James to the Rescue (Thomas & Friends)

"James to the Rescue" is the sixth episode of Season 15 of Thomas & Friends, it aired on March 8, 2011 in the UK and on April 17, 2011 in the US.

Why It's Not Really Splendid

 * 1) It's nothing more than a 9-minute Toby and Gordon torture episode.
 * 2) James is extremely unlikeable and out of character in this episode. He says to Toby that he "can't be a Rescue Engine at all because he is a steam tram instead of an actual steam engine" which is so untrue because a tram is another type of a steam engine. The way James says this is downright mean because he is basically saying that Toby isn't useful at all. When James is being told that he should use Rocky to help Gordon be put back on the track, thanks to the stupid three strikes formula, James refuses and makes three attempts at re-railing Gordon without Rocky, the final attempt leaving him wrecked as well, which he then asks Toby to fetch Rocky. The writers obviously do this to redeem James as in your typical Season 15 episode.
 * 3) Thomas is right to call James out for his racist, prejudiced comments. But it's hypocritical of him to do so since he openly insulted Diesel and made racist remarks to him by saying the Fat Controller wants a useful steamie and that Diesel can't be useful because he's a diesel engine (though his devious nature may made Thomas see that way), only to prove his biased comments completely right at the end when he rescues Diesel.
 * 4) Much like "Push Me, Pull You", it sends a bad moral to kids that you shouldn't get any help at all and be selfish anyway. But unlike this episode, "Push Me, Pull You!" is worse than "James to the Rescue".
 * 5) Obviously, pulling Gordon back on the rails would not get him back on the rails and even pushing him from the tender won't help either. What makes James think these would work?
 * 6) As in your typical Seasons 12-16 episode, there is loads of unnecessary narration that either can just shut up and let the engines do the talking, or that it doesn't need to state the obvious!
 * 7) The whole concept of the "Rescue Engine for the Day" is stupid since any engine that is nearby can be called upon to help out. It's little more than something to fuel up James's ego.
 * 8) Speaking of the latter concept, you see Rosie pushing Rocky at the Rescue Centre, right? They could have made her the Rescue Engine alongside James and Toby since she is one of HiT's characters they have used after all. But even so, they don't bother due to HiT's lack of interest for any other character that is not Thomas and the Seven Engines (you know? The Steam Team).
 * 9) James should know that he can't get Gordon back on the rails by just pushing or pulling him. At first, only Gordon's two frontmost wheels are off the track, which the drivers could easily lift back onto the rails without needing heavy equipment like Rocky. Naturally, James derails Gordon further with his attempts because again, pushing him is not any more helpful either.
 * 10) As typical in this series, the drivers and firemen just stand in the cabs and work the engine controls. They couldn't even be bothered to come out and examine Gordon's situation!
 * 11) *And after James crashes into the mud, the engine crews are seen climbing out without a scratch! Pretty remarkable given how James was pushed down into the mud under Gordon's weight.
 * 12) Although Toby is one of the few main role characters with a brain in this episode, he would go fetch Rocky anyway because this big red douchebag is not going to listen to him anyway instead of getting Rocky at the last minute after James had crashed into Gordon from behind. It would be really funny that Toby went to fetch Rocky and the crash happened while Toby went to get Rocky, but that was sadly not the case since the crash happens at the third strike, and Toby fetching Rocky happens at the very last minute. Such wasted and missed potential. It would make out to be a funny moment.
 * 13) James' line "Uh, Toby? Sodor Rescue Engines are STEAM engines. You are a steam tram. Steam trams can't be rescue engines!" is really drawn out (especially in the US dub) almost like they have to emphasize every single word so kids know what he said.

Redeeming Qualities

 * 1) Toby is the only tolerable character in this episode, which is saying something, considering that he is normally an incompetent wuss and a coward in Seasons 8-16. But here, he at least shows some intelligence by telling James to get Rocky.
 * 2) * Despite being hypocritical, Thomas was okay as well since he is right to call out James for his racist, ableist, prejudiced comments.
 * 3) *Gordon is also tolerable.
 * 4) James's third attempt to try and get Gordon out of the mud with only him crashing himself and Gordon is arguably the most awesome thing to come from this episode.
 * 5) Good voice acting in both dubs.
 * 6) James and Toby's rivlary is shown in full CGI as they both appear together in this episode, though James' rudness towards Toby is really too much and go too far.

Reception
"James to the Rescue" received mostly negative reviews, being criticized for James' unlikeable attitude, the bad writing, and the poor moral it sent. Though, this episode received some praise for its crash between James and Gordon.

It received a 3.5 rating on IMDb.