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Ghilz Perpetually Confused from Yeeted at Relativistic Velocities Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Perpetually Confused
#7976: Sep 26th 2024 at 4:45:49 PM

It clearly isn't a prequel to the Bay films. Sentinel being the obvious example.

EmeraldSource Since: Jan, 2021
#7977: Sep 26th 2024 at 6:10:28 PM

It probably originates from the half-and-half approach to continuity from the Bumblebee movie. The Bay movies were not especially tight on continuity to start with, so it's not hard to see any movie as "part of the canon." Rise of the Beasts also doesn't openly contradict the Bay films, and being set in the 90's may remind people of the X-Men "decade" films.

Probably a good reminder that casual viewers are not as engrossed in every detail like the hardcore fans.

Comics are just words and pictures. You can do anything with words and pictures.
slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#7978: Sep 27th 2024 at 3:27:50 AM

All things considered I feel bad for Hardshell for being chewed out by Megatron for failing to kill Bulkhead.

Cause Bulkhead surviving is pretty bullshit. It's a pretty bad case of Prime being completely unwilling to let the heroes suffer any casualties while the Cons are slowly whittled down to a small handful of characters.

Edited by slimcoder on Sep 27th 2024 at 3:27:59 AM

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
HandsomeRob Leader of the Holey Brotherhood from The land of broken records Since: Jan, 2015
Leader of the Holey Brotherhood
#7979: Sep 27th 2024 at 8:23:09 AM

To be fair, The Autobots were a smaller group, as this arc where Bulkhead got injured showed.

They had to call in Wild Card Wheeljack, send Ratchet into the field when he rarely does so, and both Optimus and Bulkhead had to run solo since they just didn't have enough people.

So narratively, they didn't have the guys to lose. They already took a huge hit losing Cliffjumper, as that's one less person they had to field in battle, and they never made up the difference until Smokescreen showed up, since Wheeljack didn't really join until Season 3.

The Cons, however, had dudes to spare, both with Mooks and sometimes (regretfully) regular members like Breakdown and later Dreadwing.

At least Bulkhead was out for a few episodes. He didn't come back one episode later. He was more or less back to his full self some time later, but it did take him a few episodes to recover.

One Strip! One Strip!
Shadao Dorzma Forever! Artwork by Kris Dobbins. (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Dorzma Forever! Artwork by Kris Dobbins.
#7980: Sep 27th 2024 at 10:54:28 AM

The fact that the Decepticons keep losing more and more of their forces only highlights why Evil Will Fail. Had Megatron actually cared about his troops, he wouldn't be in a situation where he lost half of his fighting forces to a vampire plague and all of his Insecticons to Airarchnid.

Heck, he terminated the Predacon Project the moment that Predaking shows independent thinking. Keep in mind, Predaking was completely loyal to Megatron and clearly believed the Decepticon Leader to be helping him replenish his race once again.

HandsomeRob Leader of the Holey Brotherhood from The land of broken records Since: Jan, 2015
Leader of the Holey Brotherhood
#7981: Sep 27th 2024 at 11:01:24 AM

Had Megatron actually cared about his troops, he wouldn't be in a situation where he lost half of his fighting forces to a vampire plague and all of his Insecticons to Airarchnid.

That’s really more on Starscream and Knockout for causing that entire debacle in the first place.

And considering Starscream did hand Megatron the keys to restoring Cybertron, I can kinda see why Megs gave him another shot.

One Strip! One Strip!
Shadao Dorzma Forever! Artwork by Kris Dobbins. (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
Dorzma Forever! Artwork by Kris Dobbins.
#7982: Sep 27th 2024 at 11:06:54 AM

[up] True, but considering the numerous losses the Decepticons had over the course of three seasons, the whole Decepticon's We Have Reserves mentality has clearly backfired on them. Optimus does everything to keep all his troops alive, to the point that one Autobot being dead is a tragedy. This is what ultimately gave the Autobots the victory they needed in the long run as Megatron's war of attrition only harms themselves.

slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#7983: Sep 27th 2024 at 1:00:33 PM

[up][up][up][up] The Bots had plenty to lose, by the end of the shows run they had Wheeljack, Ultra Magnus, Smokescreen, and even Knockout leaves the Cons to join up.

The former 2 can easily fill in Bulkhead's role as the brute but the show instead overuses not quite dead for the good guys, such as Bee being killed but then resurrected immediately afterwards.

Ironic for a show that claimed that all deaths final but it pulled a couple resurrections. tongue

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
EmeraldSource Since: Jan, 2021
#7984: Sep 27th 2024 at 3:42:54 PM

I believe the Beast Wars staff said they wanted a bigger body count but were at the mercy of both Hasbro and budget, while also being forced to get rid of other characters with little fanfare. Breakdowns death coincided with his toy deemed too expensive for American markets. The vehicons and later Insecticons were included to provide action without having to constantly justify why named characters aren't dying (and promote army builder collectors). It also reflected the general franchise mood at the time where Autobots would be outgunned and outnumbered by Decepticons, rather than being a stalemate in every sense.

