A Cranky Christmas

"A Cranky Christmas" is the twenty-ninth Christmas episode of the PBS hybrid series Thomas & Friends, produced as the second episode of the show's nineteenth season (even though it was aired as the right episode).

Synopsis[]

It is Christmas time on the Island of Sodor and Thomas is delivering a load of salt to the Tidmouth Town Hall to prevent people from slipping on the pavements. As Thomas pulls into the Town Square, he skids on the icy rails. Edward reminds him that is what his sandboxes are for. He knows all about using his in icy conditions and has it refilled. Then, the Fat Controller arrives, thanks him for delivering the salt, and tells him that he has an even more important job for him. He sends him to the Docks to collect a special Christmas crate with a big, red strap which will kick off their Christmas celebration in style.

Meanwhile, at the Docks, Cranky is lifting a seemingly endless amount of crates until he gets to the special Christmas one. Unfortunately, as he is admiring it, a ship's horn makes him jump, causing him to drop it. He thinks he has broken its contents and quickly hides it behind other crates. Then, Thomas arrives to pick it up, but Cranky pretends he has not seen it. Thomas is concerned and hurries back to Tidmouth Town Hall.

The children cheer as Thomas pulls back into the Town Square, but the Fat Controller asks where the special Christmas crate is. Thomas tells him that Cranky has not seen it. The Fat Controller is confused and soon becomes worried when the Mayor of Sodor arrives, eager to see the special surprise. Thomas says he will go back to the Docks and search it from top to bottom if necessary. He backs away and Edward calls out to remind him that he has not refilled his sandbox, but he is in such a rush to get back to the Docks that he does not hear him.

Back at the Docks, Thomas starts searching, but every time he gets close to discovering the crate, Cranky moves more crates to hide it. Eventually, Salty spots it, much to Cranky's annoyance. It is loaded into Thomas' truck, and he heads back toward Tidmouth.

As he approaches the Town Hall, Thomas realizes that his sandbox is empty. He tries to stop on the icy tracks, but he can't. Edward pours sand from his own sandbox on the line in front of Thomas who is now able to brake successfully. Unfortunately, he does so too sharply and the special Christmas crate flies through the air and lands in the Town Square with a terrible crash. Thomas is sure he has broken its contents, but the Fat Controller inspects it, and everything is fine. Inside it is everything needed to set up an ice rink in the Town Square.

By evening, the ice rink is in full use, and everyone is having a fantastic time, except perhaps the Fat Controller, who has some trouble getting the hang of ice skating. The Mayor praises Thomas and when the Fat Controller slips over, Thomas suggests that he needs his own sandbox.

Later that night, Thomas goes to Brendam Docks to share his story with Salty, Porter, and Cranky. He explains that he was sure the contents of the crate were broken, but it was just the rattling of the ice skates inside. Everyone laughs until Cranky (without thinking) reveals that he thought the same thing when he dropped it earlier. Thomas is surprised, but Cranky tells him that that was why he was hiding it. Thomas is even more surprised to hear this. Cranky apologizes and requests that they all forget it since it is Christmas. Salty agrees and gets everyone singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" with the added line, "and a Cranky New Year!".

A Cranky Christmas

Synopsis[]

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