Gordon and the Gremlin

"What are gremlins?" "I've heard they're little green men who play tricks." "Can we find one?" "Pah! Gremlins don't exist! They're just an excuse when things go wrong and no one knows why." "If firelighter says there are gremlins, there are."

- Percy, Thomas and James

Gordon and the Gremlin is the sixth episode of the fifth series. In the US, it aired with A Better View for Gordon in an episode of Storytime with Thomas.

Plot
Gordon is having some problems with his fire early one morning, and the firelighter jokingly suggests it is due to gremlins. Despite being a joke, Thomas and Percy get excited, but James thinks it is nonsense. The engines argue about the issue until the Fat Controller arrives and informs the engines that he's got a VIP, "very important passenger", coming and she has heard a lot about how Really Useful the engines are. After Percy mentions "the gremlins" in Gordon's fire, the Fat Controller warns Gordon to be on his best behaviour as he is taking the VIP.

The goods yard's turntable malfunctions with the special coach on it, making Gordon late and causing his driver to think there are Gremlins on the turntable and Percy to think that they must be everywhere. However, Gordon makes up for the lost time and manages to get to Kirk Ronan on time. Thomas arrives with the special passenger and Gordon takes her to Wellsworth. On the way, Gordon goes at high speed, much to the passenger's disliking. She was even taking a bath and the water was going everywhere. At Wellsworth, the passenger's Dalmatian runs away after being frightened by Gordon's loud whistle and runs into Thomas' cab after confronting a bull in a field and rides there during the trip to the docks.

At Brendam, Thomas' fireman inquires about the dog's name, to which the Fat Controller's VIP decides to rename him "Gremlin" after the day's events. After the Fat Controller laughs at having finally met one, he reveals the woman is his mother and that she agrees with him about how Really Useful the engines are, to which he adds that his mother is always right.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Gordon
 * James
 * Percy
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * The Firelighter
 * Dowager Hatt
 * Oliver
 * Annie and Clarabel
 * Toad

Locations

 * Tidmouth Sheds
 * Knapford Yards
 * Oliver's Shed
 * Kirk Ronan
 * Gordon's Hill
 * Wellsworth
 * Three-Track Hay Field
 * The Bull's Field
 * Brendam Docks

Trivia

 * According to the film slates:
 * The scene on the Knapford Yards set were filmed on 11th September 1997.
 * The close-ups shots of the Fat Controller, Gordon's Driver and Fireman, and the Firelighter at Tidmouth Sheds were filmed on 15th September 1997.
 * The scene on the Brendam Docks set was filmed on 7th October 1997.
 * The close-up shot of Thomas' driver at the docks was filmed on 8th October 1997.
 * The scene on the Kirk Ronan Station set was filmed on 15th October 1997.
 * The close-up shots of the Fat Controller, Dowager Hatt and Gremlin at the docks and Thomas' driver on his cab at Kirk Ronan were filmed on 17th October 1997.
 * The scene on the Wellsworth set was filmed on 23rd October 1997.
 * The close-up shots of the Fat Controller and Dowager Hatt at Kirk Ronan Station, Gordon's whistle and Gremlin inside Thomas' cab were filmed on 28th October 1997, while the close-up of the guard at Wellsworth waving his green flag was filmed on 29th October 1997.
 * The close-up shots of Gremlin and the bull were filmed on 4th November 1997.
 * The shot of Gordon climbing Gordon's Hill was filmed on 8th December 1997.
 * Some deleted close-up shots of Gordon's driver inside the cab (which were used for Thomas and the Rumours) were filmed on 15th December 1997.
 * The close-up shot of Dowager Hatt taking a bath behind the coach window was filmed on 16th January 1998.
 * The shot of Gordon passing under a road bridge was filmed on 12th February 1998.
 * The scene of Gordon passing the Three-Track Hay Field and the close-up shot of Gordon's crew inside the cab were filmed on 10th March 1998.
 * Parts of this episode are inspired by an event that happened on the London Midland Region: During John Gregory's time as Chief Operating Manager of the LMR, the Royal Train was late departing Euston Station. To keep to time, the Train was diverted via Northampton and ran at 100 mph as far as Hanslope Junction. The excessive speed caused the Queen's bathwater to hit the ceiling of her carriage. This anecdote was given to the production team by David Maidment, Gregory's successor.
 * This episode marks Dowager Hatt's first appearance, as well as her only appearance in the fifth series and her only speaking role until the ninth series episode, Thomas and the Birthday Picnic.
 * The Fultan Ferry from TUGS appears at Brendam Docks. This was its only appearance in the series. Along with the close-up model from the TUGS episode Quarantine is used, as well as the actual Fultan model.
 * This is the first time the bull is seen, and the first sudden zoom-in of it as it roars.
 * Aside from Thomas' definition of gremlins, a few meanings include 'an unexplainable problem or fault' which is what the firelighter meant when he could not light Gordon's fire, or imaginary mischievous sprites who are responsible for problems, as stated by James. This is a reference to the 1984 horror comedy film Gremlins.
 * There are a few deleted scenes that did not make it into the final cut, Those Include:
 * A deleted scene of Gordon's crew asking the firelighter what gremlins are.
 * A deleted scene of the Fat Controller smiling as he tells Gordon to collect the VIP.
 * An alternate shot of the Fat Controller telling Gordon to not do high speeds.
 * A deleted scene of Percy puffing in the yards with his trucks.
 * An extended scene of Percy passing Gordon who is waiting for the turntable to be mended.
 * An extended scene of Percy puffing out of the yards with his trucks while saying that the gremlins must be everywhere.
 * Some deleted scenes of the Fat Controller telling Gordon that the turntable has been mended and that he could collect the VIP.
 * Some deleted shots of Gordon's driver in his cab telling him to slow down. That scene was used in Thomas and the Rumours.
 * A deleted scene of Thomas arriving at Kirk Ronan Station with Annie and Clarabel carrying the VIP.
 * Some deleted shots of the Fat Controller at Kirk Ronan Station.
 * A deleted scene of Gordon watching Thomas leaving Kirk Ronan Station with Annie and Clarabel.
 * An extended scene of Gordon puffing up the hill while carrying the VIP.
 * A deleted scene of Gordon arriving at Wellsworth Station with the VIP.
 * An extended scene of Gordon pulling into the station with the VIP.
 * A deleted scene of the Fat Controller and Dowager Hatt watching Gremlin run into the field.
 * A deleted scene of Gremlin sitting down in Thomas' cab.
 * A deleted scene of Thomas, the Fat Controller, Dowager Hatt and Gremlin at the Docks with the Fultan Ferry.
 * Some deleted shots of the Fat Controller, Dowager Hatt and Gremlin.

