The Energon Pub

[Snowy]

Like the Dinobots, Shockwave's the guy behind the Insecticons this time.

Ah. Much obliged, Saber. Yes, silly me. Monstrous, animalistic killing machines? Of course Soundwave was behind it.

Shockwave. Shockwave. Different character entirely. Not even remotely related to Soundwave.

GAH! You're right, thank you. So used to typing Soundwave that I just punched it in when I needed a name with an S. Those two still have such annoyingly similar names. But yes, Shockwave would be our favorite mad scientist. Soundwave is more like the creepy guy at work that everyone tries to avoid.

[Snowy]

Like the Dinobots, Shockwave's the guy behind the Insecticons this time.

Ah. Much obliged, Saber. Yes, silly me. Monstrous, animalistic killing machines? Of course Soundwave was behind it.

Shockwave. Shockwave. Different character entirely. Not even remotely related to Soundwave.

GAH! You're right, thank you. So used to typing Soundwave that I just punched it in when I needed a name with an S. Those two still have such annoyingly similar names. But yes, Shockwave would be our favorite mad scientist. Soundwave is more like the creepy guy at work that everyone tries to avoid.

[Psychodrome]

My thoughts on PRIME:

I really want to see what Mech does with Breakdown and Silas, I'm mainly hoping they build something original and at least paint it green.

I think they dealt with Airachnid too quickly. That whole hive discovery scene was so epic that it could have easily been the season finale, or at least been part of it in some way...

I'm cool with the Insecticons, but I'd like to see an individual design variant, maybe a general that transforms into a different insect.

We still have David Kaye and James Remar in the voice cast. I hope they are voicing transformers of some type. Also, it would be nice to have these relics add up to something important, I mean it has to right? I imagine that is how they are planning to end this season.

Optimus Prime aside from his combat badassery, is a bit too stoic to the point of being boring. I prefer his movie Prime, because he had more emotion, even losing his temper at one point. I'm not saying he should be like that, but maybe a little more relatable.

Megatron is great, but kind of a jerk, which I suppose he should be. I really don't see why the other Decepticons follow him other than out of fear. There is a difference between the BW Megz and this one. I prefer the BW version. Evil, smart, but kinda likeable....Welker still gives him a great voice. It's just him being so ready to execute his soldiers when they screw up that bugs me. Not the smartest idea when you're at war, but if it's a scare tactic, then I retract my previous statement.

In conclusion, I hope that Hasbro gets some of that DOTM box office gross and gives it to Polygon Studios so they can make the show larger and give it more scope, akin to Clone Wars. More human characters, see the kids in school with other kids(great tie-in for future episodes) more environments, more transformers, more win.......

[Sabrblade]

^ David Kaye seems to be voicing Hardshell next episode.

[crazyjeffy]

My thoughts on PRIME:

I really want to see what Mech does with Breakdown and Silas, I'm mainly hoping they build something original and at least paint it green.

I think they dealt with Airachnid too quickly. That whole hive discovery scene was so epic that it could have easily been the season finale, or at least been part of it in some way...

I'm cool with the Insecticons, but I'd like to see an individual design variant, maybe a general that transforms into a different insect.

We still have David Kaye and James Remar in the voice cast. I hope they are voicing transformers of some type. Also, it would be nice to have these relics add up to something important, I mean it has to right? I imagine that is how they are planning to end this season.

Optimus Prime aside from his combat badassery, is a bit too stoic to the point of being boring. I prefer his movie Prime, because he had more emotion, even losing his temper at one point. I'm not saying he should be like that, but maybe a little more relatable.

Megatron is great, but kind of a jerk, which I suppose he should be. I really don't see why the other Decepticons follow him other than out of fear. There is a difference between the BW Megz and this one. I prefer the BW version. Evil, smart, but kinda likeable....Welker still gives him a great voice. It's just him being so ready to execute his soldiers when they screw up that bugs me. Not the smartest idea when you're at war, but if it's a scare tactic, then I retract my previous statement.

