The Energon Pub

[VirusCarnage]

So, on "Synthesis"

The Autobots are going to rescue one of their own. I assume this is Ratchet, but what if it's Wheeljack? It'd be pretty cool if they were to infuse Wheeljack with both Dark and Synthetic energon like they did Cylas and turn him into PRiD Dead End. They don't have to call him by name, since Dead End technically already exists in this continuity (though as a DLC/chassis in the games' multiplayers), but it'd be one hell of a way to kill a character.

And then Optimus will cut him n half with the Star Saber best episode ever

Oh god, that would be pointless, terrible, and f**king awesome all at once.

This is one thing I'm hoping we'll get in the next incarnation, generic Autobot troopers, it's about time the Decepticons got wiping-bots to rip into. Just think of how awesome it would be to see Megatron or Soundwave owning 10 guys at once.

Megatron barely gets out of the warship anymore to begin, it probably wouldn't change much for him and Soundwave, but knockout or Star Scream on the other hand

[njb902]

As much as I love this cgi series, I want them to go back to conventional animation. If they did we could get a far larger cast and more episodes for thier buck. So bring on the Autobot swarm....... or well the Swarm for that matter.

[Sabrblade]

As much as I love this cgi series, I want them to go back to conventional animation. If they did we could get a far larger cast and more episodes for thier buck. So bring on the Autobot swarm....... or well the Swarm for that matter.

I agree.

Not just for the bigger cast, but because I feel that the very "epic-by-default" look and feel of this show's animation, art style, and its BGM score have blinded its most loyal viewers into thinking that it's somehow the best written and best acted TF cartoon series ever made, when not only do the animation, look, and music have little to do with the writing and/or acting quality, but the writing and acting are no better than/on par with Animated, Rescue Bots, and even the two Canadian-made Beast Era series.

I honestly question if anyone would think so highly of this show if it had been made with the animation, art style, and (English) musical score of the Robots in Disguise cartoon. Imagine it, same writing quality, same acting quality, same story and characters, same everything... except for it being in 2D cel-shaded anime animation and scored by Saban. Would it still be as loved in that case, or would its loss of prettiness shy people away?

In other words, the cake would be the same, but the icing would be vanilla instead of double chocolate fudge with sprinkles and strawberries.

[kaijuguy19]

As much as I love this cgi series, I want them to go back to conventional animation. If they did we could get a far larger cast and more episodes for thier buck. So bring on the Autobot swarm....... or well the Swarm for that matter.

I agree.

Not just for the bigger cast, but because I feel that the very "epic-by-default" look and feel of this show's animation, art style, and its BGM score have blinded its most loyal viewers into thinking that it's somehow the best written and best acted TF cartoon series ever made, when not only do the animation, look, and music have little to do with the writing and/or acting quality, but the writing and acting are no better than/on par with Animated, Rescue Bots, and even the two Canadian-made Beast Era series.

I honestly question if anyone would think so highly of this show if it had been made with the animation, art style, and (English) musical score of the Robots in Disguise cartoon. Imagine it, same writing quality, same acting quality, same story and characters, same everything... except for it being in 2D cel-shaded anime animation and scored by Saban. Would it still be as loved in that case, or would its loss of prettiness shy people away?

In other words, the cake would be the same, but the icing would be vanilla instead of double chocolate fudge with sprinkles and strawberries.

I don't think people would've been bothered by the change in art style as long if it's done well but I think the music if it's on Saban's cheesy style would annoy some people and after hearing some of their tracks in most of their shows I wouldn't blame them.

Also while I don't think Prime is the best TF show ever despite being a big fan of it I still think it's one of the stronger shows out there despite some of it's faults and while it doesn't rank up there with BW and Animated it's not anywhere near the UT and RID's level either which I why I question the idea of the show being on Energon's level being presented.

[Dead Metal]

As much as I love this cgi series, I want them to go back to conventional animation. If they did we could get a far larger cast and more episodes for thier buck. So bring on the Autobot swarm....... or well the Swarm for that matter.

I agree.

Not just for the bigger cast, but because I feel that the very "epic-by-default" look and feel of this show's animation, art style, and its BGM score have blinded its most loyal viewers into thinking that it's somehow the best written and best acted TF cartoon series ever made, when not only do the animation, look, and music have little to do with the writing and/or acting quality, but the writing and acting are no better than/on par with Animated, Rescue Bots, and even the two Canadian-made Beast Era series.

I honestly question if anyone would think so highly of this show if it had been made with the animation, art style, and (English) musical score of the Robots in Disguise cartoon. Imagine it, same writing quality, same acting quality, same story and characters, same everything... except for it being in 2D cel-shaded anime animation and scored by Saban. Would it still be as loved in that case, or would its loss of prettiness shy people away?

