks Duck for 6 tenders, which turned out to be dirty.
  • The Prankster: Duck tricks Henry in giving him 6 dirty tenders.
  • Toilet Humour: The second half of this episode involves Duck tricking Henry into pulling six tenders filled to the brim with boiler sludge. It is heavily implied that boiler sludge is the locomotive equivalent to excrement!
  • Wanting Is Better Than Having: Henry wishes he didn't ask Duck for 6 dirty tenders.

Alternative Title(s): Thomas The Tank Engine S 3 E 20 Tender Engines

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