Series 17 - Fans Opinions
Channel 5's Milkshake have aired ten episodes of the new series and it seems to be going well. Series seventeen is a very significant landmark for Thomas & Friends because it marks the debut of both a new writer and narrator, not only that but there is also new animators. As always the Thomas fandom is buzzing with opinions on the new series and most of them are very positive, here is a look at some we have managed to gather. A big thank you to everyone who participated in the making of this post.
SteamTeam: I think the seventeenth season is a massive step in the right direction. It's the first time I've genuinely looked forward to the next episode. Even Steamie Stafford which is widely considered the worst episode of the season so far, is a significant improvement on episodes we've been getting for the last few years. I'm sure with Andrew Brenner at the helm, things will only get better! The one bad thing about this season is the break in the middle -- can't wait to see more!
Thomas Stansfield: So far S17 to me looks better then its predecessor. There is some good character development that has a bit of a persona, Mark Moraghan sounds top notch and enthusiastic towards the show with his narration, the writing was good and the episodes are worth watching again and even though there is a bit of rhyming, alliteration and a three strikes formula here and there, it is not as annoying as S13-15 some fans need to know that episodes like 'The Sad Story of Henry' has a three strikes and it turns out great whether it was intentional or not. So that's my views on S17 so far. Plus, the animation was wonderful, Arc had captured Nitrogen's work well, along with their own touches here and there such as the grass
Adamandthomas1997: I may not know too much on what makes a good review when it comes to what your perspective is on a TV show, but I'll try my best.
First things first, I can tell by the new animation studio whom are creating the animation for the series have done a spectacular job when it comes to the aims to make the realism to what it would like in reality exceptionally high and in my opinion, more realistic than Nitrogen's animation.
I can tell that the writing of the episodes have gracefully improved with new writers for the series making the stories have more realism to railway standards (most specifically - Gordon Runs Dry) when it comes to the particular components that a steam engine has.
I know nothing about three strike formulas (don't ask) so I wouldn't know anything about that sort of stuff.
Overall, the series has built up a massive improvement over the last two catastrophe series (no explanation intended) and making the series get back to it's good roots.
DieselD199: The animation has improved in some areas, particularly in terms of the rendering of smoke and steam but the new shading (particularly on the faces) is inferior to Nitrogen's work. The direction has improved with large, sweeping camera tracks that take full advantage of the show being in CGI. The new writing style is unquestionably an improvement and I'm loving the fact that the series has really gone back to its roots in many respects. Mark Moraghan is a good narrator, initially I thought he was Angelis with something being slightly off. Overall I think this will prove be a much needed revitalisation to a series that was otherwise dying.
Patrick Foley: From what we have seen of series 17 so far, it supersedes it's predecessors on so many levels. I was apprehensive of all of the changes the series was facing but I think they have all come together really well and improved the series dramatically. Mark Moraghan has recouped the enthusiasm that sadly Michael Angelis had lost and Arc have stepped into Nitrogen's shoes nicely with fantastic, engaging camera angles that really add a new dynamic to the episodes. Furthermore the plot lines have been greatly improved, moving away from the endless repetition and monotonous rhyming.
I feel Nitrogen really tried to recreate the legacy of the models, but Arc are moving away from that and making full use of CGI, which is encouraging to see, they haven't attempted to copy Nitrogen, they have made their own style and I like it! Don't get me wrong I love a good sunset but I can't help but feel that Arc may have slightly overused the natural beauty of a sunset in the ten episodes we have seen.
I feel Nitrogen really tried to recreate the legacy of the models, but Arc are moving away from that and making full use of CGI, which is encouraging to see, they haven't attempted to copy Nitrogen, they have made their own style and I like it! Don't get me wrong I love a good sunset but I can't help but feel that Arc may have slightly overused the natural beauty of a sunset in the ten episodes we have seen.
Naturally it is pleasing to see Duck make a return to the series and appear for the fist time in full CGI, let's hope he remains in the episodes and doesn't appear for a few and disappear; I wonder if we will see any more 'extinct' characters make a return. We have been introduced to the majority of the new characters for King of the Railway,which is good as we already know their personalities.
Daniel Coffey: Alongside being previously reviewed by my character, The Coffey Reviewer, I will now be giving my personal opinions on the first half of the season.
Ever since Railway Mischief DVD, I was absolutely stunned at how much effort the series went through with new writing style, wonderful animation from ARC Productions, fabulous voice-acting and many more. And as for a favourite episode(s)? Well I had a couple so far; The Switch, Calm Down Caitlin, Gordon Runs Dry, Wayward Winston and Henry's Hero.
In conclusion, the first half of the seventeenth series of Thomas & Friends had a lot of value of entertainment and fun for kids of all ages, as well as numerous of fans of Thomas young and old."
Dalekslayer1: I thought season 17 was a vast improvement on recent seasons. A few details I like in the background of the episodes, were things as simple as Rosie pulling a passenger train and other characters appearing as well. Even though ducks appearance in 'Henry's Hero' was good, it wasn't the best thing to happen in the episode, for me the best bit was Henry pushing the failed Hiro up the hill. Overall Season 17 was a great season and is putting Thomas on the right 'Track' ( Pun intended!)
We must give a big thank you to all the people who have given their opinions, without them this wouldn't have been possible. It is not too late - If you want to have your opinion featured here, please contact us via our Youtube channel or via e-mail: thomastankcollectables@hotmail.co.uk. This is a discussion post so please leave a comment below.
