Tuesday 18 September 2018

Season 22: School of Duck

I’m no Duck fanboy or anything. Heck, I wasn’t even bothered if he’d appeared after season 12. But after this, I honestly think he deserves more.


This was Thomas, Percy and Old Slow Coach done right. The plot was more focused, the characters were better and at least Dexter has more of a chance to have more screen time than Slow Coach (who deserved so much more than she got).

The theme was great also. I’m very impressed that they managed to weave one of the UN’s goals into the show in a natural, logical way. I also like that a seemingly random conversation between Reg and Duck actually led to the plot’s resolution. Even the trumpet wasn’t forgotten about, being used as a makeshift flower pot.

Dexter is also a really nice character. It’s a bit of a shame that he’s not a GWR-based coach, but I can understand that budget and time constraints would prevent that. It also makes more sense to use an NWR style coach rather than a Furness Railway or GWR Clerestory randomly appearing. But he’s a character that would make children want to go to school, and that’s lovely. Plus, Mark Moraghan provided an excellent voice for him. I’m glad he’s been given a new role now the narration is done by Thomas.

The episode was also rather funny. Reg playing the trumpet and Duck’s interaction with Gordon being particular highlights.

It’s a bit of a shame that Ryan was nowhere to be seen since he works on the Harwick extension as well as Daisy, but I can understand if he had no reason to be in it.

Also, and this is less an issue with the episode, but it’s an issue that it brought up. Why can’t Toby just have two coaches? Why does Henrietta have to be excused out of a story for Hannah to be used? The first time I can understand: it was the main focus of the episode. But this time?

Better yet, why were the Slip Coaches with Edward? Why are characters in really random locations these days? It completely devalues the locations they’re supposed to be at. Philip, for example, works at Knapford yet stays at Wellsworth. Why doesn’t he just work at Wellsworth? Thomas working everywhere makes sense (sort of) since he’s the character the show now revolves around.

Final Thoughts
This was a really good episode. Duck is at his most endearing, and shows that he cares despite his no nonsense Great Western attitude. The theme is important since these kids will have to be responsible for the messes that the idiotic older generations have left behind.

It basically does everything a good episode needs to do.
Rating: Great (9/10)

1 comment:

  1. With Hannah's appearance i have a theory this episode might have been originally written for season 21 but with BWBA got cut and salvaged for this season. Either way glad it did. Best Duck episode since his return.

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