#thomas & friends HiT era

[friendly-emerald-emily]

molly is such a fascinating character to me. and surprisingly, not because of her content in the show. but her lack of content. molly really felt like to me she was supposed to be the break-out star of the HiT era. let me explain why.

in short, it's all down to marketing and merchandise. i'm a massive HiT era apologist, mostly because it's the era of ttte i grew up with, but as i was looking through my catalogue of merch, i noticed something...molly was popping up. a lot. weirdly so.

i have a good amount of those briarpatch ttte board games, and typically they were for 4 players, and as such 4 engines were provided to play as: thomas, percy, james, and...molly? at first it seems weird, but when you think about it, it makes sense. molly rounds out a quartet themed around red, green, blue, and yellow, and also adds in a female character. i think that last bit is important, but i'll get to it later.

so i went digging, and the 4 player briarpatch games pre-molly usually had mavis in her place, likely also to add female representation, just swapping yellow for black. there are a few exceptions, i recall seeing toby and harvey instead, but again, it was mostly mavis.

looking at more merchandise outside of board games in this era, molly got quite a bit of focus. she was part of a set of 4 bath squirters along with thomas, percy, and james, and what i find most shocking, she was one of VERY few engines to receive a trackmaster remote control engine. molly also was featured on a 2008 great discovery trading card, even though she only had one line in the entire movie.

after this, i went digging deeper into the world of the thomas microsites and online games, where molly also had a strong presence. the quartet of thomas, percy, james, and molly continued in the simon-says type memory game (i think it's called 'peep peep!'?) and molly also appeared in the emotions game, but this game featured 5 engines, and the fifth...was emily. remember my point theorizing that molly was focused on because she was a girl? here's where it's important.

this five engine ensemble of thomas, percy, james, molly, and emily is repeated again in the plug n' play game 'right on time', a game that i own and remember fondly. emily was chosen again to fill the fifth slot, and i think it's because HiT wanted to have a gender-equal ensemble a la bwba. and i think molly was chosen specifically not only because her yellow paint is unique and for her gender, but because she is probably the girl character at the time that had the most opposing personality to emily. as we all know during this time, emily was interesting and had flaws unlike SOME OTHER ERAS- portrayed as having a very strong and opinionated personality, which would easily contrast towards molly's more shy and sensitive personality. both have also been described as having sisterly attitudes towards other engines. i think HiT wanted to prove in this 5 engine ensemble that they had varied writing for their female characters.

for all of this, i think that molly WAS supposed to be a much more important character than she turned out to be, mostly because she was marketed so heavily and disproportionately than her screen time would lead you to believe. molly also appeared more often than the other HiT newbies (bar rosie), but that isn't really saying much with how little other characters like neville or billy appeared. i don't know why molly was dropped so suddenly when the set up for her seemed to be there? only thing i can think of is that emily had just been moved to tidmouth sheds right before series 9, and that they didn't want to repeat that process?? idk i'm just spitballing because i've been thinking about molly a lot recently. on a small related note, her basis is also very specific and her design is SUCH a standout compared to other new characters at this time, so clearly effort was put into her. i wonder how different the series would have been if molly was elevated to prominent secondary character status like salty or mavis, or even main character status!

tl;dr i think molly was originally going to be important but then she wasn't :(

[fireflameproductions]

How I feel when I hear the hit era roll call

[masterj]

When you think about it, Edward, Henry and Toby's mischaracterizations when HiT took over really aren't that different from each other...

Edward is supposed to be a kind, wise, experienced engine who is perfectly capable and competent despite his age and well already knows his place on the railway.

But in S6, the big engines go back to hating on him for no reason, and as we progress in the HiT era, Edward becomes all worrysome and pathetic, he is rude to others, and his INCOMPETENCE is THROUGH THE ----ING ROOF

(ex: Saving Edward, Thomas and The New Engine, Edward Strikes Out, Edward and the Mail and Steady Eddie)

Luckily, when Andrew Brenner replaced Sharon Miller as headwriter, we see Edward reform back to his true, proper character. But Henry and Toby weren't so lucky.

Henry used to have steaming troubles and was worried about being sent away until he was given welsh coal and after the Kipper Crash, he was give his new shape with a larger firebox and no longer needed special coal.