Comics are just words and pictures. You can do anything with words and pictures.
chasemaddigan I'm Sad Frogerson. Since: Oct, 2011
I'm Sad Frogerson.
#7985: Sep 27th 2024 at 4:17:16 PM

From what I've heard, Breakdown was killed off because Adam Baldwin was getting too expensive to keep on the show as a regular. I think that's also why they sidelined Airachnid in season 2 and only had her appear in a single episode for season three, since Gina Torres was also getting too expensive to be a regular character.

WillKeaton from Alberta, Canada Since: Jun, 2010
#7986: Sep 27th 2024 at 5:12:02 PM

I'm still upset about Terrorsaur and Scorponok's deaths. Not so much that they got killed, but more that no one noticed. It bugged me so much I eventually wrote a short scene where the Predacons have a funeral, just so they have to acknowledge that two of their own got killed. (Waspinator was the only one who really cared the others are dead.)

slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#7987: Sep 27th 2024 at 5:19:48 PM

[up][up] Talk about lame they had to be exited off the show because their voice-actors were too expensive.

Guess recasting was off the table.

[up] I get Megatron is an uncaring bastard but considering how little men he has, he would should care a little when even one of his soldiers majorly bites it.

Edited by slimcoder on Sep 27th 2024 at 5:20:50 AM

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Mewaddlee from The American Desert Since: Nov, 2019 Relationship Status: Abstaining
#7988: Sep 27th 2024 at 5:26:38 PM

[up][up][up] I heard another story that he was specifically killed off because Baldwin wanted a raise. Both options seem valid.

Transformers Prime was a great show, but its issues with budget are incredibly apparent, especially on rewatch. According to this forum thread detailing notes from TF Con Charlotte, by the end of the show, the show was ~1.6 million an episode. Not to mention the fact that the Hub wasn’t drawing as much people in as they wanted, so the show wasn’t making anywhere near as much as they were putting into it.

It’s no surprise that the budget was going into things like the animation and cinematography (Soundwave vs Wheeljack fight anyone?), but given how much they were losing from Prime, it’s unsurprising that Robots in Disguise would use a far less impressive art style, as well as frankly inferior cinematography to its predecessor. Which is funny, because last I checked, the same studios who worked on Prime worked on Robots in Disguise.

Edited by Mewaddlee on Sep 27th 2024 at 5:40:50 AM

"If brevity is the soul of wit, then I simply have no soul." He/Him 🍉
chasemaddigan I'm Sad Frogerson. Since: Oct, 2011
I'm Sad Frogerson.
#7989: Sep 27th 2024 at 5:28:40 PM

I heard that they left Terrorsaur and Scorponok's deaths open-ended enough in case they wanted to bring them back as Transmetals, since they appeared to be undergoing the process when they fell into the lava.

That never ended up happening though.

Ghilz Perpetually Confused from Yeeted at Relativistic Velocities Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Perpetually Confused
#7990: Sep 27th 2024 at 6:14:20 PM

I'm still upset about Terrorsaur and Scorponok's deaths. Not so much that they got killed, but more that no one noticed.

They died so Waspinator could live.

It's a fair trade.

he would should care a little when even one of his soldiers majorly bites it.

Why would he? It's practically the opposite of his character. BW Megatron sees people as tools to use.

Scorponok and Terrorsaur are dead. They ain't coming back. Why would he waste a second's thought on them? Terrorsaur doubly so since he was The Starscream expy.

I heard that they left Terrorsaur and Scorponok's deaths open-ended enough in case they wanted to bring them back as Transmetals, since they appeared to be undergoing the process when they fell into the lava.

Terrorsaur was supposed to survive into season 2, as a Transmetal. Waspinator was supposed to die because the writers hated him, because his speech impediment meant it took him 2 to 3 times longer to say any line of dialogue, which is an issue in 22min show. So they began killing him early in episodes so he couldn't talk. That made him popular with the fans, and the staff started liking his Cosmic Chewtoy status. But Hasbro didn't want him dead coz the Waspinator toy was one of the big promoted BW figures.

Come season 2 Hasbro like like "Fine you can kill Waspinator" by this time the writers had to convince Hasbro to spare him explaining the fans loved him. So Hasbro relented. It's why Waspinator falls in the CR pool, while Terrorsaur and Scorponok fall in the lava

Edited by Ghilz on Sep 27th 2024 at 9:19:35 AM

Mewaddlee from The American Desert Since: Nov, 2019 Relationship Status: Abstaining
#7991: Sep 27th 2024 at 6:16:52 PM

[up] Waspinator’s survival was always Rule of Funny and I’ll never complain about that.

"If brevity is the soul of wit, then I simply have no soul." He/Him 🍉
WillKeaton from Alberta, Canada Since: Jun, 2010
#7992: Sep 27th 2024 at 6:50:42 PM

Megs wouldn't actually care about people dying, but he might pretend to care for the sake of troop moral.

Ghilz Perpetually Confused from Yeeted at Relativistic Velocities Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Perpetually Confused
#7993: Sep 27th 2024 at 6:53:26 PM

...Have you seen the troops?

