Simon Conway's Thomascember - 101. Paint Pots and Queens

[@theislandofsodorfilmstudio4975]

My favorite episode of series 4.

[@TheStationMaster-vw7nx]

Now this is one of the 4th series episodes I always cherish forever as I saw it a lot on VHS when I was younger and I always used to quote it word for word with my Wooden Railway Models. I always find it funny when Sir Topham Hatt welcomes the Queen and I always watch this in memory of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd (1926 - 2022)

[@JamieBoy-ij2ri]

Another gem from the classic era and I always watched this ep whenever something big was happening with our late Queen wether it was her special birthday or a jubilee, I also watched it on September 8th 2022 just after the tragic news came out and I found it so difficult getting through the episode knowing our Queen Elizabeth II our very constant of 70 years had now left us- it was very emotional. RIP Queen Elizabeth II. 1926-2022

[@joshuaW5621]

Rest in peace your queen.

[@CraneProductions27]

I loved this episode when I first saw it. It was a great story to have in the 4th series shortly after the 100th episode of the whole series. The parts with the flashbacks make the opening scenes work and the bit with the paint pot landing on Henry is so funny. I loved the visit from the Queen and it's amazing how much hard work went into making everything in the story work so well. The music that Mike and Junior used for the Queen's visit was very fitting 🙂.

[@jmredguppy2799]

Fun Fact:the Railway Series version actually served as the finale to Gordon’s arc in his book about learning sense. From getting himself in the most trouble he’s ever been by running into a ditch to avoid pulling a goods trains and having the express taken away from him as a consequence for his action, to being sympathetic to James, forming an alliance with Thomas, and finally with his help, regaining Sir Topham Hatt’s trust, earns him the express back and having the honor of bringing the Queen in the royal train.

[@natashamathis9418SMLYTP]

Thomas and his Friends: Long Live The Queen! 👑

[@thesudriana016]

I know fans view this episode as not a good adaptation, but in my opinion - despite it taking place after the events of Gordon the Big Engine and I agree that this could've been included in S1 as the finale instead of Christmas Party, but at least it was sorta faithful to the original source material (if you ignore Donald and Duck's cameos). I really love Thomas and Gordon's alliance continuation and how the latter opted to STH to give the former back his branch line rather than asking if he could have the Express back first (that is true growth within Gordon). On the humorous side of things, Henry's incident w/ the painter (which is also inspired from a real incident) is pretty funny. I almost didn't know when watching George Carlin's dub of the episode that it was the moan of Michael Angelis faintly used in the US dub until now upon rewatch. I also love the rendition of God Save the Queen and how the engines came together to welcome Her Majesty to their Island for the first time (since she and the Royal Family had read the Railway Series books prior). I also love the shot of Gordon pulling the Royal Train into Knapford w/ how the camera is placed low to the ground which makes him giant like an actual steam engine would be (and his real brother Flying Scotsman from certain angles). I kinda wish it was the actual season finale than Mind That Bike because it does feel finale-esque w/ the engines having this one big unity. Also, this episode is the 100th episode in Norway while Gallant Old Engine is the hundredth episode in Japan.

[@joshuaW5621]

Weirdly enough, in the Railway Series Thomas’s Christmas Party takes place between Down the Mine and this story, which begs the question of Thomas should still be on his branch line.

[@thesudriana016]

@@joshuaW5621 I thought so too - I feel that this story could've taken place after Paint Pots & Queens - yeah I know this wouldn't make any sense for the Kyndleys to just be in Bournemouth for like a year or two, but it would still flow a little bit.

[@joshuaW5621]

@@thesudriana016 that could work too unless Thomas didn’t really have his branch line taken from him straight after Down the Mine.

[@joshuaW5621]

I think this episode would have been a brilliant season finale.

[@josephward1071]

Henry an Iced Cake😆

[@matthewlemire]

Great video, Simon! I started watching your Series 4 reviews a couple of days ago, and I have been enjoying hearing your take on the episodes. Something I never really noticed until you mentioned it is that Gordon's buffers are painted white when he pulls the royal train. Looking forward to hearing you finish up what really is one of the best seasons in the classic series.

[@star86703]

This is my favourite episode from series 4 of Thomas and friends 👍😊🤩😎😁

[@islandofsodorflims8712]

I feel a way to work around the continuity error with Duck and the twins is to have it Off The Rails and Down The Mine take place during Season 2.

[@joshuaW5621]

Or you could interpret them as loaned engines. The narrator never says their names anyway. We see Daisy, BoCo and Mavis used as the diesels on the other railway in Escape and Rusty to the Rescue. It doesn’t mean they’re actually Daisy, BoCo and Mavis.

[@supermariof0521]

I'm surprised Plarail/Tomy didn't make a model of Gordon or Henry based on this episode.

[@thecinematicmind]

You have to wonder if Gordon had a pretty picture.

[@josephmarrison4606]

This adaptation is another bad one IMO. I mean, they tried to set it during Season 1, yet they have Duck and Donald, who were introduced AFTER the events of the stories of Down The Mine and Paint Pots and Queens. I never noticed the error as a little kid, but these days I just cannot un-notice it. I would be lying if I said I didn’t have any nostalgia for this episode as well though. I agree with you that the music was so well composed. It did sound really grand. And The Queen’s Model did look a bit like the original Queen when she was young in the 60s. And as always, Michael Angelis does really well at narrating, especially when he is The Painter scolding Henry. XD. So yeah, even if I cannot like the adaptation now, I still treasure the nostalgia I have for it. R.I.P Queen Elizabeth The 2nd.

[@joshuaW5621]

I just choose to retcon Duck and Donald’s appearances as them being different engines on loan at the time for the same reason Daisy, BoCo and Mavis’s appearances in Escape and Rusty to the Rescue aren’t really meant to be them.

[@garyennis9757]

@@joshuaW5621that’s also what I always do

[@javielalvarez5459]

Henry & James should of known better than to shush them!