why seasons 6 & 7 aren't classic seasons

this video is not for kids

[@Nic_2751]

They’re still both classic seasons, like they still are the classic outline and presentation, but the quality and behind the scenes is what is beginning to change

[@TrevortheTrainFan]

Agreed. They’re not as good as the first 5 seasons, but they’re still passable compared to the later HiT eras.

[@spiderfan2003]

@Nic_2751 is understandable. I definitely see the outline and presentation are the same. I personally see them as their own era, but that is just me.

[@Nic_2751]

@@spiderfan2003 here’s a slight expansion on what I mean, back to the argument of SpongeBob, most people think now Seasons 4 and 5 are “add ons” to the original 3, not as good, but definitely still worthy with their best episodes. Where’s Season 6-8 are considered the truly bad era, much like Hit, so whilst they were after the movie, they at least felt more in line than what would become later. As such, they’re definitely fine additions to the classic golden age even if they’re a transition

[@spiderfan2003]

@@Nic_2751 you know that's a good point

[@gilbertmartinez57]

To me these 2 are classic seasons cuz "most" of the characters still had their original personas (except Skarloey) and the drivers were still involved and weren't mindless zombies

[@mrbaker18]

Personally, I don't have the first 7 seasons as 1 era, I have them as 3 eras: 1 & 2: Clearwater era 3, 4 & 5: Allcroft era 6 & 7: Gullane era

[@spiderfan2003]

@@mrbaker18 makes sense

[@TheSpongeBobGuy01]

I don't believe in golden era's. I just enjoy my favorite shows for what they are.

[@spiderfan2003]

@TheSpongeBobGuy01 Honestly, that's a very good mindset to have

[@gazebo935]

This is the real Thomas fan mindset for sure

[@tomytrainguy7975]

They’re both classic era seasons. They still have the original Thomas theme song, the classic series format, and directed by David Mitton

[@spiderfan2003]

Good points

[@Pinchy-10]

Here's my take, there are 2 separate eras that could describe the old-school days of Thomas. The _CLASSIC_ Era, and the *GOLDEN* Era. The _CLASSIC_ Era includes seasons 1-7. Despite the last two seasons inferiority to the 5 seasons beforehand, they're still damn good seasons and deserve alot of high praise. The *GOLDEN* Era of Thomas includes seasons 1-5. Only including the best of the best that perfectly captured the spirit of the Thomas franchise perfectly, while NOT looking down upon the two seasons that came afterwards.

[@spiderfan2003]

@Pinchy-10 That makes sense, I think that's w good way to think about it

[@ryanfuller912]

They are classic seasons, because they still had the general look, and the old music, and the episodes are still 4 and a half minutes.

[@spiderfan2003]

@@ryanfuller912 fair point

[@Finn_the_Cat]

I'd call 6 and 7 the HiT-classic era, the classic era look and feel was there but you could definitely feel something had changed after the debacle that was Thomas and the Magic Railroad and HiTs purchase of the series

[@littlekidinbigmansbody4762]

When season 6 aired on ITV in 2003, it was the first time I’d been able to watch Thomas on actual television. Up until then, I had to settle for the good old video tapes because may parents wouldn’t pay for cable or satellite. Personally, these 2 seasons don’t feel majorly different from the first 5, so I’m happy to count them in the classic era.

[@spiderfan2003]

I get that

[@jayheadley8061]

I'm so grateful I'm not the only one who feels that way about series 6 and 7!

[@spiderfan2003]

@@jayheadley8061 it's interesting to see someone else agrees

[@jayheadley8061]

@spiderfan2003 Tell me about it. 6 and 7 are nowhere near as bad as the Hit Era, but they're not as good as series 1 to 5 in my honest opinion, despite so many hardcore Thomas fans considering them as part of the classic series only because they share the same theme song and same narrator. Mostly for us UK audience with Michael Angelis. I personally think if Tragic Failroad didn't exist or just stuck to the director's cut, Britt Allcroft and David Mitton would still be writing the series and we'll still have good Thomas content to this very day. And we wouldn't have BWBA or All Engines Go. For what It's worth though, I do like Thomas The Jet Engine, Dunkin Duncan and Spotless Record and Emily was great addition to the main cast, so they aren't a total waste. And Three Cheers for Thomas is probably the best way to end the classic series than Snow, to some extent.