But HiT literally made worrying Henry's entire character and he also become pathetic and incompetent like Edward. Despite his new shape, the fact he no longer needed special coal was also retconned. It only gets worse in CGI as now he's scared of the dumbest of ----. Like, A TALIKNG SNOWMAN?!? CHICKEN POX?!?! 🤦‍♂️

(ex: Henry and The Wishing Tree, Henry's Lucky Day, Henry's Magic Box, Ho Ho Snowman and Henry Spots Trouble)

Toby is also a wise and experienced old man and mentor figure like Edward. The key difference is that Edward is much more the type to try and talk sense into others before making rash decisions and reprimends them when they misbehave. Toby is a chaotic neutral who puts the foolish and inexperienced in their place by sitting on the side lines to watch their spectacular failure before showing them how it's done.

But when HiT took over, Toby was RUINED. Like Edward and Henry, he becomes worrysome and down on himself and pathetic, and of course, things only get worse when we hit CGI. Toby is scared of woods cause... they make noise? Pretty sure woods do that but...

And then Toby can't understand signals? What?!? THIS OLD MAN has been on the island for HOW LONG and he doesn't know his signals?!? Who the hell is buying that? Signals Crossed is DEFINITELY Toby at his worst, and it's not even a Miller Era episode. Andrew Brenner may not have wrote it, but as head writer, I would've hoped he'd know better than to let it be greenlit.

Either way, Toby was BARELY in-character after the classic series and like Edward and Henry, he deserved better. 😔

[sirduck48]

Look at this smug little chap.

He is so pompous, I love him.

[13o7billionyearsinthemaking]

steam team are playing hide and seek?! I would like to see where the humanoid engines would hide especially Gordon and Thomas (if they are not seekers)

Even if they're not in jail they're too big and loud to anyway :/

[tatsunokoori-blog]

Ttte Headcanon #17

While there is some healthy competition in how useful engines can be on the lines, the whole "Steamies vs Diesels" debacle comes from mainly engines that are either afraid of being scrapped, or diesels that had it put in their smokeboxes that they were given to Sodor as replacements for the "old, decrepit" steam engines, mainly by the British Railway folks.

The diesels that were punished got karma'd hard for not working with the steam engines, and being prideful idiots. Likewise, steam engines that wouldn't work with diesels were disciplined with no work, and being shut-up in their shed. While Sir Topham Hatt will not scrap an engine, he most certainly will not tolerate misbehavior that causes disruptions to the railyard. It's a lesson that he's had to teach the engines more than once.

[spc-rambles]

I always love seeing people who highlight traces of nice sights in the Nitrogen era.

That said, I wish I could say this character growth was intentional, but sadly it's this and Thomas and James' friendship in this era, and the one before, that only came about because of the pressure of making preschool shows more candy coated.

Less of things like the engines saying 'shut up' or such bickering was pushed more at the time. In spite of even the bolder steps some kids shows took then, the more harmless ones got pushed in popularity.

Back to the Thomas/Gordon dynamic, if they had say... Andrew Brenner, Davey Moore and others were to write for the Nitrogen era more, I'm not saying the alliance wouldn't be explored more at all, just there'd be a little bit of disagreements or teasing here and there.

While we're at it, I might as well say seeing James and Thomas have friendly races sometimes was quite sweet in the Hit era.

[imitation-steamroller]

The more I rewatch the series, the more I begin to realize that I don’t really care about realism in Thomas?

Like, I have my limits. The bending and jumping and driving on the ground in All Engines Go still kind of bothers me, even two seasons in. But the engines being able to drive themselves, or the trucks bouncing, or even full on magic engines? I don’t really mind any of that. It’s all fun.

[jobsoldbootlace]

"Oh but she's annoying and mean I like her when she's nice and kind"

Henry can be nice and kind but no one ever seems to have a problem when he's acting like a prick. Strange this problem only ever seems to occur when it's a woman. Hmm...

“we need more complex female characters” there's still people in the fandom that hate her for being bossy yet gas up guys like Spencer and Alfred the nonexistent b12.

[friendly-emerald-emily]

GUYS

i am so smart. since everybody hates the old bridge (that one season 7 ep where skarloey is afraid of a bridge) i thought about re-writing it. because...i do think it could work with skarloey as a main character since anybody can get scared BUT. I AM TOSSING THAT OUT.

THIS SHOULD BE A NEVILLE EPISODE!

his literal first day, he dangles off the end of a bridge since no one liked him enough to warn him. definitely one of the worst starts any engine has had, but it makes PERFECT sense why neville would be afraid of of high bridges like the one in that episode. plus, this opens the door to pair neville up with a character that's willing to give him the time of day (first two that come to mind are edward and molly) and just. omg. i should write this. like actually.

