Aftermath

**Aftermath** is the first episode of the third season of the Stories of Sodor and the thirty-sixth episode overall.

Aftermath/Transcript

## Plot

As the full cost of the Second World War was added up, it was clear that much work needed to be done to rebuild. On the bright side, the engines were relieved with the war being over. Meanwhile, a new government had come to power in Britain that had promised to bring sweeping reforms and a brighter future for the nation.

Six months after the 110th Platoon returned to Sodor, Gordon and Toby are debating on the new welfare system that the government wants to introduce. Eric and Toby think it's a good idea, but Gordon doesn't think so. Toby convinces him that the welfare system is helping people such as the unemployed, sick and war veterans. Gordon concedes that while it is fine, it could still cause problems. Gordon decides to get his goods train to Barrow-in-Furness, but before he goes, Toby tells him about something that's over there.

When Gordon arrives at Barrow, he finds Thomas and Whiff next to a flatbed with a German tank engine on it. Gordon says Toby warned him about it, but still can't fully believe what he said about the face. Thomas thinks the Germans painted faces on all of their Märklins, which explains why they all looked the same. Whiff says it will the main attraction of a victory tour across the UK. Thomas jokingly says they might end with it dumping the engine into the sea. Just then, Adam goes by with a goods train. Once he was out of earshot, Gordon tells Thomas he hasn't talked to Adam since coming back because he tries to avoid talking with murderers. They then talk about Bulbrick where he, Edward and Adam were. Thomas then asks Gordon what he thinks Edward and Adam saw in the shed. Gordon answers that they're better off not knowing.

In a nightmare sequence, Edward is shown approaching the same shed he and Adam looked inside. Edward suddenly finds himself inside the shed, with dead bodies surrounding him. Edward wakes up, panting. Edward doesn't want to talk about his dream to Percy as it could give him nightmares too. James then tells Edward that he needs help, specifically from Mickey, who is a professional counselor. Edward is hesitant to do so at first, but James assures him that talking about a trauma helps. Edward relents and decides to go see Mickey, and James offers to take Edward's first train so he can go see Mickey at once, which Edward agrees to.

Later that morning, at Crovan's Gate, Edward is talking to Mickey, and tells him his nightmares got worse when he heard how many people were killed the day they took Bulbrick: 126. Edward isn't sure to feel guilty, but wonders if they could have saved those people if they had learned of Bulbrick's location sooner. Mickey tells him not to think on what might have happened, but to remember that they saved many more than being butchered there. Edward, having taken a tremendous load off his mind, thanks Mickey, who recommends Edward to talk to the others about it, who will offer their support to him. Edward goes over to the station where Adam is. Adam had known Edward was with Mickey since he had learnt from Percy earlier that morning. Adam says he hasn't talked to Mickey yet, as he hadn't been having nightmares. This puzzles Edward, since they both experienced the same trauma. Edward admits he was wrong to say nothing when Adam had drowned the prisoners and he was the one who was wrong. Adam then questions that if he did the wrong thing, how was Edward having nightmares instead of Adam, which Edward doesn't answer. Edward then suggests Adam should be at Nuremberg with the others. The two engines depart, unaware that Skarloey, at the narrow gauge platform, had overheard their conversation.

Later that day, he talks to Ivo Hugh and Donald about the what they said. Donald admits it's undoubtedly a bad business, answering that what Douglas thinks about Adam's actions is random every day. He also says that Douglas and Henry have been at odds since returning, with the former blaming the latter for Lily's death. Ivo then says the business will get worse once the refugees arrive, pointing out how the UK has endured hardships just like them. Donald says that's the same thing the Midis are saying at Brendam, believing that their charity will cause problems, though that wouldn't be the case.

A massive reconstruction effort was carried out across Europe, allowing the vast majority of people to return to their homes. However, thousands more decided to emigrate elsewhere, such as the United States, but plenty still flocked to Britain, as well as Sodor. The refugees were grateful for the hospitality they were offered and were quick to assimilate, as well as finding work.

One autumn day, the stationmaster at Arlesburgh introduces Duke and Stanley to their new porter, Radek Zelenka. Duke and Stanley introduce themselves. The latter recognises Radek as Czech as he served in France during the First World War and met lots of soldiers from the Czechoslovak Legion. Duke reminds him that they have work to do. Later, work is in full swing and Adam has returned the Lucky Lamp back to the Mid Sodor Railway. Adam says the lamp showed up outside Mr. Zorro's office that morning and he figured the MSR should have it back. Duke remembers how hard they were laughing when the lamp ended up in Africa with the 110th Platoon. Adam then says after they heard what happened at the slate quarry, they were tempted to send the lamp back, though Duke assures him that what happened on that day was simply carelessness. Presently, Adam's train has been emptied and he goes to shunt the train aside. Just then, Radek notices something on the track next to Adam's train. Adam's driver goes to check what it is and finds a pipe there. Adam thanks Radek for preventing a derailment.