In conclusion, I hope that Hasbro gets some of that DOTM box office gross and gives it to Polygon Studios so they can make the show larger and give it more scope, akin to Clone Wars. More human characters, see the kids in school with other kids(great tie-in for future episodes) more environments, more transformers, more win.......

I gotta say that my opinions are entirely opposite yours here except for paragraphs 3 and 6 :laugh:

I think Prime Optimus and Megatron are my favorite incarnations and I want Silas to just use breakdown's body. I really like that character model :/
Also, I just really really hate Airachnid.


On a side note:

Is it Knock Out or Knockout? I've seen both multiple times.

[Snowy]

In order.

My thoughts on PRIME:

I really want to see what Mech does with Breakdown and Silas, I'm mainly hoping they build something original and at least paint it green.

I don't know about green, but I'm more apprehensive than hopeful. The writers could go so many directions with this, and the stunt itself definitely caught me off-guard anyway. I have no idea what to expect except it's going to be big.

I think they dealt with Airachnid too quickly. That whole hive discovery scene was so epic that it could have easily been the season finale, or at least been part of it in some way...

Her stasis did feel a bit rushed in my opinion. They probably could have written it into a less eventful episode so her whole attack on the Nemesis would have more precedence. That episode was great but had too much going on in my opinion. Then again, these guys are already pressed for time as it is. It wasn't the smoothest move, but it's not too big of an upset, and it still leaves them wiggle room with Airachnid.

I'm cool with the Insecticons, but I'd like to see an individual design variant, maybe a general that transforms into a different insect.

We have Hardshell who is slightly different I believe. Keep in mind that it's a lot of work to make individual models and transformation sequences. Yes, they could have embellished more on the Hardshell design, but they had to not only go with Hasbro's word-of-god dictation but deadlines and budgets as well. I'm not too concerned with this slight cutting of corners.

We still have David Kaye and James Remar in the voice cast. I hope they are voicing transformers of some type. Also, it would be nice to have these relics add up to something important, I mean it has to right? I imagine that is how they are planning to end this season.

Well you don't just find a Spark Extractor during a war and let it collect dust on a shelf. The Resonance Blaster seems like it'll see use from Soundwave at least. And I'm pretty sure those guys will voice transformers. I've heard rumors of Kaye voicing Hardshell.

Optimus Prime aside from his combat badassery, is a bit too stoic to the point of being boring. I prefer his movie Prime, because he had more emotion, even losing his temper at one point. I'm not saying he should be like that, but maybe a little more relatable.

Actually, Prime's Prime is my favorite Prime out of all the Primes. He's by far the most fatherly and he just exudes this aura of authority. He's the kind of Prime that you'd feel awful for letting down; like a favorite teacher at school or something. He's a leader figure that is the direct foil of Megatron. Where the Autobots follow willingly and with full trust in Prime, the Decepticons only follow by fear or blind loyalty to a cause long since forgotten. Which brings us to:

Megatron is great, but kind of a jerk, which I suppose he should be. I really don't see why the other Decepticons follow him other than out of fear. There is a difference between the BW Megz and this one. I prefer the BW version. Evil, smart, but kinda likeable....Welker still gives him a great voice. It's just him being so ready to execute his soldiers when they screw up that bugs me. Not the smartest idea when you're at war, but if it's a scare tactic, then I retract my previous statement.

I really liked Animated's Megatron. Smart, patient, cunning, and practically untouchable in battle. He was a Megatron that was dangerous without a shadow of a doubt, but you admired him for being so successful in his endeavor simply because he's so smooth and confident. Prime's Megatron is, in a word, absolutely bat-slag insane. He's terrifying to both the Autobots and his troops. It's his unpredictability and excessively violent behavior that puts you on edge. Will he terminate someone for failing or simply beat them within an inch of their life? Will he let them off the hook? Not only is it unpredictable for us, but for the troops as well-- and I can guarantee you that they're a lot more terrified than we are. With BW Megs you could negotiate, squirm away, or at least survive. Prime Megs is the embodiment of unyielding wrath and obsessive determination.

