History Recap / ThomasTheTankEngineS2E20PercysPredicament

'''Air date''': November 26th, 1986

'''Adapted from''': ''[[Recap/TheRailwaySeriesB16BranchLineEngines Branch Line Engines]]'', "Percy's Predicament"
[[quoteright:280:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/spredicament21_1554.png]]

Daisy's time on the Island of Sodor is going badly for everyone concerned. Not only is she frightened of bulls and cows, she remains lazy, bad-tempered, stubborn and refuses to do jobs she doesn't want to do, to which she makes excuses.

Percy grumpily shunts trucks one day, as Toby pulls in noticing Daisy has once again refused to take the milk wagon, forcing Percy to make a special trip with it after his normal work is done. Wanting to help, Toby offers to take the milk if Percy fetches his trucks from the quarry in return. The crews agree to this and Percy sets off.

Percy goes to the quarry to fetch the trucks. Having never been there before, he starts enjoying himself by ordering the trucks about. The trucks don't take kindly to a stranger entering the quarry and giving orders and vow to pay Percy out. Once arranged into a goods train, the trucks lure Percy into a false sense of security by following him so quietly that he thinks they are under control. When Percy sees a sign saying "All Trains stop to pin down Brakes", he whistles to the guard to pin down his brakes, only for the trucks to push him along. Due to warning the traffic at the crossing, The signalman is too late to switch Percy to the runaway siding and Percy crashes into a brakevan, destroying it and perching himself on top of the remains of a truck.

The next day, Toby and Daisy help clear up the mess. The Fat Controller arrives and scolds Percy, telling him that because of his bossiness toward the trucks, now the branch line will have to be run with only Toby and Daisy, leaving it in an awkward predicament. Percy, very much stuck in his own predicament, understands what he means.

The Fat Controller also tells Daisy off for her laziness, but gives her a second chance given how hard she worked after Percy's accident. Daisy is pleased and promises to work hard with Toby's help. Knowing Toby has a lot of experience with running a branch line, the Fat Controller is satisfied.

The next day, Thomas returns from the works and is happily reunited with Annie and Clarabel while Percy is sent away to be repaired. All the engines are now friends and Daisy learns a lot from Toby, leading her to become a really useful engine, even managing to scare a cow away all on her own.

!!Tropes featured in the episode ([[YMMV/ThomasTheTankEngineS2E20PercysPredicament YMMV here]]):
* AlliterativeTitle
* ArsonMurderAndLifesaving: The Fat Controller rebukes Daisy for her stubborn and lazy behavior, but then acknowledges that she helped Toby clear up after the accident and also has given her a second chance.
* BittersweetEnding: Despite Percy being sent to the works, Thomas returns and works with Toby and Daisy. This may somewhat be subverted since the narrator says "all are now friends", meaning that Percy may have returned from the works.
** Not in the [[Recap/TheRailwaySeriesB16BranchLineEngines book]] which states that "all ''three'' engines are great friends". The show likely altered this to avert SnubByOmission for poor Percy.
* {{Bowdlerise}}:
** In the UK, the trucks shout "Pay Percy out!", but in the US, it's "Pay Percy back!".
** When The Fat Controller reprimands Percy in the UK, he tells him that he hoped that his predicament will teach him to be careful with trucks. In the US, he advises him to be more careful with Freight Cars.
* ButtMonkey: Percy, considering that this episode marks yet another accident for him in this season.
* CharacterDevelopment: Daisy vows to become a hard worker... at least [[Recap/ThomasTheTankEngineS20E7RyanAndDaisy until 18]] [[Recap/ThomasTheTankEngineS20E10TheWaySheDoesIt seasons later.]]
* ContinuityNod:
** Percy crashing into the brakevan was similar to Henry's accident in [[Recap/ThomasAndFriendsS1E19TheFlyingKipper "The Flying Kipper"]], except in this episode, the brakevan was completely destroyed upon impact, while the former just has the roof, bottom and wheels come off.
** This isn't the first time [[Recap/ThomasAndFriendsS1E6ThomasAndTheTrucks two engines and their crewmembers agree to swap jobs.]]
* DarkReprise: The instrumentation for Percy's theme becomes harder and more frantic as he loses control of the trucks before eventually fading into the "Danger" theme.
* DisproportionateRetribution: The trucks send Percy colliding into a brake van for talking to them in a bit too bossy a tone.
* DissonantSerenity: In the midst of clearing up the accident, Toby and Daisy didn't seem terrified of Percy's condition.
* FromBadToWorse: If Thomas crashing into the stationmaster's house and Daisy's lazy behavior was bad enough, then Percy's accident with the trucks takes the cake. [[SubvertedTrope Thankfully, Thomas comes back.]]
* KarmaHoudiniWarranty: Daisy's laziness catches up to her here after the events of the previous episode.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Percy crashing to the brake van has led the branch line to being only run by two engines - Toby and Daisy. This was thankfully subverted as Thomas came back from being repaired.
* RunawayTrain: The trucks push Percy down the line, passing a sign saying "All Trains Must Pin Down Their Breaks".
* SeriesContinuityError: The narrator mentions that Percy has never went to the quarry before, despite appearing there in [[Recap/ThomasTheTankEngineS2E9PercyAndHarold "Percy and Harold"]]. However, in said episode's adaptation from the books, Percy met Toby at the station instead of the quarry.
* StockFootage: Footage from "Percy Runs Away" and "Percy and Harold" is used.
* WhatTheHellHero:
** The Fat Controller reprimands Percy for his bossiness towards the trucks putting the branch line in a predicament after his accident with the brake van.
** After that, he calls out Daisy for her laziness, but gives her a second chance after helping Toby clear up the mess.
----

