Horrid Lorry: The MOST Underrated Thomas Episode

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[@TheThomasCynic]

Yes, the title was incorrect initially lol - I had used the "reuse details" feature in the Creator Studio.

[@DodotheWishFanboy]

I say Donald’s Duck is the most underrated episode. Just saying it out loud.

[@fanofeverything30465]

What was the title initially

[@DodotheWishFanboy]

@@fanofeverything30465 it was always just Donald’s Duck.

[@fanofeverything30465]

@@DodotheWishFanboy Thank you 😊

[@DodotheWishFanboy]

@@fanofeverything30465 you’re welcome

[@inkywright]

Something about this episode always felt...well, eventful. I love how the Lorries are treated as a sincere threat to these engines, it's brilliant. I also think the department for the writing itself and not just the character development is so brilliant. Two of my favorite moments in the show are here: 1. Cranky tells Percy, "You should look up to the ships and show more respect. You are, after all, only little." We get a clearly Mitton-esque shot of Cranky standing tall and proud compared to Percy, which always has me booming with laughter for no reason. 2. Thomas taunts the Lorries in what I can assume is part of Britt Allcroft's contributions - "Well, well, the Brothers Grimm - Smashed, Broken, and Sunk!"

[@diveshwarramesh2645]

It's honestly hard to believe that the episode is only 4 minutes. I've always had a very fond memory of the episode, especially the interesting ways in how the lorries fail or crash.

[@inkywright]

@@diveshwarramesh2645 How the magic of this show once owed to its pacing.

[@fanofeverything30465]

Actually the line is 'You should look up to ships'

[@ciarangleeson2880]

Personally, I think that it would be funnier if Thomas called The Horrid Lorries “The Three Stooges”!

[@inkywright]

@@ciarangleeson2880 Brothers Grimm is a nice touch too, a cheeky little Allcroft line for sure.

[@NorthWestern1919]

As a Season 1 fan, I love this episode for showing how much these characters have grown since that season. And I especially love the callback to Season 1 with Toby. He definitely had the right to be afraid, considering his past experience. I also love how after the lorry falls off a cliff, the driver sustains nothing but a cartoonish head bump. It's unrealistic, it's silly, and personally, I think it's hilarious. Keep in mind that even in the RWS, nobody gets hurt in crashes that would result in someone getting injured or killed in real life. For example, the fireman from "The Flying Kipper", who is more concerned about his cocoa being spilled than nearly being killed.

[@ciarangleeson2880]

If I had to guess, I’d say that the driver had tumbled out BEFORE Lorry 2 went over the cliff, and was still up on the road above.

[@fairlyoddenginecreations]

I've always loved Horrid Lorry, such a funny and action packed one!

[@GravyWays]

Agreed

[@kcore1427]

I actually noticed the parallels between the lorries taking over Toby's work in this episode to the reason his old line closed in Season 1. Every since watching the Unlucky Tug's Toby story on Sodor's Finest, I've gained a greater appreciation for the character and what he represents.

[@elisekehle8520]

Gotta love how they made Baldwin do the tongue-twister- "Cranky the crane was quick to criticize"

[@themaniacalmallard2806]

Talk about a wild card. This episode had it all. Action, humor, feels. A great season 5 piece

[@GravyWays]

well put.

[@chesapeakedproductions3009]

I can't agree more with this video. Horrid Lorry is a vastly underrated episode, coming out of what is possibly the best season of the entire series. I especially love Alec Baldwin's Brooklyn gangster style voices for them, but the theme of the roads eventually replacing railways was a very dark one. Very similar to the steamies vs diesels plot. I also love how all 3 lorries get hit by their own stupid hubris at the end, in rather comedic ways.

[@ciarangleeson2880]

I can DEFINITELY see the gangster voices working on the trucks, too! They, and probably also the diesels, are pretty much the railway embodiment of gangsters!

[@Tauschung]

This was one of the first Thomas episodes I ever watched when I was a tiny person, I absolutely love this episode.

[@aliminator1310]

My brothers LOVED this episode when they were younger! They STILL enjoy to this day!