In conclusion, I hope that Hasbro gets some of that DOTM box office gross and gives it to Polygon Studios so they can make the show larger and give it more scope, akin to Clone Wars. More human characters, see the kids in school with other kids(great tie-in for future episodes) more environments, more transformers, more win.......

Yes I want them to get a bigger budget. NO I don't want to see the kids in school. I AM a kid in school! Why show the ordinary when the extraordinary is so much more interesting. More transformers is a definite YES. More character development and display of depth? YES!!!

Heh. I know it's all your opinion. Not trying to prove anything or tear into you, so sorry if you got that impression. I tend to get carried away with my musings ^^;

EDIT:

On a side note:

Is it Knock Out or Knockout? I've seen both multiple times.

Knockout seem to be more of a fanon spelling. I've usually seen official sources use Knock Out, so that's what I go with.

[YRQRM0]

I just realized, what kind of order are these episodes supposed to be told in? Idk how to say that....but basically, how can Dreadwing, AND Knock Out be back at the ship, without BB and Arcee, OR Prime not be back at the base? Why would they stay any longer at the location?

[King Kuuga]

I just realized, what kind of order are these episodes supposed to be told in? Idk how to say that....but basically, how can Dreadwing, AND Knock Out be back at the ship, without BB and Arcee, OR Prime not be back at the base? Why would they stay any longer at the location?

Knock Out JUST got back, remember he fled after getting run over by the train. Bee and Arcee stayed a little longer in NYC to attend to things. As for Prime.....maybe he's attending to something else while he's out and about.

[Shadowman]

I just realized, what kind of order are these episodes supposed to be told in? Idk how to say that....but basically, how can Dreadwing, AND Knock Out be back at the ship, without BB and Arcee, OR Prime not be back at the base? Why would they stay any longer at the location?

Knock Out JUST got back, remember he fled after getting run over by the train. Bee and Arcee stayed a little longer in NYC to attend to things. As for Prime.....maybe he's attending to something else while he's out and about.

I assume they're dealing with clean-up, or to make sure the area is secure, no extra Vehicons or Insecticons running about.

[Hypershock]

I'm cool with the Insecticons, but I'd like to see an individual design variant, maybe a general that transforms into a different insect.

We still have David Kaye and James Remar in the voice cast. I hope they are voicing transformers of some type. Also, it would be nice to have these relics add up to something important, I mean it has to right? I imagine that is how they are planning to end this season.

Optimus Prime aside from his combat badassery, is a bit too stoic to the point of being boring. I prefer his movie Prime, because he had more emotion, even losing his temper at one point. I'm not saying he should be like that, but maybe a little more relatable.

Megatron is great, but kind of a jerk, which I suppose he should be. I really don't see why the other Decepticons follow him other than out of fear. There is a difference between the BW Megz and this one. I prefer the BW version. Evil, smart, but kinda likeable....Welker still gives him a great voice. It's just him being so ready to execute his soldiers when they screw up that bugs me. Not the smartest idea when you're at war, but if it's a scare tactic, then I retract my previous statement.

In conclusion, I hope that Hasbro gets some of that DOT im M box office gross and gives it to Polygon Studios so they can make the show larger and give it more scope, akin to Clone Wars. More human characters, see the kids in school with other kids(great tie-in for future episodes) more environments, more transformers, more win.......

This show is effectively Transformers' answer to the Clone Wars. I like Star Wars better than transformers, but honestly i like Prime as a series better than the Clone Wars, because IMO prime took less time to click. The Clone Wars is my favorite era of star wars mythology but i think this show did it better.

As far as optimus and megatron go, Optimus actually has made some progress. He got a lot more aggressive. I think this was the story they wanted to tell with the movies, because Optimus wasn't that bad in TF1, but in Rotf he was just psychopathic. I think they wanna show how he gets to this level this time. As far as Megatron, i get this vibe of an old military commander that's not quite insane, but he has so many ticks and manic states that he almost is. My absolute favorite moment for him is in Orion Pax part 3, where he says "I shall never underestimate you again" and he goes to stop the Autobots. He just takes down all the Autobots plus OP and just waits for Arcee. She comes through so he takes her out and assumes cuz she's Cybertronian she has the Key. Just the look on his face when he noticed Jack, i loved it cuz it was like oooooo **** i messed up run run get him now.