[@spiderfan2003]

@@jayheadley8061 ya

[@joshuaW5621]

@@jayheadley8061 unfortunately the directors cut of Magic Railroad was even worse, with even less focus on Sodor and a more convoluted story. I honestly don’t think things would be different if that was the version that was released.

[@jayheadley8061]

@@joshuaW5621 Fair enough, regardless of whether or not you're a fan of the two final Seasons or the Hit Era, can we all agree that Magic Railroad was probably the main reason why the franchise went to crap completely? It wasn't for that film, Alec Baldwin for the US audience wouldn't have to suffer from his mundane narration in Series 6, even though a lot of people say it was his nasty divorce that caused that. I honestly don't know how to feel about Michael Brandon's narration though, I'd say it's a give or take.

[@Perpisperp]

To me , there are 5 eras of thomas The golden age : seasons 1-5 The gullane era : Seasons 6 and 7 The hit era : seasons 8-12 The nitrogen era : seasons 13-16 And the Mattel era : seasons 17 - 24

[@spiderfan2003]

@Perpisperp that's an interesting way to split it up, I'm surprised you didn't count 13-16 as hit eta as hit still owned the series at the time

[@chavopatyfanstudios2005]

Tbh season 5's humor feels like something from the later seasons

[@spiderfan2003]

I curious as to how?

[@chavopatyfanstudios2005]

@spiderfan2003 i mean the humor in season 5 looks similar to the one from seasons 6 and 7

[@spiderfan2003]

@@chavopatyfanstudios2005 okay gotcha

[@uriek2499]

That's because it's from Gullane Entertainment. Oh, Jack and the Sodor Construction Company is also from Gullane Entertainment

[@spiderfan2003]

@@uriek2499 I know

[@joshuaW5621]

Gullane Entertainment was technically the same company as the Britt Allcroft company. It just changed its name and logo.

[@chloe-stephlis6281]

Love your videos. Another great one. Although I do have to respectfully disagree with this one. Even though they have their flaws I do consider 6 and 7 classic Thomas. What makes a season a classic one is having David Mitton and Britt Alcroft involved; characters being mostly in character; Mike and Juniors music; stories not being too childish; and the crews being relevant and not just background props. 6 and 7 both fit the bill. That’s just my opinion though.

[@spiderfan2003]

@chloe-stephlis6281 I understand that my videos aren't fact, just me stating what I feel

[@chloe-stephlis6281]

@@spiderfan2003 thank you for replying. I did have a quick follow up question if you don’t mind. Where do you think timeline wise Jack and the Pack take place? I personally have head cannoned it takes place during the events of season 7. Mostly bc we do see stock season 7 footage in some stories. One opens with a scene from Toby’s Windmill.

[@spiderfan2003]

@chloe-stephlis6281 honestly, probably the same, it just would make sense

[@joshuaW5621]

@@chloe-stephlis6281the wiki once stated that it takes place following the two Jack episodes in season 6, but people keep editing it to say it takes place between seasons 7 and 8 and 9 and 10. The wiki just can’t decide when Jack and the Pack takes place.

[@1000guy1]

The golden era of the show was from 1986 to 2002

[@spiderfan2003]

I can understand that

[@TrixDEforklift]

Sure, season 6 and 7 were the first seasons (in my opinion) that weren't as good or even better than the previous 5, but that's not saying they're bad. I still think they're classic seasons, but I understand why some consider them to be in their own era or called the "Gullane era"

[@spiderfan2003]

Fair point

[@CrocygatorStudios]

I consider them to be a sub-section of the classic seasons. They can sort of be divided like this: 1-2 feel stylistically very 80s. 3-5 feel laid back, whimsical, and grand respectively. And 6-7 feel different, still the same show and still with some great episodes, although season 6 has the first two actually bad episodes of the show.

