TF Animated General Discussion

[GoktimusPrime]

Okay, just saw the ep and here are my thoughts...

+ I really don't like how they're continuing to portray Bulkhead as a big lumbering oaf. I don't ever expect him to achieve Prowl's level of grace, but when Prowl started training him I was hoping that they would at least meet midway... he doesn't need to be a ninja, but he could stand to be not so freaking UNCO! Prowl's training method sucked - not because it was inherently bad but because it doesn't cater well for a student with Bulkhead's...er... special needs. Bulkhead seems to demonstrate the coordinative abilities of an under-12 year old and would be more suited learning some really super-simple basic martial arts as demonstrated inthis kata. IMO that kata is way too simple to be used to teach most folks over the age of 12. With someone as ridiculously unco as Bulkhead, who can't seem to be able to turn around without falling, you'd probably start him at that "baby steps" level. :/ I can appreciate that they were trying to use the whole scene as a plot device for Prowl explaining how big and destructive things can still be appreciated - but it wasn't enough to justify why they couldn't have improved on Bulkhead's coordination. The Dinobots are big and destructive... and yeah, stupid - but they're not unco! None of them ever accidentally destroyed anything, if anything, their destructive power was quite precise.

+ For all his apparent brilliance, Professor Sundac sure is an absolute IDIOT. Falling for Megatron's dupe once I could forgive, but still believing in him after he admitted that he'd intentionally armed the Dinobots with destructive capabilities? "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

+ The Dinobots - oh god... these guys are even stupider than the G1 cartoon Dinobots. I mean, in the G1 cartoon, the Dinobots were always dopey, but they weren't retards in Seasons 1 and 2... they only became retarded in "Transformers The Move" and episodes which followed that - and by retarded I mean their minds were reduced to the level of a small child (like the way they all gathered round Kup for story time). These Dinobots are operating below that level... almost like animals. (-_-) As someone who's never liked retarded Dinobots, I find this really, really stupid. I agree with kup - they should've tried to meet midway and make the Dinobots maybe not as smart as they were in the G1 comics but not as stupid as they were in the G1 cartoon... but instead, they went below the retard level of the G1 toon Dinobots.

+ Sari's key - I liked how it changed the Dinobots and instilled them with Sparks and the ability to transform. That was cool. Megatron was trying to build an army of drone warriors, not necessarily Transformers - and without the AllSpark he wouldn't have had the ability to imbue them with life anyway. Also, it also served to allow Megatron to learn of the key's existence, which I'm sure will be quite useful for him later.

+ Megatron - I like how he's still operating as an incapacitated villain. That keeps things interesting... and also how the plot is progressing with him working towards restoring more power for himself. His relationship with Dr. Sundac is like watching some evil mastermind playing a mindless puppet for a fool and as his front... kinda like Dick Cheney and George Bush! ;D

...overall... I was disappointed with this episode. Unlike Eps 1 and 2, there was no substantial character development. In Ep1, Prowl started off as a loner who learnt the value of being part of a team. In Ep2, Bumblebee started off as reckless and impulsive and learnt that patience is a virtue, learning to couple the art of stillness with his already honed abilities of speed. In Ep3, Bulkhead started off as a clumsy brute and... well... nothing changed! He should have learnt to combine some of Prowl's agility and coupled it with his already well developed raw power, but it never happened.

No character development = teh suck

...having said all that, the ending with Prowl and Bulkhead placing the Dinobots on a remote island for them to live peacefully was really nice. Thus Prowl remains as my favourite character in this series.

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P.S.: This is one of my favourite dialogues from G1 demonstrating the Grimlock I know and love...

Background: this is from US#77 - Powermaster Optimus Prime has sacrificed himself to destroy Unicron, and in his dying breath named Grimlock as his successor, who is now co-leader of the Autobot-Decepticon Alliance with Bludgeon. Prowl has been trying to convince Grimlock to make a public address to boost morale amongst the Transformers.

PROWL: "All you've done so far is give orders and get on everyone's nerves."
GRIMLOCK: "If you think speech help, you make it. You better at it."
PROWL: "Me? It's not my job! Prime named you Autobot Leader, not me! You have a responsibility to your troops, a duty--"
GRIMLOCK: That it, isn't it? That what really stick in your craw! That Prime name me Autobot Leader and not you! Always saw yourself as next leader, didn't you? With your clever plans and fancy speeches!
(Grimlock sticks his face into Prowl's, pointing at him)
GRIMLOCK: "Well, you not leader, I AM!
(Grimlock walks away from Prowl)
GRIMLOCK: "Suggest you remember that next time you think to question me!"
(With Grimlock gone, Prowl's cool logical facade collapses as he surrenders to his anger with eyes narrowed and teeth gritted, haunched over with both fists clenched... Prowl realises that Grimlock has seen right through him and that he had just been royally PWN3D like a n00b!)