With David Kaye, i think he confimred on his twitter that he is hardshell But i think we've widely acknowledged that James Remar was a typo when they actually meant James Horan, the voice of Wheeljack. Although i wouldnt mind him on the show!

[SlyTF1]

Third damn week in a row.

[Shadowman]

-I won't deny, I burst into what was described as "the maniacal laughter of a 14-year-old" when Fowler said "I can haz cheezeburger!" The original LOLcat.

-David Kaye is Hardshell. It's a bit tricky to notice but BW Megatron does slightly bleed through in Hardshell's voice.

-Apparently Megatron figured out how to weaponize Tox-N, a deadly, caustic version of Energon, and used it as a WMD on Cybertron. That sounds an awful lot like the plot of WfC...

-Further more, a glowing green rock that makes aliens sick and die? Again, awfully familiar...

-Am I the only one who finds Frank Welker being so passive aggressive with David Kaye slightly funny?

-They go through a flashback of all the abuse Bulkhead's taken, which doesn't convince him to go on, and his relationship with Miko, which does. It's actually kind of touching.

-...and apparently there's going to be a part 5? Cool, cool.

-Hardshell is actually pretty cool. Same design as the other Insecticons but the markings change his color scheme for enough differentiation. And he's basically the Decepticons' answer to Grimlock.

[Snowy]

GJUDFSJGDJAF

CURSE YOU HASBRO!

One whole month. I have to wait one whole MONTH to find out if Bulkhead dies or not. Truly you are a cruel mistress! Playing with my mind and heart.

Okay, on the bright side, the way they tied all the previous episodes in was nothing short of genius. Because it’s the last episode in the ‘T’ four-parter we all know what’s going on with the others, and as all good authors know, when you come to the end you go back to the beginning. Calling back on the other episodes gave Toxicity a very “final” feel. Everything has come full circle.

But now for the feels.

Right off the bat they highlight Bulkhead’s and Miko’s relationship. This immediately set off warning bells in my head, and the episode wasn’t even five minutes in. Way before the Toxicity preview, I came across a very… Illuminating theory. The writers have both promised long lasting effects from this mini-series, as well as Miko undergoing major character development during this season. The person who I forget the name (and of course anyone else who did) of put two and two and Bulkhead together and predicted that Bulkhead would die.

I hate it when the internet is right.

Remember how I said good writers wrap up endings by calling back to the beginning? Well we have a big fancy word for that in music. It’s called recapitulation: when the end of a piece plays back a modified version of the beginning as a way of finalization. The constant Wrecker references, the flashbacks of Bulkhead’s misadventures, and the soldier-to-soldier relationship that formed between Fowler and Bulkhead in this episode. It was pure joy to watch these two working together, discovering similarities and finally starting to see eye to eye. From episode one these two have never quite gotten along. Until now. Finality.

But this is nothing. Because the most potent of all of them is the one we all fear for: Bulkhead’s relationship with Miko.

To be honest I was never too crazy about either of these characters. Don’t get me wrong, I liked both of them, but compared to the raging love I had for so many other characters, they paled in comparison.

Until you put them together.

Love. Pure and untainted. It doesn’t have to be romantic to be powerful. Both Miko and Bulkhead have risked their lives for each other and share a bond unique to their partnership. You can hear it in the way Bulkhead talks to her; how she goes to any length to help him and gives us one of the most tear-jerking moments in the whole series (until Breakdown ruined it). The two are truly one of a kind. Which is why the parting will be so painful. They promised us character development. Well, nothing says “character development” like a death in the family. I truly feel sorry for Miko. She’s going to be devastated and changed forever after this event. For better or for worse.

