Air date: September 11th, 2007 (UK)
After being sent for repairs, Thomas is waiting for his final inspection when the Fat Controller comes to see if he is ready to collect the choir. Feeling under pressure, Thomas pretends to be ready and heads off to collect the choir without his final inspection. He soon begins to make very unusual noises, blow black smoke, and later breaks down. James takes the choir for Thomas and Henry takes Thomas back to the repair yard to be mended properly.
Tropes featured in the episode:
- An Aesop:
- Don’t do something if you’re not feeling well. It’s important to be healthy enough to do the job at task.
- It’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: James, despite teasing Thomas over being sick, kindly takes Annie and Clarabel for him after he breaks down. Gordon also seems to feel bad about being unable to stop and help Thomas.
- Leave Me Alone!: Thomas gets agitated at the other engines' concern for him.
- Luminescent Blush: Thomas has this as he is feeling hot and bothered, as a result of not taking on enough water.
- Saying Sound Effects Out Loud: "Clangety clong! Clangety clong!"
- A Tragedy of Impulsiveness: Thomas breaks down as a result of taking a train before being fully repaired.
- True Companions: While it's not appreciated, all the other engines are shown to be very concerned about Thomas' illness.
- Unwitting Instigator of Doom: When Sir Topham Hatt asks Thomas if he's ready to pick up the choir, he replies he's nearly ready. Sir Topham's reply is, "Nearly ready isn't good enough." This causes Thomas to be so anticipated to collect the choir he skips his final inspection.