[masterj]

[lomotunes2008]

Good thing it got saved :)

https://preservedbritishsteamlocomotives.com/20-0-4-0-furness-railway/

Came across this image today of Furness Railway no.20 being used as a playground

[alexanderwales]

The Digital Corpse

I always read about what school shooters or wannabe assassins have to say. I read or at least skim through manifestos, most of which are really poorly written and usually just have badly misunderstood ideas that are copy-pasted from diverse places. I read social media posts and discord logs, where available. Some of this is morbid fascination that I don't endorse, but some of it is the impulse to understand how and why a thing like this happened.

So I've been following the news on Trump's would-be assassin, and to all appearances he was just a kid who was bullied at school and didn't have a lot of hobbies, skills, talents, or friends. He wanted power and control and had no way to get it, and I think there's something to the notion that a lot of white men think that their whiteness or maleness means they're owed something. When Trump came to town, it was opportunity falling into his lap. If you're 20 years old and feeling like the world cares nothing for you, then yeah, I can see why you'd take your shot. It's a way of being famous, of going out with a bang, and young men often feel invincible anyway. The shocking thing is that it almost worked, and that seems to be down to incompetence and complacency.

But if it had worked, and they hadn't immediately shot him to death, he'd have gotten all the worst parts of fame (in addition to what would probably be life in prison). In death he's got intense scrutiny of everything he's ever posted online. There are reports about how sad and lonely he was. If he'd succeeded, maybe there would be some on the left who would idolize him, but as it stands ... I can imagine wanting to be megafamous, but I cannot imagine wanting it to be like this. It was almost certainly different in his imagination though, a grand moment that would give meaning to his life and demonstrate that he did, in fact, have power.

And of course the whole thing will be forgotten in a week or two. A year from now you'll say the name "Thomas Crooks" and people will say "huh, that ... do I know that name?"

On the other side of things, there's Corey Comperatore. He was the other person to die that day, just a random guy who had attended a Trump rally and got hit by a bullet because from one specific angle he was standing behind Trump. If Thomas Crooks left almost nothing behind to make sense of his life, Corey Comperatore left behind what feels like a lot. The fame is more double-edged. He's lauded as a hero by some, even if the only thing he did was catch a stray. Generously, that's a way of making sense of things: just like it's not enough for Crooks to be alienated and dejected, it's not enough for Comperatore to just be someone who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

But Corey Comperatore is also having his life torn open, or at least the parts of it that he put online. Posting online was something he probably did without thinking too much about it. The worst one, for me, was him saying that the Palestinians would "get over it" like the Japanese did. It's something I think about a lot in the social media age, the picture that people would get if they went looking through all our posts, if they were trying to make a picture of you from the things you've left behind. If you died in a very public way, what's the worst post you've ever made? What would people find ironic? But of course you don't need to die, we're in an era where anyone can get flash famous by random happenstance. And of course in the modern day we want the delicious little morsels, the worst thing you've ever said, the most ironic, most iconic, most infuriating sound bite that can represent a whole person. Anything more anodyne is pointless, even if that's the bulk of someone's life.

I'm probably a little unusual in terms of digital fingerprints. I'm active on discords, I've written some four million words of fiction, and my reddit comment karma is in the six figure range, which probably means that I've got something like fifty thousand comments. I talk a lot. But I do think about being torn apart like that, what would happen if I were famous for a day before the news cycle moved on, if there were hundreds or thousands of people trying to make sense of me.

When I die, if anyone has reason to go snooping through my history, I hope there's a good-looking corpse.

[greynatomy]

take me or leave me

leah williamson x reader

obsessed with this song. my musical era is back.

anyone here watched rent? if you want a visual of how reader kinda acts while performing, click this link.

masterpost

———

You met Leah when she attended an awards show two years ago. You’d sat at the same table and got to talking. She asked for your number and the two of you would be texting and calling all the time.

Eventually, she asked you on a date, taking you to dinner at a secluded section in the restaurant. That night was a night that you could never forget. She let you talk about your career and passions while you did the same for her.

You were from two different worlds, being well known in your own ways, but understand each other, for the most part.

Two years in, and your relationship still strong. You did have some arguments here and there, that’s normal, but what you learned over the years was how jealous she could get. It was amazing to have someone love you so much that they don’t want anyone coming in between that, but sometimes her jealousy becomes too much, like today.

You invited her and some of her friends to a night out with some of your friends. Your two worlds colliding once more.

