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Recap / Thomas And Friends S 5 E 23 Busy Going Backwards
aka: Thomas The Tank Engine S 5 E 23 Busy Going Backwards

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Air date: October 26, 1998 (UK), February 10th, 1999 (US)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/busygoingbackwards93.png

One day, Toad is feeling bored and sad. He can see engines and coaches moving forwards, unlike himself, who can only see things from behind. He decides to talk to Oliver about his problem. He tells him that although he is always going backwards, he has forward-thinking views and feels he could be a leader. Gordon tells him that he can't be a leader if he doesn't have a train to follow him, which makes Toad even sadder. Oliver tries to reassure Toad by telling him he is a really useful brake van, that he helps him brake and keeps trucks in order when descending hills. Toad says it would still be nice to go forwards for a change. The trucks, overhearing everything Toad said, are cross that he does not appreciate looking after them and promise to pay him out for his words.

When Oliver takes Toad with a goods train up Gordon's Hill, the trucks break away at the peak and go careening back down the line. Toad is initially left in a helpless state of shock since the guard had jumped clear. After getting over the shock, Toad starts to enjoy his journey traveling forwards, but his enjoyment soon ends as he reaches a crossing that has not properly closed off its road, smashing through the gates and narrowly missing Bertie at Suddery Junction. Then, he finds out he's on a collision course with a stopped Gordon, getting switched onto the adjacent track only with the help of a nearby signalman. Unfortunately, after racing through Edward’s Station, this only puts him in the path of James, who is coming down the line with a slow goods train. A shunter switches Toad off James' line just in time. The signalman calls ahead to the stationmaster at Crosby station, who plans to divert Toad and the trucks into a siding. His plan initially works, but unfortunately, they miss a second set of points which divert Toad back onto the main line. He speeds past Henry, and reaches a bridge under repairs. Luckily, the workmen already know about the runaway and Toad is diverted safely and smoothly into an old siding, finally stopping after a plunge into a muddy pool.

That night, Toad speaks to Oliver, saying he is sorry if he caused him embarrassment. Oliver asks him what he thought of going forwards; Toad tells him it was a fun experience, but he will look forward to remaining backwards from now on. Toad now appreciates seeing everything from behind.

Tropes featured in the episode:

  • Be Careful What You Wish For: Toad wishes that he could go forward instead of backward. The Troublesome Trucks grant his wish by breaking away from Oliver as he climbs to the top of Gordon's Hill, and at first, Toad finds going forwards fun, but his fun soon comes to an end when he realises that he can't stop due to the guard having jumped clear.
  • A Day in the Limelight: This is Toad's first lead episode.
  • Disproportionate Retribution: The trucks make Toad a runaway just to pay him out for (seemingly) not being appreciative of looking out for them.
  • High-Speed Train Reroute: Toad wishes he could go forwards instead of backwards. The Troublesome Trucks grant his wish by breaking away from Oliver as he makes it to the top of Gordon's Hill. With no guard to stop him (due to him having jumped clear), the signalmen take action by switching the points to avoid having the runaway Toad crash into other engines. Toad eventually comes to a stop when he is directed into a muddy pond.
  • Innocently Insensitive: Toad doesn't realize his words have pissed off the Troublesome Trucks, who think Toad doesn't appreciate looking after them.
  • Jerkass Has a Point: While Gordon wasn't being nice to Toad, he did have a point that Toad can't be a leader if he doesn't have anyone to follow him.
  • Oh, Crap!: When James sees Toad approaching him on the same line, he cries "EEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYOOOOOOOOOOOOOIIIIIIIIIIIKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!" ("Oh my goodness!" in the US dub). This gets reused twice in "Rusty and the Boulder" for Skarloey and Rheneas when the boulder is going after them.
  • Public Domain Soundtrack: This is the first episode to use a mix of the Runaway theme and the finale of Gioachino Rossini's "William Tell Overture", it would later be reused for "Thomas And The Jet Engine" from Season Six, "Rheneas and the Rollercoaster" from Season Seven and "The Runaway Elephant" from the same season, though only for the original UK releases in the latter two cases.
  • Rail-Car Separation: When Toad wishes he could go forwards instead of backwards, the Troublesome Trucks grant his wish by breaking away from Oliver when he reaches the top of Gordon's Hill. With no guard to slow Toad down (due to having jumped clear), the signalmen take action by switching the points to avoid having Toad crash into other engines. Toad eventually comes to a stop in a muddy pond. This episode used to provide the page's image.
  • Railroad Tracks of Doom: As Toad and the Troublesome Trucks fly across the tracks, they come to a level crossing where the gates are closed to let Bertie pass. Bertie fortunately makes it over the crossing before Toad and the Troublesome Trucks can smash through the gates.
  • Runaway Train: This is how Toad experiences going forwards thanks to the troublesome trucks.
  • Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Toad and the trucks break away and start to head down the hill. Does the guard do his job and try to apply Toad’s brakes to stop the trucks? No, he doesn’t do a thing and simply exits the situation by jumping out of Toad and landing in some bushes.
  • Soundtrack Dissonance: The episode opens on Toad feeling down in the dumps over not being able to go forwards... while cheerful music plays in the background.
    • During the runaway itself, the usual tense runaway theme is mixed with the fast-paced and upbeat "William Tell Overture", resulting in several moments where the serious situation instead seems absolutely hilarious, although the levity may be part of the point.
  • Title Drop: Occurs at the very end, as Toad says he looks forward to going backwards in the future.

Alternative Title(s): Thomas The Tank Engine S 5 E 23 Busy Going Backwards

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