The Energon Pub

http://www.youtube.com/user/Pepsimus · by **Black Bumblebee** » Tue May 10, 2011 6:39 pm

Okay, I've been following Prime now, and I think I've finally figured out what's really been bothering me about this show.

Now, don't get me wrong: I'm enjoying the show, I think it's a lot of fun.

But there's one character who has gotten rather little "characterization" and that is Optimus Prime himself.

The show is called "Prime," so you'd think there'd be some sort of focus on Optimus, but he just tends to act as "standard superman" boss character. He doesn't really talk to anyone, unless it's to give an order, provide a moral, or to state that Megatron must be stopped.

In short, Optimus Prime here has become stripped of his "humanity" for lack of a better word--he's just not relatable to as a hero character.

I hate to bring up G1, 'cause I know this'll get me flame for being a geewuner, but the original Prime was the leader, and yes, he gave orders, but he still had a dry sense of HUMOR to him. He wouldn't just watch his troops play basketball, he'd get right in there, take the ball, and dunk it.

I can't even imagine this Optimus ever even laughing, let alone just enjoying himself.

Anyone else feel this way?

News Credits: 2 · by **Shadowman** » Tue May 10, 2011 7:48 pm

I sure don't. There hasn't been an episode focusing on Optimus since Dark Energon, so it's not like he has no real character, he just hasn't gotten the chance to show it off yet.

And yeah, he does command from the front lines. He was shown leading the assault on the Nemesis in "out of His Mind," nearly every fight in Dark Energon, he carried the Dingus himself in Convoy, and he personally went to check out the crashed Plague Ship.

So, every problem you have could be easily rectified in a good Optimus episode.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Pepsimus · by **Black Bumblebee** » Tue May 10, 2011 8:25 pm

That's my point--Prime is "there" in every episode, and yes he fights the good fight, battles the baddies, and does the heroic stuff... but he's still a non-entity.

I "do" want to see a Prime centric storyline in Prime. Decepticons like Knockout currently have more personality than Prime does.

Megatron, on the other side, has been "out of action" for a while, but you still hear his personality shine through in his dialogue, when he's on screen.

It's kind of like we're just seeing Prime how Prime appears in Megatron's head: he just spouts the "one shall stand, one shall fall" and "this ends here Megatron" type lines... but past that, he's just an empty shadow.

Again, I'm not saying that I dislike the cartoon--but its irking me.

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Tue May 10, 2011 10:57 pm

Black Bumblebee, I wholehearted agree with you on how flat and uninteresting Optimus is. He has the role of the stoic, no nonsense leader down. but that's it. He has shown little to no real emotion outside of combat, everything he says has to be spoken so formally and by the book, and (IIRC) he has never once cracked a smile (having a visible mouth, he's one of the few Optimus Primes who can visibly smile). He really needs to kick back and relax at some point. I especially didn't like how, in episode 8, Arcee explained Optimus' absence by noting how "Primes don't party." :BANG_HEAD:

Though, I gotta counter with one notion. Since this Optimus Prime is the same one as the ones who appeared in the WFC games and the Exodus novel, I cannot say that this Optimus has zero personality. WFC did somewhat give him a little characterization, but it was mostly that of a guy who didn't want to lead, but also felt that he had no choice. Exodus, however, went deep into this Optimus character, showing him develop from a young dreamer into a capable leader who didn't feel that he was destined for any real greatness, but was still willing to give it his all, even if that meant having to stand against his (former) good friend Megatron. Optimus was really fleshed out best in that novel, but it is a shame that this depth that the book put into him isn't reflected very much in Prime cartoon.

by **SJ21** » Wed May 11, 2011 2:23 pm

I would also like to see more characterization of Optimus Prime. I would hate it if his character was only as the "stoic leader".

I think we will see more of him, but the show already has so much going on. Love it.

News Credits: 37 · by **SlyTF1** » Wed May 11, 2011 3:29 pm

Sabrblade wrote:Black Bumblebee, I wholehearted agree with you on how flat and uninteresting Optimus is. He has the role of the stoic, no nonsense leader down. but that's it. He has shown little to no real emotion outside of combat, everything he says has to be spoken so formally and by the book, and (IIRC) he has never once cracked a smile (having a visible mouth, he's one of the few Optimus Primes who can visibly smile). He really needs to kick back and relax at some point. I especially didn't like how, in episode 8, Arcee explained Optimus' absence by noting how "Primes don't party."

THIS! This is Prime's biggest problem. Everything is so bland, especially Optimus! I like Optimus and all, but I was to the point where I actually wanted Optimus to die in the last episode. I know, I know, I'm a horrible person. But he always comes back!

by **DJ1107** » Fri May 13, 2011 12:40 am

Okay I have a question regarding these past episodes. The autobot have broken into Nemesis like 3 time someone tell me why no one has thought about setting explosive I mean yeah time schedule with Prime during sick mind but still. everything can be solved in like two minutes.