** Percy crashing into the brakevan was similar to Henry's accident in [[Recap/ThomasTheTankEngineS1E19TheFlyingKipper "The Flying Kipper"]], except in this episode, the brakevan was completely destroyed upon impact, while the former just has the roof, bottom and wheels come off.

** This isn't the first time [[Recap/ThomasTheTankEngineS1E6ThomasAndTheTrucks two engines and their crewmembers agree to swap jobs.]]

* ContinuityNod: Percy crashing into the brakevan was similar to Henry's accident in [[Recap/ThomasTheTankEngineS1E19TheFlyingKipper "The Flying Kipper"]], except in this episode, the brakevan was completely destroyed upon impact, while the former just has the roof, bottom and wheels come off..

* FromBadToWorse: If Thomas crashing into the stationmaster's house and Daisy's behavior was bad enough, then Percy's accident with the trucks takes the cake. [[SubvertedTrope Thankfully, Thomas comes back.]]

* FromBadToWorse: If Thomas' recklessness and Daisy's behavior was problematic to the branch line, then Percy's accident with the trucks takes the cake. [[SubvertedTrope Thankfully, Thomas comes back.]]

* SeriesContinuityError: The narrator mentions that Percy has never went to the quarry before, despite appearing there in "Percy and Harold".

* FromBadToWorse: If Thomas' accident and Daisy's behavior was problematic to the branch line, then Percy's accident with the trucks takes the cake. [[SubvertedTrope Thankfully, Thomas comes back.]]

Percy goes to the quarry to fetch the trucks. Having never been there before, he starts enjoying himself by ordering the trucks about. The trucks don't take kindly to a stranger entering the quarry and giving orders and vow to pay Percy out.

While running along, Percy whistles to the guard to pin down his brakes only for the trucks to push him along. The signalman is too late to switch Percy to the runaway siding and Percy crashes into a brakevan, destroying it and perching himself on top of the remains of a truck.

* ContinuityNod: Percy crashing into the brakevan was similar to Henry's accident in [[Recap/ThomasTheTankEngineS1E19TheFlyingKipper "The Flying Kipper"]], except in this episode, the brakevan was in completely destroyed upon impact, while the former just has the roof, bottom and wheels come off..

The next Day, Toby and Daisy help clear up the mess. The Fat Controller arrives and scolds Percy, telling him that now the branch line will have to be run with only Toby and Daisy, leaving it in an awkward predicament. Percy, very much stuck in his own predicament, understands what he means.

** The Fat Controller reprimands Percy for putting the branch line in a predicament after his accident with the brake van.

** Not in the [[Recap/TheRailwaySeriesB16BranchLineEngines novel]] which states that "all ''three'' engines are great friends". The show likely altered this to avert SnubByOmission for poor Percy.

'''Air date''': November 26th, 1986 (UK)

The next Day, Toby and Daisy help clear up the mess. Yhe Fat Controller arrives and scolds Percy, telling him that now the branch line will have to be run with only Toby and Daisy, leaving it in an awkward predicament. Percy, very much stuck in his own predicament, understands what he means.

The Fat Controller is also angry at Daisy for her laziness and is close to sending her away. Daisy is left feeling ashamed of herself, but the Fat Controller has decided to give her another chance given how hard she worked after Percy's accident. Daisy is happy and promises to work hard with Toby's help. Knowing Toby has a lot of experience with running a branch line, the Fat Controller is satisfied.