[@Error_Detected404]

I watched the episode for the first time a while ago, I mostly felt like watching episodes of Thomas like I did when I was younger and it resulted in me liking the franchise again

[@lanesanders1530]

I feel like You Can’t Win from S4 doesn’t get much love compared to the other three episodes from Duke The Lost Engine. I think it’s a good look at Duke’s character, as he shows a more youthful, jokey side as he screws with Stewart.

[@evanclarke5561]

Yes but You Can't Win is basically Double Header all over - with Stuart given a similar role to James and Duke playing a similar part to Toby

[@matheusdealmeida1279]

Busy going backwards is very underrated because 1 It’s one of the only episodes in the classical series to have rolling stock take a lead role 2 it fleshes out toad significantly as a character 3 has a great action sequence 4 humorous narration Etc

[@s.p.d.magentaranger1822]

5: the 1812 Overture!

[@ciarangleeson2880]

Yeah, Busy Going Backwards was a brilliant episode with a fantastic runaway! It was actually my brother’s favourite episode for that reason!

[@thethreerailwayengines825]

I'd say the most underrated episode (from the first 5 seasons at least) is either: Wrong Road - one of my favourite from season 2 Better Late Than Never - not the greatest but definitely not as bad or boring as a lot of people say Bulldog - everyone always goes on about Grandpuff, and thus Bulldog (as well as You Can't Win) always slip under the radar, when they're honestly at the same level Thomas and the Rumours/Toby's Discovery - Both included as they are both brilliant episodes, but the problem with coming in season 5 is that you can be a great episode and sometimes get forgotten about when you have the likes of Cranky Bugs, Stepney Gets Lost, Duncan Gets Sooked, Rusty and the Boulder, Toby and the Flood etc to contend with

[@fanofeverything30465]

What would you say are the most underrated episodes of Seasons 6 and 7

[@diabeticman2194]

I remember the lorry falling off the cliff was brutal, properly felt sorry for the driver (even if his head bump was funny). Honestly thought they’d killed someone which was why it stood out to me. This brought up some good points, never thought about the season 1 Toby callback

[@harrisonallen651]

Character development has always been a consistent trend within the first five seasons of Thomas, something which later seasons don’t acknowledge!

[@ciarangleeson2880]

Hence why they are the most beloved seasons of the series!

[@stingky3689]

I glanced over the title and thought this video is about explaining how the lorries are the most underrated characters 💀

[@PoipoleBoi]

I never even knew this was an underated episode. This used to be one of my favorite episodes and still is.

[@TankEngineMedia]

Never thought i’d appreciate this episode in its entirety, thank you Cynic

[@exempligratia101]

This episode was cunning and quite colorful, especially watching the Lorries getting their comeuppance.

[@WelshGiraffa]

Horrid Lorry is definitely one of my favourite episodes of season 5 just laughing at the lorries misfortune

[@DC4260Productions]

This is my favourite episode of the entire show. And yes, I did realise that Toby's distrust of the lorries was due to his experience on his old line.

[@heathertiplady]

I agree with you and Cinders & Ashes UK; by the time Season 5 comes along, many of the main characters are in a very different place to where they were in Season 1. For example, Thomas and Percy loved goofing around and playing practical jokes on those around them in Season 1, which often got them into trouble. However, by Season 5, although they're still cheeky and have the occasional argument (e.g., when 1 of them is already in a bad mood), it's clear that they've grown up significantly and are ready to race into action at a moment's notice. As such, as far as the Classic era's concerned, Horrid Lorry is an uderrated gem and I would seriously recommend that other potential fans check it out.

[@james_appreciates]

I have been saying this for years now. Even without watching this video, I always knew Horrid Lorry was an underrated episode from its humor, historical references, and crashes. This was my favorite episode for years, and I'm glad someone finally made a video on this video's great positives.

[@JosephHk743]

I liked this episode as much as you do Cynic and I liked how it was setup. However, watching this review and deep dive made me realize the old callback to Toby’s old line in Series 1 and how this was sort of a “history repeating itself” type of fear. It makes me appreciate this episode even more than I had originally with just karma for the Lorries. That deserves a sub for me.

