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Henry Knows Best
Season 2, Episode 6
(#26)
HenryKnowsBest
Air date May 23rd, 2019
Written by Semaj5nodrog4
Episode guide
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Henry Knows Best is the sixth episode of the second season of the Many Adventures on the Island of Sodor.

Plot

Henry the green engine is one of the older engines working on Sir Topham Hatt's Railway. He knows everyone and everyone knows him. He's a very kind engine too and loves helping others. He's also an experienced engine and knows what to do in times of hard work and difficult situations. He also tends to worry about things as well, but that's because he is cautious and doesn't want to cause any trouble. Some engines think he does too much, but at the same time, they know Henry does what is right and is still a reliable and really useful engine.

One afternoon, Henry puffed into Knapford Yards, looking worried. Thomas and Emily were there and they noticed.

"Hello Henry," puffed Thomas. "What's the matter? You look a little upset about something?"

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing Thomas," puffed Henry. "It's just I overheard Sir Topham Hatt say back at the station that the Flying Kipper is due to go out tonight, and I just know that means he's going to want me to take it."

"Well, what's the problem with that?" asked Emily. "You always take the Flying Kipper and I never heard you complain about it before, so why are you worried about it now?"

"Because Emily," replied Henry, "I don't like taking the kipper for a secret reason that I don't tell too many other engines."

"Well if it's because of the smell of the fish," chuckled Emily, "then I think we all know that, Henry."

"Um, I don't think that's what it is, Emily," cut in Thomas. "Is it because you think the Flying Kipper is…bad luck?" he asked Henry.

"Yes, that's right," replied Henry meekly.

Emily was surprised. "What? That's silly. How is the Flying Kipper bad luck?"

"Well because, Emily," explained Henry, "I had a few accidents with the kipper that got me into trouble on a few occasions."

"Oh I see," said Emily. "Well surely they couldn't have been as bad as you're making them, or happened as much either."

"Actually," Thomas cut in, "they did happen quite often. For a while, it seemed like every time Henry took the Flying Kipper, he would get into some kind of an accident."

"Really? Is that true, Henry?" asked Emily.

"Yes it is," replied Henry. "Hasn't happened in a while, but definitely years ago it did." Then he started telling Emily about each time he had an accident with the Flying Kipper. "The first time I took it, snow had frozen some points and diverted me into a siding and I crashed into the back of a goods train. Then when I took it again, Duck was helping me up Gordon's Hill, but the tail lamp on the last truck fell off and he couldn't see me until it was too late then he crashed into the back of my train. Fish was everywhere that night. Then the third time I took it, the tide came up too high along the coastal track and I ended up plunging into the sea. So you see Emily, that's why I think the Flying Kipper is bad luck."

"Mmm, now I see what you're talking about," said Emily. "But they still couldn't have been that bad. Surely something good came out of one of those accidents."

"Well the only good thing that happened was after my first accident when I received my new shape and I no longer needed special coal, though some people still think I use that for some reason," replied Henry, "but all the other ones were bad luck for sure and there was nothing I could do to stop them."

"Uh Henry," puffed Thomas. "That last one you could've if you had listened to me about the high tide, remember?"

"Oh right, that's true. Sorry about, Thomas," replied Henry meekly. "But all the same time, after hearing all of this Emily, are you now convinced that the Flying Kipper is bad luck?"

Emily thought for a moment. "Mmm, sort of, but it sounds like it only happens to you, Henry. Maybe it's just you that has the bad luck."

"Well, don't forget," added Thomas. "James took the Flying Kipper a few times and he had some accidents too."

Just then James puffed. "What's this about me?" he asked. "Are you all talking about how splendid I look again?"

"No, James," grunted Emily. "We're talking about the Flying Kipper and how Henry believes it's bad luck."

"Oh that," muttered James. "Well I can't believe I'm saying this, considering Henry worries all the time, but he's right about that. Each time I took that train, I had some kind of mishap as well. First time, Cranky was clumsy and dropped fish on me, ruining my paintwork and making me smell awful. Then the second time, Gator scared me and I ran over some faulty points and I plunged into the pond at the Fenland track."