In other words, the cake would be the same, but the icing would be vanilla instead of double chocolate fudge with sprinkles and strawberries.

I would still like it a whole lot. The only thing i wouldn't like as much would be the music I guess, since I love the kind of music Prime uses.
Remember how I complained that it would be CGI?

However, i wan the next one to also be CGI, in the same stile, it would just be too jarring for me to have to get used to another new stile just after I finally got used to the current one.

Also, your comment makes Beast era sound like something negative :/

Prime is still better written than the movies and any of the Japanese shows, not to mention the original G1 show.

[VirusCarnage]

Prime is still better written than the movies and any of the Japanese shows, not to mention the original G1 show.

Yes much better written then G1 and movies, can't speak for the Japanese shows since I don't watch those though.

[Dead Metal]

Prime is still better written than the movies and any of the Japanese shows, not to mention the original G1 show.

Yes much better written then G1 and movies, can't speak for the Japanese shows since I don't watch those though.

You should check out Masterforce and RID they're pretty fun and entertaining, forget the rest though they're pretty bad.
Headmasters is best watched with the stupid English dub, since that way you can at least pretend the show was meant to be a parody.
Can't comment on Zone though since I haven't seen that yet, and I actually don't intend to.
But yea, Prime, Animated and Beast era are the best shows.

[Sabrblade]

Also, your comment makes Beast era sound like something negative :/

Sorry. The "even" was meant to refer to how something from over ten years ago still stands on par with stuff today.

But yea, Prime, Animated and Beast era are the best shows.

And Rescue Bots.

Don't alwasy need a war or an ongoing struggle of good vs. evil to have a good story and good characters. Sure, it helps, but it isn't a necessity.

[Slashercon]

Also, your comment makes Beast era sound like something negative :/

Sorry. The "even" was meant to refer to how something from over ten years ago still stands on par with stuff today.

But yea, Prime, Animated and Beast era are the best shows.

And Rescue Bots.

Don't alwasy need a war or an ongoing struggle of good vs. evil to have a good story and good characters. Sure, it helps, but it isn't a necessity.

I definitely have to agree with that statement.

[kaijuguy19]

Does anyone here find the Autobots in Prime to be bland and boring?

[King Kuuga]

On the one hand, Prime has had George Takei in a cameo role.
On the other hand, Rescue Bots has had Tim Curry as a recurring character.

[PrymeStriker]

Well....Magnus' right hand is no more. I wonder if he'll get some sort of weapon replacement like Shockwave.

This better not mean there won't be any more Predacons. I was looking forward to it.

Was it just me, or does Smokescreen's voice sound deeper than before?

Predaking was quite interesting. I can only pray he turns tail on the Decepticons in the near future, as well as spawning his own Predacon army.

I thought this episode was rather good. Definitely in the top 3 of the season this far with Project Predacon and Thirst.

[Slashercon]

Absolutely fantastic episode. I actually found myself caring about Ultra Magnus. It was also nice for Optimus to lend a hand, since, in the end, Magnus could use one XD
Oh, and was I really the only one who felt sympathetic to Predaking.

[VirusCarnage]

This episode was great probably my favorite of the season, I really felt sympathetic for Ultra Magnus and a little bit for Predaking, I originally thought that Magnus was going to die im glad I was wrong and hopefully he will be more like Optimus and not enforce his protocols after this experiance

[Henry921]

So many scientific facts this episode...

So transformation is an evolutionary process, at least in Cybertronians with organic components. This intrigues me, as we've very rarely seen Transformers have difficulty with the whole 'transformation' thing... mostly in other shows with organic characters like Beast Wars and Beast Machines.

Synth En mingled with something to create Cybermatter. The CNA? The cybertronian tech in Shockwave's lab? Whatever the missing component is, Shockwave can figure it out and make him some more. Perhaps Synth En's purpose isn't to be a true Energon substitute, but to foster areas where Energon can naturally grow, creating new Cybertron-like environments. More info on this please.

Also, shame that we don't get any more new Predacons...

Though I must say, Starscream finally got around to earning his keep this episode, with his little scheme. Glad to see Screamer looking halfway competent again.

[Skritz]

Predaking's voice and personallity turned out to be a major (yet pleasant) surprise; I was expecting a deep, booming but primitive voice. Kinda like an evil Grimlock. Instead he came off as young, ambitious and proactive but also surprisingly compassionate for his fellow Predacons. In a way, he reminded me of Starscream minus the cowardice and slimyness with a bit more nobility and wisdom.

He seemed like he would have made a very ambitious and eager leader. Sadly, as I expected, the show did not allow the Predacons to survive. It seems to be a recurring trend in this show to kill off any character that would seriously upset the balance of things.