Word spread about Radek's preventing a derailment and he became quite popular. He also distinguished himself as one of the hardest workers on the MSR. He also shared his experiences during the war. During the Christmas pageant that year, he delivered a heartwarming speech thanking the people of Sodor for providing refuge. When 1946 arrived, the groundwork was beginning to be laid for some of the aforementioned government reforms. There were a few concerns, especially those among the coal industry.

One May evening, Billy Shoepack doesn't look happy since they had a visit from the coal commission today which was assessing the mine before it will be nationalised in July. The coal commission was impressed by the volume of coal they were putting out, but weren't content about having a convicted felon acting as the assistant foreman, and explains to Radek and another man about his brashness in destroying Bob and being put in prison for two years as a consequence, as well as losing his demolition expert license, but is happy to get the job at Marston Heights. Billy is worried he might get fired when the mine is nationalised, but he might not be the only one. The inspector had said there might have to be layoffs if the mine is to be economical after the takeover and as many as 100 workers could lose their jobs. Billy then says some workers began joking that if the inspectors ever take a train, they should pull "an Adam" on them. Radek chuckles, until he is told about what Adam did.

The next day, Radek is at Arlesburgh when Adam arrives with a passenger train. Radek tells Adam what he learned about him last night. Adam says him drowning the coach of POWs is no secret and is surprised Radek has only just found out. Radek is disgusted that Adam doesn't regret his actions, but Adam doesn't see why Radek is angry, until Radek tells him that during the final months of the war, the Nazis were getting desperate for manpower and they began conscripting Czechs into the army - including his brother. Adam finally realises Radek's brother was one of those prisoners he had drowned at Ostend. Adam tries to apologise, but Radek angrily refuses the apology.

That night, Adam told Reginald, Diesel, Donald and Douglas about his conversation with Radek at Brendam. The engines get into an argument, when Mr. Zorro stops them. Mr. Zorro then asks Adam how he's feeling. Adam still isn't feeling good as he is starting to think that Radek's brother wasn't the only conscript on the coach and if any of them deserved to die. Mr. Zorro then tells Adam to go see Mickey first thing tomorrow morning. Mr. Zorro then tells his engines now that Colin and Lily are dead, they're down two engines. The Nor'Easters have been helping them out, but the Midis need their own designated shunters and he's arranged for a pair of new engines to join their crew. Mr. Zorro says they will need the help and when the nationalisation of the railways takes effect, they have to be at full strength and tells the engines to make the newcomers feel welcome when they arrive next week.

The Midis soon told the Nor'Easters about the replacement engines they'd be getting. They had rather mixed feelings as they were worried the newcomers would make them forget their predecessors. Likewise, the Nor'Easters weren't pleased to learn that they would be getting a new director.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Edward
* Gordon
* James
* Percy
* Toby
* Eric
* Donald and Douglas
* Diesel
* Reginald
* Adam
* Mickey
* Whiff
* Skarloey
* Ivo Hugh
* Duke
* Stanley (No. 2)
* Stuart
* Falcon
* Mr. Zorro
* Radek Zelenka
* Billy Shoepack
* Henry *(does not speak)*
* Basil Corbert *(not named; does not speak)*
* Peter *(cameo)*
* Kate *(cameo)*
* Bertie *(cameo)*
* Trevor *(cameo)*
* The Fat Controller *(cameo)*
* Colin *(mentioned)*
* Lily *(mentioned)*
* Andrej Zelenka *(mentioned)*
* Peckett *(indirectly mentioned)*
* Samantha *(indirectly mentioned)*

## Trivia

* This is the first episode of a season to not premiere in January.
* An unlisted version of this episode was uploaded in October 2018, but was taken down roughly a month later.
* This is Billy Shoepack's first appearance since Maintenance, and his first speaking role since Trapped.
* The events from Trapped, Maintenance, Espionage and Atrocity are mentioned.
* Edward's scaring of Percy and Percy muttering afterwards is a running gag in the Sodor Shorts except the roles of the two in this gag are switched.
* It is revealed that the non-faceless German tank engines encountered in Africa were actually normal faceless engines with faces painted on. This implies that Adolf Hitler viewed the idea of non-faceless vehicles as an affront to his vision for a Master Race, and that non-faceless vehicles within German territory were targeted by the Holocaust, but he saw the psychological value of making it appear that the Allies were fighting non-faceless vehicles.

## Goofs

* Some Vans in Edward's Nightmare carry the Logo of the Deutsche Bahn AG. However, this Company wasn't founded until 1994.