[@harold5337]

I think it’s universally seen as one of the best, from myself included.

[@TheCyberman1966]

I honestly think I’m early concept for this episode it was going to be an episode that would have shown the early days of his lines downfall doubling back onto Toby’s first episode

[@ciarangleeson2880]

For all we know, he probably knew them personally from back then!

[@WatchVidsMakeLists]

This one was already in my top 20 or so, and I love how the main cast is written in addition to the Lorries. It's really cool to see your insight on the character growth in this episode and know that someone else recognizes this is a truly a Toby episode. In fact, when I set out to do a custom Best of Toby episode list (which we've all done, right?), Horrid Lorry was one of the final episodes! Oh, and that Narrow Guage Ambient Theme gets me... fired up ;)

[@a.z.pantera5577]

Season 5 really put Percy forth as the hard working industrial engine, working odd jobs around the island. Usually mines and factories. With all this work, it's totally understandable he would take offense to being called useless or lazy.

[@ciarangleeson2880]

I agree. This season probably had Percy at his most mature!

[@fanofeverything30465]

@@ciarangleeson2880 Mature is the right word to use

[@PeePeeSam]

A few of the most underrated episodes from the show imo are: You Can’t Win - It does follow the same gimmick as Time For Trouble / Double Header in a few ways but the dynamics here are so good. Also, there’s a lot of amusing lines that stick with you after the episode’s finished e.g. “It’s no good Stuart, you can’t win!” & “Poor old engine! Poor old engine!” I think when compared to the first two MSR episodes, a lot of people just shrug this one off a bit more like with Bulldog. But for me, Bulldog is weaker 🤌🏻 I think another episode that I hear some people disliking is Thomas & The New Engine. For me, it’s one of the best S9 episodes. It continues the Steamies vs Diesels plotline, Neville has such a great design which contributes to the plot, and Thomas is in his S1/2 personality when he spreads those rumours. I love the “OH SHIT” moment he has when he realises he got it wrong about Neville, who is hurtling towards a broken bridge. Thomas letting his feelings get in the way of his work is such a Classic Style thing for him to do and the whole climax is so tense and fun. I love it a lot 🤌🏻

[@krypticunlimited6925]

Neville is an probably the most underused and overlooked character in the series. His design and model is just beautiful

[@ciarangleeson2880]

The sad thing is that the same can be said for several other characters in the show.

[@idfk5799]

I honestly never caught the lorry mention back in season 1 until now

[@furryhick1998]

I loved this episode even though I only saw it once. Most other episodes I saw hundreds of times I don't remember squat about.

[@KaijuForceNeo]

It’s no longer underrated if I’ve seen this one episode 1000’s of times!

[@Zacman1123]

This episode was a favorite of mine as a kid.

[@thesudriana016]

Yeah, Horrid Lorry doesn't get that much love then and I just can't understand why. It really represents more of the road vs. rail rivalry and you do bring up a vast point about Toby's history of road vehicles. This season feels like the last season we ever see this kind of rivalry between rail and road until Season 23 (well S21 with the return of Bulgy). I can honestly take that over the steam vs. diesel trope any day.

[@jakegis5840]

Lorries were some of my favorite characters as a kid

[@Ryder-a-Blaze]

I always loved this episode for some reason

[@Jjjr-]

S5 did character growth so well

[@fortheloveofgodlaugh2981]

Horrid Lorry is a GOAT. One of the best in Season 5

[@dmancluster2631]

Haven't got much to add about the episode itself, just wanted to say I really love your analysis of Thomas stuff. It's pretty eye opening and it gets some fun thinking going.

[@chadgiga8452]

Thomas Emily and the snow plow is amazing

[@carterher8082]

Faulty Whistles because Duncan’s whistle fell out because he saw This guy named OH YEAH

[@speedballharo5278]

Definitely 1 of my fav ep

[@ThomasandBFBFan13]

Horrid Lorry is a favorite of mine

[@jonathanadair6847]

Every Season 5 episode is great in my opinion.

