Thomas and Gordon, retitled to Thomas gets Tricked in American releases, is the first episode of the first season and the first episode of Thomas & Friends altogether. It was first aired in the UK on 9th October, 1984.
Plot
Thomas is a small tank engine, with six small wheels, a short stumpy boiler, a short stumpy funnel, and a short stumpy dome, he serves as Knapford's station pilot for the larger engines. Thomas' job is to collect the coaches for the tender engines, and then take them away when the engines need to rest after a long journey. Thomas believes that no engine ever works as hard as he does, this making him 'cheeky' towards the larger engines, mainly Gordon, the large express engine.
One day not longer after, Gordon returned from a long journey with the express and is tired afterwards, so he tries to sleep in the siding. Thomas then sneaks up on him, whistling loudly and telling Gordon to work harder. This startles Gordon who in return thinks of how to pay Thomas back.
The next morning, Thomas crew has a hard time lighting his firebox. Meanwhile Gordon is impatiently waiting for him at the station. Eventually Thomas arrives at the station and fetches Gordon's coaches. Gordon, in a hurry, tells the passengers to quickly get in, as he bumps into the back of the coaches. Before Thomas can be uncoupled from the coaches, Gordon starts, in a effort to pay Thomas back. It doesn't take long for Gordon's fast speeds to take a toll on Thomas who is quickly out of breath. Eventually Gordon stops at the station much to Thomas' relief, who is quickly uncoupled, a gets a long drink of water from the water tower. Poor Thomas, very tired, puffs home, and learns not to be as cheeky to Gordon next time.
Characters
- Thomas
- Gordon
- Henry (cameo)
- James (cameo)
- Clarabel (cameo)
- Troublesome Trucks (cameo)
- Sir Topham Hatt (cameo)
- Stephen Hatt (cameo)
- Mrs. Kyndley (cameo)
- Jeremiah Jobling (cameo)
- The Märklin Engine (On set of episode)
Locations
- Knapford
- The Pond Runby
- Tidmouth Sheds
- Knapford Bus Yard
- Three-Track Bend and Signalbox
- Henry's Tunnel
- The Viaduct
- Wellsworth
CITV Broadcast
The episode originally aired in the UK alongside Edward & Gordon, in a television block lasting 11 Minutes, 10 Seconds. The series was introduced by Sergeant Major Zero from Terrahawks, another of CITV's 80's shows. The commercials that aired directly before the broadcast, were one for Frosted Flakes, Antartex Clothing Store, Fashions Me Doll, and L&C Home Builders. After the Broadcast ended, Lieutenant Hiro, another character from Terrahawks announced that "Their will be more stories about Thomas The Tank Engine and his friends next week, and in-fact, every week through the autumn at 4 O'Clock on Tuesdays. They remind me of Zeroids". Note: The Zeroids that Lieutenant Hiro mentions are a type of robot soldiers from Terrahawks, Sergeant Major Zero is one of these.
PBS Broadcast
When the episode aired it was paired up with the spinoff series "Shining Time Station" episode "A Place Unlike Any Other" It was later paired with the Episode "Stacy Forgets Her Name."
Gallery
Episode