I know that it hasn’t been set in stone yet, but the signs all point in that direction. With Bulkhead’s death, the writers have a chance to bring in Wheeljack to Team Prime. We may see new characters or old ones showing new sides of themselves. This entire mini-series has been nothing short of a game-changer in this season.

And now we must wait for at least one month before we can witness the consequences……..

.... I think this has become an abusive relationship

[Hypershock]

so do we know how long the break is?

[Noideaforaname]

Same exact damn cliffhanger?! Argh...

The rest of the episode wasn't exactly stellar, either. I liked Bulk and Fowler's interactions, as well as Hardshell, but as a whole it felt incredibly padded. And they're going on a break now, just great.

[BeastProwl]

GJUDFSJGDJAF

CURSE YOU HASBRO!

One whole month. I have to wait one whole MONTH to find out if Bulkhead dies or not. Truly you are a cruel mistress! Playing with my mind and heart.

Okay, on the bright side, the way they tied all the previous episodes in was nothing short of genius. Because it’s the last episode in the ‘T’ four-parter we all know what’s going on with the others, and as all good authors know, when you come to the end you go back to the beginning. Calling back on the other episodes gave Toxicity a very “final” feel. Everything has come full circle.

But now for the feels.

Right off the bat they highlight Bulkhead’s and Miko’s relationship. This immediately set off warning bells in my head, and the episode wasn’t even five minutes in. Way before the Toxicity preview, I came across a very… Illuminating theory. The writers have both promised long lasting effects from this mini-series, as well as Miko undergoing major character development during this season. The person who I forget the name (and of course anyone else who did) of put two and two and Bulkhead together and predicted that Bulkhead would die.

I hate it when the internet is right.

Remember how I said good writers wrap up endings by calling back to the beginning? Well we have a big fancy word for that in music. It’s called recapitulation: when the end of a piece plays back a modified version of the beginning as a way of finalization. The constant Wrecker references, the flashbacks of Bulkhead’s misadventures, and the soldier-to-soldier relationship that formed between Fowler and Bulkhead in this episode. It was pure joy to watch these two working together, discovering similarities and finally starting to see eye to eye. From episode one these two have never quite gotten along. Until now. Finality.

But this is nothing. Because the most potent of all of them is the one we all fear for: Bulkhead’s relationship with Miko.

To be honest I was never too crazy about either of these characters. Don’t get me wrong, I liked both of them, but compared to the raging love I had for so many other characters, they paled in comparison.

Until you put them together.

Love. Pure and untainted. It doesn’t have to be romantic to be powerful. Both Miko and Bulkhead have risked their lives for each other and share a bond unique to their partnership. You can hear it in the way Bulkhead talks to her; how she goes to any length to help him and gives us one of the most tear-jerking moments in the whole series (until Breakdown ruined it). The two are truly one of a kind. Which is why the parting will be so painful. They promised us character development. Well, nothing says “character development” like a death in the family. I truly feel sorry for Miko. She’s going to be devastated and changed forever after this event. For better or for worse.

I know that it hasn’t been set in stone yet, but the signs all point in that direction. With Bulkhead’s death, the writers have a chance to bring in Wheeljack to Team Prime. We may see new characters or old ones showing new sides of themselves. This entire mini-series has been nothing short of a game-changer in this season.

And now we must wait for at least one month before we can witness the consequences……..

.... I think this has become an abusive relationship

Well, That certainly makes alot of sense, but I dont think they are going to kill him off. It's hasbro. It's Bulkhead. Killing him off wouldnt open up oppertunities that are already there. They can bring in other characters like jackie whnever they feel like it. I think your reading to far into this.

[BeastProwl]

so do we know how long the break is?

A month, I think

[Hypershock]

so do we know how long the break is?