[@spiderfan2003]

@@CrocygatorStudios that's a good way to divide it

[@CrocygatorStudios]

@@spiderfan2003 Thanks!

[@davydigger708]

To be honest, I was born in 2004, but I think I watched these two seasons the most as a kid - we had LOTS of home media with these seasons on them. Also, many lines from these seasons continue to live in me and my family's heads - as we sometimes repeat them randomly! "Edward is a useless old steam pot", said Gordon. "He should be retired." "But he doesn't have tires," replied Percy. 🤣 - Thomas and Friends, Edward The Very Useful Engine, 2002 "Do It Right!" - Fergus, Thomas and Friends - Bill, Ben, and Fergus, 2003 "He'll get the loudest and longest whistle yet!" - Duncan, Thomas and Friends - Faulty Whistles, 2002

[@spiderfan2003]

@@davydigger708 interesting

[@mastermaker352]

I get what you mean,just because they share the 4:31 run time doesn’t mean that they’re classic seasons.

[@spiderfan2003]

@@mastermaker352 that was a point

[@mastermaker352]

@@spiderfan2003 I see.

[@LittleJerryFan92]

To be honest I just hate the term “classic” now. I find it’s just putting seasons on unfair pedestals. I personally prefer referring to groups of seasons as “The Britt Allcroft era” or “The HiT era” or “Andrew Brenner era” etc. That said, I enjoy all of seasons 1-7 and am good jumping ship after 7. I find it’s a good solid lineup of seasons and could have ended perfectly there.

[@spiderfan2003]

@@LittleJerryFan92 that makes sense, I see what you mean

[@LittleJerryFan92]

@@spiderfan2003 I appreciate your understanding. I just find it’s a VERY overused term in this fandom personally

[@spiderfan2003]

@@LittleJerryFan92 that I definitely get

[@gabrielediconsiglio3206]

Despite the drop in quality that s6 and s7 have, i still consider them classic seasons for the already established reasons

[@spiderfan2003]

@@gabrielediconsiglio3206 understandable

[@BlazeThePhoenix2005]

I mean, when I was little, Season 6 was a bit of a hit or miss for me, cuz in every episode, it's like the colors have Like a little but faded and Alec Baldwin didn't do good as the narrator except for Michael Anglis

[@spiderfan2003]

Makes sense

[@MichaelS1995]

I don't consider 5 to be classic either as it didn't have Awdry stories or George Carlin's narration.

[@spiderfan2003]

Understandable

[@robbycastelli6486]

I love Seasons 6&7 still on Amazon Prime Video today

[@Lauren94twitch]

52 me too because its hit era id say at a push borderline classic but not classic series only series 1-5

[@spiderfan2003]

@Lauren94twitch I wouldn't call these seasons more their own era

[@a_blue_train]

I personally put S6-7 in there own era called "the gullain era" because those were the only seasons where gullain owned thomas but that's just my opinion

[@spiderfan2003]

@@a_blue_train that's a good idea

[@a_blue_train]

Thanks

[@joshuaW5621]

Unless we wanna count their tenure as the Britt Allcroft Company, which would lump in seasons 3-5 as well.

[@vehicleandanimalcrossovers]

Then the Jack & The Pack spin off fall under this category.

[@spiderfan2003]

@@vehicleandanimalcrossovers true

[@vehicleandanimalcrossovers]

​@spiderfan2003 Personally If we're gonna break up the class seasons into separate eras. We might as well do the following to avoid any arguments. Clearwater Features (Seasons 1-2) Britt Allcoft (Seasons 3-5) Gullane ( Seasons 6-7)

[@spiderfan2003]

@@vehicleandanimalcrossovers that's a good way to do it

[@vehicleandanimalcrossovers]

​@@spiderfan2003Wilbert Awdry considers Season 2 be the cut off point.

