Kevin's Cranky Friend

"I told the Fat Controller/Sir Topham Hatt and I'm telling you: I don't need any help, especially from a funny little crane like you!"

- Cranky to Kevin Kevin's Cranky Friend is the first episode of the seventeenth series. It is also the first episode to be animated by Arc Productions.

Plot
It is a busy day at Brendam Docks and Cranky is being very overworked. When Thomas arrives at Knapford late, Thomas explains the situation at the docks to the Fat Controller, who goes to investigate straight away. Once there, the Fat Controller sees the chaos and tells Cranky that he will get him some help. Cranky is adamant that he does not need help, but he accidentally drops a net full of lettuces causing the Fat Controller to leave and head to the Steamworks.

At the Sodor Steamworks, the Fat Controller asks to borrow Kevin. As they are not very busy, Victor agrees. Kevin is delighted at being given a special job and even more delighted that he will finally get to meet Cranky.

Thomas takes Kevin to Brendam Docks where the little crane wastes no time in introducing himself to Cranky. To Kevin's surprise, Cranky announces that he does not need any help especially from a silly little crane like Kevin. Cranky orders Kevin to stay out of his way. Kevin is sad, but Salty tells him that he will soon get used to Cranky's cranky ways.

Just then, Cranky drops some pipes onto the tracks. Kevin races to assist Cranky and soon has all the pipes piled up. Instead of being grateful, Cranky is more rude than ever and blames Kevin for the complete accident. Cranky then orders Kevin to go back to the corner of the quayside and to stop interfering. Then, Cranky drops some crates of chickens onto the tracks. The chickens break out of their boxes and run all around the docks. Once again, Kevin rushes to help and soon rounds up all of the chickens. Salty congratulates Kevin, but Cranky is less than pleased with Kevin sticking his hook in where it is not wanted again. He orders Kevin to go back to the corner of the dockside.

Thomas arrives and asks Kevin how he is getting on. Kevin explains that he does not think Cranky likes him. Both Thomas and Salty try to reassure Kevin that underneath Cranky's gruff exterior, there lies a heart of gold. Then, Cranky swings round and knocks over a barrel. The barrel rolls along the quayside and towards the sea. Kevin tries his best to stay put, but cannot resist trying to help. Unfortunately, Kevin is too late to save the barrel and follows it into the sea. Luckily, before Kevin can sink too far into the sea, Cranky fishes him out.

The Fat Controller arrives and is not pleased to see Kevin being pulled out of the sea. He tells Kevin that he should return to the Sodor Steamworks immediately as he is clearly not helping at the docks. Kevin is ashamed at being sent away in disgrace. As he trundles away, Cranky speaks up and tells the Fat Controller that it was not Kevin's fault; it was his. Kevin is amazed when Cranky goes on to call him a hardworker and really useful. The Fat Controller is satisfied and tells Kevin and Cranky to carry on.

After the Fat Controller has left, Kevin thanks Cranky for his kind words and asks if he should stay in the corner out of the way. Cranky finally confesses to needing a bit of help because two hooks are always better than one; Kevin is ecstatic and cheerfully goes about his work. Cranky is happy with Kevin's work, but wishes that he would not be so cheerful doing it.

Characters

 * Thomas
 * Henry
 * Salty
 * Victor
 * Cranky
 * Kevin
 * Sir Topham Hatt
 * Edward
 * James
 * Dowager Hatt's Friends
 * Big Mickey

Locations

 * Brendam Docks
 * Sodor Shipping Company
 * Brendam Warehouse
 * Knapford
 * Sodor Steamworks
 * Victor's Shed

UK

 * Ben Small as Thomas
 * Keith Wickham as Henry, Salty and the Fat Controller
 * David Bedella as Victor
 * Matt Wilkinson as Cranky and Kevin

US

 * Martin Sherman as Thomas
 * Kerry Shale as Henry, Kevin and Sir Topham Hatt
 * David Bedella as Victor
 * Keith Wickham as Salty
 * Glenn Wrage as Cranky

Trivia

 * Going by production order, this is the fourth episode of the seventeenth series.
 * At least at one point, it was the fifth.
 * This was the first episode for several things:
 * The first episode narrated by Mark Moraghan in both the UK and US, Lars Mikkelsen in Denmark, Robert Dreija in Latvia, Denis Bespaliy in Russia and Yuriy Hrebelʹnyk in Ukraine.
 * The first episode to have one separate narrator for Russia and Ukraine.
 * The first episode since the second series and finale episode, Thomas and the Missing Christmas Tree, to have the same narrator for the UK and a US dub, not counting that Pierce Brosnan was to be the narrator for both dubs of the twelfth series.
 * The first episode since the seventh series episode, Gordon and Spencer, written by Lee Pressman.
 * The first episode animated by Arc Productions and directed by David Baas.
 * The first episode to have Sam Wilkinson as Railway Consultant.
 * The first episode produced by Robert Anderson and Halim Jabbour.
 * The first episode in which Kevin can move his body.
 * The first episode produced by HiT Entertainment under ownership of Mattel after its purchase of HIT from Apax Partners on 1st February 2012.
 * The first episode where David Bedella voices Victor in both US and UK dubs.
 * The first episode to have Latvian, Lithuanian and Baltic Russian dubs.
 * The first episode aired on Kidzone TV in Baltic.
 * The first time a character is completely submerged in water. The next and last time would be Steam Team to the Rescue. This is also the only episode since Steam Team to the Rescue is technically a special, not an episode.
 * The main theme of this episode is similar to the song Back in Time by Huey Lewis and the News.
 * This is the only episode of the seventeenth series that has not been released on DVD in Germany. It is also the first episode since Gordon Takes a Shortcut from the twelfth series not to be released on home media in said country.
 * In an early version of the episode with temporary sound effects and no music, Thomas had a horn.

Goofs

 * After the Fat Controller leaves Brendam Docks, Henry disappears.
 * Throughout most of the episode, Cranky's ladder is on the wrong side.
 * James and Henry swap whistle sounds.
 * Bob Golding is credited despite none of his characters speaking.
 * When the Fat Controller first arrives at the docks, his car is being driven by Berite's driver.
 * In the Hebrew dub, Cranky mispronounces the word "וו" (vav, "hook") as "woo."
 * In the Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Baltic Russian and one of the Vietnamese dubs, the UK dub can be heard in the background as a dubbing track was not used.

Merchandise

 * Books - Kevin Meets Cranky
 * Magazine stories - Kevin's Cranky Friend

Home Media Releases
{{Scroll box|

UK

 * Railway Mischief
 * The Complete Series 17

DVD Packs

 * 10 DVD Boxset

US

 * Railway Mischief
 * Season 17

AUS

 * Railway Mischief

THA

 * The Lost Puff

JPN

 * Thomas the Tank Engine Series 17 Vol.1

CHN

 * Scruff's Makeover

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