Inferno, who laughs and tries to burn thing and whose only concern is being loyal to his "queen"

Quickstrike, the wannabe psychopath. Also has literally never met Scorponok or Terrorsaur.

Tarantulas, the actual psychopath (and traitor)

Blacharachnia, who couldn't give less of a shit (also game for some light treason between friends). Has literally tried to kill Terrorsaur once, and Scorponok has tried to kill her only for her to turn the tables on him.

Waspinator, who is glad it's not him who died this time and would be offended the others get memorialized when no one ever picks up his parts.

And thats before they even recruited Rampage, the second cannibal and psychopath on the team.

Point to me on the list whose moral would be uplifted by Megatron pretending to care.

Also keep in mind Megatron has one literally shot Tarantulas to pieces while he was uncouncious, in front of all his troops, because Dinobot was using him as a hostage.

None of the Predacons are dumb enough to believe Megatron would shed a tear over their corpse.

Edited by Ghilz on Sep 27th 2024 at 10:04:36 AM

WillKeaton from Alberta, Canada Since: Jun, 2010
#7994: Sep 27th 2024 at 7:13:30 PM

I'm not talking specifically about Scorponok and Terrorsaur, I'm talking about Megatron giving off the general vibe to his troops that he won't sacrifice them for no reason. Which is a false narrative, he absolutely would, but if everyone felt their days were numbered just by being around Megatron, they'd likely desert or who knows what else. Inferno obviously believed that Megatron was worthy of his loyalty. Obviously Tarantulus didn't care and Rampage is a unique case, but in general, it's better to have troops that tolerate you enough that they don't immediately abandon you.

Ghilz Perpetually Confused from Yeeted at Relativistic Velocities Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Perpetually Confused
#7995: Sep 27th 2024 at 7:23:04 PM

Again, this is kind of misreading the characters.

The main thing that's holding the (Non-Inferno) predacons together specifically is the desire to be the one in charge, having nowhere else to go, and the knowledge that Megatron is liable to kick their ass for desertion (Along with the prospect of where would they even desert to? Only Tarantulas has a separate base and he's already the Pred's least solid team member, and would mock the idea Megs cares about his life).

Quickstrike is an idiot and too dumb to realize he's being used, even as Megatron literally tries to get him killed several times. He's too murder happy to leave.

Rampage can't leave.

Inferno won't.

Blackarachnia only left the moment she had a better prospect in her sight (Taking over the Ark), she'd not be swayed by Megatron feigning to care, she'd see it for a lie. She also only left when she believed the Predacons had effectively lost, with Ravage helping the Maximals take out Megatron.

Waspinator also only considers leaving when the Preds literally don't have a base (or a Cr chamber to repair him), meaning Waspinator also won't leave until he has absolutely no options.

For Megatron, pretending to care is at best a waste of his time. At worst it's an actual liability as it'd make his band of psychopath think he's weak and actively gun for him.

The only thing that keeps them somewhat in line is that they generally fear crossing him directly.

Edited by Ghilz on Sep 27th 2024 at 10:28:39 AM

slimcoder The Head of the Hydra Since: May, 2013
The Head of the Hydra
#7996: Sep 27th 2024 at 7:36:55 PM

I hope one day we got back to 2D animation.

Not saying CG is bad but the limited cast sizes is pretty annoying.

Especially when Prime tried to headline the Predacons for season 3 but they only introduced literally only 1 Pred in Predking during the show's run not counting the finale movie.

Not really a Beast Hunter's when there's only like 1 beast shown.

"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."
Avenger09 Since: May, 2014
#7997: Sep 27th 2024 at 7:52:44 PM

There's some Fanfic Fuel for Terrorsaur and Scorpanok's sparks being preserved in molten rock thanks to the wave and returning as transmetals furious at Megatron for never checking to see if they lived or recover them.

Well Scorpanok would be furious, for Terrorsaur it's just business as usual.

Edited by Avenger09 on Sep 29th 2024 at 5:43:37 PM

Ghilz Perpetually Confused from Yeeted at Relativistic Velocities Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Barbecuing
Perpetually Confused
#7998: Sep 27th 2024 at 7:59:25 PM

They come back but it's just as Tigerhawk smashes into the Darksyde.

RAlexa21th Zettai Ryouiki Enjoyer from California (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I <3 love!
Zettai Ryouiki Enjoyer
#7999: Sep 27th 2024 at 8:10:30 PM

I'm not sure if we can go back to 2D animation without Limited Animation.

Even Gundam ditched transformation gimmicks from its latest 2D offering.

Continue writing our story of peace.
EmeraldSource Since: Jan, 2021
#8000: Sep 27th 2024 at 8:27:11 PM

CG has different benefits to 2D animation. CG is more expensive in the creation of character models and background environments, but once made it is a lot cheaper for character animation and camera angles. Imagine Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus vs Predaking with traditional animation. 2D animation is more laborious in character animation, but a lot easier to create character models and fill out backgrounds with minor characters.

Comics are just words and pictures. You can do anything with words and pictures.

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