[VirusCarnage]

As far as we know they didnt survive but who's to say that they didnt survive the explosion and escape?

[Shadowman]

Two things really stuck out for me:

Starscream is a champ in this episode, effortlessly conning the Predaking, and even Shockwave. It's a far cry from the 'con who lost an arm trying to make a zombie.

Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack vs. Predaking is amazing, using their weapons and abilities to their maximum in one of the best choreographed fight scenes in the series. The whole thing calls back to the more violent and brutal fights of the early series, especially Darkness Rising.

Really impressive episode. Between this and Thirst, the final season is really looking up. Here's hoping they continue the trend.

[Skritz]

Oh yeah, this really is an episode that highlight how cunning and devious Starscream is.

[Noideaforaname]

That was the most anti-climatic reveal for Predaking's robot mode.

Predaking shrinks a lot into robot mode...

Starscream has dastardly plans that actually lead up to something instead of immediately blowing up in his face!

The other Predacons aren't just clones of Predaking! OF COURSE they'd all be destroyed.

Ouch at Magnus' hand.

I have absolutely no idea as to what the ending was all about.

[VirusCarnage]

I have absolutely no idea as to what the ending was all about.

I think the explosion from the Syth-en and CNA caused cyber matter to show up thats what I got out of it

but if Sabrblade were here he could probably make sense out of it.

[King Kuuga]

Predaking's explanation of his evolution is interesting. Seems he quickly grew in sentience, he was not intelligent from day 1. And he finally adopts the name Predaking.
Magnus has some nice development this episode, and it looks like he'll be less stiff going forward. The loss of the Forge and his unhanding came as a big surprise, though. I wonder how they'll proceed from there.
The fight between Magnus and Wheeljack and Predaking was wonderful. Great choreography.
The plot to have the Autobots destroy the other Predaclones was devious, but it means we've been cheated out of seeing any other preds for a while. How many episodes are left in this season, again?

[VirusCarnage]

How many episodes are left in this season, again?

There are 4 left in the season.

[Autobot032]

I have absolutely no idea as to what the ending was all about.

I think the explosion from the Syth-en and CNA caused cyber matter to show up thats what I got out of it

but if Sabrblade were here he could probably make sense out of it.

You're exactly right, you hit the nail right on the head.

It makes for a plot device for next week's episode as seen in the extended preview shown during TMNT II. Megatron plans to rebuild the Omega Lock.

Anywho, back to this episode.

I liked it, a lot. But it was definitely sad.

I felt really bad for Predaking. I know, I know, I was shocked, too. But, here's the thing... He didn't ask to be created, he didn't ask to be used as a pet/weapon and he didn't ask to be abused at the hands of his captors. (And yes, I blame Megatron and Shockwave because they knew what Starscream was capable of, and even before Predaking transformed, they saw him strike him across the nose.)

And on top of that? All of his "brothers" and "sisters" die right before his eyes. Their screams echoing throughout the cave. And to add insult to injury, the people he thought responsible...beat him senseless.

I get that the Autobots were set up. I get that they had to defend themselves. But if you look at it from Predaking's point of view, it goes as follows:

You people made me and thrust me right out into the world with nothing more than a slap on the ass.

You let the scrawny one beat me, whether or not he could any real damage is besides the point, you let it happen.

You promised me more of my kind, and then let the Autobots kill them.

I'm owed vengeance, I'm wounded and the Autobots come in and beat me up just for wanting to exist.

I felt nothing but extreme pity for Predaking and I thought that part of the story was written very well. I thought Starscream's treachery was fantastically played out. But one other thing surprised me... Ultra Magnus.

When the Autobots go running to Optimus and you see the pained look on Prime's face and the sad/confused look on Magnus's, it hits you. He's not just a soldier, he's a person, too. And I'm glad Optimus gave him that line about family, it wasn't cheesy, it was well said and fit like a glove.

Speaking of gloves, that brings us to hands. Magnus's in particular. That was a BRUTAL wound to suffer, and you could tell it brought him immense pain, not to mention a crapkicking fest to his ego.

Like it was said, Thirst was good, and Evolution was good, and if they keep this up... This season might just be the best one yet. I'm starting to see why the story was a slow burn start up, because it's building to something fantastic. Just when I think the showrunners are starting to lose steam and can't write their way out of a paper bag, they come along with an episode like this and Thirst and completely blow my expectations out of the water.

Such impressive work. Such an impressive episode. Perhaps even their best, yet.

[DarkStar]

Predaking shrinks a lot into robot mode...

Starscream: how is that possible!?
G1 Megatron: It's the mass shifting, son. Never heard of it?

Guess i made the right choice to buy them both