Cranky Bugs

"You should see the situation from Cranky's point of view. He's high up in the air, coping with wind, rain and baking sun, then he looks down and sees you two little engines being annoying! No wonder he calls you bugs!"

- James

Cranky Bugs is the first episode of the fifth series. In the US, it aired with Horrid Lorry in an episode of Storytime with Thomas.

Plot
Thomas and Percy enjoy working at the docks, but find themselves one day delayed when a new crane named Cranky starts pushing his weight around and calls them bugs. Thomas and Percy inform James and Gordon about Cranky and are surprised to know the big engines agree with him; while Gordon believes that cranes need a lot of attention like him, James tells Thomas and Percy to think about how Cranky feels - he is high up in the air and has to cope with inclement weather, and then looks down on the two engines annoying him.

Matters are made even worse when Cranky finds out Gordon and James agree with his ways, causing him to be more bossy. He tells Percy to shunt some trucks closer to him. Percy is too upset to concentrate and he pushes the trucks too far, leading Cranky to drop a crate of sand on top of Percy. Cranky then tricks Thomas by telling him to shunt his flatbeds to the outside line, so that it will be easier for Cranky to load up. As Thomas does so, Cranky leaves the loads beside the trucks, rather than in them. This series of setbacks causes confusion and delay, which makes the Fat Controller most upset with the aforementioned incidents. Unfortunately, he is unaware of Cranky's bad behaviour, so he assumes Thomas and Percy are responsible, and sends the two tank engines to their sheds to consider how they will improve themselves the next day. Thomas and Percy are both also upset, with Cranky.

That night, a terrible storm rages across Sodor. Henry, Gordon, James and Duck have taken refuge in the harbour shed. Duck is sure that they will be safe, but a tramp steamer loses control, runs aground into the dockyard and destroys the shed, causing the roof to fall in, trapping Duck and the big engines and knocking Cranky over in the process. When the storm is over, the Fat Controller tells Cranky that Thomas and Percy are coming to help him so that he can help the other engines. Cranky realises that he needs to apologise to the two tank engines and tells the Fat Controller to tell Thomas and Percy how sorry he is for being rude to them. The Fat Controller realises that Cranky is the culprit for the incidents and that he owes the two tank engines an apology as well.

Thomas and Percy come to the rescue, and Cranky is soon upright again and rescuing the engines from what remains of the shed. Cranky then mistakenly calls his rescuers "mites" and Percy - offended that Cranky has reverted to his insulting attitude - attempts to leave. Thomas warns him not to move as he's still attached to Cranky, but Percy accidentally pulls him down again.

Cranky still looks down on Thomas and Percy, but ever since that stormy night, he never causes trouble for them again, knowing they may bite back.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Henry
 * Gordon
 * James
 * Percy
 * Duck
 * Cranky
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Butch
 * Big Mickey
 * Diesel
 * Edward