[@MovieTVPerson]

I guess you can call it The Gullane Era.

[@spiderfan2003]

That kinda works

[@dhomastheroblox1411]

I heard some people call it that

[@SuperMarioAurelio]

2:27 I thought Britt Allcroft left her own company due to Thomas And The Magic Railroad's failure

[@spiderfan2003]

No she's left before season 8, her involvement was just diminished in seasons 6 & 7

[@SuperMarioAurelio]

@@spiderfan2003 What if she never left at all

[@spiderfan2003]

@@SuperMarioAureliowho knows

[@joshuaW5621]

Sometimes I wonder if people even read the wiki when I see mistakes like this going around.

[@plaina3806]

If it has Britt, David, Mike and Junior it's classic era to me

[@spiderfan2003]

@plaina3806 That makes sense, and I understand that

[@TheGingerEngine]

Interesting take my friend. While I personally think they are a part of the classic era I respect your opinion on it. Well done on another great video ☺️🚂🚃

[@spiderfan2003]

@@TheGingerEngine thank you

[@user-ue2zi1kr3f]

Thomas and the Magic Railroad is not classic Thomas and for good reason it doesn't have the charm like series 1-5 due to how bland Thomas and his friends are and also because of how annoying the human characters are and it shows that Britt Allcroft didn't care about making them likeable characters because all the human characters have a brain of 3 year old.

[@spiderfan2003]

@user-ue2zi1kr3f I wouldn't go that far with the film, but I understand your perspective.

[@meciomontoya8440]

Well I think season 7 felt like a hit era because Michael Brandon in a different music

[@spiderfan2003]

@@meciomontoya8440 that definitely makes it

[@joshuaW5621]

I think that might only apply to the US dub, so outside of America and Canada it still has Mike and Junior’s music.

[@davydigger708]

@@joshuaW5621 It was originally supposed to have Mike and Junior's music in North America, but it's release here was delayed, and it coincided with the release of Season 8, so the music and format was changed to match Season 8 in the eleventh hour.

[@victorgaminglounge3967]

Ok In order not to go Nuclear all over your ass I’m just gonna make ONE THING PERFECTLY CLEAR. I do consider Seasons 6 & 7 as Classic Series Seasons. Even if the quality and presentation are the same. Everything behind the scenes is where it started to get bumpy. And not to go Nuclear all over your ass I decided to have The Classic Series have their own Eras. Here’s My take. Classic Series The Golden Age: Seasons 1-5 The Gullane Era: Seasons 6 & 7. There I saved the Fandom from having a heated argument like a bunch of whiny toxic babies that this fandom is known for when it comes to talking about the Classic Series ESPECIALLY with Seasons 6 & 7.

[@spiderfan2003]

@victorgaminglounge3967 That's a perfectly reasonable take, I mean, no negativity with this video, just expressing my thoughts. If someone considers them classic, I'm OK with it

[@GamerTTTEBrony]

I've always just kind of seen Season 6 and 7 as more 'transitional' seasons more than anything else. Obviously elements like the format (4.5 minute episodes) and Mike O'Donnell/Junior Campbell's music (at least in the UK for Season 7) are still in line with the classic era, but other elements like the model work/'style', many of the characterizations and how the morals are worked into episodes at the very least begin to sow the seeds of what would ultimately become the HiT Era. Still definitely enjoyable regardless though.

[@spiderfan2003]

@@GamerTTTEBrony agreed

[@Kermiboi]

I call them the gullene era becuse mostly there are some good episodes in 6&7 but mostly I put them in a different era because it doesn't put the key in the classic era

[@spiderfan2003]

@@Kermiboi makes sense

[@nickdegugs7190]

I don’t get it, are they not classic just because they came after TATMR and the old creators shifted influence a bit? Are there any characteristics of the episodes themselves that disqualify them as classics?