"Well that wasn't Gator's fault," Thomas cut in cheekily. "You just got scared and ran away screaming."

"It doesn't matter," scoffed James. "Point is, I don't know who's been saying what around here, but that Flying Kipper is bad luck and as long as I'm not taking it, I personally don't care. So if someone has to take it, I say good luck, and I do mean that literally." Then James puffed away.

"See Emily?" puffed Henry. "Even James agrees. Now are you convinced?"

"A little bit, to be honest," admitted Emily slowly. "But surely that doesn't happen every time someone takes it. I mean, you've taken it a lot lately and you haven't had an accident, right Henry?"

"That is true," agreed Henry, "but you can't be too sure that I won't have one tonight, Emily. So that's why I'm worried it might happen again."

"Oh Henry, don't be silly," huffed Emily. "You just need to calm down and think positively. I'm sure if you do that, everything will be fine, you'll see."

Henry sighed. "I hope you're right Emily. I really hope you're right. I just want to be safe that's all." Then Henry puffed away. Emily just rolled her eyes at Thomas then they puffed away as well.

Henry worried about the Flying Kipper all day. He tried hard not to think about it, but no matter how much he tried, it just didn't work, and not even the encouragement from the other engines helped too. That night, Henry was making his way to Brendam Docks to collect the Flying Kipper. He was still not looking forward to it, but he was trying to think positively as well, though he wasn't doing a very good job of it.

Soon he arrived at the docks, looking around for the train. Porter came puffing up.

"Hello Henry," he whistled. "What brings you down here at this time of night?"

"I've come to collect the Flying Kipper, of course," replied Henry. "I wish I didn't have to take it, but I know I must."

Porter was surprised. "Oh, uh…I guess you didn't get the memo earlier today, did you?"

Henry was puzzled. "What memo?"

"Well, you're actually not the one taking the kipper tonight, Henry," explained Porter. "Someone else is."

Henry was surprised. "What?! Who else is taking it? I'm usually the engine that does. Is it James?"

"No," replied Porter, "but the engine is here now, if you want to see who it is." So Henry puffed along.

He soon came across the train then when he got to the front, he was surprised. There coupled to the train was Emily! Henry was most surprised.

"Surprise Henry!" she whistled.

"Emily?!" Henry exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"Well I thought about what you said earlier today and if you're really worried about taking the kipper that much, then I'll take it for you instead," explained Emily. "I talked to Sir Topham Hatt about this too and he was fine with it."

"Har, har, har," chuckled Salty. "Now that is a true act of kindness right there, me hardy. Quite nice of you to do this for shipmate, Emily. A fine lass, you are."

"Thanks Salty," smiled Emily.

"So Henry," added Salty. "Take a load off your pistons and how about heading home for a good night's sleep, huh? I'm sure you probably need it from all the fretting you did today."

"Well, I guess I could," puffed Henry, who was still a little puzzled, "but Emily, are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"Of course I do, Henry," smiled Emily. "Plus, I want to try taking the kipper to see if it really is bad luck or not."

Henry was about to say something, but just then the dock manager came up.

"Emily, before you go, I have some news for you," he said. "I received word that the fishermen at the Fishing Village have caught a whole batch of fish and they wanted to add it to the Flying Kipper. Sir Topham Hatt agreed to, so as you're heading that way with the train, please make sure that you stop by the Fishing Village to collect the fish and deliver it to Vicarstown by morning. Can I count on you to do this?"

"Yes sir, you can count on me," replied Emily.

"Very good. Well best of luck to you." Then the manager nodded and walked away.

But Henry was worried. "You better be careful when you go down that line Emily," he warned. "That's where I had one of my accidents after the high tide damaged the tracks, remember? So you may want to be cautious going down that line in case something happens again."