'''Air date''': December 4th, 1986 (UK)

Daisy's time on the Island of Sodor is going badly for everyone concerned. Not only is she frightened of bulls and cows, she remains lazy, bad-tempered, stubborn, and refuses to do jobs she does not want to do.

Percy goes to the quarry to fetch the trucks. Having never been there before, he starts enjoying himself by ordering the trucks about. The trucks do not take kindly to a stranger entering the quarry and giving orders, and vow to pay Percy out.

While running along, Percy whistles to the guard to pin down his brakes only for the trucks to push him along. The signalman is too late to switch Percy into the runaway siding and Percy crashes into a brakevan, destroying it and perching himself on top of the remains of a truck.

Toby and Daisy help clear up the mess and the Fat Controller arrives and scolds Percy, telling him that now the branch line will have to be run with only Toby and Daisy, leaving it in an awkward predicament. Percy, very much stuck in his own predicament, understands what he means.

The Fat Controller also scolds Daisy for her laziness and is close to sending her away. Daisy is left feeling ashamed of herself, but the Fat Controller has decided to give her another chance given how hard she worked after Percy's accident. Daisy is happy and promises to work hard with Toby's help. Knowing Toby has a lot of experience with running a branch line, the Fat Controller is satisfied.

The next day, Thomas returns from the works and is happily reunited with Annie and Clarabel while Percy is sent away to be repaired. All the engines are now friends and Daisy learns a lot from Toby, leading her to become a really useful engine.

* BittersweetEnding: Despite Percy being sent to the works, Thomas returns and works with Toby and Daisy. This may somewhat be subverted since the narrator says "all are great friends", meaning that Percy may have returned from the works.

** In the UK, the trucks shout "Pay Percy out!", but in the US, it's "Pay Percy back!"
** When The Fat Controller reprimands Percy in the UK, he tells him that he hoped that his predicament will teach him to be careful with trucks. In the US, he advises him to be more careful with trucks.

* ContinuityNod: Percy crashing the brakevan was similar to Henry's accident in [[Recap/ThomasTheTankEngineS1E19TheFlyingKipper "The Flying Kipper"]], except in this episode, the brakevan was in smithereens.

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Percy crashing to the brake van has led the branch line to being only run by two engines - Toby and Daisy. This was thankfully subverted as Thomas came back from the repairs.

** After that, he calls out Daisy for her laziness, but gave her a second chance after helping Toby clear up the mess.

* ArsonMurderAndLifesaving: The Fat Controller rebukes Daisy for her stubborn and lazy behavior, but then acknowledges that she helped Toby clear the accident Percy caused and also has given her a second chance.

* CharacterDevelopment: Daisy vows to become a hard worker... at least until [[Recap/ThomasTheTankEngineS20E10TheWaySheDoesIt 18 seasons later.]]

* CharacterDevelopment: Daisy vows to become a hard worker... at least until 18 seasons later.

* NeverMyFault: The Fat Controller reprimanded Percy for the accident resulting in the branch line to be run by Toby and Daisy, despite the trucks playing their tricks. This is averted, however, because Percy was being too demanding to the trucks which caused them to pull their DisproportionateRetribution on him.
** This was also averted with Daisy whom he told off for her laziness and stubborn attitude, but she was given a second chance after she helped cleared the accident with Toby.

* NeverMyFault: The Fat Controller reprimanded Percy for the accident resulting in the branch line to be run by Toby and Daisy, despite the trucks playing their tricks. Then again, Percy was being too demanding to the trucks which caused them to pull their DisproportionateRetribution on him.
** This was averted with Daisy whom he told her off for her laziness and stubborn attitude, but she was given a second chance after she helped cleared the accident with Toby.

Daisy's time on The Fat Controller's railway isn't going smoothly for everyone as she becomes more bad-tempered and lazy. Meanwhile, Percy and Toby made an agreement to swap jobs - Toby takes the milk while Percy takes the trucks from the quarry. Having to never have been in the quarry before (although they never mentioned that he did in "Percy and Harold"), Percy begins ordering the trucks about, but things get very difficult for him and the branch line...

* ButtMonkey: Percy, considering that this episode marks one of his worst accidents in this season.
* ContinuityNod: Percy crashing the brakevan was similar to Henry's accident in "The Flying Kipper", except in this episode, the brakevan was in smithereens.