[@WillCWilson]

I loved this episode back when I was a teen because I saw it as "The episode where some trucks roast the engines"

[@vaya-dragon1998]

I loved this episode as a kid! Still have a soft spot for it now to be honest.

[@trackmastertomy]

Horrid lorry is my favourite episode of the show

[@zoonitYT]

Dude you are so great

[@onetrackmind3558]

I was not expecting to have another reason to love this episode.

[@fairlyoddenginecreations]

Could you make a video comparing Season 5's unrealism to the BWBA era's unrealism? I feel like some people still don't understand the difference between the two. And I've never seen a video tackling the subject

[@mrgeebers]

Horrid Lorry is honestly my favorite episode from Season 5 it has a really great moral and fun story telling

[@connorflaherty175]

You are not wrong to say that Toby’s encounter with the horrid lorries gives him a sense of deja vu, but I consider this as an ensemble episode.

[@havoc3742]

I wouldn't say it was underrated. I think people don't appreciate Sir Topham's genius in this episode. That's right, Sir Topham's genius. 3 lorries would never really make THAT much impact on the island of Sodor, UNLESS, they were arranged specifically to do so, where they would have the most immediate impact upon the engines. And who else would know how best to do that, than the Railway's controller, Sir Topham himself? Of course, Sir Topham isn't an idiot - he also would have fixed it so the lorries would have as high a chance of failure as possible - Being overloaded, working in confined spaces with poor visibility, and routing along hazardous or unsecured roads with a heavy load. And all of this, to ensure his engines work, just that little bit harder, put in that little extra effort, at all times. Greater efficiency across his entire fleet of engines at the cost of 3 rude lorries? Done Deal.

[@TheThomasCynic]

Wow, that's a really neat theory!

[@ciarangleeson2880]

Who would have thought that Fat Hatt could be so cunning?

[@ryanspotato3117]

This is something I completely stand by. I am happy someone shares the same opinion as I do.

[@DrDylBlack]

I love Horrid Lorry! One of my all time favourites!

[@doublefeature2501]

Here's a underrated episode: wooly bear or Percys ghostly trick

[@masterpeter1913]

I think ,,Tender Engine" is the most underrated episode .

[@ciarangleeson2880]

It’s not bad or anything, the RWS version is just better, but I’ll cut the production crew some slack, seeing how they wanted to make it more accurate, but were on a tight budget.

[@tre-engines]

I love Season 5

[@GravyWays]

Same

[@fanofeverything30465]

Me too ✋

[@tfan2016]

Great video, also happy 10K! I was watching this video as you got 10K lol

[@ADurning87]

Congratulations on getting to 10k subscriber's. Well deserved ☺️❤️🙏🌎

[@blueraccoon1088]

There's allot of obscure and underrated Thomas episodes. I got a little amigo who's a Thomas fan he's more all engines go I'm classic and Renaissance Era. I even music videos and he recognized classic and cg. Maybe it's good idea to explore fan's perspective and series starts. I grew up in the middle of hit but seen carlin and Baldwin more.

[@thesealsharkproductions9780]

Here’s an underrated episode: Edward the really useful engine It’s a Secret adaption of super rescue, although a drummed down one

[@TomsRetroGames]

I never really held this episode in such a high regard like all the other episodes you’ve made cynical spotlights on! Great video!

[@thomasthereallyusefultanke4139]

Can You Talk About All The Thomas And Friends Live On Stage Shows ? , The Big Live Tour , Saves The Day , Circus Comes To Town , Thomas And The Hidden Treasure , The History And Props ?

[@flyingScotsmanProductions]

Congrats on 10K My friend! One editing recommendation I would have is cropping the sides of the Thomas footage then there arnt those huge black side bars!

[@ianjackson4721]

Great video!

[@SheffieldNo14Productions]

9.99k subs! You're so close, you can do this! Now that I think about it, this episode was kind of a Ffarquhar Branchline Engines episode: Thomas, Percy, and Toby. That's funny.