Emily was getting annoyed with Henry now. "Don't worry Henry," she huffed. "I'll be fine. Besides, I thought Thomas said that accident was your fault for not listening to him and I'm sure there's nothing bad down that line this time. So thank you for the warning Henry, but I'll be fine and I think you need to go back to the shed and get a good night's sleep like Salty said."

Henry was still not sure, but he conceded. "Well alright then Emily. If you're sure, then good luck. Just want to make sure you're being careful." Then Henry puffed concernedly away.

Franklin, who had been loading Emily's trucks, came up to her. "Hey uh Emily," he chuffed, "I couldn't help overhearing what you said to Henry just now and I just want to say, you may want to take his advice. I mean, I know Henry worries a lot based on what I've seen from him, but he may know what he's talking about in this case, since he has taken the Flying Kipper many more times than you have."

"Well even if he does know, Franklin," huffed Emily, "he needs to learn to calm down and stop worrying. He's been doing this all day and it's rather annoying. Besides, for all we know, everything will be fine tonight and maybe he's wrong about the kipper. So I know what I'm doing in this situation."

"Well regardless of what you think, chuck," said Carly, who was looking out to sea, "you may want to take Henry's advice anyway. Big Mickey and I are having a look out to sea and we can see fog in the distance."

"Yes," added Big Mickey, "and it looks like it'll be coming this way soon. It'll be on that coastal track you'll be going down too, Emily. So yes, be careful when you go there tonight."

Emily was getting fed up. "I said it once and I'm saying it again: I will be fine! So please, stop worrying all of you. I have a headlamp too you know, so I'll be able to see through that fog and I won't have any trouble."

"Okay Emily," puffed Big Mickey. "If you're certain about this, then suit yourself and good luck."

"Aye, we're just trying to help, chuck, that's all," added Carly. "Don't come crying to us if something happens to you, because we certainly can't, you know? Because we're cranes and can't go anywhere?" Carly was trying to lighten up the mood, but Emily just sulked as Franklin continued to load her trucks.

Meanwhile, back at Tidmouth Sheds, all the engines were returning home and getting ready for bed. Henry was already there, but he wasn't the least bit tired.

"Hmm, you seem pretty active right now, Henry," noticed Edward, as he turned around on the turntable. "Is everything alright?"

"For now it is, yes Edward," replied Henry, "but I'm not sure about later."

"What do you mean by that?" asked Edward.

"I mean since Emily is taking the Flying Kipper tonight instead of me, I'm not sure she knows what she's in for," explained Henry.

"Oh don't tell me you're still worrying about that silly kipper?" groaned Gordon. "You've been boiler-aching about that all afternoon and frankly, I've had enough of it. Besides, if Emily's taking it, why are you still concerned?"

"Because Emily hasn't taken the train before," huffed Henry, "and even though she says she can handle it, I'm not sure she's aware of the trouble that train can cause. So I'm staying awake in case something happens to her."

"Well that's nice that you're looking out for your friend Henry," puffed Edward, "but I think you may need to leave it alone and get some rest now. I'm sure Emily will be fine."

"But what if Henry is right, Edward?" asked Percy. "What if the kipper does have bad luck and something happens to her? It happened to James too, so the same thing could happen to her and then there will be confusion and delay."

"Don't worry about it Percy," soothed Thomas. "There won't be any of that tonight, and you know how to prevent that from happening? Taking the mail on time."

Percy smiled and felt better. "Yes that's true, Thomas," he puffed. "I better get going in that case." Then Percy puffed away to collect the mail.

"Well, as I said earlier today," huffed James. "As long as I'm not taking the Flying Kipper, I personally don't care and just want to get some rest, so good night." Then he moved back into the shed.

"I quite agree James," added Gordon, "and you should do the same Henry, and if you are going to stay up worrying all night, then at least do it quietly." Then he moved back as well.

"Don't worry, Henry," whispered Thomas. "I'm sure Emily will be fine tonight. She's very smart and clever and she can prove that the Flying Kipper has no bad luck. So try to get some sleep tonight." Then Thomas moved back as well.

Henry wanted to believe Thomas, but he was still not positive about the situation, so he stayed outside the shed and waited to hear of any news about Emily.

