TF Beast Hunters episode 11 - Persuasion

[SMHFConvoy]

Picking up where, Minus One left off. A really solid episode - you might want rewatch the last episode of season two because what happens in this episode makes perfect sense in one character's story arc - although it's mostly about getting us to the series conclusion by getting characters into place, human and cybertronian.

Will Beast Hunters lead us into a rebooted, Beast Wars or into Transtech?

[Bidoofdude]

This episode was interesting. Didn't really get anywhere besides Ratchet making decisions but it was entertaining enough.

[MayzaPrime]

This episode was interesting. Didn't really get anywhere besides Ratchet making decisions but it was entertaining enough.

I felt the same way about the episode... I think that this is one of the change of allegiance that has been hinted at. While Ratchet will never become a Decepticon, he has made no secret about how he feels about Optimus destroying the Omega Lock and will do what he thinks is best for Cybertron even if that means working with Megatron.

[SMHFConvoy]

This episode was interesting. Didn't really get anywhere besides Ratchet making decisions but it was entertaining enough.

I agree, really interesting episode but not a lot going on, but I think the payoff will be in the next episode, 'synthesis.'

It's a shame this show gets interesting when it's ending. Mind you it makes me wonder what the deal is the scaled up BH Legion figures then.

[GoktimusPrime]

I liked this episode. The action was less physical but more emotional -- rather than fighting with fists, Megatron attacked Ratchet's heart; and won. And it's not about Ratchet betraying the Autobots either. Ratchet is motivated by what he believes is best for Cybertron; the greater good. We know that he always questioned Optimus Prime's decision to destroy the Omega Lock and he spun into despair afterwards (before Raf managed to snap him out of it). Ratchet made the decision to help Megatron only because he believes that it is in the best interest of Cybertron and its people, it grieves him to know that Megatron would profit from it too. But as Megatron put it, at least the Autobots and Decepticons would have a world worth fighting over. Ratchet's plan is to help Megatron rebuild Cybertron, then he can only hope that the other Autobots can somehow defeat Megatron after that (because he knows that Megatron will terminate him after his work is done).

I quite like how Megatron was able to attack Ratchet with the truth. Very different from the use of lies and deception that he did with Orion Pax, here Megatron's just really open and honest about his intentions. It makes Megatron feel like a far more menacing threat and also makes Ratchet feel more impotent. With Orion Pax, we knew that once he discovered the truth, then Megatron's plans for him would fall apart... but there isn't that hope here because Megatron's being openly transparent with Ratchet.

It's like...
"But you'll rebuild Cybertron just to conquer and enslave it again."
"Yep."
"And you're gonna kill me after I've helped you."
"You betcha."
DAMN!!!

I do like how this was a primarily character-driven story. I can understand that a story more based on emotion rather than action might seem dull to some (especially younger audiences), but there this episode did contain some action and also importantly offering hope (seeing the Autobots survive the attempted destruction of their new base as well as their plan to rescue Ratchet). It's not like say Season 1 of Beast Machines which was mostly just endless darkness and despair, and most of the action was running away from Vehicons.

We did get action at the beginning with the conclusion of the fight between Predaking and the Autobots (although the choreography could've been a lot better, but I suppose the average animator doesn't know how proper fights should look like (this is something that Michael Bay does a lot better because they use stunt performers in motion capture suits)). And there was also the attack on the Autobots' new base. But it's weird how the Air Force pilots all look like Army soldiers, wearing the typical green uniforms and helmets, no flight suits or fighter pilot helmets! How do they breathe at high altitude?? I guess it's not as weird as seeing Fowler fly around in a suit and tie all the time, but still... everyone in the armed forces in this show are like superhumanly tank! I also like how the episode hinted at Fowler and June Darby's relationship flourishing in the background and how they're both considering persuading Jack to yrma eht nioj. It's also weird how the human fighters just hovered there like sitting ducks and fired at the incoming Deceps. Also... why didn't Prime take flight and join them?? Even though the operation was a ruse, he's still risking only human lives to do it? Surely the Autobots could've gotten involved - Optimus Prime could've taken flight and the others fired surface-to-air artillery. Make it convincing! Unless the idea was to make the Decepticons believe that the Autobots all perished in the explosion, but still... doesn't it strike Starscream as a bit strange that all the humans scrambled into action, but the Autobots didn't? Why didn't they finish off the humans then land to search for remains? (they did so after destroying the first Autobot base after all). But then again, the last operation was directly supervised by Megatron, whereas this time he left it to Starscream who may have been too arrogant to second think it or even bother with a post-battle inspection. Starscream's like Doctor Evil, just walk away confident that your enemies are dead... he needs the equivalent of Scott Evil to just roll his eyes and mutter, "Idiot."

[SMHFConvoy]

Like hand drawn animation, CG is time consuming and labour intensive, so like with ultra magnus the animators used what they had on hand for the pilots but the air force hovering there? That was weird.

Just remember, money and time is what separates TV production from film production.

[GoktimusPrime]

yeah I know, but it still looks weird! Explains why all the MECH grunts wear gimp suits -- justifies making them all look the same. I noticed that all the soldiers are basically the same soldier we see in previous episodes too (Clone Wars'd!). They probably should've stuck a visor on the helmet instead of allowing the face to be exposed. Although in this episode I noticed that they intentionally avoided showing any of their faces. Heh... kinda reminds me of old school cel animated cartoons where all the background mooks are drawn the same (as wonderfully parodied in "Gekiganger 3" (@ 0:50 ) ).

[i_amtrunks]

I felt this episode lagged and dragged. Ratchet is my favourite character on this show because he is a cookie cut out good guy. We all knew his decision before the options were given. Why spend so long showing off all the unrelated Decepticon tech to convince him? I did like the transparency in his dealings with Megatron and he fact he didnt try and talk his way into it (saying to himself he'll survive, escape etc), that he knows he is doing this then dying.

Animation was below par. Glad this show is nearly over and we can move onto a show with a better animation style rather than this empty world stuff.

So the next two episodes are Ratchet fixing synth-en and a big battle before the movie sees the final defeat of Megatron and the Decpeticons. A big task seeing what he has survived so far.

[liegeprime]

it was funny seeing UM and Shocky fight. The battle of the one fisted bots heheheh. Heh, Also glad to see they couldn't shy away from making Wheeljack a tech geek still, just like the old G1 guy was.

You know after all this episodes, I now find the addition of Beast Hunters to the main title unnecessary. After all, the only Beast weve seen additional is Predaking.... the predacon revival at best isn't the main plot but more of just a story arc divided into episodes. But seeing that the direction of the story now is still a continuation of what has been a long arching story - restoration of a fallen Cybertron, well... it's just unnecessary. I guess it's to promote the toys ( isn't all this always anyways hahaha) but yeah Im glad in a way that the storyline isn't constricted by the Hasbro powers that be in being just such - a toy promotion show

[lancalot]

love the way Megatron is portray in this episode ...a true leader ...how he got alot going on and more important things to worry about then how to just kill the autobots ...where as the autobot go nothing to do but just wait around for the decepticon to show up??....... And i didn't know how big he was until you see him next to a tiny ratchet ...