Rusty to the rescue review

Rusty To The Rescue review:

This is going to be one confusing review. Ok, 5 points on the board and let's hop to it.

x 5

This episode starts with Rusty rolling along next to... The Bluebell Railway, wait what? Since when did the Skarloey Railway start running alongside the Bluebell Railway and since when is the Bluebell Railway a place on Sodor?

x 4

Ok, I know that may be confusing, but if you have done your research or read "Stepney, The 'Bluebell' Engine", you will know that the Bluebell Railway is a real railway in England that does not have any 2.3 inch tracks, plus the Skarloey Railway just comes to a stop at Lakeside station and clearly does not go off the island. Well, this Bluebell Railway seems to be on the island, but my point is still valid because the Skarloey engines can't leave the railway on their own accord. Right. Back to it. While Rusty is having a drink, Thomas passes by and sees the little diesel's driver worried. Ok? Question, what is Thomas doing there? Well, that's the least of the episode's flaws so I guess we can overlook that. So Rusty asks his driver what is going on, and he says that the railway needs a Bluebell engine. Later, Rusty meets up with Douglas and Percy... For some odd reason. Unusual pair of engines, heck they don't even run on the same branchline together and the place where Rusty meets them isn't even at Crovens Gate, but again, least of the episode's problems. Rusty asks Douglas where he found Oliver and he decides that he needs to go to the other railway... What?! Ok, time for math here. Deduct a point for being inconsistent with the RWS order, (Enterprising Engines takes place after Stepney The "Bluebell" Engine, but here the stories "Escape" and "Bluebells Of England" are in the wrong order.) deduct another point for the Skarloey Railway tracks being able to reach the other railway, deduct a 3rd point for going in a completely different direction to the RWS story "Bluebells of England", and add a point for Rusty's bravery. So, deduct 3 points, add 1.

x 1
x 2

Anyway, after Rusty's driver agrees to the plan and they leave for the other railway... And for some reason it takes them until nightfall. Ok, Rusty is smaller then the engines on the NWR, so I'm guessing I can let that slide. Anyway, when Rusty gets there, the other diesels try to intimidate him, but he doesn't let them push him around. Ok, give him a point for that.

x 3

Rusty is allowed to find the engine in the sidings and he convinces the engine to return with him to Sodor... With his engineer as the other engine's fireman for some reason. Ok, deduct a point.

x 2

How on earth can Rusty get back to Sodor without his engineer? Did he have another passenger on broad that just so happened to be an engineer as well? Anyway, after the other engine, now know as Stepney, steams up, they head back to Sodor. They have a welcome for Stepney and he is now able to work on the Bluebell Railway.... Which is on Sodor for some reason. Since I already deducted a point for that, I guess I don't need to do it again.

Final thoughts:

Ok, so this episode has a number of problems. But... While I am meant to dislike this episode, I really, really like it.

"Huh? But I... What?!"

Heh, well, let's break this down. Would Douglas be hesitate to allow someone to go to the other railway? Well, yeah. He would have been scrapped there, had he not escaped and doesn't want any of his friends to get hurt either. Would Rusty put himself at risk to save a steam engine from scrap? Without a doubt, yes! In fact, this is the only time I've ever seen a diesel try to save a steam engine from scrap, and it's Rusty's best character development to date in canon work. And that's what draws me to this episode. Every engine is in character and you certainly can't go wrong with that.

Final score:
Episode's enjoyment level/medal: Gold
Episode's quality/stars: 1 star
Other notes: My guiltiest pleasure ever in "Thomas And Friends"

I do think that this episode can be adapted into the RWS quite easily. You just need to change: The main character to someone else who would fit the main role (Bear, BoCo, Daisy or Mavis maybe.), the "Bluebell Railway" to a part of Sodor, (Like say, the Kirk Ronan branchline or the Norramby branchline.) who is going to be rescued (You could throw in Neville, Molly, or some other TVS steam engine within reason or an OC if you wish.), and possibly switch some other supporting characters in there. Also, find an appropriate year for that story to take place in, change some of the dialogue, patch up some other parts, stitch it altogether and there you go, RWS episode.