[@darthkhan29x98]

It's pretty dark when you think about it. The engines do get over worked throughout the series, and they often complain. However, as Cranky pointed out, if things are that bad, then someone else will take their job. The show creates new engines and diesels all the time, and the threat of being replaced is never brought up again. It's weird how hypocritical the reaction of the lorries are compared to most other characters on the show. Maybe it's just jealousy over free range vehicles. This episode is dark in another way though. One way to look at the morale of this episode is "Don't complain, or you'll be replaced". This is often a common fear in real life. Machines and transport is often replaced when something new, improved, and cheap comes along, this is apparent throughout human history. The biggest fear is when people get fired from their job. If someone has issues with their work place, they must be careful not to abuse, or complain, otherwise they will be fired. Even if it's something they don't like doing, they might have to stick with it due to a number of reasons which leave them with very little options. For the engines, they don't have a choice. They must work or be scrapped. They could do something simple like pull coaches, or perform the dreaded flying Kipper run. Whatever the task, however long it takes, the engines must continue to work until the day they are scrapped and replaced. "No complaining, we replaced you before, and we can do it again!" It's a very scary scenario.

[@ianjackson4721]

I would argue that Gordon takes a tumble is more underrated, since I’ve literally never heard anyone even mention it. Then again, maybe it’s cause it’s my favorite episode of the show. But still, I’ve never heard of it mentioned except for one time when someone made a ytp on the episode.

[@adventuresofamtrakcascades301]

I always used to think this episode was kinda funny and it cracked me up a little bit

[@thattankengineguy]

I don't know about anyone, but I loved Horrid Lorry, it was a really funny episode.

[@TonsOfTrackmasters]

Nice hector the horrid video. I'm getting some deja vu here though...

[@mayohoskotwrandttte]

I’ve consistently heard dozens of people say this is the best episode of season 5. I’m inclined to say horrid lorry is appropriately rated

[@SuperCosmicMutantSquid]

Underrated? This episode was pure gold.

[@Trickshotter]

I don’t think it is underrated, it’s in season 5, the most loved season of the show

[@ciarangleeson2880]

Now, if only Butch had a proper introduction.

[@stopmotionartist4987]

Horrid Lorry is a mid episode IMO. I ABSOLUTELY disagree with the idea Series 1 Thomas wouldn’t have made fun of or enjoyed the lorries getting their comeuppance. Thomas is shown to be cheeky and makes remarks at other character’s expense such as his bootlace comment to James in “Troublesome Trucks” or Thomas stating he smelled ditch water when Gordon was nearby in “Down the Mine”. He is also pretty vocal when he feels unhappy or wronged, hence him saying “Rubbish” to the other engines when they thought little of him or saying the other engines were sticks in the mud when they thought Thomas’ ideas were silly. There’s also not really a reason why Thomas *wouldn’t* have made fun of the lorries since making fun of the lorries for their mishaps would only bolster Thomas’s view that rails are most important. Thomas is very upset when Terence suggests rails weren’t necessary so I have no issue believing Thomas would laugh at the lorries because it would only affirm in his mind his value as a steam engine. As for Percy, I don’t think his development was *particularly* meaningful because even in Series 1 and 2 Percy wasn’t just the slacker. Yes it’s true that Percy was very mischievous in S1-2 than what he was in say S5, but there’s plenty of material in S1-2 that showed Percy to be a hard worker such as him working without issue with Thomas and Edward while the big tender engines were being punished, he was working his hardest as station pilot before going to work on Thomas’ branchline and having to put up with Daisy not doing her fair share of work, etc. As for Toby’s development, you did note that it’s possible it wasn’t intentional and that’s *my* issue with the episode. The episode never acknowledges the events of “Toby and the Stout Gentleman” and instead it feels like they were just reusing the premise. Neither Toby nor his driver reference the events of “Toby and the Stout Gentleman” nor does the episode explore the topic in a way that feels *new*. It’s hard to say Toby was developed because he was already confident in his usefulness, gets sad when he sees the lorries taking over, and then goes back to where he was once the lorries are decommissioned. This episode’s biggest flaw is that it’s just a gimmick episode that reverts to the status quo. In “Horrid Lorry”, the **3** lorries are treated as a big deal only for all of them to get decommissioned very quickly and the show reverts to the status quo. Modernization is a relevant topic and Awdry has used it in a way that felt honest. Toby’s line closed down because it was outcompeted by lorries and buses even if they were more accident prone. This isn’t to argue Awdry was perfect in this regard because he also wrote stories like “Bowled Out” where the diesel character has no meaningful characterization or “Little Western” where the fat controller maintained Sodor would be steam Run which ensured a status quo, but at least the way he addressed made it feel lasting to some capacity. I’d say genius storytelling would be confronting modernization in a way that was nuanced AND had lasting impacts. Having the quarry Lorry crash is actually a really good plot point because it demonstrates how in some instances using trains for transportation is the better option as it’s safer and more efficient. However, having lorries cut into the productivity of the engines and having that become the new status quo is also good because there are some things that cars and other vehicles are just going to be better at, no matter how hard the engines try. Unfortunately, this episode renders the horrid lorries as a plot device which is frustrating since most if the show’s antagonists either get only one appearance or are very one note. The spiteful brakevan was just spiteful and was destroyed in his debut episode, S.C.Ruffey only had one episode to be fleshed out, Bulgy was decommissioned within his debut episode, Bulstrode was beached and abandoned in his debut episode. So not only did “Horrid Lorry” play it too safe with modernization but it also made the antagonists more or less a plot device.