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Fri May 13, 2011 12:51 am

DJ1107 wrote:Okay I have a question regarding these past episodes. The autobot have broken into Nemesis like 3 time someone tell me why no one has thought about setting explosive I mean yeah time schedule with Prime during sick mind but still. everything can be solved in like two minutes.

Maybe they don't have any? From what I could tell by Ratchet's dialogue in the pilot, the Autobots' material resources seem limited.

News Credits: 2 · by **Shadowman** » Fri May 13, 2011 1:22 am

Sabrblade wrote:
DJ1107 wrote:Okay I have a question regarding these past episodes. The autobot have broken into Nemesis like 3 time someone tell me why no one has thought about setting explosive I mean yeah time schedule with Prime during sick mind but still. everything can be solved in like two minutes.

Maybe they don't have any? From what I could tell by Ratchet's dialogue in the pilot, the Autobots' material resources seem limited.

That, and all the times they've been on the Nemesis, setting up a bomb big enough to take down the Nemesis wouldn't be possible.

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Fri May 13, 2011 1:32 am

Shadowman wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
DJ1107 wrote:Okay I have a question regarding these past episodes. The autobot have broken into Nemesis like 3 time someone tell me why no one has thought about setting explosive I mean yeah time schedule with Prime during sick mind but still. everything can be solved in like two minutes.

Maybe they don't have any? From what I could tell by Ratchet's dialogue in the pilot, the Autobots' material resources seem limited.

That, and all the times they've been on the Nemesis, setting up a bomb big enough to take down the Nemesis wouldn't be possible.

Plus, they already did sneak a bomb onto the Nemesis once (on Makeshift). When it went boom, it did little damage, only blowing up some Vehicons and leaving Makeshift's fate unknown.

by **SJ21** » Fri May 13, 2011 10:41 am

Sabrblade wrote:
Shadowman wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
DJ1107 wrote:Okay I have a question regarding these past episodes. The autobot have broken into Nemesis like 3 time someone tell me why no one has thought about setting explosive I mean yeah time schedule with Prime during sick mind but still. everything can be solved in like two minutes.

Maybe they don't have any? From what I could tell by Ratchet's dialogue in the pilot, the Autobots' material resources seem limited.

That, and all the times they've been on the Nemesis, setting up a bomb big enough to take down the Nemesis wouldn't be possible.
Plus, they already did sneak a bomb onto the Nemesis once (on Makeshift). When it went boom, it did little damage, only blowing up some Vehicons and leaving Makeshift's fate unknown.

Didn't they mention that they couldn't take weapons through the ground bridge because it would set them off or send them to the wrong place or something? I think it was in the episode when they were transporting the mini nuclear reactor.

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Fri May 13, 2011 11:19 am

SJ21 wrote:Didn't they mention that they couldn't take weapons through the ground bridge because it would set them off or send them to the wrong place or something? I think it was in the episode when they were transporting the mini nuclear reactor.

The D.N.G.S. was too unstable to send through. The bomb planted on Makeshift, however, wasn't.

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Sat May 14, 2011 11:11 pm

Episode 15 -

Starscream: "I feel fine, Knock Out! Never better. You a brilliant physician. Now, get out of my way!" -- Now say that five times fast, Screamer. :lol:

How on Earth did Arcee not notice the kids entering the Bridge? :roll:

Wait, the Decepticons have their own GroundBridge too? Since when?

Optimus: "Ratchet, could the children have been transported onto the Nemesis instead?" -- First on screen mentioning of the Nemesis' actual name. 8-)

I think this is the first time Optimus has ever cracked a smile in this show.

While I'm a bit disappointed in how he came back, I don't think we've seen the last of Skyquake.

News Credits: 2 · by **Twitchythe3rd** » Sat May 14, 2011 11:13 pm

Shadowzone! Not as great as initially thought.

I was hoping for the glorious return of Skyquake. Instead, we got a hulking zombie. I am dissapoint.

Zombie Skyquake did manage to score some points back though. Two words: ZOMBIE ARM!

On a related note, I really have to question Starscream's plan here. Unless this was an experiment, he really didn't think this one through. What was he going to do once he had Zombie Skyquake? Sic him on Megatron? One zombie wouldn't be anywhere near enough to bring him down.

News Credits: 1 · by **RKX** » Sat May 14, 2011 11:37 pm

Lol... fun lil episode... was pretty good.. not great... but pretty good...

Poor Starscream just can't catch a break.... lol...

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Sat May 14, 2011 11:37 pm

Twitchythe3rd wrote:I was hoping for the glorious return of Skyquake. Instead, we got a hulking zombie. I am dissapoint.

