Being James

**Being James** is the fourth episode of the second season and the fourthteen episode overall.

## Plot

Edward tells Nia about how James was before he was painted red and the circumstances leading up to it. As he he wraps up the story about when Thomas took over the branch line and Annie and Clarabel, James arrives at Wellsworth. He explains that Mr. Percival wanted him to assist Edward and Nia with the reconstruction of the old docks. Nia asks if Edward can take a passenger train for her, but James rebuffs this and insists that Edward should go to the Steamworks to get repainted as scheduled. Nia eventually agrees as James reverses from the yards.

James heads to the docks where he is due to pick up a goods train bound for Barrow-in-Furness. Just as he is couples up to the train, Carly drops some paint cans of blue paint, which lands all over James. He calls her reckless, while Bill and Ben tease him. Carly tries to tell them to stop, and ends up mixing up James name in addition. James steams of with the train. Just as he leaves Brendam station, BoCo arrives and asks if he needs help. James declines this and assures that he will manage, although BoCo doesn’t seem convinced.

Some time later, he stops at a signal near the animal park, where Nia is stopped with her passenger train. She comments on his messed up state, and compliments him, which he is reluctant to accept. Later, James is stuck behind Stephen, and decides to take a short cut through the waste dump, but collides with some garbage trucks. As Whiff clears the trucks, Scruff asks James if he needs help, which he again rejects, and reasons that mainline engines manage themselves.

As he passes through Crovan’s Gate, Gordon teases him over his paint, but James rebuffs this and adds that getting the train to the Mainland is all that matters regardless of how he looks. At a junction, James comes to halt and blocks Stanley and his passenger train. James admits that the train is too heavy for him, and eventually decides to ask for help. He eventually continues and passes the Steamworks. At first he doesn’t want to ask Edward for help, but changes his mind. Initially Edward is willing to help, but Victor holds him back, noting that his paint job isn’t finished yet. James reasons that it can’t wait, but Victor insists. James dismisses it this time and orders Edward to help, which he accepts.

Despite being messed up and Edward in his undercoat, the two engines pull the train to Barrow-in-Furness without any further issues. However, the yard manager isn’t pleased. When he makes a remark about Edward, James defends him and retorts to him about much of a nice engine Edward is compared to him, leaving the manager speechless.

On the way back to Sodor, James admits that he misses being a branch line engine, but rejects Edward’s proposal to join him on his branch line. However, once they return to Tidmouth sheds, James musters the courage and determination about his wishes and tells the others. Many of them are surprised, but accepting, except Gordon initially. James then tells them all that everyone has different responsibilities on the railway, and how he doesn’t see the shame of being a branch line engine. As he departs with Edward, Gordon becomes visibly accepting of James’ decision.

As James and Edward head onto the latter’s
branch line, Edward explains how he never retaliated in arguments because it was exhausting. He then remarks that James has always stood up for him even though he might not have thought so. James concludes that he was just being himself.

## Characters

* Thomas
* Edward
* Gordon
* James
* Percy
* Bill & Ben
* Stanley
* Scruff
* Stephen
* Nia
* Rebecca
* BoCo
* Victor
* Annie & Clarabel
* Carly
* Sir Topham Hatt
* Mr. Percival
* Troublesome Trucks (*do not speak*)
* Henry (*cameo*)
* Donald (*cameo*)
* Rosie (*cameo*)
* Connor (*cameo*)
* Logan (*cameo*)
* Samson (*cameo*)
* Ryan (*cameo*)
* Diesel (*cameo*)
* D261 (*cameo*)
* Paxton (*cameo*)
* Sidney (*cameo*)
* Skarloey (*cameo*)
* Rusty (*cameo*)
* Old Slow Coach (*cameo*)
* Bertie (*cameo*)
* Bulstrode (*cameo*)
* Kevin (*cameo*)

## Cast

* PieceOfJayVA as Thomas, Edward and Mr. Percival
* Viola Rose as Nia
* LizProductions6 as Rebecca
* SteamTeam3211 as Gordon
* Jinty Cogz as James
* Blue15Bomber as Percy
* Chase The Ferroequinologist as Stephen
* MainlandStudios as Bill and Ben
* EpicLafiteau as Stanley
* FizzledFirebox as BoCo
* Mel Shiri as Victor
* Emily Elizabeth Queen as Annie
* Spo0derGlen as Clarabel
* Trainz4Days as Sir Topham Hatt

## References

* The opening scenes of the episode are recreated from the *Thomas & Friends* special, *The Adventure Begins*.
* Bill and Ben calling James "*Jedward"* is a nod towards the Irish singers John and Edward Grimes, who go by the artist name "*Jedward*".