Locations

 * Brendam Docks
 * Tidmouth Sheds

Trivia

 * According to the film slates:
 * The first portion of the episode at Brendam Docks was filmed between 23rd and 24th September 1997.
 * The scene of the big storm at the Brendam Docks shed was filmed between 2nd and 6th October 1997.
 * The last scene of the day after the storm was filmed between 6th and 7th October 1997.
 * The scene at Brendam Docks of the Fat Controller scolding Thomas and Percy was filmed on 7th October 1997.
 * The close-up shots of the Fat Controller scolding Cranky after the storm were filmed on 8th October 1997.
 * The close-up shots of the Fat Controller scolding Thomas and Percy were filmed on 16th October 1997.
 * The shots of the old tramp steamer were filmed on 17th October 1997.
 * Stock footage from Henry's Forest and pre-filmed footage from Double Teething Troubles are used.
 * Big Mickey, S.S. Vienna and Izzy Gomez from TUGS can be seen. The LT Warehouse that is first seen when Cranky leaves the loads beside Thomas' trucks was also seen in the TUGS episode High Tide, in the scene where Top Hat confronts the Z-Stacks at the Canal.
 * According to an interview with Mike O'Donnell, it took him and Junior Campbell at least a week to create the music for this episode. On average, it would take a week to create music for three episodes, but they found this task particularly hard as this was the first episode of the fifth series.
 * This is the first episode of several things:
 * The first episode aired by EBS in South Korea.
 * The first episode to be narrated by Alec Baldwin in the US, Gro Solemdal in Norway for the VHS, Tommy Kenter in Denmark and Kim Il in South Korea.
 * Butch and Cranky's first appearance in the series.
 * David Maidment's first episode as the railway consultant.
 * The first episode of Takeshi Aono voicing the Fat Controller in the Japanese dub.
 * The first episode to use the phrase, "confusion and delay," which would become the Fat Controller's catchphrase starting in the sixth series episode, Dunkin Duncan.
 * The first episode made without the help of the Rev. W Awdry himself since his death in 1997 or his son Christopher.
 * The first time that the Fat Controller's car is seen moving on-screen.
 * The first episode since the second series episode, Wrong Road to feature Gordon's second series shocked face mask.
 * The first time Thomas' suspicious face is used and the first appearance of his grinning face with a wider mouth and higher eyebrows which would be used mostly in the fifth series only along with his regular grinning face.
 * In the first shot of Brendam, there is a truck that has the number eight written on it.
 * The barrel the Fat Controller stands on near the end of the episode is the "Best Quality Diesel Oil" barrel from the fourth series episode, Bowled Out.
 * Concept art shows that Edward was originally going to be in the episode during the tramp steamer scene, but his role was replaced by Duck for some unknown reason. In the same concept art, the tramp steamer would have hit a fuel tanker that would have possibly resulted in an explosion.
 * Despite his appearance in the episode, Henry does not appear in the nameboard sequence at the end of the episode in the Japanese dub.
 * The wooden section of the Skarloey Engine Sheds appears at the docks.
 * The tramp steamer's horn is heard before crashing into the sheds in the US and other International dubs.
 * As Cranky tips over and falls, the straining metal sound is heard in the US and other International dubs.
 * This marks the last time Percy speaks in the series premiere until the eighth series premiere episode, although he does not speak until near the end of the episode.
 * An extended take of the opening shot shows Diesel shunting the goods train next to Thomas and Percy backwards. Had this made it into the final episode, it would have marked Diesel's only appearance in the fifth series.
 * Class 40's theme when he breaks down in Bowled Out is heard when Cranky rescues the engines stuck in the shed.

Goofs

 * When Cranky complains about the load and the engines, Thomas and Percy both have flatbeds in front of them. But when Cranky bangs the load down and the camera turns to Thomas and Percy, the flatbeds are not coupled to them.
 * Gordon's buffers and middle lamp iron are crooked throughout the episode.
 * Cranky has a gap between his face plate and eyes, after he drops the crate on Percy.
 * When Cranky says, "You must have known my arm can't reach you there!", the narrator says he was complaining, but Cranky is wearing his laughing face mask.
 * In the UK version, the narrator says that Cranky and the big engines were trapped by the docks, but Duck is not a big engine.
 * In some close-ups of Cranky, his eye mechanism is visible through his windows.
 * When Gordon says, "Thank you. What would I have done without you?" his lamp is not attached to his lamp iron.
 * Cranky's position at the docks changes between the day and night sequences.
 * Thomas's dome is crooked in some scenes.
 * In the Korean dub, Gordon's line "Oh thank you, what would I have done without you?" was translated as "크랭키, 너 때문에 살았어" (keulaengki, neo ttaemun-e sal-ass-eo), but that is considered poor grammar, and said sarcastically. Also, it translates to as "Cranky, I lived for you" and it makes no sense. "크랭키, 너 덕분에 살았어" (keulaengki, neo deogbun-e sal-ass-eo), should be the correct sentence.
 * When the engines are trapped in the shed, the roof is only covering James, Duck, and Gordon, but when Cranky is clearing the wreckage, all four of them were under the roof while it is being lifted.

Quotes

 * Cranky: You're/You are useless little bugs! If you put these trucks/freight cars on the inside lines, then I wouldn't have so far to travel!
 * Thomas: Rubbish! (We always arrange our trucks like this, and) No crane has ever complained before!
 * Cranky: Well, I'm complaining now!
 * [he drops his load on the ground]


 * Gordon: Cranes are airy-fairy things, they need a lot of attention like me, in fact.
 * James: You should have seen the situation from Cranky's point-of-view. He's high up in the air, coping with wind, rain, and baking sun. Then he looks down and sees you two engines being annoying! No wonder he called you "bugs"!


 * Cranky: (to Percy) Come on, come on! Push those trucks/freight cars closer to me!