[@hornbyq1384]

I think the most underrated episode of Thomas is Donald's duck it's a sweet funny story and develops Donald and duck's characters

[@EternityKingdomsHeadHoncho]

Jokes on you, I’ve always loved this episode!

[@fortitudevalance8424]

Hang on, the horrid lorry’s have faces BUT the breakdown trucks don’t have faces? Or personalities? Or sentience?

[@Percyfan1998]

I have to disagree with the notion that Horrid Lorry is somehow underrated. Could be wrong but last I checked it is rather highly acclaimed; it could be underrated in the sense that it's not as talked about as much as others in the same series but I can't blame people when so much of this season is so strong. Lorry is a neat and rare look into the road vs rail conflict and it's interesting that while the concept sounds good, in practice the lorries were total failures.

[@berkshire4607]

Another great video The Thomas Cynic

[@briandesens144]

Awesome video

[@the4tierbridge]

Hey, just wondering: are we gonna get more RWS audiobooks for Chris’s stories?

[@darriusbrown-harper1430]

Yeah I really don't get why this episode is so hated

[@stefanoraz27]

4:16 omg thats butch

[@zoonitYT]

SKKRR POP POP

[@thecinematicmind]

Oliver’s Find is mine.

[@connercarey5942]

Cool

[@Joey15811]

I love horrid lorry and tbh don’t think its under rated because season 5 is a fantastic season

[@diveshwarramesh2645]

First

[@danielmacaroni811]

I subscribed to boost your ego

[@amitysluzara2022]

I enjoyed this episode but it's such missed potential. This shouldve been a Toby episode that would've made this so much better

[@amitysluzara2022]

@Michael Butler I'm glad it's your favourite that's awesome

[@amitysluzara2022]

@Michael Butler it's got to be Granpuff

[@fanofeverything30465]

@@amitysluzara2022 Mine is Rusty and the Boulder

[@amitysluzara2022]

@@fanofeverything30465 ooooooh great choice!

[@fanofeverything30465]

@@amitysluzara2022 Thank you 😊

[@joeytheslimeboi8900]

I remember this was on a VHS at my local library that I would rent as a kid which I would watch all the time cause it also had Toby and The Flood, Put Upon Percy and Accidents will Happen. Honestly Horrid Lorry is one of the best episodes of the show tbh

[@Bunny23723]

This is one of my most favorite episodes from season five. A charming episode. I like the trains' reaction to the lorry's being rude to them and seeing the lorry's get their karma. And there was no way that driver who was driving the vehicle could have survived that fall. "Rotten roads" he muttered. Plus, Thomas saying "Well look who it is, the brothers Grimm, Smath, broken and sunk." Line part was funny. Great video.