TV.com

show: Goosebumps

episode: Strained Peas

The Bottom Line: "Terrible"

It's common for Goosebumps to have cheesy effects, par acting and screenplays, but it's uncommon for episodes to sink this low. The actor who played Nicholas isn't any better in this than he was in It Came from Beneath the Sink!, another disappointment in acting and writing. The dialogue needed work. The parents acted exceptionally stupid, not looking for help right away in that sort of situation. Either there was something really wrong with their baby or son, or both. The effects also sank to a new low in this episode. I was originally excited for this since it's a concept I'm sure everyone could relate to, but it didn't pull it off in that way and turned out to be a serious letdown.

show: Goosebumps

episode: Bride of the Living Dummy

The Bottom Line: "Fair"

Slappy comes back, without any explanation. He exploded last time, but he came back. He has some clever dialogue, and still shows that he's evil, like when he locks the dog in the case or traps Harrison in the bathroom. But apart from that, it wasn't like his other famous appearances. It differed greatly from the book, and the whole "I want my bride" bit didn't make much sense with Mary Ellen not being part of his scheme in the adaptation after all. It can be seen as a very abridged version of the original story. On the plus side, there were nods to previous episodes, such as the presence of Rocky's busted head from the last installment, and the obvious episodes Katie and Harrison were watching. The ending was also a good way to wrap up the storyline too.

show: Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends

episode: Emily`s Rubbish

The Bottom Line: "Superb"

Ever since I heard of Whiff's concept and saw his model, I knew his character would be a success, and it was. Whiff's first lines were classic. He sort of represents me in a way, as the nerdy kid who is known to pop up and try to befriend pretty girls! The chase scene was hilarious, particularly when Emily rushes into a tunnel, and then reverses with Whiff in her face. It was very nice - and surprising - to see Neville, Elizabeth and Murdoch. I thought those faces were gone for good (which they are again, but at least Neville appeared for a second time!) Gordon, Spencer and the other engines had great lines, and the way the narrators said them and added the sounds of disgust was ingenious. Most importantly, everyone was in character. Emily reacted the same way most girls react when they meet me! Henry, James and Gordon greatly portrayed the kind of people who simply look down on you while at the same time enjoying how you suck-up to them. Whiff was truly the most original character I've seen since Mighty Mac, and this was probably the most original episode since - ever! Two thumbs up!

To top it off, Whiff has glasses like I do! It's like looking in a mirror...

show: Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends

episode: Thomas & The Storyteller

The Bottom Line: "Fair"

It was 2005. A new season of Thoams & Friends was beginning with a story of Percy showing an artist around Sodor to inspire him. Two years later, in the same spot as that story, comes one about Thomas showing an author around for inspiration. It's just very unoriginal. And "Percy & The Oil Painting" at least had the artist giving good excuses. "Too green", "Too tall". Here, Thomas said the same set of words for every excuse. It was at least nice to see the engines having realistic problems (James breaking his coupling rod in his "guaranteed connection"), but it would have been a lot better if even more originality was used for this remake.