Animated Series discussion thread (spoilers allowed)

[BWprowl]

They're no stupider than your average Decepticon from TF shows past. Really, all they're doing is filling the role the Decepticons have had in the past, and as a result, making the Decepticons seem like an actual *threat* when they do show up. And I can't think of a way that would be a bad thing. Unless you LIKE having the Decepticons portrayed as ineffectual blunderers.

[Sparky Prime]

I'd take SnowCat and Demolishor over Professor Princess any day. Besides that, the Decepticons in this show still aren't portrayed as being any more effective than the Decepticons from past shows. The top of the Decepticon command chain are continuously defeated by a crew of misfit Autobots from the bottom of the Autobot command chain. Really? No wonder the Decepticons got kicked off of Cybertron in this show.

[onslaught86]

The Autobots certainly appear to be capable of doing with out it. But if the Decepticons get it, if for nothing else, they'd use it to conquer Cybertron. As such, that gives the Autobots enough of a reason to pursue the Allspark in order to protect it.

That was one of my big issues with S2, actually. It was very much a "Heroes sit around and what for stuff to happen" season. The allspark shards could, saay, make more Decepticons, or make them immortal, or..

I don't mind the human villians anywhere near as much as I thought they would. They manage to be endearing like traditional cartoon characters, rather than bland and grating like the majority of the humans of TF shows past. While I'd certainly prefer a more adult direction for the villains, or at least a more 'plausible' direction, I've enjoyed Animated embracing its genuine cartooniness. It embodies Saturday Morning Cartoon the way ArmEnerTron embodied Poor Anime Dub. This is a good thing.
Of course, I'd rather it was BTAS than Duck Tales, but whatchagonnado.

I'd take SnowCat and Demolishor over Professor Princess any day.

Hmm, I'd really not, at least Animated has a plot with a direction, unlike Energon by that point.
The distinct difference in the portrayal of the Decepticons is that a single 'con can tie up the whole Autobot crew. Why they don't just attack all at once, given Starscream alone could successfully fend off Ultra Magnus' banhammer, is beyond me. I'll also conceed that they do seem to regularly fall for the standard levels of circumstantial effectiveness - ie. only actually a threat when the plot demands they be so.
I do fear the regular cast (Blitzwing, Lugnut, Starscream and clone-friends) may end up becoming the same comic relief schtick and butt-end of every joke that many original vaillains do. See: Waspinator. I never liked Waspinator simply 'because' of that. Of course, they do have an honest-to-goodness Waspinator to fill that role, mind you, and I'd not complain if they threw in Sky Byte either. Heh.
All the same, it's definitely a vastly different portrayal than that of most past shows. The rule of HOIE (His Own Introductory Episode, wherein a character is stupidly powerful for one episode alone) applies much less here than elsewhere, and the characters' ability to solve their problems seems less dependent on whose toy is currently on shelves than it has for some time. I really do appreciate this.

[Sparky Prime]

Hmm, I'd really not, at least Animated has a plot with a direction, unlike Energon by that point.

Plot is a completely different issue than characterization. I must agree, I think the overall plot of Animated is better than that of Energon but when it comes to characters... I could do with out the crazy human villains that Animated has. Blitzwing has enough crazy for three characters as it is...

[onslaught86]

Fair call - more time could and should be spent on characterisation of the actual characters. Two mute Dinobots spring to mind..

[andersonh1]

That was one of my big issues with S2, actually. It was very much a "Heroes sit around and what for stuff to happen" season.

That was always the problem with the G1 cartoon as well. The Autobots are always reactive rather than proactive. They sit around, wait for trouble and then go respond to it, rather than trying to head it off before it happens.

[Onslaught Six]

That's what I call GI Joe syndrome. GI Joe was formed directly as a force to combat Cobra. Without Cobra, they have no purpose. And hence...well.

[Sparky Prime]

It's looking like we're going to have a lot of new characters show up in season 3, so I wanted to take the time to list out what we've found out so far...

Autobots-
Rodimus Prime
Hot Shot
Brawn
Red Alert (female)
Ironhide (returning from his brief cameos before)
Wheeljack
Perceptor
Jetfire and Jetstorm (Safeguard)
Beachcomber

Decepticons-
Strika
Cyclonus
Spittor
Oilslick
Blackout
Waspinator (I assume at least given the episode with Wasp and the upcoming toy)

There is also a rumor about two more characters with the names:
A**** T****
D** A****

Speculation is that it is Alpha Trion (or Astro Train), and Dai Atlas

[andersonh1]

As a fan of Beast Machines, I'm very interested in how they characterize Strika. I note that in the latest TFCC magazine, it mentions that she's the consort of Lugnut. That just sounds odd... I can't see a single-minded musclehead like Lugnut having a consort in the first place.

In fact, here's the bio:

STRIKA is Megatron's personally chosen "General of Destruction". Strika lives for the glory of war. She is immensely strong and has a brilliant military tactical mind. Strika transforms into a multi-wheeled, heavily armored battle tank with enormous fire power. She brought the Decepticons many victories during the Great War. She is also the consort of Lugnut.

I guess there's no Obsidian in TFA continuity.

[donosaur]

And yet somehow Strika and Lugnut makes sense to me. I get the unfortunate feeling that Strika's going to "wear the pants" and we'll all be subjected to a lot of "guys are dumb ::eyeroll::" jokes. I'd also bet money that episode dedicated to her revolves around her and Lugnut trying to spend a romantic evening together, with every attempt interrupted by that joker Bumblebee! Poor Lugs just can't catch a break! wahmp wahmp waahh


Glad to see Oilslick's name there, I think he has some good in-show potential and his voice ought to be somebody spectacular. Based on the wheeljack image, I'm wondering if his character is just based on Jamie Hyneman in looks only, or also in his personality/maybe voice talent.

Overall i am excited all over.