Goofs

 * In the first scene of Tidmouth Sheds, Gordon's left buffer (viewers' right) is crooked. The same thing happened when he left Kirk Ronan.
 * While Gordon is waiting for his coach at the yard, his tender is uncoupled.
 * When Gordon "puffed away with his special coach," there are two, but there was only one on the turntable. He is pulling two special coaches throughout the rest of the episode.
 * Thomas is not pulling Annie and Clarabel in the close-up of his driver.
 * When Percy puffs in with the coal trucks, the end of the set can be seen behind him.
 * The Fat Controller is smiling and there is a chip near his right eye (viewers' left) in his close-up of being concerned about Thomas being late.
 * At one point, camera equipment can be seen in the reflection of Gordon's tender.

Quotes

 * Firelighter: [looks at Gordon's fire] I don't know what's wrong. There must be gremlins about.
 * Percy: What are gremlins?
 * Thomas: I heard that they're little green men who play tricks.
 * Percy: Can we find one?
 * James: Pah! Gremlins don't exist. They're just an excuse when things go wrong and no one knows why.
 * Thomas: If firelighter says there are gremlins, there are.
 * James: Huh!




 * Fireman: What's the dog's name?
 * Dowager Hatt: Well, after today's events, I think I'll rename him Gremlin.
 * The Fat Controller: In that case, I've met one at last! [laughs]
 * Thomas: Excuse me, sir. But who is your very important visitor?
 * The Fat Controller: Why didn't I tell you? This lady is my mother. And she agrees with me: You are indeed really useful engines. And my mother, of course, is always right! [laughs again].
 * (UK only) Gremlin: Ah, woof, woof.

Home Media Releases
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UK/AUS

 * Spooks and Surprises
 * The Complete Series 5

UK DVD Boxsets

 * Classic Collection

AUS DVD Packs

 * Complete Series 1-10
 * Classic Collection
 * Series Five and Series Six Double Pack

US

 * Thomas' Trackside Tunes and Other Thomas Adventures
 * Thomas' Magical Musical Ride
 * Best of Gordon
 * Thomas' Halloween Adventures
 * Thomas & Friends Classic Volume 5

CAN

 * Thomas' Trackside Tunes and Other Thomas Adventures
 * Best of Gordon
 * Thomas' Halloween Adventures

DVD Boxsets

 * Best Tales on the Tracks
 * Thomas' Halloween Adventure/Percy's Ghostly Trick Double Feature
 * Thomas' Trackside Tunes and Other Thomas Adventures/Thomas and His Friends Help Out Double Feature
 * Thomas Gets Tricked and Other Stories/Thomas' Halloween Adventures Double Feature
 * Ultimate Thomas Collection
 * Best of Collection

NZ

 * Spooks and Surprises

JPN

 * New Thomas the Tank Engine 2 Vol.2
 * The Complete Works of Thomas the Tank Engine 2 Vol.4
 * Fun Animals on Sodor Island

KOR

 * The Stories that Gives Enlightenment
 * Character Special Edition Series Vol. 4

NOR

 * Stepney Gets Lost

GRC

 * The Trains Have Fun

PHL

 * Gordon and the Gremlin

SWE

 * The Engine and the Gremlins

GER

 * Thomas Animal Adventure

DK

 * Thomas and the Ghosts and Other Stories

ITA

 * Time for James

MYS

 * Toby and the Flood and Other Thomas Adventures
 * Thomas and the Special Letter and Other Adventures

WAL

 * Fleas and 15 other Stories

THA

 * Thomas and Friends - Volume 16

HK

 * Thomas and Friends Volume 11
 * Thomas and Friends Volume 5

TWN
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 * Thomas and Friends Volume 13

Gordon y el Duende גורדון והשדון ゴードンとおばけ Gabryś i Chochlik Гордон и Гремлин