Happy Birthday, Sir! (Thomas & Friends)

"Happy Birthday Sir!" is the nineteenth episode of the sixteenth season in TV order, but the twentieth and final episode of the sixteenth season in production order. It premiered on December 25th, 2012 in the UK despite being produced in 2011.

Why It Rocks

 * 1) This episode really stands out from most of the other episodes from Series 8-16 and is one written by Sharon Miller when working on the series as head writer.
 * 2) The animation from Nitrogen Studios is still great.
 * 3) Brings back the charm of the first eight seasons. Both this episode and "Blue Mountain Mystery" ended the dark age of the series on a high note.
 * 4) Winston is portrayed brilliantly as his dynamic with Thomas is very well written.
 * 5) It has the unique concept about Sir Topham Hatt's birthday, and that it's story behind it is surprisingly good and quite so unpredictable. Winston is impressed with how Sir Topham Hatt rode in an old carriage after Edward first came to Sodor, and he is prone to not giving up until he finds the old carriage.
 * 6) The plot twist: The old carriage was left abandoned after Sir Topham Hatt's first ride with Edward when he was young, but it turns out it was in the Whispering Woods this whole time.
 * 7) Actually, with "The Christmas Tree Express" being the last from Seasons 12-16 in UK television broadcasting order, this is truly the last episode of Season 16, but in production order.
 * 8) Thomas is much more likable in this episode. Unlike in most episodes of S12-16, where he is portrayed as an idiot, here he feels more focused and serious about his job and is understanding with Winston later in the episode. After this episode he's become more likable as a character once again.
 * 9) Great voice acting in both the UK and US voice cast as usual.
 * 10) Splendid soundtrack.
 * 11) Because this is the last episode of Season 16 in production order and on the UK Season 16 DVD, it ends S8-16 on a high note.
 * 12) Salty's story involving Sir Topham Hatt as a little boy and when Edward first arrived on Sodor is like an actual eventful story. The flashback itself does rely on adding in some elements from the Railway Series.
 * 13) The ending is amazing: When Edward puffs in with the Fat Controller's carriage he rode when he was a child since Thomas and Winston were the ones to show him the reason he was late, Sir Topham Hatt is so happy, he thanks Thomas and Winston for giving him the best birthday he has had.

Bad Qualities

 * 1) We still keep the usual amount of narration, like any other Miller era episode, but thankfully since this episode is the last episode of Season 16 in production order, it was intended to be in the UK DVD that was released in 2015, we go back to the episodes that thankfully reduced the amount of narration.
 * 2) Although unintentionally, the way Thomas bumps Winston unintentionally was kind of dangerous considering he nearly injured Winston's driver.

Trivia

 * A variation of "Go, Go Thomas" plays throughout the episode.
 * Currently, this is the only time Winston is seen being driven by someone besides Sir Topham Hatt.
 * This episode aired before "Blue Mountain Mystery" was released, meaning that the audience may not have known who Winston is.