Meanwhile, back at the docks, the fog arrived and Franklin had just finished loading the last crates of fish into Emily's train.

"Alright Emily," he chuffed. "You're all loaded up and ready to go."

"Thank you Franklin," puffed Emily.

"And also," added Franklin, "for Henry's sake and ours again, Emily, please be careful tonight, especially since the fog is here now."

"Argh, yes indeed," agreed Salty. "Safety first, lass. This fog be thick as soup, so you'll definitely be needing your lamp while going along that coastal track."

"Thanks for the warnings again, everyone," chuffed Emily. "I must go now. Good-bye." Then with that, Emily set off with the Flying Kipper into the night.

Soon after Emily left the docks, the fog was letting up and she could see better. "Hmm, looks like I won't have to worry about the fog after all," she thought as she continued on, feeling pleased with herself.

Emily was making good time and soon made it to Suddery Junction. There she stopped at a red signal. Just then she heard Percy coming up with the mail.

"Hello Emily," whistled Percy. "How are you doing with the Flying Kipper?"

"I'm doing quite well," replied Emily. "Haven't had any trouble yet and staying right on time."

"Well that's good to hear," replied Percy, "but you may want to be extra careful now. You're about to go on the mainline, so it'll be a bit more challenging for you."

Emily chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind Percy," she puffed. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," replied Percy. "I must be off now, so good luck, Emily. " Then Percy set off again and Emily set off too.

Soon Emily was making her deliveries all around Sodor and was right on time. She didn't run into any trouble or mishaps and delivered the fish to all the right destinations. She was even early with her deliveries too and the stationmasters at each station were impressed.

Emily felt pleased with herself. "Henry was wrong," she thought. "There's no bad luck with the Flying Kipper. He's just worrying too much, like I said."

Meanwhile, back at Tidmouth Sheds, all the engines were asleep, except Henry. He still stayed outside the shed and was waiting to hear of any news about Emily. His driver and fireman stayed awake too, keeping his fire going and drinking cocoa to stay awake.

Just then Percy returned from taking the mail. "Hello Henry," he said. "Fancy seeing you up this late. Are you still worried about Emily?"

"Well, not worried, per say Percy," replied Henry. "I'm staying up in case something happens to her. Have you seen her by any chance?"

"Yes I have," replied Percy, "and she's actually doing quite well. She hasn't had any trouble yet as far as I know and she's right on time too. So maybe, the Flying Kipper isn't all bad luck after all, Henry, and maybe you have nothing to worry about." Henry was surprised. "Why don't you try getting some sleep now?" added Percy. "You'll be tired tomorrow if you don't, you know. It'll do you some good." Then Percy went into the shed and got ready for sleep.

Henry wanted to take Percy's advice after hearing what he said, but he was still not convinced that everything was going to be okay with Emily.

Meanwhile, Emily was approaching the coastal track and on her way to the fishing village. "Well, just a few more stops after this one, and then I'll be done for the night," she puffed, "and best of all, I haven't run into any trouble…" But she cut off when she realized she was heading into the fog again and this time, it was a lot thicker than at the docks. Emily was surprised. "Oh dear," she thought. "This fog really is thick. I can barely see past my buffers. Oh, at least my lamp is helping a bit." And she continued on.

However, unbeknownst to her, further down the line was trouble. The tide had risen so high on the beach that it swept away some of the sand and ballast that was underneath one of the tracks and the lighthouse keeper had left a red lamp near the line warning engines of it. But the fog was so thick that when Emily was approaching the area, she missed the lamp and when she could finally see again, it was too late.

"Oh no!" she cried as she sank onto the rails and plunged into the sea and stopped. Luckily, no one was hurt and the kipper was safe, but the sea water had gotten into Emily's cab and had put her fire out instantly. Now they were stuck.

Emily felt terrible. "Oh bother," she sighed, "and everything was going so well too. I was so close to making it through the night without running into trouble." Then she thought for a moment. "Maybe Henry's right: perhaps the Flying Kipper has bad luck anyway, and I had to learn the hard way. What a silly engine I am.”