Yeah, but I don't think we've seen the last of him.

Twitchythe3rd wrote:On a related note, I really have to question Starscream's plan here. Unless this was an experiment, he really didn't think this one through. What was he going to do once he had Zombie Skyquake? Sic him on Megatron? One zombie wouldn't be anywhere near enough to bring him down.

I'm gonna guess Starscream didn't think that far ahead. Typical Screamer. :lol:

by **Foxbear** » Sun May 15, 2011 12:21 am

How on Earth did Arcee not notice the kids entering the Bridge?

Arcee is used to dealing with the more responsible Jack. Beacuse she thinks of him as her partner she naturally gives him more trust and responsiblity than the others. She probably was expecting him to keep the other two humans in line so she could focus on the tricky ground bridge opperation, remember scraplet damage, which he did try to do.

by **Foxbear** » Sun May 15, 2011 12:32 am

Megs clearly remembered Screams stealing his dark energon shard but didn't bother to beat its location out of him.
If Ratchet can track a shard from across the planet, surely Megs could find one within his own ship.
Megs not only let Screams live but lets him have free run of the Nemesis including leaving whenever.
Does anyone else get the vibe that Megatron is manipulating Starscream? But to what end? :-?

News Credits: 2 · by **Shadowman** » Sun May 15, 2011 12:52 am

Foxbear wrote:Megs clearly remembered Screams stealing his dark energon shard but didn't bother to beat its location out of him.
If Ratchet can track a shard from across the planet, surely Megs could find one within his own ship.
Megs not only let Screams live but lets him have free run of the Nemesis including leaving whenever.
Does anyone else get the vibe that Megatron is manipulating Starscream? But to what end?

I think he's letting Starscream develop plans just so he can wait until the last minute to crush them, for maximum humiliation.

Alternately, Megatron is not a particularly adept tactician; he let the Autobots walk away just so he could carry out revenge against Starscream. When the Space Bridge was exploding, he just sat there instead of running like hell. When Optimus and Ratchet worked their way up to him, exhausted after fighting all the zombies, Megatron ran away, instead of finishing them off. Short version: He's an idiot.

News Credits: 2 · by **Nico** » Sun May 15, 2011 8:04 am

I'm dissapointed in this show. It feels too disjointed, episodic and/or poorly executed. Very dissapointed how Skyquake came back.

News Credits: 767 · by **Dead Metal** » Sun May 15, 2011 10:02 am

Lol, this was awesome, I liked the slightly distorted look of the shadow zone dimension.

On the whole thing of Optimus Prime having no personality and character development. Well it is pretty odd, especially considering that the show was announced as centring on Optimus Prime and what it means to become a Prime, so far the Autobot with the most character development is Arcee, which makes me fear that she'll get killed off at one point, just like Animated Prowl and BW Dinobot before her.

News Credits: 2 · by **Shadowman** » Sun May 15, 2011 10:56 am

Nico wrote:I'm dissapointed in this show. It feels too disjointed, episodic and/or poorly executed. Very dissapointed how Skyquake came back.

Yeah, you just described every Transformers series ever made.

News Credits: 2 · by **Twitchythe3rd** » Sun May 15, 2011 11:33 am

Sabrblade wrote:
Twitchythe3rd wrote:I was hoping for the glorious return of Skyquake. Instead, we got a hulking zombie. I am dissapoint.
Yeah, but I don't think we've seen the last of him.

I'm kinda doubtful of that. Zombie Skyquake is trapped in the parallel dimension, so unless a future episode sees the portal reopened, I don't think he'll be coming back again.

News Credits: 456 · by **Sabrblade** » Sun May 15, 2011 11:43 am

Twitchythe3rd wrote:
Sabrblade wrote:
Twitchythe3rd wrote:I was hoping for the glorious return of Skyquake. Instead, we got a hulking zombie. I am dissapoint.
Yeah, but I don't think we've seen the last of him.

I'm kinda doubtful of that. Zombie Skyquake is trapped in the parallel dimension, so unless a future episode sees the portal reopened, I don't think he'll be coming back again.

I mean, why would they bother to go to all the trouble of bringing him back as a zombie, not killing him, and then reminding us that he's still unalive and kicking at the episode's conclusion? Like, if he were to be just a discarded character that were supposed to ignroe and forget about, then what was the point of showing us that one final glimpse of him at the end of the episode?

by **Scourgescream** » Sun May 15, 2011 12:02 pm

That was a good episode, TF:P is on a role lately. Series is turning out to be great.

I was also a little disappointed that Skyquake came back as a zombie but as someone else said, i'm sure he will be back at some point.

I see the next couple of episodes coming up feature M.E.CH. I'm a little nervous as the last episode they turned up in was one of the series weaker episodes