Goldstealer

It's been a while since my last Goldstealer theory (in which its release would possibly coincide with the MSB movie), and my first one since it got leaked back in June of '23.

So, from what I've noticed, the Rides Again Season 3 episodes all relate to a specific event:

• Kids in Space: Anniversary of the launch of the International Space Station (which is supposed to be in November)

• The Frizz Connection: International Balloon Fiesta

• In the Zone: New Year's Eve and Day

• Goldstealer: Summer Olympic Games (which is supposed to be in July/August of leap years)

According to this, Goldstealer was supposed to take Kids in Space's August 7, 2020 airdate, because Kids in Space was supposed to release in November of 2020 to commemorate the ISS's launch on Nov 20, 1998. But since COVID delayed the Tokyo Olympics to '21, KiS replaced GS and GS was delayed to the Nov. 9, 2021 DVD release. Or GS was supposed to release in June or July, but because we lost Joanna Cole, Scholastic decided not to do anything MSB related on the month of her death.

Also another thing that I've noticed is the order of the S3 episode screenshots in the credits goes: Goldstealer, The Frizz Connection, Kids in Space, and In the Zone. Meaning GS was supposed to be first/KIS was supposed to be third, and that was the original airing order.

Though there is a chance for Goldstealer to release on Netflix. There will be Summer Olympics this year in 2024 (the Paris ones), so it's a possibility Goldstealer may get a 2024 Netflix release to promote the Games. But for now, the October 30, 2023 Knowledge Kids airing is the best quality you can get.

If you're reading this, happy Gets Lost in Space Day!

So here's a little aspect ratio tampering for a little 30th-anniversary restoration project (for next year) I'm working on regarding the first 52 episodes to make it on par with Rides Again...

Part of this project is upscaling the classic 52 episodes into a better HD (or even 4K) than the HD restoration that's on YouTube, using combinations of ESRGAN upscaling models, and another is making separate 16:9 widescreen versions (inspired by my second favorite show The Simpsons) suitable for viewing on monitors and televisions. Don't worry though - I will still have 4:3 versions for the nostalgic MSB fans out there.

These will be based on the PBS masters on the Internet Archive, meaning they will open with the slates (if any) and funding credits, and end with them too. For the PBS system cues, I'm keeping the P-Pals on the 4:3 prints, but in my new 16:9 prints, I opt to modernize a bit and use select IDs from the Del/Dee/Dot era. Of course, those Del/Dee/Dot IDs will have the 2022 PBS Kids logo (without Dash) due to the current time period in which I am making these remasters. Also, all TV spots after Season 4 episodes will be removed, any abnormalities (such as missing funding credits, missing text, and missing scenes (looking at you, In the Arctic)) will be fixed, and A Magic School Bus Halloween, Shows and Tells, and the Family Holiday Special will be reconstructed, due to those not having master tapes.

Note: I'm starting with Seasons 2-4 first bc they're better quality and easy to upscale compared to Season 1, which will take time. I may have to make and train a custom ESRGAN model for S01, so that will involve searching for photos of the highest-quality S01 cels.

Episodes will be presented in English, Latin American Spanish, and French audio tracks, and the DCMP English subtitles. A Magic School Bus Halloween, the funding credits, and the Family Holiday Special will remain in English.

When I complete this project, I will upload both the 4:3 and 16:9 versions to MEGA and the Internet Archive links, and we will finally have all 82 episodes (well 81 as of now, 'cause Goldstealer is still stuck in 480i) of the canon suitable for modern screens!

Here's some screencaps of MSB-14 but in my 16:9 crop:

EXPANDED the Title Card and Nelvana Logo!

*Extra: I might also sneak in a few 16:9 screenshots in galleries on the Wiki!

Also, here's some 4:3 screenshots (from a few post-Season 1 episodes) that you might have seen me use in galleries:

Hi everyone! I've been browsing this community for awhile cause I love this franchise but just signed up recently as I feel I should share this. Hope this can be useful for smth.

I'm guessing some of u know about the "lost" episode in the RA series known as "Goldstealer", but if ur unaware of it, its a Joanna Cole special exclusive to a Canadian dvd. Not sure if any other ppl have watched the episode yet but I haven't found any info on it online so idk.

After about a year since I found out about it, I got my hands on the dvd (as a Canadian lol) and watched it. Idk if anyone wants too much info on the episode rn if spoilers are a concern but I'll answer some basic questions/stuff about it. This basic stuff includes a short summary, new characters, & such.

So first off, the episode is similar to the other 3 specials, nothing too crazy. The episode's topic is friction & possibly aerodynamics or smth. Really anything to do with bikes & such.

The episode does involve a cycling race like the pic in the special's credit depicts. The title comes from the conflict: someone had stolen the gold medal for the cycling race & is given the name "Goldstealer" by the class.

A new character introduced in the special, Angela Franklin, aka Keesha's mom (yea I was surprised abt this too) was accused of the crime & kicked from the race, so the class takes on the role of spies to discover Goldstealer's true identity to clear Angela's name.

There's the new antagonist "Goldstealer" & a new guest character voiced by this special's guest star, Annie Guglia.

That's really a basic summary of this "missing" Magic School Bus RA episode, Goldstealer. Hope this can shed some light on this special. Sorry if this is long, I shortened it as much as I could. I'm happy to answer any questions I can!

(Btw love the pages for this community, they've helped me learn so much abt this awesome series so I hope this does the same!)