My problem is that there’s no new character dynamics because we’re always focused on the same people. Pre Hit Era had a ton of dynamics with all the characters on Sodor. Anyone could run into anyone and the Island didn’t feel small.
The biggest issue with the Steam Team was that they were forced into starring roles that would have fit other characters. That, and the refusal to drop the Steam Team concept led to the biggest criticism of BWBA (Edward and Henry getting disrespectful sendoffs).
I’m just glad that there wasn’t a Steam Team in Seasons 1-5 and even 6-7. The Brenner Era wanted to make Thomas more classic but why didn’t they drop that stupid concept.
My issue with the Steam Team is that it is just those eight engines staring in stories. My solution would be to have multiple teams. The Steam Team would be Thomas, Percy, Toby Mavis and Daisy. The Tender Team would be Henry, Gordon, James, Donald, Douglas and Bear. The Old Iron team would be Edward, Boco, Bill and Ben. The Western team would be Duck and Oliver.
Now I’d wonder what team would Diesel, Arry and Bert, Diesel 10, Class 40, Arthur, Fergus, Murdoch, Molly, Whiff, Salty, Harvey, and Dennis would be part of.
I think the Steam Team could have worked if done right. Sadly like you said though after creating it they did basically give the middle finger to the other characters and Sodor locations. It felt like half of our beloved cast was retconned out of existence. Although HiT/Mattel somewhat came back to their senses bc near the end of the model era and the Andrew Brenner part of the CGI error old charters and places do start coming back. Donald; Douglas; Duck; Oliver; Toad; Sir Handle; and even Stepney come back near the end of the model era and Daisy actually guest stars in Calling All Engines. One question that has always bugged me for years is what did happen to Duke after season 4? Seemed liked the canon was he’s there with them in the present day episodes of season 4, even if he doesn’t say anything, yet he just vanishes into thin air after that. At least Sir Handle was given a storyline reason for his absence until season 10.
I feel like they should've just abolish the idea of steam team after hit era and give the others more spotlight but then bwba decided to brought it back again
I really HATE the Steam Team Concept ever since its conception in 2004 and I hope it was a Season 8 only thing and we might go back to what we had before come Season 9 (I was alas wrong). I also having a New Season every year without fail is the blame it felt more quality when they spaced out the seasons.
My issue with the steam team is that it makes things feel limited And the stories in the hit era kinda bland with using the same characters over and over again And it kinda takes away for doing more with the other side characters and having them be more explored or fleshed out more And what lots of people love from the early seasons, that beings every episode focused on different characters. This is why when Donald and Douglas return in Gordon and the the engineer or when in season 12 they brought back all the old characters Or when they gave Rosie a spotlight episode (that being Rosie’s funfair special) it was a nice change of pace.
@@spiderfan2003 i also feel like having more characters for different roles in episodes and using them more helps make sodor feel more of a real life big busy railway
The fact this came out right after the Unlucky Tug said the Steam Team was a problematic concept is coincidental isn’t it? Well anyways, your content is helping me out through my nana’s recent death.
