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Recap / Thomas And Friends S 9 E 8 Thomas And The Birthday Picnic

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Air date: September 25th, 2005

It is Dowager Hatt's birthday, and the Fat Controller decides to take her out on a birthday picnic. Thomas, who is to take the Hatts out for the day, decides to go to Shen Valley. Thomas arrives at Knapford Station with Annie and Clarabel and the staff load up the picnic hamper and the birthday cake aboard Clarabel. Dowager Hatt looks very serious, making Thomas feel nervous, however, Thomas is no longer nervous once Percy cheers him up.

Thomas sets off for Shen Valley, hopeful that Dowager Hatt will love it. However, at Shen Valley, the Hatts are not impressed. The fields had just been ploughed; now, they have to go elsewhere. Thomas decides to go to the Scottish Castle, but they cannot picnic there as it is closed for maintenance. Thomas sets off again, this time going too fast, making the journey uncomfortable for the Hatts. The Fat Controller tells Thomas to stop and once he does, the Fat Controller demands to know where they are going. But Thomas does not know as he has run out of ideas. The Fat Controller decides to cancel the birthday picnic as lunchtime has passed and Dowager Hatt wants to go home. Thomas heads back to Knapford, hopeful to have a good idea before they get home, but to no avail. Once the Hatts leave the train, Thomas heads sadly back to Tidmouth Sheds.

All of the other engines hear what happened, but Percy hopes that Dowager Hatt will still enjoy her birthday cake. Thomas quickly realises that in all his sadness, he forgot to let the staff unload the cake from Clarabel, so now Dowager Hatt cannot even have her birthday tea. Thomas hopes that an idea will come to him, as does Percy, who tries to blow his whistle but is only able to make a faint whistle due to stone dust clogging his whistle. Gordon tells Percy to blow his whistle hard and gives a long low note. Emily prefers high toots and blows two high toots of her whistle. Henry is proud of his whistle being slow and strong. All of the whistling finally gives Thomas a brilliant idea.

Later, the Fat Controller receives a phone call from the Knapford stationmaster, informing him that Thomas and the engines have a special surprise. At Knapford, the Hatts are delighted to see the decorations and the food all set up, including the birthday cake. Thomas blows his whistle and one by one, all of the engines whistle to the tune of "Happy Birthday". Dowager Hatt is very happy with her birthday picnic surprise and the Fat Controller congratulates Thomas for such a splendid idea.


Tropes featuring the episode:

  • Birthday Episode: The episode takes place on Dowager Hatt's birthday, and Thomas is tasked with taking her out on a birthday picnic.
  • Break the Cutie: Thomas starts very excited to take Dowager Hatt on her birthday picnic, but his good mood is broken down bit by bit as she keeps snubbing his ideas. When he realises that he's run out of ideas for her birthday and that he's let down the Fat Controller, he blows a sad low tune on his whistle.
  • Death Glare: Dowager Hatt gives one to Thomas before his journey, making him feel nervous.
  • Explain, Explain... Oh, Crap!: After Thomas tells the other engines about his failed attempts to take Dowager Hatt on her birthday picnic, Percy hopes that she'll still enjoy her birthday tea. This causes Thomas to realise he forgot to let them unload her cake from Clarabel, meaning Dowager Hatt's birthday will be even worse, making him sadder still.
  • Happy Birthday to You!: All of the engines whistle to the tune of "Happy Birthday" to Dowager Hatt, which makes her pleased, as she is enjoying her birthday picnic.
  • Jerkass Ball: In every appearance before and after this episode, Dowager Hatt is a Cool Old Lady who isn't afraid to enjoy herself. For no apparent reason, she spends most of this episode miserable and pointing out all the issues with Thomas' birthday ideas.

Alternative Title(s): Thomas The Tank Engine S 9 E 8 Thomas And The Birthday Picnic

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