 * Cranky: Push your trucks/freight cars onto the outside line. It's easier for me to load up.
 * Narrator: So Thomas did... but Cranky left the loads beside the trucks/freight cars, not in them.
 * Cranky: You must have known my arm can't reach you there!
 * Narrator: This mix-up caused confusion and delay.


 * The Fat Controller: Thomas and Percy, this new crane has an important job to do. I have heard that you have not been helping him today. You will go to your sheds and consider how you will improve yourselves tomorrow.


 * Narrator: Cranky and the engines were trapped at the docks.
 * Duck: We're sure to be safe in the shed!
 * Narrator: But he was wrong. The engines had no idea that they were about to be put in great danger by an old tramp steamer. [the steamer's horn honks in the US and international dubs only] It was out of control and running aground straight into the sheds. [The tramp steamer loses control, and accidentally crashes into the sheds, knocking Cranky over]
 * Cranky: [screaming] AH!!! (falls onto the tracks)
 * Henry, Gordon, James, and Duck: (trapped in the sheds) HELP!
 * Cranky: I CAN'T!


 * The Fat Controller: Thomas and Percy will help you, and then you can help the other engines.
 * Cranky: Oh, please. Hurry. And tell them I'm sorry I was rude to them.
 * The Fat Controller: So it was you. I owe those engines an apology.


 * [after Cranky has saved the engines in the shed]
 * Gordon: Oh, thank you! What would I have done without you?
 * Cranky: Well, I had to be rescued before I could help you, but I never thought it would be a couple of b-b-
 * Narrator: Cranky was about to say bugs, but he quickly corrected himself.
 * Cranky: "Small engines". Thank you, I'll never be rude again. However, you two mites are in my way, so move over!
 * Percy: Pah! He's back to bugging us! [lurches backward]
 * Thomas: Don't move! You're still attached to Cranky!
 * Narrator: But it was too late.
 * [Cranky falls again]

Merchandise

 * My Thomas Story Library - Cranky
 * Engine Adventures - Cranky

Home Media Releases
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UK

 * Rescues on the Railways
 * My Little Thomas and Percy Adventures
 * The Very Best of Thomas and Friends
 * The Complete Series 5
 * The Best of Thomas

DVD Packs

 * 10 DVD Boxset
 * Classic Collection
 * The Best of Friends
 * The Fogman and The Very Best of Thomas and Friends Double Pack

US

 * Cranky Bugs and Other Thomas Stories
 * The Greatest Stories
 * Races, Rescues and Runaways and Other Thomas Adventures
 * Thomas & Friends Classic Volume 5

CAN

 * Cranky Bugs and Other Thomas Stories
 * The Greatest Stories

DVD Boxsets

 * Totally Thomas Volume 3

PHL

 * A Better View for Gordon

AUS

 * Happy Ever After
 * The Very Best of Thomas and Friends
 * The Complete Series 5
 * The Best of Thomas and Friends - Volume 1

DVD Boxsets

 * 60th Anniversary - Limited Edition Boxset
 * Essential Collection
 * Complete Series 1-10
 * Classic Collection
 * Series Five and Series Six Double Pack

NZ

 * Happy Ever After

ZA

 * Cranky Bugs

GER

 * Thomas and His Friends Vol. 9
 * Show What You Can!
 * The Enigmatic Dragon

DVD Boxsets

 * Thomas and His Friends Box Set 2

NOR

 * Songs and Tales

MYS

 * Lady Hatt's Birthday Party and Other Thomas Adventures
 * Thomas and the Special Letter and Other Adventures

SWE

 * The Engine and the Gremlins

JPN

 * New Thomas the Tank Engine 2 Vol.1
 * The Complete Works of Thomas the Tank Engine 2 Vol.2
 * Welcome Aboard! Pleasant Fellow First Appearance On Sodor Island
 * 75th Anniversary Edition: Thank You as Always! Thomas & Friends Masterpieces

KOR

 * The Stories that Gives Enlightenment

DK

 * Thomas and the Ghosts and Other Stories

ITA

 * A Storm for James

SVN

 * James and the Trouble with Trees

GRC

 * A Day at the Station

DVD Boxsets

 * 3 DVD Boxset 2

WAL

 * Fleas and 15 other Stories

HK

 * Thomas and Friends Volume 11
 * Thomas and Friends Volume 12

THA

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 15

TWN
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 * Thomas and Friends Volume 2