A month, I think

oh, well i won't mind if its just a month. I just don't want it to be all summer

[King Kuuga]

The thing is, this show has kind of established that ANYBODY can die. They made it seem like Cliffjumper was going to be in the main cast, and then killed him right off the bat. Skyquake and Makeshift both got introduced and killed off in the span of single episodes. Breakdown was around for about a season before he got chopped to bits. Airachnid had really been built up as a character before she got put in stasis. Now, because Bulkhead's toy JUST came out, Hasbro might have intervened and said "No you can't kill him", but who knows. Because the toys aren't integral to the show like they were in the past, the writers have a bit more leeway with these things. I think he won't be killed, but he'll be out of commission for a good while during his recovery from the Tox-N poisoning. He might not ever fully recover, sporting some impediment that hinders his combat abilities. Breakdown's eye was pretty superficial, Airachnid's lost spider legs didn't impede her terribly much, but I see Bulkhead losing an arm or a leg, or maybe some of his memories with Miko and the Autobots. Something serious that would change the dynamic of Team Prime and Miko's relationship with Bulk.

[Foxbear]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! O_O

This show's producers are CRUEL! I can't believe they did this!

On the whole it is a wonderful episode. They expertly weave the other three into it in a believable way.

Both of Bulk's best traits shine out; his raw power and his love for Miko.

Sweet LOL cats! The Fowler speak in this one... second 3:28... I LOL'd so had I almost split a stitch.

Yes Fowler, yes you can haz!

Like any good Army Ranger Fowler believes that a cup of coffee cures everything.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The one G1 throwback that I like best about this show is competent adults!


Hardshell is pretty cool for a con. In the sense that I can't wait to see him get what's coming to him. The battle scars a nice touch to tell him apart from the other bugs.

So, Kryptonite vibe from that "relic" anyone?

And for ANOTHER off-verse reference. He is the only one who can throw the thing that is too dangerous to exist into the volcano....

And now we have to wait HOW long to find out how this finishes up? Honestly, if I chew my arm off in frustration I am suing Hasbro.

[crazyjeffy]

And for ANOTHER off-verse reference. He is the only one who can throw the thing that is too dangerous to exist into the volcano....
:

What's that referencing? I must've missed that

[Hypershock]

hey jeffy, it was good seeing you on the ustream tonight im etarnows on that

[Sabrblade]

Episode 41 -

David Kaye is totally Hardshell. And, he and Megatron don't seem to know each other personally, since Hardshell gives a formal introduction of himself to Megatron.

I CAN HAZ CHEEZBURGER!

The relic of the day is... a cache of "Tox-En", a severely lethal kind of energon.

Another mention of the "War for Cybertron".

The location in Bulkhead's first flashback with all the dead Cybertronians looks kinda like the FOC version of the Sea of Rust.

Look out, Bulkhead's got a grenade!

Hardshell just said "Yeeess".

I think... this episode is finally letting us really explore Bulkhead in a much deeper level of depth than ever. Now we can really get into him almost as much as we could his with his Animated counterpart.

Aw, slag, don't tell me they killed off Hardshell. I mean, sure, David Kaye could be the general voice for the Insecticons, but Hardshell added soem individual characterization to the group.

Oh, thank goodness, Hardshell isn't dead. Look out, Bulkhead!

He's... down.

And... that's it? That's seriously how it ends? It's the same ending we got last time, just from a different perspective! And it episode was, without a doubt, Bulkhead's shining moment in the whole show thus far. And now we'll have to wait for a long time before finding out if he's gonna be alright or not.

And for ANOTHER off-verse reference. He is the only one who can throw the thing that is too dangerous to exist into the volcano....
:

What's that referencing? I must've missed that

Foxbear's referencing the Lord of the Rings.

[Shadowman]

Hardshell just said "Yeeess".

Damn, I must have missed that line.

And for ANOTHER off-verse reference. He is the only one who can throw the thing that is too dangerous to exist into the volcano....
:

What's that referencing? I must've missed that

Foxbear's referencing the Lord of the Rings.

Well, Bulkhead isn't the only one who can do it, he's just the only one on hand who wants to.

[crazyjeffy]

hey jeffy, it was good seeing you on the ustream tonight im etarnows on that

Oh hey im crazyjeffy wherever i go lmao





Oh lol derp i cang believe i didnt make that connection. Now i feel silly.