"Halloween"

Halloween
Series: Thomas & Friends Part of Season: 8 Episode Number: 21 Air Date: October 10, 2004 (UK) November 14, 2004 (US) Director: Stephen Asquith Previous episode: "Emily's Adventure" Next episode: "You Can Do It, Toby!"

"Halloween" is the twenty-first episode of the eighth season of Thomas & Friends. It aired on October 10, 2004, in the UK, and November 14, 2004, in the US.

Why It Rocks

1. When it comes to the HiT Entertainment model seasons, this is definitely a standout episode, particularly due to the fact that most episodes from these seasons are pretty lighthearted, whereas this one has a more darker tone.
2. The score played when Thomas and Emily arrive at the Smelter's Yard and during the chase scene is generally bone-chilling and therefore adds onto the episode's purely haunting tone.
3. The visuals, mainly the set design of the Smelter's Yard, are rather spooky and thus increase the episode's scary atmosphere even more.
4. Most of the characters are handled pretty well and feel like their true selves.
   • Thomas feels very in line with his depiction in the classic seasons in the way that he scoffs at the idea of ghosts existing, only to assume otherwise when he is frightened by what he thinks is one.
   • Percy also feels like his classic self with how he is scared by the thought of the Smelter's Yard and ghosts, but later laughs at Thomas, 'Arry, and Bert for thinking that Emily was a ghost.
   • This is one of the few episodes from the HiT model seasons that depicts Emily more like her depiction in the seventh season instead of in her flanderized bossy persona.
5. Other than the episode's darker tone, there a few other factors that make this a standout episode for the HiT model era, including:
   • The jobs that the engines do are more realistic.
   • The episode jumps straight into the plot instead of beginning with some filler intro.
6. This episode is one of the rare instances where 'Arry and Bert get punished for their naughtiness.
7. The narration from both Michael Angelis in the UK and Michael Brandon in the US is solid.
8. Production-wise, this is the finale of the eighth season and thus ended it on an incredibly high note, at least in production order.

Bad Qualities

1. Due to the fact that it is crystal clear what is happening throughout the entire episode, the story itself, while not bad, is not at all scary, which can be disappointing for a Halloween-themed episode, but the terrifying music, omminous visuals, and overall dark tone do thankfully make up for it.
2. Even though this is by no means their worst appearance, 'Arry and Bert are still depicted as the dumb bullies that the sixth season morphed them into. In fact, given the episode's eerie tone, this could have been a good opportunity to depict them as the homicidal pair that the fifth season introduced them as.

Reception

"Halloween" has received mostly positive reception from Thomas & Friends fans, with many deeming it one of the best episodes of both the eighth season and the HiT model seasons in general. It currently holds a rating of 8/10 on IMDb.

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