Molly’s Special Special

**Molly's Special Special** is the second episode of the ninth season and the 192nd episode overall.

## Plot

One very windy day on the Island of Sodor, Thomas is excited, as he is on his way to meet a new engine named Molly. He arrives at the yards and meets her, but when he says hello, Molly sadly answers back. Thomas asks Molly why she is upset, and Molly explains that Emily had laughed at her for having the job of pulling "empty trucks" to the coaling mine, which made her feel that her job is not really useful. Now, Thomas feels sad, as he wants to help Molly feel important. Then, he sees some tarpaulins flapping nearby, which gives him an idea. He has the tarpaulins put on Molly's empty trucks to make it look like they are covering an important load, and this makes Molly cheerful, declaring that she will feel important after all.

Later, Thomas meets with Emily at Maron Station, and he tells her all about Molly's special special. Thomas does not tell her what it is, but he says it will be "the most *special* special of all." As Thomas continues seeing other engines, he tells them all about Molly's special special. Later at Vicarstown, the engines are all excitedly talking about Molly's special. Thomas is at first satisfied, but Gordon declares that Molly's special will not be as important as the Express. Thomas declares it will be much more important, and that it would be shown that night at Kirk Ronan, but now, Thomas is worried how to make Molly's trucks look more special than the Express.

That evening, as Thomas passes by Hackenbeck, he sees the stationmaster lighting lanterns, and he thinks of another idea. The stationmaster allows him to borrow the lights, and Thomas takes them to Molly. Thomas has the lanterns put on the trucks, and he and Molly set off towards Kirk Ronan as the lanterns twinkle like stars.

As the two engines arrive at the station, they find Emily, Percy, and Gordon waiting. Percy and Emily compliment how important Molly looks, making her feel special for the first time since she had arrived on the island. But the moment soon fades. Suddenly, a gust of wind blows a tarpaulin off one of the trucks. Now, the jig is up, and Gordon declares that he was right: Molly's "special" special is not as important as the Express after all. Percy is sad too after realising there was no "special" special. Molly, humiliated, steams off, leaving Thomas feeling very bad.

But at that moment, the Fat Controller calls the stationmaster, who then tells Thomas that there are lots of engines waiting for Molly's trucks at the coal mine. Thomas realises how important the situation is, so he races after her as fast as he can.

Molly has stopped in a siding beside a signal box as Thomas pulls up to her. He says he is sorry for making her look silly, but there are engines waiting for her. Molly moans that she has nearly run out of coal, so Thomas volunteers to be her back engine to help her get there.

When Thomas and Molly arrive at the coal mine, Henry, Edward, and James are waiting for the empty trucks to deliver coal, and Molly realises her job is important after all. Henry tells her that they need more trucks, so Molly volunteers to get them with Thomas' help.

After Molly has filled up with more coal, she and Thomas go off to the yards to get more trucks, and they puff off. On their way back to the coal mine, they come to a junction. Gordon is waiting there, as his signal has turned to red. Molly teases Gordon saying her empty trucks are coming through, and Thomas cheekily laughs that sometimes, empty trucks *are* more important than the Express. Molly feels more special than special as she and Thomas continue on their way, while Gordon feels enraged, as his face turns red with fury.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Henry
* Gordon
* Percy
* Emily
* Molly
* The Fat Controller (does not speak)
* Edward (cameo)
* James (cameo)
* Diesel *(mentioned)*

## Locations

* The Flour Mill
* Vicarstown Yards
* Vicarstown
* The Fat Controller's Office
* Tidmouth
* Tidmouth Yards
* Toby's Windmill
* Maron
* Kirk Ronan Coal Mine
* Rolf's Castle
* Kirk Ronan
* McColl Farm
* Hackenbeck
* Crosby Tunnel
* Sodor Suspension Bridge

## Trivia

* This marks the first appearance of Molly in an episode.