TFAn Review Ep8 (Spoilers)

[STL]

i can't say I was thrilled by the episode. It was probably one of the worst to date imo. I've found all of the episodes prior to this enjoyable at some level but this one just seemed tedious.

I do like the fact they're using a story to introduce BB's enhancements rather than just all of a sudden thinking he needs an upgrade.

I don't find the BB character that annoying though. I think one of the things that strike me is that each of the characters are flawed in their own ways and they work well together. I can see people finding BB annoying but I think he works better that way. He isn't the perfect loveable shorty of the group. He's hotheaded and unreasonable and he gives the others a chance to shine.

I agree also with the appreciation of how the story was constructed so as it was more the Autobots falling all over themselves rather than the villain being so powerful Nanosec's face when Prime breaks the coils is priceless.

The reason I felt it was tedious is b/c the chase scenes dominated for far too long. It did get awful dull after awhile. Nanosec wasn't developed enough to feel a character that is memorable. He needed more to his character other than being Megatron's pawn. Characters like Lord Chumley in G1 stuck out in our minds as lame and inconsequential as they were b/c they were unique in some way.) I wish they had done the same for Nansosec here, give him some quirk to make him a more memorable character. It was a surprising twist to see the aging and it would've been nice to remember the character in some capacity

The first 3 minutes was really good though with Bulkhead still keeping an eye on the thief despite arguing with BB. Shows he's not as dumb as he's made to look.

Another good tidbit that keeps nagging at me when I see it is Ratchet's visible crack on the head. It's a constant reminder of his failings as was previously explained. I can't remember another TF who wore their scars. After all, bots normally can get replacement parts. It's subtle but much appreciated. I hope the same is maintained for the toy (it's the only prototype I haven't seen yet)

[kup]

Another good tidbit that keeps nagging at me when I see it is Ratchet's visible crack on the head. It's a constant reminder of his failings as was previously explained. I can't remember another TF who wore their scars. After all, bots normally can get replacement parts. It's subtle but much appreciated. I hope the same is maintained for the toy (it's the only prototype I haven't seen yet)

You can always break it yourself
________
My Webcams Hookup

[GoktimusPrime]

For a kids' episode it was pretty good. But from a Transfan POV it was average.

This was very welcome as it briefly brought back the 'Robots in Disguise' aspect although at this point in the series it is rather pointless since every one knows who they are (But still no one cares that they are freaking Aliens!!!)

Everyone knows who they are in robot mode, but I don't think people necessarily recognise them straight away in vehicle modes because their vehicle modes were scanned from local vehicles. It kinda works like in the movie - the Autobots revealed themselves to the world in the final battle with the Decepticons in the city, but then afterwards they just blended in when we see them dropping off Captain Lennox to his family and hanging out with Sam and Mikaela ('cept for Prime who was in robot mode for the closing narration ). The Autobots in Animated seem to work at this level.

The only part I didnt like (other than Bumblebee who irks me more and more) was how easily Prime was defeated. He seems to fight alright against the bigger, badder foes, but gets whooped by the nobodies.

Nanosec was able to generate incredible speed, and even with his lack of relative strength, whipping a steel cable at Prime at heightened speed would've hurt. There are some fighting styles which specialise/utilise 'soft/weak' whipping strikes, like Baiyuan Tongbei (Great White Ape) Kung Fu which uses whipping strikes with the back of the fingers and some styles use Leopard Paw is used to "cut" (slash) across muscle/tendon fibres in a kind of whipping/slashing fashion.

Tongbeiquan ("White Ape Fist")

Notice how the proponent's right hand is set in a position to flick the hand out using the hand and fingers in a whipping action.
Video <---again, note the whipping action of the arms/hands

Shaolin monks also used their cloth belts as whip/flail-like weapons, often against mounted cavalry.

Sumdac really is daft, and Megatron is written brilliantly as well.

I agree... I can't believe how stupid they keep making Sumdac in spite of his supposed genius. (-_-)

It goes well beyond the idea of being an awkward bumbling or absent minded professor like Professor Klump or Perceptor... this guy is seriously stupid.

The reason I felt it was tedious is b/c the chase scenes dominated for far too long. It did get awful dull after awhile.

In that case you're really gonna dislike Beast Machines.

Nanosec wasn't developed enough to feel a character that is memorable. He needed more to his character other than being Megatron's pawn. Characters like Lord Chumley in G1 stuck out in our minds as lame and inconsequential as they were b/c they were unique in some way.) I wish they had done the same for Nansosec here, give him some quirk to make him a more memorable character. It was a surprising twist to see the aging and it would've been nice to remember the character in some capacity

I don't mind the lack of exposition on Nanosec. He was clearly meant to be a "hi then bye" throw away disposable character.

Megatron is the real villain here.

The first 3 minutes was really good though with Bulkhead still keeping an eye on the thief despite arguing with Bumblebee. Shows he's not as dumb as he's made to look.

While it's true that Bulkhead wasn't portrayed as an oaf in this episode, it still failed to portray him as much more than the Autobot Strongman. :/

Forget Nanosec, as a recurring main character Bulkhead seriously needs more character development.

Some nice fan references:
+ "Destronium" (heheheheheheheheh)
+ At the end of the ep when Bumblebee said something like, "If it's all the same to you I think we'll just walk." <--echoing what Silverbolt said at the end of "The Key to Vector Sigma Part 2"

[STL]

+ At the end of the ep when Bumblebee said something like, "If it's all the same to you I think we'll just walk." <--echoing what Silverbolt said at the end of "The Key to Vector Sigma Part 2"

Ah I forgot to mention that. I remember at the time feeling the fanboy in me smiling with glee and thinking I so have to mention it. Thank gawd someone remembered it.