Hugo the Hero

**Hugo the Hero** is the ninth episode of the first season.

## Plot

One morning, Thomas was dropping off workmen at Brendam Docks, as he was still thinking about Hiro, who had been away to his homeland for a really long time. Just then, everyone heard a whistle, which came from Hiro, who had just returned to Sodor to start work on the railway again. Hiro explained to Thomas why he was sent back to his old railway so the workmen there could fix him, and his friends have missed him too, as much as his Sodor ones. He also tells Thomas that he wanted to go back to Japan during his time on Sodor, but the Fat Controller wanted him to stay longer and take goods trains to the Mainland. As Thomas and Hiro went to Knapford, they were waiting for the Fat Controller to speak to them until they saw Hugo approaching the station. Hiro gasps with great shock and backs away as fast as he could, just as the rail zeppelin pulls into the platform. Hugo was perplexed why Hiro reversed away from him, as he recalls how he crashed near the rolling bridge on the Mainland, As his driver Franz was having a meeting with the Fat Controller, Thomas told him that he would go and find Hiro and bring him back so he could have a word with him.

Thomas finds Hiro hiding in Tidmouth Sheds and asks what the matter is. Hiro explained to Thomas that Hugo's propeller was dangerous, and he chose to stay away from him. He even states that it was illegal for an engine to have a propeller, and the only times he ever saw propellers were the rotor blades that helicopters would use, which reminds Thomas of Harold, as he was the only helicopter on the whole island. Thomas promises Hiro that by the time they go back to Knapford, Hugo will be gone. When they returned to the big station, they saw Hugo leaving the platform, heading back to the Mainland. The Fat Controller was grateful to see Hiro and assigned him his first job of the day. Later, Hugo waited at a signal until Hiro passed by without saying hello. Hugo was still puzzled as to why Hiro wanted to stay away from him as it went on for the rest of the week.

When a week had passed, Hiro was asked to take a slow goods train across the main line. He had to be careful, as he was the only engine available that was strong enough to pull such a heavy load. Hiro worked hard to pull the heavy train along the main line and up Gordon's Hill. As he reached the top, the Troublesome Trucks pushed him down the other side and around a bend. Hiro, now balancing on the single sleepers, is in a state of panic, and soon, his massive balancing act comes to an end, hurtling him into a bridge. He finds himself wedged against the undamaged rocks, rocking back and forth over the bottom rails. Hugo was on his way to Knapford when he saw Hiro, who began to lose his balance. Hiro warns Hugo not to come any closer but tells him to go get help. However, he slips, and Hugo rushes just in time to catch him with his very strong roof. While Hiro is thankful, he cannot get back on the tracks on his own, as Hugo's driver would call for help. Ryan brought Judy and Jerome to put Hiro back on the tracks. Hiro thanks Hugo once again and calls him a hero, much to Hugo's surprise. While Hiro was at the Steamworks, the Fat Controller sent Henry and Edward to take over pulling the goods train. Once Hiro was repaired, he told the other engines at Knapford about Hugo rescuing him. James recalls how the accident was very similar to the time when he landed on Philip's roof. The diesel boxcab asks Hugo how damaged his roof is, as the rail zeppelin tells him that his roof was a bit stained, but it did get scrubbed off at the washdown. Hiro tells everyone that it's a good thing his front bufferbeam only needed repairs, and Thomas asks if that means he'll stay on Sodor a little longer. Hiro responds to Thomas' answer, as he does miss his friends from his homeland, and Hugo as well. Finally, all the engines burst into laughter.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Edward
* Henry
* James
* Hiro
* Ryan
* Salty
* Philip
* Hugo
* Annie and Clarabel
* Troublesome Trucks
* Judy and Jerome
* Cranky
* Sir Topham Hatt
* Franz
* Gordon (*does not speak*)
* Percy (*cameo*)
* Emily (*cameo*)
* Rosie (*cameo*)
* Porter (*cameo*)
* Stafford (*cameo*)
* Bertie (*cameo*)
* The Dock Manager (*cameo*)
* Harold (*mentioned*)

## Locations

* Island of Sodor
	+ Brendam Docks
	+ Tidmouth Sheds
	+ Knapford
	+ Gordon's Hill
	+ Bridge Over Tunnel Runby
	+ Sodor Steamworks (*mentioned*)
	+ Vicarstown (*mentioned*)
		- Vicarstown Bridge (*mentioned*)
* Japan (*mentioned*)
* Germany (*mentioned*)

## Cast

* Andrew Leago as a Troublesome Truck
* AngelsandArachnids as Judy
* Bikliqi Studios as Thomas
* Crane Engine Studios as Ryan
* DarthWill3 as Salty
* DockTankDylan as Edward
* Dueling Express as a Troublesome Truck
* Electro Gamer as James
* Elliot Killick-Ward as Henry
* HeartCloud Productions as Annie and Clarabel
* Holden Stafford as Cranky
* Mason Hagen as Hugo
* MrMerlinFan02 as Hiro
* SteamTeam3211 as Sir Topham Hatt
* SudrianRailwayStudios as Jerome
* The expert 07 as Philip
* TheGermanofSodor as Franz
* Tineke Tilstra as a Troublesome Truck

## Trivia

* This episode marks the last of a few things:
	+ The last episode to have Mason Hagen as Hugo. Starting from Season 2, TheGermanofSodor will take over the role since he's from Germany.
	+ The second and last episode to have MrMerlinFan02 as Hiro, as well as the aforementioned character's last speaking role to date.
* This episode marks the only time of a few things:
	+ The only episode to feature MrMerlinFan02 as a leading role.
	+ The only episode where Hugo's driver Franz has a speaking role and appearance, although he was mentioned a few times during the Hugo story arc.
	+ The only appearance of the bridge over tunnel runby to date.
* The crash scene in this episode is based off the Season 19 episode, Philip to the Rescue. James also mentions the events of the aforementioned episode towards the end.
* This episode arc spans over A Foggy Day for Hugo and The Propeller and the Storm, whilst the events of the latter were mentioned in this episode.

## Watch Episode

Hugo the Hero (Thomas & Friends ERTL Adventures; Season 1; Episode 9)