YMMV / Thomas And Friends S 2 E 16 Break Van

aka: Thomas The Tank Engine S 2 E 16 Break Van

• Alternative Character Interpretation:
  • Some fans believe that Donald crashed into the signal box on purpose, so that the Fat Controller would be less decisive about sending Douglas back to Scotland.
  • The Spiteful Brake Van is already more cunning and malicious than the Troublesome Trucks. However, some fans believe that he knew that the Fat Controller was planning to send one of the twins back and that whichever engine was sent back would likely be scrapped, and was actively trying to send Douglas to his doom. If so, this would elevate his behaviour from malicious to downright monstrous.
    • Other fans believe the Brake Van's guard may have contributed to the Van's behavior, though nothing is said outright to indicate the guard was complicit with the Van.
• Catharsis Factor: Even though Douglas destroying the Spiteful Brake Van was an accident, it's hard not to cheer when it happens given how much of a Jerkass the brake van was.
• Hilarious in Hindsight: Donald and Douglas are identical twins from Scotland with characteristically thick brogues. All that's missing is the acoustic guitar.
• Heartwarming in Hindsight: If you believe Donald crashed into the signal box on purpose, then the revelation that they would be scrapped if sent back to Scotland in the next episode puts his actions in a whole new light: he's willing to die so his twin can have a chance to be saved.
• Informed Wrongness: Donald gets all the blame for his signal box accident, even though the railway tracks were slippery which prevented him from stopping in time. Not to mention, the signal box should have been built by the side of the tracks, not at the end of them. Bonus stupidity points for the lack of any buffers in front of the signal box. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Reality Is Unrealistic as it informs us sometimes.
• Unintentionally Sympathetic: Donald, specifically for his signal box accident. No-one In-Universe seems to care that the railway tracks were slippery, or that whoever thought it was a good idea to build said signal box directly at the end of a train track, clearly wasn't thinking things through; or about the lack of any buffers.

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