[@spiderfan2003]

@nickdegugs7190 Look, this is more of an opinion piece than fact. To me, I don't see them as classic no because of quality (I enjoy both seasons), but the timeline of events around them.

[@mr.minebloxdaylighttwinkle442]

Btw If stitch hasn’t told you yet, season 6 was originally going to be flat out magic railroad themed, and it was all edited and everything. Till the movie bombed was when they were told to change it to how it is now.

[@spiderfan2003]

@@mr.minebloxdaylighttwinkle442 I've heard, personally I don't really believe until I see any actual proof.

[@Nic_2751]

I highly doubt that, especially without proof

[@mr.minebloxdaylighttwinkle442]

@@spiderfan2003well that’s what he told me, unless someone out there was pulling off a prank.

[@joshuaW5621]

I’m seeing too many people blindly believing stuff they hear or read without proof these days, especially with that guy who said that the Unlucky Tug confirmed that BoCo was gonna return in the Royal Engine.

[@thecaledoniansleeper2648]

Seasons 6 and 7 both deserve to be their own era. After all, nothing after the year 2000 is considered classic, which means old or retro. No matter how old they were getting like 20 or 15 years old. It’ll be like calling the Nintendo GameCube or PS2 retro consoles.

[@spiderfan2003]

@@thecaledoniansleeper2648 agreed

[@HenryFan1911]

In YOUR opinion nothing after 2000 is classic. S6 and 7 still have the 4 min 30 second run time, music, and overall spirit.

[@thecaledoniansleeper2648]

@@HenryFan1911 It ain’t just S6 and S7. It’s anything in general. Post-Y2K things.

[@SparklingJam]

Honestly season 6 to me is dead hard a classic season Season 7 is mainly decided on the dub like with Brandon it feels like as unlucky tug would call it Proto-hit era

[@spiderfan2003]

@@SparklingJam I get that

[@oncimio7085]

in my opinion, i see season 6 and 7 as part of the classic era as i see whatever david mitton and the original team in i consider classic, but i do think that seasons 1-5 are classed for me as the golden era. seasons 6-7 are classic but not golden

[@spiderfan2003]

@@oncimio7085 that makes sense

[@trainboy48]

I personally think Seasons 6 & 7 also to a extended Jack and the Pack, are part of the Classic Era in some ways. Now I won’t say their part of the Golden Era, as they do have their flaws. But their not as bad as the later Hit Era: Season 6 does feel Classic to me, the Original score are still a banger, despite the morals being said out loud; most of the stories feel engaging, while a few characters personalities are off their still the same for the most part and even a though US dub is kinda downgrade compared to the extreme UK dub; (though I don’t fault Alec Baldwin at all and still enjoy his work) I still convince this season classic. Season 7 however doesn’t really feel Classic to me, because they changed Mike and Junior’s Score to Robert’s Score in the US. But the UK and other Internationals are at least Classic, though the morals are still spelt out loud; most of the stories are engaging, alongside a few characters being again slightly inconsistent and the narration is… well Michael Anglies did ok, Michael Brandon however is very good (though I wish they kept the Original Score with his Narration in tact; just like in Thomas and the Jet Engine so it wouldn’t be out of place). JATP…feels like a slow change, as we’re slowly about to transition to the Hit Era (even though it came out years later after the transition). Not to even mention this Spin Off was filmed alongside Season 7, the stories here actually feels a little more subtle, apart from Jack the other characters get some screen time and the Narration for both English dubs are spot on. So overall, all three of these maybe different compare to Seasons 1-5 (Golden Years) but they’re still part of the Classic Era. Again I wouldn’t say they’re part of the Golden Years, but I especially don’t consider it being part of the Hit Era (Dark Years). So I consider them to be part of the Gullane/Post Classic (Middle Years).

[@spiderfan2003]

Very fair points, I liked what you have to say

[@trainboy48]

Thanks dude, love this video!

