Thomas the Tank- Chuffing racist?

[Stu R]

I'm convinced TTTE+F is actually a conspiracy formed by chiropodists and podiatrists.
Indoctrinate the kids from a young age and get them obsessed so the parents have to buy the die cast toys, make a fortune from toy sales and supplement your income using the steady stream of people who've ruined their feet trodding on the bloody things when getting up for a pee during the night.

I'm similarly suspicious of Lego.

[M3333]

darth_pies said:

Typical Grauniad stuff, bordering on parody. That said, loved the 80's TTTE as a kid and have started watching them recently with my son on Netflix.....have to say that some of the stories are really dark and/or morally dubious when you revisit them!

Check this out: The Sad Story of Henry

So Henry hides in a tunnel when its raining to protect his paintwork....and as punishment they brick the tunnel up to imprison him seemingly for all eternity, leaving enough of a gap that he can be mocked and derided by passing engines. And he's paralysed and unable to whistle because 'his fire went out' And thats how the episode ends!!

That is some bloody dark stuff for a kid's programme...but have to say I laughed out loud at the unexpected bleakness of it!

And yes the whole 'dirty diesel' us and them attitude is a bit hard to find merit in, although clearly not meant as racist.

I just watched that with my young nephew. First time i have seen TTTE in years and remember it fondly as a kid.

We both laughed our heads off at the silliness of it and for Henry being an idiot. I think some people are taking it all far too seriously!

[schmunk]

darth_pies said:

Typical Grauniad stuff, bordering on parody. That said, loved the 80's TTTE as a kid and have started watching them recently with my son on Netflix.....have to say that some of the stories are really dark and/or morally dubious when you revisit them!

Check this out: The Sad Story of Henry

So Henry hides in a tunnel when its raining to protect his paintwork....and as punishment they brick the tunnel up to imprison him seemingly for all eternity, leaving enough of a gap that he can be mocked and derided by passing engines. And he's paralysed and unable to whistle because 'his fire went out' And thats how the episode ends!!

That is some bloody dark stuff for a kid's programme...but have to say I laughed out loud at the unexpected bleakness of it!

And yes the whole 'dirty diesel' us and them attitude is a bit hard to find merit in, although clearly not meant as racist.

That's how the original story in the book ends, too. As noted above, he does later get released (but IIRC several months/years pass...

Edited by schmunk on Friday 25th July 09:17

[enjo]

Reading the Thomas wiki and it gave a link to tugs. I'd completely forgotten about that show. Might have to have a child now as an excuse to watch it again.

[BigBen]

I vaguely recall reading an article about how Rev Awdry would have been dismayed at the merchandising empire that TTTE has become as it was at odds with the way of life portrayed in the books.

[saaby93]

schmunk said:

That's how the original story in the book ends, too. As noted above, he does later get released (but IIRC several months/years pass...

c'mon dont keep us in suspense - where's the link

[jimKRFC]

Henry pulls the express - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJv-VAP6I74

[saaby93]

jimKRFC said:

Henry pulls the express - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJv-VAP6I74

Where's ringo gone - and whats the singing stuff in the middle?