“Don’t worry, Emily,” soothed her driver. “It’s not all your fault. The fog was an issue too. Besides, at least we’re still technically on the rails, so we shouldn’t have much trouble getting you and the kipper out of the sea. I’ll go and call for help.”

Then Emily thought for a moment. “Mmm, could you call one specific help in that case?” She asked. “I...kind of want to make it up to that person, er, engine.”

Her driver smiled. “I will certainly request for that,” he said. “I’ll be right back.” Then he went to call for help, as Emily waited in the sea, feeling quite embarrassed about the whole situation.

Back at the sheds, Henry was starting to fall asleep and tried to stay awake. His driver and fireman could tell.

"Henry," said his driver. "We've been up all night and we haven't heard anything. I think it might be time to give up and go to sleep, don't you think so?"

Henry was hesitant, but then he agreed. "Yes I guess you're right," he yawned. "I guess, maybe, the Flying Kipper isn't all bad after…" But just as he was reversing back into the shed, he was suddenly alerted by tires screeching. Then they looked over and saw Sir Topham Hatt arrive in his car, wearing his pajamas.

“Ah, evening all,” he yawned. The other engines woke up.

“Oh what is with everyone having something against a good night’s...” spluttered Gordon, until he saw who it was. “Oh, evening sir. Ha ha, is it morning yet?”

“No not yet, Gordon,” grunted Sir Topham Hatt. “I’ve received word about an emergency regarding Emily.”

The other engines were worried. "What happened sir?" asked Thomas.

"Well let's just say the Flying Kipper has struck again," puffed Sir Topham Hatt. "She ran into trouble with the fog around the coastal track and now, she's stuck in the sea and she surprisingly ask helped from Henry." The other engines were surprised but Henry grinned. "So if I were you, Henry," added Sir Topham Hatt, "I would go and help her right away."

"Right you are, sir," puffed Henry. "I'm on my way." Then Henry set off and went to find Emily. "I knew there had to be some bad luck with that train after all." But he said that to himself.

Emily was still sitting cold, lonely, wet and miserable in the sea as she waited for Henry. "I just know when he sees me, he's going to say something about all this," she muttered.

Just then she heard a whistle and looked up and puffing up next to her was Henry. Henry couldn't help laughing. "Well, well, well," he chortled. "So much for proving the Flying Kipper isn't bad luck after all, eh Emily?"

Emily squirmed. "He, he, yes about that, Henry," she began meekly. "I guess I was wrong about that. Perhaps this train does have bad luck after all. I'm sorry for not listening to you about that."

"Oh well, it's alright," puffed Henry. "We can live and learn. At least you and the train are still on the rails and the fish is safe, so it won't be any trouble pulling you out of the ocean. I'll go head and switch onto your line and I'll have you out of there in no time."

"Thank you, Henry," sighed Emily happily.

Soon Henry was coupled up to Emily and the Flying Kipper and slowly and carefully, he pulled them out the sea and back onto dry land. "Now," chuffed Henry. "How about we finish this trip together and be careful this time?"

"I couldn't agree more," smiled Emily, then the two of them set off again for the Fishing Village.

After a little while, they finally made it there. The fishermen were delighted to see them.

"Hello you two," said a workman. "Glad to see you two made it. We were wondering what was taking you so long."

"Well let's just say Emily got a little sidetracked and I had to come and get her back on track," chuckled Henry.

"Oh ho, I see," chuckled the workman. "I thought maybe she went swimming with the fishes for a while." Then he smelled something and laughed. "Ugg, and from the smell of her, I take it she did anyway." Everyone laughed, and even Emily managed to smile a little bit, even though she felt embarrassed.

After a little while, the rest of the fish was loaded up into the trucks and then Henry and Emily were on their way again to Vicarstown. They hurried along the line as fast as they could, trying to make the delivery before morning. It was harder than Henry anticipated since he was pulling Emily and the Flying Kipper at the same time, but he managed. At last, with the sun beginning to rise when they arrived, they made it to Vicarstown, tired but triumphant and both were pleased that there was no other mishaps.