Being in a relationship with you, she knew how many people ‘desired’ you. You’ve been a public figure since you were a teen. You’ve had costars who’ve tried to date you, others who openly flirt with you and always reassure Leah that she’s the only one you want. She knows that. Doesn’t mean she has to like the way men and women throw themselves at you.

Today was another one of those days, except this time her jealousy seemed to have amplified. Your friends traveled all the way to London to visit you, Leah inviting some of her Arsenal teammates, meeting at a little karaoke club.

Just an hour of being here, Leah’s mood sours. She keeps seeing people coming up to you, some were fans and some who ‘wanted to get to know you’ and not in a friendly matter. It came to a point where she started to ignore you, staying by her friends.

You’ve had enough of it, so you thought of a way to grab her attention. You grabbed your friend Alex and walked up to the person in charge of the karaoke performances. Leaning down to his ear, you whisper your song choice, he gives you a smile and a thumbs up.

“Alright, alright!” He announces on the microphone getting everyone’s attention. “We’ve got some broadway royalty with us today! Here to perform a classic from hit musical Rent, Y/N Y/LN and Alexis Thomas.

That got Leah’s attention. She directs her eyes towards the stage where you and Alex stood, microphones in hand. Leah or her friends didn’t know this musical, none of them have ever been into broadway musicals so they didn’t know what to expect. You knew this would get her more jealous, but this is what she gets for ignoring you.

Every single day I walk down the street I hear people say "Baby" so sweet

Ever since puberty Everybody stares at me Boys, girls I can't help it, baby

You look to where Leah sat, shrugging your shoulders.

So be kind And don't lose your mind Just remember That I'm your baby

You point a finger towards her.

Take me for what I am Who I was meant to be And if you give a damn Take me baby or leave me Take me baby or leave me

You take your coat off, revealing an outfit that shows more skin than Leah would like. You walk over to where she sat, draping the coat over her shoulders.

A tiger in a cage Can never see the sun This diva needs her stage Baby, let's have fun!

You walk around to your girlfriend, pulling her chair back and sit sideways in her lap, arm draped over her shoulder.

You are the one I choose Folks would kill to fill your shoes You love the limelight too now, baby

You take the strap of your top, slowly dropping it from your shoulder, teasing her.

So be mine But don't waste my time Cryin', "Oh honeybear Are you still my, my, my baby?"

Leah’s arms wrap around your waist, pulling you closer.

Take me for what I am Who I was meant to be And if you give a damn Take me baby or leave me

You turn in her lap, now straddling her, the hand not holding the microphone grabs the back of her neck, yanking her face to yours, nose barely grazing.

No way, can I be what I'm not But hey, don't you want your girl hot? Don't fight, don't lose your head 'Cause every night, who's in your bed?

She tries to hold onto you as you climb out of her lap. You place a hand on her chest, pushing her back and give her a flying kiss, walking back to the stage.

Who, who's in your bed? Kiss, pookie

Alex starts her part. You’ve both sang this song together so many times that the routine is muscle memory.

It won't work, I look before I leap I love margins and discipline I make lists in my sleep Baby, what's my sin?

Never quit, I follow through I hate mess, but I love you What to do with my impromptu baby?

She starts stalking towards you as you back up, running a finger up your arm. She grabs at your face softly, bringing your face close to hers.

So be wise 'Cause this girl satisfies You've got a prize, so don't compromise You're one lucky baby

Leah squirms in her seat, not liking how you and your friend are touchy, steam practically blowing out of her ears. Her friends start to tease her, jealousy easily seen in her face.

As the songs finishes, Leah is quick off her seat, rushing towards you. She grabs your wrist, pulling you towards what you assume the restroom. You turn your head towards your friends and Leah’s teammates, giving them a wink.

Shutting the bathroom door, she pushes you against it, leaning down so you’re face to face.

“What was that?”

“What was what?” You ask innocently.

“That’s little show you did there?”

“Oh, that.” You extend the ‘a’. “That’s just a little something me and Alex love to perform.”

“Was all the touching really necessary?”

“Yes.”

She looked at you shocked. “What d’you mean ‘yes.’”

“The only way I thought to get your attention after ignoring me all night.”

“People were all over you!”

“And what did the song say? Something like ‘Take me baby or leave me.’”

You give her a quick, but passionate kiss, pushing her away. Making sure to fix yourself it the mirror, you give her a wink, leaving a stunned Leah in the restroom.