What I love about this series is how three-dimensional every character is written; there is never a moment I completely agree or disagree with a character's choice as each has their own reasoning. Each episode I'm learning more and more about their moral compass.

(16:55) Harry Potter reference?

You have a normal stovi 18:25

37:30 Heh, Star Wars reference! And Robert's definitely behaving like Palpatine to bring out the 'use my knowledge, I beg you' line.
The 'no post on Sundays' reference was nice (though I have pretty mixed feelings towards Harry Potter these days).
And I loved the callback to Heavy Freight with "I'm a bloody 4MT!"

As for everything else, the story, characters etc., it's been a really long wait but it was worth it.

Okay… having watched the entire series whilst you were making this episode (and 9 and 10 I presume), I can say that… WOW HAS THE WAIT BEEN WORTH IT!

This has been an amazing episode from start to finish! There is so much I could talk about!
There are so many characters which I love here and the direction you’ve taken them in. Even the grumpy NCB Buffalo tanks got a chuckle out of me (also, I swear they’re a reference to something). But I’ll boil it down to three that stood out.

Seaforth and Fakland’s confrontation with Alfred is something which shows the former of the two’s colors. They were just wanting him to pick a fight… and then immediately decided that it was not worth it when Hercules showed up (even they know not to mess with an engine of his stature). I also like how Frank wasn’t included in the confrontation. Granted, the Caprotti Black Fives aren’t reliable all the time, so he could have been in the works, but perhaps he didn’t to let the other poke sticks at the Apple green bear. They will certainly get a taste of karma when they realize what the modernization plan truly entails for them. Not sure if Robert can stop that…
Alfred chatting with Blaen and Reggie was a very sweet, wholesome, yet fun conversation! You can tell that Alfred is just glad to see his younger brother is alright and that Riggie’s showing his NEW younger brother about his limited time in the outside world. Even when Reggie beats himself up, Alfred is very quick to say, “right, we’re stopping this right here.” It’s clear that he isn’t happy with how Mr Knox treated him, or how King Dick and Shart Hall treated him too (like how neither mentioned Russell). And given the former’s in the thumbnail of the next episode… safe to say, something is going down. Also… “what’s a bus?” got a chuckle out of me. Blaen is too incorrect rn…

And finally…
Shaw and Huw have grown since we’ve first seen them… and not in a particularly good way. Shawe is… complicated for Shawe (ha, funny). Truthfully, I think that he was hiding something from the others during his time at the coal fields, and his sheltered nature grew defensive with how the others just straight up bullied him. No wonder he became and engine with mood swings, being on edge mustn’t have been good for him. Not that it is redeeming for his actions, but it makes his choices slightly understandable… slightly. Huw is also… a prick. Definitely the type to say “pick yourself up by your boot straps.” No wonder he was hesitant to say he was Shawe’s friend back in the coal fields… cause with friends like Huw, you don’t need enemies. Then again, perhaps it was like a rough house in the coal fields, and Shawe just never got used to it. It’s just fascinating seeing how much implied history there is between the two of them… And that conservation with Robert talking to Shawe after his confrontation with Huw…

“You wear your scars with pride and joy, but… what doesn’t kill you makes you strong Shawe…”
“I’m already dead Robert…”
Some of the most relatable, heartbreaking, and at the same time, brilliant writing I’ve heard in ages. Just breathtaking.
I also like how both Shawe and Huw self talk… neat thing they have in common although Shawe doesn’t like it while Huw does it seemingly to vent (could be wrong about that but still).
There’s loads more I could ramble on about. The banging music which sounds absolutely phenomenal! The absolute great new intro! The flashback to when Shawe first arrived and how that was foreshadowed earlier during Rooke and Ben’s conversation!And even more of the conversations that that were had through the episode!! (One thing I would like to mention is I do do like it when shots between characters talking can be shaken up to not just be “Camera A Shot” and “Camera B shot” which was prevalent throughout the scene with Alfred talking to Blaen and Reggie where (for the most part), the same shot of them was used, but… it’s been done more and worse by other people. So a very slight wibble.)

It’s just a work of art… plain and simple.

Watched the premiere but I forgot to comment! Anyways, this was an amazing watch, definitely worth the wait. 👍🏼

I’m thinking, what did Robert Stovle promise seaforth the wayven if he could get alpha taken off the service

HES BACK BABY YES, andy its lovely to get to see that your making content again

This episode was absolutely worth the wait. The new intro and music were amazing along with the updated locations and textures. Good to see Stan and Dave resolve their fued, and Alfred finally reunite with Reggie while also being ready to throw hands with Mr Knox for letting his brother rot in the back of a shed, really shows how much he cares for brother.

It was really interesting to see the reasoning behind Robert's plans be revealed and how it could affect the railway going forward. Maybe if Robert gets his way, we could see an express engine from Scotland trying to take Alfred's spot as the island's flagship, maybe we could get an LMS Coronation showing up? Not to mention how the Midland locos will react if they have another potential ally on the cards. And how protective Alfred might get at the thought of being sidelined.

The reveal of Bride being "missing" was something that did surprise me, but then again, the others never did see her at Swindon being scrapped. It makes me wonder what Lord Stovell meant to Stard when he asked him up to Castle Stovell to look at "artifacts" but I could just be reaching. Really makes me excited for if the others find out, which depends if Shaw keeps his mouth shut. Though considering how far he's fallen down, I doubt it.

Overall a fantasic episode! Can't wait to see what happens next.

Well done to all involved. An absolute masterpiece. I enjoyed every minute of it. Loved the Harry Potter reference. Shaw and Huw  seem to be on a collision course. Seaforth should always remember to be careful what he wishes for. Gonna say Hercules is my favorite. He always shows up at the right time. I wonder if he suspected that something was holding Alfred up.

Is 8024 still in there
Spoilers. YES. YES he is.

I have a funny feeling that the events of Shaw and Huw's exchange are leading to the Bloodmoor Tunnel Disaster.

Finally we're back My Dears!

Isn't the apple green Livery Alfred's painted in technically an experimental Livery and not an LNER livery

16:46 I bloody caught that you sneaky bugger...

We are so back

This video seems rushed lowk

"Modernization is coming, and we'll be a part of it"

Yeah, part of being replaced.....

36:06 I KNEW IT!

14:59 that's a brilliant reference!