"Phew," sighed Emily. "We made it."

"Yes indeed," agreed Henry. "Took all night, but at least we made it on time and the Flying Kipper is safe, and we're finally done with it too."

Just then Sir Topham Hatt walked up. "Good morning you two," he said. "I'm pleased to see you're alright. I heard all about your little mishap in the sea, Emily, and all I can say is: now you know the trouble that can happen with the Flying Kipper, don't you?"

Emily blushed. "Yes sir, I do," she sighed.

Sir Topham Hatt chuckled. "Well, on the bright side, everything went well in the end and there wasn't too much confusion and delay, so you're alright." Then he turned to Henry. "And thank you for rescuing Emily, Henry. I thought you staying up all night ensuring that she was safe was a bit too much, but in this case, it was worth it. So thank you for being prepared to help her. You really are a useful engine, and a very cautious and safe one too."

"Thank you, sir," replied Henry. "I'm always happy to help another engine in need."

"Indeed you are," said Sir Topham Hatt. "Now let's get this kipper unloaded and off to the town." Then he sniffed. "Ugg, and out of my sight and sense." Henry and Emily chuckled.

Then Emily turned to Henry. "Henry, about what I said to you earlier last night," she said. "I really am sorry for not listening to you about your warnings. I just got fed up with you worrying about the Flying Kipper so much and didn't want to listen to you, but now I know you were just trying to help."

"That's alright, Emily," soothed Henry. "To be honest, it wasn't so much that I was worried about you taking the Flying Kipper because of it's bad luck, but it was more of you getting into trouble on the coastal track. Like I said, I had an accident on that line before and I learned from my mistakes, so I was just trying to help you out, that's all. Also, I just wanted to make sure you were safe."

"Well you certainly did that, Henry," smiled Emily, "and you know what? Even though you do tend to worry and be cautious too much sometimes, that's a good trait with you. You always look out for others and you do what you can to make sure that others are safe. So I agree with Sir Topham Hatt: you are a really useful engine and a very careful and safe engine as well."

Henry smiled. "Thank you Emily, I appreciate that," he puffed. "So what do you think of the Flying Kipper now?"

"Huh, well after the experience I had," puffed Emily. "I certainly agree that this train is bad luck and as long as I don't have to take it again, that's fine with me, and it should be in the hands of an engine that knows how to handle it, like you Henry."

Henry chuckled, just then Gordon came up with the express. "Oh you two aren't still aren't going on about the Flying Kipper, are you? Honestly, you've delivered the train and it's done now, so just leave it a…" Then there was trouble. One of the workmen lost his footing and he tripped on his trolley of fish and it tipped over and poured fish all over Gordon's front and buffer beam. "Ugg!!!" cried Gordon. "The indignity!!! Oof, and the smell too!"

Henry and Emily laughed. "I think Gordon's finally got his taste of the Flying Kipper's bad luck too," chuckled Emily.

"Yes I think he has, Emily," agreed Henry. "Just wait until he has to take the train himself. Then he'll really be in for it. Right Gordon?" Gordon sneered, but the two other engines just laughed, and even though people say he worries too much, they know that Henry really does know best and he is definitely a really useful, and safe engine indeed.

Characters

Locations

Trivia

  • References and flashbacks to the television series episodes, The Flying Kipper, Fish, Something in the Air, The Smelly Kipper and the television series special, Tale of the Brave are made in this episode.
  • Going canonically by the television series, this episode marks Arthur's first appearance since the twelfth season television series episode, Steady Eddie.
  • This episode marks Big Mickey's only speaking role in this season of The Many Adventures on the Island of Sodor.
  • Henry’s line about people thinking he still needs special coal is an inside joke as between the tenth and fifteenth seasons of the television series, he was said to still be using special coal, despite having that fixed years ago.
    • This issue was finally resolved in the television series special, King of the Railway.

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