Skarloey the Brave (Thomas & Friends)

Skarloey the Brave is the 22nd episode of Season 9 of Thomas & Friends, it aired on November 11, 2005 in the UK on Nick Jr. and two days later on November 13, 2005 in the US on PBS Kids.

Why Skarloey Isn't The Bravest Engine In The World

 * 1) This episode has a terrible concept, as it involves Skarloey wanting to prove that he is "brave" by being a daredevil by breaking the incline winch, releasing him at high speeds.
 * 2) While some think that “The Old Bridge” started Skarloey’s flanderization, compared to that episode, it was actually this episode that started his flanderization, as he thinks he is brave and seems to act extremely childish to the point that it is extremely noticeable.
 * 3) *Rheneas is no better and also acts childish, though not as bad as Skarloey.
 * 4) Skarloey for some reason gets upset that he wasn't rewarded as the brave engine. How childish is that? Not to mention, shouldn't he be relieved that he avoided getting hit by the runaway trucks/cars?
 * 5) Not only is Skarloey's decision to be pulled up the incline a not-so-brave decision, but also really stupid, irresponsible, and very dangerous.
 * 6) The infamous scene where Skarloey yells "WEEEE" while racing down the incline is so cringeworthy (at least in the US dub). See it for yourself!
 * 7) * While Michael Angelis sounded OK and not too cringeworthy, Michael Brandon on the other hand sounded even worse here.
 * 8) Why didn't Skarloey's driver warn him that what he wanted to do is very dangerous? And why didn't his driver make sure he was uncoupled before attaching the trucks? In fact, WHERE EVEN IS HIS DRIVER?!
 * 9) Thomas' cameo in this episode is pointless considering the fact no one even knows what he is doing here on the Skarloey Railway with a train of coal trucks/cars other than plot convenience.
 * 10) It secretly sends a moral to children that you can enjoy something dangerous happening to you.
 * 11) For some reason, the Skarloey Railway theme for Season 9 composed by Robert Hartshorne is pitched up at the beginning of the episode and it noticeably sounds really bad to listen to when it's pitched up this high.
 * 12) Depending on your view, it's the Thomas & Friends version of "A Life in a Day" from SpongeBob SquarePants, except the episode was made before the latter, and it's premise is done 100% wrong as said episode at least had a good moral about not risking your life in dangerous activities and how much that episode shows the audience why actions like these can affect anyone's lives. But this episode does the opposite and never takes itself seriously.
 * 13) Skarloey and Rheneas even feels like they are being miscast, it would've make more sense if this episode had Duncan and Sir Handel taking their roles instead. The episode also could have worked if it took place when Skarloey and Rheneas were younger, but of course, in this era, HiT Entertainment displayed a dismissive attitude towards Awdry's lore.

Redeeming Qualities

 * 1) Good narration from Michael Brandon (minus the "Wheeeee" part in his narration, and his voices for Skarloey and Rheneas) and Michael Angelis.
 * 2) As usually expected from the model era, the sets look really cool, even with the wintery environment entact.
 * 3) The episode's beginning shots with Skarloey pulling trucks on the railway mountain pays out a nice homage to the Season 5 episode, "Snow".
 * 4) The German version of Skarloey's "WEEEE" is hilarious.
 * 5) Duncan is tolerable in this episode.

Reception
Skarloey the Brave was heavily panned by fans and critics alike, with many considering it to be the official beginning of Skarloey and Rheneas's flanderization. It received a 3.9 on IMDb.