Thomas the Tank Engine/Fridge

Fridge Horror

• Really, where to even start with this show?
  • First and foremost--how in the world did the engines actually come alive?
  • Though the later seasons have slipped on this a bit (more and more after each), the engines really can't do anything without humans helping them. They need a driver and brakeman to move, the foundry crew to keep them in good repair. The possibility for blackmail is enormous.
  • On a similar note, take away the cutesy elements of the show, and it's really pretty apparent that the engines are in slavery. Even though they're fully sentient, none of the humans seem to care^[1]. They've been bought and sold, banished for minor offenses, callously separated from 'family,' have no say whatsoever in where or how they work, they're automatically blamed when things go wrong, and don't appear to ever get any R&R.
    • According to the Word of God, most of the characters are at least 20 years old, and some of the narrow-gauge engines are more than 100. They've been putting up with that crap for a long time.
  • Then there's the whole thing with scrapping. Edward and others occasionally work in the scrapyards and smelter's yards, where the engines are taken apart and melted down. The scrapyard tracks are lined with literally dismembered engines. Think, for a second, how badly most people would be messed up by seeing the human version on a battlefield or crime scene, and how many years of counseling they would need to attempt to get over that. The engines get no such sympathy.
    • A few of the diesels-- Iron 'Ary and Bert--actually seem to enjoy working in this sort of "funeral home" so much that they tried to scrap Stepney, just for fun.
  • The real kicker? Word of God sets the show in the 1950s. Anyone not in the movie is likely in a scrapyard or worse. And most of the humans are gone too.
    • Unless they manage to rise up against their oppressors...and Thomas becomes a Steampunk Terminator.
  • The Logging Locos from the special Misty Island Rescue were apparently sent away to the titular island because of their bad behavior. Judging by the abandoned state of the island's railway, the fuel shortages, and the dilapidated states of the three when Thomas discovers them, it quickly becomes apparent that they weren't sent there to do work, but to die.
  • There's an episode where Thomas's driver tells him that he's doing so well that soon he won't even need a driver anymore! Thomas takes this to heart and goes out on his own the next day... an adventure that is soon over when he crashes through the wall of a house. So basically, don't ever take responsibility for your actions or do things without an adult's help, even if they encouraged you to do it, because you'll cause destruction and possibly death.
  • The Flying Kipper is creepy enough, even without Fridge Horror, but there's a very dark Freeze-Frame Bonus if you're paying attention: There are three men in the brakevan that Henry smashes into, but only 2 of them are mentioned jumping clear of the wreck.
    • Even worse: That story was based on a real life accident in which 14 people were killed.
• In 'Ghost Train', Toby says "Percy's had an accident" as well as "It looked like Percy's ghost". Toby is basically implying that Percy died. This was just part of their trick but Thomas treats it as if it happened. His reaction is "Huh, who cares?" Thomas and Percy are meant to be best friends by the way.

1. ↑ Though Sir Topham Hatt is generally fair and sympathetic, he is still, essentially, the 'master' He got very upset with Percy and some of the others in 'The Deputation,' for instance, when they tried to interfere with his decision-making process.