[@spiderfan2003]

@@trainboy48 I'm glad

[@trainboy48]

@@spiderfan2003 Yep, I don’t really see fans talk about about Seasons 6 & 7 rather or not they are part of the Classic Era!

[@spiderfan2003]

@@trainboy48 thought I'd be unique

[@jonathanadair6847]

In my view, if people like David Mitton or Mike O’Donnell and Junior Campbell are involved, if the episodes are 4 and a half minutes, and if there’s no Steam Team, it’s a classic season. Say what you will about the massively underrated Seasons 6 and 7 , people, but they had some of the best episodes of the whole show and they are leaps and bounds better than the HiT, Nitrogen, and BWBA eras.

[@spiderfan2003]

@@jonathanadair6847 completely fair point

[@chavopatyfanstudios2005]

@@jonathanadair6847 tbh the steam team could have been removed

[@joshuaW5621]

I respect your opinion but I respectfully disagree with this. I can sort of understand why people would suggest that seasons 6 and 7 don’t really belong in the classic era considering the face designs from Magic Railroad stuck until the rest of the model series (which I’m surprised nobody else talks about), but there’s still a lot in these two seasons that do give off classic era vibes, such as the 4 1/2 minute runtime, Britt, David, Mike, Junior and Robert Gauld still being involved and the majority of the characters are still around like Duck, Donald, Douglas, Oliver, Stepney and Terence. If you ask me, this is enough to earn them a spot in the classic era. And also everyone I’ve talked to who worked on Thomas seems to agree with me regarding their status, so they count as classic seasons to me. I do still understand and respect the points you bring up in your argument and I appreciate that you decided to acknowledge that Britt Allcroft was still involved unlike those fools who think she left after TATMR because they didn’t bother to do any research. I guess we can agree to disagree on this subject.

[@spiderfan2003]

See, this is how you comment I definitely understand and respect your side and thoughts on my argument. I'm glad you brought up your points well

[@harrisonallen651]

The gullane era

[@spiderfan2003]

@harrisonallen651 is probably the best name for it

[@jaanshersaeed4541]

Could be seen as like transition seasons to the HIT era

[@spiderfan2003]

@@jaanshersaeed4541 makes sense

[@Tankengine4525]

In my Opinion I think season 1 - 7 are all classic but I like your mindset

[@spiderfan2003]

@@Tankengine4525 that's completely fair, not trying to change others minds but present my opinion

[@TheThomasFan2234]

Every season got the best and the bad, sooo... I really quite enjoy what i watch. And i don't mind series 6-7 wasn't the part of the Golden Era, cus' i think they still.. well, Thomas to me. Also, don't count on DOTD + S15 cause it's hilariously bad :/

[@spiderfan2003]

I do still enjoy seasons 6 and 7 I personally just see them as a different era

[@TheThomasFan2234]

@@spiderfan2003 Good for you :)

[@normallogankid]

I do neither agree nor disagree Hello you found me

[@spiderfan2003]

I get that

[@jackwheatley4776]

Season 6 and Season 7 are Hit Entertainment, I think.

[@joshuaW5621]

Season 6 was made before HiT bought Thomas.

[@spiderfan2003]

No season 6 was gullane

[@jackwheatley4776]

@@spiderfan2003 Oh ok.

[@Mattblox8080]

Yes they are

[@spiderfan2003]

That understandable

[@jimmymccartney2049]

Series 6-7(2002-03)

[@jimmymccartney2049]

Narrated by: Alec Baldwin and Michael Brandon 1966-1975

[@spiderfan2003]

@@jimmymccartney2049 yup

[@joshuaW5621]

@@spiderfan2003that’s all this guy really says.

[@robbycastelli6486]

I love Seasons 6&7 still on Amazon Prime Video today

[@spiderfan2003]

That's good

[@robbycastelli6486]

@@spiderfan2003 I’m glad you like them